Dual Chocking Device

{
  "publication_number": "US2019202418A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Dual Chocking Device",
  "abstract": "An improved wheel chock system for preventing excessive movement of tires, wheels, and other rollable objects, having two cooperating members connected via a connector permitting pivotal movement by at least one of the cooperating members about the connector. The cooperating members each have a handle at their one end for actuating wheel chocks retained at their other end throughout a range between a fully open condition where the wheel chocks are spaced away from each other, and a fully closed condition where the wheel chocks are spaced adjacent to one another.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A wheel chock system, comprising: first and second cooperating members each having a first and second end; means for connecting the first and second cooperating members at a connection point disposed between the first and second ends of each of the first and second cooperating members for permitting at least one of the first or second cooperating members to pivotally move about the connection point, throughout a range between a completely open position where the second ends of the first and second cooperating members are spaced from each other, and a completely closed position where the second ends of the first and second cooperating members are significantly closer to one another; first and second wheel chocks; and first and second means to retain said first and second wheel chocks respectively adjacent to the second ends of the first and second cooperating members respectively. 2. The wheel chock system of claim 1, further comprising: first means for support fastened to the second end of one of the first cooperating members, said first means for support movably engageable with a work surface. 3. The wheel chock system of claim 2, further comprising: second means for support fastened to the second end of the second cooperating member, said second means for support movably engageable with a work surface simultaneously with said first means for support. 4. The wheel chock system of claim 3, further comprising: third means for support fastened to the second end of the first cooperating member, said third means for support movably engageable with a work surface; and fourth means for support fastened to the second end of the second cooperating member, said fourth means for support movably engageable with a work surface simultaneously with said third means for support. 5. The wheel chock system of claim 4, wherein first and second means for support movably engageable with a work surface are engageable with the work surface at a range of positions between the completely open position and completely closed position that differs from the range of positions wherein the third and fourth means for support are engageable with the work surface. 6. The wheel chock system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first, second, third, and/or fourth means for support comprises a wheel. 7. The wheel chock system of claim 1, further comprising first and second handles on the first ends of first and second cooperating members respectively. 8. The wheel chock system of claim 7, wherein the first and second handles are integral with first ends of first and second cooperating members respectively. 9. The wheel chock system of claim 1, wherein the first and second means to retain comprises: first and second shanks joined to the second ends of first and second cooperating members respectively, said first and second shanks engageable to first and second cavities respectively as defined by first and second wheel chocks respectively. 10. The wheel chock system of claim 9, wherein both first and second means to retain further comprise: at least one cotter pin. 11. The wheel chock system of claim 9, wherein the first and second shanks are integral with the second ends of first and second cooperating member respectively 12. The wheel chock system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first or second wheel chocks are detachably from their means to retain. 13. The wheel chock system of claim 1, wherein the means for connecting comprises: overlapping at least first and second protrusions integral with first and second cooperating member respectively, said at least first and second protrusions defining first and second eyelets respectively; and a connector receivable by first and second eyelets. 14. A method of using a wheel chock system, comprising the step of: connecting first and second cooperating members each having a first and second ends via a connector permitting at least one of the first and second cooperating members to pivotally move about the connection point; engaging first and second wheel chocks to first and second shanks respectively at second ends of first and second cooperating members; placing the wheel chock system to dispose the first and second wheel chock proximal to opposing rounded sides of a rollable object; actuating first and second handles on first ends of first and second cooperating members respectively so as to close second ends of respective first and second cooperating members thereby bringing the second ends closer together while engaging opposing rounded sides of the rollable object; and re-actuating first and second handles so as to open second ends of respective first and second cooperating members thereby disengaging the opposing rounded sides of the rollable object. 15. The method of using the wheel chock system of claim 14, further comprising the step of: detaching at least one of the first or second wheel chocks from their shank. 16. The method of using the wheel chock system of claim 14 wherein the step of placing the wheel chock comprises using a rolling means. 17. The method of using the wheel chock system of claim 16, further comprising the steps of: tilting the wheel chock system relative to a work surface until the wheel chock system is substantially supported by the rolling means thereby raising the first and second wheel chocks off a work surface; and untilting the wheel chock system thereby lowering the first and second wheel chocks onto said work surface. 18. A chocking device, comprising: a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm each having a lower end and an upper end coupled for pivotal motion relative to one another at a coupling position between the lower end and the upper end, whereby the arms are pivotally movable in and between an open condition and a closed condition; a first shank and a second shank extending transversely from the lower end of the first and the second arms, respectively, the first and second shanks including a non-permanent chock engagement; a first wheel assembly and a second wheel assembly respectively connected to the first and second arms between each respective lower end and the coupling position, wherein each of the first and second wheel assembly includes an inner wheel and an outer wheel mounted laterally on an axle, wherein the mounting on the axle enables one or both the inner wheel and the outer wheel to contact a surface when the arms are in and between the open condition and the closed condition; and at least one chock body having a bore for receiving one of the first and the second shank therein, the chock body having a triangular cross-section. 19. A chocking device as recited in claim 18, further comprising: a first handle and a second handle defined on the upper ends of the first and second arms, respectively. 20. A chocking device as recited in claim 18, further comprising: a contact surface extending transversely from the arm between the wheel set and the coupling position."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The invention relates generally to wheel chocks for preventing excessive movement of wheels, tires, and other rollable objects, and more specifically, a supported dual chock system for engaging and disengaging opposing sides of one or more rollable objects.\n\nPreventing a wheel, tire, or other rollable object, usually on the base portion of a transport vehicle/container, from moving and/or rolling excessively is vitally important in certain circumstances, particularly for purposes of stability, personnel safety, transport vehicle/container preservation, and nearby property preservation. Such circumstances can include temporary periods such as parking, maintenance, storage, or vehicle/container transfer. Various chock systems exist including (often triangular prisms) chocks incorporating or coated with high-friction coefficient material ensuring face interchangeability with limited movement of the chock after engaging any face to a work surface adjacent to the rounded side of a rollable object.\n\nChocks often come in connected pairs to help ensure usage on both sides of a rollable object. Often both chocks of a pair of chocks are connected by a rope, chain, or other flexible connector, with the flexible connection being long enough to ensure placement of one chock on each rounded side near the bottom of the rollable object. However, during movement, the chock pair is usually lifted or dragged, often by the flexible connector.",
  "cpc": [
    "B60T 3/00"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B60T 3/00"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "James Barry Waddell"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-12-27",
  "publication_date": "2019-07-04",
  "priority_date": "2017-12-28",
  "application_number": "US-201816234004-A",
  "family_id": "67059274",
  "cited_by_count": 10,
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}