GB2115041A - Dock shelter - Google Patents

Abstract

A dock shelter for installing on the outside of a building around a dock door opening, comprises an inflatable top tube and two inflatable side tubes depend from the top tube, one at each end thereof, and a backing plate for each side tube which ensures that the side tubes will expand towards each other during inflation to seal against the vehicle sides.

Description

SPECIFICATION Dock shelter The invention relates to a dock shelter, which is used in the land-vehicle loading and unloading docks of factories, warehouses and like buildings and serves not only to protect goods from weather influences as they are being transferred through a dock door from within the building to a waiting van or lorry, or vice versa, but also helps to conceal the goods from public view and make pilfering more difficult. The goods vehicle is backed into position in front of the dock door and the dock shelter, which is mounted in the door .and usually consists of top and side curtains, shrouds the inevitable gaps between the building and the vehicle but does little to protect against wind.

In an indeavour to fulfil the function of a weather seal, a dock shelter has been suggested which comprises a very large air bag permanently secured around the dock door. After a goods vehicle is in position with its back door aligned with the dock door, the bag is inflated to seal against the roof and sides of the vehicle and avoid heat loss from the building amounting to thousands of pounds sterling per year.

Alternatively, the vehicle is backed into the aiready inflated bag. The disadvantage with this known construction is that it can leave unsealed areas, can normaily be effectively applied to only one nominal size of goods vehicle and it is too easily damaged. In the case of a smaller vehicle, the air bag might still make contact with the lower roof if it is large enough but a gap will be left between the bottom of the air bag at the sides and the bed of the vehicle, unless the bag is made unmanageably long.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved dock shelter which aliows for variations in the roof and bed heights of goods vehicles.

According to one form of the invention, a dock shelter for installing on the outside of a building around a dock door opening comprises an inflateable top tube, means for supporting the top tube substantially horizontally adjacent the top of the door opening and ensuring that it will expand downwardly during inflation to seal against the roof of a goods vehicle drawn up at the door opening, two inflateable side tubes depending from the top tube, one at each end thereof, and a backing plate for each side tube for ensuring that the side tubes will expand towards each other during inflation to seal against the vehicle sides or open vehicle doors, said side tubes being free to descend and ascend as the top tube is inflated and deflated, respectively.

By means of the invention, a dock shelter can be constructed to suit a large vehicle. If a smaller vehicle having a lower bed is then drawn up at the door opening, the top tube is simply inflated to a greater extent than for a higher vehicle to seal against the vehicle roof and, since the side tubes depend from the top tube and are free to move vertically, they are automatically lowered during downward expansion of the top tube. They will therefore not leave a gap between their lower ends and the vehicle bed at the sides of the door opening, but for unusual situations the shelter may also comprise an inflateable bottom tube which extends from the lower ends of the side tubes substantially parallel to the top tube.

The supporting means for the top tube may include a plurality of further inflateable tubes parallel thereto and yieldingly held together by elastic cords or straps. It is preferred that the side tubes be in internal communication with the top tube, or be a continuation thereof, and that the top tube be in communication with the further tubes, if present, so that inflating air for all the tubes need only be introduced at one point.

Additional important features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a dock shelter when fully extended a cowling being omitted; Fig. 2 is a cross-section through an inflated tube of the shelter; Fig. 3 is a cross-section through a collar on the side tubes of the shelter; Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevation of the shelter when fully extended but with the cowling omitted; Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevation of the shelter when fully retracted, the cowling being omitted; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the shelter in the Fig. 5 condition but when covered by a cowling; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary front elevation of guide means for the bottom end of each side tube; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of alternative guide means; and Figs. 9 and 10 show alternative cross-sectional shapes for the top and side tubes.

A dock shelter for a dock door 1 in a building comprises an inflateable top tube 2 merging at its ends with a respective depending side tube 3. The tubes 2 and 3 extend along the top and sides of the opening defined by the dock door 1.

