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Vehicle and docking bay sealing method and apparatusVehicle and docking bay sealing method and apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060032159, Vehicle and docking bay sealing method and apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/615,296, filed Jul. 9, 2003, which in turn claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/471,728, filed May 20, 2003. The entire contents of both of these applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for providing a seal between a vehicle and a structure. More particularly, the present invention relates to dock seals and shelters that engage trucks at loading docks. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Structures, such as the loading docks of warehouses and office buildings, typically accommodate the loading and unloading of items from delivery trucks. When a delivery or pick-up is made, a delivery truck is usually backed up to a loading dock and the rear doors of the truck are opened. Then, workers are able to travel back and forth between the loading dock and the truck's storage compartment as the workers load items into or unload items from the truck. [0004] Unfortunately, when weather conditions are adverse, rain, snow, sleet, wind, cold air or warm air enters the loading dock through gaps that are present between the loading dock and the rear of the delivery truck being loaded or unloaded. Further, when the rear doors of the truck are opened and folded back against the sides of the truck, unconditioned air and moisture can enter through gaps between the doors and the sides of the trucks (i.e., "hinge gaps"). This leaves items in the truck and the workers who are loading or unloading the truck exposed to the unfavorable weather conditions. This also makes efficient heating or cooling of the loading dock difficult. [0005] In addition, if items in the truck are perishable (e.g., foodstuffs), exposing the items to the unfavorable weather conditions could lead to spoilage. Even further, when there are gaps between the loading dock and the truck, unscrupulous workers may steal items from the truck by passing the items through the gaps to cohorts standing outside of the truck. [0006] Accordingly, it would desirable to provide apparatuses for providing seals between vehicles, such as delivery trucks, and structures, such as loading docks, that would prevent the structures from being exposed to adverse weather conditions. It would also be desirable to provide methods for forming such seals between such vehicles and structures. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The forgoing needs are met, to a great extent, by certain embodiments of the present wherein, in one aspect thereof a panel assembly is provided. The panel assembly includes a first panel that itself includes a first foam core having a first side and a first layer adjacent to the first side. The panel assembly also includes a second panel and a connector that is connected to the first panel and to the second panel. The connector is configured to allow for the first panel to move relative to the second panel. [0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a panel assembly is provided. The method includes forming a first panel having a first foam core and a first layer adjacent to a first side of the first foam core. The method also includes attaching the first layer to the first side of the first foam core. The method further includes attaching a second panel to the first panel using a first connector. [0009] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, another panel assembly is provided. The panel assembly includes first engaging means for engaging a first portion of a vehicle. The first engaging means itself includes filling means for filling an interior portion of the first engaging means, wherein the filling means includes a first side. The first engaging means also includes covering means for covering the filling means, wherein the covering means is positioned adjacent to the first side of the filling means. The panel assembly also includes second engaging means for engaging the first portion of the vehicle. In addition, the panel assembly includes connecting means for connecting the first engaging means and the second engaging means, wherein the connecting means is configured to allow for the first engaging means to move relative to the second engaging means. [0010] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. [0011] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. [0012] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a vehicle positioned adjacent to a fixed structure and partially positioned within an engaging mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 2 is a top view of a portion of the engaging mechanism illustrated in FIG. 1; [0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a receiving member and resilient member that are both formed from a single component; [0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of the engaging mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the engaging mechanism is illustrated in an engaged position and in an unengaged position; and [0017] FIG. 5 is a top view of an engaging mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of components of a shelter according to certain embodiments of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another shelter according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 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