Abstract:
A wheel chock having a roller assist comprised of a chock, a handle assembly, and a roller assembly. The wheel chock is controlled and lifted by the handle assembly pivoting on the roller assembly. The roller assembly allows rolling of the chock by a user without the necessity of actually lifting the chock. The preferred embodiment utilizes a chock of a heavy and structurally strong rubber or rubber like laminated belting material. The belting material provides an assured grip with the underlying pavement and also forms a structure which is substantially indestructible by a vehicle or a truck.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The art of the present invention relates to wheel chocks in general and more particularly to a wheel chock and method of use having one or more rollers or dollies and an extending handle or arm which allows a user to easily place the chock behind a wheel without the usual bending, stooping, or kneeling required with prior art chock devices. The art of the present invention is especially useful for persons having disabilities or other ailments which limit their ability to bend, stoop, or kneel. 
         [0002]    Wheel chocks (i.e. chocks) are generally wedge shaped structures of a sturdy (and generally heavy) material which are typically placed behind one or more vehicle&#39;s wheels in order to prevent accidental vehicle movement and promote safety. The bottom surface often has a coating or is manufactured from a material that enhances the grip with the pavement, ground, or floor beneath the chock. The coefficient of static friction of the bottom surface dictates that if the chock is of a greater mass, the force required to slip the chock out of position will be greater. (i.e. the greater the chock mass, the less chance of slippage and undesired vehicle movement) For ease of removal, the prior art often utilizes a rope tied to the chock which may be pulled to remove the chock. Often the prior art utilizes a concave profile on the wheel contacting surface of the wedge in order to contour to the wheel and increase the force necessary to overrun the chock. 
         [0003]    Wheel chocks are regularly utilized during the loading and unloading of trucks and tractor-trailers. The sheer weight of the aforesaid vehicles requires that the chock be manufactured from a durable and generally heavy material in order to minimize the probability of chock deformation and vehicle movement. Unfortunately, wheel chocks having the required durability are often so heavy that they cannot be easily placed under or mated with the wheels of a vehicle by a single user without undue stresses placed upon the user. 
         [0004]    The prior art attempts to address this issue in U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,245 B1 issued to Metz on May 21, 2002. Metz places a handle onto a lightweight honeycomb material chock in order to facilitate placement of the chock. The art of Metz is designed to be lifted by the user and, by necessity, requires that the chock be of a lightweight material. Unfortunately, a lightweight chock is generally not as sturdy or as likely to inhibit the vehicle from moving. 
         [0005]    The present art represents a heavy and durable wheel chock having a handle and roller assembly which allows the user to easily roll the chock into a mating position under a vehicle wheel and remove the chock when required. The present art does not require the user to physically lift the chock during use. This allows the chock to be manufactured a heavy and durable material and thereby provide the optimum benefits. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wheel chock having a roller assist which maximizes chock strength, weight, and retention ability while minimizing user inconvenience. 
         [0007]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a wheel chock having a roller assist with a roller assembly and handle which allows a user to easily place the chock without bending, stooping, or kneeling. 
         [0008]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a wheel chock having a roller assist which also has a chain or cable attachment assembly for securely attaching the chock to a building or other non-movable structure in order to prevent theft. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In its preferred form, the art of the present invention represents a chock in the form of a generally wedge shaped structure with a wheel contacting surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a proximal surface, and a distal surface. The preferred embodiment utilizes a wedge shape of approximately eight inches in width and height which is formed from a laminated rubber or rubber like material. The rubber or rubber like material maximizes the coefficient of static friction with the pavement upon which the chock rests. (i.e. an approximate value of 1.0 on concrete whereas the lightweight aluminum extrusion of Metz has an approximate value less than 0.6) 
         [0010]    For the preferred embodiment, fasteners secure the laminations together and are in the form of one or more threaded rods or bolts which extend through the laminations. Also for the preferred embodiment, one or more plates, washers, or other surface force or load distributing members are placed under the heads or nuts of the fasteners. 
         [0011]    For the preferred embodiment, a handle assembly is attached with and extends from the proximal surface of the chock. A roller assembly having one or more rollers or a dolly assembly is attached with the handle assembly aft of the proximal surface. The roller assembly is positioned with said handle assembly such that when the chock is placed under a wheel with the bottom surface touching the pavement, the rollers are slightly elevated above the pavement. This preferred positioning assures that the rollers do not have any of the chock load upon them when the chock is placed and utilized. For the preferred embodiment, said handle assembly is welded onto the proximal surface plate load distributing member via a handle assembly coupling extending from the proximal surface. 
