Puncture resistant seals for loading docks

Puncture resistant seals for loading docks are disclosed. An example weather barrier disclosed herein includes a canopy having a back end and a front end, where the back end is mountable to a wall above a doorway and the front end is to protrude forward from the wall when the canopy is mounted to the wall. A front bar is at the front end of the canopy and the front bar is horizontally elongate. A back curtain hangs from the front bar. The back curtain has an upper curtain edge attached to the front bar. The back curtain has a lower curtain edge that is at a lower elevation than an elevation of the upper doorway edge when the canopy is mounted to the wall. The back curtain has a curtain width. A front panel hangs in front of the back curtain. The front panel is less flexible than the back curtain. The front panel has a panel width that is approximately 50 to 80 percent of the curtain width. A space is interposed between and defined by the front panel and the back curtain.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to weather barriers such as dock seals and/or dock shelters for vehicle loading docks and, more specifically, to puncture resistant seals for loading docks.

BACKGROUND

Dock weather barriers (weather barrier apparatus), such as dock seals and dock shelters, restrict or prevent the ingress of outdoor environmental conditions or contaminants (e.g., rain, snow, wind, hot/cold temperatures, insects, animals, etc.) into the interior of a building and cargo area of a vehicle during the loading or unloading of the vehicle. Dock shelters and seals can also prevent the egress of conditioned air from within a building and/or a vehicle cargo area to the outdoor environment. Examples of dock seals and/or shelters with various header structures and side structures are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,205,721; 6,233,885; 7,185,463 and 8,307,588.

Some known dock seals use side members having a compressible foam core or body surrounded by a coated fabric or vinyl outer layer. The foam core provides sufficient structural rigidity to enable the side members to be extended a short distance from the building wall surrounding the loading dock. The coated fabric outer layer protects the foam core from outdoor environmental conditions (e.g., moisture), provides wear resistance to repeated impacts from the rear portions of vehicles, and may provide desirable aesthetic qualities. Additionally, a header structure may span between and/or above the side members and is installed along a top portion of the loading dock opening. The header structure may be a compressible member similar in construction to the side members and, in some cases, may include a weighted fabric curtain that hangs downwardly to contact the top of a truck trailer to form an environmental barrier along the top of the trailer.

Another type of dock seal uses inflatable side members and a header structure having internal compressible resilient pads, which provide some degree of side member compressibility when the side members are in a deflated condition. In either case, when the rear portion of a vehicle (e.g., a truck trailer) is backed into either a foam or an inflatable dock seal side and header members, the side and header members compress toward the building wall to form a seal along the lateral and top back edges of the vehicle. If present, the head curtain sweeps along a top of a trailer to form a seal at the top of the trailer between the side members. Dock seals typically consume a relatively small amount of wall space and can provide a relatively high quality seal between the rear edges of a vehicle and the outside building wall surrounding the dock. However, when the dock seal side members are compressed, they may be displaced into or otherwise encroach on the opening to the rear of the docked vehicle. As a result, the compressed side member may interfere with operation of a fork lift and/or an operator during loading and unloading activities. In addition, inflatable dock seals are susceptible to power losses and tears that compromise the ability of the side members to inflate to provide an acceptable seal.

In contrast to dock seals, some known dock shelters use side members that are mounted to the outside building wall surrounding the loading dock. The side members are spaced well to the outside of the sides of a docked vehicle. The side members are configured to extend (i.e., to be cantilevered) an appreciable distance from the outside building wall, particularly in cases where a dock leveler protrudes from the dock opening. The side members may also support flexible seal members or side curtains extending inwardly from the side members across at least a portion of the opening defined by the side members. When a vehicle such as, for example, a truck trailer, is backed into the opening of the dock shelter, the inwardly facing edges of the seal members or side curtains resiliently deflect and sweep against the lateral sides of the trailer to form an environmental barrier therebetween. As with dock seals, dock shelters also typically include a header structure, which may include a head curtain, to form an environmental barrier along the top edge of the rear of the vehicle.

