U.S. patent application number 10/369973 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-25 for heat shielded sealing curtain.
Invention is credited to Ashelin, Charles J., Hoffmann, David J..
Application Number | 20030177720 10/369973 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32907658 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030177720 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoffmann, David J. ; et
al. |
September 25, 2003 |
Heat shielded sealing curtain
Abstract
A sealing curtain for a loading dock includes a pliable heat
shield that helps protect the sealing curtain from concentrated
heat generated by a truck's taillight being pressed against the
sealing curtain. The heat shield is preferably placed just
underneath a sealing surface of the sealing curtain. The heat
shield reflects heat away from an inner surface and disperses the
heat over a broader area to reduce the peak temperature of any hot
spots. The sealing curtain may be height adjustable to position the
heat shield at various heights along the loading dock.
Inventors: |
Hoffmann, David J.; (Peosta,
IA) ; Ashelin, Charles J.; (Dubuque, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN
6300 SEARS TOWER
233 SOUTH WACKER
CHICAGO
IL
60606-6357
US
|
Family ID: |
32907658 |
Appl. No.: |
10/369973 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10369973 |
Feb 20, 2003 |
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09548876 |
Apr 13, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/173.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 2207/22 20130101;
B65G 69/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/173.2 |
International
Class: |
E04D 013/18 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A sealing curtain adapted to seal against a vehicle parked
against the sealing curtain, comprising: a sealing surface for
engaging the parked vehicle; and a heat shield adjacent the sealing
surface, wherein the heat shield and the sealing surface are
pliable and wherein the heat shield has a higher thermal
conductivity than the sealing surface to dissipate heat from the
parked vehicle across the sealing curtain.
2. The sealing curtain of claim 1 further comprising an inner
surface, wherein the heat shield is interposed between the inner
surface and the sealing surface.
3. The sealing curtain of claim 2, wherein the heat shield has a
higher thermal conductivity than the inner surface.
4. The sealing curtain of claim 2, wherein the heat shield can
withstand a higher temperature than the inner surface.
5. The sealing curtain of claim 2, wherein the heat shield has a
higher reflectivity than the inner surface.
6. The sealing curtain of claim 1, wherein the heat shield is
formed of a plurality of heat shield layers.
7. The sealing curtain of claim 1, wherein the heat shield can
withstand a higher temperature than the sealing surface.
8. The sealing curtain of claim 1, wherein the heat shield has a
higher reflectivity than the sealing surface.
9. The sealing curtain of claim 1, further comprising at least one
armor pleat at an outer edge of the sealing curtain.
10. The sealing curtain of claim 9, wherein the heat shield extends
over the armor pleat.
11. The sealing curtain of claim 9, wherein the armor pleat
includes a plurality of overlapping sections, wherein the heat
shield is formed integrally with at least one of the plurality of
overlapping sections.
12. The sealing curtain of claim 1, wherein the sealing curtain is
a head curtain and has an elongated length running substantially
horizontally.
13. The sealing curtain of claim 1, wherein the sealing curtain is
a side curtain and has an elongated length running substantially
vertically.
14. The sealing curtain of claim 1, wherein the sealing curtain
further comprises; a head curtain having an elongated length
running substantially horizontally; and at least one side curtain
having an elongated length running substantially vertically.
15. The sealing curtain of claim 14, wherein the head curtain has a
leading edge movable from a first height to a second height, and
wherein the at least one side curtain has a leading edge movable
from a first height to a second height independent from the
movement of the leading edge of the head curtain.
16. The sealing curtain of claim 1, wherein the sealing curtain has
a leading edge with an adjustable height.
17. The sealing curtain of claim 1, wherein the heat shield
includes aluminum.
18. The sealing curtain of claim 1, wherein the heat shield that
can withstand a higher temperature than the sealing surface.
19. The sealing curtain of claim 1, wherein the sealing surface
includes a plurality of raised elements that dissipate heat across
the sealing curtain.
20. A sealing curtain, comprising: a first armor pleat; a second
armor pleat, the first armor pleat and second armor pleat being
disposed at opposing side edges of the sealing curtain; a sealing
surface extending between the first armor pleat and the second
armor pleat, the sealing surface having a height adjustable leading
edge; and a heat shield disposed adjacent the sealing surface,
wherein the heat shield has a higher thermal conductivity than the
sealing surface to dissipate heat across the sealing curtain.
21. The sealing curtain of claim 20, wherein the heat shield is
formed of a plurality of heat shields.
