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:
Dec. 23, 2014
Filed:
Feb. 24, 2012
Charles Digmann, Dubuque, IA (US);
Timothy J. Schmidt, Dubuque, IA (US);
Charles Digmann, Dubuque, IA (US);
Timothy J. Schmidt, Dubuque, IA (US);
Rite-Hite Holding Corporation, Milwaukee, WI (US);
Abstract
Example flexible face panels for dock shelters and dock seals at a loading dock include a tip seal and/or an air-filled blister or elongate 'bubble' that sealingly conforms to a rear portion of a vehicle (e.g., truck, trailer, etc.) at the dock. In some examples, an air chamber within the blister is open at one or both ends. This prevents otherwise trapped pressurized air from adversely affecting the blister's compliance or its ability to sealingly conform to irregular surfaces of the vehicle. In some examples, as the vehicle backs into and deflects the face panel, the blister distorts and wraps itself around the vehicle's surface irregularities, such as door hardware and protruding lights. In some examples, the face panel's tip seal includes an overlapping seal flap, wherein a series of slits in the tip seal allow the seal to fit over the vehicle's various surface irregularities.