The top tube 2 is supported by and in communication with two pairs of parallel further tubes 4 forming part of means for supporting the tube 2. The upper pair of supporting tubes 4 is provided with runners 7 suspended from tracks 6 which are carried by at least two steel brackets 8 secured to the outside of a wall 9 containing the door 1. The five tubes 2 and 4 are in communication with each other, are arranged in a triangular or V formation and are slung together by elastic cords 11. The tracks 6 and runners 7 make it easy to remove the tubes from the wall 9 for maintenance.

Also secured to the wall 9 by separate brackets 12 there is a backing plate 13 for each side tube 3, a layer 14 of protective or strengthening material being provided between the tube 3 and plate 13. In practice, the plate 13 will be wider than shown and curved in cross-section.

When the dock shelter is not in use, all the tubes are deflated, the tubes 2 and 4 being held in the collapsed state by the elastic cords 11 as shown in Fig. 5 and the side tubes 3 also being flattened adjacent their backing plates 13. To assist flattening of the tubes 3, they are provided at intervals along their length with collars 1 6 which are flat in the as moulded condition, as shown in Fig. 3, but will distend when the respective tube 3 is inflated. The shelter includes an aesthetic aluminium cowling 17 (Fig. 6) which covers the components against weather influences and sun light at all times. It is of inverted U shape in front elevation and the tubes 2 and 3 protrude from it only when inflated.

For use, a vehicle (not shown) is backed into the dock shelter. Air for inflating the tubes of the shelter is provided from a source in the building or from a separate compressor and is supplied to one of the tubes 2, 4 through a three-position control valve (not shown). In its first position, the valve permits inflation, which causes the tubes 2, 4 to expand against the restraint of the cords 11 until the tube 2 projects from the cowling 1 7 and seals against the vehicle root During such expansion, which must take place in a downward direction because the tracks 6 act as an abutment, the side tubes 3 will not be expanded to any marked extent because of the collars 16 and because a constriction in the internal communication between the top tube 2 and each side tube 3 resists the flow of air into the side tubes. The only significant initial movement of the side tubes 3, which are not fixed to their backing plates 13, will therefore be downwardly as the tubes 2 and 4 expand, the maximum extent of such downward movement being evident from a comparison of Figs. 4 and 5 and the actual extent depending on the height of the vehicle, i.e. on the degree of inflation of the tubes 2 and 4 required for the tube 2 to seal against the vehicle roof.

Thereafter, the side tubes 3 remain at the same level and are expanded towards each other by the inflating air to project from the cowling and seal against the vehicle sides or possibly against the open vehicle doors.

It will now be evident that, the shallower the goods vehicle, i.e. the lower its roof and hence its bed, the lower will be the final position of the inflated side tubes 3, thereby ensuring that the gaps between the building and the vehicle are closed. After sealing, the air control valve is moved to a second or shut-off position. The third position permits air to be vented from the tubes for deflation but it is preferred also to provide a separate dump valve for rapid complete deflation.

By means of the invention, it is possible to predict fairly accurately which part of each tube 2, 3 will always make contact with a goods vehicle, no matter what its actual size. The place of contact can therefore be suitably reinforced or protected to minimise the danger of puncturing.

An ideal form of protection is a smaller tube 18 along the insides of the tubes 2 and 3. This tube 1 8 is not inflateable but contains foam material 1 9 (Fig. 2). It has been found that such foam-filled padding is more pliable than an inflated tube and can therefore more readily adapt to irregular shapes or protrusions on the vehicle, as well as being less susceptible to damage. Any gaps in the contours of the adjacent tubes should be closed by webs 21 of flexible material.

To provide a guide for the lower ends of the side tubes 3 during vertical movement and also prevent displacement after inflation, each backing plate 13 may carry a bracket 22 supporting an adjustable upstanding rod 23 (Fig. 7) on which a ring (not shown) secured to the tube 3 can slide.