22. The sealing curtain of claim 20, wherein the heat shield has
sufficient flexibility to allow the sealing curtain to pay out from
a raised position.
23. The sealing curtain of claim 20, wherein the heat shield has a
higher reflectivity than the sealing surface.
24. The sealing curtain of claim 20, further comprising at least
one panel disposed adjacent the sealing curtain, wherein the heat
shield has a higher thermal conductivity than the panel.
25. The sealing curtain of claim 24, wherein the heat shield has a
higher reflectivity than the panel.
26. The sealing curtain of claim 24, wherein the panel is a side
panel.
27. The sealing curtain of claim 24, wherein the panel is a header
panel.
28. A side curtain comprising: a side panel; a sealing surface for
engaging the parked vehicle; and a heat shield adjacent the sealing
surface, wherein the heat shield and the sealing surface are
pliable and wherein the heat shield has a higher thermal
conductivity than the sealing surface to dissipate heat across the
side curtain.
29. The side curtain of claim 28 further comprising an inner
surface, wherein the heat shield is interposed between the inner
surface and the sealing surface.
30. The side curtain of claim 29, wherein the heat shield has a
higher thermal conductivity than the inner surface.
31. The side curtain of claim 29, wherein the heat shield can
withstand a higher temperature than the inner surface.
32. The side curtain of claim 29, wherein the heat shield has a
higher reflectivity than the inner surface.
33. The side curtain of claim 28, wherein the heat shield is formed
of a plurality of heat shield layers.
34. The side curtain of claim 28, wherein the heat shield can
withstand a higher temperature than the sealing surface.
35. The side curtain of claim 28, wherein the heat shield has a
higher reflectivity than the sealing surface.
36. A sealing curtain adapted to seal against a vehicle parked
against the sealing curtain, comprising: a sealing surface for
engaging the parked vehicle; and a heat shield adjacent the sealing
surface, wherein the heat shield and the sealing surface are
pliable and wherein the heat shield has a higher heat reflectivity
than the sealing surface to reflect heat from the parked
vehicle.
37. The sealing curtain of claim 36, further comprising an inner
surface, wherein the heat shield is interposed between the inner
surface and the sealing surface and wherein the heat shield has a
higher reflectivity than the inner surface.
38. The sealing curtain of claim 37, wherein the heat shield has a
higher thermal conductivity than the inner surface.
39. The sealing curtain of claim 37, wherein the heat shield can
withstand a higher temperature than the inner surface.
40. The sealing curtain of claim 36, wherein the heat shield can
withstand a higher temperature than the sealing surface.
41. The sealing curtain of claim 36, wherein the sealing curtain is
a head curtain and has an elongated length running substantially
horizontal.
42. The sealing curtain of claim 36, wherein the sealing curtain is
a side curtain and has an elongated length running substantially
vertically.
43. The sealing curtain of claim 36, wherein the sealing surface
includes a plurality of raised elements that dissipated heat across
the sealing curtain.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The subject invention generally pertains to a loading dock
and more specifically to a dock seal disposed around a doorway of
the dock.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] When an exterior doorway of a building is used as a loading
dock for vehicles, especially trucks, the perimeter of the doorway
may include a loading dock shelter. The shelter may be formed of
rigid or compressible header and side panels. Head curtains and
side curtains, referred to collectively as sealing curtains, are
typically used over these panels to seal-off gaps that would
otherwise exist between the exterior face of the building and the
back end of the truck. Such sealing allows cargo from the rear of
the truck to be loaded and unloaded while the dockworkers and the
cargo are protected from the weather. The header panel runs
horizontally across the top of the doorway and the side panels run
vertically along each lateral edge of the doorway. Sealing is
provided by backing the truck up against the shelter, so that the
curtains sealingly engage the vehicle as it is backed-up.
[0005] Constant usage damages the external surfaces of dock
shelters and these sealing curtains. The curtains, for example, are
exposed to harsh weather conditions, made even harsher by
fluctuations in weather conditions. Additionally, the curtains are
ofttimes exposed to intense heat during normal operation due to the
taillights on trucks. This exposure occurs when taillights, located
along the upper rear edge of the truck, push against the sealing
curtain or dock shelter. The taillight problem is increasingly more
prevalent, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) has recently issued interpretative rules/communications
regarding Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108. FMVSS-108
requires a cluster of three identification lamps to be mounted as
close as practicable to the top of truck vehicles. These lights are
ideally placed at the extreme height of the vehicle and are used to
identify the vehicle to other motor vehicles.
