SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING SEMITRAILER COLLISIONS WITH A LOADING RAMP

Abstract

A system for preventing semitrailer collisions with a loading ramp (10) comprising: a sensor unit (100) comprising a sensor and configured for sensing when the rear end of a semitrailer (12) is approaching a loading ramp (10); a guide block (200) adapted to be positioned on the ground, laterally and/or medially to the opening of a loading ramp; the guide block comprises a first wheel blocking means configured as a sled (210) adapted for supporting the tread of a rear tire of the semitrailer, and moves from a forwarded position relative to said loading ramp to a retracted position relative to the ramp when being pushed by the rear tire as the semitrailer is reversing towards the ramp; the sensor unit is configured to send a blocking signal to said guide block (200) when the distance between said rear end of said semitrailer (12) and said loading ramp (10) is below a preset threshold, wherein said wheel blocking means locks its position in response to said blocking signal, thereby blocking the movement of said sled; a rain flap (14) isolation device adapted for preventing said rear tire and its rain flap from touching each other while said rear tire is positioned within said sled during its movement from a forwarded position relative to said loading ramp to a retracted position relative to said loading ramp when being pushed by said rear tire as said semitrailer is reversing towards said loading ramp.

Claims

1.-12. (canceled)

13. A system for preventing collisions of a semitrailer with a loading ramp (10) comprising: a sensor unit (100) comprising a sensor and configured for sensing when a rear end of the semitrailer (12) is approaching an opening of the loading ramp (10); a guide block (200) adapted to be positioned on a ground surface, laterally and/or medially to the opening of the loading ramp (10); wherein the guide block (200) comprises a first wheel blocking means configured as a sled (210) adapted for supporting a rear tire (16) of the semitrailer (12), and configured to move passively from a forwarded position relative to the opening of the loading ramp (10) to a retracted position relative to the opening of the loading ramp (10) when pushed by the rear tire (16) as the semitrailer (12) is reversing towards the opening of the (10); wherein the sensor unit (100) is configured to send a blocking signal to the guide block (200) when a distance between the rear end of the semitrailer (12) and the opening of the (10) is below a preset threshold, wherein the first wheel blocking means locks in a blocking position in response to said blocking signal, thereby blocking the movement of the sled (210); characterized in that the system further comprises: a rain flap isolation device configured to prevent a rain flap (14) adjacent the rear tire (16) from touching the rear tire (16) while the rear tire (16) is positioned within the sled (210) during movement from the forwarded position relative to the opening of the loading ramp (10) to the retracted position relative to the opening of the loading ramp (10) when pushed by the rear tire (16) as the semitrailer (12) is approaching the opening of the opening of the loading ramp (10).

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the rain flap isolation device comprises: i) a first part integrated into or connected to the sled (210) and comprising a plate or rod (410) adapted for moving between a retracted position and an extended position; and ii) an activation means (420) configured for activating the plate or rod (410) to move from the retracted position to the extended position; wherein the plate or rod (410) moves upwards relative to the sled (210) when in the extended position.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein the sled (210) comprises: a distal end (212), relative to the opening of the loading ramp (10), configured as a ramp; a middle segment (214) adapted for supporting the rear tire of the semitrailer (12); and a proximal end (216), relative to the opening of the loading ramp (10), configured as an elevation or backstop.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein the rain flap isolation device comprises: i) a first part integrated into or connected to the sled (210) and comprising a plate or rod (410) adapted for moving between a retracted position and an extended position; and ii) an activation means (420) configured for activating the plate or rod (410) to move from the retracted position to the extended position; wherein the plate or rod (410) moves upwards relative to the sled (210) when in the extended position; and wherein the activation means (420) is a lever pivotably connected to the sled (210).

17. The system according to claim 13, wherein the rain flap isolation device comprises: i) a first part integrated into or connected to the sled (210) and comprising a plate or rod (410) adapted for moving between a retracted position and an extended position; and ii) an activation means (420) configured for activating the plate or rod (410) to move from the retracted position to the extended position; wherein the plate or rod (410) moves upwards relative to the sled (210) when in the extended position; wherein the activation means (420) is a lever pivotably connected to the sled (210); and wherein the lever has a first end (422) connected to the plate or rod (410), and a second free end (424).

18. The system according to claim 13, wherein the rain flap isolation device comprises: i) a first part integrated into or connected to the sled (210) and comprising a plate or rod (410) adapted for moving between a retracted position and an extended position; and ii) an activation means (420) configured for activating the plate or rod (410) to move from the retracted position to the extended position; wherein the plate or rod (410) moves upwards relative to the sled (210) when in the extended position; wherein the activation means (420) is a lever pivotably connected to the sled (210); wherein the lever has a first end (422) connected to the plate or rod (410), and a second free end (424); and wherein the sled (210) comprises: a distal end (212), relative to the opening of the loading ramp (10), configured as a ramp; a middle segment (214) adapted for supporting the rear tire of the semitrailer (12), and comprising a first hole or cavity (215); and a proximal end (216), relative to the opening of the loading ramp (10), configured as an elevation or backstop; wherein the second free end (424) is bent downwards and adapted for pivoting between a first position above the middle segment (214) and a second position within the first hole or cavity (215) in the middle segment (214).

