Loading dock seal with flow through vent

Abstract

A loading dock seal has one or more recesses formed within the loading dock seal. Mesh segments are utilized to screen the recesses to reduce rain, snow, rodents, insects and debris from passing through the recess passageway to the loading dock. A further mesh segment cover can be utilized to selectively cover one or more of the mesh segments.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A loading dock seal for providing a sealing relationship between a loading dock and a vehicle, the loading dock seal comprising: 
 a base connected to the loading dock;    a plurality of support members connected to said base in a spaced apart relationship, each member pair of adjacent support members defining a recess therebetween; and    a mesh segment disposed adjacent at least one said recess and mounted against at least one of said base and one said support member, said mesh segment configured for screening air traveling therethrough.    
     
     
         2 . The loading dock seal in  claim 1 , wherein at least one said support member is made from an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         3 . The loading dock seal in  claim 1 , further comprising a mesh segment cover for at least one of partially and completely covering said mesh segment.  
     
     
         4 . The loading dock seal in  claim 1 , further comprising a seal cover located about said base and said plurality of support members, said seal cover being made of an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         5 . A loading dock seal for providing a sealing relationship between a loading dock and a vehicle, the loading dock seal comprising: 
 a base connected to the loading dock;    a plurality of support members connected to said base in a spaced apart relationship, each member pair of adjacent support members defining a recess therebetween; and    a seal cover located about said base and said plurality of support members, said seal cover having a mesh segment disposed adjacent at least one said recess allowing air to travel through said recess.    
     
     
         6 . The loading dock seal in  claim 5 , further comprising a mesh segment cover for at least one of partially and completely covering said mesh segment.  
     
     
         7 . The loading dock seal in  claim 5 , wherein at least one said support member are made from an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         8 . The loading dock seal in  claim 5 , wherein said seal cover is made from an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         9 . A loading dock seal for sealing between a loading dock and a vehicle, the loading dock seal comprising: 
 a base and a top connected to the loading dock;    a plurality of foam blocks connected in a spaced apart relationship to said base;    a strip of foam connected to said plurality of foam blocks, said strip of foam, said plurality of foam blocks, and said base together defining a plurality of passages extending between said strip of foam and said base;    a seal cover located about said base, said plurality of foam blocks and said strip of foam, said cover having a mesh segment, said mesh segment screening said plurality of passages in a manner allowing air to travel therethrough; and    a mesh segment cover for at least one of partially and completely covering said mesh segment.    
     
     
         10 . A loading dock seal for sealing a loading dock and a vehicle, the loading dock seal comprising: 
 a resilient sealing member for attachment about the loading dock, said sealing member having a screened passageway to permit screened air to pass therethrough.    
     
     
         11 . The loading dock seal in  claim 10 , further comprising a means for sealing said passageway.  
     
     
         12 . A loading dock seal for sealing between a loading dock and a vehicle, the loading dock seal comprising: 
 a primary seal structure, said primary seal structure being one of an assembly and a unitary construction, said primary seal structure having an inside seal face and an outside seal face, said inside seal face for facing the loading dock, said outside seal face for facing the vehicle, said primary seal structure having a through recess therein, said through recess extending through said primary seal structure from said outside seal face to said inside seal face; and    a mesh segment disposed against said primary seal structure and extending across said through recess, said mesh segment thereby covering said through recess.    
     
     
         13 . The loading dock seal of  claim 12 , wherein said mesh segment is mounted to at least one of said outside seal face and said inside seal face.  
     
     
         14 . The loading dock seal of  claim 12 , wherein said through recess is one of a plurality of through recesses, said mesh segment being one of at least one mesh segment, each said through recess being covered by at least one said mesh segment.