IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0833697
(2010-07-09)
|
등록번호 |
US-8286757
(2012-10-16)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
- Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Hanley, Flight & Zimmerman, LLC
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
5 인용 특허 :
76 |
초록
▼
A wheel restraint for restraining a vehicle at a loading dock includes various features such as, a wheel chock supported by a spring loaded articulated arm with a spring that can be selectively tightened or released, a sensor that detects whether the chock is solidly against a base plate or floor, a
A wheel restraint for restraining a vehicle at a loading dock includes various features such as, a wheel chock supported by a spring loaded articulated arm with a spring that can be selectively tightened or released, a sensor that detects whether the chock is solidly against a base plate or floor, a bi-directional pivotal joint between the articulated arm and the wheel chock to ensure that the chock can sit squarely on a mating base plate, a wheel chock that meshes with a hydraulically actuated base plate, pivotal or otherwise movable backstops that prevent a wheel chock from sliding out of position, and a base plate cleaning system. The wheel restraint also includes a first vertical resistance feature that is coupled to the base and a second vertical resistance feature that is coupled to the wheel chock to limit vertical movement between the wheel chock and the base when the first vertical resistance feature engages the second vertical resistance feature.
대표청구항
▼
1. A wheel restraint system to engage a wheel of a vehicle at a loading dock, the wheel restraint system comprising: a base that includes a top surface having a first plurality of teeth and a first vertical resistance feature adjacent the first plurality of teeth and having a continuous surface exte
1. A wheel restraint system to engage a wheel of a vehicle at a loading dock, the wheel restraint system comprising: a base that includes a top surface having a first plurality of teeth and a first vertical resistance feature adjacent the first plurality of teeth and having a continuous surface extending substantially along a longitudinal length of the base, the first plurality of teeth being distinct from the first vertical resistance feature; anda wheel chock that includes a bottom surface having a second plurality of teeth and a second vertical resistance feature adjacent the second plurality of teeth, the second plurality of teeth being distinct from the second vertical resistance feature, the wheel chock being selectively movable between a blocking position and a release position such that:a) in the blocking position, the wheel chock obstructs the wheel, the bottom surface is in intermeshing engagement with the top surface to limit relative horizontal movement therebetween, and the second vertical resistance feature is underneath the continuous surface of the first vertical resistance feature to resist or prevent vertical separation between the bottom surface and the top surface; andb) in the release position, the wheel chock is clear of the wheel, the bottom surface is spaced-apart and above the top surface, and the second vertical resistance feature is spaced-apart and above the first vertical resistance feature. 2. The wheel restraint system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of teeth engage the second plurality of teeth when the wheel chock is in the blocking position, and the first plurality of teeth disengage the second plurality of teeth when the wheel chock is in the release position. 3. The wheel restraint system of claim 1, further comprising: a bar overlying and fixed to the first plurality of teeth to provide the continuous surface and create a plurality of gaps underneath the bar, above the base and among the first plurality of teeth, such that:a) in the blocking position, the second plurality of teeth engage the first plurality of teeth, and the second vertical resistance feature extends underneath the bar; andb) in the release position, the second plurality of teeth is spaced apart from the first plurality of teeth and the second vertical resistance feature is spaced apart from the bar. 4. The wheel restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a pivotal member attached to the wheel chock and being pivotal relative thereto between a latched position and an unlatched position, the pivotal member includes the second vertical resistance feature, the second vertical resistance feature is to extend underneath the first vertical resistance feature when the pivotal member is in the latched position while the bottom surface is engaged with the top surface, and the second vertical resistance feature is spaced-apart from the first vertical resistance feature when the pivotal member is in the unlatched position while the bottom surface is engaged with the top surface. 5. The wheel restraint system of claim 4, further comprising a sensor operatively coupled to the pivotal member to provide a signal indicative of whether the pivotal member is in the latched position or the unlatched position. 6. The wheel restraint system of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the wheel chock engaging the top surface of the base, and the second vertical resistance feature being underneath the first vertical resistance feature limits relative translation between the wheel chock and base in every direction of straight translation. 7. The wheel restraint system of claim 1, further comprising: an anchor mountable to the loading dock; andan articulated arm coupling the wheel chock to the anchor. 