Abstract: A multi-section folding door includes first and second sets of vertically aligned panels with the panels in each set coupled together in an edge overlapping manner. Each of the panels is suspended from a support bracket attached to the panel's upper edge, with each of the brackets coupled to and suspended from a track by means of a respective trolley. A drive arrangement displaces the trolleys permitting the first and second sets of panels to be displaced toward or away from each other in closing or opening the folding door relative to an opening in a wall. Attached to an upper edge of each panel is an elongated flexible loop which is inserted in a lower slot of a respective support bracket along the length thereof. An elongated cord comprised of a hard material is inserted in the loop and positioned along the length thereof to maintain the loop securely coupled to and suspended from the support bracket.

Abstract: A multi-section folding door includes first and second sets of vertically aligned panels with the panels in each set coupled together in an edge overlapping manner. Each of the panels is suspended from a support bracket attached to the panel's upper edge, with each of the brackets coupled to and suspended from a track by means of a respective trolley. The trolleys permit the first and second sets of panels to be displaced toward or away from each other in closing or opening the folding door relative to an opening in a wall. An endless chain/sprocket arrangement driven by an electric motor allows the multi-panel folding door to be opened and closed very rapidly. A thickened upper edge of each panel is inserted in a lower slot of a respective support bracket along the length thereof to facilitate assembly and installation of the door as well as replacement of a damaged or worn panel.

Abstract: A lightweight, high speed roll-up door, or curtain, is unrolled from and rolled upon a cylindrical tube disposed above or within an opening in a wall by a drive motor/drive shaft combination coupled to one end of the tube. A non-rotating support shaft is attached to the other end of the tube which has disposed within respective ends thereof first and second coiled springs. A pair of belts are coupled to lower opposed ends of the door and are wrapped around respective pulleys positioned at each end of the tube and mounted to the drive and support shafts, respectively. With one end of each of the coiled springs coupled to the tube and each of the other ends respectively coupled to one of the pulleys, the coiled springs urge the two pulleys and the tube in opposite directions of rotation to maintain the door in a tightly stretched condition.

Abstract: A bottom seal for an L-shaped dock shelter pad is tapered upwardly in the general form of a pyramid and is positioned in tight-fitting relation to the inner corner of the L-pad. The sloped upper surface of the bottom seals's compressible, resilient core and covered with a flexible, water-repellent, wear resistant material, while its bottom surface is covered with mesh material which allows for drainage/drying of the pad core and allows it to "breathe". The top corner of the bottom seal is coupled to the L-pad's inner corner to prevent sagging of the bottom seal, while one of its lower corners is also coupled to the L-pad's inner corner to maintain intimate contact between pad and seal even when engaged and compressed by a vehicle. The sloped upper surfaces of the bottom seal prevent debris from collecting within the L-pad while its upwardly tapered shape allows the bottom seal to fill the entire gap between the L-pad and adjacent wall regardless of the extent to which the L-pad is deflected or bent.

Abstract: A loading dock seal includes a pair of facing sealing members attached to respective opposed edges of a wall which define a portion of an opening therein. Each sealing member includes a plurality of nonlinear, flexible, resilient leaf springs each inserted within a respective pocket of an outer fabric cover in a spaced manner along the length of the sealing member and oriented generally horizontally. Each leaf spring is mounted to an edge of the wall defining a side of the opening therein and extends outward from the wall and away from the aperture in the wall. Each of the sealing members further includes a generally vertically oriented stabilizer bar extending substantially its entire length. A handle located on an inner surface of each of the sealing members allows the flexible sealing member to be pulled inwardly toward the center of the aperture whereupon the leaf springs engage an aft edge of a lateral panel of the vehicle in position in front of the opening in the wall.

Abstract: A dock shelter adapted for mounting to a wall about an opening in the wall includes a plurality of coupled outer panels comprised of molded plastic. The plastic outer panels include a pair of roof sections as well as left and right lateral sections each coupled to a respective distal end of a roof section. Each lateral section includes respective pairs of upper and lower side panels coupled together in a telescoping manner to allow the height of the dock shelter to be fixed as desired over a range of values. Similarly, the roof sections are coupled together by means of a center roof connector cap in a telescoping manner to allow for adjustment of the width of the dock shelter. The telescoping coupling arrangement between the various dock shelter structural members allows the dock shelter to be used with a wide range of wall opening sizes.

