Vehicle chock system

A wheel chock system having an automatically deployable wheel chock for preventing the movement of a vehicle wheel is disclosed herein. The system attaches to a semi-trailer or other vehicle, and may be powered by the existing air brake system of the vehicle. The system enables the wheel chock to descend from a stowed position to a deployed position, immediately in front of or behind the vehicle wheel and on the ground surface, or vice versa. The system may be further comprised of an actuation means in the cab of the vehicle for activating or deactivating the wheel chocks, a detection means for detecting whether the chocks are in a stowed or deployed position and a visual or audible indicator for alerting the user as to the positioning of the chock(s).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a new and improved wheel chock system for preventing the movement of a vehicle wheel. More specifically, the invention relates to a system that mounts to the underside of a vehicle/trailer, wherein the system is powered by the existing air brake system of the vehicle or other electric/manual powering means. The system is further comprised of a plurality of cradles which house the wheel chocks when not in use, wherein the chocks can be deployed from the cradles on demand from the cab of the vehicle via a worm drive. The system is also comprised of a plurality of sensors and an LED display that notifies a user of the real-time status of the chock position (e.g. retraction or deployment). Accordingly, the present specification makes specific reference thereto. However, it should be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally amenable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

By way of background, wheel chocks are used to prevent the accidental or unintended movement of a vehicle wheel in a plurality of scenarios, and are typically comprised of a concave metal or plastic wedge-like body that is further comprised of a contour that opposes the contour of the vehicle wheel, thereby preventing the wheel from rolling forward/backward (depending on the placement of the chock in front of, or behind a wheel). Chocks are oftentimes used to secure trailers that are not attached to a vehicle to ensure that, for example, an external force cannot cause the trailer to begin to roll. Chocks may also be used on a vehicle, such as a semi-truck/semi-trailer, if parked on a steep incline or other scenario wherein the chock acts as a safety or redundancy device that compliments the existing parking brake of the vehicle in case of, for example, parking brake failure.

As previously stated, existing wheel chock devices are typically comprised of a concave metal or plastic wedge-like body that is comprised of a contour that opposes the contour of the vehicle wheel. Albeit an effective means to prevent the accidental travel of one or more vehicle wheels, existing wheel chocks are far from optimal in terms of convenience and efficiency due to their inherent construction and features, or lack thereof. For example, existing vehicle chocks often lack a means to be readily attached to a vehicle, such that the chock(s) can be easily stored and accessed for use. As a result of the absence of such a means, wheel chocks may often be lost, misplaced or easily left behind by users who forget to return the chocks to the cab of a semi, or wherever said user chooses to store the chocks on the semi-truck/trailer. Further, stored chocks could become dislodged while driving if not properly secured, or if said securing means fails, thereby causing a substantial hazard to other motorists in the form of the chock entering the roadway from a moving vehicle.

Further, existing wheel chocks known in the art must be manually positioned and removed individually by a user before and after each use. This process can be unnecessarily time-consuming, and generally inefficient. The placement/removal of a wheel chock also requires a user to bend down to the level of the surface the wheel rests on to properly position the chock in front/behind each wheel. For some users, specifically those who may be older or have mobility issues, this action may not be possible, or has great potential to cause the user pain/irritation. Also, repetitive use injuries may could occur from continuously deploying and stowing chocks.

Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved wheel chock system. There is also a long felt need in the art for an improved wheel chock system that overcomes the limitations of existing similar devices, namely by providing a means to easily and readily secure a chock to the vehicle so that it is not lost or misplaced. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved wheel chock system that does not require that a user physically place or remove the chock in any fashion.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, comprises a wheel chock system that attaches to a semi/semi-trailer or other vehicle, wherein the system may be powered by the existing air brake system of the vehicle, an electric powering means or a manually-actuated powering means. In each instance, the powering means automatically descends the wheel chocks from a stored position above the vehicle wheels to a position immediately in front of or behind said wheels on the ground surface. The system is further comprised of a cradle that retains the wheel chock in a stored position above the wheel(s) of a vehicle until the same is needed. The cradle is further comprised of a tether cable or chain that is connected to the chock, which allows the chock to descend from the cradle via a worm drive mechanism that is powered by, for example, the air brake of the vehicle, an electric motor or manual crank power, and into a position in front of or behind the vehicle wheel on the ground surface. Further, the device is preferably comprised of a control/actuation means in the cab of the vehicle, wherein the user can be notified if the chocks are deployed or inactive via an LED light board or other notification means.

