Releasable locking device

Abstract

A device is provided for releasably locking a parked vehicle to an adjacent loading dock. The device includes a vertically adjustable carriage mounted on the front wall of the dock, and a hook-like member supported by the carriage for independent rotary movement between an operative vehicle-interlocking position and an inoperative vehicle-release position. A carriage-supported first member is disposed coaxially with the axis of said hook-like member and moves therewith as a unit. A flexible second member engages the first member and upon a predetermined pulling force being applied to said second member, causes the hook-like member to move to the operative vehicle-interlocking position. A unit is operatively connected to the flexible second member whereby the predetermined pulling force applied thereto is enhanced so as to effect a substantially greater turning force being exerted on the first member. Mounted on the carriage and disposed adjacent the first member is a releasable lock element which retains the hook-like member in the operative vehicle-interlocking position. Manually actuated means is connected to the lock element to effect controlled disengagement of the element from the first member whereby the hook-like member will automatically assume an inoperative vehicle-release position.