Dock shelter arrangement

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dock shelter arrangement (A) for a loading dock (D). Said dock shelter arrangement (A) comprises a dock shelter operation device (100) comprising: an essentially vertically and fixedly arranged elongated support member (140); and a rod configuration (110) arranged along said elongated support member (140). Said dock shelter arrangement (A) comprises a shelter mechanism (200). Said shelter arrangement (A) comprises a hinge arrangement (160) comprising a first hinge member (162) rotatably arranged about said rod configuration (110), an arm member (214) of said shelter mechanism (200) being connected to said rod configuration (110) via said first hinge member (162), wherein, when said shelter mechanism (200) is subjected to a force (F2) exceeding a threshold, said arm member (214) is configured to pivot about the axis of said rod configuration (110) from a non-rotated position to a rotated position, said hinge arrangement (160) being configured such that, when said threshold is no longer exceeded, said second arm member (214) is returned to said non-rotated position.

Description

[0001] DOCK SHELTER ARRANGEMENT

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a dock shelter arrangement. The present invention also relates to a dock shelter system comprising such dock shelter arrangements.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Vehicle docking facilities, such as warehouses, typically include multiple loading docks that facilitate the movement of goods between the facility and a vehicle parked at the loading dock. A loading dock comprises a dock housing having an opening in connection to which a vehicle is configured to be positioned in connection to loading and / or unloading operation. A loading dock normally includes docking equipment used to improve the safety and efficiency of moving goods between the facility and the vehicle. A loading dock comprises a dock shelter system configured to provide cover between the vehicle and the facility during loading and unloading.

[0006] One type of dock shelter system comprises an inflatable dock shelter arrangement configured to be operated by means of a fan. Such an inflatable dock shelter arrangement is operable between a retracted state for a vehicle to park and leave the loading dock and an inflated state for sheltering the vehicle during loading and unloading. Such an inflatable dock shelter arrangement is relatively expensive and may be damaged if subjected to forces caused e.g. by moving vehicle in the inflated state.

[0007] Another type of dock shelter system is provided by a mechanical shelter arrangement comprising front curtains fixed to front frames at the opening. Pivotable arms are connected to the front curtains for allowing certain movement in the direction in and out of said opening based on movement of the vehicle. Such a mechanical shelter arrangement provides a fixed shelter opening, i.e. is not adaptable to width of vehicle. Such a mechanical shelter arrangement provides limited sealing of vehicle during loading and unloading.

[0008] OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide, a dock shelter arrangement which seeks to mitigate, alleviate, or eliminate one or more of the aboveidentified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combination.

[0010] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a dock shelter system comprising such dock shelter arrangements.

[0011] SUMMARY

[0012] These and other objects, apparent from the following description, are achieved by a dock shelter arrangement and a dock shelter system as set out in the appended independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the dock shelter arrangement are defined in appended dependent claims.

[0013] Specifically, an aspect of the present disclosure is achieved by a dock shelter arrangement for a loading dock comprising a dock housing having an opening at which a vehicle is configured to be positioned for loading and / or unloading operation. Said dock shelter arrangement comprises a dock shelter operation device, and a shelter mechanism operably connected to said dock shelter operation device, said dock shelter operation device comprising: an essentially vertically and fixedly arranged elongated support member, having an upper end and a lower end; and a rod configuration arranged along said elongated support member. Said shelter mechanism comprises an arm configuration comprising at least one arm member configured to be connected, at a first end, to said rod configuration and pivotable in a plane extending in the longitudinal direction of said rod configuration so that said shelter mechanism is operable between a retracted position and an extended position in that plane. Said shelter arrangement comprises a hinge arrangement comprising a first hinge member, a second arm member of said at least one arm member being connected to said rod configuration via said first hinge member. Said first hinge member is configured to be rotatably arranged about said rod configuration, wherein, when said shelter mechanism is subjected to a force exceeding a certain threshold, said second arm member is configured to pivot about the axis of said rod configuration from a non-rotated position, wherein said hinge arrangement is configured such that, when said certain threshold is no longer exceeded, said second arm member is returned to said non-rotated position. Hereby damage to the dock shelter arrangement, e.g. due to a vehicle leaving the dock housing with the shelter mechanism being in the extended position so that the shelter mechanism is subjected to such a force exceeding said threshold, may be efficiently avoided. Hereby downtime may be reduced.

[0014] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said hinge arrangement comprises a second hinge member configured to be non-rotatably and coaxially arranged below said first hinge member, wherein said first hinge member has an angled configuration and said second hinge member has a corresponding angled configuration such that, in said non-rotated position, the first hinge member is configured to rest on the second hinge member so that the angled configurations of the respective hinge member, face each other in such a way that they are interconnected towards each other, and when said shelter mechanism is subjected to a force exceeding a certain threshold, providing rotation of said first hinge member, said angled configuration results in upward axial movement of said first hinge member relative to said second hinge member, wherein, when said certain threshold is no longer exceeded, said first hinge member and thereby said arm member connected to said first hinge member is configured to return to said non-rotated position based on gravitational force. Hereby rotational movement of said arm member and hence shelter mechanism between said non-rotated position and rotated position may be provided in a robust, easy and controllable way.

[0015] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first hinge member is tube-shaped and has an axial extension and transversal extension, wherein the side facing said second hinge member has said angled configuration providing an angle relative to said axial and transversal extension, wherein the side of said second hinge member facing said side of said first hinge member has a corresponding angle such that, in said non-rotated position, the surface of the side of the first hinge member is in contact with the surface of the side of said second hinge member. Hereby rotational movement of said arm member and hence shelter mechanism between said non-rotated position and rotated position may be provided in a robust, easy and controllable way. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said tube-shaped first hinge member has the shape of a hollow truncated cylinder having an angled truncation.

[0016] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said second hinge member is tube shaped and configured to be arranged about said rod configuration, wherein said second hinge member is fixedly attached to said elongated support member. Hereby an easy, robust and cost-efficient solution of the function of the second hinge member is facilitated. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said tube-shaped second hinge member has the shape of a hollow truncated cylinder with an angled truncation with the same angle as the angled truncation of said first hinge member.

[0017] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said second hinge member is an integrated part of a lower portion of said rod configuration. Hereby a robust solution of the function of the second hinge member is facilitated.

[0018] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said hinge arrangement is arranged in connection to the lower part of said elongated support member relatively close to its lower end. Hereby efficient operation and utilization of the gravitational force is facilitated.

[0019] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said dock housing has opposite inner walls providing said opening, wherein the dock shelter arrangement is configured to be arranged in connection to an inner wall of said inner walls, wherein the plane in which said at least one arm member is pivotable, facilitating said retraction and extension of said shelter mechanism, corresponds to the space associated with the direction between the inner wall and the side of the vehicle positioned at said opening, wherein said extended position corresponds to the position when said shelter mechanism is in contact with the side of the vehicle, wherein if said shelter mechanism is subjected to a force, caused by movement of the vehicle, exceeding said certain threshold, said arm member is allowed to pivot about the axis of said rod configuration from said non-rotated position by means of said first hinge member of said hinge arrangement, reducing risk of damage of said shelter mechanism. Hereby damage to the dock shelter arrangement due to the vehicle leaving the dock housing with the shelter mechanism being in the extended position so that the shelter mechanism is subjected to such a force exceeding said threshold, may be efficiently avoided.

[0020] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said shelter mechanism comprises a connection bar configured to be essentially vertically arranged, having an upper end and a lower end, wherein said second arm member, at a second end opposite said first end, is configured to be pivotably connected to said connection bar, said arm configuration further comprising a first arm member configured to be connected, at a first end, to said rod configuration at a level relatively higher than the connection of said first end of said second arm member, and at a second end opposite to said first end, pivotably connected to said connection bar at a relatively higher level than the second end of said second arm member. Hereby a robust shelter mechanism is provided, facilitating efficient extension and retraction operation, and facilitating operation by means of said hinge arrangement.

[0021] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said shelter mechanism comprises a curtain arrangement configured to provide cover at said arm configuration. Hereby efficient sheltering is facilitated in the extended position of said shelter mechanism.

[0022] Specifically, an aspect of the present disclosure is achieved by a dock shelter system for a loading dock comprising a dock housing having opposite inner walls providing an opening at which a vehicle is configured to be positioned for loading and / or unloading operation, said dock shelter system comprising a first dock shelter arrangement as set out herein, for facilitating shelter between one of said opposite inner walls and a positioned vehicle, and a second dock shelter arrangement as set out herein for facilitating shelter between the other of said opposite inner walls and the positioned vehicle.

[0023] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] For a better understanding of the present disclosure reference is made to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

[0025] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a loading dock comprising a dock housing with an opening and a dock shelter arrangement arranged in connection to said opening, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0026] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the loading dock in fig. 1 , with the opening partly closed, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a front view of the loading dock in fig. 1 , according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0027] Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a front view of the loading dock in fig. 1 , with a vehicle positioned in connection to said opening for loading and / or unloading operation, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0028] Fig. 5a schematically illustrates a side view of a dock shelter arrangement in an extended state, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0029] Fig. 5b schematically illustrates a perspective view of an upper portion of the dock shelter arrangement in fig. 5a, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0030] Fig. 6a schematically illustrates a side view of an upper portion of the dock shelter arrangement in fig. 5a in a retracted state, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0031] Fig. 6b schematically illustrates a side view of an upper portion of the dock shelter arrangement in fig. 5a in an extended state, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0032] Fig. 7a schematically illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the lower portion of the dock shelter arrangement in fig. 6a in the retracted state, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0033] Fig. 7b schematically illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the lower portion of the dock shelter arrangement in fig. 6b in the extended state, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0034] Fig. 8 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a lower portion of the dock shelter arrangement in fig. 5a, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; Fig. 9a schematically illustrates a side view of a lower portion of the dock shelter arrangement in fig. 5a in a retracted state, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0035] Fig. 9b schematically illustrates a side view of a lower portion of the dock shelter arrangement in fig. 5a in an extended state, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0036] Fig. 10a schematically illustrates a perspective view of a dock shelter operation device of a dock shelter arrangement, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0037] Fig. 10b schematically illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the dock shelter operation device in fig. 10a, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0038] Fig. 11a schematically illustrates a perspective view of a lower portion of a dock shelter arrangement comprising a hinge arrangement in a non-rotated position, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0039] Fig. 11 b schematically illustrates a perspective view of the lower portion of the dock shelter arrangement in fig. 11a, with the hinge arrangement in a rotated position, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0040] Fig. 12 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the lower portion of the dock shelter arrangement in fig. 11a, with the hinge arrangement in the non-rotated position, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0041] Fig. 13 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the dock shelter arrangement in fig. 5a, comprising an expansion limitation device configured to limit the operation of said shelter mechanism to a most extended position of said extended state, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; Fig. 14a schematically illustrates a plan view of a connection bar, having a U- shaped configuration, for a dock shelter arrangement, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0042] Fig. 14b schematically illustrates a plan view of an elongated support member, having a U-shaped configuration, for a dock shelter arrangement, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0043] Fig. 14c schematically illustrates a plan view of a curtain arrangement connected to a connection bar in fig. 14a and an elongated support member in fig. 14b, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0044] Fig. 15a schematically illustrates a perspective view of the, to said connection bar and elongated support member connected, curtain arrangement in fig. 14c, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0045] Fig. 15b schematically illustrates a side view of a first curtain element of the curtain arrangement in fig. 14c, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; and

