CA1200149A - Inflatable dock seal - Google Patents
Inflatable dock sealInfo
- Publication number
- CA1200149A CA1200149A CA000426116A CA426116A CA1200149A CA 1200149 A CA1200149 A CA 1200149A CA 000426116 A CA000426116 A CA 000426116A CA 426116 A CA426116 A CA 426116A CA 1200149 A CA1200149 A CA 1200149A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- building
- inflatable
- horizontal
- members
- opening
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Specific Sealing Or Ventilating Devices For Doors And Windows (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An inflatable dock seal having a horizontal member and a pair of vertical members, devices for attaching said members to a building, spaced inverted U-shaped support members secured transversely to said horizontal member and pivotally secured to said building therebelow and device for retracting said horizontal member when deflated, comprising a retractable flap on said horizontal member, a roller on said building, said flap attached to said roller, said horizontal member having portions ex-tending outwardly from said building and downwardly when inflated.
An inflatable dock seal having a horizontal member and a pair of vertical members, devices for attaching said members to a building, spaced inverted U-shaped support members secured transversely to said horizontal member and pivotally secured to said building therebelow and device for retracting said horizontal member when deflated, comprising a retractable flap on said horizontal member, a roller on said building, said flap attached to said roller, said horizontal member having portions ex-tending outwardly from said building and downwardly when inflated.
Description
INFLA'l'ABLE DOCK SEAI, ~ackground of the Invention Field of the Invention This invention relates -to infla-table docls seals for use on dock openings to close the same with respect to a truck or trailer positioned adjacent there-to.
Descrip-tion of the Prior Ar-t:
Prior art devices of this type are generally mounted around an opening in a building against which a truck or trailer is positioned to form an extended closed passage-way when inflated. See for example applicant's U.S.
Patents 3,391,503 o-f July 9, 1968, 3,391502 of July 6, 1968, 4,044,510 of Aug. 30, 1977 and 3,714,745 of Feb.
6, 1973.
Applicant's new dock seal is an improvement in that it is completely flexible and can be retracted to a thin flat shape against the building. The dock seal of the present invention does not require a suppor-t frame frame that extends from the building and limits the height of truck or trailer positioned thereunder.
The present dock seal cannot be damaged by a truck or trailer backed thereagainst.
Summary of the Invention An inflatable dock seal comprises inflatable members positioned around an opening in a building to 6eal a truck or trailer body thereagainst. An upper generally hor:izontal inflatable member is formed to move outwardly and downwardly ~8 when inflated against the top of the truck or trailer so as g to close tlle space between the truck or trai,ler and the building. Ver-tically standing i~fla-table members posi-tioned on opposite sides of the openi.ng in -the bui,~d:i.ng move, when in~lated, -tow~:rds one ano-ther forming arcuate shapes contacting -the opposite side.s O:e the truck or trailer. ~esilient means are provlded to retrac-t th0 inflatab~e members when de:Elated so as -to move them away from the op,ening into a compact shape that will not be damaged by a truck or -trailer moving thereagainst.
Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of the in~latable dock seal in inrlated position;
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the dock seal of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a top plan view with portions cut away showing -the inflatable dock seal in deflated retracted position;
Figure 4 is a top plan view ~ith por-tions cut away showing the dock seal in extended position; and Figure 5 is a cross section on lines 5-5 of Figure 4.
Description of -the Pre:ferred Embodiment ~n inflatable dock seal is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings as comprising three infla-table sec-tions arranged in an inver-ted U-shaped configuration and positioned on an exterior of a building B above and to -the sides of an opening 0 therein, against which a truck or trailer is to be positioned. A horizon-tal inflatable 28 member 10 is posi-tioned transversely abov0 the opening 0 _~ _ . , :
of the building B and is secured to a mounting board 11 which is fastened to the bui],ding B. A pair of vertical inflatable members 12 and 13 are posi-tioned on opposi-te sides of the opening 0 and are secured to a pair of mounting boards 1~ and 15 which are fastened to ~he~ building B.
