Patent Publication Number: US-2020299076-A1

Title: Vehicle restraint for a loading dock system having laterally operable restraint assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/820,527 filed on Mar. 19, 2019, entitled VEHICLE RESTRAINT FOR A LOADING DOCK SYSTEM HAVING LATERALLY OPERABLE RESTRAINT ASSEMBLY, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to barricade restraints for loading docks, and more specifically, a barricade restraint for a loading dock having a linear actuator for adjusting the position of the restraint assembly with respect to the loading dock and various vehicles and trailers parked at the loading dock. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various loading docks can include barricade restraints that are rotationally operable to a vertical position when a trailer or other vehicle is parked at a loading dock. The vertical position of the barricade restraint maintains the position of the rear impact guard for the vehicle between the barricade restraint and the wall of the loading dock. The barricade restraint is operable to a vertical position to maintain the rear impact guard for the vehicle in this position, until the barricade restraint is lowered to allow for movement of the vehicle away from the loading dock. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle restraining mechanism for a loading dock system includes a restraint assembly having a barricade member that is rotationally operable between a stored position, a blocking position and a verification position. The barricade member in the blocking position selectively secures a vehicle relative to a wall of a loading dock. A linear actuator laterally operates the barricade member along a linear path of travel that is generally perpendicular to a rotational axis of the barricade member. A sensor is in communication with at least one of the linear actuator and the barricade member. The sensor and the linear actuator cooperate to position the barricade member in relation to a rear impact guard of a vehicle that is parked at the loading dock. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle restraining mechanism for a loading dock system includes a restraint assembly having a barricade member that is rotationally operable at least between a blocking position and a verification position. The barricade member in the blocking position selectively secures a vehicle relative to a loading dock. A linear actuator laterally operates the barricade member along a linear path of travel that is generally perpendicular to a rotational axis of the barricade member. The linear actuator selectively translates the barricade member in the verification position to contact a rear impact guard of a vehicle to define a contact position. Further operation of the linear actuator beyond the contact position biases the barricade member against the rear impact guard and rotates the rear impact guard from the verification position to the blocking position. The restraint assembly includes an operable lock that selectively maintains the barricade restraint in the blocking position. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for restraining a vehicle relative to a loading dock system includes parking the vehicle at a loading dock. A barricade member of a restraint assembly is placed in a verification position. The restraint assembly is laterally translated from a retracted position to an extended position relative to the vehicle. The barricade member is engaged in the verification position with a portion of the vehicle. The barricade member is rotated to a blocking position by further laterally translating the restraint assembly to engage a rear surface of a rear impact guard of the vehicle. 
     These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an aspect of the vehicle restraining mechanism, shown restraining a tailgate-type trailer with respect to a loading dock; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the vehicle restraining mechanism of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of an aspect of a vehicle restraining mechanism for a loading dock, with the linear actuator shown in a retracted position; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle restraining mechanism of  FIG. 3  showing the linear actuator of the vehicle restraining mechanism in an extended position; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle restraining mechanism of  FIG. 4  showing the restraint assembly in a fully-extended position; 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the vehicle restraining mechanism in a retracted position; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the vehicle restraining mechanism of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view of the vehicle restraining mechanism of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the vehicle restraining mechanism of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of an aspect of the vehicle restraining mechanism shown with the linear actuator in an extended position; 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the vehicle restraining mechanism of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of the vehicle restraining mechanism of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of an aspect of the vehicle restraining mechanism of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a top perspective view of an aspect of the vehicle restraining mechanism of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a top perspective view of an aspect of the vehicle restraining mechanism of  FIG. 12 ; and 