[0046] Fig. 15c schematically illustrates a side view of a second curtain element of the curtain arrangement in fig. 14c, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0047] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments and aspects set forth herein; rather, these embodiments and aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the particular embodiments / aspects illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like parts.

[0049] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a loading dock D comprising a dock housing 10 with an opening O and a dock shelter arrangement A arranged in connection to said opening O, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; fig. 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the loading dock D in fig. 1 , with the opening partly closed, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; fig. 3 schematically illustrates a front view of the loading dock D in fig. 1 , according to an aspect of the present disclosure; and fig. 4 schematically illustrates a front view of the loading dock D in fig. 1 , with a vehicle V positioned at said opening O for loading and / or unloading operation, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0050] Vehicle docking facilities, such as warehouses, may include multiple such loading docks D for facilitating movement of goods between the facility and a vehicle parked at the loading dock.

[0051] Said loading dock D comprises a dock housing 10 having an opening O at which a vehicle V is configured to be positioned, as illustrated in fig. 4, for loading and / or unloading operation. Such a loading dock D normally includes docking equipment used to improve the safety and efficiency of moving goods between the facility and the vehicle. Such a loading dock D normally comprises a dock leveller, not shown, configured to be positioned in the opening O and serve as a ramp which, when engaged, provides access between the floor of the dock housing and the floor of a vehicle, e.g. truck, positioned at the loading dock D. In fig. 1-4, outer platforms L arranged along the inner wall side 12i, 14i of the respective wall 12, 14 are shown, wherein a leveller, not shown, is configured to be arranged between said platforms L, configured to serve as a ramp during loading and unloading. Said loading dock D comprises a dock shelter system S configured to provide cover between the vehicle and the dock housing 10 during loading and unloading.

[0052] Said dock housing 10 comprises a first wall 12, an opposite second wall 14 and a roof 16 configured to provide said opening O. Said first wall 12 has an inner wall side 12i and said second wall 14 has an inner wall side 14i, said inner wall side 12i of said first wall 12 being configured to face said inner wall side 14i of said opposite second wall 14.

[0053] Said dock shelter system S is configured to provide cover between the vehicle and the dock housing 10 during loading and unloading. Said dock shelter system S comprises a dock shelter arrangement A arranged at said inner wall side 12i of said first wall 12 and a dock shelter arrangement A arranged at said inner wall side 14i of said opposite second wall 14. The dock shelter arrangement A arranged at said inner wall side 12i of said first wall 12 may be denoted first dock shelter arrangement A or left dock shelter arrangement A, and the dock shelter arrangement A arranged at said inner wall side 14i of said second wall 14 may be denoted second dock shelter arrangement A or right dock shelter arrangement A.

[0054] The respective dock shelter arrangement A comprises a dock shelter operation device 100 for operating the dock shelter arrangement A, and a shelter mechanism 200 operably connected to said dock shelter operation device 100.

[0055] Said dock shelter operation device 100 of the respective dock shelter arrangement A comprises an elongated support member 140, see e.g. fig. 3- 4, configured to be essentially vertically arranged at an inner wall side of one of said opposite walls of said dock housing 10. The elongated support member 140 of the first dock shelter arrangement A is configured to be fixedly arranged at said inner wall side 12i of said first wall 12. The elongated support member 140 of the second dock shelter arrangement A is configured to be fixedly arranged at said inner wall side 14i of said second wall 14. Said shelter mechanism 200 of the respective dock shelter arrangement A comprises an arm configuration 210 and a connection bar 220 configured to run along said elongated support member 140, positioned further away from the inner wall side than the support member 140. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the connection bar 220 of the first dock shelter arrangement A at the inner wall side 121 of said first wall 12 is configured to face the connection bar 220 of the second dock shelter arrangement A at the inner wall side 14i of the second wall 14.

[0056] Said arm configuration 210 comprises arm members configured to be pivotably connected, at a first end, at said elongated support member 140, and, at a second end opposite said first end, at said connection bar 220.

[0057] Said shelter mechanism 200 of the respective dock shelter arrangement A comprises a curtain arrangement 230, schematically illustrated in fig. 3, configured to provide cover at said arm configuration 210. The curtain arrangement 230 is configured to be connected to said elongated support member 140 and to said connection bar 220.

[0058] Said arm members of said arm configuration 210 are configured to be pivotable in a plane extending in the longitudinal direction of said elongated support member 140, so as to facilitate operation of said shelter mechanism 200 between a retracted position, at which said connection bar 220 is arranged relatively closer to the elongated support member 140, and an extended position, at which said connection bar 220 is arranged relatively further away from the elongated support member 140 compared to the retracted position. The retracted position of said shelter mechanism 200 provides a retracted state of said shelter arrangement A. The extended position of said shelter mechanism 200 provides an extended state of said shelter arrangement A.

[0059] The retracted state of the respective shelter arrangement A is configured to provide a relatively wider opening O at the dock housing D in that the connection bar 220 of the shelter mechanism 200 of the first shelter arrangement and the connection bar 220 of the shelter mechanism 200 of the second shelter arrangement A are arranged further away from each other. The retracted state of the respective shelter arrangement A is configured to provide a width of said opening O so that said shelter arrangement does not engage with a vehicle entering or leaving said loading dock D. The retracted state of the respective shelter arrangement A is configured to be used in connection to parking, i.e. positioning, of the vehicle at said opening O for loading / unloading operation, and in connection to said vehicle leaving said position at said opening O after loading / unloading operation.

[0060] The extended state of the respective shelter arrangement A is configured to provide a width between said opposite inner wall sides 12i, 14i of said first and second walls 12, 14 that is adaptable to the width of a vehicle V being positioned at said opening O for loading / unloading operation. The extended state of the respective shelter arrangement A provides relatively smaller, and adaptable, width at said opening O in that the connection bar 220 of the shelter mechanism 200 of the first shelter arrangement and the connection bar 220 of the shelter mechanism 200 of the second shelter arrangement A are arranged relatively closer to each other compared to the retracted state of said shelter arrangements A. The extended state of the respective shelter arrangement A is configured to be used during a loading / unloading operation of a vehicle positioned at said opening O.

[0061] The operation of the shelter mechanism 200 of the respective shelter arrangement A between said retracted position and extended position of the shelter mechanism 200 is associated with the direction between the inner wall side of the respective walls 12, 14 and the side of the, at said opening O positioned, vehicle V facing that inner wall side. Said extended position is configured to be adapted to a position when said connection bar 220 of said shelter mechanism 200 is in contact with the side of the vehicle V.

[0062] The operation of the shelter mechanism 200 of the first shelter arrangement A between said retracted position and extended position is associated with the direction between the inner wall side 12i of the first wall 12 and the side of the vehicle V facing the inner wall side 12i. The operation of the shelter mechanism 200 of the second shelter arrangement A between said retracted position and extended position is associated with the direction between the inner wall side 14i of the second wall 14 and the side of the vehicle V facing the inner wall side 14i.

[0063] The operation of the shelter mechanism 200 associated with retraction to the retracted position may be denoted retraction operation. The operation of the shelter mechanism 200 associated with extension to the extended position may be denoted extension operation.

[0064] Fig. 2 and fig. 4 schematically illustrates a sealing curtain arrangement 300. The sealing curtain arrangement 300 is configured to be arranged in connection to the sealing of said roof 16, and configured to be movable in the vertical direction. In fig. 4, the sealing curtain arrangement 300 is moved so that it covers the part of the opening O between the upper side of the vehicle V and the roof 16 for providing shelter. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said dock shelter system S comprises said sealing curtain arrangement 300.

[0065] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a sealing curtain arrangement could be provided by a shelter arrangement A according to the present disclosure, arranged horizontally instead of vertically, i.e. having the elongated support member 140 arranged in connection to the sealing and the connection bar 220 movable by means of said arm configuration between a retracted position closer to the sealing and an extended position adaptable to the height of the vehicle V.

[0066] The shelter arrangement A according to the present disclosure is described in more detail below with reference to e.g. fig. 5a-b, 6a-b, 7a-b, 8, 9a-b and 10a- b. Fig. 5a schematically illustrates a side view of a dock shelter arrangement A in an extended state, fig. 5b schematically illustrates a perspective view of an upper portion of the dock shelter arrangement A in fig. 5a, fig. 6a schematically illustrates a side view of an upper portion of the dock shelter arrangement A in fig. 5a in a retracted state, fig. 6b schematically illustrates a side view of an upper portion of the dock shelter arrangement A in fig. 5a in an extended state, fig. 7a schematically illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the lower portion of the dock shelter arrangement A in fig. 6a in the retracted state, fig. 7b schematically illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the lower portion of the dock shelter arrangement A in fig. 6b in the extended state, fig. 8 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a lower portion of the dock shelter arrangement A in fig. 5a; fig. 9a schematically illustrates a side view of a lower portion of the dock shelter arrangement A in fig. 5a in a retracted state, and fig. 9b schematically illustrates a side view of a lower portion of the dock shelter arrangement A in fig. 5a in an extended state, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0067] Fig. 10a schematically illustrates a perspective view of a dock shelter operation device 100 of a dock shelter arrangement A, and fig. 10b schematically illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the dock shelter operation device 100 in fig. 10a, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the dock shelter operation device 100 in fig. 10a-b corresponds to the dock shelter operation device 100 in fig. 5a.

