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US 2003/0170096 A1Published application
Air activation for a vehicle restraint
OwnerJames C. Alexanderinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for actuating a vehicle restraint device, particularly suited for a loading dock to prevent a transport vehicle from inadvertently moving away from the dock, use air activation.
Claims25
A vehicle restraint system, comprising:
- a support frame including a support plate, having an arcuate track and a pivot shaft mounted thereon;
- a bag support connected to said support plate that projects outwardly from a plane containing said support plate;
- a restraining arm assembly which pivots about said pivot shaft and moves along said arcuate track;
- a pressure plate;
- and
- an inflatable bag connected between said bag support and said pressure plate, and connected to an air source which inflates and raises said inflatable bag from a stored position to a lifting position.
3 more elements
A vehicle restraint system, comprising:
- a frame assembly including a support plate, two track members, and a protective housing;
- an inflatable bag mounted within said protective housing;
- a restraining hook assembly including a horizontal shank and a vertically movable restraining member;
- and
- a pressure plate attached to said horizontal shank,
- wherein, said inflatable bag bears against said pressure plate and is connectable to an air source which inflates and raises said inflatable bag from a stored position to a lifting position elevating said pressure plate and said restraining member in a vertical direction along said track members.
3 more elements
A method of vehicle restraining comprising the steps of:
- storing a vehicle restraint in an inactive position;
- elevating said vehicle restraint in a controlled substantially vertical motion;
- engaging a vehicle with a restraining device;
- and
- stabilizing said restraining device,
- wherein said elevating step uses an inflatable air bag for lift.
3 more elements
A vehicle restraint system comprising:
- means for storing a vehicle restraint in an inactive position;
- means for stabilizing said vehicle restraint;
- means for elevating said vehicle restraint in a controlled substantially vertical motion;
- and
- means for engaging a vehicle.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.