[0006] The lights are often placed in the upper, back corners of
truck beds and can create intense heat concentrations that over
time will damage dock shelters and sealing curtains, in particular
sealing curtains. The lights may be turned off during loading and
unloading. But if the truck operator inadvertently leaves the
lights on, the outer surfaces of the dock shelter or sealing
curtain will absorb the heat generated by these taillights. The
excessively high temperatures that result will wear on the
structures, degrading their appearance. More importantly, the high
temperatures may crack the structures and, in some extreme cases,
may even cause the structures to burn or melt at the points of
contact.
[0007] It is, therefore, desirable to have sealing curtains that
can withstand intense heat and still offer other desirable features
such as resiliency, lightweight, appearance, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In order to provide a sealing curtain that can tolerate heat
generated by a vehicle's taillight, a sealing curtain comprising a
sealing surface for engaging the parked vehicle; and a heat shield
adjacent the sealing surface, wherein the heat shield and the
sealing surface are pliable and wherein the heat shield has a
higher thermal conductivity than the sealing surface to dissipate
heat from the parked vehicle across the sealing curtain.
[0009] In some embodiments, a heat shield is positioned adjacent a
sealing surface to protect the sealing curtain from heat
damage.
[0010] In some embodiments, a sealing curtain is provided with a
heat shield that has appreciable thermal conductivity to help
disperse heat.
[0011] In some embodiments, a sealing curtain is provided with a
heat shield that has appreciable reflectivity to reflect some heat
away from an inner surface of the sealing curtain or to reflect
some heat away from a material behind the sealing curtain.
[0012] In some embodiments, a sealing curtain is provided with a
heat shield that can withstand a higher temperature than a sealing
surface of the sealing curtain, whereby the heat shield helps
protect the sealing curtain from heat damage.
[0013] In some embodiments, a sealing curtain is provided with a
leading edge that is height adjustable.
[0014] In some embodiments, the sealing curtain includes an armor
pleat at its edges.
[0015] In some embodiments, the sealing curtain includes a head
curtain that runs substantially horizontally.
[0016] In some embodiments, the sealing curtain includes a side
curtain that runs substantially vertically.
[0017] In some embodiments, a sealing surface of a sealing curtain
includes raised elements that assist in heat dissipation across the
sealing curtain.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dock pad that includes a
heat shield.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of
FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2,
but of another embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example sealing curtain
that includes a heat shield.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sealing curtain of FIG.
4 showing additional detail.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example sealing curtain
having an adjustable height.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example structure having
a sealing curtain of an adjustable height with two side curtains of
separately adjustable height.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example side curtain
having a heat shield.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a front view of the structure of FIG. 8 showing
support struts in the side curtains.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] To create a weather seal between the rear of a truck 10 (or
some other vehicle) and the perimeter a loading dock doorway 12, a
dock pad 14 (or dock pad assembly) is installed, as shown in FIG.
1. In this example, dock pad 14 includes a side pad 16 mounted
along each lateral edge of doorway 12, and a top or head pad 18
installed along the doorway's upper edge. Pads 16 and 18 are
resiliently compressible, so as truck 10 backs up against them, the
pads compressively and sealingly conform to the contour of the
truck's rear edges.
[0028] To provide dock pad 14 with durability and resilient
compressibility, pad 14 includes a resiliently compressible foam
core 20 covered by a tough outer cover 22, as shown in FIG. 2. In
this example, core 20 consists of a polyurethane or foamed
polyester, such as, for example, an L24 open-cell polyurethane foam
provided by Leggett & Platt of Carthage, Mo. It should be
appreciated by those skilled in the art; however, that a wide
variety of other synthetic or natural foams may also work well. In
some embodiments, cover 22 is a 3022_MFRLPC_DC7 material provided
by the Seaman Corporation of Wooster, Ohio. Other examples of cover
materials would include, but are not limited to, HYPALON, canvas
duck, rubber-impregnated fabric, and coated nylon fabric.
[0029] In assembling pad 14, cover 22 wraps at least partially
around core 20, and the two are attached to a relatively rigid
backer 24, such a formed steel channel or a wood board. Backer 24,
in this example, provides a mounting surface 26 that facilitates
the installation of pad 14. A conventional fastener or anchor can
be used to attach backer 24 to a wall 28 of a loading dock 30. In
some embodiments, cover 22 attaches to the side edges of backer 24
by any one of a variety of fasteners including, but not limited to,
screws, VELCRO, rivets, hooks, and adhesive. Core 20 can be
frictionally held to cover 22, or the two can be joined in a more
positive manner. For example, cover 22 can be connected to core 20
with adhesive, straps, hooks, VELCRO, stitches, screws, etc.
