Abstract:
A sealing device for engaging the surface of a vehicle parked adjacent a structure and which is automatically actuated in response to the approach or departure of the vehicle. A seal member is supported by a pivoting frame which is mountable to the structure. The pivoting frame is moveable between an engaged position in which the seal is positioned to engage the vehicle surface and a released position in which the seal is spaced away from the vehicle surface. A pivoting actuating member is mountable to the structure and engages the frame. The actuating member is adapted to be responsive to movement of the vehicle, so that the frame having the attached seal member moves toward the engaged position as the vehicle approaches the structure. Accordingly, the seal member seals the interior of the cargo vehicle as well as the interior of the structure from the ingress of wind, water and other contaminants in order to maintain a safer work environment.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a sealing device for use on loading docks and which is suitable for automatically sealing the interface between a cargo vehicle and a building. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Bulk goods are typically transported in semi-trailers, delivery trucks, and other cargo vehicles. The goods are usually loaded and unloaded at warehouses or transfer terminals in which the rear end of the cargo vehicle is backed up to an opening in the terminal building such that the goods can be loaded and unloaded through the back door of the vehicle using conventional methods. During periods of foul weather, wind, rain, dirt and other contaminants can easily enter the small openings that surround around the interface between the cargo vehicle and the building. Besides making the work environment uncomfortable and unpleasant, the entering wind, water and dirt may represent a significant safety hazard. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a device for sealing the interface between the cargo vehicle and the terminal structure. While a variety of such structures exist, a way to effectively seal the top surface of a cargo vehicle consistently is lacking in many such structures. Variations in height of vehicles, and the tendency of the vehicle top surface to “float” up and down as the vehicle is loaded or unloaded (the added or removed weight causing the suspension to move the vehicle) complicates the sealing of this surface. Further, a stationary top seal capable of sealing for various heights could present an impediment to the vehicle as it approaches the dock, could extend into the doorway the doorway opening and impede the loading process, and would likely be subject to undue wear resulting from vehicle “float”. Accordingly, a top seal that stores out of the path of an approaching vehicle, and that engages the vehicle as it is parked would be desirable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The sealing device according to the present invention actuates automatically in response to a cargo vehicle approaching the loading dock or terminal, and thus no labor must be diverted from the task of loading or unloading cargo. Likewise, the sealing device automatically retracts when the vehicle leaves the loading dock, and consequently the sealing device is positioned out of the way to receive the next cargo vehicle. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a device for sealing the surface of a vehicle parked adjacent a structure includes a seal member, a frame supporting the seal member, and an actuating member. The frame is mountable to the structure and is moveable between an engaged position in which the seal is positioned to engage the vehicle surface and a released position in which the seal is spaced away from the vehicle surface. The actuating member is pivotally mountable to the structure and engages the frame, and is responsive to movement of a vehicle so that the frame is moved toward the engaged position as the vehicle approaches the structure. 
     The seal member may be rotationally mounted to the frame, and preferably includes a compressible structure such as a compressible foam pad. The frame preferably includes a pair of legs or struts, each having an inward end pivotally mounted to the structure and an outward end, with the seal extending between the outward ends. 
     Preferably, a pair of actuating members are provided, with each actuating member being mounted to a corresponding frame strut by a coupling assembly which is moveable along the frame struts. A portion of each strut defines a longitudinal track which is defined in part by a pair of flanges, and the coupling assembly includes a wheeled trolley which engages and moves along the track as the frame shifts between the engaged and retracted positions. The wheeled trolley is extensibly mounted to the actuating member by a spring, which is adjustably connected to the actuating member so that the spring force can be controlled. 
     The actuation member includes an upper end and a lower end, and may include a pivot mounted to the building intermediate the upper and lower ends. A return spring at the lower end connected to the structure biases the frame member toward the released position. Finally, a protective awning and a flexible skirt may be provided for covering the frame, the seal member, and the actuating member. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a device for sealing the surface of a vehicle includes a support structure, a frame pivotally mounted to the support structure, a seal mounted to the frame and positioned to span the vehicle surface, and an actuating member responsive to movement of the vehicle. The actuating member is pivotally mounted to the structure and engages the frame, and is adapted to shift the frame between an engaged position in which the seal abuts the vehicle surface and a released position in which the seal is spaced from the vehicle surface. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a device for sealing the surface of a vehicle parked in a loading dock attached to a building includes a seal member pivotally mounted to the building and shiftable between an engaged position in which the seal member is positioned to contact the vehicle surface and a released position in which the seal member is spaced away from the vehicle surface. Actuation means mountable to the building engages the seal member for shifting the seal between the engaged and released positions in response to movement of the vehicle. 
