Abstract:
Disclosed is a device for blocking a vehicle, a method making use of such a device and a loading-unloading station provided therewith. The device includes a guide track disposed along a driveway, a blocking means for blocking a wheel of the vehicle, and height-adjusting means for height adjustment of the guide track and/or the blocking means during use. The device preferably includes an anti-roll mode, wherein the blocking means engages at a first height, and a locking mode, wherein the blocking means engages at a second, greater height

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Netherlands Patent Application No. 2009050 entitled “Device for Blocking a Vehicle, Method Therefore and Loading-Unloading Station Provided Therewith” filed Jun. 21, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a device for blocking a vehicle such as a truck. Such devices are generally used in practice to block a truck during loading and unloading thereof, for instance at a loading-unloading station of a distribution centre. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Devices for blocking trucks are per se known and are for instance described in EP 1 120 371 and EP 0 684 915. The blocking device known herefrom makes use of a drive to displace a carriage over a guide track. As soon as the truck is positioned correctly relative to the loading-unloading station a blocking means is extended and/or displaced in order to hold the rear wheel of the truck therewith and make driving or rolling away impossible. Such blocking devices are relatively complex due to the number of parts required, and particularly the drives required. 
         [0006]    A blocking device is also known from NL 2004466. The blocking device known herefrom makes use of displacing means to displace a carriage from a first rest position to a second blocking position, wherein use is made of an energy storage system such that energy produced by the first vehicle as it drives away can be used to displace the carriage for a second vehicle. 
         [0007]    A problem occurring in practice with blocking devices is the great variation in vehicles which can occur. Different vehicles have different wheel diameters. The blocking device does not therefore operate optimally for all vehicles, whereby locations provided with a blocking device, such as at a distribution centre, cannot be employed with full flexibility for all types of vehicle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention has for its object to obviate or at least reduce the above stated problems with blocking devices. 
         [0009]    The present invention provides for this purpose a device for blocking a vehicle, comprising
       a guide track disposed along a driveway;   a blocking means for blocking a wheel of the vehicle; and   height-adjusting means for height adjustment of the guide track and/or the blocking means during use.       
 
         [0013]    A guide track according to the invention is for instance disposed along a driveway of a loading-unloading station of for instance a distribution center. A truck is reverse parked along the guide track for the purpose of loading and unloading. 
         [0014]    In the blocking position the blocking means, which in a currently preferred embodiment is provided on the carriage guided by the guide track, preferably engages on the rear wheel of a vehicle which is moving backwards relative to the device. Alternatively, the blocking means is for instance provided directly on the guide track. 
         [0015]    The blocking means preferably takes the form of a type of rod extending substantially in a direction away from the longitudinal direction of the guide track such that no rotating or folding movement need be performed in order to carry the blocking means to the activated and blocking position in which the vehicle is held fast. 
         [0016]    Further provided according to the invention are height-adjusting means with which the guide track can be adjusted in the height during use. Height adjustment of the guide track results in the guide track, and the blocking means directly or indirectly connected thereto, being adjusted in the height relative to the ground surface, and thereby relative to the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the height-adjusting means can also directly adjust the blocking means in the height. Use can for instance be made here of a substantially vertical and/or rotation movement of the blocking means relative to the for instance fixedly disposed guide track. 
         [0017]    The blocking means can for instance be brought to the correct height in hydraulic manner by the height-adjusting means. In such an embodiment the guide track can if desired be disposed fixedly. It would in principle be possible in such an embodiment to optionally dispense with a guide track, although this will result in drawbacks in respect of positioning the vehicle and/or blocking means. Alternatively or additionally, a guide track can be provided in height-adjustable manner with an adjustability over a determined range in continuous or discontinuous manner (for instance using bolts and a predetermined pattern of holes). 
         [0018]    By providing height-adjusting means the blocking means can engage at a desired height on the wheel of the vehicle. The height-adjusting means are adapted here to the vehicle for blocking. This can be performed manually by a driver and/or a location manager, for instance an employee of the distribution center, as well as automatically. The engaging height of the blocking means on the wheel of the vehicle for blocking is hereby adapted to the type of vehicle. This increases the possible uses of the device according to the invention. It is also possible to adapt the actual engaging height of the blocking means to the blocking requirement, for instance a relatively low engaging height in order to prevent the vehicle rolling away during loading and/or unloading, and for instance a relatively high engaging height in order to prevent unauthorized driving away with the vehicle during parking of the vehicle. This enhances the applicability and the possible uses of the device according to the invention. 
