US3772839A

US3772839A - Wedge through type closure for dock door

Info

Publication number: US3772839A
Application number: US00141475A
Authority: US
Inventors: L Timbers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-05-10
Filing date: 1971-05-10
Publication date: 1973-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 1990-11-20

Abstract

A wedge-through type closure for a dock door adapted to be installed around a dock door in a building wall and project therefrom forming a construction through which the rear end of a truck, trailer, or similar vehicle may be wedged. The closure includes resilient jamb and lintel members hung from the top cover means. Each of the jamb members comprises a pair of long flexible panels of fabric or the like. A first panel of each pair is connected to the building wall along a lateral edge thereof and it is disposed in a sidewardly facing position. The second jamb panel is disposed in a frontwardly facing position and it has one of its lateral edges connected to an adjacent lateral edge of the first panel providing the jamb with an L-shape crosssection. Lower support and closure foam blocks are disposed along the lower edges of each first or side jamb panel and they are arranged to work between the building wall and an associated second or front jamb panel. The lintel member is provided with a bellows-like structure arranged to sealingly receive the top rear corners of the vehicle body. The jamb and lintel members are resiliently deflected, inwardly upon wedging-contact with such a vehicle and engage against the top and sides thereof to maintain a substantial closure.

Description

[ 1 New. 20, W73

[ WEDGE THROUGH TYPE CLOSURE FOR DOCK DOOR [76] Inventor: Lawrence J. Timbers, 1317 E. 260

St., Mentor, Ohio 44132 22 Filed: May 10, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 141,475

Primary Examiner-Alfred C. Perham Att0meyMcNenny, Farrington, Pearne & Gordon [57] ABSTRACT A wedge-through type closure for a dock door adapted to be installed around a dock door in a building wall and project therefrom forming a construction through which the rear end of a truck, trailer, or similar vehicle may be wedged. The closure includes resilient jamb and lintel members hung from the top cover means. Each of the jamb members comprises a pair of long flexible panels of fabric or the like. A first panel of each pair is connected to the building wall along a lateral edge thereof and it is disposed in a sidewardly facing position. The second jamb panel is disposed in a frontwardly facing position and it has one of its lateral edges connected to an adjacent lateral edge of the first panel providing the jamb with an L-shape crosssection. Lower support and closure foam blocks are disposed along the lower edges of each first or side jamb panel and they are arranged to work between the building wall and an associated second or front jamb panel. The lintel member is provided with a bellowslike structure arranged to sealingly receive the top rear comers of the vehicle body. The jamb and lintel members are resiliently deflected, inwardly upon wedging-contact with such a vehicle and engage against the top and sides thereof to maintain a substantial closure.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PAIENIEU um 20 I973 SHEET 1 CF 2 Arraeuzrr WEDGE THROUGH TYPE CLOSURE FOR DOCK DOOR FIELD OF INVENTION This invention generally relates to dock door closures of the type designed to be mounted around a dock door for cooperation with a truck or similar vehicle having its door opening disposed adjacent thereto and, more particularly, to a closure of the wedge-through type which sealingly receives the rear portions of such a vehicle to engage and maintain a substantial closure with the top and sides thereof.

PRIOR ART A number of prior art devices for the sealing or enclosure of dock doors during the loading and unloading of trucks, trailers and similar vehicles have been provided. Such devices are, of course, utilized to prevent heat losses in cold weather and/or facilitate maintenance of air conditioned or cooled building environments in warm weather. These devices may be generally characterized as either dock door seal units or dock door enclosure units. Although both of these types of units have been considered satisfactory in the past, each of them has certain deficiencies which are discussed below. In addition, the advantages of both types of units have not heretofore been effectively and economically combined in a single unit.

A dock door seal type unit typically comprises a number of resilient pads or cushions surrounding the dock door opening in the building wall and arranged to engage the body of a vehicle adjacent the periphery of a vehicle door opening therein. Accordingly, a truck or vehicle is backed against or positioned against the pads or cushions so as to directly compress them and form a seal about the periphery of the opening in the vehicle. The efficiency of this type of seal is a direct function of the degree of compression of the pads and the alignment of the truck. The pads or cushions are generally substantially crushed or compressed by the vehicle in useage although a lesser degree of compression would provide an effective seal.

The necessary contiguous relationship of the vehicle and seal unit results in a number of problems. For example, any vertical movement of the vehicle due to the removal of a load therein or the placement of a load therein transmits a vertical loading to the seal structure which must be provided for if the tearing of the pads or cushions as well as possible damage to the mounting of the seal unit is to be avoided. The presence of any irregularly projecting structure about the periphery of the truck door, for example door hinges or ledges, magnifies this problem.

The repetitive compression loading of the pads or cushions of the seal unit may result in permanent collapse thereof. For example, flexible urethane foam is frequently used as the resilient material in such pads or cushions and it is subject to such collapse. Of course, the permanent collapse of the foam or loss of resiliency results in a less effective seal.