         [0012]    The roller assembly preferably comprises a carriage and one or more (preferably two) rollers or wheels rotatably attached with said carriage. The carriage is preferably attached via one or more welds with the handle assembly. The user is able to lift the chock by pressing the proximal grip portion towards the pavement and thereafter roll the apparatus to a desired position. 
         [0013]    For the preferred embodiment, the distal surface of the chock has a chain or cable attachment assembly in the form of an eyelet or “U” shaped extension extending therefrom. This allows the apparatus to be secured to a building, structure, or post in order to prevent theft and unauthorized use. 
         [0014]    Operation of the apparatus is simple and intuitive. The user first simply disconnects the apparatus from any building, structure, or post with which it is attached. The user then presses downward (towards the pavement) upon the proximal grip portion and rolls the apparatus to a desired location such as under or behind a vehicle wheel. After use, the user simply repeats the aforesaid procedure and rolls the apparatus to a desired location. The roller assembly allows for easy and convenient placement of the chock and construction of the chock from a heavy and durable material. 
         [0015]    The art of the present invention may be manufactured from a plurality of materials including but not limited to rubber or rubber like materials, metals and alloys thereof, polymers, composites, woods, or ceramics without departing from the scope and spirit herein intended. The apparatus may further be manufactured via molding, machining, casting, forging, pressing, laminating, carving, or utilization of stereo-lithographic or electro-dynamic milling or other techniques which are appropriate for the material utilized. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Numerous other objects, features, and advantages of the invention should now become apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a right front perspective view of a wheel chock having a roller assist; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a front view thereof; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a rear view thereof; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a left side plan view thereof; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a right side plan view thereof; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in the Figures a preferred embodiment of a wheel chock having a roller assist  10 . In its preferred form, the present art apparatus  10  comprises a chock  12 , a handle assembly  42 , and a roller assembly  36  upon which the entire apparatus  10  may be rolled into position. 
         [0025]    In its preferred form, the art of the present invention represents a chock  12  in the form of a generally wedge shaped structure with a wheel contacting surface  14 , a bottom surface  16 , a front surface  18 , a proximal surface  28 , and a distal surface  24 . Preferably said contacting surface  14  is contoured or shaped, i.e. a arcuate surface, to mate or touch with a vehicle wheel. For the preferred embodiment the chock  12  is formed from a laminated rubber or rubber like belting material  20  having a plurality of layers (laminations) with one or more fasteners  30  extending through the laminations  20 . The fasteners  30  are capable of compressing the laminations  20  together as a solid and strong chock  12 . The preferred embodiment utilizes a wedge shape of approximately eight inches in width and height with alternative embodiments utilizing a plurality of heights and widths based upon the application and user preference. 
         [0026]    Alternative embodiments may utilize a plurality of chock  12  forms (i.e. wedge shaped, elliptical shaped, circular shaped, and rectangular shaped) and methods of manufacture, including but not limited to molding, casting, machining, and laminating. Alternative chock  12  embodiments may be manufactured from a plurality of materials, including but not limited to, polymers, composites, metals, and woods. 
         [0027]    For the preferred embodiment, the fasteners  30  are in the form of one or more threaded rods or bolts  32  which extend through the laminations  20  and are secured via a head or a nut  33  on the proximal  28  or distal  24  surfaces. Also for the preferred embodiment, one or more plates, washers, or other surface force or load distributing members  34  are placed under said heads or nuts  33 . The preferred embodiment utilizes a somewhat triangular shaped plate  34  through which said threaded rods or bolts  32  are placed and which function to fully sandwich the laminations  20  there between. Alternative embodiments may utilize a plurality of fastener  30  forms including but not limited to rivets, pins, screws, and adhesives. Alternative embodiments may also utilize a plurality of load distributing member  34  shapes or none at all based upon user desires, durability requirements, and cost constraints. 
         [0028]    For the preferred embodiment, a handle assembly  42  is attached with or near and extends from the proximal surface  28  of the chock  12 . A roller assembly  36  having one or more rollers or a dolly assembly  40  is attached with the handle assembly  42  aft (i.e. between the proximal grip portion  46  and the proximal surface  28 ) of the proximal surface  28  of the chock  12 . Alternative embodiments may attached said roller assembly  36  with said chock  12  provided the rollers  40  are positioned aft (i.e. between the proximal grip portion  46  and the proximal surface  28 ) of said proximal surface  28 . The roller assembly is positioned with said handle assembly  42  such that when the chock  12  is placed under a wheel with the bottom surface  16  touching the pavement  50 , the rollers  40  are slightly elevated above the pavement  50 . This preferred positioning assures that the rollers  40  do not have any of the chock  12  load upon them when the chock  12  is placed and utilized. For the preferred embodiment, said handle assembly  42  is attached onto the proximal surface  28  plate load distributing member  34  via a handle assembly coupling  29  extending from the proximal surface  28 . In a preferred form, said coupling  29  comprises a tube of substantially equivalent inside diameter as the outside diameter of the handle assembly  42  tubular member  44 . Alternative embodiments may attach said handle assembly  42  with said chock  12  in a plurality of ways including but not limited to pins, friction or press fits within said chock, screws, welds, or adhesives. 