         FIG. 16  is a linear flow diagram illustrating a method for restraining a vehicle relative to a loading dock system utilizing an aspect of the vehicle restraining mechanism; and 
         FIG. 17  is a linear flow diagram illustrating a method for restraining a vehicle relative to a loading dock system utilizing an aspect of the vehicle restraining mechanism. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , reference numeral  10  generally refers to a vehicle restraining mechanism for use in connection with a loading dock  12  for temporarily holding a trailer  14  or other vehicle  16  in a restrained position  18  with respect to a loading dock  12  for a structure  20 . According to various aspects of the device, the vehicle restraining mechanism  10  includes a restraint assembly  22  that includes a barricade member  24  that is rotationally operable between a plurality of rotational positions  56 , which include a stored position  26 , a blocking position  28  and a verification position  30 . The barricade member  24  in the blocking position  28  selectively secures a vehicle  16  relative to a loading dock  12 . A linear actuator  32  is coupled with the restraint assembly  22  and laterally operates the restraint assembly  22  and the barricade member  24 , via an articulating mechanism, along a linear path  34  of travel. This linear path  34  is generally perpendicular to a rotational axis  36  around which the barricade member  24  operates. Accordingly, during operation of the vehicle restraining mechanism  10 , the restraint assembly  22  operates along a linear axis  38  through operation of the linear actuator  32 . In a particular linear position  40  with respect to the linear actuator  32 , the barricade member  24  of the restraint assembly  22  operates about a rotational axis  36 . As noted above, this rotational axis  36  is generally perpendicular to the linear axis  38  along which the linear actuator  32  operates. At least one sensor  42  is in communication with one of the barricade member  24  and the linear actuator  32 , or both. The one or more sensors  42 , the barricade member  24  and the linear actuator  32  cooperate to position the barricade member  24  a predetermined distance from a particular object. This particular object, such as a reference object  52 , can be in the form of a wall  44  of the loading dock  12 , a lift gate  46  of a lift-gate type vehicle  48  that may be parked at the loading dock  12 , a rear impact guard  50 , or other similar reference object  52  related to the loading dock  12  and/or the vehicle  16  parked at the loading dock  12 . Typically, the reference object is in the form of the rear impact guard  50 . 
     Typically, at least one of the sensors  42  is in communication with each of the barricade member  24  and the linear actuator  32 . The sensor  42  can monitor the rotational position  56  of the barricade member  24  during operation of the linear actuator  32 . In such an embodiment, selective operation of the linear actuator  32  moves the barricade member  24 , while in the verification position  30 , into contact with the rear impact guard  50  to define a contact position  58 . This contact position  58  can be part of a verification step to verify that the rear impact guard  50  is in an appropriate position to be secured by the barricade member  24  and the linear actuator  32 . Once in the contact position  58 , the linear actuator  32  operates to translate the restraint assembly  22 , in a manner that biases the barricade member  24  against the rear impact guard  50 . Using the lateral translation of the linear actuator  32 , the barricade member  24  is rotated from the verification position  30  to the blocking position  28 . Once in the blocking position  28 , the restraint assembly  22  locks the barricade member  24  in the blocking position  28 . In certain aspects of the device, a locking mechanism  112  for the barricade member  24  can be engaged before the barricade member  24  reaches the blocking position  28 . By way of example, and not limitation, the locking member  112  can be engaged while the barricade member  24  is in the verification position  30  or while the barricade member  24  is moving from the verification position  30  to the blocking position  28 . 
     In certain aspects of the device, at least one of the sensors  42  can be used to monitor, recognize, or otherwise detect, the presence of various obstructions or reference objects  52  that may be located between the wall  44  of the loading dock  12  and the restraint assembly  22 . The sensor  42  can be located on one of the linear actuator  32 , the restraint assembly  22 , or other portion of the vehicle restraining mechanism  10 . The sensor  42  can also be located on a portion of the loading dock  12  or other part of the structure  20 . 
     By determining the presence and location of such reference objects  52 , the location of the rear impact guard  50  for the vehicle  16  can be assessed and determined through operation of the linear actuator  32  and the barricade member  24 , as monitored by the sensor  42 . Once the location of the rear impact guard  50  is determined, the linear actuator  32  can operate the restraint assembly  22  to properly position the barricade member  24  to restrain the vehicle  16  in the appropriate restrained position  18  relative to the loading dock  12 . 