The enclosure type unit may be generally character- I tially through this opening to a position adjacent the dock door and the fabric is draped or otherwise positioned against the top and sides of the truck body. The efficiency of such a closure is dependant upon the tendency of the fabric to seal about the top and sides of the truck. It is apparent that the unbiased fabric does not provide as effective a seal with the vehicle body as the resilient pads or cushions of a dock seal type unit.

A primary disadvantage of prior art dock door enclosure units is the necessity of a rigid frame or structure for support of the fabric. Since the rigid frame projects outwardly from the building wall any misalignment of the truck or vehicle in its approach to the dock door may result in substantial damage to the frame. In an effort to avoid this problem, the prior art teaches the use of rigid metal bumpers mounted on the building wall and extending outwardly beyond the rigid frame for protection thereof. Such bumpers are expensive and may result in damage to the vehicle. In addition, repeated contact of the bumpers may result in working them free from their mountings on the wall as well as damage to the wall itself.

Another serious problem encountered in prior art enclosure type units is the failure to form an effective seal adjacent the top corner areas of the truck or vehicle. In many instances, this problem is a result of improper coaction of the jamb and lintel members of the closure. For example, these members are typically connected adjacent the abutting edges thereof or overlapped to form a seal. In the latter case, the lintel member is often positioned outwardly of and over the upper portions of the jamb members and it extends across the entire width of the enclosure unit. In either instance, the connection or overlapping of the members results in concurrent or reactionary movement between the members which tends to result in dependent movement of one of the members without contact thereof by a portion of the truck or vehicle. Of course, such movement results in a space which is not effectively sealed between that portion of the jamb or lintel member subjected to such movement and the adjacent portion of the vehicle.

In an effort to overcome this problem, the prior art teaches a somewhat modified lintel member in U.S. Pat. No. 3,557,508. In this enclosure, the fabric-like lintel member includes a central portion bounded by a pair of integral triangular pleats arranged to be normally folded between overlying and underlying portions of the lintel member to provide a generally uniplanar lintel configuration. The pleats fold outwardly upon initial engagement of the lintel member with a vehicle permitting the central portion of the lintel member to be deflected inwardly. Although this structure may mitigate to some extent the concurrent or reactionary movement problem discussed above, the fabric-like material of the lintel member is subjected to the deleterious effects of repetitive folding and unfolding along the pleat fold lines. Further the unfolding or opening of the pleat which is contiguously disposed between additional portions of the lintel member may result in abrasion type wear, particularly where the pleat may be forcibly dragged across the line of contact between the dock pad and the truck rear opening.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention provides a dock door truck-towall closure of a wedge-through type. The enclosure includes jamb and lintel members designed to be mounted on a building wall around a dock door opening and define a truck receiving opening outwardly spaced therefrom. The members are resiliently deflected inwardly upon wedging engagement with the vehicle and maintain substantial closure with the sides and top thereof. Lower support and closure means associated with the lower portion of each jamb are provided for forming an effective seal in this area and ensuring resilient engagement of the jamb members with the sides of the truck. The enclosure is free of rigid breakable members in those portions thereof which are subject to engagement with aligned or misaligned vehicles.

In the illustrated embodiment, the enclosure includes rigid top cover means projecting outwardly from the building wall at a height greater than that of commercial trucks and trailers. The jamb and lintel members are hung from the top cover means and each jamb member comprises a pair of long flexible panels. A first panel of each jamb member has a lateral edge thereof secured to the building wall and it is disposed in a sidewardly facing position. The second panel is disposed in a frontwardly facing position and it has a lateral edge thereof connected to the lateral edge of the first panel spaced from the wall to provide the jamb member with an L-shape cross-section. The side jamb panel is formed of fabric and the front panel is formed of flexible foam enclosed in a fabric covering.

The lower support and closure means comprise a pair of elongated blocks of flexible foam. One of such blocks is mounted adjacent the lower edge of each of the side jamb panels in a pocket provided by the side panel and extends outwardly from the building wall to the back side of the front jamb panel. Thus, when the front jamb panels are deflected inwardly by wedgingengagement with the body of a vehicle, the front jamb panels cooperate with the blocks to form a lower seal and be resiliently urged against the sides of the vehicle.

The lintel member comprises a fabric covered, flexible foam panel which is disposed between the front jamb panels. The lateral edges of the fabric covered lintel panel are connected to accordion-pleated fabric bellows extending to lintel flaps which overlie the upper portions of the front jamb panels.

As set forth in greater detail hereinafter, the enclosure of the present invention provides the advantages of both dock door seal and enclosure type units while substantially eliminating the prior art problems described above. In addition, the enclosure of the present invention may be inexpensively manufactured and installed.

Initially, it should be appreciated that the enclosure of the present invention provides the advantages of an enclosure type unit without utilizing a rigid frame which may be damaged by a misaligned truck or vehicle. Specifically, only the top cover means is rigid and it is positioned at a sufficient height to substantially avoid engagement with commercial vehicles.

