Head curtains for dock shelters or dock seals
US8042307B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 29, 2008 |
| Grant date | Oct 25, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 12, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G69/008
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Head curtains for dock shelters or dock seals are disclosed. An example head curtain assembly for a vehicle loading dock includes a retractable curtain stiffened by a resiliently compressible foam panel that is more flexible about a horizontal axis than about a vertical axis. The difference in directional flexibility can be created by sewing the foam panel to a pliable cover using a series of parallel horizontal thread lines. The thread lines create in the foam a series of compressed indentations that run horizontally across the curtain so that the curtain tends to bend more easily along those lines. The relative stiffness in the horizontal direction enables the curtain to exert an appreciable sealing force against two lateral dock seal members, and the vertical flexibility makes the curtain easy to retract to accommodate vehicles of various heights. Touch-and-hold fasteners make many of the individual components of the head curtain readily replaceable.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.