Roller sealing apparatus for forming a weather seal between a vehicle and a loading dock or the like

Abstract

A sealing apparatus for forming a weather seal between a vehicle and a loading dock is provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a roller seal rotatably mounted to a support for rotation about an axis. The roller seal is movable in at least a vertical direction from a first position in the path of a vehicle entering the parking area, to a second position wherein the roller seal is disposed adjacent the top of the vehicle. Preferably, a curtain is suspended distally of the roller seal such that, when the roller seal is in the second position, the curtain forms a first seal with the top of the vehicle and the roller seal forms a second seal with the top of the vehicle. The curtain is semi-rigid and, in some instances, defines a ramping surface to facilitate movement of the roller seal over the leading edge of a vehicle approaching the loading dock.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface, an apparatus comprising: 
 a support; and    a roller seal rotatably mounted to the support for rotation about an axis, the roller seal being movable in at least a vertical direction from a first position in the path of a vehicle entering the parking area to a second position wherein the roller seal is disposed adjacent the top of the vehicle, wherein the roller seal at least partially rotates about the axis as it moves from the first position to the second position.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein the roller seal travels a substantially arcuate path as it moves from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein the support comprises a pair of pivotable arms, a first end of the roller seal being rotatably coupled to a first one of the arms, and a second end of the roller seal being rotatably coupled to a second one of the arms.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 3  wherein the arms are pivotably mounted to a hood extending from the structure.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 3  further comprising a locator for limiting distal motion of the roller seal.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 3  further comprising a first ramp mounted on the first arm.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 6  further comprising a curtain suspended distally of the roller seal.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 7  wherein the curtain includes a stiffener to increase its rigidity.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 8  wherein the stiffener comprises a plastic plate mounted to the proximal surface of the curtain.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 7  wherein a lower edge of the curtain is suspended at least as low as the axis of the roller seal when the roller seal is in the first position such that a vehicle entering the parking area with a leading edge that is higher than the axis of the roller seal contacts the curtain before contacting the roller seal.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 6  further comprising a second ramp mounted on the second arm.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 11  further comprising a stiffening bar coupled between the first and second ramps.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 3  wherein the arms are substantially linear.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 3  wherein the arms comprise first and second members, the first and second members being coupled such that they define an obtuse angle.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1  further comprising a curtain suspended distally of the roller seal.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 15  wherein a lower edge of the curtain is suspended at least as low as the axis of the roller seal when the roller seal is in the first position such that a vehicle entering the parking area with a leading edge which is higher than the axis of the roller seal contacts the curtain before contacting the roller seal.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 16  wherein the top of the roller seal rolls away from the structure as the roller seal moves from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 15  wherein the curtain provides a ramping surface to facilitate rolling of the roller seal over the leading edge of the vehicle.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 15  wherein the curtain provides a first seal with the top of the vehicle and the roller seal provides a second seal with the top of the vehicle, the first seal being located distally of the second seal.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein the support comprises a pair of chains, a first end of the roller seal being rotatably coupled to a first one of the chains, and a second end of the roller seal being rotatably coupled to a second one of the chains.  
     
     
         21 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 20  wherein the chains are pivotably mounted to a hood extending from the structure.  
     
     
         22 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 20  further comprising a locator for limiting distal motion of the roller seal.  
     
     
         23 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 20  further comprising first and second covers, a first one of the chains being located within the first cover, and a second one of the chains being located within the second cover.  
     
     
         24 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 23  wherein the first and second covers comprise tubes.  
     
     
         25 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein the roller seal is compressible.  
     
     
         26 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 25  wherein the roller seal comprises a cylindrical foam pad.  
     
     
         27 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1  further comprising a weight coupled to the roller seal to facilitate compression of the roller seal against the top of the vehicle when the roller seal is in the second position.  
     
     
         28 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 27  wherein the roller seal is mounted for rotation about a shaft, and the weight is mounted on a first end of the shaft extending from the roller seal.  
     
     
         29 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 28  wherein the shaft extends from both ends of the roller seal, and further comprising a second weight mounted to a second end of the shaft opposite the first end.  
     