19. The system according to claim 13, further comprising a guide rail (310) adapted for supporting the sled (210); wherein the guide block (200) further comprises a second wheel blocking means (320); said second wheel blocking means (320) adapted to slidably or rollably engage with said guide rail (310); wherein the guide rail (310) is configured with one or more elevations along a path of the guide rail (310); and wherein when the second wheel blocking means (320) engages with said elevations it moves from a retracted position to an elevated position.

20. The system according to claim 13, wherein the guide block (200) comprises: a distal end (212) of the sled (210), relative to the opening of the loading ramp (10), configured as a ramp; a middle segment (214) of the sled (210) adapted for supporting the rear tire of the semitrailer (12); and a proximal end (216) of the sled (210), relative to the opening of the loading ramp (10), configured as an elevation or backstop; and wherein a second wheel blocking means (320) is integrated into or connected to the distal end (212) of the sled (210).

21. The system according to claim 13, further comprising a guide rail (310) adapted for supporting the sled (210); wherein the guide block (200) further comprises a second wheel blocking means (320); said second wheel blocking means (320) adapted to slidably or rollably engage with said guide rail (310); wherein the guide rail (310) is configured with one or more elevations along its path; wherein when the second wheel blocking means (320) engages with said elevations it moves from a retracted position of the second wheel blocking means to an elevated position of the second wheel blocking means; and wherein the second wheel blocking means (320) is integrated into or connected to the distal end (212) of the sled (210).

22. The system according to claim 13, further comprising a guide rail (310) adapted for supporting the sled (210); wherein the guide block (200) further comprises a second wheel blocking means (320); said second wheel blocking means (320) adapted to slidably or rollably engage with said guide rail (310); wherein the guide rail (310) is configured with one or more elevations along its path; wherein when the second wheel blocking means (320) engages with said elevations it moves from a retracted position of the second wheel blocking means to an elevated position of the second wheel blocking means; and wherein the second wheel blocking means (320) comprises a flap (322) adapted to move from the retracted position of the second wheel blocking means to the elevated position of the second wheel blocking means, and one or more wheels (324) adapted to rollably engage with the guide rail (310).

23. The system according to claim 13, further comprising a guide rail (310) adapted for supporting the sled (210); wherein the sled (210) further comprises a second wheel blocking means (320); said second wheel blocking means (320) adapted to slidably or rollably engage with said guide rail (310); wherein the guide rail (310) is configured with one or more elevations along a path of the guide rail (310); wherein when the second wheel blocking means (320) engages with the elevations it moves from a retracted position to an elevated position; wherein the second wheel blocking means (320) comprises a flap (322) adapted to move from a retracted position of the flap to an elevated position of the flap, and one or more wheels (324) adapted to rollably engage with the guide rail (310); and wherein the second wheel blocking means (320) further comprises a support wheel (326) attached to and extending laterally to the flap (322), and a support and guide rail (328) configured to support and guide said support wheel (326) as the sled (210) is moving between the forwarded position of the sled (210) relative to the opening of the loading ramp (10) and the retracted position of the sled (210) relative to the opening of the loading ramp (10).

24. The system according to claim 13, further comprising a locking system adapted to retain and release the sled (210); wherein the locking system comprises a locking pin, and an anchor (520) positioned below the sled (210); wherein the locking pin is pivotably attached to a bottom side of the sled (210); wherein the locking pin comprises a first end (512) configured to move from an extended position on a top side of the sled (210) through a hole in said sled (210) to a retracted position within said hole; and a second end (514) configured to move from an extended position on the bottom side of said sled (210) to a retracted position also on the bottom side of said sled; wherein the second end (514) of the locking pin is configured to engage with the anchor (520) in the retracted position of the second end (514) of the locking pin.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a guide block in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, where the sled is shown in a forwarded position;

[0045] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a sled in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0046] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a guide block in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, where the sled is shown in a retracted position;

[0047] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the sled shown in FIG. 4;

[0048] FIG. 6 shows a guide block in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, where the sled (not shown) is connected to a locking means; and

[0049] FIG. 7 shows a closeup view of the locking means from FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, the general scheme of the invention is shown in perspective view. FIG. 1 shows a system for preventing semitrailer collisions with a loading ramp 10. The system comprises a sensor unit 100 comprising a sensor, a guide block 200, and a rain flap 14 isolation device (410, FIG. 3). The sensor unit 100 is configured for sensing when the rear end of a semitrailer 12 is approaching a loading ramp 10. The guide block 200 is adapted to be positioned on the ground and is here shown positioned laterally to the opening of the loading ramp 10. In FIG. 3, the guide block 200 is shown comprising a first wheel blocking means configured as a sled 210 adapted for supporting the tread of a rear tire 16 of a semitrailer 12. The sled 210 is configured to move, preferably only by the aid of the semitrailer, from a forwarded position relative to said loading ramp 10 to a retracted position relative to said loading ramp 10 when being pushed by said rear tire 16 as said semitrailer 12 is reversing towards said loading ramp 10. To ease its movement across a surface, the sled 210 is provided with wheels 312 (FIG. 5). The sensor unit 100 is configured to send a blocking signal to the guide block 200 when the distance between the rear end of the semitrailer 12 and the loading ramp 10 is below a preset threshold, thereby blocking the movement of the sled 210.