[0030] To make pad 14 more resistant to heat, such as heat
generated by a taillight 32 pressing against certain points 34 on a
sealing surface 36 of pad 14, a heat shield 38 is attached to pad
14. In some embodiments, heat shield 38 is incorporated within a
Commercial Material RTCM01, which consists of two flexible sheets
or layers of perforated aluminum foil reinforced with a
polyethylene scrim or fabric, as provided by Radiant Technology, of
Dallas, Tex. The flexibility of shield 38 is preferably sufficient
to allow dock pad 14 to compressively conform to the contour of the
truck's rear edges and then decompress to the pad's original shape.
Heat shield 38 can be attached to pad 14 using adhesive, friction,
hooks, straps, stitches, and/or various other fasteners. Shield 38
can be attached to the exterior or interior of pad 14, however;
shield 38 is preferably installed between cover 22 and foam core 20
for structural, functional, and aesthetic reasons.
[0031] Placing shield 38 underneath cover 22, helps keep cover 22
exposed to the outside, thus taking advantage of the cover's
toughness, weather resistance and pliability. Moreover, shield 38
preferably has a higher reflectivity than core 20 and cover 22.
This can be beneficial in cases where the cover can withstand a
higher temperature than the core, wherein "withstand a higher
temperature" means a material can be raised to the higher
temperature and then substantially recover its original properties
after its temperature returns to normal. For example, if the foam
of core 20 has an auto ignition point (i.e., temperature at which
the material self-ignites without being triggered by a spark or a
flame) of 700 degrees Fahrenheit and cover 22 has an auto ignition
point of 900 degrees, then heat shield 38 with high reflectivity
could reflect heat away from the foam and redirect it into cover
22, which may be able to handle the heat better. In some
embodiments, both cover 22 and core 20 have a lower auto ignition
point than heat shield 38 (e.g., when shield 38 is one of the two
layers of aluminum foil contained within Commercial Material
RTCM01).
[0032] To reduce peak temperatures of core 20 and/or cover 22 when
heated by taillight 32, heat shield 38 is made of a material that
has a higher thermal conductivity than core 20 and/or cover 22. The
maximum temperature at areas of concentrated heat, such as points
34, is reduced by shield 38 being able to effectively disperse the
heat over a broader area. The term, "thermal conductivity" refers
to a material's ability to conduct heat of a given temperature
gradient along a given length and through a given cross-sectional
area of the material, thus thermal conductivity is a property of
the material itself, and is generally independent of the material's
shape. A typical unit of measure for thermal conductivity would be
(Btu)/(hr)(ft)(.degree. F.).
[0033] To provide even greater heat protection, another embodiment,
similar to that of FIG. 2, provides a dock pad 14' with two heat
shields 38', as shown in FIG. 3. It is believed that additional
heat protection is provided by the additional overall thickness of
the two shields and perhaps partially provided by virtue of an
additional slight air interface 40 that may exist between the two
shields 38'. Moreover, for a given total thickness, two individual
shields instead of one relatively thick one is more flexible, just
as a stack of individual cards is more flexible than a stack of
cards whose faces are glued together.
[0034] A strap 42 inserted through a slit 44 in foam core 20' helps
hold the two shields 38' in place. A loop 46 at each end of strap
44 engages holes 48 in shields 38'; however, strap 42 could attach
to shields 38' in a variety of other ways as well. Also, strap 42
could feed around the back of core 20' to eliminate the need for
slit 44; however, strap 42 extending through slit 44 helps keep
strap 42 and shields 38' from shifting along the length of a
pad.
[0035] To provide even greater heat protection, FIGS. 4 and 5 show
an embodiment with a sealing curtain 50 (a head curtain, in this
illustration) that has an integral heat shield. The sealing curtain
50 is installed around a loading dock doorway 52, partially
covering side pads 54. The sealing curtain 50 may be adapted for
retrofitting onto existing dock pads, extending over an existing
head pad and side panels. The sealing curtain 50 includes two armor
pleat sections 56 and 58 at the outer sides of the sealing curtain
50. The armor pleats 56 and 58 are formed of a series of
overlapping sections 60 and 62, respectively. The armor pleats 56
and 58 may be positioned to coincide with the edges of the sealing
curtain 50. The edges of the truck, where intense lights are
disposed, typically contact the sealing curtain 50 at the armor
pleats 56 and 58, which provide additional abrasion protection when
the truck is backed into and away from the doorway 52. Additional
pleats may be employed extending down the length of the side panels
54 to offer further protection. The overlapping sections 60 and 62
reduce abrasion wear not only because of extra layering, but also
because sections are movable relative to one another.