[0068] As mentioned above, said dock shelter arrangement A comprises a dock shelter operation device 100 configured to facilitate operation of said shelter mechanism 200 between said retracted position and extended position.

[0069] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said dock shelter operation device 100 comprises said elongated support member 140. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said dock shelter operation device 100 comprises a rod configuration 110 configured to be arranged along said elongated support member 140. Said rod configuration 110 comprises a threaded rod 112. Said dock shelter operation device 100 comprises said treaded rod 112.

[0070] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said elongated support member 140 has a first end 140a and an opposite second end 140b, see fig. 5a. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said elongated support member 140 is configured to be vertically arranged, wherein said first end 140a is an upper end and said opposite second end 140b is a lower end, see fig. 5a. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said elongated support member 140 is configured to be fixedly arranged. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said elongated support member 140 is configured to be fixedly arranged in connection to an inner wall side of a wall of a dock housing, e.g. a dock housing D according to fig. 1-4.

[0071] Said dock shelter operation device 100 further comprises a rotation drive member 120 operably connected to said treaded rod 112, for rotating said threaded rod 112 about a rotation axis Y. The rotation axis Y corresponds to the axial extension of said threaded rod 112, wherein the threaded rod 112 is configured to be rotatable about its own axis Y having said axial extension. The rotation drive member 120 may be any suitable drive member adaptable for facilitating rotation of said threaded rod 112. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said rotation drive member 120 is an electric machine such as an electric motor.

[0072] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said rotation drive member 120 is configured to rotate said threaded rod 112 relative to the fixedly arranged elongated support member 140. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said threaded rod 112 is attached to said rotation drive member 120 so that it is rotatable by means of said rotation drive member 120.

[0073] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said rotation drive member is supported by means said elongated support member 140. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said rotation drive member is configured to be connected to said elongated support member 140 at the first end 140a of said elongated support member 140, wherein the first end 140a, in the embodiment illustrated e.g. in fig. 10a-b, is the upper end.

[0074] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said threaded rod 112 has a first end 112a and an opposite second end 112b, see fig. 10b. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said threaded rod 112 is configured to be vertically arranged, wherein said first end 112a is an upper end and said opposite second end 112b is a lower end, see fig. 10b.

[0075] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said threaded rod 112 is rotatably attached to said elongated support member 140. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said threaded rod 112 is rotatably attached to said elongated support member 140 via said rotation drive member 120. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said threaded rod 112 is rotatably attached to said elongated support member 140, at its first end 140a, via said rotation drive member 120. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said threaded rod 112 is rotatably attached to said elongated support member 140 so as to allow rotation of said threaded rod 112 about its axis Y, the rotation of said threaded rod 112 being a rotation relative to said elongated support member 140.

[0076] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said threaded rod 112 is configured to be journaled in bearings in connection to said elongated support member 140.

[0077] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said threaded rod 112 is rotatably attached to said elongated support member 140 via a first bearing configuration 170 connected to said elongated support member 140, said threaded rod 112 being configured to be journaled in bearings to said first bearing configuration 170 for allowing rotation of said threaded rod 112 about its axis Y relative to said elongated support member 140. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said bearing configuration 170 comprises a bearing member 172 configured to be arranged about said threaded rod 112 and a connection portion 174 configured to be fixedly connected to said elongated support member 140, see fig. 10b. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said bearing configuration 170 is configured to be arranged at, or relatively closer to, said first end 112a of said threaded rod 112.

[0078] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said threaded rod 112 is rotatably attached to said elongated support member 140 via a second bearing configuration 180 connected to said elongated support member 140, said threaded rod 112 being configured to be journaled in bearings to said second bearing configuration 180 for allowing rotation of said threaded rod 112 about its axis Y relative to said elongated support member 140. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said bearing configuration 180 comprises a bearing member 182 configured to be arranged about said threaded rod 112 and a connection portion 184 configured to be fixedly connected to said elongated support member 140, see fig. 10b. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said bearing configuration 180 is configured to be arranged at, or relatively closer to, said second end 112b of said threaded rod 112.

[0079] Said dock shelter operation device 100 further comprises a nut member 130 configured to be arranged about said threaded rod 112. Said nut member 130 is configured such that, when said threaded rod 112 is rotated in a first rotational direction, said nut member 130 is configured to move along said threaded rod 112 in a first axial direction, and when said threaded rod 112 is rotated in a second rotational direction opposite said first rotational direction, said nut member 130 is allowed to move along said threaded rod 112 in a second axial direction opposite said first axial direction.

[0080] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said nut member 130 comprises a threaded nut 132 configured to be engagingly arranged around said threaded rod 112. Said threaded nut 132 has inner threads adaptable to engage with outer threads of said threaded rod 112 so as to facilitate movement of said nut member 130 in the axial direction of said threaded rod 112 when said threaded rod 112 is rotated.

[0081] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said nut member 130 is configured to be engaged to said elongated support member 140 so that it is prevented from rotating about the rotation axis Y of said threaded rod 112 but allowed to move along the support member 140 in the axial direction of the threaded rod 112. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said nut member 130 comprises an engagement portion 134 configured to be engaged to said elongated support member 140 so that said nut 132 is prevented from rotating about the rotation axis Y of said threaded rod 112 but allowed to move along the support member 140 in the axial direction of the threaded rod 112.

[0082] Said dock shelter operation device 100 is configured to be operably connected to a control arm member 216 of said arm configuration 210 of said shelter mechanism 200, so as to facilitate operation of said shelter mechanism 200 between said retracted position and extended position by means of movement of said nut member 130 along said threaded rod 112. The shelter mechanism 200 is described in more detail below.

[0083] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the dock shelter operation device 100 further comprises an arm connection member 156 configured to be movably connected to said threaded rod 112 so as to allow movement of the arm connection member 156 in the axial extension of said threaded rod 112. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said arm connection member 156 has a tube configuration, e.g. a hollow cylindrical configuration, configured to be arranged around said threaded rod 112, allowing said movement of the arm connection member 156 in the axial direction in connection to said threaded rod 112. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said arm connection member 156, having said tube configuration, is further arranged so as to allow rotational movement relative to said threaded rod 112, about the axis Y of said threaded rod 112. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said control arm member 216, at a first end, is configured to be connected to said arm connection member 156. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said control arm member 216, at a first end, is configured to be pivotably connected to said arm connection member 156 in a plane extending in the longitudinal direction of said threaded rod 112 so as to facilitate operation of said shelter mechanism 200 between a retracted position and an extended position.

[0084] Said nut member 130 is configured such that, when said threaded rod 112 is rotated in said first rotational direction, said nut member 130 is configured to move along said threaded rod 112 in said first axial direction towards said first end 112a, moving said arm connection member 156 towards the first end 112a resulting in retraction of said shelter mechanism 200 to said retracted position. Said arm connection member 156 is thus configured to be arranged between said first end 112a and said nut member 130 at the threaded rod 112.

[0085] With the threaded rod 112 arranged essentially vertical, said nut member 130 is configured such that, when said threaded rod 112 is rotated in said first rotational direction, said nut member 130 is configured to move upwardly along said threaded rod 112 in said first axial direction towards said first end 112a being the upper end, moving said arm connection member 156 upwardly, resulting in retraction of said shelter mechanism 200 to said retracted position. Said arm connection member 156 is thus configured to be arranged between the upper end of said threaded rod 112 and said nut member 130, at the threaded rod 112.

[0086] Said nut member 130, at the retracted position, is configured to be arranged in connection to said arm connection member 156 so that said arm connection member 156 is maintained at that position. Said arm connection member 156 is thereby configured to be supported by said nut member 130.

[0087] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said rotation drive member 120 has a retraction operation stage in which rotation of said threaded rod 112 in said first rotational direction is configured to be performed so that said nut member 130 acts on said control arm member 216 for retracting said shelter mechanism 200 to said retracted position. Such a retraction operation by means of the rotation drive member 120 is, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, configured to be performed when a vehicle, positioned at an opening of a dock housing and having finished a loading / unloading operation and being ready to leave said docking station. Activation of the rotation drive member 120 for providing said retraction operation stage may be obtained in any suitable way, e.g. by means of sensors, and / or actuators and / or manually or the like.

[0088] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said rotation drive member 120 has a first non-operational stage at said retracted position. At said first non-operational stage, said rotation drive member 120, at said retracted position of said shelter mechanism 200, is configured to be performed when there is no activity at the loading dock, i.e. when there is no vehicle at said opening of the loading dock.

[0089] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said rotation drive member 120 has an extension operation stage in which rotation of said threaded rod 112 in said second rotational direction is configured to be performed so that said nut member 130 is moved away from a position corresponding to the retracted position, facilitating extension of said shelter mechanism 200 to an extended position abutting a vehicle. Such extension operation by means of the rotation drive member 120 is, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, configured to be performed when a vehicle is positioned at an opening of a dock housing for a loading / unloading operation. Activation of the rotation drive member 120 for providing said extension operation stage may be obtained in any suitable way, e.g. by means of sensors, and / or actuators and / or manually or the like.

[0090] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said rotation drive member 120 has a second non-operational stage at said extended position. Said second non-operational stage of said rotation drive member 120, at said extended position, is configured to be performed when there is a vehicle at said opening of the loading dock positioned for loading and / or unloading operation.

[0091] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, with said threaded rod 112 arranged essentially vertical, said arm connection member 156, in connection to said extension operation stage, is configured to move downwards together with said nut member 130 by means of gravitational force.