         [0029]    For the preferred embodiment, the handle assembly  42  is a partially “S” shaped tubular member  44  which extends from at or near the proximal surface  28  of the chock  12  to a proximal grip portion  46  of the handle assembly  42 . The proximal grip portion  46  preferably has a grip  48  (i.e. similar to that found upon a bicycle handlebar) which allows the user to easily hold the handle assembly  42  and move the chock  12  on the roller assembly  36 . For the preferred embodiment, the proximal grip portion  46 , when the handle assembly  42  is attached with the chock  12 , is approximately three feet in height and two and one half feet proximal or rearward from the proximal surface  28  of the chock  12 . Alternative embodiments may utilize a handle assembly  42  of any user desirable shape or size and place the height and rearward position at any user desired position. 
         [0030]    The roller assembly  36  preferably comprises a carriage  38  and one or more (preferably two) rollers  40  (i.e. small wheels) rotatably attached with said carriage  38 . For the preferred embodiment the carriage  38  is a substantially flat plate which is attached with said handle assembly  42  on a first leg of said “S” shaped tubular member  44  near said proximal surface  28  of the chock  12 . The carriage  38  is preferably attached via one or more welds but may utilize alternative techniques including but not limited to screws, pins, clamps, bands, or adhesives and may be removable. For the preferred embodiment, the rollers  40  are approximately two and three quarters inch in diameter and positioned so that the circumference is slightly above the pavement  50  when the chock  12  is placed under a wheel. That is, the circumference is positioned slightly above a plane of said bottom surface  16  whereby a weight or a force placed upon said chock  12  does not place said weight or said force upon said rollers  40 . This positioning assures the user that no vehicle weight is placed upon the rollers  40  when the chock  12  is placed under the vehicle wheel. Alternative embodiments may attach the rollers  40  directly to the handle assembly  42  via a plurality of methods (i.e. holes within the handle, welds, retainers, or others methods recognized within the mechanical arts) or utilize a plurality of roller  40  diameters. The roller(s)  40  may be positioned at a plurality of positions aft of the proximal surface  28  of the chock  12  provided that the roller(s)  40  serve as a pivot axis or loci of rotation between the proximal grip portion  46  and the chock  12 . That is, the user should be able to lift the chock  12  by pressing the proximal grip portion  46  towards the pavement  50  and thereafter roll the apparatus  10  to a desired position. 
         [0031]    For the preferred embodiment, the distal surface  24  of the chock  12  has a chain or cable attachment assembly  26  in the form of an eyelet or “U” shaped extension extending therefrom. This allows the apparatus  10  to be secured to a building, structure, or post in order to prevent theft and unauthorized use. Also for the preferred embodiment, the attachment assembly  26  is formed from approximately ½ inch steel rod, bent into a “U” shaped form, and threaded with two of the fasteners  30  extending through the chock  12 . Alternative embodiments may utilize attachment assemblies  26  having a plurality of forms which are integral with or external to the chock  12  provided the attachment assembly  26  is capable of securing the chock  12 . 
         [0032]    Operation of the apparatus  10  is simple and intuitive. The user first simply disconnects the apparatus  10  from any building, structure, or post with which it is attached. The user then presses downward (towards the pavement  50 ) upon the proximal grip portion  46  and rolls the apparatus  10  to a desired location such as under or behind a vehicle wheel. After use, the user simply repeats the aforesaid procedure and rolls the apparatus  10  to a desired location. The roller assembly  36  allows for easy and convenient placement of the chock  12  and construction of the chock  12  from a heavy and durable material. 
         [0033]    Although described for enablement purposes, the lengths, widths, and other dimensional attributes may depart significantly from those specified. The shape, size, location, component numbers and mounting methods utilized for each of the components or constituent elements may take a plurality of forms as recognized within the pertinent arts without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
         [0034]    Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made to the invention and its method of use without departing from the spirit herein identified. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described. Rather, it is intended that the scope of this invention be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.