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Seal for a loading dock bumper

a bumper and loading dock technology, applied in the field of loading docks, can solve the problems of air and achieve the effect of reducing the gap between the rear of the vehicle and the front face of the bumper

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-05-19
RITE HITE HLDG CORP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022] In some embodiments of bumper seal that include a compressible or collapsible core with a weather resistant cover and a semi-rigid slipcover over that, a protective semi-rigid sheet of material is inserted between the slipcover and the core to help evenly distribute vehicle-imparted forces across the core.

Problems solved by technology

With conventional dock seals and shelters, an air gap may still exist between the rear of the vehicle and the front face of the bumpers.

Method used

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  • Seal for a loading dock bumper
  • Seal for a loading dock bumper
  • Seal for a loading dock bumper

Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a loading dock 10 comprises an elevated doorway 12 of a building 14. A vehicle 16, such a truck or trailer, can move in a rearward direction 18 into dock 10 to load or unload cargo through doorway 12. In this example, a conventional dock leveler 20 with an extendible lip 22 is used to bridge the gap between the lower edge of doorway 12 and a lower rear edge of vehicle 16.

[0044] To protect building 14 and dock leveler 20 from direct vehicle impact, loading dock 10 is provided with one or more shock-absorbing bumpers 24 that protrude about four to six inches out from a face 26 of the dock. Bumpers 24 also help establish a predetermined minimum distance between the vehicle's back edge 28 and the front of dock leveler 20, so dock leveler 20 can first lift and then lower lip 22 upon the bed of vehicle 16. Bumpers 24 can be installed near the bottom of doorway 12, adjacent either side of dock leveler lip 22, where the bumpers can be abutted by the rear ...

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PUM

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Abstract

At a loading dock for a truck, a compressible bumper seal extends across the front face of a dock bumper to help seal an air gap that may otherwise exist between the bumper face and the rear of the truck. Without the seal, the gap may be created by the truck stopping just short of reaching the bumper or by the truck “bouncing off” the bumper before stopping. If left unsealed, such a gap can create a draft into a building that has the loading dock.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The subject invention generally pertains to loading docks, and more specifically to a device that helps seal an air gap that may exist between a rear surface of a vehicle and the front face of a bumper that is attached to the dock. [0003] 2. Description of Related Art [0004] A typical loading dock of a building includes an exterior doorway with an elevated platform for loading and unloading vehicles, such as trucks and trailers. To compensate for height differences between the loading dock platform and an adjacent bed of a truck or trailer, many loading docks have a dock leveler. A typical dock leveler includes a deck, also known as a ramp or dockboard, which is pivotally hinged along its back edge to vary the height of its front edge. An extension plate, or lip, extends outward from the deck's front edge to span the gap between the rear of the truck bed and the front edge of the deck. The lip is usually moveable be...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B65G69/00
CPCB65G69/008
Inventor HOFFMANN, DAVID JBORGERDING, GARY
Owner RITE HITE HLDG CORP