[0092] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said nut member 130, in connection to said extension operation stage, when the extended position is reached, is configured to continue to move downwards so as to facilitate adaption of said extended position by allowing axial movement of said arm connection member 156, to which said control arm member 216 is configured to be connected, corresponding to positions of said shelter mechanism 200 between most extended position and extended positions closer to said threaded rod 112, facilitating free floating of the shelter mechanism 200. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the extended position is associated with extension of said shelter mechanism 200 to an extended position at which it is abutting a vehicle, i.e. the side of a vehicle.

[0093] Fig. 5a, schematically illustrates a side view of a dock shelter arrangement A according to the present disclosure comprising a dock shelter operation device 100, which corresponds to the dock shelter operation device in fig. 10a-b. The dock shelter operation device 100 comprises the fixedly arranged elongated support member 140, which here is vertically arranged. The dock shelter operation device 100 comprises a rod configuration 110 arranged in connection to and configured to run along said elongated support member 140, said rod configuration 110 comprising said threaded rod 112.

[0094] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said rod configuration 110 further comprises a rod member 114 coaxially arranged relative to said threaded rod 112. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said rod member 114 is configured to extend essentially from the second end 112b of said threaded rod 112 towards and to the second end 140b of said elongated support member 140. When said rod configuration 110 is vertically arranged, said rod member 114 is arranged and configured to extend at a relatively lower level relative to said threaded rod 112. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said rod member 114 is configured to extend downwardly from said second end 112b of said threaded rod 112. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said rod member 114 has a first side 114a and an opposite second side 114b. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, when said rod member is vertically arranged, said first side 114a is the upper side and said second side 114b is the lower side.

[0095] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said rod member 114 is configured to be non-rotatably arranged. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said rod member 114 is configured to be fixedly connected to said elongated support member 140.

[0096] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said rod member 114 is configured to be fixedly connected to said elongated support member 140 by means of a first rod connection member 114C1 arranged relatively closer to the first end 114b of the rod member 114, as illustrated in e.g. fig. 7b and fig. 8. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first rod connection member 114C1 is configured to be connected to said rod member 114 and said elongated support member 140 so that said rod member 114 is non- rotatably arranged relative to said elongated support member 140.

[0097] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said rod member 114 is configured to be fixedly connected to said elongated support member 140 by means of a second rod connection member 114C2 arranged relatively closer to the second end 114b of the rod member 114, as illustrated in fig. 11a-b and fig. 12. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said second rod connection member 114C2 is configured to be connected to said rod member 114 and said elongated support member 140 so that said rod member 114 is non-rotatably arranged relative to said elongated support member 140.

[0098] Said dock shelter arrangement A comprises said shelter mechanism 200. Said shelter mechanism 200 comprises said arm configuration 210. Said shelter mechanism 200 comprises a connection bar 220 having a first end 220a and an opposite second end 220b. When said connection bar 220 is essentially vertically arranged, said first end 220a corresponds to the upper end and the second end 220b corresponds to the lower end.

[0099] Said arm configuration 210 comprises a first arm member 212 configured to be pivotably connected, at a first end, to a first fastening point P1 at said rod configuration 110. Said first arm member 212 is further configured to be pivotably connected, at a second end opposite said first end, to a second fastening point P2 at a portion of said connection bar 220 relatively closer to its first end 220a. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first arm member 212 is configured to be pivotably connected, at its first end, to said first fastening point P1 at said rod member 114 of said rod configuration 110. The pivotal connection of said first end of said first arm member 212 to said first fastening point P1 is described in more detail below, with reference to fig. 5b.

[0100] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said control arm member 216, is configured to be pivotably connected, at a first end, to a fifth fastening point P5 at said threaded rod 112 of said rod configuration 110, at a position closer to the first end 140a of said elongated support member compared to the position of said first fastening point P1. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said arm connection member 156 comprises said first fastening point P1. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said arm connection member 156, configured to be arranged around said threaded rod 112, comprises an arm connection portion providing said first fastening point P1 , configured to receive a connection portion of said first end of said first arm member 212 for facilitating said pivotable connection. Said control arm member 216 is configured to be pivotably connected, at a second end opposite said first end, to a sixth fastening point P6 at an intermediate portion of said first arm member 212, facilitating operation of said shelter mechanism 200 between said retracted position and extended position, by means of said dock shelter operation device 100.

[0101] According to an aspect of the present disclosure said shelter mechanism 200 comprises an expansion limitation device configured to limit the operation of said shelter mechanism 200 associated with the extended position to a most extended position of said connection bar 220.

[0102] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, as illustrated in fig. 13, said expansion limitation device comprises a stop device 200S arranged in connection to said sixth fastening point P6 so as to provide a stop when the angle between said first arm member 212 and said control arm member 216 has reached a certain lower degree compared to the angle at the retracted position. The angle between said first arm member 212 and said control arm member 216 is associated with the axial movement of the fifth fastening point P5 relative to the first fastening point P1 , wherein the angle between said first arm member 212 and said control arm member 216 at said sixth fastening point P6 in relation to the first fastening point P1 and fifth fastening point P5 is maximised at the retracted position and decreased to a predetermined lower angle limited by means of said stop device 200S at said sixth fastening point P6.

[0103] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said stop device 200S comprises an engagement member 216S at the second end of said control arm member 216 and a stop member 212S at said intermediate part of said first arm member 212, said stop member 212S being arranged such that, when said control arm member 216 has pivoted about said sixth fastening point to said predetermined lower angle, said engagement member 216S of said control arm member 216 is configured to engage with said stop member 212S of said Said arm configuration 210 comprises a second arm member 214 pivotably connected, at a first end, to a third fastening point P3 at said rod configuration 110. Said second arm member 214 is further configured to be pivotably connected, at a second end opposite said first end, to a fourth fastening point P4 at a position closer to the second end 220b of said connection bar 220 compared to the position of said third fastening point P3. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said second arm member 214 is configured to be pivotably connected, at said first end, to said third fastening point P3 at said rod member 114 of said rod configuration 110. The pivotal connection of said first end of said second arm member 214 to said third fastening point P3 is described in more detail below, with reference to fig. 11a-b and fig. 12.

[0104] Said arm configuration 210 further comprises an arm member 218 configured to be pivotably connected, at a first end, to a seventh fastening point P7 at said rod configuration 110. Said seventh fastening point P7 is positioned between said third fastening point P3 and said first fastening point P1. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first arm member 218 is configured to be pivotably connected, at said first end, to said seventh fastening point P7 at said rod member 114 of said rod configuration 110.

[0105] Said arm member 218 is further configured to be pivotably connected, at a second end opposite said first end, pivotably connected to an eighth fastening point P8 at an intermediate portion of said lower arm member 214.

[0106] Said arm member 218 at said first end to which it is pivotably connected to said seventh fastening point P7 at said rod member 114, is movably connected to said rod member 114 so as to allow axial movement along the axial extension of said rod configuration 110, i.e. axial extension of said rod member 114, facilitating distance change between said seventh fastening point P7 and said third fastening point P3.

[0107] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the dock shelter operation device 100 further comprises an arm connection member 158 configured to be movably connected to said rod member 114 so as to allow movement of the arm connection member 158 in the axial extension of said rod member 114. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said arm connection member 158 has a tube configuration, e.g. a hollow cylindrical configuration, configured to be arranged around said rod member 114, allowing said movement in the axial direction of said rod member 114. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said arm connection member 158, having said tube configuration, is further arranged so as to allow rotational movement relative to said rod member 114, about the axis Y of said rod member 114.

[0108] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said arm member 218, at said first end, is configured to be connected to said arm connection member 158. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said arm member 218, at said first end, is configured to be pivotably connected to said arm connection member 158 in a plane extending in the longitudinal direction of said rod member 114 so as to facilitate operation of said shelter mechanism 200 between said retracted position and extended position.

[0109] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said arm connection member 158 comprises said seventh fastening point P7. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said arm connection member 158 configured to be arranged around said rod member 114, comprises an arm connection portion providing said seventh fastening point P7, configured to receive a connection portion of said first end of said arm member 218 for facilitating said pivotable connection.

[0110] With said elongated support member 140 being configured to be essentially vertically arranged so that said first end 140a is the upper end and the second end 140b is the lower end, and with said connection bar 220 configured to be essentially vertically arranged so that said first end 220a is the upper end and the second end is the lower end 220b, said first fastening point P1 is positioned relatively higher than said third fastening point P3 at said rod configuration 110, and said second fastening point P2 is positioned relatively higher than said fourth fastening point P4 at said connection bar 220.

[0111] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first arm member 212, in a most extended position of said connection bar 220, has an inclination from a level position at said first fastening point P1 to a level position at said second fastening point P2 that is relatively higher than said first fastening point P1.

[0112] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said second arm member 214 in the most extended position of said connection bar 220, has an inclination from a level position at said third fastening point P3 to a level position at said fourth fastening point P4 that is relatively higher than said third fastening point P3.

[0113] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said inclination of said first arm member 212 and second arm member 214 is configured to increase when said shelter mechanism 200 is subjected to a retraction operated from said extended position.

[0114] The dock shelter arrangement A, as mentioned above, comprises a curtain arrangement 230, shown e.g. in fig. 3 and fig. 5a. The shelter mechanism 200 of the dock shelter arrangement A comprises a curtain arrangement 230 configured to provide cover at said arm configuration 210. The curtain arrangement 230 is configured to be connected to the elongated support member 140 and the connection bar 220 so as to provide cover at said arm configuration 210 such that shelter is provided between the side of a vehicle positioned at said opening O of a dock housing and the adjacent inner wall side at the extended state of the dock shelter arrangement A, i.e. extended position of the shelter mechanism 200. The curtain arrangement 230 thus connected to the elongated support member 140 and the connection bar 220 is configured to be retracted in the retracted position of the shelter mechanism 200 and extended in the extended position of the shelter mechanism 200 and operable between said retracted position and extended position. The curtain arrangement 230, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, is described in more detail below with reference to fig. 5a and fig. 14c and fig. 15a-c.

[0115] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, as illustrated e.g. in fig. 5b, said first arm member 212 is configured to be spring-loadably arranged in connection to said first fastening point P1. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first arm member 212 is configured to be spring- loadably arranged in connection to said first fastening point P1 such that, if it is subjected to a force F exceeding a predetermined threshold, said first end of said first arm member 212 is configured to move in the axial direction of said rod member 114 from a first position to a spring-loaded position, and configured to return to said first position when said predetermined threshold is no longer exceeded.