In this manner, the improved wheel chock device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, thereby providing a user with a means to readily secure one or more wheel chocks to a vehicle or vehicle trailer. The device also enables a user to position one or a plurality of wheel chocks simultaneously, via a means that does not require any physical involvement or action by the user other than the actuation of a button from within the vehicle cab.

SUMMARY

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, is an improved wheel chock system comprised of at least one wheel chock, but preferably two or more wheel chocks, wherein each chock is affixed to the system on the driver's side of a semi-truck/vehicle on the cab/trailer underbody or other similar structure. The system is further comprised of a cradle that secures the wheel chock in a user-selected position in front of and above and/or behind and above a vehicle wheel, wherein the cradle is further comprised of a metal-coated or plastic-coated steel cable that secures and retains the chock within the cradle until needed. When activated, the cable allows the chock to be lowered from the cradle into a position in front of or behind a vehicle wheel at ground level, via a worm drive that is powered by a select one of an existing air brake system of the vehicle, an electric powering means or a manually-actuated powering means. The system is further comprised of a vehicle cab control means which allows the user to lower/retract the chocks from an operative or inoperative position via a button, and a plurality of sensors that detect if the chock is currently being retained within the cradle or if it is deployed. Nonetheless, the button could actually be built into or piggy back the air brake actuator, and the LED lights would display on the face of this button (e.g., an approximately 2″ square plastic button oriented as a diamond). The sensors are in electrical communication with an LED light board positioned within the vehicle cab, wherein a green LED indicates that the chock is in a stowed position and that the vehicle can be moved, and a red LED indicates that the chock is in a deployed position and that the vehicle cannot be moved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like referenced numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.

The device of the present invention is designed to allow a user to position at least one wheel chock in front of or behind a vehicle or trailer wheel via a wheel chock system. The system can be retrofitted to existing vehicles/semi-trucks/semi-trailers/trailers, and is preferably powered by the existing air brake system of the semi/vehicle. The system may also be comprised of a plurality of redundant powering means, such as an electric motor/generator that can be stored on the exterior of the vehicle or within the vehicle cab. Another powering means may be a manually-actuated powering mechanism, such as a handle and cranking system.

Referring initially to the drawings,FIG.1illustrates a perspective view of the retractor arms120and wheel chock130of the improved wheel chock system100in a stowed position, while attached to the underside11of a trailer bed10. It is contemplated that the system100can be permanently or temporarily affixed to the underside11surface of a vehicle or vehicle trailer10, such as but not limited to a semi-trailer. Specifically, the retractor arms120and cradle140are preferably positioned in the area immediately in front, immediately behind or in front and behind the vehicle wheels12on the underside11surface of a trailer bed10or vehicle. In the preferred embodiment of the device100, the arms120and cradle140are preferably positioned on the driver's side of the vehicle/trailer, with one set of arms120and related chock130positioned in front of a vehicle wheel12, and a second set of arms120/chock130positioned behind the vehicle wheel12. It is contemplated that many other positional arrangements of the arms120, chock130and cradle140may exist on the underside11of a trailer bed10or vehicle underside, including but not limited to: behind and in front of each wheel12, or only in front or behind select wheels12on select sides of the trailer10or vehicle. However, it is contemplated that the arms120, chock130and cradle140are positioned around/near at least one wheel12of a vehicle or trailer10in any embodiment of the system100.

