Sealing Assembly for a Dock, Dock and Distribution Center Provided Therewith, and Method for Sealing a Vehicle at a Dock

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A sealing assembly for a dock, comprising: 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.

2. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealing pressure element comprises one or more weights.

3. The sealing assembly according to claim 2, wherein the sealing pressure element further comprising a pulley.

4. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the drive comprises a cylinder.

5. The sealing assembly according to claim 4, further comprising an engagement mechanism configured for connecting the cylinder to the sealing element such that the cylinder is capable of reaching its end position with maximum stroke, while the sealing element stops as it engages a structural element such as a cargo space bottom, leveler and/or shelter.

6. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, further comprising releasable connectors for releasable connecting the cushion to the upper edge of the sealing element.

7. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cushion comprises separate cushion parts.

8. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the deformable sealing cushion comprises an inflatable cushion.

9. The sealing assembly according to claim 8, further comprising a fan adapted for inflating the inflatable cushion.

10. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the deformable sealing cushion comprises a foam cushion.

11. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealing element comprises a number of strips or lamellae.

12. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured for monitoring the position of the sealing assembly relative to the vehicle.

13. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, further comprising side seals configured for sealing the sides of the dock against the vehicle and a top seal configured for sealing the top of the dock against the vehicle.

14. A dock comprising a sealing assembly for a dock, comprising: 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.

15. The dock according to claim 14, wherein the drive is configured to moving the sealing element from a retracted position, wherein the sealing assembly extends in a substantially horizontal direction, into a substantial vertical sealing position.

16. A method for sealing a dock against a vehicle, comprising the steps of: providing a sealing assembly for a dock, comprising: 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; and when docking a vehicle positioning the sealing assembly relative to the vehicle.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the drive moves the sealing element, and wherein the drive is configured to moving the sealing element from a retracted position, wherein the sealing assembly extends in a substantially horizontal direction, into a substantial vertical sealing position.

18. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the drive is configured to moving the sealing element from a retracted position, wherein the sealing assembly extends in a substantially horizontal direction, into a substantial vertical sealing position.

19. The sealing assembly according to claim 3, wherein the driver comprises a cylinder, and further comprising an engagement mechanism configured for connecting the cylinder to the sealing element such that the cylinder is capable of reaching its end position with maximum stroke, while the sealing element stops as it engages a structural element such as a cargo space bottom, leveler and/or shelter.

20. The sealing assembly according to claim 18, wherein the driver comprises a cylinder, and further comprising an engagement mechanism configured for connecting the cylinder to the sealing element such that the cylinder is capable of reaching its end position with maximum stroke, while the sealing element stops as it engages a structural element such as a cargo space bottom, leveler and/or shelter.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a dock with a sealing assembly according to the present invention and a docking vehicle;

[0052] FIG. 2 shows details of a sealing pressure element in an embodiment of the sealing assembly;

[0053] FIG. 3 A-C shows details of a drive in an embodiment of the sealing assembly in a sealing (upper) and retracted (lower) position;

[0054] FIG. 4 shows a foam cushion in an embodiment of the sealing assembly; and

[0055] FIG. 5 shows an inflatable sealing cushion in an alternative embodiment of the sealing assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0056] Dock 2 (FIG. 1) is part of distribution center 4 and enables vehicle 6 to load/unload goods. Dock 2 comprises opening 8 with door 9 and two bumpers 10 at the sides thereof. In the extended position of bumpers 10, vehicle 6 may engage bumpers 10. Dock 2 further comprises shelter 12 and dock sealing system 14. In the illustrated embodiment sealing system 14 comprises top seal 16, two side seals 18, and sealing assembly 20 acting as bottom or lower seal.

[0057] Furthermore, dock 2 is provided with dock leveller 22 and two door recesses 24. Bottom 26 of cargo space 28 of vehicle 6 is positioned at a height H above driveway G. bottom seal detector 30 is in the illustrated embodiment provided at the front of dock 2. Below dock 2 tail lift room 31 is provided to enable docking of vehicles that have such a tail lift.

[0058] Sealing assembly 20 (FIG. 2) comprises sealing element 32. Sealing element 32 comprises a number of substantially horizontally extending strips or lamellae 34 that are connected with hinges or other type of connections 36. At upper edge 38 of sealing element 32 there is provided sealing cushion 40. In the illustrated embodiment, sealing cushion 40 comprises three cushion parts 40a, 40b, 40c that are releasable connected to upper edge 38 with releasable connectors 42. It will be understood that other types of (preferably) releasable connectors 42 can be provided in accordance with the present invention. It will also be understood that another number of parts 40a, 40b, 40c can also be provided, including a number of parts varying between 1 to 10.