The cooperation of the foam front jamb panels and the lower support enclosure means provides sealing engagement with the vehicle body of a degree characteristic of the dock door seal type units. This is achieved without detrimental engagement and deformation of resilient members which may eventually result in the permanent collapse thereof. In addition, since there is no direct compression sufficient to transmit vertical loading, the vertical movement of a vehicle during loading and unloading does not result in the tearing of the enclosure or substantial wear as a result of such movement. This advantage is achieved without the expense associated with multiple fabric coverings and/or spring mountedvertically displacable structures as taught by the prior art.

The problems encountered in the prior art enclosure type units with respect to formation of a seal adjacent the top corners of the vehicle body are also substantially eliminated by the present invention. The bellows structure of the lintel member effectively girders and seals the top rear comer portions of the vehicle body without concurrent reactionary movement of the jamb members out of sealing engagement. Each of the accordion-pleats of the fabric bellows is normally disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the enclosure opening. Accordingly, the pleats fan rearwardly upon engagement of a vehicle with the enclosure with a minimum of abrasive interplay and folding wear. Since the pleats are moved directly into a sealing position, each of the bellows is provided with a minimum of expanded or extended area to efficiently and economically achieve this result.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view with parts broken away of an enclosure embodying the present invention mounted around a dock door in a building wall;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view illustrating the mounting details of the enclosure shown in FIG. 1, with parts broken away and omitted for the purposes of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 1 having a vehicle body in wedgingengagement therewith; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a dock door truck-to-wall enclosure 10 mounted on a building wall 12 around a dock door 14. The enclosure 10 includes top cover means 16, oppositely disposed jamb members 18 and lintel member 20. The jamb and lintel members cooperate to define a truck or vehicle receiving opening 22 which is outwardly spaced from the dock door and building wall.

The top cover means 16 includes a rigid metal frame 24 defined by

angle iron members

24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d which are arranged in a rectangular configuration. The angle iron 240 is secured to the building wall 12 by means of bolts 32 which extend through one leg of the angle member and are located at spaced intervals along the entire length thereof. An angularly disposed, adjustable wire 34 is connected between the member 24a and the building wall to provide additional support of the top cover means. A coextensive top member 36 is disposed over the rectangular frame 24 and secured thereto. The top member may be formed of any suitable material such as sheet metal, wood or plexiglass.

A vertical angle member 38 is secured to the building wall 12 adjacent each side of the dock door 14. The members 38 extend downwardly from the rearward comers of the frame 24 to a position substantially aligned with the bottom of the dock door 14. Each of the members 38 is secured to its associated comer of the frame as well as the building wall. To that end, a first leg 38a of the member 36 is positioned against the wall and secured thereto by bolts 32. The top cover means 16 is additionally supported by a pair of angularly disposed knee braces 40 extending between a second leg 38b of each of the vertical members 33 and an associated angle member of the frame 24.

Each jamb member 18 is comprised of a pair of panels 18a and 18b. The panel 18b is disposed in a sidewardly facing position substantially perpendicular to the wall 12. The panel is formed of a flexible fabric which displays wear and weather resistant properties. An example of a suitable fabric is vinyl coated nylon having a weight of about 19 oz/yd The panel 18b is connected to

angle iron members

24d and 38 along its top edge 42 and lateral edge 44 respectively. To that end, a plurality of spaced mounting eyelets 46 are provided adjacent the

edges

42 and 44 and associated mounting holes 48 are provided in the

angle members

24d and 38. Suitable fasteners such as bolts 50 are inserted through the eyelets 46 and the mounting holes 48 to secure the panel 16b to the

angle members

24d and 38. It should be appreciated that the angle members may be provided with appropriately positioned studs (not shown) for engaging the eyelets instead of mounting holes 46 and bolts 50. An outwardly spaced lateral edge 45 of the panel 18b is secured to the panel 18a as more fully described below.

The panel 18a of the jamb member 16 is disposed in a normally flat frontwardly-facing position and it is hung from the angle iron member 24a of the top cover means 16. The panel 18a comprises a flexible foam slab 52 for biasing the panel to a flat condition and it is enclosed within a removable fabric covering 54 (FIG. 2). Flexible polyurethane foam having a thickness of about three inches has been found to be a suitable material for forming the slab 52 and resiliently biasing the panel to its flat condition. The fabric covering 54 may be formed of the same vinyl coated nylon material described above and it may be color coded to facilitate alignment of vehicles.

The panel member 16a is hung from the angle member 24a by a plurality of cord loops 56. The cord loops are formed of a stretch type cord which is elastically extensible. The ends of each cord loop 56 extend through an eyelet 58in the fabric covering 54 and they are knotted together to retain them in place. The bolts 50 extend through the cord loops 56 and associated mounting holes 64) in the angle member 24a. Thus, the panel 18a is resiliently supported by the top cover means 116.

As indicated above, the panel 18b is secured to the panel 16a along the adjacent lateral edges thereof. Accordingly, the lateral edge 45 of the panel 16b is sewn to the adjacent lateral edge of the fabric covering 54. Of course, other suitable fastening means such as snapbuttons or ties may be employed.