In contrast to dock seals, dock shelters typically provide unobstructed access to a vehicle cargo area opening (i.e., there are no foam pads or the like to be compressed and displaced into the opening). However, most known dock shelter side members are constructed using rigid wood, fiberglass or metal frames capable of supporting the significant weight of the seal members or side curtains, which are usually held at an appreciable distance (e.g., several feet) from the building wall. Such side members may be permanently deformed if they are impacted by a vehicle. Accordingly, bumpers or stops may be mounted to the lower edge of the dock shelter to prevent a vehicle (e.g., a truck trailer) from impacting and damaging the rigid shelter.

More recently, dock shelters having impactable side members have been developed. The impactable side members are similar to those used with dock seals and typically use a foam core or body surrounded by a coated fabric outer layer. Seal members or side curtains, which may be constructed using a fabric and flexible fiberglass stays combination or a foam core and fabric combination, are typically mounted to the side members to extend at least partially across the shelter opening. When a vehicle is backed into the shelter, the inwardly facing edges of the seal members or side curtains deflect and sweep against the sides of the vehicle to form an environmental barrier or seal against the sides of the vehicle. In the event the off-center position of a vehicle results in the rear of the vehicle impacting a side member, the foam core or body of the side member is resiliently compressed. When the vehicle is pulled away from an impacted side member, the foam core of the side member causes the side member to substantially recover to its original condition or shape.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts. As used in this description, stating that any part (e.g., a layer) is in any way positioned on (e.g., positioned on, located on, disposed on, or formed on, etc.) another part, means that the referenced part is either in contact with the other part, or that the referenced part is above the other part with one or more intermediate part(s) located there between. Stating that any part is in direct contact with another part means that there is no intermediate part between the two parts. As used herein, substantially and approximately mean within about 10% (e.g., 10 degrees) different than the number at issue. In some examples, vertical, perpendicular, substantially vertical or substantially perpendicular include 90 degrees plus or minus 10%. For example, approximately 90 degrees means 90 degrees plus or minus 10% (e.g., between about 81 degrees and 99 degrees). In some examples, horizontal, parallel, substantially horizontal or substantially parallel means 0 degrees plus or minus 10 degrees.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example weather barriers for sealing a vehicle parked at a loading dock are disclosed herein. An example weather barrier includes features to prevent or restrict protruding upper rear corners of a vehicle from puncturing a front panel and/or a back curtain of the example weather barrier disclosed herein. In some examples, a width (e.g., a crosswise width or horizontal distance) of the vehicle may be greater than a width (e.g., a crosswise width or horizontal distance) of the front panel but less than a width (e.g., a crosswise width or horizontal distance) of the back curtain. In some examples, the front panel may be spaced about three inches in front of the back curtain to provide an area of clearance into which the protruding upper rear corners of the vehicle can enter or be positioned without engaging the front panel and/or the back curtain (e.g., at least not until the vehicle is nearly and/or at a final parked position). Prior to reaching the final parked position, an upper rear edge (between the protruding corners) of the vehicle can engage the front panel to safely push both the front panel and/or the back curtain back and position the front panel and/or the back curtain on a top or upper surface of the vehicle (e.g., a roof of the vehicle).

FIGS. 1-16show various examples of a weather barrier10(e.g., weather barriers10a-f) for sealing against a roof12of a vehicle14(e.g., truck, trailer, etc.) parked or positioned at a loading dock16. In some examples, a dock16includes a driveway18leading to a doorway20in an exterior wall22of a building24. The wall22defines the doorway20along an upper doorway edge20aand two lateral doorway edges20b. An interior platform26of the building24facilitates transferring cargo between an elevated bed of the vehicle14and the interior of the building24. To further facilitate the transfer of cargo, some examples of the dock16also include a conventional dock leveler, a vehicle restraint, bumpers and/or other known dock-related equipment. In some examples, a pair of side members28are mounted to the wall22along lateral edges20bof doorway20to help seal against the rear side (e.g., vertical) edges of the vehicle14. The side members28are schematically illustrated to represent all types of known side members including, but not limited to, those described in the Background section of this patent.