[0116] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the dock shelter arrangement A is arranged such that, if said connection bar 220, being essentially vertically arranged, is subjected to a force at the upper part transferring to a force F at said first arm member 212 exceeding said predetermined threshold, said connection bar 220 is configured to tilt from an essentially vertical position to a tilted position having a certain angle relative to said essentially vertical position, said tilted position corresponding to the movement of said first end of said first arm member 212 to said spring-loaded position. Said movement of said first end of said first arm member 212 corresponds to a movement of said first fastening point P1 in the axial extension of said rod member 114. Such a force F is according to an aspect configured to be caused by a vehicle positioned at said opening O of a loading duck D with said shelter arrangement A in the extended state so that said connection bar 220 abuts the side of the vehicle.

[0117] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the dock shelter arrangement A is arranged such that, if said connection bar 220 is subjected to a force at the upper part, towards said elongated support member 140, transferring to a force F at said first arm member 212 exceeding said predetermined threshold, said connection bar 220 is configured to tilt from an essentially vertical position to a tilted position at the upper end towards said elongated support member 140, said tilted position corresponding to a downward movement of said first end of said first arm member 212 to said spring-loaded position. Said downward movement of said first end of said first arm member 212 corresponds to a downward movement of said first fastening point P1 in the axial extension of said rod member 114.

[0118] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the dock shelter arrangement A is arranged such that, if said connection bar 220 is subjected to a force at the upper part, away from said elongated support member 140, transferring to a force F at said first arm member 212 exceeding said predetermined threshold, said connection bar 220 is configured to tilt from an essentially vertical position to a tilted position at the upper end away from said elongated support member 140, said tilted position corresponding to an upward movement of said first end of said first arm member 212 to said spring-loaded position. Said upward movement of said first end of said first arm member 212 corresponds to an upward movement of said first fastening point P1 in the axial extension of said rod member 114.

[0119] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said dock shelter arrangement A comprises a spring member 190 arranged in connection to said rod configuration 110 and configured to support said one end of said first arm portion 212. Said spring member 190 is configured to provide a predetermined spring force so that said first end of said first arm portion 212 is maintained in said first position when said force at said first arm member 212 does not exceed said threshold. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said dock shelter operation device 100 comprises said spring member 190. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said spring member 190 is comprised in said dock shelter operation device 100, facilitating operation of said dock shelter arrangement A. Said spring force of said spring member 190 is configured to be exceeded when said force F at said first arm member 212 exceeds said threshold, providing spring-load of said spring member 190, facilitating said movement in the axial direction of said rod configuration 110 from said first position to said spring-loaded position.

[0120] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the dock shelter arrangement A is arranged such that, if said connection bar 220 is subjected to a force at the upper part, towards said elongated support member 140, transferring to a force F at said first arm member 212 exceeding said predetermined threshold, said spring member 190 is configured to be compressed to a spring-loaded state, wherein said first end of said first arm member 212, and hence said first fastening point P1 , is configured to move downward in the axial extension of said rod member 114.

[0121] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the dock shelter arrangement A is arranged such that, if said connection bar 220 is subjected to a force at the upper part, away from said elongated support member 140, transferring to a force F at said first arm member 212 exceeding said predetermined threshold, said spring member 190 is configured to be tensioned to a spring- loaded state, wherein said first end of said first arm member 212, and hence said first fastening point P1 , is configured to move upward in the axial extension of said rod member 114.

[0122] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said spring member 190 is a coil spring member 190. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said coil spring member is configured to be arrange about said rod member 114. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said coil spring member 190 has a first end 190a and an opposite second end 190b. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, with said rod member 114 being essentially vertically arranged, said first end 190a of said coil spring member is the upper end and said second end 190b is the lower end, arranged relatively lower at said rod member 114 relative to said upper end of said coil spring member 190. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first end of said first arm member 212 is configured to be connected to said coil spring member 190 at its first end 190a, i.e. upper end. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said coil spring member 190 comprises said first fastening point P1 , arranged at the first end 190a of said coil spring member 190.

[0123] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said coil spring member 190 is configured to be fixedly connected at its second end 190b, i.e. lower end, in connection to said elongated support member 140.

[0124] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said coil spring member 190, when subject to a pressing force at the upper end 190a, e.g. at the first fastening point P1 , exceeding said threshold, said coil spring member 190 is configured to be compressed to a spring-loaded state, facilitating downward movement of said first fastening point P1 to which said first end of said first arm member 212 is pivotably connected. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said coil spring member 190, when no longer subjected to said pressing force exceeding said threshold, is configured to return from said spring-loaded state to a non-spring-loaded state, returning said fastening point P1.

[0125] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said coil spring member 190, when subject to a pulling force at the upper end 190a, e.g. at the first fastening point P1, exceeding said threshold, said coil spring member 190 is configured to be tensioned to a spring-loaded state, facilitating upward movement of said first fastening point P1 to which said first end of said first arm member 212 is pivotably connected. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said coil spring member 190, when no longer subjected to said pulling force exceeding said threshold, is configured to return from said spring-loaded state to a non-spring-loaded state, returning said fastening point P1.

[0126] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said coil spring member 190, when subject to a rotational force at the upper end 190a, e.g. at the first fastening point P1 , exceeding a certain threshold, said coil spring member 190 is configured to rotate to a spring-loaded state, allowing rotation of said first arm member 212, at said fastening point P1 , about the axis Y of said rod member 114.

[0127] Fig. 11a schematically illustrates a perspective view of a lower portion of the dock shelter arrangement A in e.g. fig. 5a, comprising a hinge arrangement 160 in a non-rotated position, fig. 11b schematically illustrates a perspective view of the lower portion of the dock shelter arrangement in fig. 11a, with the hinge arrangement 160 in rotated position, and fig. 12 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the lower portion of the dock shelter arrangement in fig. 11a, with the hinge arrangement 160 in the non-rotated position, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0128] Said hinge arrangement 160 comprises a tube-shaped first hinge member 162 configured to be arranged around said rod member 114. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said tube-shaped first hinge member 162 has the shape of a hollow truncated cylinder. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said tube-shaped first hinge member 162 is configured to be movably arranged around said rod member 114 so as to allow axial movement in the axial direction of said rod member 114 and rotational movement relative to said rod member 114, about the axis Y of said rod member 114.

[0129] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said second arm member 114, at said first end, is configured to be connected to said first hinge member 162. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said second arm member 214, at said first end, is configured to be pivotably connected to said first hinge member 162 in a plane extending in the longitudinal direction of said rod member 114 so as to facilitate operation of said shelter mechanism 200 between said retracted position and extended position.

[0130] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first hinge member 162 comprises said third fastening point P3. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first hinge member 162 configured to be arranged around said rod member 114, comprises an arm connection portion providing said third fastening point P3, configured to receive a connection portion of said first end of said second arm member 214 for facilitating said pivotable connection.

[0131] Said tube-shaped first hinge member 162 is configured to be rotatably arranged about said rod member, wherein, when said shelter mechanism 200 is subjected to a force F2 exceeding a certain threshold, said second arm member 214 is configured to pivot about the axis Y of said rod member 114 from a non-rotated position. Said non-rotated position corresponds to the position of the shelter mechanism 200 during normal retracted and extended position, when not subjected to any rotational force resulting in rotation about said axis Y of said rod configuration 110. Said hinge arrangement 160 is configured such that, when said certain threshold is no longer exceeded, said second arm member 214 is returned to said non-rotated position.

[0132] Said hinge arrangement 160 comprises a second hinge member 164 configured to be non-rotatably and coaxially arranged below said first hinge member 162, i.e. at a lower level and below said first hinge member 162 in relation to the rod member 114.

[0133] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first hinge member 162 has an angled configuration and said second hinge member 164 has a corresponding angled configuration such that, in said non-rotated position, the first hinge member 162 is configured to rest on the second hinge member 164 so that the angled configurations of the respective hinge member 162, 164 face each other in such a way that they are interconnected towards each other.

[0134] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first hinge member 162 and second hinge member 164, having said angled configurations, are configured to be arranged such that, when said shelter mechanism 200 is subjected to a force F2 exceeding a certain threshold, providing rotation of said first hinge member 162 about said rod member 114 and relative to said second hinge member 164, said angled configuration results in upward axial movement along and relative to said rod member 114 of said first hinge member 162 relative to said second hinge member 164.

[0135] When said certain threshold is no longer exceeded, said first hinge member 162, and thereby said second arm member 214 connected to said first hinge member 162, is configured to return to said non-rotated position based on gravitational force.

[0136] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said tube-shaped first hinge member 162 has an axial extension and transversal extension, said tubeshaped first hinge member 162 having a first side 162a being the upper side 162a configured to face upwardly, and an opposite second side 162b being the lower side 162b configured to face downwardly towards said second hinge member 164.

[0137] Said second hinge member 164 has a first side 164a being the upper side 164a, configured to face towards said lower side 162b of said first hinge member 164. Said second hinge member 164 has an opposite second side 164b being the lower side 164b.

[0138] The lower side 162b of the first hinge member has said angled configuration, configured to face said upper side 164a of said second hinge member 164. Said angled configuration of said first hinge member provides an angle relative to said axial and transversal extension. The upper side 164a of said second hinge member 164 facing said lower side 162b of said first hinge member 162 has a corresponding angle such that, in said non-rotated position, the surface of the lower side 162b of the first hinge member 162 is in contact with the surface of the upper side 164a of said second hinge member 164.

[0139] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said second hinge member 164 is tube shaped and configured to be arranged about said rod configuration 110, wherein said second hinge member 164 is fixedly attached to said elongated support member 140. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said tube-shaped second hinge member 164 has the shape of a hollow truncated cylinder.

[0140] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said tube-shaped first hinge member 162 has the shape of a hollow truncated cylinder with an angled truncation at its second side 162b, and said tube-shaped second hinge member 164 has the shape of a hollow truncated cylinder with an angled truncation at its first side 164a, with the same angle as the angled truncation of said first hinge member 162.