The vertical infla-table members 12 and 13 communica-te with -the horizontal inflatable member 10 through openings 16 in their upper ends and are formed so as to assume an arcua-te curvin'g shape when inflated. ~ blower 17 is positioned on the building B adjacent the horizontal inflatable member 10 and communicates therewith. ~ pair of tubular support members 18 and 19 Lorm inverted U-shaped configurations extending across the top of the horizontal inflatable member 10 within elongated open ended sleeves 20 and 21, respectively, which are secured to the top of the horizontal inflatable member 10 as best seen in Figure 5 of the drawings.
The tubular support members 18 and 19 extend down-wardly on either side of the vertical inflatable members 12 and 13. The ends of the tubular support members 18 and 19 are pivotally se,cured to the building B adjacent one another and provide support for the horizontal inflat-able member 10 in both inflated and deflated modes. Springs 22 are secured to pivot pins 23 and engage the tubular support members 18 and 19 through which the pivot pins 23 pass. The springs 22 urge the tubular support members 18 and 19 towards the building B when the horizon-tal infla-table 28 member 10 is deflated.
In Figures 1 and 2 of -the drawings, broken line representa-tions of openings 16 may be seen to provide communication between the interior Oe the horizontal infl,atable member 10 and the upper por-tions of the vertical inflatable members 12 and 13 respectfully. 'rhose skilled in -the ar-t will observe -that when the blowe:r 1~ is actua1;ed, ai.r enters the horizontal inflatable member 10 and expands it, shapes i-t, and moves it into sealing engagement with the top of a truck or trailer body,T while at the same time extending the vertical inflatable members 12 and 13 causing them to inflate and move in-to arcua-te configura-tions where they extend towards one ano-ther and engage the opposite sides of the truck or trailer body T.
Referring now to Figures 3 and ~ of the drawings, an elongated roller 24 will be seen moun-ted on a pair of brackets 25 on -the building B above the horizontal inflatable member 10. A retracting flap 26 of air impervious material is wound around the roller 2~ and extends therefrom to the vertical portion o-f the horizontal inflatable member 10. The roller 24 is spring activated by a constant velocity spring mechanism 27 as best seen in Figures 1 and 2 o-L the drawings. It is secured to the building B adjacent the end of the roller 24. As the horizontal member 10 is inflated, the re-trac-tion flap 26 unwinds from -the roller 24 and assumes a fully extended coneiguration as seen in Figures 1,2 and ~ of the drawings.
As the vertical inflatable members 12 and 13 are inflated, 28 a' pair of retraction straps 28, as seen in Figure ~ of the '--6--drawings, which are secured -to the outer portion of the ver-tica]. infla-table member 12 and 13 ex-tend frorn take-up reels 29 which a-re mounted on the building B. When the clock seal is defla-ted, the retract:ion :e lap 2~ retrac-ts pulling the horizontal i.n:elatable rnembe~r 10 :i.nto close vertical position against the buil.ding B. The vertical in:flatab]e members 12 and 13 are pulled back agains-t the building B by -their respective retraction s-traps 28 as they are deflat.ed. The spring urged -tubular support arms 18 and 19 move upwardly to a vertical position help-ing retract and support the deflated horizontal inflatable member 10.
Referring now to Figure 5 of the drawings, a portion of the horizontal inflatable member 10 can be seen showing the multiple cell construction thereo-f wherein a bulk-head 30 having an opening 31 therein allows the air to communicate between the cells in -the horizontal inflatable member 10 as bes-t seen in Figure 2 of the drawings. A
pair of oppositely disposed cover members 32-are secured to the mounting boards 14 and 15 respectfully and -to the adjacent sides of the horizontal inflatable member 10 respectfully covering the areas a-t which the horizontal i.nflatable member 10 and the vertical inflatable members 12 and 13 meet precluding the possibili-ty o-f weather infiltrating between the inflatable members.
The dock seal configuration thus formed while generally self-supporting in inflatable condition, 28 requires the assistance of -the spring urged -tubular support arms 18 and 19 -to prevent the assembly rrom .sagging.
This combination o~ -tubular movable suppor-t arms 18 and 19 and the flexible retraction elaps 26 provide a totally elexible surface bo-th horizontally and ver-tically when retracted agains-t the buildi,ng B.