     According to a still further aspect of the invention, a device for sealing the surface of a vehicle parked in a loading dock structure includes a seal member pivotally mounted to the structure and shiftable between an engaged position, in which the seal member is positioned to contact the vehicle surface, and a released position, in which the seal member is spaced away from the vehicle surface. An actuator is mounted to the dock structure and engages the seal member. The actuator is adapted to shift the seal member between the engaged and released positions in response to movement of the vehicle. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, a device for sealing a surface of a vehicle parked in a loading dock structure includes a first frame pivotally attached to the dock structure and having an attached seal member positioned to lie generally adjacent to the surface of a vehicle parked adjacent the dock structure, and a second frame pivotally mounted to the dock structure and being shiftable between an extended position pivoted away from the dock structure and a retracted position pivoted toward the structure. The second frame includes an actuating portion operatively engaging a portion of the first frame. The actuating portion shifts the first frame between a released position, in which the seal is spaced away from the surface of the vehicle when the second frame is in the extended position, and an engaged position, in which the seal abuts the surface of the vehicle when the second frame is in the retracted position. 
     In accordance with an additional aspect of the invention, an apparatus for sealing a generally horizontal top surface of a vehicle parked adjacent to a structure comprises a seal member and a support member shiftably mounted to the structure and being operatively coupled to each other. The seal member is moveable between a first position spaced away from the vehicle top surface and a second position generally adjacent to and engaging a portion of the vehicle top surface. The support member is moveable between a first position and a second position in response to movement of a vehicle toward the structure. The support member supports the seal member when both are in their respective first positions, and also permits the seal member to move to the second position engaging the vehicle top surface as movement of the vehicle moves the support member to its second position. 
     According to a still further aspect of the invention, a device for sealing a surface of a vehicle parked adjacent to a structure comprises a seal member shiftably mounted to the structure, a support member shiftably mounted to the structure and engaging the seal member, and a return mechanism operatively engaging the seal member and the support member. The seal member is moveable between a retracted position, wherein the seal member is spaced away from the vehicle surface, and an engaged position, wherein the seal member is positioned to engage the vehicle surface. The support member is moveable from a first position, wherein the support member supports the seal member in the retracted position, toward a second position, wherein the support member permits movement of the seal member toward the engaged position. The support member is moveable between the first and second positions in response to movement of a vehicle toward the structure. The return mechanism is adapted to return the seal member toward the first position upon movement of a vehicle away from the structure. 
    
    
     These and other features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following description and claims. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle sealing device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and shown mounted for use adjacent a loading dock; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the vehicle sealing device shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 3A is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line  3 A— 3 A of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 4 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 3 but showing a truck moving toward the loading dock and coacting with one or more portions of the device; 
     Fig. 5 is an elevational view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 but showing the truck parked so that the sealing device engages the top surface of the truck; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a vehicle sealing device constructed in accordance with the teachings of a second embodiment of the present invention and shown mounted for use adjacent a loading dock; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the vehicle sealing device of FIG. 6 showing a truck approaching the loading dock and engaging a portion of the sealing device; 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the device shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 but showing the truck parked with the seal engaging the top surface of the truck; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a vehicle sealing device constructed in accordance with the teachings of a third embodiment of the present invention and shown mounted for use adjacent a loading dock; 
     FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the vehicle sealing device of FIG. 9 showing a truck approaching the loading dock and engaging a portion of the sealing device; 
     FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the device shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 but showing the truck parked with the seal engaging the top surface of the truck; 
     FIG. 12 is an elevational view of a vehicle sealing device constructed in accordance with the teachings of a fourth embodiment of the present invention and shown mounted for use adjacent a loading dock; 
     FIG. 12A is a fragmentary view in perspective of the device shown in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the vehicle sealing device of FIG. 12 showing a truck approaching the loading dock and engaging a portion of the sealing device; 