Weather barriers10a-fof the illustrated examples are designed to avoid damage from an impact of the vehicle14such as, for example, from relatively sharp corner edges30protruding from upper rear corners of the vehicle14as the vehicle14engages and moves the weather barrier10from a pendant configuration (e.g.,FIG. 5) to a deflected configuration (e.g.,FIG. 8). In some examples, the protruding corner edges30of the vehicle14extend beyond the upper rear edge32of the vehicle14and can cut or damage conventional header curtains. The example weather barrier10(e.g., the weather barriers10a-f) restrict or prevent the vehicle14(e.g., the protruding corner edges30) from damaging or cutting the weather barrier10.

In this illustrated example, weather barrier10aincludes a canopy34having a back end36attached to the wall22, a front bar38at a front end40of the canopy34, a relatively flexible back curtain42hanging from the front bar38of the canopy34, and a protective front panel44hanging in front of the back curtain42. In some examples, the front panel44is less flexible and/or more rigid than the back curtain42. Examples of the front panel44include, but are not limited to, the front panels44a,44b,44c,44d,44eand44f. The front bar38is schematically illustrated to represent any structural member having sufficient strength and rigidity to at least support the weight of the back curtain42. The back curtain42can be made of any sheet material sufficiently flexible to conform to the vehicle12(e.g., the roof12of the vehicle12). In the illustrated example, the back curtain42has an upper curtain edge46attached to the front bar38of the canopy34. Some examples of the back curtain42includes a pliable 22-ounce vinyl, which has a nominal weight of about 22 ounces per square yard and has a nominal material thickness of about 25 to 28 mils. The term, “pliable” refers to a sheet of material that when folded over onto itself can be subsequently unfolded and flattened without appreciable permanent damage to the sheet of material (e.g., elastically deformable, bendable, etc.).

To enhance sealing engagement against the vehicle14(e.g., the roof12of the vehicle14), some examples of the weather barrier10include a weighted seal48extending horizontally along a lower curtain edge50of the back curtain42. The weighted seal48of the illustrated example is situated or positioned below the back curtain42and is carried or supported by the back curtain42. In some examples, the seal48is heavier than the sheet material portion of the back curtain42. Some examples of the weighted seal48includes an (e.g., a horizontally) elongate metal bar52(e.g., a solid bar, a solid rod, a pipe, a rectangular tube, etc.) encased within a foam sleeve54. The metal bar52adds appreciable weight to the seal48, and the foam sleeve54provides the seal48with sufficient compliance to conform to surface irregularities in the vehicle14(e.g., the roof12). In addition or alternatively, to enhance sealing, other examples of the seal48have a plurality of flexible lips56(e.g., seal82inFIG. 11), have a shape of a hollow bulb (e.g., seal82inFIG. 11), and/or are made primarily of resiliently compressible foam.

To protect the back curtain42from cuts, wear and/or other damage otherwise caused by the vehicle14backing directly into and engaging the back curtain42, the front panel44is positioned to hang in front of the back curtain42such that the front panel44is positioned between the vehicle14and the back curtain42. The front panel44is made of a material that is stiffer (e.g., more firm) and/or more durable than the back curtain42. Example materials of the front panel44include, but are not limited to, polyethylene, ultra-high molecular-weight-polyethylene, high-modulus-polyethylene, high-performance-polyethylene, 44-once vinyl coated fabric, nylon fabric, polyester fabric, non-fabric plastic sheeting, and/or other tough plastic material(s). In some examples, the front panel44has a material thickness of about one-eighth of an inch. In some examples, as shown inFIG. 1, the front panel44aincludes a plurality of front panel segments58for greater flexibility. In other examples, as shown inFIGS. 2-8, the front panel44bis generally a single or unitary piece. As the vehicle14backs into the dock16, the front panel44takes or absorbs the impact from the vehicle's upper rear edge32as the vehicle14pushes both the front panel44and the back curtain42up and on top of the vehicle's roof12. To this end, some examples of the front panel44are flexible but not pliable.

