Patent ID: 9139384
Filing Date: 2015-09-22
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A wheel restraint system for use at a loading dock area that has wheel path along which a wheel of a vehicle can travel, the wheel restraint system comprising: a track extending in a longitudinal direction proximate the wheel path, the track having a plurality of track discontinuities; a carrier mounted to travel in the longitudinal direction along the track; a wheel-blocking barrier attached to the carrier, the wheel-blocking barrier having selectively a blocking position and a retracted position, the wheel-blocking barrier in the blocking position extending in a lateral direction into the wheel path, the lateral direction being displaced out of parallel alignment with the longitudinal direction, the wheel-blocking barrier in the retracted position being withdrawn from the wheel path; a carrier catch connected to at least one of the carrier or the wheel-blocking barrier, the carrier catch having a holding position and a release position, the carrier catch in the holding position engaging one or more of the track discontinuities to restrict movement of the carrier in the longitudinal direction relative to the track, the carrier catch in the release position effectively releasing the one or more track discontinuities to allow movement of the carrier in the longitudinal direction relative to the track; a barrier catch connected to at least one of the carrier or the wheel-blocking barrier, the barrier catch having a first position and a second position, the barrier catch in the first position engaging at least one of the carrier, the wheel-blocking barrier or the track to restrict movement of the wheel-blocking barrier in the lateral direction, the barrier catch in the second position effectively releasing at least one of the carrier, the wheel-blocking barrier, and the track to allow movement of the wheel-blocking barrier in the lateral direction; and a carrier catch sensor associated with the carrier catch, the carrier catch sensor being selectively in at least one of a holding state or a release state, the carrier catch sensor being in the holding state in response to the carrier catch being in the holding position, the carrier catch sensor being in the release state when the carrier catch is in the release position, the carrier catch sensor providing a carrier catch signal that indicates at least one of the holding state or the release state.