Storage terminal shelter, including side curtain assembly for truck/trailer hinge gap closure
US5341613A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 1992 |
| Grant date | Aug 30, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G69/008
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A loading dock shelter with hinge gap closure wherein reinforced side curtains seal corner/hinge areas, as a truck/trailer is backed into the loading dock, to thereby form a protective weather seal for the dock. Excessive pull on opposed side curtains is compensated by a pair of spring-loaded hinge assemblies, connecting the respective curtains to each shelter side frame of the front walls. Hinge gap closures having side curtains for right and left portions of the shelter are each adapted to set the curtains parallel to the door of the dock in the normal closed position, when the dock is not in use. When a trailer is backed into the dock, reverse mobility of the vehicle causes the side curtains to be forcibly deflected from their normal aligned and inoperative position, to extend them along the inside of respective trailer swing doors when open, whereupon a collapsible wedge on the extreme end of each side curtain encompasses and plugs the dock gap, created by the truck and its swing doors, preparatory to and during loading and off-loading. Respective side curtain hinges function to close in transverse extension of the side frame of the shelter when it is not in use. When in use, t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.