         [0019]    In a currently preferred embodiment the device is provided with a carriage which is displaceable relative to the guide track such that the carriage can follow a moving truck. Preferably provided on the carriage is a locking member with which the carriage can be releasably locked relative to the guide track. The locking member preferably engages directly on the guide track. It is however also possible for the locking member to engage on for instance a ground surface on which the guide track is placed. The carriage is in this way also locked relative to the guide track. Using the displacing means the carriage can be moved from a first rest position, in which blocking of the vehicle is realized, to a second blocking position in which it is possible, following locking of the carriage relative to the guide track, to block the vehicle such that it is held stationary at the desired position. The displacing means further enable a reverse movement of the carriage after unlocking from the second blocking position such that the carriage returns to the first rest position. The vehicle can leave said position by being driven away from the blocking device. 
         [0020]    In a preferred embodiment the locking can be realized immediately after the vehicle has come to a standstill by having the carriage co-displace with the tire of the vehicle. 
         [0021]    The height-adjusting means preferably engage directly or indirectly at least at one position on the guide track and/or the blocking means. 
         [0022]    When the height-adjusting means engage directly on the blocking means, it is for instance possible to adjust a blocking means displaceable along the guide track in the height relative to the guide track using the height-adjusting means. A height-adjustable blocking means can hereby be provided at the desired position. 
         [0023]    If the height-adjusting means engage at one position on the guide track, the guide track can be placed at an adjustable angle relative to the ground surface when the height-adjusting means engage on or close to an outer end of the guide track. An alternative and/or additional embodiment is likewise possible wherein the height-adjusting means engage at one position on the guide track and the guide track as a whole is adjusted in the height using additional guides, for instance by displacing the guide track as a whole in the height. If the guide track is adjustable at an angle, the height of the blocking means can likewise be adapted to the wheel of the vehicle to be blocked. In a possible embodiment one outer end of the guide track is provided rotatably around a fastening point and height-adjusting means engage on the other outer end. 
         [0024]    In an advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the height-adjusting means engage directly or indirectly at a second position on the guide track. 
         [0025]    Having the height-adjusting means engage at a second position on the guide track achieves that the whole guide track is adjustable in the height in controllable manner relative to the ground surface. A matching relation between a blocking means and the wheel to be blocked of the vehicle for blocking can hereby be achieved in accurate manner. 
         [0026]    In an advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the device is provided with height-adjustable coupling means for fixing or holding the guide track at a desired height. 
         [0027]    Providing coupling means enables the guide track to be positioned at a nominal working height. These coupling means are for instance embodied as a bolt connection to an upright to which the guide track can be attached at a number of adjustable nominal fixed positions. This has the advantage that the nominal guide track height is adjustable subject to the anticipated category of vehicles, for instance delivery vans or trucks. Variation within these categories of vehicle can also be taken into account by applying the height-adjusting means according to the invention. When after a period of time a different category of vehicle has to be blocked, the nominal working height can be modified using the coupling means. This further increases the flexibility of the device according to the present invention. 
         [0028]    In an advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the device comprises an anti-roll mode, wherein the blocking means engages at a first height, and a locking mode wherein the blocking means engages at a second, greater height. 
         [0029]    Providing a first rolling locking mode and a second locking mode enables the blocking means, depending on the situation, to engage at the optimum height. It has been found that during loading and unloading of a vehicle a blocking has the main purpose of preventing the vehicle from rolling away. For this purpose the blocking means has to engage on the wheel for blocking at a height of preferably at least 35% of the wheel diameter. If a vehicle is parked at the position for a longer period, for instance overnight, it is additionally desirable to prevent undesired movement of the vehicle, i.e. it is locked. The blocking means must here engage high on the wheel, preferably at least at 45% of the wheel diameter. It has been found that at this greater height it is no longer possible to displace the vehicle as it were over the blocking means. The selection of the setting for the anti-roll mode or the locking mode can be made by the driver of the vehicle and/or the employee of the loading-unloading station where the device is positioned, or in a more automatic manner wherein the setting is for instance made dependent on the use of the loading-unloading station. A coupling is present for this purpose between the control of the loading-unloading station on the one hand and the blocking device on the other. The use of at least two different adjustable heights achieves that the blocking can be made dependent on the wishes of the users. Engagement at a lower height as anti-rolling has the advantage that it can be performed relatively easily and quickly, wherein the attendant risk of damage is reduced. For locking purposes, for instance overnight, a greater height has to be employed so that there is actual locking. A careful positioning can be carried out for this purpose. The overall effectiveness of blocking means according to the invention is hereby increased. 
