The invention relates to a sealing assembly, a dock and distribution center provided therewith, and a method for sealing a vehicle at a dock. The sealing assembly includes: a frame provided with connectors for connecting the sealing assembly to the dock, a sealing element having an upper edge with the sealing element arranged for moving between a retracted non-sealing position and a sealing position, a drive configured for moving the sealing element between the sealing and retracted positions, a deformable sealing cushion configured for sealing against a vehicle, and a sealing pressure element that is operatively connected to the sealing element and is configured to provide a substantially constant and continuous sealing pressure from the sealing element.

Enclosure assemblies for managing air flow. Such assemblies include an enclosure and at least one inclined pathway in contact with the enclosure, each pathway including a pair of side wall portions and a top wall portion that collectively extend between spaced apart openings to define an air mass. One opening having a lower boundary and the other opening having an upper boundary, with the lower boundary being at an elevation higher than that of the upper boundary, such that when a temperature differential exists within a given pathway, warmer air will be trapped in an upper portion of the air mass and above the upper boundary, thereby impeding air flow from the enclosure.

A head pad assembly for a loading dock includes a frame structure secured to a loading dock wall and a head pad portion coupled to the frame structure. The head pad portion is positioned above and extends across an opening to the loading dock, and is moveable between an upper position and a lower position. The head pad portion includes a compressible pad. The upper position of the head pad is not configured to provide a sealing function against a truck or trailer, and the lower position is configured to engage and seal the compressible pad against a roof surface of the truck or trailer.

An automatic dock servicing system can monitor status of dock stations and/or dock station components, analyze the status to determine whether it satisfies a service condition for one or more service actions and, when service conditions are satisfied, cause the corresponding service actions to be performed. In some embodiments, a control panel can track a number of trailer loading/unloading cycles at the dock station. When the number of cycles reaches a threshold for performing a service on the dock station, the control panel can automatically initiate the service action. Some service actions that can be initiated by placing a maintenance or part request, sending control signals to a control panel or to dock station components, and/or sending messages or providing remote controls to other personnel.

A protective panel for shielding a dock pad while loading and unloading cargo includes a protective panel, a plurality of mounting holes, and a plurality of panel fasteners. The protective panel is mounted to a metallic door jamb of a loading dock via the plurality of panel fasteners. The plurality of mounting holes in turn allow the plurality of panel fasteners to attach to the protective pad. The protective panel includes a flat body and a curved body. The flat body protects the side of the dock pad, whereas the curved body protects the edge of the dock pad. As such, the flat body is connected adjacent to the curved body. Finally, each of the plurality of panel fasteners is attached to a corresponding hole from the plurality of mounting holes. Thus, the number of panel fasteners can be adjusted depending on the size and weight of the protective pad.

Systems and associated methods for controlling operation of loading dock equipment are described herein. In some embodiments, the system and associated methods can be used to control operation of loading dock equipment (e.g., a vehicle restraint, a dock door, a dock leveler, etc.) according to a sequence of operations. The sequence of operations can include different sub-sequences based on loading dock conditions. The system can include a display screen that sequentially presents a series of control elements that enable operation of the loading dock equipment. Additionally, the visual appearance and/or sequence of presentation of the control elements indicate the proper sequence of selection to the user, thereby reducing user confusion and simplifying the operation of the loading dock equipment. Some functionality of the control panel can be enabled or disabled based on a current level of authorization.

A modular loading dock with a mobile base which includes two, opposing, adjustable leg members and top and bottom surfaces, the top surface having an opening to receive a dock leveler into such opening, the dock leveler includes a lower end and an upper end, the upper end abuts a preexisting structure and the lower end includes a lower edge having a lip, the lip is able to be activated between an extended/engaged position to contact a truck bed and a retracted/disengaged position. The mobile base also includes a housing with a modular frame mounted onto the base in sections and can receive a back end of a vehicle. The modular frame has a tensioned vinyl covering. The modular loading dock can also include an extension portion with a covering.

The present disclosure is directed generally to wiper seal pad systems for use at a loading dock station, which can include an elongate pad having a first side surface configured to face outwardly from the loading dock and contact an exterior surface of a trailer positioned at the loading dock, and a second side surface opposite the first side surface. The systems can further include a mounting member operably coupled to the upper surface, the first side surface, and/or the second side surface, and a hanger bracket having a base, a flange extending upwardly from the base, and a tab extending downwardly from the base. The flange can be configured to operably couple to the head member of the loading dock and the tab can be configured to operably couple to the mounting member, thereby attaching the elongate pad to the head member.

Seal apparatus for dock levelers are disclosed. An example loading dock includes a dock leveler movable between a standard loading position, a cross-traffic position and a below-deck loading position. The dock leveler has deck and lip movably coupled to the deck. A seal assembly is coupled to the loading dock adjacent a forward edge of the dock leveler. The seal assembly sealingly engages a front surface of a lip of the dock leveler and a rear surface of the lip when the dock leveler is positioned in a cross-traffic position or a below-dock position.

The present invention is a loading dock rail shelter with an inflatable canopy and a dual stabilizing and passive retraction support assembly. The canopy has an outer end that moves between inflated and retracted positions. The support assembly includes a rigid frame secured around the perimeter of the canopy, and a pivoting support mechanism that allows the frame to ride with the canopy while supporting and guiding the canopy. The shelter has a lower panel assembly that close the bottom of the canopy. The lower panel has lateral support rods and a front panel support assembly secured to the frame. The support assembly supports the canopy and its lower panel so they do not drag along the ground. The rigid frame stabilizes and guides the inflating canopy to seal around a railcar doorway. The support assembly and frame swing back to passively retract and hold the canopy against the building.