To prevent the protruding corner edges30of the vehicle14from cutting into and/or damaging the front panel44, an overall panel width60(e.g., a horizontal distance between lateral side edges) of the front panel44, in some examples, is less than a minimum anticipated width62of the vehicle14. Thus, in some examples, the panel width60is approximately 50 to 80 percent of an overall curtain width64(e.g., a horizontal distance between lateral side edges) of the back curtain42. With this arrangement, a central portion of the vehicle's upper rear edge32, rather than the corners30, is what pushes or engages the front panel44back and up as the vehicle14backs into dock16. Although the corners30may have some contact with the weather barrier10, the corners' contact forces against the weather barrier10are reduced (e.g., minimized).

In some examples, the panel width60and the curtain width64are sized to accommodate a common vehicle width62of approximately 102 inches. In such examples, the panel width60is less than approximately 100 inches, and the curtain width64is greater than approximately 100 inches. To accommodate some lateral misalignment of the vehicle14at the dock16, some examples of the weather barrier10have a panel width60of about 86 to 88 inches and a curtain width64of about 116 inches.

In addition or alternatively, in some examples, a space66(FIG. 5) exists between the front panel44and the back curtain42to prevent the vehicle's protruding corner edges30from puncturing the back curtain42. As the vehicle14backs into the dock16, as shown inFIG. 7, the space66creates a clearance between the corner edges30and the back curtain42. The space66is appreciably greater than the thickness of the front panel44. In some examples, the space66separates the front panel44from the back curtain42by a distance of about three to four inches, or at least two inches. To create the space66, some examples of the weather barrier10include an intermediate curtain68that holds a resiliently compressible foam pad70or70′ (e.g., polyurethane foam) between the front panel44and the back curtain42. The foam pads70and70′ are just some examples of a spacer used for creating the space66. Some examples of the foam pad70and70′ are tapered over their height (e.g., seeFIGS. 5 and 10) so that the front panel44and the back curtain42can be connected conveniently up against each other at either their upper and/or lower edges. In some examples, a touch-and-hold fastener72(e.g., VELCRO®, which is a registered trademark of Velcro Industries, of Manchester, N.H.) connects the front panel44, the intermediate curtain68and the back curtain42to each other along the canopy's front bar38.

To further protect the back curtain42from being damaged by the vehicle's protruding corners30, some examples of weather barrier10include a pair of lateral panels74hanging in front of the back curtain42. Some examples of the lateral panels74are made of the same tough material as the front panel44. In the illustrated example, the lateral panels74can move independently and relative to the front panel44and/or the back curtain42. Such independent movement allows the vehicle's protruding corners30to travel rearward past the front panel44and into the space66while still avoiding direct contact with the back curtain42.

FIGS. 5-8illustrate an example sequence of operation of the vehicle14backing into the example weather barrier10b.FIG. 5shows the front panel44b, the back curtain42, the lateral panels74, and the intermediate curtain68with foam pad70all hanging generally pendant as the vehicle14backs into the dock16.FIG. 6shows the central portion of the vehicle's upper edge32making initial contact with the front panel44b. The vehicle's protruding corners30move past the space66and push the lateral panels74back toward the back curtain42.FIG. 7shows further rearward movement of the vehicle14results in the vehicle's upper rear edge32pushing the front panel back44btoward the doorway20. This results in the front panel44bpushing the foam pad70back up against the back curtain42, thus both the front panel44band the back curtain42swing back while the space66and the lateral panels74prevent the vehicle's protruding corners30from cutting into the back curtain42. In response to even further rearward movement of the vehicle14(e.g., in a direction toward the doorway20), the front panel44b, the back curtain42and the weighted seal48ride up and over the vehicle14to ultimately rest sealingly upon the vehicle's roof12, as shown inFIG. 8. While approaching the position shown inFIG. 8, some contact may occur between the vehicle's protruding corners30and the back curtain42. However, at this point the contact forces are greatly diminished because most of the heavy lifting of the back curtain42has already happened.