Alternatively, each tube 3 may carry a bar 24 slidable in a channel 26 on the backing plate 13 as shown in Fig. 8.

In a practical example, for a minimum accommodatable vehicle width of 7.25 ft., the round tubes 2 and 4 each had a diameter bf 10" and the side tubes 3 were of 12" diameter. The possible height variation was as much as 2 ft.

without affecting proper sealing. Of course this variation depends on the number of pairs of tubes 4 and the diameters of the tubes 2 and 4 but the illustrated construction of five parallel tubes arranged in a V is considered to give maximum stability after inflation.

In another form of the invention, a single top tube 2a of V-section (Fig. 9) and provided with a foam-filled protecting pad 1 spa gives much the same resistance to distortion as do five tubes 2 and 4. A similar cross-section can be provided for the side tubes 3. A tube of V-section is neater to fold when deflated and uses less material. Fig. 10 illustrates a tube 2b of irregular V-section.

Claims (filed 25/1/83) 1. a dock shelter for installing on the outside of a building around a dock door opening, comprising an inflatable top tube, means for supporting the top tube substantially horizontally adjacent to the top of the door opening and ensuring that it will expand downwardly during inflation to seal against the roof of a goods vehicle drawn up at the door opening, two inflatable side tubes depending from the top tube, one at each end thereof, and a backing plate for each side tube for ensuring that the side tubes will expand towards each other during inflation to seal against the vehicle sides or open vehicle doors, said side tubes being free to descend and ascend as the top tube is inflated and deflated, respectively.

2. A dock shelter according to claim 1, wherein the supporting means include a plurality of further inflatable tubes parallel to the top tube and yieldingly held together by elastic means.

3. A dock shelter according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the side tubes are in internal communication with the top tube or are continuation thereof.

4. A dock shelter according to claim 2, wherein the further tubes are in internal communication with the top tube.

5. A dock shelter according to claim 2 or claim 4, wherein there are upper and lower pairs of said further tubes, the upper pair being provided with runners suspended from tracks.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (11)

1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

   the collapsed state by the elastic cords 11 as shown in Fig. 5 and the side tubes 3 also being flattened adjacent their backing plates 13. To assist flattening of the tubes 3, they are provided at intervals along their length with collars 1 6 which are flat in the as moulded condition, as shown in Fig. 3, but will distend when the respective tube 3 is inflated. The shelter includes an aesthetic aluminium cowling 17 (Fig. 6) which covers the components against weather influences and sun light at all times. It is of inverted U shape in front elevation and the tubes 2 and 3 protrude from it only when inflated.

   For use, a vehicle (not shown) is backed into the dock shelter. Air for inflating the tubes of the shelter is provided from a source in the building or from a separate compressor and is supplied to one of the tubes 2, 4 through a three-position control valve (not shown). In its first position, the valve permits inflation, which causes the tubes 2,

   4 to expand against the restraint of the cords 11 until the tube 2 projects from the cowling 1 7 and seals against the vehicle root During such expansion, which must take place in a downward direction because the tracks 6 act as an abutment, the side tubes 3 will not be expanded to any marked extent because of the collars 16 and because a constriction in the internal communication between the top tube 2 and each side tube 3 resists the flow of air into the side tubes. The only significant initial movement of the side tubes 3, which are not fixed to their backing plates 13, will therefore be downwardly as the tubes 2 and 4 expand, the maximum extent of such downward movement being evident from a comparison of Figs. 4 and 5 and the actual extent depending on the height of the vehicle, i.e. on the degree of inflation of the tubes 2 and 4 required for the tube 2 to seal against the vehicle roof.

   Thereafter, the side tubes 3 remain at the same level and are expanded towards each other by the inflating air to project from the cowling and seal against the vehicle sides or possibly against the open vehicle doors.

