US 12,447,934 B2 · Universal joint for a wheel chock

Abstract

The universal joint (200) is provided at the free end (154) of the arm assembly (152) in a wheel chock handling unit (150) for securing a wheel chock (100). The joint (200) includes a main plate (220), a first pivot coupling (208) defining a yaw axis (210), and an elongated link (260) attached to the first pivot coupling (208) and being pivotable about the yaw axis (210). The joint (200) also includes means for limiting axial pivot movements of the link (260) within a range of angular positions having a first angular end position and a second angular end position. The joint (200) can be configured and arranged so that the wheel chock (100) can self-align using only its own weight, thus the force of gravity, along the entire range of positions along a base plate (110), or a portion thereof.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A universal joint (200) for securing a wheel chock (100) at a free end (154) of an arm assembly (152) in a wheel chock handling unit (150), the joint (200) including:

a proximal section (202) having a main axis (204) and a lateral side;
a distal section (206) affixed to the lateral side of the proximal section (202), the distal section (206) including:
a main plate (220) defining a first plane (226) projecting from the lateral side of the proximal section (202);
a first pivot coupling (208) provided on the main plate (220) and defining a yaw axis (210);
an elongated link (260) attached to the first pivot coupling (208) and being pivotable about the yaw axis (210) with reference to the main plate (220), the link (260) having a main axis (212) and having a free end positioned away from the lateral side of the proximal section (202);
and
means for limiting axial pivot movements of the link (260) within a range of angular positions having a first angular end position and a second angular end position.

4 more elements

A wheel chock restraint system (120) including:

a wheel chock (100);
an elongated base plate (110) extending along a longitudinal axis (108), the base plate (110) having a plurality of blocking elements (112) transversally disposed on the base plate (110) and that are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis (108), the blocking elements (112) being configured and disposed to cooperate with corresponding teeth (114) provided underneath the wheel chock (100);
a wheel chock handling unit (150) having a spring-assisted articulated cantilever arm assembly (152) pivotally mounted to a base for angular displacement of the arm assembly (152) in a substantially vertical plane between a storage position and a plurality of extended positions, the arm assembly (152) having a free end (154);
a universal joint (200) affixed to the free end (154) of the arm assembly (152), the universal joint (200) including:
a main plate (220) defining a first plane (226) projecting from a lateral side of the arm assembly (152);
a first pivot coupling (208) provided on the main plate (220) and defining a yaw axis (210);
an elongated link (260) attached to the first pivot coupling (208) and being pivotable about the yaw axis (210) with reference to the main plate (220), the link (260) having a main axis (212) and having a free end positioned away from the lateral side of the arm assembly (152);
and
means for limiting axial pivot movements of the link (260) within a range of angular positions having a first angular end position and a second angular end position.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Universal joint for a wheel chock

Life of this patent

Universal joint for a wheel chock

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28