Seal apparatus for dock levelers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023278815-A1
Application number	US-202318317753-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 15, 2023
Priority date	May 7, 2018
Publication date	Sep 7, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

Seal apparatus for dock levelers are disclosed. An example seal apparatus includes a compressible core defining a cavity, a cover to engage at portion of an outer surface of the compressible core, and a mounting bracket, the compressible core and the cover to couple to the mounting bracket.

First claim

1 . A seal apparatus comprising:
a compressible core defining a cavity; a cover to engage at portion of an outer surface of the compressible core; and a mounting bracket, the compressible core and the cover to couple to the mounting bracket.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the compressible core is at least one of a flexible material or fabric.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the compressible core is formed of at least one of foam, rubber, a compressible material, or a resilient material.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the compressible core is formed from a single sheet of material.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the compressible core includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end is positioned adjacent to the second end to define the cavity.

6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the first end of the compressible core is coupled to the second end of the compressible core via a fastener.

7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the fastener includes sewing stitches.

8 . The apparatus of claim 5 , further including a reinforcement seal positioned in the cavity of the compressible core.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the reinforcement seal has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second end of the reinforcement seal is positioned between the first end of the compressible core and the second end of the compressible core.

10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first end of the reinforcement seal is to engage an apex of the compressible core.

11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end of the cover is to project outwardly relative to the compressible core.

12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first end is cantilevered from the compressible core.

13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket includes a first leg and a second leg, the first leg being non-parallel relative to the second leg.

14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the compressible core is coupled to the first leg of the mounting bracket and the cover is coupled to the second leg of the mounting bracket.

15 . A seal apparatus comprising:
a compressible core formed of a unitary sheet, the unitary sheet having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end being folded over relative to the second end to form a compressible bulb, the first end coupled to the second end via first fasteners; a cover to overlap the compressible core, the cover having a third end that projects outwardly relative to the compressible core and a fourth end opposite the third end; and a mounting bracket having a first leg and a second leg; a first fastener to couple the compressible core and the first leg of the mounting bracket; and a second fastener to couple the cover and the second leg of the mounting bracket.

16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , further including a reinforcement seal positioned in a cavity of the compressible core, the reinforcement seal having a fifth end and a sixth end opposite the fifth end, the fifth end being positioned between the first end and the second end of the compressible core.

17 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the first fastener includes a first fastener portion coupled to the compressible core and a second fastener portion coupled to the first leg of the mounting bracket, and the second fastener includes a third fastener portion coupled to the cover and a fourth fastener portion coupled to the second leg of the mounting bracket.

18 . A seal apparatus comprising:
a first sheet of material having a first end folded relative to a second end to provide a collapsible bulb seal, the first end coupled to the second end to define a base; a second sheet of material defining a body between a first end and a second end, at least a portion of the second sheet to overlap a portion of the collapsible bulb seal defined by the first sheet; and a mounting bracket having a first leg and a second leg, the base to attach to the first leg and the second end of the second sheet to attach to the second leg.

19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , further including a third sheet of material positioned in a cavity of the collapsible bulb seal to provide a reinforcement seal, at least a portion of the second sheet captured between the first end of the first sheet and the second end of the first sheet.

20 . The apparatus of claim 18 , further including a magnetic fastener coupled to the mounting bracket, the magnetic fastener to couple the seal apparatus to a mounting surface of a loading dock.

21 .- 38 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Rite Hite Holding Corp

Inventors

• Thole Collin
• Schmidt Timothy J
• Borgerding Gary
• Heim Frank
• Blaser Mary

Classifications

• B65G69/008 Primary

  Dock- or bumper-seals · CPC title

• B65G69/2811

  pivoting ramps · CPC title

• B65G69/287 Primary

  Constructional features of deck or surround · CPC title

• B65G69/2876 Primary

  Safety or protection means, e.g. skirts · CPC title