Patent Application
20140333017
1. Field of Invention
The invention relates generally to the field of devices relating to loading docks and more specifically to devices for protecting loading docks from damage as trailers are backed into the dock.
2. Description of Related Art
Docking a tractor-trailer is a difficult experience. If too far from the dock, a gap exists between the trailer floor and the dock, which can hang-up a fork lift or cause a person to trip, either of which causes property damage and injury, and even small gaps can cause eventual knee and back pain. If too close to the dock, the trailer strikes the dock causing shock damage. In addition, the trailer landing gear must be are set so the trailer has a slight down tilt away from the dock to prevent upending. When the front end of the trailer drops, the door end raises slightly up and back, and often with enough force to damage anything between the trailer and the dock.
Rubber bumpers affixed to the dock reduce damage to the dock, but like the docks they protect, rubber bumpers tend to wear out.
Disclosed are a Rod Receiver (100) comprising a Rod Receiver Back Plate (105), with at least one Rod Receiver Side Plate (110) affixed to the Rod Receiver Back Plate (105), with at least one Rod Receptacle (115) within the Rod Receiver Side Plate (110), with a Receptacle Slot (125) having a height ‘dH’ within each of the at least one Rod Receptacle (115) and located along an Outer Edge (120) of the at least one Rod Receiver Side Plate (110), with a Rod Stop Slot (130) adjacently below the Receptacle Slot (125) and having a Wall (135) with a height ‘dS’ with a Rod Incline Rail (140) adjacent to the Rod Stop Slot (130) and having an incline angle (‘θ’) within each of the at least one Rod Receptacle (115), and a Rod Guide Rail (145) within each of the at least one Rod Receptacle (115) and having a shape approximating a curve between the Rod Incline Rail (140) and the Receptacle Slot (125).
Also disclosed is a Rod Holder (200) comprising a Rod Holder Back Plate (205), with at least one Rod Holder Side Plate (210) affixed to the Rod Holder Back Plate (205), at least one Rod (215) located adjacent to an Outer Edge (220) of the Rod Holder Side Plate (210) and affixed to the least one Rod Holder Side Plate (210) with each of the at least one Rod (215) having a diameter ‘dR’.
Also disclosed is apparatus for protecting a dock comprising a Rod Receiver (100) having a at least one Rod Receptacle (115) with each of the at least one Rod Receptacle (115) having a Receptacle Slot (125) having a height ‘dH’ with a Rod Stop Slot (130) adjacently below the Receptacle Slot (125) and having a Wall (135) with a height ‘dS’ between the Rod Stop Slot (130) and a Rod Incline Rail (140), and a Rod Holder (200) having at least one Rod (215) with the at least one Rod (215) having a diameter ‘dR’ which is less than the Receptacle Slot (125) height ‘dH’.
In some embodiments, the incline angle (‘θ’) of the Rod Incline Rail (140) is approximately 10 to 40 degrees above horizontal.
In some embodiments, the Rod Receiver (100) further comprising a Midline Rod Shelf (605).
In some embodiments, the Rod Receiver (100) comprises a material selected from the group consisting of steel, iron, wood and plastic.
In some embodiments, each of the at least one Rod (215) has a diameter of approximately one inch.
In some embodiments, the Rod Holder (200) further comprises a Midline Rod Holder
Stabilizer (820).
In some embodiments, the Rod Holder (200) further comprises a Rod Holder Bumper (225) which comprises a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, recycled rubber, wood, plastic, steel, iron, and a composite of rubber and plastic.
In some embodiments, the at least one Rod (715) is affixed to a Rod Holder Midline Plate (710).
In some embodiments, the Rod Holder Bumper (225) may be recycled rubber with a thickness of approximately one and half inches.
The DROP PRESSURE RELEASE is a multiple function apparatus for protecting a dock from damage and for showing a position of a tractor-trailer or truck relative and adjacent to a dock.
In one embodiment, the DROP PRESSURE RELEASE comprises two components. A Rod Receiver (100) is attached to a dock, while a Rod Holder (200) rests within the Rod Receiver (100).
When a tractor-trailer or large truck is imminently close to contact with the Rod Holder (200) portion of the DROP PRESSURE RELEASE, the tractor-trailer or large truck should stop. When the trailer is removed from the tractor and parked on jack stands, the trailer tilts slightly downward, which pushes the door end up and back into the DROP PRESSURE RELEASE. The Rod Holder (200) moves both towards the dock and upwards, thereby preventing damage to the dock, and giving a clear indication that the tractor-trailer or large truck is in contact with the DROP PRESSURE RELEASE.