In addition or alternatively,FIGS. 9 and 10show another example weather barrier10c. In this example, the front panel44cand an intermediate curtain76encapsulates the tapered foam pad70′. The front panel44c, the intermediate curtain76and the foam pad70′ respectively correspond both structurally and functionally to the front panel44b, the intermediate curtain68, and the foam pad70. In some examples, a conventional fastener80connects the intermediate curtain76to the front panel44c, and another fastener78(e.g., VELCRO) connects the intermediate curtain76to the back curtain42. The lower fastener80, in some examples, further connects the back curtain42to the front panel44c.

In another example, shown inFIGS. 11-14, a weather barrier10dincludes a front panel44d, the weighted seal82, a first lateral frame138, a second lateral frame140, and a pair of back curtains142supported by frames138and140. The front panel44dand the back curtain142are similar in material to the front panel44and the back curtain42, respectively. In some examples, the frames138and140include a plurality of resiliently flexible stays144that help hold each back curtain142in a certain shape or position. Example materials of the stays144include, but are not limited to, fiberglass and/or spring steel.

In the illustrated example, an upper edge146along the front panel44dconnects to the front bar38of the canopy34. The connection provides a pivotal connection that allows the front panel44dand the curtains142to pivot back in response to the vehicle14backing underneath and/or engaging the canopy34. As the vehicle14backs into the dock16, the front panel44dprovides an impactable surface against which the vehicle's upper rear edge32can push or engage. In the illustrated example, the stays144hold each curtain142in a semi-cylindrical shape, which creates two pockets. For example, a first concavity148and a second concavity150are created into which the vehicle's upper rear corners30can enter or positioned so as not to damage the front panel44gand/or the curtains142.

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14illustrate an example sequence of operation of the vehicle14backing into the weather barrier10d.FIG. 12shows the weather barrier10din a pendant configuration as the vehicle14backs into the dock16. In the pendant configuration, the open areas of concavities148and150face forward away from the wall22.FIG. 13shows the central portion of the vehicle's upper edge32making initial contact with the front panel44d. At this point in the docking operation, the vehicle's corners30protrude into the concavities148and150, thereby avoiding damage to the front panel44dand the back curtains142.FIG. 14shows further rearward movement of the vehicle14(e.g., toward the wall22) resulting in the vehicle's upper rear edge32pushing or engaging the front panel44dback and up to place or position the seal82on top of the vehicle's roof12. At this point, the weather barrier10dis in the deflected configuration. In the deflected configuration, the shape of the lateral frames138and140can become distorted, and the open areas of concavities148and150face in a more downward direction (e.g., toward the roof12of the vehicle14).

FIG. 15shows an example weather barrier10esimilar to the example weather barrier10a. However, a front panel44eof the weather barrier10eis wider (i.e., horizontally longer) than the front panel44aof the example weather barrier10a. In the illustrated example, the front panel44eand the back curtain42are approximately the same width (e.g., a panel width154and a curtain width64are about equal or the same). To help prevent the vehicle's corner edges30from puncturing or damaging the lateral areas74′ of the front panel44e, each foam pad70(spacer) is the same horizontal width as shown inFIGS. 1, 2, 15 and 16and is significantly less than the widths of the front panel44eand the back curtain42. In other words, in some examples, the foam pad70(spacer) has a spacer width152that is less than the panel width154and/or is less than the curtain width64.

