Latching Mechanisms for Removable Wheel Chocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel chocks lack a reliable and versatile mechanism for securely engaging and disengaging with trucks lacking ICC bars, particularly in international settings where ICC bars are not prevalent, and they often fail to provide a positive latching mechanism for effective wheel restraint at loading docks.
Innovation Solution
A wheel restraint system featuring a movable wheel chock with a latching mechanism that engages with a track-mounted catch system, allowing for secure blocking and easy release, and optionally incorporating a lift mechanism and sensing apparatus for enhanced operation and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wheel chock is designed to be removable and movable for blocking wheels at different positions, then it provides versatility for different wheel positions, but it lacks a secure latching mechanism to reliably engage with the track
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel chock incorporates a movable latch member that can transition between engaged and disengaged positions, allowing the chock to be securely latched at selected positions along the track while maintaining the ability to be quickly removed when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is divided into separate components including a latch member with a latch surface, a catch with a catch surface, and a resilient member, allowing each component to perform its specific function while working together to provide reliable engagement
2Reliability
If a latching mechanism is added to securely engage the wheel chock with the track, then reliability of wheel restraint is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member automatically engages the latch member with the catch when the wheel chock is positioned on the track, and the same resilient member can be actuated to automatically disengage the latch, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed as a separate, removable assembly that can be integrated into the wheel chock body, allowing for easy maintenance and replacement without replacing the entire wheel chock system
3Ease of operation
If the wheel chock is designed for easy removal and deployment, then ease of operation is improved, but the securing force may be insufficient to reliably block the wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a sensing apparatus that can detect wheel position and movement, providing feedback to ensure the latch is properly engaged and the wheel is securely blocked, allowing operators to confirm secure engagement without excessive force
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is combined with the wheel chock body as an integrated assembly, where the latch member is mounted on the chock and moves with it, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining both ease of operation and securing force
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention provides a wheel restraint system for blocking a wheel at a loading dock that includes a driveway (24), the wheel restraint system comprising a track (58) mountable to the driveway (24), the track (58) includes a plurality of discrete catches (72), each catch of the plurality of discrete catches (72) includes a downward facing surface (70); a wheel chock (20b) selectively movable between a stored position and a wheel-blocking position, the wheel chock (20b) in the stored position is spaced apart from the track (58), the wheel chock (20b) in the wheel-blocking position to engage the track (58), the wheel chock (20b) including a movable member; and a plurality of latch members (60) attached to the wheel chock (20b) and being movable relative to the wheel chock (20b) by connection with the movable member, the latch members (60) to slide laterally and substantially parallel relative to the wheel chock (20b) and a longitudinal axis of the track (58) between a latched position and an unlatched position, each latch member (60) including an upward facing surface (68) facing a respective downward facing surface (70), the upward facing surface (68) to engage the respective downward facing surface (70) when the latch members (60) are in the latched position and the wheel chock (20b) is in the wheel blocking position, and the upward facing surface (68) being spaced apart from the respective downward facing surface (70) when the latch members (60) are in the unlatched position and the wheel chock (20b) is positioned on the track (58).