The lintel member is also disposed in a normally flat frontwardly-facing position and cooperates with the jamb panels 18b to provide a similarly disposed panel array. As best shown in FIG. 2, the lintel member 20 comprises a centrally disposed flexible foam slab 62 enclosed within a removable fabric covering 64. The foam slab 62 and fabric covering 64 may be formed of the same materials as the foam slab 52 and fabric covering 54. The foam slab 62 extends substantially across the entire width of the truck or vehicle receiving open- I posed adjacent each lateral edge of the foam slab 62.

Each of the fabric bellows has a first lateral edge thereof sewn or otherwise connected to the associated lateral edge of the fabric covering 64. The second lateral edge of each bellow is connected to a lintel flap 72 which is hung from the angle member 24a and disposed over the upper portion of the jamb panel Ma. The lintel flap 72 is secured to the angle member by the same fasteners which support the panel 16a and it is provided with a plurality of mounting eyelets for receiving the bolts 50. A supplemental wear panel (not shown), essentially coextensive with the flap 72 and similarly mounted, may be employed when additional protection against abrasive wear is desired.

lEach fabric bellow 70 comprises a plurality of accordionpleats 74 which are joined together at the top edge 74a thereof, the bottom edge 74b being free to expand or open. The surfaces of the pleats 74 are nonnally disposed in a transverse direction relative to the plane of the vehicle receiving opening 22 and foam slab 62. Upon engagement with the top rear corner portions of a vehicle body, the pleats are disposed rearwardly along arcuate paths and the fabric bellow fans inwardly to an open position girdering the adjacent top corner portions of the vehicle.

it should be appreciated that the fabric bellow 70 and the lintel flap 72 may be formed from a single piece of fabric having a plurality of accordion-pleats 74. For example, a single piece of fabric may be appropriately folded or pleated adjacent one lateral edge thereof, the folded or pleated portion being thereafter sewn together along the top edges of the pleats or folds to retain such a configuration. Similarly, other types of fabric bellow configurations which are capable of displaying extended or expanded surface extents may be employed.

Referring to H6. 11, closure support means 76 are provided adjacent each of the lower extremities of the jamb members 16. The closure support means '76 comprises a resilient foam slab or block 76 having a rectangular cross section. The rear face 36 of the block is provided with a planar configuration and it is arranged to work against the building wall 112. The front face 62 of the block has an inclined configuration which slopes inwardly towards the dock door 14 and it is arranged to cooperate with the jamb panel 16a when the latter is deflected inwardly by a vehicle body.

The foam block 76 is supported in a pocket 84 which is sewn to the side jamb panel 16b and utilizes a portion thereof to define a side wall of the pocket. The rear face of the pocket is closed and a tab 66 extends therefrom which is designed to be secured to the building wall 12. The opposite end of the pocket 64 is sewn to the fabric covering 54 of the jamb panel 1180.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the enclosure W and, more particularly, the normally flat panel array comprised of lintel member 20 and jamb panels 16a is illustrated in wedging-engagement with a truck or vehicle body 68. The vehicle body is wedged through the truck receiving opening 22 and the jamb members 16 and the lintel member 20 are sealingly engaged against the sides 90 and the top 92 of the vehicle body 88. Accordingly, a door opening 94 in the rear of the vehicle body 88 is disposed adjacent the dock door 14 without obstructions and vehicle body projections, such as ledge 96, are not detrimental to the quality of the seal formed by the enclosure.

The lintel member 20 effectively seals the top corners of the vehicle body. Specifically, the fabric enclosed foam slab 62 seals against the top 92 of the vehicle and each of the fabric bellows 70 upon engagement with the top comers of the vehicle body expands or fans inwardly to sealingly girder adjacent portions of the body. The fabric bellows 70 are maintained in sealing engagement with the vehicle body by the flexible foam portions of the lintel and jamb members.

In contrast with prior art units, the jamb and lintel members of the enclosure do not result in concurrent or reactionary movement upon deflection so as to result in dependant movement of one of the members without contact thereof by the vehicle body. Particularly, if one of the jamb or lintel members is deflected a greater distance than the other, the variance in deflection and movement is compensated for by expanison of the bellows. A variance in deflection will generally arise when a vehicle is misaligned so as to subject one of the jamb members 18 to a greater degree of deflection than the other jamb member.

The jamb members 18 are resiliently deflected inwardly upon wedging-engagement with the vehicle body 88 and a seal is formed along the sides 90 thereof. The jamb panel 180 tends to form an effective seal along its entire vertical extent since it works off or against support means located adjacent its upper and lower vertical extremities. Particularly, the jamb panel is resiliently supported adjacent its upper extremities by the cord loops 56 and at its lower extremities it works against the closure support means 76. Of course, the resilience of the flexible foam slab 52 enhances the engagement of the side of the vehicle body by the jamb panel along the entire vertical extent thereof. Similarly, the seal along the top portions of the vehicle is enhanced by the foam slab 62. Consequently, the sealing engagement with the vehicle body is of a degree characteristic of prior art dock door seal type units without detrimental engagement and deformation of the jamb members. Further, such sealing engagement is accomplished without direct compression sufficient to transmit vertical loading to the jamb members which results from a vertical movement of the vehicle body during loading and unloading operations.

