Abstract: A valve circuit, including a first and second circuit portion, for hydraulically controlling a loading dock vehicle restraint. The first circuit portion permits raising and lowering of the vehicle restraint. The second circuit portion permits extension and retraction of the vehicle restraint. Preferably, the first and second circuit portion are separate and are configured on the same valve block.

Abstract: A dock leveler, for bridging the gap between a loading dock platform and a vehicle at the dock, includes an adjustably overlapping lip and ramp that provide a traffic surface of variable length to accommodate situations where there is only a limited amount of space for the lip to rest on the rear of the vehicle. The lip pivots and translates from a stored, pendant orientation to an operative orientation with a range of extended positions. In the stored position, one edge of the lip protrudes above the deck to inhibit material handling equipment from accidentally driving over the edge of the deck when a vehicle is not parked adjacent the dock leveler.

Abstract: The loading dock traffic automation and inventory control system of the present invention automates the loading dock area by controlling a truck control notification automation system, traffic signal dock lights, loading dock spot light, loading dock fan and dock leveler. The manually operated control panel is energized or de-energized with full automation by the movement of the overhead dock door. The device includes a control panel enclosure mounted on the interior wall of the building next to the loading dock door. One control panel enclosure can service one or two loading dock doors.

Abstract: A wheel-activated vehicle restraint for use at a loading dock includes a wheel-blocking barrier that is selectively locked to a frame by a latching mechanism that engages an inverted gear rack. Components of the latching mechanism are arranged to prevent spreading apart upper and lower members of the frame members. The latching mechanism includes an alignment device that helps ensure that the teeth of a latching member positively engages the teeth of the gear rack, thus preventing the teeth from coming together peak-to-peak. An upper rail of the wheel restraint's frame includes a contoured leading edge that smoothly guides the lift of the wheel-blocking barrier from its stored position to its wheel-chocking position. A wheel support is used to prevent a vehicle's mud flap from getting pinched between the vehicle's wheel and a trigger assembly of the wheel restraint.

Abstract: A paper transportation trolley with first guide members on the paper transportation trolley and second guide members on a coupling device of the printing machine for locking the paper transportation trolley to, and releasing it from the printing machine. The paper transportation trolley is movable over the coupling device, the first guide members sliding over the second guide members and the paper transportation trolley is connected to the coupling device by a retainer device.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint includes a restraining member that rises to an operative position and lowers to a stored position to respectively engage and release an ICC bar of a truck parked at a loading dock. In moving to the lowered stored position, the restraining member also rotates off to its side, so as not to obstruct snow removal equipment or incoming vehicles having an especially low ICC bar or low ground clearance. In some embodiments, rotation of the restraining member is achieved by various actuators that apply a generally uniform torque. A resilient member, moves the restraining member upward to engage the ICC bar, and allows for vertical movement of the truck as it is being loaded or unloaded. Opposing the upward urging of the resilient member, a drive unit forcibly moves the restraining member downward when the truck is ready to be released.

Abstract: A portable wheel stopper system for car parking having tire receiver portion to receive car tire in case of stopping, having wheel stopping portion connected to said tire receiver, said wheel stoppin portion shaped as roughly triangular so that said tire receiver can be tied round said wheel stopping portion to form one body, said tire receiver can be rolled in in case of no use, said wheel portion equipped with reflector that is used for confirming a distance between tire receiver and car driver for safe parking.

