US4634334A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle restraint
Assignee: ABON Corp A DE CORP
•
Filing: 1985-07-19
•
Granted: 1987-01-06
•
Expires: 2005-07-19
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle restraint is provided with a releasable locking device for securing a parked vehicle adjacent a structure such as a loading dock. The device includes a first unit mounted adjacent to an upright surface of the structure and projecting outwardly therefrom. A second unit is mounted on the outwardly disposed distal end of the first unit for selective movement about an outwardly projecting axis between operative and inoperative modes. When in a operative mode, the second unit has at least a portion thereof projecting upwardly and assuming a vehicle interlocking position whereby a segment of the vehicle is entrapped between the upright portion of the second unit and the upright surface of the structure. When in an inoperative mode, the portion of the second unit assumes a vehicle release position disposed at a substantial angle relative to the upright vehicle interlocking position whereby the second unit will not obstruct movement of the vehicle away from the upright surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Norbert Hahn
- 👤 Arthur A. Olson, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:13
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G69/00; B65G69/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A releasable locking device for securing a parked vehicle in close proximity to an upright surface of an adjacent structure, said device comprising a first means mountable adjacent the structure upright surface and being adapted to project outwardly therefrom; second means mounted on an outwardly disposed distal end portion of said first means for selective movement between operative and inoperative modes about an axis adapted to project angularly outwardly from the upright surface, said axis remaining in an outwardly projecting position, when said second means is in either of said modes, when in said operative mode, said second means having at least a portion thereof assuming a vehicle interlocking upright position, and when in an inoperative mode, the said second means portion assuming a vehicle release position disposed at a substantial angle relative to said upright position and in a non-obstructing relation with the parked vehicle; and third means associated with said first means for selectively actuating said second means from said inoperative mode to said operative mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A releasable locking device for securing a parked vehicle in close proximity to an upright surface of an adjacent structure, said device comprising a first means mountable adjacent the structure upright surface and being adapted to project outwardly therefrom; second means mounted on an outwardly disposed distal end portion of said first means for selective movement between operative and inoperative modes about an axis adapted to project angularly outwardly from the upright surface, said axis remaining in an outwardly projecting position, when said second means is in either of said modes, when in said operative mode, said second means having at least a portion thereof assuming a vehicle interlocking upright position, and when in an inoperative mode, the said second means portion assuming a vehicle release position disposed at a substantial angle relative to said upright position and in a non-obstructing relation with the parked vehicle; and third means associated with said first means for selectively actuating said second means from said inoperative mode to said operative mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The releasable locking device of claim 1 wherein the second means rotates about the outwardly projecting axis through a predetermined sector of a circle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The releasable locking device of claim 2 wherein the sector is at least about 90°.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The releasable locking device of claim 1 wherein the outwardly projecting axis of said second means is adapted to be disposed adjacent a surface in supporting subtending relation with the parked vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The releasable locking device of claim 1 wherein said third means includes a drive motor mounted on said first means and operatively connected to said second means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The releasable locking device of claim 1 wherein said second means includes a plurality of elongated sections hingedly connected to one another and adapted to normally assume an aligned relation; the axis of each hinge connection being substantially parallel to the axis of movement of said second means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
The releasable locking device of claim 1 wherein the second means has an L-shaped configuration with one leg thereof defining the axis of selective movement, said one leg being supported by said first means whereby a second leg of the L-shaped second means rotates between said operative and inoperative modes within a substantially vertical plane located outwardly a substantially fixed distance from the upright surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The releasable locking device of claim 7 wherein the one leg of the L-shaped second means is provided with a drive component, and the third means is provided with a complemental drive component, said drive components coacting to effect selective movement of the second means about said one leg as an axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
The releasable locking device of claim 1 wherein the first means assumes a substantially stationary position relative to the upright surface of the adjacent structure and a second surface in supporting subtending relation with the parked vehicle; when in an inoperative mode, the vehicle engaging portion of the second means assumes relative to the second surface a downwardly inclined vehicle release position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
89 words
The releasable locking device of claim 1 wherein the third means includes a reversible drive motor and gear reducing means connected thereto, both said motor and reducing means substantially enclosed within a shroud of the first means and disposed between said second means and the upright surface of the adjacent structure, said gear reducing means having drive means engaging said second means and defining the axis of rotation thereof, and bearing means spaced outwardly from said second means and supportingly engaging the drive means of said gear reducing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4208161A
Cited
US4282621A
Cited
US4264259A
Cited
US4373847A
Cited
US4443150A
Cited
US4555211A
Cited
US4589813A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-01-05 | 1990-07-07 | 1991-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-05 | 1994-07-07 | 1995-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-05 | 1998-07-07 | 1999-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |