US 10,329,104 B2 · Vehicle restraint

Abstract

Vehicle restraints for use at loading docks are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a vehicle restraint can include a frame mountable relative to a loading dock face, a restraining structure configured to engage, for example, a Rear Impact Guard (RIG) of a shipping vehicle, and a linkage operably coupling the restraining structure to the frame. The linkage can include a collapsible strut operably coupled between the frame and the restraining structure. In operation, the linkage can be raised to engage the restraining structure with the RIG and prevent the vehicle from moving away from the dock face. Additionally, the restraining structure can be disengaged from the RIG by collapsing the strut, even if the RIG is imparting a significant load on the restraining structure that might otherwise bind the restraining structure in the engaged position.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A vehicle restraint comprising:

a frame mountable relative to a dock face;
a restraining structure configured to engage a vehicle;
and
a linkage operably coupling the restraining structure to the frame, wherein the linkage includes—
a collapsible strut operably coupled between the frame and the restraining structure, wherein the collapsible strut includes a first link pivotally coupled to a second link by a joint therebetween;
and
an arm having a first end portion pivotally coupled to the restraining structure and a second end portion pivotably coupled to the collapsible strut, wherein the linkage is operable to engage the restraining structure with the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from moving away from the dock face, and wherein the linkage is further operable to disengage the restraining structure from the vehicle by rotation of at least one of the first link or the second link toward the other of the first link or the second link about the joint.

4 more elements

A vehicle restraint comprising:

a frame mountable relative to a dock face;
a restraining structure configured to engage a vehicle;
and
a linkage operably coupling the restraining structure to the frame, wherein the linkage includes—
a collapsible strut operably coupled between the frame and the restraining structure, wherein the collapsible strut includes a first link pivotally coupled to a second link by a joint therebetween, wherein the linkage is operable to engage the restraining structure with the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from moving away from the dock face, and wherein the linkage is further operable to disengage the restraining structure from the vehicle by rotation of at least one of the first link or the second link toward the other of the first link or the second link about the joint;
a first arm having a proximal end portion pivotally coupled to the frame;
and
a second arm pivotally coupled to a distal end portion of the first arm and operably extending between the collapsible strut and the restraining structure.

5 more elements

A vehicle restraint comprising:

a frame mountable relative to a dock face;
a restraining structure configured to engage a vehicle;
and
a linkage operable to move the restraining structure into engagement with the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from moving away from the dock face, wherein the linkage includes—
a first arm having a proximal end portion pivotally coupled to the frame proximate the dock face;
a second arm pivotally coupled to a distal end portion of the first arm, the second arm having a first end portion operably coupled to the restraining structure and a second end portion spaced apart from the first end portion;
and
a strut having a proximal end portion operably coupled to the frame and a distal end portion operably coupled to the second end portion of the second arm, wherein the linkage is further operable to disengage the restraining structure from the vehicle by movement of the strut from an extended position in which the distal end portion of the strut is spaced apart from the proximal end portion of the strut by a first distance, to a retracted position in which the distal end portion of the strut is spaced apart from the proximal end portion of the strut by a second distance that is less than the first distance.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vehicle restraint

Life of this patent

Vehicle restraint

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20