Scott K Springer

US Patent:

6524053, Feb 25, 2003

Filed:

May 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/569481

Inventors:

Norbert Hahn - Franklin WI
Scott L. Springer - Whitewater WI

Assignee:

Rite-Holding Holding Corporation - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

B60T 300

US Classification:

414401

Abstract:

Manually positioned wheel chocking apparatus are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the chocking apparatus includes a track secured adjacent a parking area; a movable chock; and means for temporarily fixing the chock to the track to substantially prevent the chock from moving. The movable chock has a surface which can be selectively positioned within the parking space at a location for engaging a tire of a vehicle. It also includes an extension for operatively engaging the track. The fixing apparatus may optionally comprise a pin sized to mate with a bore in a track or a frictional lock, preferably constructed as an over-center toggle.

US Patent:

62381636, May 29, 2001

Filed:

Jun 2, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/867178

Inventors:

Scott L. Springer - Milwaukee WI
Norbert Hahn - Franklin WI

Assignee:

Rite-Hite Holding Corporation - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

B65G 6702

US Classification:

414401

Abstract:

A device for restraining a truck from movement during the loading and unloading thereof while the truck is parked in a driveway in a loading dock. The truck restraining device has a lock assembly comprising a base and a locking arm pivotally mounted to the base for rotating between retracted and extended positions. In the retracted position, the locking arm is substantially horizontal for permitting the truck to drive over the restraining device whereas, in the extended position, the locking arm extends upwardly for engaging the truck wheels for restraining movement of the truck.

US Patent:

52979210, Mar 29, 1994

Filed:

Jul 8, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/089404

Inventors:

Scott L. Springer - Milwaukee WI
David A. Spence - Milwaukee WI

Assignee:

Rite-Hite Corporation - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

B65G 6900

US Classification:

414401

Abstract:

A device for releasably locking a parked vehicle at a loading dock during loading and unloading thereof. The device is provided with a carriage mounted for vertical adjustment relative to the front wall of the dock and adapted to be yieldably engaged by a depending safety bar of the parked vehicle. A hook-like member is mounted on the carriage for independent rectilinear movement between an operative mode wherein the vehicle safety bar is lockingly engaged thereby and an inoperative safety bar-release mode. A power-actuated unit is mounted on the carriage and is connected by a linkage assembly to the hook-like member and effects movement thereof between the operative and inoperative modes. The linkage assembly includes a pair of pivotally connected links one of which has an end portion pivotally connected to the hook-like member and the other has an end portion pivotally connected to a lower portion of the carriage. One of the links is pivotally connected to a movable portion of the unit and when the latter is moving in one relative direction causes the linkage assembly to move the hook-like member to the operative mode.

US Patent:

53235037, Jun 28, 1994

Filed:

Nov 5, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/972192

Inventors:

Scott Springer - Milwaukee WI

Assignee:

Rite-Hite Corporation - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

E01D 100

US Classification:

14 713

Abstract:

An improved lip extension and control assembly is provided for use in a dock leveler. The dock leveler has a ramp pivotally connected to a stationary frame in a conventional manner for pivoting between a pendant, stored position and an extended preparatory position. The lip is pivotally connected to the front edge of the ramp. The assembly has an extension assembly operatively connected to the lip for extending the lip in response to the rotation of the ramp to the extended position. A pivot controlling assembly operatively connected to the lip controls the rotation of the lip in a programmed manner such that upon walking the deck down, the descent of the lip progressively increases from the extended position to the pendant position.

US Patent:

53759656, Dec 27, 1994

Filed:

Jan 25, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/008757

Inventors:

Scott L. Springer - Milwaukee WI
Norbert Hahn - Franklin WI

Assignee:

Rite-Hite Corporation - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

B65G 6702
B60T 300

US Classification:

414786

Abstract:

A method is provided for restraining a truck from movement during the loading and unloading thereof while the truck is parked in a driveway in a loading dock. The truck restraining device has a lock assembly comprising a base and a locking arm pivotally mounted to the base for rotating between retracted and extended positions. In the retracted position, the locking arm is substantially horizontal for permitting the truck to drive over the restraining device whereas, in the extended position, the locking arm extends upwardly for engaging the truck wheels for restraining movement of the truck.

US Patent:

54407729, Aug 15, 1995

Filed:

Jul 23, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/096775

Inventors:

Scott L. Springer - Milwaukee WI
Norbert Hahn - Franklin WI
Michael A. Swessel - Cudahy WI

Assignee:

Rite-Hite Corporation - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

E01D 15127

US Classification:

14 695

Abstract:

A vehicle-activated support assembly control system is provided which comprises a sensor assembly which senses the position of the vehicle relative to the dock leveler and an actuation assembly which is operatively connected to the support assembly so as to actuate or maintain the support assembly in a retracted position in response to the position of the vehicle. The actuation assembly is adapted to automatically position the support assembly between (1) a retracted or non-supporting position when the vehicle is in close proximity to the loading dock and (2) an active supporting position when the vehicle is greater than a predetermined distance from the loading dock. The control assembly is adapted to activate the support assembly and move the support assembly to the active supporting position as the vehicle pulls away from the dock leveler but before the lip loses contact with the vehicle. The control system deactivates the support assembly when the lip is safely supported on the vehicle bed or is within a predetermined distance in which the lip is capable of engaging the vehicle bed. The control system permits the support assembly to be in the active supporting position when the lip is extended but not safely supported by the vehicle bed.

US Patent:

60102977, Jan 4, 2000

Filed:

Sep 3, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/697937

Inventors:

Norbert Hahn - Franklin WI
Mark G. Petri - Mequon WI
Scott L. Springer - Whitewater WI

Assignee:

Rite-Hite Holding Corporation - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

B65G 6900

US Classification:

414401

Abstract:

Improved vehicle restraints, restraint components and specific improvements to certain existing restraints, including: 1) improvements to the design of the barrier portion or head of the restraining member intended to prevent or eliminate downward forces exerted on the restraining member by a departing ICC bar; and 2) providing a locking member for locking the restraining member of a restraint into a given vertical position for a pull away by the parked vehicle, the lock not impeding normal operation of the restraint, but only being activated during a pull away.

US Patent:

55824986, Dec 10, 1996

Filed:

Jan 25, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/590400

Inventors:

Scott L. Springer - Milwaukee WI
Norbert Hahn - Franklin WI

Assignee:

Rite-Hite Corporation - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

B65G 6900

US Classification:

414401

Abstract:

A wheel-actuated vehicle restraint device is provided for restraining at least one wheel of a vehicle during loading and unloading thereof. The vehicle restraint comprises a lock assembly comprising an actuation assembly for initially engaging the wheel of the incoming vehicle and a lock assembly for chocking the wheel in response to engagement between the wheel and the actuation assembly. The lock assembly is operatively connected to the actuation assembly at a connection point such that the connection point is selectively positionable in response to the dimensions and location of the wheel for insuring that the lock assembly engages a bottom portion of the wheel and moves along the peripheral surface of the wheel to a chock position. In one embodiment, the actuation assembly comprises a trigger assembly disposed to engage the wheel and a trolley assembly operatively connecting the lock assembly and trigger assembly. The trolley assembly comprises a variable length biasing link such that the length of the link varies in response to the wheel dimensions and location, thereby positioning the lock assembly to engage the bottom portion of the wheel before moving to the chock position.