Abstract: A pair of vertically oriented hook seals positioned in facing relation on the lateral portions of a loading dock shelter engage the aft lateral portions of a truck or van positioned adjacent to a loading dock and seal the gap between the truck sides and its open doors. Each seal is coupled to a dock shelter side panel and extends inward toward an aperture in a wall about which the dock shelter is disposed. Each seal is comprised of a curtain having a plurality of spaced, resilient, flexible ribs or reinforcing strips disposed along the length thereof and securely coupled at their respective outer ends to a dock shelter side panel. The inner end of each of the reinforcing strips is coupled to an elongated foam strip extending substantially the full height of the dock shelter sides and having a generally triangular cross section.

Abstract: A windstrap secured to a lightweight, pliable, roll-type overhead door across the width thereof reinforces the door structure maintaining it in position across a doorway when the door is in the lowered, extended position and isolating the two areas on respective sides of the door when there is a pressure differential therebetween such as due to wind.

Abstract: A loading dock shelter seal includes a head and a pair of opposed side pads disposed about a door opening in a wall. Each pad is comprised of an elongated, linear foam core and an outer flexible cover, with the head and side pads having complementary beveled end portions arranged in abutting end-to-end contact. Each of the pads is angled inwardly toward the center of the door opening in the wall which allows for outward deformation of the pads upon engagement with a truck using the loading dock, whereupon an outer angled portion of each of the pads is deformed outwardly in a bulging manner so as to enclose the periphery of the truck while an inner angled pad portion remains in sealed engagement with the top and side aft edges of the truck.

Abstract: A seal disposed about the periphery of an opening such as a warehouse door includes an inflatable head bag and a pair of facing inflatable side bags. The head and side bags are each comprised of a plurality of serially coupled, elongated, aligned pleated sections which are separated by apertured baffles for regulating air flow between adjacent pleated sections. A source of air under pressure such as a blower directs air into an upper head bag which, in turn, directs the air flow into the facing side bags via respective duct arrangements coupling the head bag to the side bags. Under pressure, the head and side bags expand toward the center of the opening to enclose in a sealed manner an object such as a loading vehicle positioned within the opening.

Abstract: A loading dock shelter of the pad type having L-shaped configuration, which, in normal operation provides a wrap-around type of engagement with the rear end of trucks backed into operative engagement with the loading dock shelter.

Abstract: A multi-section overhead door having an impact-proof bottom panel for improved safety and durability is disclosed. The door is displaced vertically along parallel tracks to which it is coupled by means of rollers. Impact with the bottom panel of the door when in a raised position results in the disengagement of the track rollers from the bottom panel and the displacement of the bottom panel from alignment with the tracks. With the impact force removed, the bottom panel resumes its original position between the tracks to which it can be remounted by conveniently repositioning the track rollers thereon. The bottom panel includes front and rear rubber surfaces with a urethane filler therebetween and a flexible bottom nosing seal.

Abstract: A loading dock shelter of the pad type, which, in normal operation provides a "wrap-around" type of engagement with the rear ends of trucks backed into operative engagement with the loading dock shelter.

Abstract: A flexible seal for use in adjustable dockboard unit for sealing the unit against the flow of air therethrough into and/or out of the building in which the dockboard is being used.

Abstract: A loading dock shelter for use around a doorway on wall, includes a flexible head cover panel, having top, bottom and side edges. Two sleeves, each sleeve secured to opposite side edges of the head panel to an intermediate area between the top and bottom edges, slidably receive two flexible elastic straps respectively. One end of each strap extends upward toward the top edge of the head panel and one end of each strap extends in a taut draped manner from the sleeve. The ends of the strap are secured in a stationary manner to the side frame member. The flexible elastic straps restrain and cushion the head panel as the head panel is subjected to outside forces reducing strain and wear, yet allowing the head curtain to yield upon engagement with a truck.

Abstract: An inflatable seal for use in an adjustable dockboard unit for sealing the unit against the flow of air therethrough into and/or out of the building in which the dockboard is being used.