[0141] According to an alternative aspect of the present disclosure, said second hinge member 164 is an integrated part of a lower portion of said rod member 114.

[0142] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said hinge arrangement 160 is arranged in connection to the lower part of said elongated support member 140 relatively close to its lower end 140b. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said hinge arrangement 160 is arranged in connection to the lower part of said elongated support member 140 so that said second hinge member 164 is configured to be arranged at the ground level, i.e. with the lower side facing the ground level.

[0143] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, as illustrated in e.g. fig. 5a-b and 6a-b, said connection bar 220 comprises a first elongated track T222 running in the longitudinal extension of said connection bar 220 along a longitudinal portion of said connection bar 220. Said first elongated track T222 of said connection bar is configured to facilitate movable connection of said second fastening point P2 along said first elongated track T222. Said first arm member 212 is configured to be pivotably connected, at its second end, to said first elongated track T222 via said second fastening point P2.

[0144] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said connection bar 220 comprises an arm connection device 212a comprising said second fastening point P2. According to an aspect, said arm connection device 212a is configured to be movably connected to said first elongated track T222. According to an aspect, said first arm member 212 is configured to be pivotably connected, at its second end, to said second fastening point P2 of said arm connection device 212a, wherein said second end of said second arm member 212 is configured to be movable along said first elongated track T222 by means of said arm connection device 212a.

[0145] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, as illustrated in e.g. fig. 5a, fig. 8 and fig. 9a-b, said connection bar 220 comprises a second elongated track T224 running in the longitudinal extension of said connection bar 220 along a longitudinal portion of said connection bar 220. Said second elongated track T222 of said connection bar is configured to facilitate movable connection of said fourth fastening point P4 along said second elongated track T224. Said second arm member 214 is configured to be pivotably connected, at its second end, to said second elongated track T224 via said fourth fastening point P4.

[0146] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said connection bar 220 comprises an arm connection device 214a comprising said fourth fastening point P4. According to an aspect, said arm connection device 214a is configured to be movably connected to said second elongated track T224. According to an aspect, said second arm member 214 is configured to be pivotably connected, at its second end, to said fourth fastening point P4 of said arm connection device 214a, wherein said second end of said second arm member 212 is configured to be movable along said second elongated track T224 by means of said arm connection device 214a.

[0147] As mentioned above, said first fastening point P1 is positioned relatively closer to the first end 140a of the elongated support member 140 than said third fastening point P3, which is relatively close to the second end 140b of the elongated support member 140, and said second fastening point P2 and thereby said first elongated track T222 are positioned relatively closer to the first end 220a of said connection bar 220 than the fourth fastening point P4 and thereby second elongated track T224. With the elongated support member 140 being essentially vertically arranged, said first fastening point P1 is positioned relatively higher than said third fastening point P3, and said second fastening point P2 and thereby said first elongated track T222 are positioned relatively higher than the fourth fastening point P4 and said second elongated track T224.

[0148] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, for such a connection bar 220 having such a U-shaped configuration, said first elongated track T222 comprises a first track part arranged at one of said protruding walls and a second track part at the other of said protruding walls. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first track part at the said one of said walls and the second track part at said other of said walls are configured to have corresponding longitudinal extensions, facing each other and, according to an aspect, being hollow track parts. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said arm connection device 212a comprising said second fastening point P2 is configured to be operably connected between said first track part and second track part of said first elongated track T222.

[0149] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, for such a connection bar 220 having such a U-shaped configuration, said second elongated track T224 comprises a first track part arranged at one of said protruding walls and a second track part at the other of said protruding walls. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first track part at the said one of said walls and the second track part at said other of said walls are configured to have corresponding longitudinal extensions, facing each other and, according to an aspect, being hollow track parts. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said arm connection device 214a comprising said fourth fastening point P4 is configured to be operably connected between said first track part and second track part of said second elongated track T224.

[0150] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first elongated track T222 has a first end T222a relatively closer to said first end 220a of said connection bar 220, and an opposite second end T222b relatively further away from said first end 220a of said connection bar 220. Said second fastening point P2 is configured to be movably arranged at said first elongated track T222 so that it is movable along said first elongated track T222 between said first end T222a and opposite second end T222b, wherein said first end T222a and opposite second end T222b are configured to provide stops for limiting said movement of the thus movably arranged second fastening point P2 between said first end T222a and opposite second end T222b.

[0151] Said first arm member 212, being pivotably connected, at its first end, to said first fastening point P1 to said rod member 114 and, at its opposite second end, pivotably connected to said second fastening point P2, during retraction operation and extension operation, is configured to pivot about said first fastening point P1 so that its second end, and thereby the second fastening point P2, is configured to move in an arced way between said retracted position, in which said second fastening point P2 is relatively closer to said elongated support member 140 and at a position closer to the first end 140a of said elongated support member relative to the longitudinal extension of the elongated support member 140, and said most extended position, in which said second fastening point P2 is relatively further away from said elongated support member 140 and at a position further away from the first end 140a of said elongated support member 140 relative to the longitudinal extension of the elongated support member 140.

[0152] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, as schematically illustrated in fig. 6b, said shelter mechanism 200 is configured to be operable between said retracted position and a most extended position, wherein said second fastening point P2, at the retracted position, is positioned so that the shortest distance to the elongated support member 140 corresponds to a first imaginary point at the elongated support member, and wherein said second fastening point P2, at the most extended position, is positioned so that the shortest distance to the elongated support member 140 corresponds to a second imaginary point at the elongated support member 140 at a certain distance D1 from said first imaginary point in the longitudinal extension of said elongated support member 140, wherein said first elongated track T222 has an extension which at least corresponds to said distance D1 between the first imaginary point and second imaginary point.

[0153] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, when said dock shelter arrangement A comprises a spring member 190 configured such that, when compressed due to certain pressing force, said first fastening point P1 is moved away from first side 140a of said elongated support member 140 along said rod member 114 and when tensioned due to a certain pulling force, said first fastening point P1 is moved towards said first side 140a of said elongated support member 140 along said rod member 114, said extension of said first elongated track T222 corresponds to said distance D1 between the first imaginary point and second imaginary point and adding the distance, i.e. extension, corresponding to the movement of said first fastening point P1 between a compressed position of said spring member 190 and a tensioned position of the spring member 190. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said compressed position is the most compressed position and / or the tensioned position is the most tensioned position.

[0154] With said elongated support member 140 and connection bar 220 arranged essentially vertical, said second end of the first arm member 212, and thereby the second fastening point P2, is configured to move in said arced way between said retracted position, at which said second fastening point P2 is at a relatively higher level and closer to said elongated support member 140, and said most extended position, at which said second fastening point P2 is at a relatively lower level compared to the level at said retracted position, and further away from said elongated support member 140.

[0155] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first elongated track T222 has an elongated extension adapted such that movement in the elongated direction of the connection bar 220 relative to the elongated support member 140 may be essentially prevented during movement of the connection bar 220 between said retracted position and most extended position by means of pivotal movement of said first arm member 212. With the connection bar 220 and elongated support member 140 arranged essentially vertical, said first elongated track T222 has an elongated extension adapted such that the level of the connection bar 220 relative to the elongated support member 140 may be maintained during movement of the connection bar 220 between said retracted position and most extended position by means of pivotal movement of said first arm member 212.

[0156] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first elongated track T222 has an elongated extension, i.e. a distance between its first end T222a and opposite second end T222b, essentially corresponding to the level change of the second fastening point P2 between said retracted position and most extended position of said shelter mechanism 200, according to an aspect of the present disclosure including the added distance associated with said compressed position and tensioned position of the spring member 190 causing movement of said first fastening point P1 and hence adding the maximum distance between the imaginary points at the elongated support member 140 between the retraced position of said second fastening point P2 and most extended position of said second fastening point P2.

[0157] When said curtain arrangement 230 is connected to said connection bar 220 and to said elongated support member 140 so that it is retracted in the retracted position and extended in the extended position, the curtain arrangement 230 will, by means of the first elongated track T222 and the thus connected first arm member 212, extend and retract relative to said elongated support member 140 in a direction essentially orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of said elongated support member 140. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said curtain arrangement 230 is configured to be fixedly connected to said elongated support member 140 and said connection bar 220 so that said second fastening point P2 moves along said first elongated track T222 during extension operation and retraction operation of said dock shelter arrangement A.

[0158] For the shelter mechanism 200 having said first arm member 212 thus pivotably connected to said rod configuration 110 at said elongated support member 140 and to said second fastening point P2 at said first elongated track T222 of said connection bar 220, and said second arm member 214 pivotably connected to said rod configuration 110 at said elongated support member 140 and to said fourth fastening point P4 at said second elongated track T224 of said connection bar 220, a corresponding arrangement of said second elongated track T224 is required in order to facilitate essentially preventing relative movement in the elongated direction of the connection bar 220 relative to said elongated support member 140.

[0159] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said second elongated track T224 has a first end T224a relatively further away from said second end 220b of said connection bar 220, and an opposite second end T224b relatively to said said second end 220b of said connection bar 220. Said fourth fastening point P4 is configured to be movably arranged at said second elongated track T224 so that it is movable along said second elongated track T224 between said first end T224a and opposite second end T224b, wherein said first end T224a and opposite second end T224b are configured to provide stops for limiting said movement of the thus movably arranged fourth fastening point P4 between said first end T224a and opposite second end T224b.

[0160] Said second arm member 214, being pivotably connected, at its first end, to said third fastening point P3 to said rod member 114 and, at its opposite second end, pivotably connected to said fourth fastening point P4, during retraction operation and expansion operation, is configured to pivot about said third fastening point P3 so that its second end, and thereby the fourth fastening point P4, is configured to move in an arced way between said retracted position, in which said fourth fastening point P4 is relatively closer to said elongated support member 140 and at a position closer to the first end 140a of said elongated support member relative to the longitudinal extension of the elongated support member 140, and said most extended position, in which said fourth fastening point P4 is relatively further away from said elongated support member 140 and at a position further away from the first end 140a of said elongated support member 140 relative to the longitudinal extension of the elongated support member 140.

