Modular Parking Stop
A parking stop may include a body extending between a first end and a second end and having a vertical profile dimensioned to block a movement of a wheel. The body may include a cavity and an opening to the cavity for receiving delivery of a solidifying filler material into the cavity. The vertical profile may include a concave tire engagement surface along a lower portion and an angled surface along an upper portion. The angled surface may extend away from the concave tire engagement surface at an angle approximately tangent to the concave tire engagement surface at an approximate point where the concave tire engagement surface meets the angled surface or greater than approximately tangent to the concave tire engagement surface at the approximate point where the concave tire engagement surface meets the angled surface.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/104,485, entitled MODULAR PARKING STOP, filed Jan. 16, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUNDParking stops use vertical profiles to block or stop vehicle wheels. Heavy duty vehicles however often drive over standard “light duty” stops with little resistance; however, a higher profile stop may hit vehicle frames, bumper mounted equipment attachments, or plow frames. For example, a trash truck using a frontend mounted currotto can bin system may drive over a standard duty 8″ wheel stop with limited resistance, while a 12″ heavy duty stop may hit the frame before the wheels of the truck even contact the stop. Conventional stops are also limited due to their heavy and cumbersome design, which is also susceptible to short operational life spans arising from weather exposure including cracking, chipping and spalling.
SUMMARYIn one aspect, a parking stop device includes a body extending between a first end and a second end and having a vertical profile dimensioned to block a movement of a wheel. A cavity may be defined in the body, and an opening to the cavity may be located on the body for receiving delivery of a solidifying filler material into the cavity. A side face may extend along the body and form at least a portion of the vertical profile. The side face may define a concave tire engagement surface along a lower portion and an angled surface along an upper portion. The angled surface may extend away from the concave tire engagement surface at an angle that is selected from the group consisting of approximately tangent to the concave tire engagement surface at an approximate point where the concave tire engagement surface meets the angled surface and greater than approximately tangent to the concave tire engagement surface at the approximate point where the concave tire engagement surface meets the angled surface.
In one embodiment, the body comprises a plurality of selectively coupled body sections extending between the first end and the second end. The body sections may comprise a first body section selectively coupled to a second body section. The side face defining the tire engagement surface and the angled surface may extend along the first body section and the second body section. The first body section and the second body section may define at least a portion of the cavity. The first end of the body may comprise an end cap selectively coupled to the first body section. The second end of the body may comprise an end cap integrated with the second body section. A coupling may be located between the first body section and the second body section. The filler material may comprise concrete. In various embodiments, the body comprises a durable weather resistant plastic. In one embodiment, the concave tire engagement surface corresponds to a radius of about 18 inches.
In another aspect, a parking stop system includes a body having a vertical profile dimensioned to block a movement of a wheel. The body may comprise a first body section selectively couplable to a second body section to extend a length of the body. The first body section may define a first cavity. An opening to the cavity may be located on the body for receiving delivery of a solidifying filler material into the cavity when the first body section and the second body section are selectively coupled.
In one embodiment, the second body section may define a second cavity. When the first body section and the second body section are selectively coupled, the first cavity may be continuous with the second cavity to form at least a portion of a combined cavity. The system may include an end cap that is selectively couplable to at least one of the first body section or the second body section. The first body section may comprise an integrated end cap.
A coupling may be used to secure the selective coupling of the first body section and the second body section. In one embodiment, the system includes a third body section. The third body section may be selectively couplable to at least one of the first body section or the second body section to extend the length of the body. A first end of the third body section may be selectively couplable to the first body section or the second body section. A second end of the third body section may be selectively couplable to the first body section or the second body section.
In one embodiment, each of the first body section and the second body section may include a side face forming at least a portion of the vertical profile. Each side face may define a concave tire engagement surface along a lower portion of the face and an angled surface along an upper portion of the face. The angled surface may extend away from the concave tire engagement surface at an angle that is selected from the group consisting of approximately tangent to the concave tire engagement surface at an approximate point where the concave tire engagement surface meets the angled portion and greater than approximately tangent to the concave tire engagement surface at the approximate point where the concave tire engagement surface meets the angled portion. The concave tire engagement surface may correspond to a radius of about 18 inches. The first body section and the second body section may comprise a durable weather resistant plastic.