     As exemplified in  FIGS. 3-12 , the linear actuator  32  operates to move the restraint assembly  22  between a plurality of linear positions  40  with respect to the loading dock  12 . These positions can include a retracted position  60  and a plurality of extended positions  62 . The plurality of extended positions  62  can include a fully-extended position  64  that is indicative of the linear actuator  32  fully extending the restraint assembly  22  toward the wall  44  for the loading dock  12 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3-12 , the vehicle restraining mechanism  10  can include a track system  70  that fixedly secures the linear actuator  32  to a substrate  72 . Typically, this substrate  72  will be in the form of a parking surface that may be covered with concrete, asphalt or other similar material. The use of the track system  70  also operably secures the restraint assembly  22  relative to the substrate  72 . By securing the restraint assembly  22  within the track system  70 , the restraint assembly  22  is able to laterally translate along the linear axis  38  and between the plurality of linear positions  40  for securing a rear impact guard  50  for a vehicle  16  relative to a wall  44  for the loading dock  12 . The track system  70  can include at least one guide member  74  that guides the restraint assembly  22  between the plurality of linear positions  40 . Again, these plurality of linear positions  40  can include a retracted position  60  and a plurality of extended positions  62 . 
     According to various aspects of the device, the at least one guide member  74  of the track system  70  can include outer guide rails  76  that engage outer flanges  78  of the restraint assembly  22 . These outer guide rails  76  can include one or more retaining members  80  that form a sliding channel  82  through which the outer flanges  78  of the restraint assembly  22  can operate between the plurality of linear positions  40 . Additionally, the engagement between the outer flanges  78  for the restraint assembly  22  and the outer guide rails  76  of the track system  70  serves to prevent uplift, twisting, or other deflection within the restraint assembly  22  that may occur through the engagement of the barricade member  24  with a portion of the vehicle  16  operating near the loading dock  12 . 
     As exemplified in  FIGS. 6-15 , the restraint assembly  22  can include an outer housing  90  and a structural base  92  that surrounds the operating mechanism  94  for the barricade member  24 . The structural base  92  can include the outer flanges  78  that operate within the outer guide rails  76  for the track system  70 . The structural base  92  can be in the form of a plate member that slidably operates through the outer guide rails  76  for the track system  70 . As discussed above, this structural base  92  and the structural retaining members  80  of the outer guide rails  76  cooperate to prevent movement of the restraint assembly  22  other than the linear operation between the plurality of linear positions  40  that are defined through operation of the linear actuator  32 . 
     By way of example, and not limitation, the structural support provided through engagement of the structural base  92  and the outer guide rails  76  is typically sufficient enough to maintain the position of the restraint assembly  22  under a variety of stress conditions. These stress conditions can include, but are not limited to, attempted movement of the vehicle  16  away from a loading dock  12  when the barricade member  24  is in a blocking position  28  and holding the vehicle  16  in the restrained position  18  relative to the loading dock  12 . The engagement of the structural base  92  and the outer guide rails  76  is typically sufficient to maintain the position of the restraint assembly  22 . This engagement between the structural base  92  and the outer guide rails  76  is also typically sufficient to withstand impacts and collisions with various vehicles  16  that may be present within a loading dock area. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3-15 , the linear actuator  32  includes an articulating member  100  that is linearly operable to define the retracted position  60  and the plurality of extended positions  62 . The articulating member  100  is typically attached to the restraint assembly  22  at a pivot joint  102  that is oriented generally parallel with the rotational axis  36  of the barricade member  24 . By including the pivot joint  102  at the engagement between the linear actuator  32  and the restraint assembly  22 , fluctuations of the material of the vehicle restraining mechanism  10  that may occur over time, such as with temperature fluctuations, allow for convenient operation of the restraint assembly  22  by the linear actuator  32 . 