         [0030]    In a further advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the device comprises a detector for detecting the required engaging height of the blocking means. 
         [0031]    Providing a detector allows the setting of the height-adjusting means to be performed in automatic or semiautomatic manner. This reduces the chance of mistakes. 
         [0032]    In a currently preferred embodiment the detector comprises determining means which are provided with at least a first contact means on a first side of the wheel and a second contact means on the other side of the wheel as seen in the travel direction thereof during use of the device. These contact means are for instance embodied as rollers engaging on the tread surface of the wheel. By determining the mutual distance between the at least two contact means while they are in contact with the wheel, and also the height of the contact means relative to the ground surface over which the wheel moves, it is possible to determine the diameter of the wheel for blocking. On the basis of the wheel height, and preferably in combination with the selection between the possible modes, including the locking mode and the anti-roll mode, the detector is hereby able to determine the required effective engaging height for the blocking means. A user-friendly device can in this way be realized according to the invention. In addition, an effective blocking means is realized through the use of the detector, wherein there is no loss of time waiting for a setting, since the detector is preferably operative during positioning of the vehicle relative to the guide track. 
         [0033]    In a further advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the blocking means is provided on a displaceable carriage guided by the guide track. 
         [0034]    A flexible positioning of the blocking means relative to the vehicle is possible due to the use of the above discussed carriage. This makes use in practice a good deal easier. The carriage can be driven in various ways, including making use of a flexible member, such as a steel cable, and other similar ways as described in NL 2004466. The blocking device according to the present invention preferably makes use of a locking member, likewise as according to NL 2004466. 
         [0035]    In a further advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the device comprises displacing means for displacing the carriage between a first rest position of the blocking means and a second blocking position, wherein the displacing means are provided with an energy storage system such that energy supplied by the vehicle is usable to displace the carriage. 
         [0036]    The use of an energy storage system for a blocking device is per se known from the above cited document NL 2004466. The height-adjusting means are preferably also operatively connected to the energy storage system for the purpose of displacing the guide track in the height. Potential energy can hereby be recovered in effective manner during the downward movement of the guide track and subsequently used for a subsequent vehicle during the upward movement of the guide track. An energy-efficient device is in this way realized. 
         [0037]    The present invention further relates to a loading-unloading station provided with a device as described above. 
         [0038]    Such a loading-unloading station provides the same effects and advantages as described in respect of the device. In addition, the use of the height-adjusting means makes it possible to use each individual station for all categories and types of vehicle. This further increases the utility of such a station. 
         [0039]    The present invention further also relates to a method for blocking a vehicle in a desired position, comprising of providing a device as described above. 
         [0040]    Such a method likewise provides the same effects and advantages as described in respect of the device and/or the loading-unloading station. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0041]    Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0042]      FIG. 1  shows a view of a loading-unloading station at a distribution centre; 
           [0043]      FIGS. 2A-F  show views of a first embodiment of the blocking device according to the invention; 
           [0044]      FIGS. 3A-F  show views of alternative embodiments according to the invention; 
           [0045]      FIGS. 4A-B  show views of a further embodiment according to the present invention; and 
           [0046]      FIGS. 5A-B  and  6 A-B show views of a further embodiment according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0047]    A loading-unloading location  2  ( FIG. 1 ) is provided at a building  4 . Each loading-unloading location  2  is provided with an opening or door  6  and a so-called dock shelter  8  for protection thereof. A truck  10  is reversed to loading-unloading location  2 , inter alia with rear wheels  12 . Truck  10  moves here substantially parallel to blocking device  14 . 
