Fairborn Usa, Inc.

Berwick Industries, Inc.

Mark Dillon

Thomas R Brockman

Michael Pilgrim

Dale Kreais

A bottom pad assembly for sealing a bottom opening formed when a vehicle is parked adjacent to a loading dock includes a first mounting bracket positioned adjacent to a first end of a dock opening. A second mounting bracket is positioned adjacent to second end of a dock opening. The second end is displaced a predetermined distance relative to the first end. A bottom pad extends between the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket for engaging a rear portion of a vehicle parked adjacent to a loading dock. A clearance space is formed between the bottom pad and a loading dock. The clearance space selectively receives a portion of a leveler for facilitating the loading and unloading of a vehicle when the vehicle is full and the leveler can not be lowered into the vehicle.

Bottom pad/bumper assembly for loading docks with leveler

A selectively releasable side curtain is provided with at lease one zipper member having a first portion secured to the side pad and a second portion secured to the side curtain for selectively, releasably securing the side curtain relative to the side pad. In a second embodiment, a snap stud and snap button member is provided having one snap stud or snap button that is secured to the side pad and a second snap button or snap stud secured to the side curtain for selectively, releasably securing the side curtain relative to the side pad. The side curtain is selectively pivotable mounted relative to the side curtain for being selectively moved from an operative position to a storage position. In addition, at lease one threaded fastener is provided and secured to the side pad and the side curtain for selectively, releasable securing the side curtain relative to the side pad.

Selectively releasable and pivotable side curtain assembly

A closure unit for providing a weather-tight seal within the doorjamb in the wall of a warehouse at a terminal dock, includes outwardly positioned left-hand and right-hand side wings having hook-and-loop fasteners thereon for removably coupling the wings to compressible side pad assemblies. A pair of bottom pad assemblies is securable to the side pad assemblies through mating apertured brackets and laces extending through the aligned apertures of the respective brackets. An independent head curtain assembly is provided with a suitable mounting bracket assembly which supports the head frame assembly separate from the side pads. Rubber straps couple the head curtain assembly to the side walls of the jamb opening in order to restrain the head curtain from movement during high-wind conditions and tension the head curtain during trailer entry. The side pad, bottom pad and head curtain assemblies are all formed with fabric-type outer shells, durable for the intended use. The side pad and bottom pad assemblies have the fabric wrapped around a compressible foam material. The side pad and head curtain assemblies also include flexible stays within the fabric to provide some rigidity to the structure to maintain its initial shape.

Soft sided shelter assembly for truck/trailer closure at storage terminal dock

The present dock shelter assembly provides, at a given warehouse or building dock, a protective unit that presents a weather-tight seal when extended from the dock against the open sliding door or side of an adjacent rail car. It is desirable that such a dock shelter not only permit complete and unobstructed rail car access, but also provide outstanding weather protection. The shelter herein is mounted along the outer perimeter of the dock opening of the terminal building and permits free access to the rail car whereupon its gap closure may be protected upon its sides and bottom during loading and unloading. The car is also sealed by a head curtain above the shelter components. The unit is sufficiently versatile to accommodate a rail car which may be somewhat out of position, relative to a dock center as defined by the building construction. Likewise, the shelter protection should continue its effectiveness despite rocking motions of the car when loaded and unloaded. These objectives are achieved through a rear frame adjustable chain/rope combination which is movable against lefthand and righthand spring-loaded cross-bar side frame assemblies that may retract and extend rear and front frames, relative to a rail car which is temporarily positioned adjacent the warehouse dock.

Mechanical retractable railway dock shelter

A shelterwall assembly for a storage dock, characterized by its protrusion from the docks, beneath its canopy and the optional use of additional guarding because of its 'breakaway' column feature. It is particularly useful when the storage dock has side-by-side openings for the simultaneous loading and off-loading of open truck/trailers which have been backed into registry with the dock. The units herein are anchored above and below the dock opening to provide swingable curtains that fill the gap between vehicle and building. Provision is made for optional winter or summer positioning and a lockout assembly coacts with curtain supports to retain the curtains against displacement, once they have been set.