[0161] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, as schematically illustrated in fig. 9b, said fourth fastening point P4, at the retracted position, is positioned so that the shortest distance to the elongated support member 140 corresponds to a third imaginary point at the elongated support member, and wherein said fourth fastening point P4, at the most extended position, is positioned so that the shortest distance to the elongated support member 140 corresponds to a fourth imaginary point at the elongated support member 140 at a certain distance D2 from said third imaginary point in the longitudinal extension of said elongated support member 140, wherein said second elongated track has an extension which at least corresponds to said distance between the third imaginary point and fourth imaginary point.

[0162] With said elongated support member 140 and connection bar 220 arranged essentially vertical, said second end of the second arm member 214, and thereby the fourth fastening point P4, is configured to move in said arced way between said retracted position, at which said fourth fastening point P4 is at a relatively higher level and closer to said elongated support member 140, and said most extended position, at which said fourth fastening point P4 is at a relatively lower level compared to the level at said retracted position, and further away from said elongated support member 140.

[0163] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said second elongated track T224 has an elongated extension adapted such that movement in the elongated direction of the connection bar 220 relative to the elongated support member 140 may be essentially prevented during movement of the connection bar 220 between said retracted position and most extended position by means of pivotal movement of said second arm member 214. With the connection bar 220 and elongated support member 140 arranged essentially vertical, said second elongated track T224 has an elongated extension adapted such that the level of the connection bar 220 relative to the elongated support member 140 may be maintained during movement of the connection bar 220 between said retracted position and most extended position by means of pivotal movement of said second arm member 214.

[0164] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said second elongated track T224 has an elongated extension, i.e. a distance between its first end T224a and opposite second end T224b, essentially corresponding to the level change of the fourth fastening point P4 between said retracted position and most extended position of said shelter mechanism 200.

[0165] When said curtain arrangement 230 is connected to said connection bar 220 and to said elongated support member 140 so that it is retracted in the retracted position and extended in the extended position, the curtain arrangement 230 will, by means of the first elongated track T222 and the thus connected first arm member 212 and the second elongated track T224 and the thus connected second arm member 214, extend and retract relative to said elongated support member 140 in a direction essentially orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of said elongated support member 140. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said curtain arrangement 230 is configured to be fixedly connected to said elongated support member 140 and said connection bar 220 so that said second fastening point P2 moves along said first elongated track T222 and said fourth fastening point P4 moves along said second elongated track T224 during extension operation and retraction operation of said dock shelter arrangement A.

[0166] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said connection bar 220 has a U-shaped configuration having a base, and opposite walls protruding from said base and running in the longitudinal direction, said opposite walls being configured to protrude towards said elongated support member 140. The curtain arrangement 230 and connection of the curtain arrangement 230 to said connection bar 220 and elongated support member 140 is described in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure with reference to fig. 14a- c and fig. 15a-c.

[0167] Fig. 14a schematically illustrates a plan view of a connection bar 220, having a U-shaped configuration, for a dock shelter arrangement, fig. 14b schematically illustrates a plan view of an elongated support member 140, having a U-shaped configuration, for a dock shelter arrangement, fig. 14c schematically illustrates a plan view of a curtain arrangement connected to a connection bar in fig. 14a and an elongated support member in fig. 14b, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, fig. 15a schematically illustrates a perspective view of the, to said connection bar 220 and elongated support member 140 connected, curtain arrangement 230 in fig. 14c, fig. 15b schematically illustrates a side view of a first curtain element 232 of the curtain arrangement 230 in fig. 14c, and, fig. 15c schematically illustrates a side view of a second curtain element 234 of the curtain arrangement 230 in fig. 14c, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0168] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, as illustrated in fig. 14b-c, fig. 15a and also in e.g. fig. 5b, fig. 8 and fig. 10a, said elongated support member has a U-shaped configuration.

[0169] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said elongated support member 140 is a roll formed sheet metal profile. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said U-shaped elongated support member 140 is manufactured through a roll form process of sheet metal so as to provide said U-shaped profile.

[0170] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said elongated support member 140 has a U-shaped configuration having a base 142 and opposite walls 144, 146 protruding from said base 142. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said opposite walls 144, 146 comprises a first wall 144 protruding from one side of said base 142 and a second wall 146 protruding from the other side of said base 142.

[0171] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said base 142 of said elongated support member 140 is configured to face and be arranged in connection to an inner wall side of a wall of a dock housing of a loading dock. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said opposite walls 144, 146 are configured to protruded from said inner wall side in a direction essentially orthogonal to the main extension of said inner wall side.

[0172] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said rod configuration 110 is configured to be arranged along said elongated support member 140 and configured to run between said, from said base 142 protruding, opposite walls 144, 146. Thus, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, said threaded rod 112 is configured to run between said opposite walls 144, 146 from an upper portion close to the first end 140a of said elongated support member 140 a certain distance, and said rod member 114 is configured to run between said opposite walls 144, 146 essentially from said threaded rod 112 towards and essentially to the second end 140b of said elongated support member 140. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, at least part of said rod configuration 110 is configured to run between said protruding opposite walls 144, 146 of said U-shaped elongated support member 140.

[0173] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, as illustrated in fig. 14a, fig. 14c, fig. 15a and also in e.g. fig. 5b, said connection bar 220 has a U-shaped configuration.

[0174] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said connection bar 220 is a roll formed sheet metal profile. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said U-shaped connection bar 220 is manufactured through a roll form process of sheet metal so as to provide said U-shaped profile.

[0175] According to an aspect of the elongated support member 140 and the connection bar 220 has essentially corresponding U-shaped configurations. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said connection bar 220 has a U-shaped configuration having a base 222 and opposite walls 224, 226 protruding from said base 222. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said opposite walls 224, 226 comprises a first wall 224 protruding from one side of said base 222 and a second wall 226 protruding from the other side of said base 222.

[0176] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the opposite walls 144, 146 of said elongated support member 140 and the opposite walls 224, 226 of said connection bar 220 are configured to essentially protrude towards each other. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said curtain arrangement 230 is configured to be connected, at one end, to said opposite walls 144, 146 of said elongated support member 140, and, at an opposite end, to said opposite walls 224, 226 of said connection bar 220.

[0177] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first wall 144 of said U- shaped elongated support member 140 comprises a first wall portion 144a protruding from the base 142 and a first looped configuration 144b transitioning in a curve from the first wall portion 144a. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said second wall 146 of said U-shaped elongated support member 140 comprises a second wall portion 146a protruding from the base 142 and a second looped configuration 146b transitioning in a curve from the second wall portion 146a.

[0178] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first wall portion 144a and second wall portion 146a of said U-shaped elongated support member 140 are essentially parallel. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first looped configuration 144b and second looped configuration 146b of said U-shaped elongated support member 140 are configured to curve away from each other and turn around and run towards said base 142 forming a loop. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first looped configuration 144b provides a loop running along said first wall portion 144a providing a space S44 providing an opening from the first side 140a to the second side 140b of said elongated support member 140. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first looped configuration 144b of said first wall 144 has an end configured to provide a narrowing of said space S44 in the direction along the first wall portion 144a towards said base 142.

[0179] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said second looped configuration 146b provides a loop running along said second wall portion 146a providing a space S46 providing an opening from the first side 140a to the second side 140b of said elongated support member 140. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said second looped configuration 144b of said first wall 144 has an end configured to provide a narrowing of said space S46 in the direction along the second wall portion 146a towards said base 142.

[0180] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first wall 224 of said U- shaped connection bar 220 comprises a first wall portion 224a protruding from the base 222 and a first looped configuration 224b transitioning in a curve from the first wall portion 224a. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said second wall 226 of said U-shaped connection bar 220 comprises a second wall portion 226a protruding from the base 222 and a second looped configuration 226b transitioning in a curve from the second wall portion 226a.

[0181] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first wall portion 224a and second wall portion 226a of said U-shaped connection bar 220 are essentially parallel. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first looped configuration 224b and second looped configuration 226b of said U- shaped connection bar 220 are configured to curve away from each other and turn around and run towards said base 222 forming a loop.

[0182] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first looped configuration 224b provides a loop running along said first wall portion 224a providing a space S24 providing an opening from the first side 220a to the second side 220b of said connection bar 220. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first looped configuration 224b of said first wall 224 has an end configured to provide a narrowing of said space S24 in the direction along the first wall portion 224a towards said base 222.

[0183] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said second looped configuration 226b provides a loop running along said second wall portion 226a providing a space S26 providing an opening from the first side 220a to the second side 220b of said connection bar 220. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said second looped configuration 224b of said first wall 224 has an end configured to provide a narrowing of said space S26 in the direction along the second wall portion 226a towards said base 222.

[0184] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said curtain arrangement comprises a first curtain element 232. Said first curtain element 232 comprises a first connection member 232a at a first end, and a second connection member 232b at an opposite second end. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first connection member 232a and second connection member 232b are adapted to engagingly fit in connection to respective looped configurations so as to provide connection of said curtain element 232 at one side of said shelter mechanism 200. In fig. 14c and fig. 15, said first connection member 232a is connected to said first looped configuration 144b of said elongated support member 140 and said second connection member 232b is connected to said first looped configuration 224b of said connection bar 220.

[0185] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said curtain arrangement comprises a second curtain element 234. Said second curtain element 234 comprises a first connection member 234a at a first end, and a second connection member 234b at an opposite second end. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said first connection member 234a and second connection member 234b are adapted to engagingly fit in connection to respective looped configurations so as to provide connection of said second curtain element 234 at another side of said shelter mechanism 200. In fig. 14c and fig. 15, said first connection member 234a is connected to said second looped configuration 146b of said elongated support member 140 and said second connection member 234b is connected to said second looped configuration 226b of said connection bar 220.

[0186] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the first curtain element 232 is configured to be connectedly arranged at one side of the shelter mechanism 200 and the second curtain element 234 is configured to be connectedly arranged at the other side of the shelter mechanism 200. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the first curtain element 232 and the second curtain element 234 have an essentially rectangular configuration.