It should be appreciated that the closure 10 is designed to accommodate a relatively wide range of vehi cle sizes. Particularly, the truck receiving opening 22 may be provided with a minimum dimension as it will be, in effect, enlarged upon wedging-engagement with larger vehicles. In contrast, prior art seal type units typically involve the use of expensive, adjustable supporting structures to cope with the range of vehicle sizes encountered.

The invention is not restricted to the slavish imitation of each and every one of the details described above, which have been set forth merely by way of example with the intent of most clearly setting forth the teaching of the invention. Obviously, devices may be provided which change, eliminate, or add certain specific details without departing from the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A dock door truck-to-wall closure of a wedgethrough type for installation around a dock door opening in a building wall, including a top cover means, jamb and lintel members adapted to be hung from the top cover means and define a closure opening spaced outwardly and away from the building wall, and resilient lower support and closure means associated with the lower portion of each jamb, each jamb comprising a pair of long flexible panels, a first panel of said pair being connected to the building wall along a first lateral edge of the panel with said first lateral edge extending vertically at one side of the dock door opening, the panel being adapted to be hung from the top cover means and connected to the panel s associated resilient lower support and closure means with the panel in sidewardly facing position so that the other or second lateral edge of the panel is spaced outwardly and stands well away from the building wall with the lower portion of the second lateral edge resiliently held away therefrom by the associated lower support and closure means, said first and second panels of each said panel pair being connected along a connection locus at or adjacent said second lateral edge of said first panel of the pair and at or adjacent a first lateral edge of said second panel of the pair with the second panel in normally flat frontwardly-facing position and with the other or second lateral edge of the second panel of each panel pair, together with the corresponding second lateral edge of the second panel of the other panel pair, defining the minimum width of opening of the door seal, the second panel of each pair including means for resiliently biasing the panel to its flat condition, each of the lower support and closure means including a jamb working face disposed adjacent the associated connection locus and the rearward surface of the associated second jamb panel, each of the second jamb panels being arranged to pivot substantially about its respective locus and jamb working face upon engagement with a truck or trailer and deflection towards the building wall, said jamb working face associated with the lower portion of each jamb comprising a terminating surface of a foam block extending from the building wall, the lintel comprising a flexible panel of fabric adapted to be hung from the top cover in normally flat frontwardly-facing position so as to laterally extend between one of said second jamb panels and the other to provide, together with the second jamb, a normally flat frontwardlyfacing panel array, and means for maintaining substantial closure of said panel array around the top outside rear corners of a truck or trailer when the truck or trailer is wedged into said panel array to yieldingly partly inwardly bend or deflect the panels of said array so that they engage against and maintain substantial closure with the sides and top of the truck or trailer.

2. A dock door truck-to-wall closure of a wedgethrough type for installation around a dock door opening in a building wall, including a top cover means, jamb and lintel members adapted to be hung from the top cover means and define a closure opening spaced outwardly and away from the building wall, and resilient lower support and closure means associated with the lower portion of each jamb, each jamb comprising a pair of long flexible panels, a first panel of said pair being connected to the building wall along a first lateral edge of the panel with said first lateral edge extending vertically at one side of the dock door opening, the panel being adapted to be hung from the top cover means and connected to the panels associated resilient lower support and closure means with the panel in sidewardly facing position so that the other or second lateral edge of the panel is spaced outwardly and stands well away from the building wall with the lower portion of the second lateral edge resiliently held away therefrom by the associated lower support and closure means, said first and second panels of each said panel pair being connected along a connection locus at or adjacent said second lateral edge of said first panel of the pair and at or adjacent a first lateral edge of said second panel of the pair with the second panel in normally flat frontwardly-facing position and with the other or second lateral edge of the second panel of each panel pair, together with the corresponding second lateral edge of the second panel of the other panel pair, defining the minimum width of opening of the door seal, the second panel of each pair including means for resiliently biasing the panel to its flat condition, said means for resiliently biasing said second panel of each said pair to its flat condition comprising a resilient foam slab carried by the panel and substantially coextensive therewith, each of the lower support and closure means including a jamb working face disposed adjacent the associated connection locus and the rearward surface of the associated second jamb panel, each of the second jamb panels being arranged to pivot substantially about its respective locus and jamb working face upon engagement with a truck or trailer and deflection towards the building wall, the lintel comprising a flexible panel of fabric adapted to be hung from the top cover in normally flat frontwardly-facing position so as to laterally extend between one of said second jamb panels and the other to provide, together with the second jamb, a normally flat frontwardly-facing panel array, and means for maintaining substantialclosure of said panel array around the top outside rear corners of a truck or trailer when the truck or trailer is wedged into said panel array to yieldingly partly inwardly bend or deflect the panels of said array so that they engage against and maintain substantial closure with the sides and top of the truck or trailer.