Shown in
The Rod Receiver (100) is affixed to a dock at a proper location for mating with the Rod Holder (200), which is discussed below.
The Rod Receiver Back Plate (105) is the support structure for the Rod Receiver (100) in that the other components of the Rod Receiver (100) are affixed directly or indirectly to the Rod Receiver Back Plate (105). In most embodiments, the Rod Receiver Back Plate (105) is affixed to the dock, although the Rod Receiver Back Plate (105) could be the dock, i.e., the dock serves the function as the support structure for the Rod Receiver (100).
The Rod Receiver Back Plate (105) is the also support structure for the DROP PRESSURE RELEASE in that the Rod Receiver Back Plate (105) receives any forces transmitted from Rod Holder (200) when a trailer contact the Rod Holder (200).
In most embodiments, the Rod Receiver Back Plate (105) would be a strong grade of steel or other metal so as to provide its function with high reliability. The Rod Receiver Back Plate (105) could be lesser grades of steel, iron, less strong metals, or even wood or plastic, with the functional exchange being the amount of force to which the Rod Receiver (100) would be subjected against the reliability and life of the Rod Receiver Back Plate (105).
The Rod Receiver Side Plate (110) is affixed to the Rod Receiver Back Plate (105) and serves as the support structure for other components of the Rod Receiver (100). The Rod Receiver Side Plate (110) may be integrated into, or affixed, including being welded, to the Rod Receiver Back Plate (105). The at least one Rod Receptacle (115), the Outer Edge (120), the Receptacle Slot (125), the Rod Stop Slot (130), the Wall (135) of the Rod Stop Slot (130), the Rod Incline Rail (140) and the Rod Guide Rail (145), are either integrated into, or affixed to the Rod Receiver Side Plate (110).
In most embodiments, the Rod Receiver Side Plate (110) would be a strong grade of steel or other metal so as to provide its function with high reliability. The Rod Receiver Side Plate (110) could be lesser grades of steel, iron, less strong metals, or even wood or plastic, with the functional exchange being the amount of force to which the Rod Receiver Side Plate (110) would be subjected against the reliability and life of the Rod Receiver Back Plate (105).
The Rod Receiver Side Plate (110) may be integrally formed onto the Rod Receiver Back Plate (105) as part of the Rod Receiver (100). The Rod Receiver Side Plate (110) may be welded onto the Rod Receiver Back Plate (105) as part of the Rod Receiver (100). Other methods of attaching the Rod Receiver Side Plate (110) onto the Rod Receiver Back Plate (105) are possible.
On receiving the forces when the halves of the DROP PRESSURE RELEASE connect, the Rod Receiver Side Plate (110) partially absorbs the forces, and partially transmits the forces to the Rod Receiver Back Plate (105).
The at least one Rod Receptacle (115) receive and hold the at least one Rod of the Rod Holder (200) within the Rod Receiver (100). Each of the at least one Rod Receptacle (115) comprise multiple functional portions that together serve to guide the rods of the Rod Holder (200). Among these functional portions are the Receptacle Slot (125), the Rod Stop Slot (130), the Wall (135) of the Rod Stop Slot (130), the Rod Incline Rail (140), and the Rod Guide Rail (145).
In most embodiments, the at least one Rod Receptacle (115) would be a strong grade of steel or other metal so as to provide its function with high reliability. The at least one Rod Receptacle (115) could be lesser grades of steel, iron, less strong metals, or even wood or plastic, with the functional exchange being the amount of force to which the Rod Receiver (100) would be subjected against the reliability and life of the at least one Rod Receptacle (115).
The Receptacle Slot (125) is the entry point for the Rod Holder (200) of the DROP PRESSURE RELEASE to match together the Rod Receiver (100) with the Rod Holder (200). The Receptacle Slot (125) is sized with a dimension ‘dH’ which must be sized allow a Rod to pass through as to allow the Rod Receiver (100) to receive the Rod Holder (200). Typically the Receptacle Slot (125) is slightly larger than the rods of the Rod Holder (200) to allow spacing for minor assembly alignment variations and fluctuations that occur in the manufacture of rods. Since in some embodiments, ‘dR’ is approximately one inch, then ‘dH’ is approximately larger than one inch. In some embodiments, ‘dH’ is approximately 5 to 50 per cent larger than ‘dR’.
