Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND OF T~IE I~VE~TION
Loading dock shelters are used around doorways and
openings in walls of buildings to pro~tect the building struc-
ture from impact with a truck body and to seal the space
between the truck body and the building during the loading
and unloading of the contents of the truck. Also, the
passage of air between the interior of the building and the
outside in air-conditioned or refrigerated buildings results
in substantial increases in energy cost in heating and/or
cooling the interior of the building.
In the past, loading dock structures have typically
included a flexible head curtain or panel supported along
its top edges and positioned to e~tend across the upper
portion of a doorway or opening to sealably engage with the
top of a truck body. Two side curtains or panels typically
extend inwardly towards each other, downwardly from the sides
of the doorway and upwardly behind the head paneL to provide
sealed engagement with the back of the truck body.
In such installations, the head panel, secured along
its top edges, is free to flap unrestrained in the wind. The
repeated flexing and snapping of the head curtain produces
considerable wear and strain along the edges secured to the
underlying support structure and the support ribs sewn into
the materiaL. The resultant stress and wear upon the head
curtain and side panels requires their continued replacement.
~lso, when the head panel is permitted to flap unrestrained,
the ef~ectiveness of -the seal with the truc~ body is greatly
reduced.
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SUM~RY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a s-tructure
which restrains the free movement of head curtains in load-
ing dock shelters, while permitting the head curtain to
yield when engaged with the top of a truck body. The
present invention also prevents the head panel from folding
behind the side panels and further restrains the outward
movement of the side panels.
The loading dock shelter of the present in~ention, for
use around a doorway in a wall, includes a flexible head
cover panel, having a top, bottom, and side edges. The head
panel is supported along its top edge by suitable means in
position to extend across the upper portion of the doorway
to sealably engage with the top of a truck. Affixed to the
head curtain are two sleeves, each sleeve secured to an
opposite side edge of the panel to an intermediate area
between the top and bottom edge. Two flexible elastic straps,
each strap having two ends and slidably received within one
of the sleeves,extend upward from one of the ends towards
the top edge of the head panel and extend at the other end
in a taut draped manner from the sleeve. The ends of the
flexible elastic straps are secured in a stationary manner to
the wall means or side member frame. The flexible elastic
straps restrain the top panel from blowing outwardly in wind,
~5 reducing strain and wear, yet allowing the head panel to
yield upon engagement with a truck body, the elasticity of
the strap cushions the travel of the head panel and absorbs
the shock of sudden forces.
~wo flexible side panels, also having top, bo-ttom and
side edges, can be used in conju~ction with the head panel
and restraining straps. Each side panel is supported along
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a side edge in position to extend inwardly towards each
other from the sides of the doorway. The side panels
extend upwardly behind the head panel and the elastic straps
to sealably engage with the sides of a truck. When used in
con~unction with the side panels, the elas-tic strap prevents
the side panels from unrestrained outward movement such as
that produced by windA The restraining straps prevent the
head panel from folding and wedging behind the side panels
thereby maintaining the efficiency of the seal between the
panels and the truck body.
Other features and advantages of the present invention
will be apparent from the following description and claims
and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which show a
preferred embodiment of the present invention and the prin-
ciples thereof and what is now considered to be the bestmode in which to appl~ these principles. Other embodiments
of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles
may be used and structural changes may be made as desired
to those skilled in the art without departing from the
0 presen-t invention and -the purview of the appe~ded claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of a
loading dock shelter embodying the principles of the present
invention; showing the shelter mounted in operative position
about a doorway locatad in a wall;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front eleva-tional view of the
loading doc~ shelter shown in FIG. 1, illustrating in
particular a portion of the head panel held by the restraining
strap;
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FIG. 3 is a fraymentary side elevational view of a
portion of -the head panel of a loading dock shelter shown
in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;
FIG~ 4 iS a side perspective view of the restraining
strap illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the
loading dock shelter illustrated in FIG. 1 embodying the
principles of the present invention, showing in particular
a restraining strap holding the head panel;
FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the securing means
of the restraining strap illustrated in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A loading dock shelter 11 embodying the principles of
the present invention is shbwn in the drawings to illustrate
the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Referring f~rst to FIG. 1, the loading dock shelter 11 is
shown mounted on an outer wall 12 in a semi-surrounding
relation to a doorway 13. The loading dock shelter 11
protects the building structure from collisions with trucks
and seals gaps between the truck body and the ~uilding during
the loading and unloading of a truck~
The loading dock sheIter 11 is comprised of the
following major components: a head curtain or paneL 21, two
side curtains or panels 51, and support means for supporting
the panels 21 and 51 about their edges in position to extend
into the doorway to sealably engage with the exterior sur-
faces of a truck. The support means may be of any suitable
type, and includes the ou-twardly extending upper hbusing 26
and the outwardly extending side hbusings 56.