   It will now be evident that, the shallower the goods vehicle, i.e. the lower its roof and hence its bed, the lower will be the final position of the inflated side tubes 3, thereby ensuring that the gaps between the building and the vehicle are closed. After sealing, the air control valve is moved to a second or shut-off position. The third position permits air to be vented from the tubes for deflation but it is preferred also to provide a separate dump valve for rapid complete deflation.

   By means of the invention, it is possible to predict fairly accurately which part of each tube 2, 3 will always make contact with a goods vehicle, no matter what its actual size. The place of contact can therefore be suitably reinforced or protected to minimise the danger of puncturing.

   An ideal form of protection is a smaller tube 18 along the insides of the tubes 2 and 3. This tube 1 8 is not inflateable but contains foam material 1 9 (Fig. 2). It has been found that such foam-filled padding is more pliable than an inflated tube and can therefore more readily adapt to irregular shapes or protrusions on the vehicle, as well as being less susceptible to damage. Any gaps in the contours of the adjacent tubes should be closed by webs 21 of flexible material.

   To provide a guide for the lower ends of the side tubes 3 during vertical movement and also prevent displacement after inflation, each backing plate 13 may carry a bracket 22 supporting an adjustable upstanding rod 23 (Fig. 7) on which a ring (not shown) secured to the tube 3 can slide.

   Alternatively, each tube 3 may carry a bar 24 slidable in a channel 26 on the backing plate 13 as shown in Fig. 8.

   In a practical example, for a minimum accommodatable vehicle width of 7.25 ft., the round tubes 2 and 4 each had a diameter bf 10" and the side tubes 3 were of 12" diameter. The possible height variation was as much as 2 ft.

   without affecting proper sealing. Of course this variation depends on the number of pairs of tubes 4 and the diameters of the tubes 2 and 4 but the illustrated construction of five parallel tubes arranged in a V is considered to give maximum stability after inflation.

   In another form of the invention, a single top tube 2a of V-section (Fig. 9) and provided with a foam-filled protecting pad 1 spa gives much the same resistance to distortion as do five tubes 2 and 4. A similar cross-section can be provided for the side tubes 3. A tube of V-section is neater to fold when deflated and uses less material. Fig. 10 illustrates a tube 2b of irregular V-section.

   Claims (filed 25/1/83) 1. a dock shelter for installing on the outside of a building around a dock door opening, comprising an inflatable top tube, means for supporting the top tube substantially horizontally adjacent to the top of the door opening and ensuring that it will expand downwardly during inflation to seal against the roof of a goods vehicle drawn up at the door opening, two inflatable side tubes depending from the top tube, one at each end thereof, and a backing plate for each side tube for ensuring that the side tubes will expand towards each other during inflation to seal against the vehicle sides or open vehicle doors, said side tubes being free to descend and ascend as the top tube is inflated and deflated, respectively.
2. 2. A dock shelter according to claim 1, wherein the supporting means include a plurality of further inflatable tubes parallel to the top tube and yieldingly held together by elastic means.
3. 3. A dock shelter according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the side tubes are in internal communication with the top tube or are continuation thereof.
4. 4. A dock shelter according to claim 2, wherein the further tubes are in internal communication with the top tube.
5. 5. A dock shelter according to claim 2 or claim 4, wherein there are upper and lower pairs of said further tubes, the upper pair being provided with runners suspended from tracks.
6. 6. A dock shelter according to any preceding

   claim, including a layer of protective material between each side tube and its backing plate.
7. 7. A dock shelter according to any preceding claim, wherein each side tube is provided with transverse collars at intervals along its length to assist flattening of the tube to its delfated condition.
8. 8. A dock shelter according to any preceding claim, including a cowling for covering the tubes when deflated.
9. 9. A dock shelter according to any preceding claim, including protecting means on the top and side tubes where they make contact with a vehicle.
10. 1 0. A dock shelter according to any preceding claim, including guide means for the lower ends of the side tubes during vertical movement thereof.
11. 11. A dock shelter substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1-7 of the accompanying drawings.