The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 19, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 31, 1999
Ben Fritz, Milwaukee, WI (US);
Kelley Company, Inc., Mequon, WI (US);
Abstract
A loading dock and vehicle restraint assembly for securing a vehicle during loading operations. The vehicle restraint comprises a latching member (e.g., a hook) movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and an electromechanical brake coupled to the latching member and movable between a restraining position, where the latching member is restrained from movement, and an unrestraining position, where the latching member can be moved. Preferably, the brake is mechanically biased toward the restraining position (e.g., by a spring), and is moved to the unrestrained position by an electromagnet. The assembly can be used to perform a method of restraining a vehicle at a desired location using a vehicle restraint having a latching member and a brake coupled to the latching member. The method includes the steps of parking the vehicle at a desired location, positioning the brake in an unrestraining position to allow movement of the latching member; moving the latching member from a disengaged position to an engaged position, and positioning the brake in a restraining position to restrain movement of the latching member. The new design is also adapted to be easily installed onto existing vehicle restraints.