Presently preferred and alternative embodiments of the inventive arrangements are shown in the drawings, it being understood, however, the inventive arrangements are not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
Various embodiments of a parking stop are described herein. The parking stop may generally include a body having a vertical profile dimensioned to block or stop vehicle wheels. In use, the parking stop may be attached to an underlying surface such as pavement or cement or remain relatively stationary, due to the weight of the operational body, for example. In some embodiments, the vertical profile of the parking stop may include a vertically extending concave surface. The concave surface may be dimensioned to provide maximum wheel deflection without excessive height to safely stop heavy vehicles while avoiding hitting the vehicle frame. In these or other embodiments, the body of the parking stop may include a cavity construction configurable for on-site filling. In any of the above or other embodiments, the parking stop may include a modular body construction allowing customization of a length of the parking stop by coupling multiple body sections. These and other beneficial features will be described with reference to the drawings and the several views; however, it is to be understood that the parking stop may include various combinations or sub-combinations of the exemplified features, elements, or aspects.
Referring to
The parking stop 10 may include a cavity 24 defined in the body 12, as shown most clearly in
The body 12 or body section 14 may define one or more openings to the cavity 24. As shown, the body section 14 defines openings 26 into the cavity 24 along the bottom portion 20, as most clearly seen in the bottom view of
The filler material may solidify or harden within the cavity 24 to seal the openings 26 and thereby form a base along the bottom portion 20. In another embodiment, after the cavity 24 is filled, a cover may be used. For example, the opening 27 at the end 28 of the body section 14 may be covered by an end cap 30 prior to delivery of filler material into the cavity 24. However, if the opening 27 is used for delivering the filler material into the cavity 24, the end cap 30 may be used to cover the opening 27 after the filler material has been delivered into the cavity 24.
Slots 32 may be defined through the body section 14 between the top and bottom portions 18, 20 for receiving retention members such as pins to secure a position of the body section 14 in use. As seen most clearly in
The body section 14 may define a notch 36 extending along the bottom portion 20 between side faces 38 of the side portions 22. The notch 36 may be dimensioned to assist in locating or removing the parking stop 10. For example, the notch 36 may be dimensioned to receive a tool, such as a forklift tine, that may be extended along the notch 36 and thereon used to manipulate the location of the body 12. The notch 36 may also reduce the amount of filler material needed to fill the cavity 24 or may assist in retaining the filler when solidified.
In various embodiments, the vertical profile 40 is dimensioned to block or stop vehicle wheels may be provided on one or both of the side faces 38 and extend between the top and bottom portions 18, 20 of the body 12. The vertical profile 40 includes a concave tire engagement surface 42. The concave tire engagement surface 42 may present a concave vertical profile along one or both side faces 38. In various embodiments, the concave tire engagement surface 42 may be dimensioned to receive or match a curve of a tire. For example, the vertical profile 40 define a concave tire engagement surface 42 dimensioned to approximately match a particular size or size range of tire, e.g., passenger, commercial, light, heavy duty, etc., to provide greater stopping power than current parking stops to effectively stop vehicles.
The upper portion 40a of the vertical profile 40 comprises an angled surface that extends approximately tangent to the concave tire engagement surface 42 at an approximate point where the concave tire engagement surface 42 meets the angled surface of the upper portion 40a; however, other angles may be used. In another embodiment, the surface of the upper portion 40a may extend from the concave tire engagement surface 42 of the lower portion 40b at a larger angle with respect to a vertical axis than is depicted in
Accordingly, the vertical profile 40 of the parking stop 10 provided along the side face 38 may be configured to facilitate increased stopping effectiveness than conventional parking stop devices of similar height, and, therefore, may be effective to stop larger vehicles without hitting and damaging the vehicle frame. Accordingly, various embodiments of the parking stop 10 may be particularly beneficial in locations where heavy duty vehicles park.
As shown most clearly in the exploded views of
In at least one embodiment, only one end 28 of the body section 14 is configured for selective coupling to an end cap 30 or additional body section, as described below. For example,
Referring to
To customize the length of the parking stop 10 multiple modular extensions comprising body sections 14 may be aligned and selectively coupled to achieve the desired length, as shown in
As introduced above, one or more of the body sections 14 may define one or more cavities 24. When the body sections 14 are selectively coupled, the body 12 may include the one or more cavities 24 defined by the coupled body sections 14, which may include one or more combined cavities 24. For example, a first body section 14 defining a first cavity 24 may be selectively coupled to a second body section defining a second cavity 24 wherein, when coupled, the first cavity 24 and the second cavity 24 combine to form at least a portion of a combined cavity 24. An opening 26, 27 to the cavity 24 may be located on a body section 14 or other location of the body 12, e.g., at an end cap, for receiving filler material.