3. A dock door truck-to-wall closure of a wedgethrough type for installation around a dock door opening in a building wall, including a top cover means, jamb and lintel members adapted to be hung from the top cover means and define a closure opening spaced outwardly and away from the building wall, and resilient lower support and closure means associated with the lower portion of each jamb, each jamb comprising a pair of long flexible panels, a first panel of said pair being connected to the building wall along a first lateral edge of the panel with said first lateral edge extending vertically at one side of the dock door opening, the panel being adapted to be hung from the top cover means and connected to the panels associated resilient lower support and closure means with the panel in sidewardly facing position so that the other or second lateral edge of the panel is spaced outwardly and stands well away from the building wall with the lower portion of the second lateral edge resileintly held away therefrom by the associated lower support and closure means, said first and second panels of each said panel pair being connected along a connection locus at or adjacent said second lateral edge of said first panel of the pair and at or adjacent a first lateral edge of said second panel of the pair with the second panel in normally flat frontwardlyfacing position and with the other or second lateral edge of the second panel of each panel pair, together with the corresponding second lateral edge of the second panel of the other panel pair, defining the minimum width of opening of the door seal, the second panel of each pair including means for resiliently biasing the panel to its flat condition, each of the lower support and closure means including a jamb working face disposed adjacent the associated connection locus and the rearward surface of the associated second jamb panel, each of the second jamb panels being arranged to pivot substantially about its respective locus and jamb working face upon engagement with a truck or trailer and deflection towards the building wall, the lintel comprising a flexible panel of fabric adapted to be hung from the top cover in normally flat frontwardlyfacing position so as to laterally extend between one of said second jamb panels and the other to provide, together with the second jamb, a normally flat frontwardly-facing panel array, and means for maintaining substantial closure of said panel array around the top outside rear comers of a truck or trailer when the truck or trailer is wedged into said panel array to yieldingly partly inwardly bend or deflect the panels of said array so that they engage against and maintain substantial closure with the sides and top of the truck or trailer, said means for majntaining substantial closure of said panel array around the top outside rear corners of a truck comprising bellows between the said lintel panel and each of the adjacent portions of the second jamb panels whereby the bellows fan inwardly to accommodate the inward bending or deflection away from each other of the panels of said array when a truck is wedged into said array.

1. A dock door closure as defined in claim 3 wherein said bellows comprises a portion of fabric having a plurality of accordion pleats, said pleats being normally disposed in a direction transverse to the plane of said lintel panel.

5. A dock door truck-to-wall closure of a wedge through type for installation around a dock door opening in a building wall, including a top cover means, cooperating jamb and lintel members arranged to define a closure opening spaced outwardly and away from the building wall, and resilient jamb supporting means, each jamb comprising a pair of long flexible panels, a first panel of the pair being connected to the building wall along a first lateral edge of the panel with said first lateral edge extending vertically at one side of the dock door opening, the first panel being disposed in a sidewardly facing position so that the second lateral edge thereof is spaced outwardly and away from the building wall, a second panel of each pair being resiliently supported in a normally flat frontwardly-facing position within the plane of the closure opening by said jamb supporting means and including means for resiliently biasing the panel to its normal position within the plane of the closure opening, the second panel of each pair being connected to the first panel along a locus at or adjacent the second lateral edge of the first panel and at or adjacent a first lateral edge of the second panel, the jamb supporting means including jamb working faces associated with each of the second jamb panels adjacent the plane of the closure opening, each of the second panels being arranged to resiliently pivot substantially about its respective locus and jarnb working face upon deflection towards the wall and out of the plane of the closure opening, the lintel member comprising a flexible panel hung from the top cover means and disposed in the plane of the closure opening so as to laterally extend between the second jamb panels, expandable bellows between the lintel panel and each of the adjacent portions of the second jamb panels arranged to fan inwardly to accommodate relative movement of the panels away from each other upon their deflection out of the plane of the closure opening when a truck or trailer is wedged into the closure, the closure being free of any rigid breakable members substantially below the top cover means and substantially along the entire length of said loci whereby trucks or trailers can miss the door opening by any amount on repeated occasions without substantial damage to said dock door closure.

6. A dock door truck-to-wall closure of a wedgethrough type for installation around a dock door opening in a building wall, including a top cover means, cooperating jamb and lintel members arranged to define a closure opening spaced outwardly and away from the building wall, and resilient supporting means, each jamb comprising a pair of long flexible panels, a first panel of the pair being connected to the building wall along a first lateral edge of the panel with said first lateral edge extending vertically at one side of the dock door opening, the first panel being disposed in a sidewardly facing position so that the second lateral edge thereof is adjacent the plane of the closure opening, a second panel of each pair being substantially supported in a normally flat frontwardly-facing position within the plane of the closure opening by the jamb supporting means and including means for resiliently biasing the panel to its normal position, the second panel of each pair being connected to the first panel along the second lateral edge of the first panel and an associated first lateral edge of the second panel adjacent the plane of the closure opening, the jamb supporting means including jamb working faces comprising terminating surfaces of foam blocks extending from the building wall and associated with each of the second jamb panels adjacent the plane of the closure opening, each of the second panels being arranged to pivot substantially about the associated lateral edges and the jamb working faces upon deflection towards the wall and out of the plane of the closure opening, the lintel member comprising a flexible panel hung from the top cover means in the plane of the closure so as to laterally extend between the second jamb panels, the closure being free of any rigid breakable members substantially below the top cover means whereby trucks or trailers can miss the door opening by any amount on repeated occasions without substantial damage to the closure.