         [0048]    A blocking device  16  ( FIG. 2A-F ) is placed on the ground surface  18 . Device  16  is provided with guide track  20  which in the shown embodiment can be adjusted in the height relative to ground surface  18  using height-adjusting means  22 . Height-adjusting means  22  comprise an arm  24 , which is connected to support  28  on ground surface  18  using rotation shaft  26 , and a second arm  30  which is connected to second support  34  on ground surface  18  using second rotation shaft  32 . At the other outer ends the arms  24 ,  30  are connected via respective rotation shafts  32 ,  34  to guide track  20 . 
         [0049]    Provided in the shown embodiment on the front side of device  16  is an element  36  running obliquely upward and, at the other outer end of guide track  20 , a second rectangular element  38  for the purpose of indicating the position of device  16 . On the side where a wheel W is driven into device  16 , usually in reverse, is situated a ground plate  40  in which, in the shown embodiment, two recesses  42 ,  44  are provided in which a first contact rod  46  and a second contact rod  48  are provided in the rest position ( FIG. 2A ). As soon as a wheel W reaches ground plate  40 , carriage  50  with contact elements  46 ,  48  is uncoupled from ground plate  40  and, using wheels or rollers  52 , displaced in guide  54  of guide track  20 . In the shown embodiment contact means  46 ,  48  also form blocking means. 
         [0050]    In the shown embodiment contact means  46 ,  48  are in contact on either side with wheel W during use. Contact means  46  is mounted here on sub-part  56  of carriage  50  and contact means  48  on sub-part  58  of carriage  50 . In the shown embodiment sub-parts  56 ,  58  are mutually connected using a spring  60  so that during use contact means  46 ,  48  are held against the tread surface of wheel W. 
         [0051]    In the shown embodiment rollers  62  form part of the drive and/or locking mechanism in similar manner as described in NL 2004466. 
         [0052]    In the shown embodiment the mutual distance between sub-carriages  56 ,  58  and the height of contact means  46 ,  48  relative to ground surface  18  are determined using detectors  64 ,  66 . The desired height adjustment can in this way be determined. 
         [0053]    In the shown embodiment wheel W has for instance a diameter of about 1050 mm and a first anti-roll height of guide track  20  is about 350 mm and a second locking height 450 mm ( FIG. 2E ). The adjustment between the different heights is possible via adjusting button  68 . This can otherwise be performed in fully automatic manner. 
         [0054]    As soon as wheel W moves backwards over ground plate  40 , contact means  44 ,  46  are released and will follow wheel W. Arms  24 ,  30  are simultaneously moved such that guide track  20  is carried upward from ground surface  18  as carriage  50  follows wheel W. During following the desired blocking height is determined in the shown embodiment using detectors  64 ,  66  and setting  68 . Wheel W is then secured at the desired position. 
         [0055]    In an alternative embodiment blocking device  70  ( FIG. 3A-3F ) is for the greater part provided with the same components as the above discussed blocking device  16 . Only the differences will therefore be discussed below. Blocking device  70  is provided on only one side with height-adjusting means  22 . Also provided is a carriage  72  which consists in this embodiment of a single part. It is noted here that blocking device  70  can likewise be provided with a carriage  50  provided with sub-part  56  and sub-part  58 , while blocking device  16  ( FIG. 2A-F ) can also be provided with a single carriage  72  ( FIG. 3A-F ). It is otherwise the case that components of the shown separate embodiments are interchangeable. 
         [0056]    Blocking device  70  is further provided with coupling means  74  wherein guide track  76  is connected at one outer end to upright  80  using rotation shaft  78 . In the shown embodiment guide track  76  is in the rest position ( FIG. 3A ) with a first outer end placed on ground surface  18 . Wheel W travels over the ground plate  82  with a recess  84  arranged therein for blocking element  86 , after which blocking element  86  and carriage  72  will follow wheel W, wherein guide track  76  is simultaneously carried upward ( FIG. 3C ). 
         [0057]    In the shown embodiment of device  70  guide track  76  is then further displaceable in the height ( FIG. 3E ) by making use of guides  88  on the outer ends of guide track  76 . Guide track  76  can hereby be carried further upward, for instance from a height of about 350 mm to a height of about 450 mm. 
         [0058]    It is optionally also possible to provide guide track  76  only with this height-displaceable option, wherein guide track  76  is displaced from ground surface  18  to the desired height, or to provide guide track  76  rotatably only at an outer end, wherein guide track  76  therefore lies at an angle to ground surface  18  in most positions of use. 