Referring to Fi,gure 5 oL -the drawings, a wea-ther shield 32 can be seen ex-tending from the building B
outward].y comprising an elongated semi-rigid rectangular body member having a hinge 33 securing it -to the building B. This weather shield engages the retraction elap 26 along its upper surface, removlng snow and debris from the flap 26 as it is retracted.
It will occur to those skilled in the art that a modified form O e the device could be used on railroad cars wherein an additional horizontal inflatable member could be positioned between the lower ends of said inflatable members 12 and 13 indicated by a broken line L providing a complete seal around an opening in -the 19 railroad car. (Not shown).
,.
Descrip-tion of the Prior Ar-t:
Prior art devices of this type are generally mounted around an opening in a building against which a truck or trailer is positioned to form an extended closed passage-way when inflated. See for example applicant's U.S.
Patents 3,391,503 o-f July 9, 1968, 3,391502 of July 6, 1968, 4,044,510 of Aug. 30, 1977 and 3,714,745 of Feb.
6, 1973.
Applicant's new dock seal is an improvement in that it is completely flexible and can be retracted to a thin flat shape against the building. The dock seal of the present invention does not require a suppor-t frame frame that extends from the building and limits the height of truck or trailer positioned thereunder.
The present dock seal cannot be damaged by a truck or trailer backed thereagainst.
Summary of the Invention An inflatable dock seal comprises inflatable members positioned around an opening in a building to 6eal a truck or trailer body thereagainst. An upper generally hor:izontal inflatable member is formed to move outwardly and downwardly ~8 when inflated against the top of the truck or trailer so as g to close tlle space between the truck or trai,ler and the building. Ver-tically standing i~fla-table members posi-tioned on opposite sides of the openi.ng in -the bui,~d:i.ng move, when in~lated, -tow~:rds one ano-ther forming arcuate shapes contacting -the opposite side.s O:e the truck or trailer. ~esilient means are provlded to retrac-t th0 inflatab~e members when de:Elated so as -to move them away from the op,ening into a compact shape that will not be damaged by a truck or -trailer moving thereagainst.
Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of the in~latable dock seal in inrlated position;
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the dock seal of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a top plan view with portions cut away showing -the inflatable dock seal in deflated retracted position;
Figure 4 is a top plan view ~ith por-tions cut away showing the dock seal in extended position; and Figure 5 is a cross section on lines 5-5 of Figure 4.
Description of -the Pre:ferred Embodiment ~n inflatable dock seal is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings as comprising three infla-table sec-tions arranged in an inver-ted U-shaped configuration and positioned on an exterior of a building B above and to -the sides of an opening 0 therein, against which a truck or trailer is to be positioned. A horizon-tal inflatable 28 member 10 is posi-tioned transversely abov0 the opening 0 _~ _ . , :
of the building B and is secured to a mounting board 11 which is fastened to the bui],ding B. A pair of vertical inflatable members 12 and 13 are posi-tioned on opposi-te sides of the opening 0 and are secured to a pair of mounting boards 1~ and 15 which are fastened to ~he~ building B.
The vertical infla-table members 12 and 13 communica-te with -the horizontal inflatable member 10 through openings 16 in their upper ends and are formed so as to assume an arcua-te curvin'g shape when inflated. ~ blower 17 is positioned on the building B adjacent the horizontal inflatable member 10 and communicates therewith. ~ pair of tubular support members 18 and 19 Lorm inverted U-shaped configurations extending across the top of the horizontal inflatable member 10 within elongated open ended sleeves 20 and 21, respectively, which are secured to the top of the horizontal inflatable member 10 as best seen in Figure 5 of the drawings.
The tubular support members 18 and 19 extend down-wardly on either side of the vertical inflatable members 12 and 13. The ends of the tubular support members 18 and 19 are pivotally se,cured to the building B adjacent one another and provide support for the horizontal inflat-able member 10 in both inflated and deflated modes. Springs 22 are secured to pivot pins 23 and engage the tubular support members 18 and 19 through which the pivot pins 23 pass. The springs 22 urge the tubular support members 18 and 19 towards the building B when the horizon-tal infla-table 28 member 10 is deflated.