The retractor arms120serve as one element that retains the wheel chock130in a stowed position within the cradle140. However, in differing embodiments of the system100, the arms120may be housed within a cradle140. The arms120are preferably made of a durable metal, such as but not limited to: stainless steel or aluminum, and are further comprised of a first end122having a relatively flat surface123. The flat surface123acts as a level surface for the bottom surface131of the chock130to be supported by the arms120when in a stowed position. The first end122of the arms120may be generally triangular in shape, half triangular in shape, or any other shape that comprises a flat surface123. The first end122of the arms120is also comprised of at least one pair of wheels128, whose purpose will become fully apparent when discussingFIG.2infra. The chock130is also retained within the arms120and cradle140, via one or more cables150. It is contemplated that said cables150are comprised of a hardened metallic exterior coating to protect the cables150from the elements (e.g. water, debris, snow, sleet, oxidation, etc.) that may be encountered between the underside11of the trailer10and a roadway. It is also contemplated that an air brake/air hose assembly168of the system100may also be comprised of the same hardened metallic exterior coating to protect said structures from the same elements.

FIG.2illustrates a perspective view of the retractor arms120and wheel chock130in the process of deploying the chock130of the improved wheel chock system100while attached to the underside11of a trailer bed10(shown as prior art). It is in this FIG. that the function of the arms120in relation to the chock130becomes fully apparent. More specifically, the arms120are comprised of at least one pair of metal springs162and a metal hinge160, wherein the hinge160allows the arms120to extend outwards at an angle greater than 90 degrees in relation to the underside11of the trailer10and against the force of the springs162. When the arms120extend away from the chock130, which can be actuated by the release of the air brake of the vehicle, the wheels128of each arm120contact the sides132of the chock130, thereby aiding the chock130in clearing the arms120and preventing friction-related damage as the chock130is being lowered into position via at the least one cable150. Once the chock130has cleared the arms120, the springs162return the arms120to their original stowed position at approximately 90 degrees in relation to the underside11. In this manner, the springs162also serve to retain the chock130if the cable150were to break by keeping the arms120in the described stowed position as shown inFIG.1.

When the chock130is being retracted, the springs162may be engaged by the existing air brake system or electric/manual powering system of the trailer10or vehicle, or the electrical/air hoses168of the system100to open the arms120against the back pressure of the springs162. The cable150is also attached to a worm drive gear assembly164, which allows the cable150to be retracted into the cradle140, or against the underside11of the trailer10in embodiments of the device100that are not comprised of a cradle140, such as the embodiment shown inFIG.2. The worm drive164may be powered directly by the existing air brake/electrical system of the trailer10or vehicle, or may be powered by an electric motor/generator174that is in electrical communication with the worm drive164via the hoses/cables168or a manual hand crank assembly182. The worm drive164may drive the cables150toward either the front on the front chock130, or the back on the back chock130to unwind the cables150in such a way that the curvature of the cables150is convex in relation to the tires12of the vehicle or trailer10. It is also contemplated that the superior corners of the chock130could further comprise one or more metal wheels166to reduce the likelihood of friction or wear from possibly coming into contact with the retractors120.

FIG.3illustrates a perspective view of a differing embodiment of the wheel chock system100of the present invention, wherein the chock130is stowed in a cradle140, while attached to the underside11of a trailer bed10. In this embodiment, the cradle140houses the worm drive164, which as stated supra retracts and deploys the cable150from the cradle140and can be more fully observed inFIG.4. In a differing embodiment of the system100, the worm drive164may also be mounted directly to the underside11of the trailer10or vehicle. The worm drive164may be comprised of at least one gear of any shape, such as but not limited to: v-shaped gears or a v-shaped gear pattern, wherein the pattern/gear shape allows the worm drive164to move in two or more directions, such as up/down and/or left/right. This movement pattern ensures that the cable150is afforded more movement when in a deployed position, and ensures that any slack present will be drawn back up into the cradle140, but not before the vehicle tire12comes into contact with the chock130. It is also contemplated that the retractor arms120may be positioned within, or completely encompassed by, the cradle140so as to protect the arms120from any roadway debris that may strike and damage the same.