Abstract: A valve circuit, including a first and second circuit portion, for hydraulically controlling a loading dock vehicle restraint. The first circuit portion permits raising and lowering of the vehicle restraint. The second circuit portion permits extension and retraction of the vehicle restraint. Preferably, the first and second circuit portion are separate and are configured on the same valve block.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint including a hook member adapted to be coupled to the loading dock. The hook member is mounted for movement toward and away from the dock face and further is mounted for movement up and down relative to the dock face. The hook member is arranged such that it will secure three sides of an ICC bar of a vehicle parked at the loading dock. In one embodiment, the hook member includes a longitudinal portion, a restraining portion, and a tab. The longitudinal portion is adapted to engage a lower portion of the ICC bar, the restraining portion is adapted to engage a front portion of the ICC bar, and the tab is adapted to engage an upper portion of the ICC bar. The above-described restraint can be utilized to perform a method of securing a vehicle having an ICC bar to a loading dock having a dock face. The method comprises positioning the vehicle at the loading dock, moving the hook member upward into alignment with the ICC bar (e.g.

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.

Abstract: A valve circuit, including a first and second circuit portion, for hydraulically controlling a loading dock vehicle restraint. The first circuit portion permits raising and lowering of the vehicle restraint. The second circuit portion permits extension and retraction of the vehicle restraint. Preferably, the first and second circuit portion are separate and are configured on the same valve block.

Abstract: A valve circuit, including a first and second circuit portion, for hydraulically controlling a loading dock vehicle restraint. The first circuit portion permits raising and lowering of the vehicle restraint. The second circuit portion permits extension and retraction of the vehicle restraint. Preferably, the first and second circuit portion are separate and are configured on the same valve block.

Abstract: A carousel device for pivotally moving a two-wheeled vehicle includes a base with a plurality of roller bearings and a carousel having a pair of opposing wings which are operatively positioned on the base.

Abstract: A truck restraint has a carriage movable in a vertical direction along a track between a first lowered position and a second operative position. A fluid actuator moves the carriage along the truck between the first and second positions. The actuator is operable, with the hook in the first position, to cause relative rotation between the hook and the track so that the hook is moved from a downwardly inclined position to a generally horizontal position, prior to movement from the first position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actuating a vehicle restraint device, particularly suited for a loading dock to prevent a transport vehicle from inadvertently moving away from the dock, use air activation.

Abstract: A specimen conveying system includes a plurality of conveying mechanisms arranged to convey a specimen-contained container in given positions, each of the conveying mechanisms including a belt-conveyor type conveying lane, a motor-vehicle guide laid between first and second conveying mechanisms of the plurality of conveying mechanisms, and a motor vehicle guided and self-propelled by the motor-vehicle guide. The motor vehicle includes a first coupling section provided at a front of a main body of the motor vehicle and coupled to one end of the first conveying mechanism, a second coupling section provided at a rear of the main body of the motor vehicle and coupled to one end of the second conveying mechanism, and a belt-conveyor type conveying lane formed on a top surface of the motor-vehicle body and selectively connected to the belt-conveyor type conveying lanes of the first and second conveying mechanisms, thereby transferring the specimen-contained container.

Abstract: A personal guided transport vehicle is disclosed to include a horizontal motion unit, a vertical motion unit, and a gear set coupled between a shaft of the horizontal motion unit and a shaft of the vertical motion unit for enabling the shafts to be interlocked. When operating a horizontal operating lever of the horizontal motion unit, a lock pin is forced into engagement with a mounting hole of the shaft of the vertical motion unit. The horizontal motion unit and the vertical motion unit each have a spring plunger for self-lock. A docking mechanism is disclosed to enable the vehicle to be easily positioned in a docking flange. The docking mechanism includes a locating plate and a coupling plate, the locating plate having a locating notch for quick alignment, the coupling plate having hooks for hooking on the docking flange to hold the vehicle in position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for blocking a vehicle, comprising a guide track which can be disposed along a driveway, a carriage which engages on the guide track and is displaceable therealong in guided manner and which is provided with transversely protruding wheel engaging means and locking means for locking the carriage, wherein the guide track comprises on a front end a part extending upward from close to the driveway and, connecting thereto, a part extending substantially parallel to the driveway, and the carriage engages on the guide track close to a front end and a rear end.