     FIG. 13A is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line  13 A— 13 A of FIG. 13; and 
     FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken about the circumscribed portion of FIG.  13  and detailing portions of the coupling. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following description of the preferred embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the precise forms disclosed, but instead is intended to be illustrative of the principles of the invention so that others may follow its teachings. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings, a sealing device assembled in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is generally referred to by the reference numeral  20  and is shown attached to a wall  22  of an edifice or building  24  having a loading dock  26  as shown in FIG.  1 . Preferably, an awning  28  and a flexible skirt  30  of the types commonly employed in the industry are provided. The skirt  30  includes an access opening  31 . It will be understood that the device  20  is provided in order to provide a seal between a vehicle  32 , such as the vehicle  32  shown in FIGS. 3,  4  and  5 , and the building  24 , such that rain, wind, dirt, dust, and/or other substances are effectively prevented from entering the building  24  via an opening  34  in the wall  22 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, the device  20  includes a seal member  36  having a pair of ends  38 ,  40 . The seal member  36  is preferably resilient, and may be constructed of a compressible open cell polyurethane foam, and is sized to span across a top surface  33  of the vehicle  32 . The seal member  36  is preferably cylindrical in shape, although other shapes may also be employed. The seal member  36  is mounted to a supporting frame  42  which in this embodiment includes a pair of members or struts  44 ,  46  and an interconnecting crossbar  48 . The strut  44  includes an inner end  50  mounted to the wall  22  of the building  24  by a pivot or hinge  52 . The strut  44  also includes an outer end  54 . The strut  46  includes an inner end  56  mounted to the wall  22  of the building  24  by a pivot or hinge  58 . Accordingly, the frame  42  and the seal member  36  attached thereto are moveable or shiftable relative to the building  24 . The strut  44  also includes an outer end  60 . The end  38  of the seal member  36  is mounted to the outer end  54  of the strut  44 , while the end  40  of the seal member  36  is mounted to the outer end  60  of the strut  46 . Preferably, the ends  38  and  40  of the seal member  36  are rotatably mounted to their adjacent strut ends  54 ,  56 , respectively. Still preferably, the seal member  36  may have an internal stiffening member, such as an internal crossbar (not shown). 
     A pair of actuating members  64 ,  66  are mounted to the wall  22  of the building  24  by a pair of pivots or hinges  68 ,  70 , respectively. The actuating members  64 ,  66  include an upper end  72 ,  74 , respectively. A cross member (not shown) may be provided between the actuating members  64 ,  66  such that the actuating members  64 ,  66  functions as a frame unit  67 . In this embodiment, each of the upper ends  72 ,  74  of the actuating member  64 ,  66 , respectively, is operatively coupled to its corresponding strut  44 ,  46  by an extensible coupling  76 . Further, the actuating members  64 ,  66  will support the frame  42  in the position of FIGS. 2 and 3, and will continue to support the frame  42  until the seal member  36  comes into contact with the surface  33  of the approaching vehicle  32  as will be outlined below. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the skirt  30  covers all or portions of the frame  42  and the seal member  36 , and the access opening  31  of the skirt  30  provides access to the opening  34  in the wall  22 . One of skill in the art would appreciate that foam may be included within the skirt  30  to allow it to compressively seal against the sideways of the vehicle. 
     It will be noted that the coupling  76  between the upper end  74  of the actuating member  66  to the strut  46  is obscured in FIG. 2 by the seal member  36 . However, it will be understood that the coupling  76  at the upper end  74  of the actuating member  66  is identical to the coupling  76  at the upper end  72  of the actuating member  64 . Accordingly, only one such coupling  76  will be described herein in detail. The operation of the coupling  76  atop each of the actuating members  64  and  66  is substantially identical and produces substantially identical relative movement between the actuating members  64 ,  66  and their associated struts  44 ,  46  as will be explained below. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 3A, the coupling  76  includes a roller or trolley assembly  78  which rides on a track  80  defined by a slot  82  in a bottom surface  84  of the strut  44 . The slot  82  is created by a pair of flanges  83 ,  85 . The trolley assembly  78  is connected to the upper end  86  of a spring  88 . The spring  88  includes a lower end  90  which is mounted within a cavity  92  defined by the actuating member  64 . 
     Preferably, the lower end  90  of the spring  88  is adjustably mounted to the actuating member  64 , such as by securing the lower end  90  of the spring  88  to a slot  94  defined in the actuating member  64  using a bolt  96 . By virtue of the trolley assembly  78  engaging the track  80  of the strut  44 , the coupling  76  (and hence the upper end  72  of the actuating member  64 ) is moveable along the strut  44  between the outer end  54  and the inner end  50  of the strut  44 . As shown in FIGS. 3,  4  and  5 , this relative movement produces a corresponding movement in the position of the frame  42  and the attached seal member  36 , between the raised, disengaged, or released position of FIG.  3  and the lowered or engaged position of FIG.  5 . As shown in FIG. 5, when the frame  42  is in the lowered or engaged position the seal member  36  contacts a surface (such as the top surface  33 ) of the vehicle  32 . 
     It will be understood that this relative movement may be produced in response to the movement of the vehicle  32  toward the building  24 . It will also be understood that the opposite relative movement will be produced by movement of the vehicle  32  away from the building  24 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the outer end  54  of the strut  44  preferably includes a stop  98 , such as an angled bracket. Preferably, a return spring  100  resiliently connects the trolley assembly  78  to the outer end  54  of the strut  44 . Accordingly, the trolley assembly  78  is biased toward the position of FIG.  3 . 
     In operation, the device at rest will be positioned substantially as shown in FIG.  1 . When the vehicle  32  approaches the building  24 , a rear portion of the vehicle  32  contacts the actuating members  64 ,  66 . For the purposes of explanation it will be assumed that the vehicle  32  contacts the actuating members  64  and  66  simultaneously, although such simultaneous contact is not necessary for the proper operation of the device  20  and in actual practice would undoubtedly be rare. 
     Upon contact, and with the vehicle  32  approaching the wall  22  of the building  24  in the direction shown in FIG. 3, the actuating members  64 ,  66  pivot about their respective hinges  68 ,  70  such that their respective upper ends  72 ,  74  are moved. As outlined above, each upper end  72 ,  74  moves relative to its corresponding strut  44 ,  46 . 
     For example, the upper end  72  of the actuating member  64  will move from the outer end  54  of the strut  44  toward the inner end  50 . Similarly, the upper end  74  of the actuating member  66  will move from the outer end  60  toward the inner end  56  of the strut  46 . By virtue of the hinges  52  and  58 , the entire frame  42  will pivot such that the seal member  36  begins to approach the surface  33  of the vehicle  32  as shown in FIG.  4 . Such movement continues until contact is made between the seal member  36  and the surface  33  of the vehicle  32 . 
     Further movement causes the spring  88  to bias the frame  42  downwardly about the hinges  52  and  58 , which thus compresses the seal member  36  against the surface  33 , enhancing the quality of the seal therebetween. In the process, by virtue of the springs  88 , each trolley assembly  78  is moved away from the corresponding upper ends  72 ,  74 , such that the struts  44 ,  46  no longer contact their corresponding actuating member  64 ,  66 , respectively. The movement of the actuating members  64 ,  66  out of the way thus permits the frame  42  to pivot downwardly until the seal member  36  makes abutting contact with the surface  33  of the vehicle  32 . The hinges  52  and  58  further permit the frame  42  to pivot upwardly or downwardly in response to vehicle “float” (i.e., movement of the surface  33  of the vehicle  32  upwardly as the vehicle  32  is unloaded or movement of the surface  33  downwardly as the vehicle  32  is loaded). Additionally, the spring  100  in each strut  44 ,  46  applies a biasing force on each of the trolley assemblies  78  (i.e., each trolley assembly  78  is biased toward the outer end  54 ,  60  of its corresponding strut  44 ,  46 , respectively). The biasing force supplied by the spring  100  thus further enhances the sealing contact between the seal member  36  and the surface  33  of the vehicle  32 . The spring  100  also serves to maintain a positive seal during vehicle “float.” 
     When the vehicle reaches the position of FIG. 5, the seal member  36  is in full contact with the surface  33  of the vehicle  32 . The awning  28  and the skirt  30 , in addition to the seal member  36 , thus provide for a full seal around the perimeter of the opening  34  in the wall  22 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6,  7  and  8 , a sealing device assembled in accordance with the teachings of a second embodiment of the present invention is shown and is generally referred to by the reference numeral  120 . It will be understood that elements that are the same or similar to the elements described with respect to the embodiment discussed above will retain the same reference characters, but will be increased by  100 . 
     The device  120  includes a resilient, compressible seal member  136  having a pair of ends  138 ,  140 . The seal member  136  is mounted to a supporting frame  142  which includes a pair of members or struts  144 ,  146  and an interconnecting crossbar  148 . The strut  144  includes an inner end  150  mounted to the wall  122  of the building  124  by a pivot or hinge  152 . The strut  144  also includes an outer end  154 . The strut  146  includes an inner end  156  mounted to the wall  122  of the building  124  by a pivot or hinge  158 . The strut  144  also includes an outer end  160 . The end  138  of the seal member  136  is mounted to the outer end  154  of the strut  144 , while the end  140  of the seal member  136  is mounted to the outer end  160  of the strut  146 . The struts  144 ,  146  may alternatively be mounted to mounting brackets  161  such as is shown in phantom in FIG.  6 . Preferably, the ends  138  and  140  of the seal member  136  are rotatably mounted to their adjacent strut ends  154 ,  156 , respectively. Still preferably, the seal member  136  may have an internal stiffening member, such as an internal crossbar (not shown). 
     A pair of actuating members  164 ,  166  are mounted to the wall  122  of the building  124 , each by intermediate pivots  168 ,  170 , respectively. The actuating members  164  and  166  function as a frame unit  167  with the addition of a stiffening cross member  171 . The actuating members  164 ,  166  include an upper end  172 ,  174 , respectively, and lower ends  173 ,  175 , respectively. Each lower end  173 ,  175 , is connected to the wall  122  of the building  124  by a spring  188 . It will be noted that the pivot  168  is between the ends  172  and  173 , while the pivot  170  is between the ends  174 ,  175 . Accordingly, the actuating members  164 ,  166  will be biased toward a first position as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Each of the upper ends  172 ,  174  of the actuating member  164 ,  166 , respectively, is operatively coupled to its corresponding strut  144 ,  146  by a wheeled coupling  176 . 
     It will be noted that the coupling  176  between the upper end  174  of the actuating member  166  and the strut  146  is identical to the coupling  176  at the upper end  172  of the actuating member  164 . The operation of the coupling member  176  atop each of the actuating members  164  and  166  is substantially identical and produces substantially identical relative movement between the actuating members  164 ,  166  and their associated struts  144 ,  146  as will be explained below. 
     Each coupling  176  includes a roller  178  which rides on a bottom surface  184  of the strut  144 , which bottom surface may be thought of as forming a track  180 . By virtue of the roller  178  engaging the track  180  of the strut  144 , the coupling  176  (and hence the upper end  172  of the actuating member  164 ) is moveable relative to the strut  144  along a slightly arcuate but generally linear path between a position disposed toward the outer end  154  and a position disposed toward the inner end  150  of the strut  144 . The upper end  174  of the actuating member  166  moves relative to its corresponding strut  146  in a similar manner. This relative movement produces a corresponding movement in the position of the frame  142  and the attached seal member  136 , between the first, raised, disengaged, or released position of FIG. 6 and 7, and a second, lowered or engaged position as shown in FIG.  8 . As shown in FIG. 8, when the frame  142  is in the lowered or engaged position the seal member  136  contacts a surface (such as the top surface  133 ) of the vehicle  132 . 
     Again, this relative movement may be produced in response to the movement of the vehicle  132  toward the building  124 . It will be understood that the biasing force supplied by the springs  188  will produce the opposite relative movement as the vehicle  132  moves away from the building  124 . Consequently, the frame unit  167  may be disposed in a supporting position in which the actuating members  164 ,  166  support their corresponding struts  144 ,  146  of the frame  142  such that the seal member  136  will be supported in the position of FIGS. 6 and 7. By virtue of the vehicle  32  approaching the building  124 , the members  164 ,  166  will be shifted toward the nonsupporting position of FIG. 8, such that the frame  142  and the attached seal member  136  will shift downwardly (i.e., by dropping under the force of gravity as each strut  144 ,  146  rotates about its hinge  152 ,  158 ) in order to bring the seal member  136  into contact with the surface  133  of the vehicle  132 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 9,  10  and  11 , a sealing device assembled in accordance with the teachings of a third embodiment of the present invention is shown and is generally referred to by the reference numeral  220 . It will be understood that elements that are the same or similar to the elements described with respect to the first embodiment discussed above will retain the same reference characters, but will be increased by  200 . 
     The device  220  includes a resilient, compressible seal member  236  having a pair of ends  238 ,  240 . The seal member  236  is mounted to a supporting frame  242  which includes a pair of members or struts  244 ,  246  and one or more interconnecting crossbars (not shown) as needed to add stiffness to the frame  242  as would be well known to those of skill in the art. Further, the seal member  236  may include an internal stiffening member (not shown) as needed. The strut  244  includes an inner end  250  mounted to a bracket  251  a pivot  252 . The bracket  251  is mounted to the wall  222  of the building  224 . The strut  244  also includes an outer end  254 . As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the strut  246  includes an inner end  256  mounted to a bracket  257  by a hinge  258 , with the bracket  257  being mounted to the wall  222  of the building  224 . The strut  244  also includes an outer end  260 . The end  238  of the seal member  236  is mounted to the outer end  254  of the strut  244  (FIG.  9 ), while the end  240  of the seal member  236  is mounted to the outer end  260  of the strut  246  (FIGS.  10  and  11 ). Preferably, the ends  238  and  240  of the seal member  236  are rotatably mounted to their adjacent strut ends  254 ,  256 , respectively, in a manner that would be well known to those of skill in the art. 
     A pair of actuating members  264 ,  266  are mounted to the wall  222  of the building  224 , each by pivots  268 ,  270 , respectively. The actuating members  264 ,  266  include an upper end  272 ,  274 , respectively, and lower ends  273 ,  275 , respectively. The actuating members  264  and  266  function as a frame unit  269  with the addition of a stiffening cross member  271  shown in FIG. 9. A seal member  265  is mounted to the actuating member  264 , while a seal member  267  is mounted to the actuating member  266 . Each of the upper ends  272 ,  274  of the actuating member  264 ,  266 , respectively, is positioned to operatively engage the frame  242  by engaging a bottom surface  284  of each of the struts  244 ,  246  as will be explained below. Each strut  244 ,  246  preferably includes a stop member  275 . 
     As shown in FIG. 10, when the device  220  is not in use, the actuating members  264 ,  266 , and their attached seal members  265 ,  267 , respectively, are disposed such that the upper ends  272 ,  274  are spaced away from the wall  222  of the building  224  (i.e., the actuating members  264 ,  266  rotate about their respective pivots  268 ,  270 ). When the actuating members  264 ,  266  are in the position of FIG. 10, the upper ends  272 ,  274  contact and support the bottom surface  284  each strut  244 ,  246  of the frame  242  in the raised or disengaged position shown. The struts  244 ,  246  are positioned such that the seal member  236  is disposed in an upward position and away from the wall  222 . The stop members  275  prevent the actuating members from rotating too far about their pivots  268 ,  270 . 
     When a vehicle  232  approaches the building  224  and makes contact with the seal members  265  and  267  as shown in FIG. 11, the actuating members  264  and  266  are rotated about their respective pivots  268 ,  270  such that the upper ends  272 ,  274  are moved closer to the wall  222 . In the process, the upper ends  272 ,  274  are moved past the pivots  252 ,  258  supporting the frame  242 , such that frame  242  and the struts  244 ,  246  are now free rotate. Upon rotation of the frame  242  about the pivots  252 ,  258 , the seal member moves downwardly (and slightly inwardly) along a generally arcuate path until the seal member  236  contacts the upper surface of the vehicle  232 . It will be understood that upon continued movement of the vehicle  232  toward the building  224 , the vehicle  232  will move the actuating members to a generally vertical position abutting the wall  222  and will compress the seal members  265  and  267  to form a seal about a rear portion of the vehicle. It will be understood that the opposite relative movement will be produced by movement of the vehicle  232  away from the building  224 . 
     The actuating members  264 ,  266  may be disposed in a supporting position in which the actuating members  264 ,  266  support their corresponding struts  244 ,  246  of the frame  242  such that the seal member  236  will be supported in the position of FIGS. 9 and 10. By virtue of the vehicle  232  approaching the building  224 , the members  264 ,  266  will be shifted toward the non-supporting position of FIG. 11, such that the frame  242  and the attached seal member  236  will shift downwardly (i.e., by dropping under the force of gravity as each strut  244 ,  246  of the frame  242  rotates about its hinge  252 ,  258 ) in order to bring the seal member  236  into contact with a surface  233  of the vehicle  232 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 12,  12 A,  13 ,  13 A and  14 , a sealing device assembled in accordance with the teachings of a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown and is generally referred to by the reference numeral  320 . It will be understood that elements that are the same or similar to the elements described with respect to the first embodiment discussed above will retain the same reference characters, but will be increased by  100 . 
     The device  320  includes a resilient seal member  336  mounted to a supporting frame  342  which includes a pair of members or struts  344 ,  346  and an interconnecting crossbar  348 . The strut  344  includes an inner end  350  mounted to the wall  322  of the building  324  by a pivot or hinge  352 . The strut  344  also includes an outer end  354 . The strut  346  includes an inner end  356  mounted to the wall  322  of the building  324  by a pivot or hinge  358 . The strut  344  also includes an outer end  360 . The end  338  of the seal member  336  is mounted to the outer end  354  of the strut  344 , while the end  340  of the seal member  336  is mounted to the outer end  360  of the strut  346 . Preferably, the ends  338  and  340  of the seal member  336  are rotatably mounted to their adjacent strut ends  354 ,  356 , respectively. 
     A pair of actuating members  364 ,  366  are mounted to the wall  322  of the building  324  by a pair of pivots or hinges  368 ,  370 , respectively. The actuating members  364 ,  366  include an upper end  372 ,  374 , respectively. The actuating members  364 ,  366  are preferably tubular steel members. Each of the upper ends  372 ,  374  of the actuating member  364 ,  366 , respectively, is operatively coupled to its corresponding strut  344 ,  346  by a coupling assembly  376 . 
     It will be noted that the coupling assembly  376  between the upper end  374  of the actuating member  366  and the strut  346  is identical to the coupling assembly  376  at the upper end  372  of the actuating member  364 . Accordingly, only one such coupling assembly  376  will be described herein in detail. The operation of the coupling assembly  376  atop each of the actuating members  364  and  366  is substantially identical and produces substantially identical relative movement between the actuating members  364 ,  366  and their associated struts  344 ,  346  as will be explained below. 
     As shown in Pig.  13 A, the coupling assembly  376  includes a roller or trolley assembly  378  which rides on a track  380  defined by a slot  382  in a bottom surface  384  of the strut  344 . The slot  382  is created by a pair of flanges  383 ,  385 . As shown in FIGS. 12,  13  and  14 , a portion of the trolley assembly  378  extends into and is slidably connected to the upper end  374  of the actuating member  364  by a bolt  386  through a slot  388 . The bolt  386  also secures a pulley  392  within the upper end  374 . The bolt in slot connection permits the coupling assembly  376  to be extensible away from the upper end  372  of the actuating member  364  as the device  320  shifts between the position of FIG. 12 toward the wall  322  (i.e., toward the positions of FIGS.  13  and  14 ). A pulley  395  is also mounted to an angled stop bracket  398 . A spring  389  includes a lower end  390  which is adjustably mounted to the actuating member  364  such as by a bolt and slot connection  393 . A cable  397  is connected to an upper end  399  of the spring  389  and is routed over both of the pulleys  392  and  395 . 
     By virtue of the trolley assembly  378  engaging the track  380  of the strut  344 , the coupling assembly  376  (and hence the upper end  372  of the actuating member  364 ) is moveable along the strut  344  between the outer end  354  and the inner end  350  of the strut  344 . As shown in FIG. 13, inward movement of the actuating member  364  caused by an approaching vehicle  332  produces a corresponding movement in the position of the frame  342  and the attached seal member  336 , between the raised, disengaged, or released position of FIG. 12 (in which the actuating members  364 ,  366  effectively support the frame  342 ) and a partially lowered or engaged position of FIG. 13 (in which the actuating members  364 ,  366  are moved to a non-supporting position in which the actuating members  364 ,  366  no longer support the frame  342 ). As shown in FIG. 13, in response to movement of the vehicle  332  toward the building  324  the frame  342  rotates downwardly (i.e., in a counterclockwise direction when viewing FIG. 13) until the seal member  336  contacts the surface  333  of the vehicle  332 . The contact between the seal member  336  and the surface  333  effectively limits the downward rotation of the struts  344 ,  346 , although the spring  389  provides a biasing force which serves to compress the seal  336  slightly in order to enhance the seal at the surface  333 . The coupling assembly  376  will also maintains the seal member  336  in the lowered or engaged position (i.e., in contact with the surface  333 ) despite vehicle “float.”. Upon movement of the vehicle  332  away from the building  324 , the spring  389  applies a tensile force on the cable  397 , which by virtue of the pulleys  392  and  395 , biases the actuating member  364  outwardly away from the building  324  to the position of FIG. 12, in which the frame  342  and the seal member  336  are again supported by the actuating members  364 ,  366 . 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, although the teachings of the invention have been illustrated in connection with certain embodiments, there is no intent to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, the intention of this application is to cover all modifications and embodiments fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.