In Figures 1 and 2 of -the drawings, broken line representa-tions of openings 16 may be seen to provide communication between the interior Oe the horizontal infl,atable member 10 and the upper por-tions of the vertical inflatable members 12 and 13 respectfully. 'rhose skilled in -the ar-t will observe -that when the blowe:r 1~ is actua1;ed, ai.r enters the horizontal inflatable member 10 and expands it, shapes i-t, and moves it into sealing engagement with the top of a truck or trailer body,T while at the same time extending the vertical inflatable members 12 and 13 causing them to inflate and move in-to arcua-te configura-tions where they extend towards one ano-ther and engage the opposite sides of the truck or trailer body T.
Referring now to Figures 3 and ~ of the drawings, an elongated roller 24 will be seen moun-ted on a pair of brackets 25 on -the building B above the horizontal inflatable member 10. A retracting flap 26 of air impervious material is wound around the roller 2~ and extends therefrom to the vertical portion o-f the horizontal inflatable member 10. The roller 24 is spring activated by a constant velocity spring mechanism 27 as best seen in Figures 1 and 2 o-L the drawings. It is secured to the building B adjacent the end of the roller 24. As the horizontal member 10 is inflated, the re-trac-tion flap 26 unwinds from -the roller 24 and assumes a fully extended coneiguration as seen in Figures 1,2 and ~ of the drawings.
As the vertical inflatable members 12 and 13 are inflated, 28 a' pair of retraction straps 28, as seen in Figure ~ of the '--6--drawings, which are secured -to the outer portion of the ver-tica]. infla-table member 12 and 13 ex-tend frorn take-up reels 29 which a-re mounted on the building B. When the clock seal is defla-ted, the retract:ion :e lap 2~ retrac-ts pulling the horizontal i.n:elatable rnembe~r 10 :i.nto close vertical position against the buil.ding B. The vertical in:flatab]e members 12 and 13 are pulled back agains-t the building B by -their respective retraction s-traps 28 as they are deflat.ed. The spring urged -tubular support arms 18 and 19 move upwardly to a vertical position help-ing retract and support the deflated horizontal inflatable member 10.
Referring now to Figure 5 of the drawings, a portion of the horizontal inflatable member 10 can be seen showing the multiple cell construction thereo-f wherein a bulk-head 30 having an opening 31 therein allows the air to communicate between the cells in -the horizontal inflatable member 10 as bes-t seen in Figure 2 of the drawings. A
pair of oppositely disposed cover members 32-are secured to the mounting boards 14 and 15 respectfully and -to the adjacent sides of the horizontal inflatable member 10 respectfully covering the areas a-t which the horizontal i.nflatable member 10 and the vertical inflatable members 12 and 13 meet precluding the possibili-ty o-f weather infiltrating between the inflatable members.
The dock seal configuration thus formed while generally self-supporting in inflatable condition, 28 requires the assistance of -the spring urged -tubular support arms 18 and 19 -to prevent the assembly rrom .sagging.
This combination o~ -tubular movable suppor-t arms 18 and 19 and the flexible retraction elaps 26 provide a totally elexible surface bo-th horizontally and ver-tically when retracted agains-t the buildi,ng B.
Referring to Fi,gure 5 oL -the drawings, a wea-ther shield 32 can be seen ex-tending from the building B
outward].y comprising an elongated semi-rigid rectangular body member having a hinge 33 securing it -to the building B. This weather shield engages the retraction elap 26 along its upper surface, removlng snow and debris from the flap 26 as it is retracted.
It will occur to those skilled in the art that a modified form O e the device could be used on railroad cars wherein an additional horizontal inflatable member could be positioned between the lower ends of said inflatable members 12 and 13 indicated by a broken line L providing a complete seal around an opening in -the 19 railroad car. (Not shown).
,.