The parking stop 10 may be configured to be filled with filler material on-site. For example, in embodiments wherein the body 12 defines a cavity 26, the body 12 may be delivered on-site prior to delivering filler material into the cavity 26. After locating the body 12 at or near the desired location of use, filler material such as a cement filler material may be poured into one or more openings 26 along the bottom portion 22 and allowed to set. Thereafter, the body 12 including the solidified material within the cavity 26 may be turned over or otherwise located for use. Embodiments comprising a notch 36, may be configured for convenient transport, location, or relocation using a forklift or jack positioned through the notch 36. In one embodiment, a filler material such as cement may be poured into opening 47 and the end cap 30 may be subsequently coupled to the end 28. Once located for use, pins may also be inserted through the slots 32 and driven into or fixed to an underlying surface to secure the body 12.
In various embodiments, the parking stop 10 may comprise a lightweight design suitable for standardization and reduction in shipping compared to concrete stops. The parking stop 10 may include high visibility reflective colors for additional safety to vehicles and pedestrians. For example, the parking stop 10 may be dimensioned as herein described and include bright or reflective colors for use as a high visibility safety device designed to stop the wheels of slow moving vehicles as they pull into a parking space.
In one embodiment, a parking stop comprises a first modular body section having a first end and a second end. The first end may be configured to be selectively couplable to a first end of a second modular body section. The first modular body section may comprise a side face comprising an angled portion. The angled portion may define a concave tire engagement surface. The concave tire engagement surface may correspond to a radius of about 18 inches or as otherwise desired in consideration of an intended wheel or tire diameter to be stopped.
In another embodiment, the parking stop comprises a body extending between a first end portion and a second end portion, a cavity defined in the body, and an opening to the cavity formed on the body. The cavity may be configured to be filled with a filler material that solidifies therein. The body may comprise a first modular body section. The first end portion may comprise a first end configured to be selectively couplable to a first end of a second modular body section. The body may have a side face comprising an angled portion. The angled portion may define a concave tire engagement surface. The concave tire engagement surface may corresponds to a radius of about 18 inches, for example.
In another embodiment, the parking stop comprises a body, a side face comprising a lower concave portion extending from a bottom portion of the body and an upper portion extending between the lower concave portion and a top portion of the body. The lower concave portion may define a concave tire engagement surface. The upper portion may extend at an angle that is either approximately tangent to the concave tire engagement surface at the approximate point where the concave tire engagement surface meets the upper portion or greater than approximately tangent to the concave tire engagement surface at the approximate point where the concave tire engagement surface meets the upper portion. The concave tire engagement surface may corresponds to a radius of about 18 inches, for example.
In one embodiment, a method of assembling a parking stop comprises coupling a first end of a first modular body section to a first end of a second modular body section to extend a length of the parking stop. Expanding the length of the parking stop may be performed at the time of installation. Expanding the length of the parking stop may also be performed following installation or at a time after an assembly of a parking stop. For example, an existing parking stop may be expanded by addition of additional body sections to the ends of the existing body sections. An existing parking stop may also be repaired by replacing damaged or aged body sections with additional body sections. The length of an existing parking stop may also be reduced by selective removal of body sections. Thus, in some embodiments, each component of the parking stop may be selectively replaceable. For example, each component of the parking stop may be replaceable if an existing component breaks or simply requires upkeep to maintain. In one such configuration, a body section can be removed and replaced with a new body section. In these or other embodiments, a method of assembling a parking stop comprises filling a cavity defined in a body of a parking stop with a filler material configured to solidify therein. When the method includes repairing, extending, or replacing additional filler material may also be introduced into the body, e.g., into the cavities defined by the added body section, to add to the existing filler material. Filler material may also be added to replace filler material that has been lost or removed from existing body sections.
It is to be appreciated that persons having ordinary skill in the art, upon considering the descriptions herein, will recognize that various combinations or sub-combinations of the various embodiments and other elements, features, and aspects may be desirable in particular implementations or applications. However, because such other elements, features, and aspects may be readily ascertained by persons having ordinary skill in the art upon considering the description herein, and are not necessary for a complete understanding of the disclosed embodiments, a description of such elements, features, and aspects may not be provided. As such, it is to be understood that the description set forth herein is merely exemplary and illustrative of the disclosed embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined solely by the claims.