Claims

1. A dock door truck-to-wall closure of a wedge-through type for installation around a dock door opening in a building wall, including a top cover means, jamb and lintel members adapted to be hung from the top cover means and define a closure opening spaced outwardly and away from the building wall, and resilient lower support and closure means associated with the lower portion of each jamb, each jamb comprising a pair of long flexible panels, a first panel of said pair being connected to the building wall along a first lateral edge of the panel with said first lateral edge extending vertically at one side of the dock door opening, the panel being adapted to be hung from the top cover means and connected to the panel''s associated resilient lower support and closure means with the panel in sidewardly facing position so that the other or second lateral edge of the panel is spaced outwardly and stands well away from the building wall with the lower portion of the second lateral edge resiliently held away therefrom by the associated lower support and closure means, said first and second panels of each said panel pair being connected along a connection locus at or adjacent said second lateral edge of said first panel of the pair and at or adjacent a first lateral edge of said second panel of the pair with the second panel in normally flat frontwardlyfacing position and with the other or second lateral edge of the second panel of each panel pair, together with the corresponding second lateral edge of the second panel of the other panel pair, defining the minimum width of opening of the door seal, the second panel of each pair including means for resiliently biasing the panel to its flat condition, each of the lower support and closure means including a jamb working face disposed adjacent the associated connection locus and the rearward surface of the associated second jamb panel, each of the second jamb panels being arranged to pivot substantially about its respective locus and jamb working face upon eNgagement with a truck or trailer and deflection towards the building wall, said jamb working face associated with the lower portion of each jamb comprising a terminating surface of a foam block extending from the building wall, the lintel comprising a flexible panel of fabric adapted to be hung from the top cover in normally flat frontwardly-facing position so as to laterally extend between one of said second jamb panels and the other to provide, together with the second jamb, a normally flat frontwardly-facing panel array, and means for maintaining substantial closure of said panel array around the top outside rear corners of a truck or trailer when the truck or trailer is wedged into said panel array to yieldingly partly inwardly bend or deflect the panels of said array so that they engage against and maintain substantial closure with the sides and top of the truck or trailer.

2. A dock door truck-to-wall closure of a wedge-through type for installation around a dock door opening in a building wall, including a top cover means, jamb and lintel members adapted to be hung from the top cover means and define a closure opening spaced outwardly and away from the building wall, and resilient lower support and closure means associated with the lower portion of each jamb, each jamb comprising a pair of long flexible panels, a first panel of said pair being connected to the building wall along a first lateral edge of the panel with said first lateral edge extending vertically at one side of the dock door opening, the panel being adapted to be hung from the top cover means and connected to the panel''s associated resilient lower support and closure means with the panel in sidewardly facing position so that the other or second lateral edge of the panel is spaced outwardly and stands well away from the building wall with the lower portion of the second lateral edge resiliently held away therefrom by the associated lower support and closure means, said first and second panels of each said panel pair being connected along a connection locus at or adjacent said second lateral edge of said first panel of the pair and at or adjacent a first lateral edge of said second panel of the pair with the second panel in normally flat frontwardly-facing position and with the other or second lateral edge of the second panel of each panel pair, together with the corresponding second lateral edge of the second panel of the other panel pair, defining the minimum width of opening of the door seal, the second panel of each pair including means for resiliently biasing the panel to its flat condition, said means for resiliently biasing said second panel of each said pair to its flat condition comprising a resilient foam slab carried by the panel and substantially coextensive therewith, each of the lower support and closure means including a jamb working face disposed adjacent the associated connection locus and the rearward surface of the associated second jamb panel, each of the second jamb panels being arranged to pivot substantially about its respective locus and jamb working face upon engagement with a truck or trailer and deflection towards the building wall, the lintel comprising a flexible panel of fabric adapted to be hung from the top cover in normally flat frontwardly-facing position so as to laterally extend between one of said second jamb panels and the other to provide, together with the second jamb, a normally flat frontwardly-facing panel array, and means for maintaining substantial closure of said panel array around the top outside rear corners of a truck or trailer when the truck or trailer is wedged into said panel array to yieldingly partly inwardly bend or deflect the panels of said array so that they engage against and maintain substantial closure with the sides and top of the truck or trailer.