The Outer Edge (120) of the Rod Receiver (100) has multiple functions. One function is to serve as the demarcation between each of the least one Rod Receptacle (115). Another function is to keep the Rod Holder (200) from bottoming on the Rod Receiver (100) and damaging the dock. Like the other structures of the Rod Receiver (100), the Outer Edge (120) could be a strong grade of steel or other metal so as to provide its function with high reliability. The Outer Edge (120) could be lesser grades of steel, iron, less strong metals, or even wood or plastic, with the functional exchange being the amount of force to which the Rod Receiver (100) would be subjected against the reliability and life of the Outer Edge (120).
Within each of the at least one Rod Receptacle (115) is a Rod Stop Slot (130) which adjacently below the Receptacle Slot (125). The Rod Stop Slot (130) has a vertical rise as to block movement of a laterally-oriented rod within the at least one Rod Receptacle (115). In most embodiments, the Rod Stop Slot (130) would be a strong grade of steel or other metal so as to provide its function with high reliability. The Rod Stop Slot (130) could be lesser grades of steel, iron, less strong metals, or even wood or plastic, with the functional exchange being the amount of force to which the Rod Receiver (100) would be subjected against the reliability and life of the Rod Stop Slot (130).
Within each of the Rod Stop Slot (130) is a Wall (135) which serves to hold a Rod of the Rod Holder (200) in place when the DROP PRESSURE RELEASE is not in use. An important aspect of the Wall (135) of the Rod Stop Slot (130) is that the Wall (135) has a dimension ‘dS’ (see
Within each of the at least one Rod Receptacle (115) is a Rod Incline Rail (140), which is adjacent to the Rod Stop Slot (130). From the position of the Rod Stop Slot (130), the Rod Incline Rail (140) is pitched upward toward the Rod Receiver Back Plate (105). When a tractor-trailer or large truck contacts the DROP PRESSURE RELEASE and presses the DROP PRESSURE RELEASE towards the dock, the Rod Incline Rail (140) directs the Rod Holder (200) upward and toward the Rod Receiver Back Plate (105).
In some embodiments, the Rod Incline Rail (140) has an incline angle (‘θ’) of approximately 10 to 40 degrees above horizontal. In some embodiments, the Rod Incline Rail (140) has a length of approximately twice the diameter of the at least one Rod (215), discussed below.
Within each of the at least one Rod Receptacle (115) is a Rod Guide Rail (145). The Rod Guide Rail (145) is between the Rod Incline Rail (140) and the Receptacle Slot (125). The Rod Guide Rail (145) guides the at least one Rod (215) (
In addition, the design of the Rod Guide Rail (145) makes for easy assembly and disassembly, allowing installation and maintenance with a small dock-crew. In some embodiments, the Rod Guide Rail (145) has a shape approximating a curve. In some embodiments, the Rod Guide Rail (145) has a shape with corners. In some embodiments, the Rod Guide Rail (145) has a length approximately three times the diameter of the at least one Rod (215), discussed below.
Shown in
Unlike the Rod Receiver (100), which is affixed to a dock, the exemplary Rod Holder (200) is designed to rest freely on the Rod Receiver (100). In resting freely, the Rod Holder (200) is free to move when contacted by a tractor-trailer or truck.
The Rod Holder Back Plate (205) is the support structure for the Rod Receiver (100) in that the other components of the Rod Receiver (100) are affixed directly or indirectly to the Rod Holder Back Plate (205).
The Rod Holder Back Plate (205) is the also primary structure for the DROP PRESSURE RELEASE in that the Rod Holder Back Plate (205) receives the direct force of a tractor-trailer or truck that contacts the DROP PRESSURE RELEASE.
In most embodiments, the Rod Holder Back Plate (205) would be a strong grade of steel or other metal so as to provide its function with high reliability. The Rod Holder Back Plate (205) could be lesser grades of steel, iron, less strong metals, or even wood or plastic, with the functional exchange being the amount of force to which the DROP PRESSURE RELEASE would be subjected against the reliability and life of the Rod Holder Back Plate (205).
The at least one Rod Holder Side Plate (210) is affixed to the Rod Holder Back Plate (205) and serves as the support structure for other component of the Rod Holder (200).
In most embodiments, the at least one Rod Holder Side Plate (210) would be a strong grade of steel or other metal so as to provide its function with high reliability. The at least one Rod Holder Side Plate (210) could be lesser grades of steel, iron, less strong metals, or even wood or plastic, with the functional exchange being the amount of force to which the DROP PRESSURE RELEASE would be subjected against the reliability and life of the at least one Rod Holder Side Plate (210).