     In typical conditions, the substrate  72  surrounding a loading dock area may not be level or flat and various curves, cracks and undulations are typically present within the substrate  72  surrounding the loading dock  12 . By engaging the linear actuator  32  with the restraint assembly  22  through the pivot joint  102 , the restraint assembly  22  can operate over the substrate  72  and the connection at the pivot joint  102  can account for these undulations and surface fluctuations within the substrate  72 . Accordingly, the vehicle restraining mechanism  10  can be installed and can operate under a wide variety of surface conditions and configurations of the substrate  72 . Typically, the pivot joint  102  that engages the linear actuator  32  with the restraint assembly  22  is oriented to have a rotational axis  36  that is generally parallel with the rotational pivot axis  104  of the barricade member  24 . 
     According to various aspects of the device, the connection between the restraint assembly  22  and the linear actuator  32  may include various connection mechanisms. The engagement between the linear actuator  32  and the restraint assembly  22  may be a fixed connection. This attachment between the linear actuator  32  and the restraint assembly  22  may also include a universal joint that allows for a wide variety of movements of the structural base  92  as it moves through the track system  70 . As discussed above, the track system  70  is typically placed on a substrate  72  that may not be level or flat and may contain various undulations. These undulations may result in the track system  70  defining various slopes and twisting movements during operation of the restraint assembly  22  through the track system  70  for the vehicle restraining mechanism  10 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3-5 , the track system  70  for the vehicle restraining mechanism  10  can be anchored directly to the substrate  72 , such as through piles or lag screws that are set within concrete poured within the substrate  72 . The track system  70  may also be attached to dedicated structural fasteners that are set within the substrate  72 . These structural fasteners can be located for receiving the track system  70  and attaching the track system  70  to the substrate  72 . The attachment of the track system  70  with these fasteners can be in the form of a bolt or other fastener-type connections, welds, combinations thereof, and other similar fixed attached mechanisms and methods. 
     As exemplified in  FIGS. 3-15 , the structural base  92  for the restraint assembly  22  can operate through the track system  70  in a sliding manner. This sliding engagement between the base structure  20  and the track system  70  can be in the form of a sliding engagement, rollers, tracks, bearings, lubricants, combinations thereof and other similar sliding or rolling-type engagements. 
     During operation of the vehicle restraining mechanism  10 , the restraint assembly  22  can be maintained in the retracted position  60  when not in use. The articulating member  100  for the linear actuator  32  is typically attached to the structural base  92  via the pivot joint  102  or other similar attaching mechanisms. The sensor  42  for the vehicle restraining mechanism  10  may be continually active, or may be activated under particular use conditions, such as when a vehicle  16  is to be parked at the loading dock  12 . When activated, it is typical that a vehicle  16  is parked or is in the process of being parked at the loading dock  12 . Once the vehicle  16  is in a parked position at the loading dock  12 , one or more sensors  42  may assess various conditions surrounding the loading dock  12  and the vehicle  16  to determine the positioning of one or more reference objects  52  such as components of the vehicle  16 , relative to the loading dock  12 . Through these positional determinations, with respect to the reference object or objects  52 , the sensor  42  can be used in certain aspects of the device to assess the approximate location of a rear impact guard  50  for a vehicle  16 . 
     As discussed herein, the one or more sensors  42  can also be used to monitor the rotational position  56  of the barricade member  24 . In such an embodiment, the barricade member  24  is moved into the verification position  30 . The verification position  30  is located rotationally beyond the blocking position  28 . The blocking position  28 , which is a generally vertical orientation, is between the stored position  26  and the verification position  30 . Typically, an actuator  106 , such as a hydraulic cylinder of the barricade member  24 , is disengaged when the barricade member  24  is in the verification position  30 . Accordingly, the barricade member  24  is biased into the verification position  30 , typically by the force of gravity. Through this configuration, the linear actuator  32  at least partially operates the barricade member  24 . In this manner, the linear actuator  32  operates the restraint assembly  22  during the verification step, the barricade member  24  is in the verification position  30 . When the barricade member  24  engages the rear impact guard  50 , the linear actuator  32  biases the barricade member  24  against the rear impact guard  50  and causes a rotation of the barricade member  24  from the verification position  30  to the blocking position  28 . In certain aspects of the device, the barricade member  24  can engage a different portion of the vehicle  16 , such as a lift gate  46  of a trailer  14  or vehicle  16 . Typically, the barricade member  24  is configured to engage the rear impact guard  50 . It should be understood that the actuator  106  can be in the form of various actuating mechanisms. Such actuating mechanisms can include, but are not limited to hydraulic mechanisms, pneumatic mechanisms, electrical mechanisms, motors, combinations thereof and other similar mechanisms. 
     Where the barricade member  24  reaches the fully-extended position  64  or engages a wall  44  of the loading dock  12 , the verification step results in a non-verification, as no portion of the vehicle  16  or trailer  14  was engaged by the barricade member  24 . Where non-verification is determined by engaging a wall  44 , the location of the wall  44  of the loading dock  12  can be a predetermined distance that is programmed into the restraining mechanism  10 . Where a non-verification occurs, the restraining process of the restraining mechanism  10  repeats or an instruction to realign the vehicle  16  or trailer  14  is given. 
     To determine the location of the rear impact guard  50 , the linear actuator  32  can operate to move the position of the restraint assembly  22  to one of the extended positions  62 . When in the proper extended position  62 , the barricade member  24  is typically operated via operation of the linear actuator  32  from the verification position  30  to the blocking position  28 . In this blocking position  28 , the barricade member  24  is typically in engagement with a surface of the vehicle  16 , such as a vehicle-forward surface  110  of the rear impact guard  50 . Through this engagement, the barricade member  24  and linear actuator  32  for the restraint assembly  22  can hold the vehicle  16  in a particular restrained position  18  with respect to the loading dock  12 . 
     In certain aspects of the device, the barricade member  24  can operate through a range of verification steps to further assess the positioning of the rear impact guard  50  with respect to the loading dock  12 . In an exemplary verification step, the barricade member  24  can operate about the rotational axis  36  toward a verification position  30  and will typically directly engage the rear impact guard  50  to define a contact position  58 . Where the barricade member  24  does not engage the rear impact guard  50 , a control  120  for the vehicle restraining mechanism  10  can communicate with the linear actuator  32  to assess whether the restraint assembly  22  should be repositioned to the retracted position  60  or another of the plurality of extended positions  62 . When repositioned, the barricade member  24  may undergo another verification step to again determine where the rear impact guard  50  is located with respect to the loading dock  12 . As discussed herein, operation of the linear actuator  32  is utilized to laterally position the barricade member  24  in the blocking position  28  and to at least partially secure the vehicle  16  or trailer  14  relative to the loading dock  12 . 
     According to various aspects of the device, as exemplified in  FIGS. 3-5 , the rear impact guard  50  can be located in different positions with respect to various vehicles  16 . Certain vehicles  16 , such as box trucks or other lift-gate type vehicles  48  can include a lift gate  46  at the rear of the vehicle  16  for raising and lowering cargo that may be moved with respect to the storage compartment  130  of the vehicle  16 . This lift gate  46  is typically positioned behind the rear impact guard  50 . Accordingly, the rear impact guard  50  may not be positioned at the back  132  of the vehicle  16 , but can be offset in a vehicle-forward direction from the back  132  of the vehicle  16 . By using the vehicle restraining mechanism  10 , the linear actuator  32  can properly position the restraint assembly  22  to account for this different position of the rear impact guard  50  relative to the back  132  of the vehicle  16 . Accordingly, separate barricade members  24  or restraint assemblies are not necessary relative to a loading dock  12 . 
