Kelley Company, Inc.

Thomas J Palus

Martin P Hageman

Charles Harwood Hodges

Jack L Sherard

A wheel chocking device ( ) having a wheel chock ( ) that can be raised from a retracted position to a raised position. In the retracted position, the wheel chock ( ) is substantially flat, thereby allowing a truck ( ) to be driven over the wheel chock ( ). In the raised position, the wheel chock ( ) can be engaged with the wheel ( ) of a truck to prevent the truck from driving away from a loading dock. In one embodiment, movement of the chock ( ) is provided by pneumatic cylinders ( ) that drive cables ( ) or chains associated with pneumatic pistons ( ) positioned within the cylinders ( ). As the chock ( ) is moved from the distal position, the chock ( ) can raise from a lowered position to an intermediate position ( ). The chock ( ) is then moved toward the vehicle wheel ( ). Upon contact with the wheel ( ), the chock ( ) will raise from the intermediate position to the fully raised position. In another embodiment, the chock ( ) can be inserted laterally from the side of the wheel ( ).

Wheel chocking device and method for using the same

A wheel chocking device having a wheel chock that can be raised from a retracted position to a raised position. In the retracted position, the wheel chock is substantially flat, thereby allowing a truck to be driven over the wheel chock. In the raised position, the wheel chock can be engaged with the wheel of a truck to prevent the truck from driving away from a loading dock. As the chock is moved from the distal position, the chock can raise from a lowered position to an intermediate position. The chock is then moved toward the vehicle wheel. Upon contact with the wheel, the chock will raise from the intermediate position to the fully raised position. In another embodiment, the chock can be inserted laterally from the side of the wheel.

A wheel-chocking device including a base member and a collapsible chock movable between lowered and raised positions. The chock includes a chocking member movable relative to the base member, and support members pivotably attached to the chocking member and defining therewith pivot axes, the pivot axes and the chocking member being movable between a substantially horizontal orientation and an inclined orientation. The chocking member and the support members are substantially coplanar when the chock is in the lowered position. The chocking member and the support members are inclined and the chocking member is substantially perpendicular to the support members when the chock is in the raised position. The base member has a longitudinal axis defining a vertical plane, and the pivot axes are substantially parallel to the vertical plane. The wheel chocking device also has a support member guide system including a first guide affixed to the base member for directing a support member toward the inclined orientation as the chocking member moves in a first direction, and a second guide affixed to the base member for directing a support member toward the horizontal orientation as the chocking member moves in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Powered wheel chock with folding supports

A wheel chocking device including a longitudinally-extending base frame positioned on the driveway, a chock positioned on the base frame and movable longitudinally relative to the base frame, and a drive mechanism drivingly connected to the chock. The drive mechanism comprises a power mechanism (e.g., an electric motor) positioned outside of an outer edge of the chock path, and both the base frame and the drive mechanism are spaced from the dock face. The drive mechanism can further include a low profile transmission interconnecting the power mechanism with the chock. Preferably, the low profile transmission comprises an endless loop member (e.g., a chain). If a portion of the transmission is within the chock path, then the portion can have a height lower than a height of the chock in the lowered position.

Wheel chocking device

A method of securing a vehicle at a desired location using a wheel chocking device (,) having a chock (,) movable between a lowered position and a raised position. The method comprises the steps of positioning the vehicle at the desired location with the chock (,) in the lowered position, raising the chock to the raised position, moving the raised chock toward a wheel of the vehicle, sensing the presence of an obstruction on the vehicle, lowering the raised chock to an intermediate position to allow the chock to pass under the obstruction, and contacting the chock with the wheel. The wheel chocking device (,) includes a drive mechanism (,) that is positioned underneath the chock so that the vehicle actually drives over the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is simplified with the use of a drive screw (,) and a partial drive nut (,) that facilitates the use of support members (,) for supporting the drive screw at spaced locations along the length of the drive screw. A multi-link chock facilitates use of the device on wheels of varying sizes.

A loading dock having a dock face, a driveway positioned adjacent to the dock face, a wheel chock positioned above the driveway for movement relative to the driveway, and a power mechanism interconnected with the chock to provide power to the chock. The power mechanism is at least partially recessed within the driveway. Preferably, the power mechanism is spaced from the dock face so that vehicles having lift gates can be serviced under a variety of conditions. The power mechanism can be positioned within a housing that is also spaced from the dock face. The housing can include a ramped portion facing the dock face so that contact with the housing by a lift gate will be deflected.

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Cedarburg, WI, United States of America

Thomas J Palus