The foam pad's width152(i.e., a horizontal length) is less than the front panel width154to create an air gap or space66(FIG. 5) between the back curtain42and the lateral areas74′ of the front panel44e. So, if the vehicle's corner edges30poke against or engage the front panel44e, the front panel's lateral areas74′ can readily deflect into the space66, thereby reducing (e.g., minimizing) the force that the vehicle's corner edges30apply against the front panel44e. Consequently, as vehicle14backs into the dock16, the vehicle's upper rear edge32exerts most of the force to lift the front panel44eand the back curtain42up and on top of the vehicle's roof12.

FIG. 16shows an example weather barrier10fsimilar to the example weather barrier10b. However, the front panel44fof the weather barrier10fis wider (i.e., horizontally longer) than the front panel44bof the weather barrier10b. In the illustrated example, the front panel44fand the back curtain42are approximately the same width (e.g., a panel width154and a curtain width64are about equal or the same). To help prevent the vehicle's corner edges30from puncturing or damaging the lateral areas74″ of front panel44f, each foam pad70(e.g., a spacer) is the same horizontal width as shown inFIGS. 1, 2, 15 and 16and is significantly less than the widths of the front panel44fand the back curtain42. In other words, in some examples, foam pad70(e.g., the spacer) has a spacer width152that is less than the panel width154and/or is less than the curtain width64.

The foam pad's width152(i.e., a horizontal length) is less than the front panel width154to create an air gap or space66(FIG. 5) between the back curtain42and the lateral areas74″ of the front panel44f. So, if the vehicle's corner edges30poke against or engage the front panel44f, the front panel's lateral areas74″ can readily deflect into the space66, thereby reducing (e.g., minimizing) the force that the vehicle's corner edges30apply against the front panel44f. Consequently, as the vehicle14backs into the dock16, the vehicle's upper rear edge32exerts most of the force to lift the front panel44fand the back curtain42up and on top of the vehicle's roof12.

At least some of the aforementioned examples include one or more features and/or benefits including, but not limited to, the following:

In some examples, a weather barrier for at least partially sealing or sheltering a vehicle parked at a loading dock of a building, where the building has a doorway in a wall, and the doorway has an upper doorway edge, includes a canopy having a back end and a front end. In some examples, the back end is mountable to the wall above the doorway. In some examples, the front end to protrude forward from the wall when the canopy is mounted to the wall. In some examples, a front bar at the front end of the canopy. In some examples, the front bar being horizontally elongate. In some examples, a back curtain hangs from the front bar. In some examples, the back curtain has an upper curtain edge attached to the front bar. In some examples, the back curtain has a lower curtain edge that is at a lower elevation than an elevation of the upper doorway edge when the canopy is mounted to the wall. In some examples, the back curtain has a curtain width. In some examples, a front panel hangs in front of the back curtain. In some examples, the front panel is less flexible than the back curtain. In some examples, the front panel has a panel width that is approximately 50 to 80 percent of the curtain width. In some examples, a space is interposed between and defined by the front panel and the back curtain.

In some examples, the panel width is less than 100 inches, and the curtain width is greater than 100 inches.

In some examples, the space provides a distance of at least two inches between the back curtain and the front panel.

In some examples, the front panel has a dimensional thickness that is greater than a dimensional thickness of the back curtain.

In some examples, the front panel and the back curtain are distinguishable from each other by way of material composition.

In some examples, a foam pad is disposed within the space between the front panel and the back curtain.

In some examples, a foam pad disposed within the space between the front panel and the back curtain, and the foam pad has thickness that varies over a vertical length of the foam pad.

In some examples, a pair of lateral panels hang in front of the back curtain. In some examples, the front panel is interposed laterally between the pair of lateral panels. In some examples, the back curtain is more flexible than the pair of lateral panels. In some examples, the front panel is independently movable relative to the pair of lateral panels, the back curtain being independently movable relative to the pair of lateral panels.

In some examples, a weighted seal extending horizontally along the lower curtain edge, the weighted seal being carried by the back curtain, the weighted seal being heavier than the back curtain.

In some examples, the back curtain is both flexible and pliable while the front panel is flexible but not pliable.

In some examples, a weather barrier for at least partially sealing or sheltering a vehicle parked at a loading dock of a building, where the building has a doorway in a wall, the doorway has an upper doorway edge, and the weather barrier is selectively configurable between a pendant configuration and a deflected configuration includes a canopy having a back end and a front end. In some examples, the back end is mountable to the wall above the doorway. In some examples, the front end protruding forward from the wall when the canopy is mounted to the wall. In some examples, a front bar at the front end of the canopy. In some examples, the front bar is horizontally elongate. In some examples, the weather barrier has a first lateral frame. In some examples, the weather barrier has a second lateral frame. In some examples, a front panel is laterally interposed between the first lateral frame and the second lateral frame. In some examples, the front panel hangs from the front bar. In some examples, the front panel has an upper panel edge proximate the front bar. In some examples, the front panel has a lower panel edge that is below the upper panel edge when the weather barrier is in the pendant configuration. In some examples, the lower panel edge is closer to the wall when the weather barrier is in the deflected configuration than when the weather barrier is in the pendant configuration. In some examples, a first back curtain is attached to the first lateral frame. In some examples, the first back curtain defines a first concavity being open and facing forward away from the wall when the weather barrier is in the pendant configuration. In some examples, the first concavity faces more downward when the weather barrier is in the deflected configuration. In some examples, a second back curtain is attached to the second lateral frame. In some examples, the second back curtain defines a second concavity being open and facing forward away from the wall when the weather barrier is in the pendant configuration. In some examples, the second concavity faces more downward when the weather barrier is in the deflected configuration.

In some examples, the front panel and the back curtain are distinguishable from each other by way of material composition.

In some examples, the back curtain is both flexible and pliable while the front panel is flexible but not pliable.

In some examples, the front panel has a panel width that is less than 100 inches.

In some examples, the first lateral frame and the second lateral frame include a fiberglass material.

In some examples, a weighted seal hangs below the front panel when the weather barrier is in the pendant configuration.

In some examples, a weather barrier for at least partially sealing or sheltering a vehicle parked at a loading dock of a building, where the building has a doorway in a wall, and the doorway has an upper doorway edge, includes a canopy having a back end and a front end. In some examples, the back end is mountable to the wall above the doorway. In some examples, the front end protruding forward from the wall when the canopy is mounted to the wall. In some examples, a front bar at the front end of the canopy, the front bar being elongate in a lateral direction. In some examples, a back curtain hanging from the front bar. In some examples, the back curtain has an upper curtain edge attached to the front bar. In some examples, the back curtain has a lower curtain edge that is at a lower elevation than that of the upper doorway edge when the canopy is mounted to the wall. In some examples, the back curtain has a curtain width extending in the lateral direction. In some examples, a front panel hangs in front of the back curtain. In some examples, the front panel is less flexible than the back curtain, the front panel having a panel width extending in the lateral direction. In some examples, a spacer is disposed in front of the back curtain and behind the front panel to create a space that is interposed between and defined by the front panel and back curtain. In some examples, the spacer has a spacer width extending in the lateral direction. In some examples, the spacer width is less than the panel width. In some examples, the spacer width is less than the curtain width.

In some examples, the spacer width is less than 100 inches, and the panel width is greater than 100 inches.

In some examples, the spacer provides a distance of at least two inches between the back curtain and the front panel.

In some examples, the front panel is thicker than the back curtain.

In some examples, the front panel and the back curtain are distinguishable from each other by way of material composition.

In some examples, the spacer includes a foam pad.

In some examples, the spacer has thickness that varies over a vertical length of the spacer.

In some examples, the back curtain is both flexible and pliable while the front panel is flexible but not pliable.

Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of the coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.