In a preferred embodiment, the cradle140is comprised of appropriate dimensions to allow for extra room to accommodate the cable150if it becomes unraveled or broken, and to ensure that it cannot shatter or protrude outwardly from the cradle140. It is also appreciated that the cable150and electrical/air hoses168of the system100are secured in a manner underneath the trailer bed10, wherein there is a degree of slack in both the cable150and the electrical/air hoses168so as to prevent tensioning thereof, which could lead to unintentional disconnection of either. The cradle140may also be comprised of a manual override button142to clear an unraveled cable150from the cradle140.

FIG.4illustrates a perspective view of a differing embodiment of the wheel chock system100of the present invention, wherein the wheel chock130is deployed from a cradle140while attached to the underside11of a trailer bed10. In the embodiment depicted inFIG.4, the placement of the chock(s)130in front of and behind a pair of vehicle wheels12can be observed. The chock130and cradle140are both preferably shaped like a right-triangle, thereby forming a generally square combination when the chock130rests inside the cradle140(as best observed inFIG.3). Notwithstanding, it is contemplated that the shape arrangement could be any combination of shapes without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. It is also important to note that in the deployed position, the cable150has a significant amount of excess slack. This is a purposeful design feature that is designed to allow the chock130to remain in place if the trailer10begins to move. For example, if no slack were present, the chock130would simply move forward with the trailer10and not engage the wheel12of the trailer10, thereby defeating the purpose of a wheel chock130.

FIG.5illustrates a perspective view of yet another possible embodiment of the wheel chock system100of the present invention in a stowed position, while attached to the underside11of a trailer bed10. More specifically,FIG.5serves to illustrate that the system100may exist without a cradle140and/or retractor arms120, wherein the chock130is retained solely by the cable150which is attached to the worm drive164and trailer underside11as described supra. In addition, the deployment of the cable150can further be observed inFIG.6.

As stated above, the system100may also be comprised of a plurality of sensors170and a visual indicator172, wherein the indicator172alerts a user to the status of the chock130deployment from within the vehicle cab (not shown), based on the detection of the chock130within the cradle140via the sensors170. More specifically, the sensors170may detect the positioning of the chock(s)130of the system100in real-time, and communicate the information to the indicator172, wherein the indicator172may be in the form of an LED light board that can also be placed within a vehicle cab (not shown) or on any surface of the trailer10. The light board may have a green LED light1720that may be used to indicate that the chock130is in a stowed position and the vehicle is safe to move. A red LED1722may also be used to indicate that the chock130is in a deployed position, and the vehicle cannot be moved. In this embodiment of the indicator172, the light board may also be comprised of a button1724that may be a 2″ square plastic button oriented as a diamond, that allows a user to readily deploy or retract one or all of chocks130of the system100from within the cab or wherever the indicator172is located, thereby eliminating the need for the user to step out of the cab to control the system100. In addition, the indicator172may be comprised of a speaker1728that alerts a user to the position of each chock130via a series of tones, sounds or phrases.

Furthermore, one embodiment of the system100may have at least one camera180that may be located on a chock130, cradle140or cable150of the system100. The camera180further allows a user to view the status and position of the chock130, cradle140or cable150in real-time. It is also contemplated that the visual indicator172may be comprised of an LCD, LED or other conventional viewing display1726known in the art that allows a user to observe the view from the camera180from wherever the indicator172is positioned.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the improved wheel chock system100can by any suitable size, shape and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the shape and size of the system100and its various components, as show in the FIGS., are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other shapes and sizes of the system100and its components are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although dimensions of the system100and its components (i.e., length, width, and height) are important design parameters for good performance, the system100and its various components may be any shape, size, or number that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits user need and/or preference.