Patent · US Expired

Vehicle restraint with vertical float

US6488464B1 · kind B1 · utility

21Cited by
11References
32Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 26, 2000
Grant dateDec 3, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 26, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65G69/003
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A vehicle restraint at a loading dock includes a vertically moving barrier that engages a truck's rear ICC bar to help prevent the truck from accidentally moving too far away from the face of the dock. The restraint includes an inclined barrier actuator with minimal linkage that provides a low-profile stored position. The barrier actuator powers the barrier up to engage the ICC bar and powers the barrier down to a stored position. A compliant coupling provides the barrier with vertical float to allow for incidental vertical movement of the ICC bar, as the truck is being loaded or unloaded of its cargo. The restraint also includes a novel switch actuator that senses whether the ICC bar is properly positioned relative to the barrier.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.