     The use of the linear actuator  32  in connection with the sensor  42  and the restraining assembly can properly position the barricade member  24  to account for vehicles  16  having rear impact guards  50  that are located in different positions with respect to a back  132  of the vehicle  16 . Other types of vehicles  16  such as pup trailers and standard trailers may have rear impact guards  50  that are also positioned at different locations with respect to a back  132  of the vehicle  16 . Again, using the linear actuator  32  in connection with the sensor  42  and the restraint assembly  22 , the sensor  42  can determine, directly or indirectly, the approximate position of the rear impact guard  50  for a particular type of vehicle  16  that is parked at the loading dock  12 . Through the use of the sensor  42 , the linear actuator  32  and the restraint assembly  22 , the barricade member  24  can be properly positioned to engage the rear impact guard  50  to secure the vehicle  16  in a restrained position  18  with respect to the loading dock  12 . 
     According to various aspects of the device, the sensor  42  for the vehicle restraining mechanism  10  can be used to monitor a position of various reference objects  52  that may be positioned between a wall  44  of the loading dock  12  and a portion of the vehicle restraining mechanism  10 . By way of example, and not limitation, in the case of a lift-gate type vehicle  48 , the lift gate  46  may generally define a vertical or generally vertical surface  140  at or near the back  132  of the vehicle  16 , when the lift gate  46  is not in use. The sensor  42  can monitor or determine the position of this generally vertical surface  140  and can determine the location of the rear impact guard  50 , based at least partially upon known standards for the positioning of rear impact guards  50  for various types of vehicles  16 . The exact positioning of the rear impact guard  50  may vary based upon manufacturing tolerances, damage to a rear impact guard  50 , wear and tear of a rear impact guard  50 , and other environmental considerations. The use of the sensor  42  for determining a type of vehicle  16  that is located at the loading dock  12  can provide at least a range within which the restraint assembly  22  should be located through operation of the linear actuator  32 . Once in a particular position or range of positions, the barricade member  24  of the restraint assembly  22  can undergo the verification step to determine the exact position of the rear impact guard  50  with respect to the wall  44  of the loading dock  12 . 
     The one or more sensors  42  that are used to determine the location of the rear impact guard  50  or other reference object  52  can include a range of sensor types and sensor functions. Typically, the sensor  42  is positioned in communication with the barricade member  24 . As discussed above, lateral translation of the restraint assembly  22  through operation of the linear actuator  32  can cause a rotation of the barricade member  24  as it is biased against the rear impact guard  50 . In such an embodiment, the sensor  42  can be used to monitor the rotation and/or rotational position  56  of the barricade member  24  as it is biased from the verification position  30  to the blocking position  28 . In certain aspects, the sensors  42  may also be used to sense the location, size and position of a particular reference object  52  or series of reference objects  52  related to a trailer  14  or vehicle  16 . 
     According to various aspects of the device, the sensor  42  may be used to locate the position of the rear impact guard  50  with respect to the wall  44  of the loading dock  12 . In such an embodiment, the linear actuator  32  may be operated to move the restraint assembly  22  directly into or close to the linear position  40  needed for allowing the barricade member  24  to engage the rear impact guard  50  in the verification position  30  and, ultimately, the blocking position  28 . Typically, the verification step will occur in each situation to provide a back-up system for locating the rear impact guard  50 . 
     After the verification step is complete and the barricade member  24  is moved from the verification position  30  and into the blocking position  28 , the barricade member  24  is locked in this blocking position  28  through a locking mechanism  112  of the restraint assembly  22 , such as a mechanically or electrically operable lock. This locking mechanism  112  can be engaged any time after the barricade member  24  is rotated past the blocking position  28  and toward the verification position  30 . This prevents inadvertent rotation of the barricade member  24  back to the stored position  26 . 
     In certain aspects of the device, the linear actuator  32  can be operated to move the locked barricade member  24 , while in the blocking position  28 , in the direction of the rear impact guard  50 . This operation of the linear actuator  32  may be utilized to apply a predetermined amount of restraining force  54  against the rear impact guard  50 . Typically, this restraining force is minimal in magnitude. This restraining force  54  is indicative of the restrained position  18  that holds the vehicle  16  in place with respect to the loading dock  12 . When a restraining force  54  against the rear impact guard  50  is achieved, at least one of the sensors  42  of the restraining mechanism  10  senses this predetermined restraining force  54  and stops additional movement of the linear actuator  32 . The linear actuator  32  can be held in place by a mechanical locking mechanism  112  that secures the linear actuator  32  in a particular linear position  40  that maintains the position of the barricade member  24  against the rear impact guard  50 . The linear position  40  of the linear actuator  32  can also be maintained by the translating mechanism  160 , or by a mechanical lock that secures the translating mechanism  160  in the desired linear position  40 . 
