Abstract:
A wheel chock assembly includes a self-contained, solar-powered lighting module held in a recess on an external surface of the wheel chock. The protective panel can be used to cover the lighting module. The lighting module includes photovoltaic cells for generating electricity from sunlight, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and an energy-storage device (e.g., batteries or capacitors) for storing excess electrical energy to power the LEDs at night.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of wheel chocks. More specifically, the present invention discloses a wheel chock equipped with solar-powered lights. 
       Statement of the Problem 
       [0002]    Wheel chocks have been used for many years to restrain unwanted movement of wheeled vehicles when parked. Wheel chocks have also been used in the field of aviation to prevent the wheels of parked aircraft from rolling. Aviation wheel chocks are commonly used at both civilian airports and military air installations, including aircraft carriers. 
         [0003]    A problem arises if an aviation wheel chock is accidently left on a runway or other areas where it might be hit by ground-support equipment or aircraft. This is a particular risk at night when equipment operators or aircraft pilots might be less able to see a wheel chock in their path. A collision with a wheel chock can damage an aircraft or cause a loss of control. This is also a problem with regard to other types of wheel chocks if they are left where they might be hit by other types of vehicles. 
         [0004]    Therefore, a need exists for a wheel chock that minimizes the risk of collision with aircraft or other vehicles. More specifically, the wheel chock should be highly visible, particularly at night. In addition, the wheel chock&#39;s solar-powered lights should be self-contained and rugged, so as not to be easily damaged in normal use as a wheel chock. 
       Solution to the Problem 
       [0005]    The present invention addresses this problem by providing a wheel chock with an integral solar-powered lighting module that is embedded in a recess in the wheel chock. This configuration largely protects the lighting module from damage when the wheel chock is used under normal conditions in the field. In addition, modular construction of the lighting module make the assembly more rugged, and simplifies fabrication and repair. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    This invention provides a wheel chock assembly that includes a self-contained, solar-powered lighting module held in a recess on an external surface of the wheel chock. The protective panel can be used to cover the lighting module. The lighting module includes photovoltaic cells for generating electricity from sunlight, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and an energy-storage device (e.g., batteries or capacitors) for storing excess electrical energy to power the LEDs at night. 
         [0007]    These and other advantages, features, and objects of the present invention will be more readily understood in view of the following detailed description and the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The present invention can be more readily understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing assembly of the solar-powered lighting module  20  and protective cover panel  30  into the recess  13  of a wheel chock  10 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view corresponding to  FIG. 1  showing the completed assembly. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with a wheel chock  10  having a triangular cross-section. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a cut-away perspective view of an embodiment with a wheel chock  10  having a bottom void  16  and a flange  18  for initial installation of the solar-powered lighting module  20 . A portion of the wheel chock  10  has been cut away to show the walls of the void  16 , flange  18  and recess  13  in cross-section. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a cut-away perspective view corresponding to  FIG. 4  after the void  16  has been filled with material  19  to hold the solar-powered lighting module  20  in place against the flange  18  of the recess  13 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a schematic circuit diagram for the solar-powered lighting module. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention is depicted showing assembly of the solar-powered lighting module  20  and protective cover panel  30  into the recess  13  of a wheel chock  10 .  FIG. 2  is a perspective view corresponding to  FIG. 1  showing the completed assembly. The wheel chock  10  can have any of a variety of conventional shapes. For example, the wheel chock  10  can have a base surface  11  and a number of exposed top surfaces designed to contact vehicle wheels. 
         [0016]    The embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2  employs a recess  13  in an end surface  12  of the wheel chock  10  to reduce the risk of the lighting module  20  being damaged by a vehicle wheel. The lighting module  20  is embedded in this recess  13 , and then covered with a protective cover panel  30 . For example, these components can be bonded into the recess  13  with an adhesive or attached by screws. Alternatively, a protective panel can be formed over the lighting module  20  by molding a layer of clear polymer over the lighting module  20  after it has been installed in the recess  13 . The protective cover panel  30  or the end surface  12  of the wheel chock  10  can also be equipped with resilient bumpers to help protect the lighting module  20 . 
         [0017]    The exposed face of the lighting module  20  is somewhat recessed into the recess  13  after assembly and includes a number of photovoltaic cells  21  for generating electricity to power the lighting module  20  when exposed to sunlight, as well as a number of light-emitting diodes  22  (LEDs). The wheel chock  10  can also include one or more holes  15  for ropes to assist in moving the wheel chock  10 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with a wheel chock  10  having a triangular cross-section. Here again, the lighting module  20  and cover panel  30  are mounted in a recess  13  in an end surface  12  of the wheel chock  10 . A rope hole  15  passes through the middle of lighting module  20  and cover panel  30 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a cut-away perspective view of an embodiment with a wheel chock  10  having a bottom void  16  and a retaining flange  18  for initial installation of the solar-powered lighting module  20 . A portion of the wheel chock  10  has been cut away to show the walls of the void  16 , retaining flange  18  and recess  13  in cross-section. Note that the bottom void  16  extends upward from the bottom surface  11  of the wheel chock  10  and is in communication with the rear of the recess  13  extending inward from the end surface  12  of the wheel chock  10 . In this embodiment, the lighting module  20  is initially inserted through the bottom void  16  until it abuts the back of the retaining flange  18  at the rear of the recess  13 . The exposed face of the lighting module  20  is thus mounted in the recess  13  with its exposed face visible through the recess  13 . The bottom void is then filled with a material  19 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , to hold the lighting module  20  in place against the retaining flange  18 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a schematic circuit diagram showing one example of the solar-powered lighting module  20 . Solar energy is converted to electricity by a number of photovoltaic cells  21 . This current is regulated by a current source  24  and used to charge a number of rechargeable batteries  23  or capacitors. A step-up converter  25  regulates the output voltage of the batteries  23  at a constant 5V. A number of LEDs  22  are powered by the batteries  23 . Electrical power stored in the batteries  23  is capable of powering the LEDs  22  for a period of time up to 24 hours. In the preferred embodiment, the LEDs flash to maximize their visibility. It should be understood that other types of lights and/or energy storage devices could be readily substituted. 
         [0021]    The above disclosure sets forth a number of embodiments of the present invention described in detail with respect to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in this art will appreciate that various changes, modifications, other structural arrangements, and other embodiments could be practiced under the teachings of the present invention without departing from the scope of this invention as set forth in the following claims.