[0036] In addition to pleats, the side panels 54 may each include
heat shield layers, for example, if the side panels 54 are side
pads formed of compressible foam cores that are susceptible to heat
damage.
[0037] The sealing curtain 50 includes a middle section 64
extending between the armor pleats 56 and 58. The middle section 64
is formed of an outer, sealing surface 66 and an inner surface 68,
as shown in FIG. 5. Sandwiched between surfaces 66 and 68 is a heat
shield 70. The heat shield 70 may be any of the materials described
with respect to other examples described herein. The heat shield 70
preferably has a higher heat reflectivity than the sealing surface
66 and the inner surface 68. Therefore, the head shield 70 will not
only protect covered structures, like head panels or side panels,
it will also protect the sealing curtain 50 itself.
[0038] The material of the heat shield 70 may have a higher thermal
conductivity than the surfaces 66 and 68, as described above, as
well. As a higher thermal conductivity material, the heat shield 70
will disperse heat from the high-temperature points where a
taillight abuts the sealing curtain 50. Dispersing heat through a
high thermal conducting material will greatly decrease the
likelihood that the sealing curtain 50 will be damaged at these hot
spots. High thermal conductivity materials, like aluminum-based
materials, are preferred, due to their durability, resistance to
deformation over time, structural support, and flexibility. As with
heat shield 38, the heat shield 70 may be attached to the sealing
curtain 50 using adhesive, friction, hooks, straps, stitches,
and/or various fasteners. Also, the heat shield 70 may
alternatively be attached at the exterior of the surface 66 exposed
to an on-coming truck.
[0039] Further still, the heat shield 70 may comprise multiple
layers or sheets that individually or collectively provide heat
shielding. For example, the heat shield 70 may be a heat trapping
structure sandwiched between the surfaces 66 and 68. The heat
shield 70 preferably extends from armor pleat 56 to armor pleat 58,
so as to provide heat shielding against taillights that may contact
at any point on the sealing curtain 50. The heat shield 70 may also
extend under the armor pleats 56 and 58 to add further protection
at these locations. A heat shield may also be integrated into each
of the overlapping sections 60 and 62, if so desired, such that
each pleat has a separate heat shield layer.
[0040] To further shield the sealing curtain 50 from heat damage,
the sealing surface 66 may be embossed with a pattern of raised
elements 72. The raised elements 72 may be patterned with
sufficient spacing between adjacent elements to further dissipate
the heat from a taillight over a number of contacts points. A
checkerboard pattern is preferred, though various patterns and
various raised elements may be used.
[0041] FIG. 6 shows an example sealing curtain 50', which is
similar to that of sealing curtain 50 and which is height
adjustable so that it may overhang a desired amount from the top
edge of the loading dock doorway 52. The sealing curtain 50'
overhangs upper portions of the side panels 54', as well. To adjust
the sealing curtain 50', a rod 74 is placed at a leading edge 76 of
the curtain 50'. The rod 74 may be attached to the leading edge 76
by overlapping a portion of the sealing curtain 50' onto itself
forming a slot for receiving the rod 74. The rod 74 provides
rigidity and preferably extra weight to allow the sealing curtain
50' to be pulled by a series of ropes 78, 80, 82. The ropes 78, 80,
and 82 may be part of a single rope or part of a rope pulling
mechanism and either way are used to raise and payout the leading
edge 76. The rod 70 may be weighted to bias the sealing curtain 50'
to fall upon release of tension in the ropes 78, 80, 82. A
counter-balancing weight may be used to bias the sealing curtain
50' to a certain height above the floor of the doorway 52. In the
illustrated example, the ropes 78, 80, and 82 are connected through
loops attached to a frame 84 that extends from the doorway 52. The
frame 84 includes parallel slats 86 and parallel slats 88 and 90.
The frame 84 may be part of a dock shelter, for example a head
panel of the same.
[0042] Other pulling mechanisms known to persons of ordinary skill
in the art may also be used for moving the sealing curtain 50'. For
example, it may be useful to use a chain in lieu of ropes, and it
may be desirable to use either a manual pull mechanism or an
automatic one.