3. A dock door truck-to-wall closure of a wedge-through type for installation around a dock door opening in a building wall, including a top cover means, jamb and lintel members adapted to be hung from the top cover means and define a closure opening spaced outwardly and away from the building wall, and resilient lower support and closure means associated with the lower portion of each jamb, each jamb comprising a pair of long flexible panels, a first panel of said pair being connected to the building wall along a first lateral edge of the panel with said first lateral edge extending vertically at one side of the dock door opening, the panel being adapted to be hung from the top cover means and connected to the panel''s associated resilient lower support and closure means with the panel in sidewardly facing position so that the other or second lateral edge of the panel is spaced outwardly and stands well away from the building wall with the lower portion of the second lateral edge resileintly held away therefrom by the associated lower support and closure means, said first and second panels of each said panel pair being connected along a connection locus at or adjacent said second lateral edge of said first panel of the pair and at or adjacent a first lateral edge of said second panel of the pair with the second panel in normally flat frontwardly-facing position and with the other or second lateral edge of the second panel of each panel pair, together with the corresponding second lateral edge of the second panel of the other panel pair, defining the minimum width of opening of the door seal, the second panel of each pair including means for resiliently biasing the panel to its flat condition, each of the lower support and closure means including a jamb working face disposed adjacent the associated connection locus and the rearward surface of the associated second jamb panel, each of the second jamb panels being arranged to pivot substantially about its respective locus and jamb working face upon engagement with a truck or trailer and deflection towards the building wall, the lintel comprising a flexible panel of fabric adapted to be hung from the top cover in normally flat frontwardly-facing position so as to laterally extend between one of said second jamb panels and the other to provide, together with the second jamb, a normally flat frontwardly-facing panel array, and means for maintaining substantial closure of said panel array around the top outside rear corners of a truck or trailer when the truck or trailer is wedged into said panel array to yieldingly partly inwardly bend or deflect the panels of said array so that they engage against and maintain substantial closure with the sides and top of the truck or trailer, said means for maintaining substantial closure of said panel array around the top outside rear corners of a truck comprising bellows between the said lintel panel and each of the adjacent portions of the second jamb panels whereby the bellows fan inwardly to accommodate the inward bending or deflection away from each other of the panels of said array when a truck is wedged into said array.

4. A dock door closure as defined in claim 3 wherein said bellows comprises a portion of fabric having a plurality of accordion pleats, said pleats being normally disposed in a direction transverse to the plane of said lintel panel.

5. A dock door truck-to-wall closure of a wedge through type for installation around a dock door opening in a building wall, including a top cover means, cooperating jamb and lintel members arranged to define a closure opening spaced outwardly and away from the building wall, and resilient jamb supporting means, each jamb comprising a pair of long flexible panels, a first panel of the pair being connected to the building wall along a first lateral edge of the panel with said first lateral edge extending vertically at one side of the dock door opening, the first panel being disposed in a sidewardly facing position so that the second lateral edge thereof is spaced outwardly and away from the building wall, a second panel of each pair being resiliently supported in a normally flat frontwardly-facing position within the plane of tHe closure opening by said jamb supporting means and including means for resiliently biasing the panel to its normal position within the plane of the closure opening, the second panel of each pair being connected to the first panel along a locus at or adjacent the second lateral edge of the first panel and at or adjacent a first lateral edge of the second panel, the jamb supporting means including jamb working faces associated with each of the second jamb panels adjacent the plane of the closure opening, each of the second panels being arranged to resiliently pivot substantially about its respective locus and jamb working face upon deflection towards the wall and out of the plane of the closure opening, the lintel member comprising a flexible panel hung from the top cover means and disposed in the plane of the closure opening so as to laterally extend between the second jamb panels, expandable bellows between the lintel panel and each of the adjacent portions of the second jamb panels arranged to fan inwardly to accommodate relative movement of the panels away from each other upon their deflection out of the plane of the closure opening when a truck or trailer is wedged into the closure, the closure being free of any rigid breakable members substantially below the top cover means and substantially along the entire length of said loci whereby trucks or trailers can miss the door opening by any amount on repeated occasions without substantial damage to said dock door closure.

6. A dock door truck-to-wall closure of a wedge-through type for installation around a dock door opening in a building wall, including a top cover means, cooperating jamb and lintel members arranged to define a closure opening spaced outwardly and away from the building wall, and resilient supporting means, each jamb comprising a pair of long flexible panels, a first panel of the pair being connected to the building wall along a first lateral edge of the panel with said first lateral edge extending vertically at one side of the dock door opening, the first panel being disposed in a sidewardly facing position so that the second lateral edge thereof is adjacent the plane of the closure opening, a second panel of each pair being substantially supported in a normally flat frontwardly-facing position within the plane of the closure opening by the jamb supporting means and including means for resiliently biasing the panel to its normal position, the second panel of each pair being connected to the first panel along the second lateral edge of the first panel and an associated first lateral edge of the second panel adjacent the plane of the closure opening, the jamb supporting means including jamb working faces comprising terminating surfaces of foam blocks extending from the building wall and associated with each of the second jamb panels adjacent the plane of the closure opening, each of the second panels being arranged to pivot substantially about the associated lateral edges and the jamb working faces upon deflection towards the wall and out of the plane of the closure opening, the lintel member comprising a flexible panel hung from the top cover means in the plane of the closure so as to laterally extend between the second jamb panels, the closure being free of any rigid breakable members substantially below the top cover means whereby trucks or trailers can miss the door opening by any amount on repeated occasions without substantial damage to the closure.