Claims (3)
1. An inflatable dock seal for positioning on a building having an opening defined therein and comprising an inflatable inverted U-shaped device formed of flexible air impervious material and consisting of a horizontal in-flatable member and a pair of vertical inflatable members in communication therewith, means for attaching said members to said building and means for inflating said members, means for supporting portions of the horizontal member when moved toward and away from the building by inflation and deflation, said means comprising spaced inverted U-shaped support members secured transversely to said horizontal member and pivotally secured to said building therebelow and means for retracting said horizontal member when deflated, said means for retracting said horizontal member when deflated comprising a retractable flap on said horizontal member, a spring driven roller on said building, said flap attached to said spring driven roller so that the same can be wound up thereon, said horizontal member having portions extend-ing outwardly from said building and downwardly when inflated, said vertical inflatable members each consisting of an elongated hollow flexible member having a trans-versely arcuate configuration and secured at their opposite outer longitudinal edges to said building adjacent to said opening.
2. An inflatable dock seal set forth in claim 1 and wherein the horizontal inflatable member and said means for supporting portions of the horizontal inflatable member are arranged to move arcuately into a flat folded compact mass adjacent said building and above said opening therein.
3. An inflatable dock seal for positioning on a building having an opening therein so as to form a self-adjusting closure around said opening with respect to a truck or trailer positioned adjacent thereto, means for shaping and moving said inflatable dock seal toward and away from said building and said truck or trailer, said inflatable dock seal comprising the combination of a horizontal inflatable member arranged in a compact mass above said opening and secured to said building and a pair of vertical inflatable members each arranged in a compact mass at the sides of said opening, means establishing communication between said horizontal and vertical inflatable members and means for inflating the same, said horizontal inflatable member having a first section arranged to project outwardly from said building when inflated and a communicating second section on said first section arranged to extend downwardly from said first section in spaced relation to said building when said sections are inflated, said vertical inflatable members arranged to project outwardly from said building and toward one another when in-flated, said means for shaping and moving said inflatable dock seal toward and away from said building and said truck or trailer comprising at least one inverted U-shaped shupport member, a horizontal midsection thereof attached to said first section of said horizontal inflatable member so as to be movable from a first position adjacent said building when said horizontal inflatable member is deflated to a second position spaced with respect to said building when said horizontal inflatable member is inflated and spring means normally urging said support member and said horizontal inflatable member toward said building.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000426116A CA1200149A (en) | 1983-04-18 | 1983-04-18 | Inflatable dock seal |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000426116A CA1200149A (en) | 1983-04-18 | 1983-04-18 | Inflatable dock seal |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1200149A true CA1200149A (en) | 1986-02-04 |
Family
ID=4125040
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000426116A Expired CA1200149A (en) | 1983-04-18 | 1983-04-18 | Inflatable dock seal |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1200149A (en) |
-
1983
- 1983-04-18 CA CA000426116A patent/CA1200149A/en not_active Expired
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4389821A (en) | Inflatable dock seal | |
| US4750299A (en) | Air perimeter seal for opening | |
| US3391503A (en) | Adjustable dock seal | |
| US5658037A (en) | Retractable closure system | |
| US5375903A (en) | Device for reducing the aerodynamic resistance of a commercial vehicle | |
| US4294483A (en) | Inflatable vehicle cover | |
| GB2204083A (en) | Dock seal | |
| CA2916435C (en) | Weather barrier apparatuses for sealing or sheltering vehicles at loading docks | |
| US3714745A (en) | Inflatable dock seal | |
| US5109639A (en) | Dock seal | |
| US4112958A (en) | Canopy device | |
| US9003725B2 (en) | Weather barrier apparatuses for sealing or sheltering vehicles at loading docks | |
| US5345733A (en) | Truck/trailer gap fill closure for storage terminal dock | |
| US3391502A (en) | Dock seal | |
| US4015380A (en) | Truck loading dock seal | |
| US4916870A (en) | Dock seal | |
| CA1200149A (en) | Inflatable dock seal | |
| US4045925A (en) | Inflatable dock seal and mounting therefor | |
| US10392206B1 (en) | Loading dock rail shelter | |
| DE3261185D1 (en) | Loading dock seal | |
| US4044510A (en) | Venting valve for inflatable dock seals | |
| USRE30438E (en) | Inflatable barrier for substances floating on water | |
| CA1277870C (en) | Dock seal | |
| GB2115041A (en) | Dock shelter | |
| CA1071476A (en) | Flexible dock seal |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |