초록 ▼

The present invention provides a flexible frame for a loading dock shelter. The flexible frame utilizes open channels that are clinched together to serve as supports. The supports are used in side frames that form part of the flexible frame. Each side frame includes a back support, a front support,

The present invention provides a flexible frame for a loading dock shelter. The flexible frame utilizes open channels that are clinched together to serve as supports. The supports are used in side frames that form part of the flexible frame. Each side frame includes a back support, a front support, and in a preferred form, one or more lateral supports that are pivotally connected to both the front and back supports. At least one of said supports is formed from open channels which are secured together, preferably by clinching. The back supports of the flexible frame are mounted to a loading dock wall. The pivotal connection between the lateral support and the front and back supports allows the front support to move relative to the back support when a vehicle comes into contact with the side frame as the vehicle enters the loading dock shelter. The present invention also provides an improved method of making a flexible frame for a vehicle shelter and mounting the flexible frame to a loading dock. The method includes the steps of forming (e.g., rolling on a roll-forming machine) sheet metal into channels that have an open cross-section, attaching necessary brackets (e.g., clinching), joining (e.g., clinching) pairs of the channels together to form supports, mounting back supports to a loading dock wall, and pivotally connecting front supports to each of the back supports to form the side frames of a flexible frame.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A vehicle shelter for a loading dock, said vehicle shelter comprising:a flexible frame having a pair of side frames, each of said side frames including a back support adapted to be mounted to a loading dock wall and a front support movably coupled to said back support, wherein one of said front s

1. A vehicle shelter for a loading dock, said vehicle shelter comprising:a flexible frame having a pair of side frames, each of said side frames including a back support adapted to be mounted to a loading dock wall and a front support movably coupled to said back support, wherein one of said front support and back support includes a first channel having an open cross-section positioned against a second channel having an open cross-section, wherein said first channel has a width and said second channel has a width, said width of said first channel being substantially equal to said width of said second channel, a curtain mounted to a front portion of said flexible frame, and a flexible cover mounted to an outer surface of said flexible frame.