Patent ID: 6322310
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
For use with a vehicle having a rear-impact guard, a vehicle restraint for releasably securing a vehicle to an adjacent structure, the vehicle restraint comprising:at least one guide track adapted to be secured to the structure;a carriage assembly adjustably mounted to the at least one guide track for movement relative to a roadway, the carriage assembly having at least one protuberance formed thereon;a restraining member associated with the carriage assembly for engaging the rear-impact guard of the vehicle to releasably secure the vehicle to the adjacent structure;at least one biasing element cooperating with the carriage assembly to bias the carriage assembly away from the roadway; anda structural member having a first end pivotably attached to the roadway via an anchoring assembly, a second end opposite the first end, and at least one cam surface disposed between the first and second ends, said structural member being positioned for engagement with the vehicle whereby, when the vehicle applies a force to said structural member, said at least one cam surface slidably engages said at least one protuberance of the carriage assembly and causes the carriage assembly to move downwardly from an upper operating position toward successively lower operating positions.