Loading dock shelter with a rotatable seal

US5473846A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Rite-Hite Holding Corporation · US

Inventors

• Jon Giuliani · Whitefish Bay, US
• Bill Triervieler · Dubuque, US
• David J. Hoffmann · Dubuque, US
• Tom Boffeli · Dubuque, US
• Tom Medley · Dubuque, US
• Bob Frommelt · Peosta, US
• Ken Lenz · Platteville, US
• Tom Duccini · Dubuque, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 24, 1992
• Grant date: Dec 12, 1995
• Expiry date: Dec 24, 2012

Classification

• Technology area (CPC E): Fixed Constructions
• CPC primary: E06B7/18
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A loading dock shelter having a rotating seal member is provided for forming a relatively air-tight seal between the dock opening and the truck to prevent the movement of air between the inside and outside of the building during the loading and unloading operation. The seal members are rotatably mounted to the frame assembly for rotation between a first (open) position and a second (sealing) position in response to the movement of the truck into and out of the loading dock. In the first position, the seal member is spaced outwardly from the wall and the loading dock so that it does not interfere with the normal operation of the loading dock and so that it projects into the path of the truck for engaging the truck as the truck backs into the loading dock. After the truck initially engages the seal members, the rearward movement of the truck rotates the seals from the open position to the sealing position in which the seal member is compressed against the outer wall of the truck so that it does not block or otherwise interfere with the normal loading/unloading of the truck.