     
         30 . For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface, an apparatus comprising: 
 a support;    a first sealing member mounted to the support for movement between a first position wherein the first sealing member is disposed in the path of a vehicle entering the parking area to a second position wherein the first sealing member forms a first seal with the top of the vehicle; and    a second sealing member mounted distally of the first sealing member, the second sealing member forming a second seal with the top of the vehicle, the second seal being located distally of the first seal.    
     
     
         31 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 30  wherein the first sealing member comprises a roller seal rotatably mounted to the support for rotation about an axis.  
     
     
         32 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 31  wherein the roller seal moves in at least a vertical direction between the first and the second positions.  
     
     
         33 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 31  wherein the roller seal at least partially rotates about the axis as it moves from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         34 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 30  wherein the roller seal comprises a cylindrical foam pad.  
     
     
         35 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 30  wherein the second sealing member comprises a curtain.  
     
     
         36 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 35  wherein a lower edge of the curtain is suspended at least as low as a center of the first sealing member when the first sealing member is in the first position such that a vehicle entering the parking area with a leading edge which is higher than the center of the first sealing member contacts the curtain before contacting the first sealing member.  
     
     
         37 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 35  wherein the curtain provides a ramping surface to facilitate movement of the first sealing member over the leading edge of the vehicle.  
     
     
         38 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 35  wherein the curtain includes a stiffener to increase its rigidity.  
     
     
         39 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 38  wherein the stiffener comprises a plastic plate mounted to the proximal surface of the curtain.  
     
     
         40 . For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface, an apparatus comprising: 
 a first sealing member adapted for movement in at least a vertical direction for locating and forming a seal with the top of a vehicle entering the parking area; and    a second sealing member cooperating with the first sealing member to assist the first sealing member in moving to the top of the vehicle to form a seal therewith.    
     
     
         41 . For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface, an apparatus comprising: 
 a support; and    a roller seal having an axis, the roller seal being rotatably mounted to the support for rotation about the axis, the roller seal being positioned to interact with a vehicle entering the parking area by moving upward from a first position in the path of the vehicle entering the parking area to a second position wherein the roller seal is disposed adjacent the top of the vehicle, wherein the roller seal at least partially rotates about the axis as it moves from the first position to the second position and the axis of the roller seal moves in at least a vertical direction as the roller seal moves from the first to the second position.    
     
     
         42 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 41  wherein the roller seal travels a substantially arcuate path as it moves from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         43 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 41  wherein the support comprises a pair of pivotable arms, a first end of the roller seal being rotatably coupled to a first one of the arms, and a second end of the roller seal being rotatably coupled to a second one of the arms.  
     
     
         44 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 43  wherein the arms are pivotably mounted to a hood extending from the structure.  
     
     
         45 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 43  further comprising a locator for limiting distal motion of the roller seal.  
     
     
         46 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 43  further comprising a first ramp mounted on the first arm.  
     
     
         47 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 46  further comprising a curtain suspended distally of the roller seal.  
     
     
         48 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 47  wherein the curtain includes a stiffener to increase its rigidity.  
     
     
         49 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 48  wherein the stiffener comprises a plastic plate mounted to the proximal surface of the curtain.  
     
     
         50 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 47  wherein a lower edge of the curtain is suspended at least as low as the axis of the roller seal when the roller seal is in the first position such that a vehicle entering the parking area with a leading edge that is higher than the axis of the roller seal contacts the curtain before contacting the roller seal.  
     
     
         51 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 46  further comprising a second ramp mounted on the second arm.  
     
     
         52 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 51  further comprising a stiffening bar coupled between the first and second ramps.  
     
     
         53 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 43  wherein the arms are substantially linear.  
     
     
         54 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 43  wherein the arms comprise first and second members, the first and second members being coupled such that they define an obtuse angle.  
     
     
         55 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 41  further comprising a curtain suspended distally of the roller seal.  
     