The at least one Rod Holder Side Plate (210) may be integrally formed onto the Rod Holder Back Plate (205) as part of the Rod Holder (200). The at least one Rod Holder Side Plate (210) may be welded onto the Rod Holder Back Plate (205) as part of the Rod Holder (200). Other methods of attaching the at least one Rod Holder Side Plate (210) onto the Rod Holder Back Plate (205) are possible.
Affixed to the at least one Rod Holder Side Plate (210) are at least one Rod (215).
The at least one Rod (215) may be integrally formed onto the at least one Rod Holder Side Plate (210) as part of the Rod Holder (200). The at least one Rod (215) may be welded onto the at least one Rod Holder Side Plate (210) as part of the Rod Holder (200). Other methods of attaching the at least one Rod (215) onto the at least one Rod Holder Side Plate (210) are possible.
In most embodiments, the at least one Rod (215) would be a strong grade of steel or other metal so as to provide its function with high reliability. The at least one Rod (215) could be lesser grades of steel, iron, less strong metals, or even wood or plastic, with the functional exchange being the amount of force to which the DROP PRESSURE RELEASE would be subjected against the reliability and life of the at least one Rod (215).
To assure that the Rod Holder (200) doesn't contact a dock during operation, the at least one Rod (215) is located adjacent to an Outer Edge (220) of the Rod Holder Side Plate (210) and affixed to the least one Rod Holder Side Plate (210) with each of the at least one Rod (215) having a diameter ‘dR’. In some embodiments, each of the at least one Rod (215) has a diameter of approximately one inch.
As stated above, DROP PRESSURE RELEASE should be easy to manage with a small dock crew. As shown by
The Rod Holder Bumper (225) is attached to the Rod Holder Back Plate (205) of the Rod Holder (200) but on a face away from the at least one Rod (215), so that the Rod Holder Bumper (225) is adjacent to any vehicle approaching the DROP PRESSURE RELEASE.
In this configuration, the Rod Holder Bumper (225) cushions the DROP PRESSURE RELEASE from a full impact from a trailer or other docking vehicle. The Rod Holder Bumper (225) may be made from any material, including rubber, wood, steel, iron, other natural materials, other natural elastic materials, recycled rubber, plastic, a composite of rubber and plastic, other artificial materials, or other artificial elastic materials.
The Rod Holder Bumper (225) may be any thickness, although the effectiveness of the Rod Holder Bumper (225) depends on both the material and the thickness. In some embodiments, the Rod Holder Bumper (225) may be recycled rubber with a thickness of approximately one and half inches.
The Rod Holder Bumper (225) may be attached to the Rod Holder Back Plate (205) by any method suitable of attaching a bumper. In some embodiments, one or more fasteners may be used to attach the Rod Holder Bumper (225) to the Rod Holder Back Plate (205). The one or more fasteners may be screws, bolts, clips, clamps, staples, rivets or other fasteners. In some embodiments, an adhesive may be used to attach the Rod Holder Bumper (225) to the Rod Holder Back Plate (205).
Also shown in
Also shown in
Dotted lines show hidden portions of the Rod Receiver (100), indicating that the sides of the at least one Rod Holder Side Plate (210) of the Rod Holder (200) are outside of the sides of the Rod Receiver Side Plate (110) of the Rod Receiver (100).
The significance of
Position ‘T2’ represents tractor-trailer or truck ‘T’ when parked into position for unloading. As shown in
Also representative of this movement is dimension indicator ‘dT’, which is the difference between positions ‘T1’ and ‘T2’. Just as the diameter ‘dR’ (
When these relationships are true, then the at least one Rod (215) of the Rod Holder (200) will rise out of the Rod Stop Slot (130), and the at least one Rod (215) travels along the Rod Incline Rails (140). As shown by
These descriptions and drawings are embodiments and teachings of the disclosure. All variations are within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be considered as limiting the claims to only the embodiments illustrated or discussed. Certain changes can be made in the subject matter without departing from the spirit and the scope of this disclosure. It is realized that changes are possible within the scope of this disclosure. It is intended that each structure or element recited in any of the claims is to be understood as referring to all equivalent structure or elements. The following claims are intended to cover the disclosure as broadly as possible in whatever form it may be used.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/001556 filed May 21, 2014 and titled “DROP PRESSURE RELEASE,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