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The upper housing 26 is disposed above, and ex-tends
horizontally across the doorway 13. The side housings 56
extend downwardly from respective ends of the upper housing
26 about the sides of the doorway 13. The hbusings 26 and
5 56 may be secur~d to the wall 12 by any suitable means,
such as screws or bolts extending through portions of the
housings 26 and 56 into the wall 12~
A flexible head cover panel 21 having top, bottom and
side edges is supported along its top edge by the ou-twa~dly
extending upper housing 26 in position to extend across the
upper portion of the doorway. Hanging downwardly from the
outwardly extending upper housing 26, the head curtain 21
sealably engages with the top exterior of a truck body as it
is ~acked up in close proximity to the doorway 13.
~70 flexible side cover panels 51 extend inwardly
towards each other from the sides of the doorway and up-
wardly behind the head panel. The two side cover panels 51
have top 61, (not shown) bottom 62, and side 63 edges. Each
side cover panel 51 is secured by suitable means to the
outwardly extending side housing 56 along side edges 63 in
position to extend inwardly towards each other from the sides
o~ the doorway 130 The side cover panels sealably engage
with the exterior sides of a truck body as the truck is
backed up in close proximity to the doorway 13.
The panels 21 and 51 may be made of any suitable
material but preferably are made of a water-repellent, wear-
resistant material, such as for example, canvas duck or water
impervious nylon fabric. Referring now to FIG. 2 support
ribs 22 extend downwardly across the face of the head panel
21. Similar ribs (not shown) extend horizon-tally across the
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side panels 51 to support the side panels 51 in *he inwardly
extending position.
When wind catches the head panel 21, it causes the head
panel 21 to flap upwardly. This movement is carried to the
upper edge 27 where the head panel 21 secured to the upper
housing 26. The movement of the head panel 21 and the flexing
of the head panel material causes wear, particularly around
the support ribs 22 and the upper edge 27. Violent flapping
of the head curtain 21 can cause the head curtain 21 to be
sheered from the upper housing 26.
Retaining means such as sleeyes 24, which only one is
shown, are secured to opposite side edges 29 of the head
panel to an intermediate area between the top 27 and the
bottom edge 28. Preferably, the sleeves 24 are positioned
towards the bottom edge 28, as shown in FIG. 5, to substan-
tially suppress the movement o~ most of the head panel 21 as
will be evident later. Restraining means, such as restraining
straps 31, (only one shown) are secured to in a stationary
manner to the side housin~s 56. Each strap 31 is slidably
receiyed within one o~ the sleeves 2~. One ena of each strap
31 extends upwardly towards the top edge 27 of the head panel
21. The opposite end extends in a taut draped manner from
the sleeve 2~ to a lower point on the side housing 56. Each
end is secured in a stationary manner to the side housing 56.
As illustrated in phantom in PIG. 5, additional sleeves 2~'
can be used to directly secure additional areas o~ the head
curtain 21 to the restraining strap 21.
Re~erring now -to FIG. 3~ the restraining s-trap 31 in-
cludes a flexible eIastic cord 38 and upper and lower anchors,
3Q 35 and 36 respectively, secured to the ends of the cord 38.
Anchors 35 and 36 have planar sur:Eaces 46 through which
extends a hole 47, as best seen in FIG~ 4. The anchors
35 and 36 have an outwardly projecting portion 45 extending
from the planar sur:Eace 46 and into a cord securing portion
46 which clamps tightly around the cord 38. The outwardly
projecting portion 45 allows the anchors 35 and 36 to :Eit
flush again~;t the housing 56 and minimizes wear on the cord
38 :Erom rubbing against the housing 56. Re:Eerring again to
FIG. 3, bolts 37 extend through the holes 47 and through the
side housing 56 where they are secured by suitable means as a
nut. Preferably, the lower anchor 36 is positioned below
the head curtain 21 to avoid wear caused by the anchor 36
rubbing on the head curtain 21.
Alternativelyr the ends o the flexible elastic cord
38 can be formed into a ring of cord or grommet 33 and
secured by kno ts 41. The gro~unet 33 is secured to the side
housings 56 by means of upper and lower fastening bands, 32
and 34 .respactively, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. Referring
now to FIG. 6, the fastening bands 32 and 34 includes a thin
flat strip folded upon itsel to form a loop 48 which the
grommet 33 is secured within. The loop 48 projects outward
from the housing 56 to allow the lower planar surface 50 to
Xit flush against the housing surface and to hold the cord 38
away :Erom the housing 56. The upper and lower planar sur-
faces, 43 and 50 respectiveIy, of the fastening band 34
have holes substantially in alignment to allow bolt 37 to
extend therethrough. The fastening bands 32 and 34 are
secured -to the side housiny 56 by suitable means such as bolt
37 e~uipped: with washers 39, extending through the fastening
bands 32 and 34 and through a hole in the side housing 56,
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and fitted with a nut 40. Preferably the lower fastening
band 3~ is mounted below the head curtain 21.