         [0059]    In the shown embodiment blocking device  70  is embodied such that in a first nominal position ( FIG. 3C  and D) guide track  76  is provided at the anti-roll height, wherein blocking element  86  prevents wheel W rolling away during for instance loading and unloading. In a locking position ( FIG. 3E  and F) guide track  76  is brought to a greater height such that blocking element  86  locks wheel W against undesired driving away thereof. 
         [0060]    A further alternative embodiment of blocking device  90  ( FIG. 4A-B ) is based largely on blocking device  10  ( FIG. 2A-F ). In the shown embodiment blocking device  90  ( FIG. 4A-B ) is provided with a carriage  92  enclosing guide track  94  for the greater part. Blocking element  96  blocks wheel W. Blocking device  90  is provided with guide track  94  on which a guide surface or guide rail  98  is provided over which carriage  92  is displaceable with wheels  100 . Travel wheels  102  enable displacement of carriage  92  over guide track  94 . 
         [0061]    Blocking element or blocking rod  96  engages on tread surface  104  of wheel W. In the shown embodiment travel wheels  102  move in bent edge  103  of side edge  105 . 
         [0062]    When a truck has to be positioned close to opening  6  of loading-unloading location  2 , it will move first with rear wheel  12  over ground plate  40  in backward direction. The passage of rear wheel W is detected using sensors  106 , 108 , ( FIG. 2A ), after which carriage  50  is released if blocking rod  48  is present in recess  44 , and will follow this wheel  12  in the direction of opening  6 . 
         [0063]    Sensors  106 , 108  can be diverse types of sensor, for instance for determining the wheel diameter and/or detecting obstacles such as mudguards. 
         [0064]    After reaching the desired loading-unloading position for truck  10 , the locking and/or anti-rolling is activated in the above described manner using control button  68 . Once loading and/or unloading is fully completed, the locking and/or the anti-rolling is disengaged and truck  10  can move forward along guide track  20 . In the advantageous embodiment carriage  20  is pushed forward here such that telescopic springs (not shown) of the energy storage system  110  ( FIG. 2A ) are extended and thereby as it were tensioned. Once truck  10  has reached the front side of guide track  20 , blocking rod  48  is pressed into recess  44  of ground plate  40 . Energy is hereby stored in system  110  and ready for use with a subsequent truck  10 . Use can also be made of telescopic springs during the change in height of guide track  20 , whereby no or only minimal net external energy need be supplied for the purpose of height adjustment of guide track  20 . 
         [0065]    In a further alternative embodiment blocking device  112  ( FIG. 5A-B  and  6 A-B) is provided with a height-adjustable blocking rod  114  which can engage on wheel W. Guide track  116  is fixedly dispensed and carriage  118  moves substantially only in horizontal direction over guide track  116 . Carriage  118  can be secured in known manner here on guide track  116  using fixation mechanism  120 . Arm  124  on which blocking rod  114  is mounted is rotated around shaft  126  via mechanism  122 . As a result of the rotation the rod  114  is moved in the height relative to the ground surface and the wheel W movable thereon. In the shown embodiment the height-adjustable guide  128  is co-displaced here between a high position ( FIG. 6A and 6B ) and a low position ( FIG. 5A  and B), wherein the height varies for instance from 425 mm to 325 mm. Other heights are also possible. It will be apparent that diverse components of the shown embodiments are mutually interchangeable. As already discussed, carriage  20  can for instance also be applied in other embodiments. Ground plate  40  can for instance also be used in other embodiments. The optional use of the energy storage system  110  can likewise be implemented in the different embodiments. Other components can also be used here. 
         [0066]    In the shown embodiments guide track is  20 ,  94  are provided over a length of about 3 to 3.5 m, and guide track  20 ,  94  is adjustable in the height from ground surface  18  to a height of about 500 mm thereabove. Other heights are of course also possible. Intermediate heights are likewise possible in diverse embodiments, wherein specific possibilities are provided for said anti-roll mode and locking mode. 
         [0067]    The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged. It is noted here that diverse mechanical reversals are possible within the scope of protection of the present invention. This relates for instance to tensioning and slackening of spring  60  in blocking device  16 .