[0051] FIGS. 2-5 show a specific example of a rain flap isolation device in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The rain flap isolation device secures that the rain flap 14 of the rear wheel 16 will not get stuck between the rear wheel 16 and the sled 210, thereby removing the risk of damage. In general, the rain flap isolation device comprises i) a first part integrated with the sled 210 and comprising a plate 410 adapted for moving between a retracted position and an extended position; and ii) an activation means 420 configured for activating the plate 410 to move from the retracted position to the extended position. The plate 410 moves upwards relative to the sled 210 when in the extended position. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the sled in a forwarded position relative to said loading ramp 10, where the plate 420 is in a retracted position as the activation means 420 has not yet been activated by the rear tire of a semitrailer. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the sled in a retracted position relative to said loading ramp 10, where the plate 410 is in an extended position as the activation means 420 has been activated by the rear tire (not shown) of a semitrailer.

[0052] To block the rear wheel from moving in either direction, the sled 210 further comprises a second wheel blocking means 320. The system is provided with a guide rail 310 partly adapted for supporting the sled 210 and partly for supporting the second wheel blocking means 320. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the second wheel blocking means 320 is shown in a retracted position, while it is shown in an elevated position in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0053] To strengthen the second wheel blocking means 320, making it more resistant to the forces exerted on it by the semitrailer, the second wheel blocking means 320 is adapted to rollably engage with the guide rail 310 by the aid of wheels 324 (FIG. 4). The guide rail 310 is here shown configured with two parallel elevations 311 supporting the wheels 324. When the second wheel blocking means 320 engages with said elevations 311, the wheels 324 force its flap 322 to move from a retracted position to an elevated position.

[0054] To even further strengthen the second wheel blocking means 320, it is provided with a support wheel 326 attached to and extending laterally to the flap 322, and a support including for example a parallel pair of support guide rails 328 configured to support and guide the support wheel 326 as the sled 210 is moving between the forwarded position relative to the loading ramp 10 and the retracted position relative to the loading ramp 10.

[0055] To secure the rear tire to get into position before the sled 210 starts to move, the system further comprises a locking system adapted to retain and release the sled 210 (FIGS. 4 and 5). The locking system comprises a locking pin, and an anchor 520 positioned below the sled 210. The locking pin is pivotably attached to the bottom side of said sled 210, and comprises a first end 512 adapted for moving from an extended position on the top side of the sled 210 through a hole in said sled 210 to a retracted position within said hole; and a second end 514 adapted for moving from an extended position on the bottom side of said sled 210 to a retracted position also on the bottom side of said sled. The second end 514 of the locking pin is adapted to be engaged with the anchor 520 in its retracted position (not shown). To ease its movement across a surface, the sled 210 is provided with wheels 312.

[0056] FIG. 6 shows a guide block 200 in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, where the sled 210 (a part of it may be seen) is connected to a locking means comprising a toothed rack 220, and two locking pins 230. The two locking pins 230 are attached to the sled 210, and the toothed rack 220 is shown secured to an elongate guide rail 205. The locking pins 230 are configured to engage with or disengage from the toothed rack 220 upon receipt, either directly or indirectly, of a blocking signal from a sensor unit (not shown but could be sensor unit 100 or 240 as seen in FIG. 1). The guide block is shown comprising an elongate guide rail 205 extending along the length of the guide block. The sled 210 is slidably attached to said guide rail 205. The guide rail 205 is here shown as a steel beam, a Hollow Steel Section (HSS) beam, providing sufficient strength to the guide block.

[0057] FIG. 7 shows a closeup view of the locking means from FIG. 6.

REFERENCES

[0058] 10 Loading ramp [0059] 12 Semitrailer [0060] 14 Rain flap [0061] 16 Rear tire [0062] 100 Sensor unit [0063] 200 Guide block [0064] 205 Guide rail [0065] 210 Sled [0066] 211 Wheel [0067] 212 Distal end [0068] 214 Middle segment [0069] 215 Hole [0070] 216 Proximal end [0071] 220 Toothed rack [0072] 230 Locking pin [0073] 240 Sensor unit [0074] 310 Guide rail [0075] 311 Elevation [0076] 312 Wheel [0077] 320 Second wheel blocking means [0078] 322 Flap [0079] 324 Wheel [0080] 326 Wheel [0081] 328 Guide and support rail [0082] 410 Plate [0083] 420 Activation means [0084] 422 First lever end [0085] 424 Second lever end [0086] 512 First locking pin end [0087] 514 Second locking pin end [0088] 520 Anchor