Method and apparatus for wheel or tire chocks for recreational vehicles and trailers

Abstract

A tire chock with improved ease of use and prevention of theft. A threaded rod expands a scissor frame to force foot plates against a tire. The scissor frame foot plates are pulled apart or pushed together so that the frame fits between the tires. A hand-adjustable, freely rotatable nut is on the lower end of the rod is tightened. A wrench is used to tighten a second nut on the upper end of the rod, and a lock member is secured over the second nut.

Claims

1. A tire chock, comprising: a scissor frame with a central axis, the scissor frame comprising a proximal support arch, a distal support arch with a nut socket, a plurality of frame members connected to the distal support arch and the proximal support arch, and a plurality of foot supports supported by the frame members and configured to engage tires or wheels, such that the proximal support arch and distal support arch are drawn closer together as the foot members are forced outwardly with respect to the central axis, and the proximal support arch and distal support arch are pushed further apart as the foot members are forced inwardly toward the central axis; a rod positioned along the central axis of the scissor frame, the rod comprising a distal end portion and a proximal end portion; a freely rotatable nut attached to distal end portion of the rod; and a final tightening element provided on the proximal end portion of the rod.

2. The tire chock of claim 1 further comprising a final tightening element lock member.

3. The tire chock of claim 2 wherein the proximal end of the threaded rod comprises a top head; the final tightening element is the top head; and the final tightening element lock member is a pivotal cover plate having an open orientation to expose the top head of the threaded rod, and a closed orientation to conceal the top head of the threaded rod.

4. The tire chock of claim 2 wherein the final tightening element is a cam mechanism comprising a cam handle and a cam shaft; and the final tightening element lock member is lock which secures the cam handle.

5. A method of rapidly adjusting a tire chock, the method comprising providing a tire chock comprising a scissor frame comprising a proximal support arch, and a distal support arch with a nut socket, a rod positioned along a central axis of the scissor frame, the rod comprising a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, a freely rotatable nut attached to distal end portion of the rod, and a final tightening element provided on the proximal end portion; turning the freely rotatable nut until it is at a desired position on the rod, such that when the distal support arch is pressed against the nut the scissor frame has a desired width; positioning the scissor frame between two tires or wheels; and engaging the final tightening element to expand the scissor frame.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising locking the final tightening element.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein engaging the final tightening element to expand the scissor frame further comprises using a ratchet handle to turn a head or nut on the proximal end of the rod.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising locking a cover plate over the head or nut.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein engaging the final tightening element to expand the scissor frame further comprises using a cam mechanism to push against the rod to further separate the proximal support arch from the distal support arch.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising locking a cam handle over a portion of the cam mechanism.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(1) FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of prior art devices described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,365,875.

(2) FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a chock with a locking member cover plate in a closed position to cover a top head or nut.

(3) FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the chock of FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is a first side perspective view detail of the chock of FIG. 2 with a locking member cover plate open to provide access to a top head or nut.

(5) FIG. 5 is a detailed second side perspective view of the locking member cover plate of FIG. 2 in a closed position.

(6) FIG. 6 is a detailed first side perspective view of the locking member cover plate of FIG. 2 in a closed position with a lock installed.

(7) FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a cam embodiment of a chock.

(8) FIG. 8 is a side view of a foot member of the chock of FIG. 7.

(9) FIG. 9 is a side view of the cam handle of the chock of FIG. 7.

(10) FIG. 10 is a side view of the device handle of the chock of FIG. 7.

(11) FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the lower support arch of the chock of FIG. 7.

(12) FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the upper support arch of the chock of FIG. 7.

(13) FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a ratchet embodiment of a chock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

Tire Chock with Ratchet Mechanism

(14) FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective side view of ratchet style chock 200 showing a clip 201; a freely adjustable bottom nut 202; a distal or bottom support arch 203; a threaded rod 212 (lead screw); a proximal or top support arch 209; handle 210; washer 211; and locking member cover 213.

(15) A scissor frame comprises long supports 207; short supports 218; bolts 204 and 217, washers 205, and nuts 216; rivets 206, 215, and 219. The scissor frame adjustably supports foot plates 208. As the scissor frame is expanded, it pushes the support foot plates against the tires or wheels.

(16) The foot plates may be pulled outwardly to expand the scissor frame to a width slightly smaller than the spacing between tires. Freely adjustable bottom nut 202 is hand tightened to set an expansion limit for the desired insertion width of the scissor frame. As the scissor frame is expanded, the bottom support arch 203 is pushed against nut 202 so that nut socket 220 engages the nut.

(17) The chock is held in the desired position with handle 210 while ratchet wrench 214 is used to tighten the head 221 of threaded rod 212. As the head is turned, the threaded rod is tightened into nut 202 to hold the scissor frame in the desired expanded orientation.

(18) Locking Member Cover Plate

(19) FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of chock 200 with a locking member cover plate 213 closed into position to cover threaded rod head 221 (not shown). FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the chock 200 showing pivot rivet 215 so that the cover plate may be locked to handle 210.

(20) FIG. 4 is a first side perspective view detail of the chock 200 of FIG. 2 with locking member cover plate 213 open to provide access to threaded rod top head 221. In this example, the lock may be inserted through lock hole 224 so that a portion of the lock is positioned in the gap 240 between handle 210 and top support arch 209. FIG. 5 is a detailed second side perspective view of the locking member cover plate 213 in a closed orientation. FIG. 6 is a detailed first side perspective view of the locking member cover plate 213 with pivot rivet 215 and lock 230 inserted into lock hole 224.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

Tire Chock with Cam Handle

(21) FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective side view of cam style chock 100 showing a clip 101; bottom nut 102; a distal or bottom support arch 103; a threaded rod 112 (lead screw); a proximal or top support arch 109; handle 117; washer 110; cam handle 113, and locking member cover 114.

(22) A scissor frame comprises long supports 107; short supports 119; bolts 104 and 115, washers 105, and nuts 116; rivets 106 and 118. The scissor frame adjustably support foot plates 108. As the scissor frame is expanded, it pushes the support foot plates against the tires.

(23) The foot plates may be pulled outwardly to expand the scissor frame to a width slightly smaller than the spacing between tires. Freely adjustable bottom nut 102 is hand tightened to set an expansion limit for the desired insertion width of the scissor frame. As the scissor frame is expanded, the bottom support arch 103 is pushed against nut 102 so that nut socket 120 engages the nut.

(24) The chock is held in the desired position with handle 117 while cam lever 113 is used to tighten the threaded rod 112. As the cam lever 113 is depressed, cam shaft 111 urges top support arch 109 toward the bottom nut 102. A rubber handle cover 114 may be provided for the cam lever.

(25) A lock hole is provided on cam lever 113 and cover 114 so that a lock may be inserted through the cam lever lock hole and a hole in handle 117 to secure cam lever 113 to handle 117.

(26) FIG. 8 is a side view of a foot member 108 of the chock 100.

(27) FIG. 9 is a side view of the cam handle 113 of the chock 100.

(28) FIG. 10 is a side view of the device handle 117 of the chock 100.

(29) FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the lower support arch 103 of the chock of 100 showing nut socket 120.

(30) FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the upper support arch 109 of the chock of 100.

(31) It is to be understood that the specific embodiments and examples described above are by way of illustration, and not limitation. Various modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill, and the scope of the invention is as defined in the appended claims.