Supports – Supporting base
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-06
2001-05-08
King, Anita M. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Supporting base
C188S00400B, C188S032000, C410S010000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227512
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a removable block for immobilizing the wheel of a road vehicle on a perforated carrying structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of blocks adaptable to surfaces such as the surface of a truck or railway car for used transporting road vehicles already exist.
One such device is described in French Patent No. 2.725.946 filed by the applicant.
The block described in this patent comprises a locking support base which can be immobilized inside perforations on the carrying surface, and a block structure attached to the support base which pivots between two positions: a flattened position parallel to the carrying surface allowing passage of the vehicles, and an upright position perpendicular to the carrying surface for immobilizing the vehicles. The plate-like support block has two immobilizing claws on its lower surface anchoring it to the carrying surface. Said immobilizing claws, designed to interlock separately within a perforation on the carrying surface, are rotated simultaneously like a rotary lock to alternate between a position for extracting them from the perforations and a locked position, in which the block is immobilized on the carrying surface of the transport vehicle.
Another such block is described in French Patent No. 2,684,054 filed by Officina Meccanica di Migliore Livio. It consists of two cross-pieces transverse to the carrying surface which support the wheel of the vehicle to be immobilized, and two blocking fingers to immobilize it on the carrying surface. One of these fingers pivots between an unlocking position, in which it penetrates or is extracted from a perforation in the carrying surface, and a locking position rotated 90° from the unlocking position, when it is locked in the perforation. The other locking finger is attached opposite the first, separated from it by the same interval that separates two perforations, and it is fixed.
Yet another block is described in European Patent No. 0710,584 in the name of Société Kässbohrer. This block consists of a transverse stop with lateral returns which is a single unit formed from a tubular element. It also comprises two immobilizing fingers to anchor it on the carrying surface, one consisting of a pivoting hook and the other being fixed.
The prior art blocks described briefly above each have at their extremities at least one immobilizing finger or claw anchoring them to the carrying surface. Depending upon the execution, either or both of these claws may pivot between a position which unlocks the block, when they are parallel to the longitudinal axis of an opening in the perforated carrying surface, and a locking position, when they are blocked inside the perforations. This technical solution has been devised to ensure that the block, and thus the vehicle being transported on the carrying surface of the transport means, remains firmly in place.
Nevertheless, the prior art solution of providing two end locking fingers poses several problems.
Positioning and extracting the blocks are difficult operations. In practice, when the block is placed on the carrying surface, each locking finger must be positioned to coincide with the opening of a perforation on the surface. This operation, performed manually, is difficult for the user, as this type of block is very heavy and there is no access to the lock located on the interior of the loading surface, that is, on the surface bearing the vehicle to be transported. On the other hand, when extracting the block, the locking fingers frequently remain locked inside the perforations. Extraction becomes even more difficult when the vehicle wheel is blocked against the stop structure on the block. Furthermore, these prior art blocks are expensive due to high manufacturing costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The goal of the present invention is to eliminate these problems.
To this end, the invention proposes a removable block for immobilizing the wheel of a vehicle on a perforated carrying structure, characterized in that it comprises a locking element at only one extremity anchoring it to the carrying structure, and in that the upper portion extends downward to the fastening base by means of a rounded, angled return defining a concave guide ramp near the central portion of the block.
The advantages of the present invention are as follows:
it facilitates positioning and extraction of the block;
the single locking-unlocking mechanism on the block allows it to be very quickly attached and anchored to the carrying surface, with fewer risks of error and malfunction;
since there is no duplication of the locking-unlocking mechanism, the device is not only lightweight, easily manufactured, and less cumbersome, but also has a shorter body;
the compact shape of the block occupies less surface space, and no portion of it juts out beyond the vertical plane of its upper element;
the block is shorter than blocks currently in use, and therefore:
it is lighter;
it is easier to manipulate and store;
it does not interfere with the suspension system of vehicles which are low to the ground;
the single locking-release mechanism is located outside the vehicle to be transported, eliminating the problem of limited access beneath the vehicle during positioning, locking, and block extraction;
extraction is accomplished without hurting the tire;
the body of the block is formed of a smooth, flattened, U-shaped tube, with the plane defined by its two parallel branches inclined and its projecting surface higher than the locking base;
the tube forming the body of the block has smooth edges which do not damage tires, even when the blocks are aligned along the edge of the supporting surface;
the body of the block is easily shaped by simply curving a tube, and the lateral base can be forged or molded.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4249657 (1981-02-01), Bates
patent: 5427210 (1995-06-01), Willaford
patent: 5586849 (1996-12-01), Kissel et al.
Andre Jean-Luc
Brion Serge
Baxter Gwendolyn
Davis & Bujold P.L.L.C.
King Anita M.
Lohr Industrie
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