[0059] Sealing element 32 moves in guides 44 (FIG. 3 B) that are connected to frame 46 (FIG. 2) of sealing assembly 20. In the illustrated embodiment sealing assembly 32 moves between a substantially horizontal non-sealing position below dock 2 and a substantially vertical direction substantially in the plane of dock opening 8 in direction A. In the illustrated embodiment sealing pressure element 48 comprises weight 50 that is movable in direction B that substantially extends in a vertical direction. Weight 50 is connected via ropes, cables or lines 52 and a number of pulleys 54 to one side of sealing element 32 and with additional pulleys 56 to the opposite side of sealing element 32. It will be understood that a different number of weights 50 can be applied and/or could be envisaged to have separate weights on the opposite sides of sealing elements 32. The advantage of a combined weight 50 for both sides is that sealing element 32 maintains a substantially straight orientation.

[0060] In one of the illustrated embodiments cylinder 58 (FIG. 3 A-B) acts as drive of sealing element 20. Cylinder 58 comprises cylinder housing 60 and piston 62 and is placed below floor 63 of dock 2, wherein floor 63 is preferably provided as or from iso-panel. Floor 63 is preferably provided at an angle to improve draining during cleaning possibilities. Preferably cleaning elements 63a are provided to clean sealing assembly 20 when retracting. Cleaning elements 63a may comprise flaps or other suitable elements. Cylinder position detector 64 detects the retracted position of cylinder 58 to provide an additional safety measure. The outer end of piston 62 is attached via engagement mechanism 66 to sealing element 20. In the illustrated embodiment engagement mechanism 66 transfers the pushing or pulling force from cylinder 58 to sealing element 20. When sealing element 20 touches bottom 26 of vehicle 6, leveler 22 and/or other parts of dock 2, sealing element 20 stops moving in an upward direction as it is blocked. By preferably providing engagement mechanism 66 as a flexible/adjusting mechanism having catch 66a (FIG. 3 C), piston 62 may continue moving to its maximal stroke position. This enables the use of a cost effective cylinder 58. In addition, it enables sealing assembly 20 to follow any movement of the vehicle during loading/unloading. This provides a substantially continuous sealing as a substantially constant sealing pressure on the vehicle, leveler and/or dock can be applied. When retracting sealing assembly 20 piston 62 is retracted. When piston 62 engages catch 66a also sealing assembly 20 with lamellae 20a starts retracting.

[0061] In a retracted position (FIG. 3 B) piston 62 is retracted in cylinder housing 60. Sealing element 20 is brought into a substantially horizontal position below dock 2. When comparing the retracted position (FIG. 3 B with the (upper) sealing position (FIG. 3b), sealing element 20 has moved over guides 44 in a direction A. It will be understood that other movements can also be envisaged in accordance with the present invention.

[0062] In one of the presently preferred embodiments sealing cushion 40e (FIG. 4) is provided at upper edge 38 of sealing element 32. Sealing cushion 40e is in the illustrated embodiment shaped as a finger extending from sealing element 32 extending in an outward direction from dock 2. Optionally, sealing cushion 40e is rotatable around axis or shaft 41. This reduces the required space when retracting sealing assembly 20. It will be understood that such rotation can also be envisaged for other embodiments of sealing assembly 20.

[0063] In an alternative embodiment inflatable seal 40f (FIG. 5) extends in a similar manner from sealing element 32. Inflatable seal 40e is operatively connected to van 68. It will be understood that other shapes for cushion 40, 40e, 40f, can be envisaged in accordance with the present invention.

[0064] After vehicle 6 is positioned at dock 2, engaged bumpers 10 (FIG. 1), and has come to a complete standstill, sealing system 14 can be activated. In the illustrated embodiment sealing system 14 is (partly) inflated. Top seal 16 and side seals 18 seal top and sides of dock opening 8 against vehicle 6. Sealing assembly 20 is activated and drive cylinder 60 allows sealing element to move from the lower/retracted horizontal non-sealing position (FIG. 3B) into (upper) vertical sealing position driven by weights 50 (FIG. 3A). Weights 50 provide a constant pressure from cushion 40, 40a, 40b on bottom 26 of cargo space 28 of vehicle 6. This provides a four-sided seal between dock opening 8 and vehicle 6.

[0065] In the illustrated embodiment, bumpers 10 are retracted after sealing system 14 has been activated/inflated. Furthermore, in the illustrated leveller 22 can be brought into loading/unloading position such that goods can be transferred between building 4 to cargo space 28 of vehicle 6. In the illustrated embodiment building 4 is provided with door recesses 24 that are configured to receive vehicle doors (not shown) of vehicle 6.

[0066] After goods have been loaded/unloaded from and/or to vehicle 6, leveller 22 is retracted and doors of vehicle 6 are closed. Seals 16, 18 and 20 are deactivated and/or retracted and vehicle 6 is allowed to ride away from dock 2.

[0067] The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.