The flexible elastic straps 31 restrain the head
panel from blowing outwardly in wind thereby reducing strain
and wear, yet allow the head panel to yield upon engagement
with the top exterior of a truck body. The sleeves 24 allow
the restraining straps 31 to stretch across their entire
length. As the distance between the sleeve 24 and the lower
fastening band 3~ or lower anchor 36 is increased beyond the
relaxed length of the flexible eIastic cord 38, the elastic
cord 33 stretches across its length, from the upper fastening
band 32 or anchor 35 to the lower fastening band 34 or anchor
36, and pulled down through the sleeve 24. The elasticity of
the restraining strap 31 cushions the end of the travel of the
head panel 21 and absorbs the shock of sudden forces or
flapping.
Two flexi~le curtains or pane:Ls 51 can be used in con-
junction with the head panel 21 and restraining straps 31.
The flexible side panels 51 also have top 61 (not shown),
bottom 62 and side 63 edges. The side panels 51 are supported
along side edges 63 in position to extend inwardly towards
each other from the sides of the doorway 13. The side panels
51 extend upwardly behind the head paneI 21 and the restrain-
ing straps 31 to sealably engage with the exterior sides of a
truo~ body. When used in conjunction with the side panels 51,
the restraining straps 31 prevents -the side panels 51 ~rom
unrestrained outward movement such as that produced by a wind.
The restraining straps 31 thus reduce the strain and wear
caused by the vi.olent flexing of the side panels 51 and pre-
vent the side panels 51 from sheering about the side edges
63 secured to the side housing 56. The restraining straps
31 also prevent the head panel 21 from folding and wedging
behind the side panels 51. Such a reversal o~ position of
the side panels 51 and head panel 21 reduces the efficiency
of the seal between the panels and the truck body.
To further reduce wear and strain to the head panel 21
and side panels 51, overlapping, flexible, wear-resistant
flaps or plates 23 are affixed along their upper edges to
front truck engaging surfaces of the panels 21 and 51. Each
flap 23 is free to move up and down individually of the other
flaps 23. The flaps 23 flex and ~old to move up and down
with abutting parts of a truck body.
In operation, a truck backs up into close proximity
to the do~rway 13. The side curtains 51 engage the exterior
sides of the truck body, the head panel 21 engages the upper
exterior of the truck body. The restraining strap 31 yieldly
resists movement of the head curtain 21 e~fective to hold the
head curtain 21 in firm sealing engagement with the top of
the truck body, so as to afford an effective substantially
weatherproof seal therebetween. Also, the restraining
2~ strap 31 is effective to prevent dislodgement o~the head
curtain from its sealing engagement with the top of the truck
body by ou~side force, such as~ for example the wind, or by
shifting of the truck during the loading and unloading
operations.
As a truc~ moves forwardly out o~ operative engagement
with the loading dock shelter 11, the head curtain 21 and
side curtains 51 return to their normal at reset position.
The restraining strap 31 prevents the head curtain 21 from
moving freely under the influence of outside Eorces, such as
the wind. As the head curtain 21 is lifted upward it reaches
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11 9~B36
the end of its travel as the sleeve 24 pulls the restraining
strap 31 upward removing slack in the cord 38. Further
movement of the head panel 21 causes the flexible elastic
cord 38 to stretch its entire length, pulling additional
amounts of stretched elastic cord 38 through the sleeve 24
thereby cushioning the end of -the head curtain's 21 travel
in the upward direction.
Side panels 51 are restrained in their ou-tward movement
by the head panel 21 and the restraining straps 3I. Violent
flappin~ motions of both the head panel 21 and the side
panels 51 are reduced and cushioned by the restraining strap
31. Further, the restraining strap 3I prevents the side
panels 51 from extending outwardly and folding back upon the
head panel 21.
It will be seen that the present invention affords a
novel loading dock sheIter which is practical and efficient
in operation, and which may be realdily and economically
produced commercially.
Thus, while I have illustrated and described the
preferred e~bodiment of my invention, t is to be understood
that this is capable of variation and modification, and I
therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details
set forth, but desire to avail ourseIves of such changes in
alternations as which fall within the purview of the follow-
ing claims.
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