     As discussed above, the sensor  42  may be activated only when needed for assisting in the parking of a vehicle  16  relative to the loading dock  12 . In various aspects of the device, the sensor  42  may be activated by a manual or automatic start switch  150  that is activated when a vehicle  16  is in a particular location with respect to the loading dock  12 . In certain embodiments, a user may manually activate the start switch  150  to initiate a parking process. This parking process may include activating the sensor  42  for locating the reference object  52 , such as various portions of the vehicle  16 , to determine the type of vehicle  16  and also for locating the position of the rear impact guard  50  with respect to the wall  44  for the loading dock  12 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3-15 , the articulating member  100  for the linear actuator  32  can be operated through various translating mechanisms  160 . These translating mechanisms  160  can be in the form of operable pistons, screw-drive mechanisms, hydraulic mechanisms, pneumatic mechanisms, chain-drive mechanisms, rack-and-pinion mechanisms, and other various motorized assemblies for linearly operating the articulating member  100  for the linear actuator  32 . 
     As exemplified in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the linear actuator  32  can include various switching mechanisms  170  that can be activated or deactivated when the restraint assembly  22  is moved into the retracted position  60 . This switching mechanism  170  can be activated and deactivated by an activation arm  172  that is positioned relative to the linear actuator  32  to engage the switching mechanism  170  when the restraint assembly  22  is moved into the retracted position  60 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-16 , having described various aspects of the vehicle restraining mechanism  10 , a method  400  is disclosed for restraining a vehicle  16  relative to a loading dock system utilizing various aspects of the vehicle restraining mechanism  10 . According to the method  400 , verification process is used to determine a location of a rear impact guard  50  for a vehicle  16  relative to at least one of a back  132  of the vehicle  16  and a wall  44  for the loading dock  12 . As discussed above, the location of the rear impact guard  50  can be determined by the sensor  42  directly. In such an embodiment, the sensor  42  can be used to determine a position of the rear impact guard  50  through various sensors that can include, but are not limited to, proximity sensors, motion sensors, position-detecting sensors, and other similar sensors. The verification process can also be accomplished by the sensor  42  determining a type of vehicle  16  that is being parked at the loading dock  12 . In such an embodiment, the sensor  42  assesses various positions of certain surfaces or reference objects  52  on the vehicle  16 . As with the lift-gate type vehicle  48 , the sensor  42  can determine presence of a substantially vertical surface  140  between the wall  44  of the loading dock  12  and the vehicle restraining mechanism  10 . This substantially vertical surface  140  is typically the lift gate  46  for the vehicle  16  in a travel position  180 . Other vehicles  16  may have various indicating features or reference objects  52  to determine the type of vehicle  16  that is parked at the loading dock  12 . As discussed above, various vehicles  16  can have a rear impact guard  50  that can be positioned in various locations with respect to a back  132  of the vehicle  16 . The location of the reference object  52 , such as the rear impact guard  50 , can also be determined by moving the barricade member  24 , while in the verification position  30 , into contact with the rear impact guard  50  to define the contact position  58 . As discussed above, the translation of the barricade member  24  can be accomplished by translating the restraint assembly  22  using the linear actuator  32 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-16 , according to the method  400 , a step  404  includes moving a restraint assembly  22  from a retracted position  60  to an extended position  62  relative to the rear impact guard  50 . As discussed above, the sensor  42  can directly or indirectly determine an approximate position of the rear impact guard  50 . This sensing operation can be used to directly determine the location of the rear impact guard  50  or can be indirectly used to first determine a type of vehicle  16  that is located at the loading dock  12  and then determining where the rear impact guard  50  is for that particular type of vehicle  16 . According to the method  400 , a step  406  includes rotating the barricade member  24  of the restraint assembly  22  to engage the rear surface  190  of the rear impact guard  50  of the vehicle  16  in the blocking position  28 . The barricade member  24  can then be locked with respect to the rear impact guard  50  to maintain the vehicle  16  in the restrained position  18  (step  408 ). The rear surface  190  of the rear impact guard  50  can also be described as a vehicle-forward surface  110  of the rear impact guard  50 . 