     
         56 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 55  wherein a lower edge of the curtain is suspended at least as low as the axis of the roller seal when the roller seal is in the first position such that a vehicle entering the parking area with a leading edge which is higher than the axis of the roller seal contacts the curtain before contacting the roller seal.  
     
     
         57 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 56  wherein the top of the roller seal rolls away from the structure as the roller seal moves from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         58 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 55  wherein the curtain provides a ramping surface to facilitate rolling of the roller seal over the leading edge of the vehicle.  
     
     
         59 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 55  wherein the curtain provides a first seal with the top of the vehicle and the roller seal provides a second seal with the top of the vehicle, the first seal being located distally of the second seal.  
     
     
         60 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 41  wherein the support comprises a pair of chains, a first end of the roller seal being rotatably coupled to a first one of the chains, and a second end of the roller seal being rotatably coupled to a second one of the chains.  
     
     
         61 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 60  wherein the chains are pivotably mounted to a hood extending from the structure.  
     
     
         62 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 60  further comprising a locator for limiting distal motion of the roller seal.  
     
     
         63 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 60  further comprising first and second covers, a first one of the chains being located within the first cover, and a second one of the chains being located within the second cover.  
     
     
         64 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 63  wherein the first and second covers comprise tubes.  
     
     
         65 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 41  wherein the roller seal is compressible.  
     
     
         66 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 65  wherein the roller seal comprises a cylindrical foam pad.  
     
     
         67 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 41  further comprising a weight coupled to the roller seal to facilitate compression of the roller seal against the top of the vehicle when the roller seal is in the second position.  
     
     
         68 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 67  wherein the roller seal is mounted for rotation about a shaft, and the weight is mounted on a first end of the shaft extending from the roller seal.  
     
     
         69 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 68  wherein the shaft extends from both ends of the roller seal, and further comprising a second weight mounted to a second end of the shaft opposite the first end.  
     
     
         70 . For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface, an apparatus comprising: 
 a support;    a roller seal having an axis, the roller seal being rotatably mounted to the support for rotation about the axis, the roller seal being positioned by the support to interact with a vehicle entering the parking area by moving between a first position wherein the roller seal is disposed in the path of the vehicle entering the parking area to a second position wherein the roller seal forms a first seal with the top of the vehicle, wherein the roller seal moves upward when it moves from the first position to the second position; and    a second sealing member mounted distally of the roller seal, the second sealing member being adapted to form a second seal with the top of the vehicle, the second seal being located distally of the roller seal.    
     
     
         71 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 70  wherein the first sealing member comprises a roller seal rotatably mounted to the support for rotation about an axis.  
     
     
         72 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 71  wherein the roller seal moves in at least a vertical direction between the first and the second positions.  
     
     
         73 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 71  wherein the roller seal at least partially rotates about the axis as it moves from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         74 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 70  wherein the roller seal comprises a cylindrical foam pad.  
     
     
         75 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 70  wherein the second sealing member comprises a curtain.  
     
     
         76 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 75  wherein a lower edge of the curtain is suspended at least as low as a center of the first sealing member when the first sealing member is in the first position such that a vehicle entering the parking area with a leading edge which is higher than the center of the first sealing member contacts the curtain before contacting the first sealing member.  
     
     
         77 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 75  wherein the curtain provides a ramping surface to facilitate movement of the first sealing member over the leading edge of the vehicle.  
     
     
         78 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 75  wherein the curtain includes a stiffener to increase its rigidity.  
     
     
         79 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 78  wherein the stiffener comprises a plastic plate mounted to the proximal surface of the curtain.  
     
     
         80 . For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface, an apparatus comprising: 
 a first sealing member adapted for movement in at least a vertical direction for locating and forming a seal with the top of a vehicle entering the parking area; and    a second sealing member cooperating with the first sealing member to assist the first sealing member in moving to the top of the vehicle to form a seal therewith.    
     
     
         81 . For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area, an apparatus comprising: 
 a first sealing member positioned to interact with a vehicle entering the parking area by translating in at least a vertical direction under the influence of the vehicle to locate and form a seal with a top of the vehicle; and    a second sealing member cooperating with the first sealing member to assist the first sealing member in moving to the top of the vehicle to form a seal therewith.    
     
