The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 22, 1997
Filed:
Oct. 07, 1993
Robert J Frommelt, Peosta, IA (US);
William Triervieler, Dubuque, IA (US);
David J Hoffmann, Dubuque, IA (US);
Kenneth F Lenz, Cuba City, WI (US);
Thomas J Medley, Dubuque, IA (US);
Thomas J Boffeli, Dubuque, IA (US);
Rite-Hite Corporation, Milwaukee, WI (US);
Abstract
A seal assembly, which minimizes or eliminates infiltration of rain water along the roof of a truck parked in a loading dock, generally comprises a downwardly inclined roof panel which extends outwardly from the building wall and collects the water. A gutter member, supported by and disposed along the length of the roof panel, collects water runoff from the building walls and the roof panel and channels the water away from the center of the door opening and towards either side of the loading dock opening. The seal assembly also comprises a seal member mounted to the roof panel and/or the gutter member so that it generally hangs into the upper portion of the door opening and engages the top portion of the truck so as to sealably engage the truck roof and form a water blocking barrier, thereby minimizing or eliminating infiltration of rain water along the truck roof. In one embodiment, the seal member comprises a fabric curtain which is suspended into the path of the incoming truck and drapes over the truck roof to form a seal therewith. In another embodiment, the seal member comprises a resilient, compressible and deformable seal pad, pivotally suspended from the roof panel and/or the gutter member, into the path of the incoming truck and for engaging the roof and/or the top rear peripheral edges of the truck and thereby form a barrier to rain, snow, air and the like.