It will be further appreciated that for conciseness and clarity, spatial or relative terms such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “upper,” “lower,” “lateral,” “longitudinal,” and others may be used herein with respect to the illustrated embodiments. However, these terms are not intended to be limiting and absolute. All numerical quantities stated herein are approximate unless stated otherwise, meaning that the term “about” may be inferred when not expressly stated. Additionally, in some illustrative embodiments, dimensions including a parameter, measurement, diversion, or range may be given. It is to be understood that any such parameter, measurement, diversion, or range is provided as an illustrative example or instance of an embodiment and is not intended to limit that or other embodiments. For example, unless otherwise specified, illustrations of dimensions and how such parameters or measurements of such dimensions relate to other parameters, e.g., with respect to movement, support, engagements, interfacing dimensions are provided to aid the reader's understanding of the features and may not be illustrated to scale nor universally applicable to every embodiment.
Claims
1. A parking stop device, the device comprising:
- a body extending between a first end and a second end and having a vertical profile dimensioned to block a movement of a wheel;
- a cavity defined in the body;
- an opening to the cavity located on the body for receiving delivery of a solidifying filler material into the cavity; and
- a side face forming at least a portion of the vertical profile, wherein the side face defines a concave tire engagement surface along a lower portion of the side face and an angled surface along an upper portion of the side face, and wherein the angled surface extends away from the concave tire engagement surface at an angle that is selected from the group consisting of approximately tangent to the concave tire engagement surface at an approximate point where the concave tire engagement surface meets the angled surface and greater than approximately tangent to the concave tire engagement surface at the approximate point where the concave tire engagement surface meets the angled surface.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the concave tire engagement surface corresponds to a radius of about 18 inches.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a plurality of selectively coupled body sections extending between the first end and the second end.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the body sections comprise a first body section selectively coupled to a second body section, and wherein the side face defining the tire engagement surface and the angled surface extends along the first body section and the second body section.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the first body section and the second body section define at least a portion of the cavity.
6. The device of claim 3, wherein the first end of the body comprises an end cap selectively coupled to the first body section.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the second end of the body comprises an end cap integrated with the second body section.
8. The device of claim 3, further comprising a coupling located between the first body section and the second body section.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a durable weather resistant plastic.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the filler material comprises concrete.
11. A parking stop system, the system comprising:
- a body having a vertical profile dimensioned to block a movement of a wheel, the body comprising a first body section selectively couplable to a second body section to extend a length of the body, wherein the first body section defines a first cavity; and
- an opening to the cavity located on the body for receiving delivery of a solidifying filler material into the cavity when the first body section and the second body section are selectively coupled.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the second body section defines a second cavity, and wherein, when the first body section and the second body section are selectively coupled, the first cavity is continuous with the second cavity to form at least a portion of a combined cavity.
13. The system of claim 11, further comprising an end cap, wherein the end cap is selectively couplable to at least one of the first body section or the second body section.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first body section comprises an integrated end cap.
15. The system of claim 11, further comprising a coupling between the first body section and the second body section to secure the selective coupling of the first body section and the second body section.
16. The system of claim 11, further comprising a third body section, wherein the third body section is selectively couplable to at least one of the first body section or the second body section to extend the length of the body.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein the third body section has a first end selectively couplable to the first body section or the second body section and a second end selectively couplable to the first body section or the second body section.
18. The system of claim 11, wherein each of the first body section and the second body section includes a side face forming at least a portion of the vertical profile, wherein each side face defines a concave tire engagement surface along a lower portion of the face and an angled surface along an upper portion of the face, and wherein the angled surface extends away from the concave tire engagement surface at an angle that is selected from the group consisting of
- approximately tangent to the concave tire engagement surface at an approximate point where the concave tire engagement surface meets the angled portion and
- greater than approximately tangent to the concave tire engagement surface at the approximate point where the concave tire engagement surface meets the angled portion.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the concave tire engagement surface corresponds to a radius of about 18 inches.
20. The system of claim 11, wherein the first body section and the second body section comprise a durable weather resistant plastic.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 14, 2016
Publication Date: Jul 21, 2016
Applicant: Northcape Industrial, LLC (Cape Coral, FL)
Inventors: Marian T. Nicosia (Cape Coral, FL), Dominic T. Nicosia (Cape Coral, FL)
Application Number: 14/996,006