8. The wheel restraint system of claim 1, wherein the continuous surface is located below the top surface of the base. 9. The wheel restraint system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second vertical resistance feature is positioned adjacent a side surface of the wheel chock, the side surface being perpendicular to the bottom surface of the wheel chock. 10. A wheel restraint system to engage a wheel of a vehicle at a loading dock, the wheel restraint system comprising: a base that includes a top surface having a first plurality of teeth;a bar overlying and fixed to the first plurality of teeth, an underside of the bar providing a continuous first vertical resistance feature extending substantially along a longitudinal length of the base, the first vertical resistance feature positioned adjacent to and being different from the first plurality of teeth;a wheel chock that includes a bottom surface having a second plurality of teeth; anda pivotal member coupled to a side surface of the wheel chock adjacent the bottom surface, the pivotal member to pivot relative to the wheel chock between a latched position and an unlatched position, the pivotal member includes a second vertical resistance feature, the second vertical resistance feature positioned adjacent to and being different from the second plurality of teeth, the wheel chock being selectively movable between a blocking position and a release position such that:a) in the blocking position, the wheel chock obstructs the wheel, the second plurality of teeth of the bottom surface enmesh the first plurality of teeth of the top surface to limit relative horizontal movement between the wheel chock and the base, and the pivotal member is in the latched position with the second vertical resistance feature being underneath the first vertical resistance feature to restrict vertical separation between the bottom surface and the top surface; andb) in the release position, the wheel chock is clear of the wheel, the bottom surface is spaced apart from the top surface, and the pivotal member is in the unlatched position with the second vertical resistance feature being spaced-apart from the first vertical resistance feature. 11. The wheel restraint system of claim 10, further comprising a sensor operatively associated with the pivotal member to provide a signal indicative of whether the pivotal member is in the latched position or the unlatched position. 12. The wheel restraint system of claim 10, wherein the bottom surface of the wheel chock is to engage the top surface of the base when the second vertical resistance feature is underneath the first vertical resistance feature to limit relative translation between the wheel chock and base. 13. The wheel restraint system of claim 10, further comprising: an anchor mountable to the loading dock; andan articulated arm coupling the wheel chock to the anchor. 14. A wheel restraint method for selectively blocking and releasing a wheel of a vehicle at a loading dock, wherein the wheel restraint includes a wheel chock and a base, the wheel restraint method comprising: moving the wheel chock between a release position to release the wheel and a blocking position to block the wheel, the wheel chock being spaced-apart from the base when the wheel chock is in the release position, a bottom surface of the wheel chock to engage a top surface of the base when the wheel chock is in the blocking position such that a first plurality of teeth of the base enmesh with a second plurality of teeth of the wheel chock;after moving the wheel chock to the blocking position, moving a second vertical resistance feature of the wheel chock into engagement with a continuous surface of a first vertical resistance feature of the base to limit upward movement of the wheel chock relative to the base, the first vertical resistance feature attached to the base adjacent the top surface and extending substantially along a longitudinal length of the base and the second vertical resistance feature being attached on the wheel chock adjacent the bottom surface of the wheel chock, the first vertical resistance feature being separate from the first plurality of teeth and the second vertical resistance feature being separate from the second plurality of teeth;subsequently moving the second vertical resistance feature away from the first vertical resistance feature; andmoving the wheel chock from the blocking position to the release position to disengage the bottom surface of the wheel chock and the top surface of the base. 15. The wheel restraint method of claim 14, wherein the first vertical resistance feature is provided by the continuous surface of a bar overlying and fixed to the plurality of teeth. 16. The wheel restraint method of claim 14, wherein moving the second vertical resistance feature involves rotating the second vertical resistance feature relative to the wheel chock. 17. The wheel restraint method of claim 14, further comprising providing a signal that indicates that the second vertical resistance feature is underneath the first vertical resistance feature. 18. The wheel restraint method of claim 14, further comprising limiting relative translation between the wheel chock and the base in every direction of straight translation when the wheel chock is in the blocking position and the second vertical resistance feature is engaged with the first vertical resistance feature. 19. The wheel restraint method of claim 14 further comprising using an articulated arm to support at least some weight of the wheel chock. 20. The wheel restraint system of claim 14, wherein the continuous surface is located below the top surface of the base.
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