Shelter wall assembly for truck/trailer terminal docks

A vehicular loading dock shelter with opposed hinge gap and head bag closures. For the hinge gap closures, 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 sides of the dock. Excessive pull on opposed side curtains is compensated by a pair of single leaf spring-loaded hinge assemblies, connecting the respective curtains to corresponding shelter side frames of the front walls. These hinge gap closures having side curtains for are each adapted to set the side 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 forcibly deflect from their normal aligned and inoperative position, to extend them along the inside of respective trailer swing doors when open; whereupon a collapsible tubular wedge on the extreme end of each side curtain encompasses and plugs the dock side gaps, created by the truck and its swing doors. This assemblage is effective preparatory to and during loading and off-loading. An inflatable head bag completes the seal against the top of a docked truck/trailer after docking. The overall effect is to seal the open vehicle on at least the top and sides thereof. Supplemental seals may be incorporated at the bottom of the shelter to compensate for any gap that may be created adjacent the tailgate of the vehicle.

Storage terminal shelter including side curtain and head bag assemblies

A loading dock shelter with head pad assembly and hinge gap closure wherein reinforced side wing assemblies seal corner/hinge areas, as a truck/trailer backs into the loading dock, to thereby form a protective weather seal for the dock. Respective side wings for right and left portions of the shelter are cantilevered to set the wings outwardly of the door of the dock, when the dock is in use, thereby filling the gap between door jamb and truck/trailer open doors. Each attached side wing is thus extended outwardly to seal the gap between trailer and dock shelter. The semi-flexible nature of the wings permits each one to set itself against the inside of vehicular open doors, notwithstanding possible off-center positioning of the vehicle. This head pad assembly is so conformed that its effective life is extended over the norm.

Truck/trailer gap fill closure for storage terminal dock

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, the hinges extend themselves arcuately outward from the side frame of the shelter toward the trailer body and its exposed swing door. Each attached side curtain is thus extended inwardly to seal the dock gap between open trailer doors and shelter. An elongated collapsible pad on the free end of the side curtain, is coactively engaged by the side wall of the vehicle, its door hinge and the open door of the service vehicle.

Storage terminal shelter, including side curtain assembly for

A warehouse terminal building shelter defining a truck dock and seal, wherein a head pad assembly includes a head pad pivot assembly which is anchored forwardly, within the head pad assembly and secured in spring-biased relation thereto. Opposed side pads are covered and reinforced by tension tie straps secured to the blockouts forwardly thereof and in coactive sealing disposition beneath the pivot assembly. Each side pad is of L-shape configuration in cross-section, the side pads being deformable inwardly, relative to the shelter and its head pad.

Storage terminal shelter, including head pad and side pad assemblies for

A loading dock shelter with hinge gap closure wherein reinforced side curtains seal corner/hinge areas, as a truck/trailer is backed into a loading dock, to thereby form a protective weather seal. 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 position, when the dock is not in use, thereby protecting the door from inclement weather, etc. When a trailer is moved into the dock, reverse mobility of the vehicle is such as to cause the side curtains to be deflected from normal inoperative position, to extend them along the side of the respective trailer swing doors, whereby a collapsible wedge on the extreme extension of each curtain encompasses the gas created by the truck and its swing door, in sealing contact, preparatory to and during loading and off-loading. An articulated hinge functions to close against the side frame of the shelter when not in use and when in use to extend itself arcuately inward from the side frame of the shelter toward the trailer body and its swing door. Its attached side curtain is extended inwardly to seal the gap between trailer and shelter. A coactive fabric filler of the assembly is also provided to seal any gap remaining between hinge leaf elements and shelter side wall.

Growing community of inventors

Upper Sandusky, OH, United States of America

Mark Dillon