     
         82 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 80  wherein the first sealing member comprises a roller seal.  
     
     
         83 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 82  wherein a lower edge of the second sealing member is suspended at least as low as the axis of the roller seal when the roller seal is in the first position such that if the vehicle entering the parking area has a leading edge that is higher than the axis of the roller seal, the leading edge contacts the second sealing member before contacting the roller seal.  
     
     
         84 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 81  wherein the first scaling member comprises a roller seal.  
     
     
         85 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 84  wherein a lower edge of the second sealing member is suspended at least as low as the axis of the roller seal when the roller seal is in the first position such that if the vehicle entering the parking area has a leading edge that is higher than the axis of the roller seal, the leading edge contacts the second sealing member before contacting the roller seal.  
     
     
         86 . For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface, an apparatus comprising: 
 a support; and    a seal member having an axis, the seal member being rotatably mounted to the support for rotation about the axis, the seal member being positioned by the support to interact with a vehicle entering the parking area by moving upward from a first position in the path of the vehicle entering the parking area to a second position wherein the seal member is disposed adjacent the top of the vehicle, wherein the seal member at least partially rotates about the axis as it moves from the first position to the second position and the axis of the seal member moves in at least a vertical direction as the seal member moves from the first to the second position.    
     
     
         87 . For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface, an apparatus comprising: 
 a support; and    a seal member mounted to the support in a position to interact with a vehicle entering the parking area by moving upward, wherein the entire seal member translates in at least a vertical direction as the seal member moves upward.    
     
     
         88 . An apparatus for use with a dock opening located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface, the apparatus comprising: 
 a support; and    a seal member mounted to the support such that the seal member is suspended in a first position adjacent a top of the dock opening, the seal member being movable from the first position adjacent the top of the dock opening and in the path of a vehicle approaching the dock opening to a second position wherein the seal member is disposed adjacent the top of the vehicle, wherein the entire seal member translates in at least an upward direction as the seal member moves from the first position to the second position.    
     
     
         89 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a support; and    a compressible roller seal mounted to the support, the roller seal having a first operational phase and a second operational phase, the seal being adapted to engage a back surface of a vehicle during the first operational phase and being adapted to disengage the back surface and to translate upward to engage, and at least partially compress against, a top surface of the vehicle during the second operational phase.    
     
     
         90 . For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface, an apparatus comprising: 
 a support having arms of fixed length; and    a roller seal having an axis, the roller seal being rotatably mounted to the arms of the support for rotation about the axis, the roller seal being adapted to interact with a vehicle entering the parking area by moving upward from a first position in the path of the vehicle entering the parking area to a second position wherein the roller seal is disposed adjacent the top of the vehicle, wherein the roller seal at least partially rotates about the axis as it moves from the first position to the second position and the axis of the roller seal moves in at least a vertical direction as the roller seal moves from the first to the second position.    
     
     
         91 . For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface, an apparatus comprising: 
 a support; and    a roller seal having an axis, the roller seal being rotatably mounted to the support for rotation about the axis, the roller seal being adapted to interact with a vehicle entering the parking area by moving upward from a first position in the path of the vehicle entering the parking area to a second position wherein the roller seal is disposed adjacent the top of the vehicle, wherein the roller seal at least partially rotates about the axis as it moves from the first position to the second position and the axis of the roller seal moves in at least a vertical direction as the roller seal moves from the first to the second position, and wherein the roller seal is not biased upward.    
     
     
         92 . For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface, an apparatus comprising: 
 a support; and    a roller seal having an axis, the roller seal being rotatably mounted to the support for rotation about the axis, the roller seal being adapted to interact with a vehicle entering the parking area by moving upward from a first position in the path of the vehicle entering the parking area to a second position wherein the roller seal is disposed adjacent the top of the vehicle, wherein the roller seal at least partially rotates about the axis as it moves from the first position to the second position and the axis of the roller seal moves in at least a vertical direction as the roller seal moves from the first to the second position, and wherein the roller seal is biased downward.