     As discussed above, this movement of the barricade member  24  into the blocking position  28  can be preceded by movement of the barricade member  24  through the verification process. In this verification process, the barricade member  24  can be used to assess the exact position of the rear impact guard  50 . The verification process can also be used to verify that the rear impact guard  50  is in a position within which the barricade member  24  will engage the rear impact guard  50 . During the verification process, if the barricade member  24  does not directly engage the rear impact guard  50 , the method  400  can restart, or certain individual steps of the method  400  can be performed again to reassess or redetermine the location of the rear impact guard  50  with respect to at least one of the vehicle restraining mechanism  10  and the wall  44  of the loading dock  12 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-16 , the method  400  can include a step  410  that includes operating the linear actuator  32  to move the restraint assembly  22 , with the barricade member  24  locked in the blocking position  28 , toward the rear impact guard  50  to apply a predetermined restraining force  54  or pressure against the rear impact guard  50 . As discussed above, in certain aspects of the device, one or more of the sensors  42  for the restraining mechanism  10  can be used to recognize when the appropriate restraining force  54  or pressure is applied and instructs the linear actuator  32  to maintain the restraint assembly  22  in the desired linear position  40 . The application of this predetermined restraining force  54  or pressure is indicative of the restrained position  18  of the vehicle  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-15 and 17 , having described various aspects of the vehicle restraining mechanism  10 , a method  500  is disclosed for restraining a vehicle  16  relative to a loading dock system utilizing various aspects of the vehicle restraining mechanism  10 . According to the method  500 , the blocking member  24  is rotated to the verification position  30  (step  502 ). The blocking member  24  and the remainder of the restraining assembly  22  is operated via the linear actuator  32  in the direction of a rear impact guard  50  of a vehicle  16  (step  504 ). The blocking member  24  in verification position  30  is then engaged with the rear impact guard  50  of vehicle  16  (step  506 ). Linear actuator  32  is then operated further to bias the blocking member  24  against the rear impact guard  50  (step  508 ). This operation of linear actuator  32  rotates the blocking member  24  against the rear impact guard  50  and, in turn, rotates the blocking member  24  into the blocking position  28 . As discussed herein, a locking mechanism  112  is engaged to prevent rotation of the blocking member  24  beyond the blocking position  28 . This locking member  112  can be activated any time after the blocking member  24  rotates toward the verification position  30  and passes the blocking position  28 . In this manner, as the linear actuator  32  operates to move the blocking member  24  toward the rear impact guard  50 , a locking member  112  is typically engaged during this entire movement of the restraint assembly  22 . In certain aspects of the device, the locking mechanism  112  will be engaged when the blocking member  24  reaches the verification position  30 . The locking mechanism  112  can also be engaged when the blocking member  24  reaches the contact position  58 , where the blocking member  24  engages the rear impact guard  50 . Various other configurations are contemplated such that the locking mechanism  112  is engaged before the blocking member  24  is rotated from the verification position  30  and back into the blocking position  28  through operation of the linear actuator  32 . 
     According to various aspects of the device, the vehicle restraining mechanism  10  can be used in connection with various types of loading dock mechanisms. Such mechanisms can include, but are not limited to, dock levelers, lip plates, elevating docks, hydraulically-operated levelers, manually operated levelers, automatic levelers, combinations thereof and other similar loading dock mechanisms. 
     It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.