Abstract: An inflatable dock seal includes inflatable top and side seal sections which are adapted to be secured to a building wall adjacent the top and side extremities of a loading dock opening therein, an inflating mechanism for inflating the top and side seal sections and a retracting mechanism for retracting the top and side seal sections when the inflating mechanism is deactuated. In one embodiment of the dock seal the retracting mechanism includes constant force springs for retracting the top and side seal sections thereof and in a second embodiment the retracting mechanism includes a constant force spring for retracting the top seal section thereof and a pair of resiliently expandable cord elements for retracting the side seal sections thereof.

Abstract: A docking seal for a loading dock opening in a wall, comprising a rigid backing for attachment to the wall about the opening and a yieldable facing held distended therefrom by air pressure introduced between the rigid backing and yieldable facing such as to form a continuous air chamber peripherally of the opening wherein the back wall of the chamber is constituted solely by the rigid backing and the front and side walls by the yieldable facing. The rigid backing comprises three frame members for disposition across the top and along the sides of the opening, hinged at adjacent ends to enable folding the frame members in a superimposed relation with the deflated facing secured thereto, so that the seal may be shipped and/or stored in collapsed condition.