[0187] When said curtain arrangement 230 is connectedly arranged to the shelter mechanism 200, i.e. connected to the elongated support member 140 and connection bar 220, the first curtain element 232 has an outer side 232o facing away from the arm configuration 210 of the shelter mechanism 200 and an opposite inner side 234i facing towards the arm configuration 210 of the shelter mechanism 200, and the second curtain element 234 has an outer side 234o facing away from the arm configuration 210 of the shelter mechanism 200 and an opposite inner side 234i facing towards the arm configuration 210 of the shelter mechanism 200 and facing towards the inner side 232i of the first curtain element 232.

[0188] When said curtain arrangement 230 is connectedly arranged to the shelter mechanism 200, i.e. connected to the elongated support member 140 and connection bar 220, the first curtain element 232 has an upper side 232U and an opposite lower side 232L, the upper side 232U being essentially at the level of the upper side of the elongated support member 140 and connection bar 220. The first curtain element 232 has a first side 232S1 along which the first connection member 232a is arranged, and an opposite second side 232S2 along which the second connection member 232b is arranged. When said curtain arrangement 230 is connectedly arranged to the shelter mechanism 200, i.e. connected to the elongated support member 140 and connection bar 220, the second curtain element 234 has an upper side 234U and an opposite lower side 234L, the upper side 234U being essentially at the level of the upper side of the elongated support member 140 and connection bar 220. The second curtain element 234 has a first side 234S1 along which the first connection member 234a is arranged, and an opposite second side 234S2 along which the second connection member 234b is arranged.

[0189] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the extension T2, i.e. thickness T2, of the first connection member 232a and second connection member 232b of the first curtain element 232 is greater, i.e. thicker, than the thickness T1 of the fabric of the first curtain element 232 running between said first connection member 232a and second connection member 232b. The shape, comprising the thickness, of the first and second connection members 232a, 232b is adapted to fit within said space provided by said looped configurations of the U-shaped elongated support member 140 and U-shaped connection bar 220, and adapted to prevent escaping from said looped configurations in the direction along the wall portions towards the base.

[0190] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the extension T2, i.e. thickness T2, of the first connection member 234a and second connection member 234b of the second curtain element 234 is greater, i.e. thicker, than the thickness T1 of the fabric of the second curtain element 234 running between said first connection member 234a and second connection member 234b. The shape, comprising the thickness, of the first and second connection members 232a, 232b is adapted to fit within said space provided by said looped configurations of the U-shaped elongated support member 140 and U- shaped connection bar 220, and adapted to prevent escaping from said looped configurations in the direction along the wall portions towards the base.

[0191] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the first curtain element 232 is configured to be connected to said U-shaped elongated support member 140 and U-shaped connection bar 220 by introducing the first connection member 232a in the space S44 of the first looped configuration 144b of the U- shaped elongated support member 140 and the second connection member 232b in the space S24 of the first looped configuration 224b of the U-shaped connection bar 220. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said connection members 232a, 232b are configured to be introduced from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction of the elongated support member 140 and connection bar 220.

[0192] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the second curtain element 234 is configured to be connected to said U-shaped elongated support member 140 and U-shaped connection bar 220 by introducing the first connection member 234a in the space S46 of the second looped configuration 146b of the U-shaped elongated support member 140 and the second connection member 234b in the space S26 of the second looped configuration 226b of the U-shaped connection bar 220. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said connection members 234a, 234b are configured to be introduced from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction of the elongated support member 140 and connection bar 220.

[0193] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said shelter mechanism 200 of the respective dock shelter arrangement A comprises a sealing arrangement 240, schematically illustrated in fig. 14c. Said sealing arrangement 240 is configured to be arranged in connection to said connection bar 220 so as to facilitate providing sealing between said connection bar 220 and a side of a vehicle in an extended position of said shelter mechanism 200. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said sealing arrangement 240 is configured to be connected to and run along said connection bar 220 so as to facilitate providing sealing between said connection bar 220 and a side of a vehicle in an extended position of said shelter mechanism 200. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said sealing arrangement 240 is configured to cover at least the side of said base 222 of said U-shaped connection bar 220 configured to face towards a side of a vehicle so as to facilitate providing sealing between said connection bar 220 and a side of a vehicle in an extended position of said shelter mechanism 200. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, said sealing arrangement 240 is configured to cover at least a portion of the outer side of the wall portions 224a, 226a of the opposite wall portions 224, 226 of said U-shaped connection bar 220. Said sealing arrangement 240 may be connected to said connection bar 220 in any suitable way, e.g. by means of screw joints or the like.

[0194] Herein, the term “looped configuration” may be denoted hook configuration, hooked configuration, or the like, and may have any suitable shape for receiving and facilitating connection of said connection member of the curtain element of the curtain arrangement.

[0195] The description of the aspects of the disclosure provided herein has been presented for purposes of illustration. The description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit aspects of the disclosure to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various alternatives to the provided aspects of the disclosure. The examples discussed herein were chosen and described in order to explain the principles and the nature of various aspects of the disclosure and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the aspects of the disclosure in various manners and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0196] It should be noted that the word “comprising” does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed. It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A dock shelter arrangement (A) for a loading dock (D) comprising a dock housing (10) having an opening (0) at which a vehicle is configured to be positioned for loading and / or unloading operation, said dock shelter arrangement (A) comprising a dock shelter operation device (100), and a shelter mechanism (200) operably connected to said dock shelter operation device (100), said dock shelter operation device (100) comprising: an essentially vertically and fixedly arranged elongated support member (140), having an upper end (140a) and a lower end (140b); and a rod configuration (110) arranged along said elongated support member (140), wherein said shelter mechanism (200) comprises an arm configuration (210) comprising at least one arm member (114) configured to be connected, at a first end, to said rod configuration (110) and pivotable in a plane extending in the longitudinal direction of said rod configuration (110) so that said shelter mechanism (200) is operable between a retracted position and an extended position in that plane, said shelter arrangement (A) comprising a hinge arrangement (160) comprising a first hinge member (162), a second arm member (214) of said at least one arm member being connected to said rod configuration (110) via said first hinge member (162), said first hinge member (162) being configured to be rotatably arranged about said rod configuration (110), wherein, when said shelter mechanism (200) is subjected to a force (F2) exceeding a certain threshold, said second arm member is configured to pivot about the axis (Y) of said rod configuration (110) from a non-rotated position, wherein said hinge arrangement (160) is configured such that, when said certain threshold is no longer exceeded, said second arm member (214) is returned to said nonrotated position.

2. The dock shelter arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said hinge arrangement (160) comprises a second hinge member (164) configured to be non-rotatably and coaxially arranged below said first hinge member (162), wherein said first hinge member (162) has an angled configuration and saidsecond hinge member (164) has a corresponding angled configuration such that, in said non-rotated position, the first hinge member (162) is configured to rest on the second hinge member (164) so that the angled configurations of the respective hinge member (162, 164) face each other in such a way that they are interconnected towards each other, and when said shelter mechanism (200) is subjected to a force (F2) exceeding a certain threshold, providing rotation of said first hinge member (162), said angled configuration results in upward axial movement of said first hinge member (162) relative to said second hinge member (164), wherein, when said certain threshold is no longer exceeded, said first hinge member (162) and thereby said arm member connected to said first hinge member (162) is configured to return to said nonrotated position based on gravitational force.

3. The dock shelter arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said first hinge member (162) is tube-shaped and has an axial extension and transversal extension, wherein the side facing said second hinge member (164) has said angled configuration providing an angle relative to said axial and transversal extension, wherein the side of said second hinge member (164) facing said side of said first hinge member (162) has a corresponding angle such that, in said non-rotated position, the surface of the side of the first hinge member (162) is in contact with the surface of the side of said second hinge member (164).

4. The dock shelter arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said second hinge member (164) is tube shaped and configured to be arranged about said rod configuration (110), wherein said second hinge member (164) is fixedly attached to said elongated support member (140).

5. The dock shelter arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said second hinge member (164) is an integrated part of a lower portion of said rod configuration.

6. The dock shelter arrangement according to any of claims 1 -5, wherein said hinge arrangement (160) is arranged in connection to the lower part of said elongated support member (140) relatively close to its lower end (140b).

7. The dock shelter arrangement according to any of claims 1 -6, said dock housing (10) has opposite inner walls providing said opening (0), wherein the dock shelter arrangement (A) is configured to be arranged in connection to an inner wall of said inner walls, wherein the plane in which said at least one arm member is pivotable, facilitating said retraction and extension of said shelter mechanism (200), corresponds to the space associated with the direction between the inner wall and the side of the vehicle positioned at said opening (O), wherein said extended position corresponds to the position when said shelter mechanism (200) is in contact with the side of the vehicle, wherein if said shelter mechanism (200) is subjected to a force (F2), caused by movement of the vehicle, exceeding said certain threshold, said arm member is allowed to pivot about the axis (Y) of said rod configuration (110) from said non-rotated position by means of said first hinge member (162) of said hinge arrangement (160), reducing risk of damage of said shelter mechanism (200).

8. The dock shelter arrangement according to any of claims 1 -7, wherein said shelter mechanism (200) comprises a connection bar (220) configured to be essentially vertically arranged, having an upper end (220a) and a lower end (220b), wherein said second arm member (214), at a second end opposite said first end, is configured to be pivotably connected to said connection bar (220), said arm configuration (210) further comprising a first arm member (212) configured to be connected, at a first end, to said rod configuration (110) at a level relatively higher than the connection of said first end of said second arm member (214), and at a second end opposite to said first end, pivotably connected to said connection bar (220) at a relatively higher level than the second end of said second arm member (214).

9. The dock shelter arrangement according to any of claims 1 -8, wherein said shelter mechanism (200) comprises a curtain arrangement (230) configured to provide cover at said arm configuration (210).

10. A dock shelter system (S) for a loading dock (D) comprising a dock housing (10) having opposite inner walls providing an opening at which a vehicle is configured to be positioned for loading and / or unloading operation, said dock shelter system (S) comprising a dock shelter arrangement (A) according to any of claims 1 -9, for facilitating shelter between one of said opposite inner walls and a positioned vehicle, and a dock shelter arrangement (A) according to any of claims 1 -9 for facilitating shelter between the other of said opposite inner walls and the positioned vehicle.

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