[0043] Adjusting the position of the leading edge 76 allows the
sealing curtain 50' to provide heat shielding for vehicles of
various heights. Thus, the sealing curtain 50' provides an
adjustable-height heat shield for a loading dock. Preferably, the
heat shield is formed of a material that is flexible enough to pay
out from a raised position and structurally rigid enough to
maintain its shape and properties in a lowered position.
[0044] Numerous alternatives to the examples shown may be used, for
example, sectioning the sealing curtain 50' so that a middle
portion 64' or an armor pleat portion 56' (not shown) 58' are
separately height adjustable. FIG. 7 shows an example heat
shielding structure 100 formed of a sealing curtain 101 having a
head curtain 102, a first side curtain 104, and a second side
curtain 106, each individually height adjustable. The head curtain
102 is adjustable over a central portion of a doorway 108 and, in
the illustrated example, extends below a header panel 110 that
extends horizontally across the top of the doorway 108 adjacent two
vertically extending side panels 112, 114. The head panel 110 and
side panes 112, 114 may be rigid or compressible structures. The
side curtain 104 extends over the side panel 112, and the side
curtain 106 extends over the side panel 114. In the illustrated
position, the side curtains 104 and 106 have been extend below the
height of the sealing curtain 102. Also, in the illustrated
example, the curtains 102, 104 and 106 each have heat shields like
the heat shield 70 described above. A heat shield 116, for curtain
104, is shown sandwiched between a sealing surface 118 and an inner
surface 120. The heat shield 116 preferably has a higher heat
reflectivity than the sealing surface 118 and the inner surface
120. The heat shield 116 may also have a higher thermal
conductivity than the surfaces 118 and 120, as well. Further still,
the heat shield 116 may comprise multiple layers or sheets that
individually or collectively provide heat shielding. The head
curtain 102 has a heat shield (not shown) like the heat shield 70
of FIG. 5. Any of the curtains 102, 104, and 106 may have amour
pleats or embossed raised portions, as described above with respect
to FIG. 5.
[0045] FIGS. 8 and 9 show an example of another application of a
heat shield. A vehicle shelter 200 includes a head panel 202 and
two side panels 204 attached to an exterior wall face defining a
doorway 206. Two side pads 208 are attached to side panels 204 for
example using a conventional hook and loop attachment device 210
commonly referred to as Velcro fasteners. The loop portion of
attachment device 210 may be attached to one of the side curtains
208 or the side panel 204 and the latch portion attached to the
other of the side curtains 208 or the side panel 204, wherein the
latch and loop portions may latchably engage each other and attach
the side curtain 208 to the side panel 204. The side curtain 208
and the side panel 204 may be selectively released by pulling the
hook and loop portions apart.
[0046] The size, number and location of the attachment devices 210
may be adjusted to provide the proper support for the side curtain
204. It will be appreciated that the side curtain 208 may be
releasably connected to the side panel 204 using snap fasteners,
zippers or other methods known to those skilled in the art. If
desired the side curtain 208 may also be fixedly attached to the
side panel 204 using stitching or other methods known to those
skilled in the art which would permanently affix the side curtain
208 to the side panel 204.
[0047] The side curtains 208 have heat shields 212 similar to heat
shields 70 described above. The heat shield 212 is sandwiched
between a sealing surface 214 and an inner surface 216 and may be
formed of the materials previously described. In particular, the
heat shield 212 preferably has a higher heat reflectivity than the
sealing surface 214 and the inner surface 216. The material of the
heat shield 212 may have a higher thermal conductivity than the
surfaces 214 and 216, as well. Further still, the heat shield 212
may comprise multiple layers or sheets that individually or
collectively provide heat shielding. The side curtains 208 may
include amour pleats, with or without heat shields, as well.
[0048] FIG. 9 shows the side curtains 208 with a plurality of
substantially resilient stays 218 (shown in phantom) that provide
additional rigidity, lateral support and shape to the side curtain
208 and which may be embedded in the side curtain 208 or slidably
inserted into pockets provided in the side curtains 208. The stays
218 will resiliently bias the side curtain 208 towards a
substantially straight position.
[0049] Although the invention is described with reference to a
these examples, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that various modifications are well within the scope of the
invention. For example, other sealing curtains employing a heat
shield may be used. The sealing curtains, both sealing curtains and
side curtains may be attached to dock shelters, compressible dock
pads, and the like, in ways other than those depicted. Moreover,
the curtains may be used alone. The scope of the invention is to be
determined by reference to the claims that follow.
* * * * *