Abstract: A wheel chocking device (13) having a wheel chock (34) that can be raised from a retracted position to a raised position. In the retracted position, the wheel chock (34) is substantially flat, thereby allowing a truck (36) to be driven over the wheel chock (34). In the raised position, the wheel chock (34) can be engaged with the wheel (36) of a truck to prevent the truck from driving away from a loading dock. In one embodiment, movement of the chock (34) is provided by pneumatic cylinders (120) that drive cables (124) or chains associated with pneumatic pistons (122) positioned within the cylinders (120). As the chock (34) is moved from the distal position, the chock (34) can raise from a lowered position to an intermediate position (3). The chock (34) is then moved toward the vehicle wheel (36). Upon contact with the wheel (36), the chock (34) will raise from the intermediate position to the fully raised position.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process chamber lid service system comprising a process chamber lid service cart and a process chamber lid service frame. The lid service frame holds the process chamber lid. The cart and the lid service frame are aligned with guide pin and alignment capture, meanwhile, the cart is aligned at the process chamber with guide frame, which is installed at the base frame of the process chamber. This lid service system may be used for opening/closing a process chamber as well as wet-cleaning the process chamber for semiconductor manufacturing.

Abstract: A wheel chocking device having a wheel chock that can be raised from a retracted position to a raised position. In the retracted position, the wheel chock is substantially flat, thereby allowing a truck to be driven over the wheel chock. In the raised position, the wheel chock can be engaged with the wheel of a truck to prevent the truck from driving away from a loading dock. In one embodiment, movement of the chock is provided by pneumatic cylinders that drive cables or chains associated with pneumatic pistons positioned within the cylinders. As the chock is moved from the distal position, the chock can raise from a lowered position to an intermediate position. The chock is then moved toward the vehicle wheel. Upon contact with the wheel, the chock will raise from the intermediate position to the fully raised position. In another embodiment, the chock can be inserted laterally from the side of the wheel.

Abstract: In a device for controlling the drive of mechanisms operating separately from one another, the object is to minimize the operating effort and expense of driving alternatively operating mechanisms. Furthermore, it is ensured by the device that the mechanisms are only allowed to be put into operation if they are in a specific state and that this state is maintained throughout their operation. The device has power transmission capabilities different from one another for adjusting the control system to different states of the mechanisms. Arrangements provided for this purpose operate in different settings, determined by control signals, of which a first setting prevents a power transmission and further settings respectively permit power transmission to one of the mechanisms. The arrangement for power transmission is equipped with a signal-receiving device, with which a reception of the control signals dependent on the state of the mechanisms takes place.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus which obtains an amount of correction for centering a semiconductor wafer from four points of a wafer edge detected by noncontact proprioceptors in a wafer delivery position P1 where the semiconductor wafer is passed to a wafer carrying unit from a wafer carrying robot and centers the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A fastening device for a conveying cart is used for fastening the conveying cart to a to-be-fastened apparatus. The device includes a flange provided on a side of the to-be-fastened apparatus, and having a pin standing therefrom, and a recess formed therein; and a fastening mechanism provided on a side of the conveying cart, and having a first hook member engaging with the pin of the flange so as to position the conveying cart with respect to the to-be-fastened apparatus, and a second hook member engaging with the recess of the flange so the to fasten the conveying cart to the to-be-fastened apparatus.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint includes a restraining member that rises to an operative position and lowers to a stored position to respectively engage and release an ICC bar of a truck parked at a loading dock. In moving to the lowered stored position, the restraining member also rotates off to its side, so as not to obstruct snow removal equipment or incoming vehicles having an especially low ICC bar or low ground clearance. In some embodiments, rotation of the restraining member is achieved by various actuators that apply a generally uniform torque. A resilient member, moves the restraining member upward to engage the ICC bar, and allows for vertical movement of the truck as it is being loaded or unloaded. Opposing the upward urging of the resilient member, a drive unit forcibly moves the restraining member downward when the truck is ready to be released.

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.

Abstract: An integrated wafer transport and transfer device is disclosed, which includes a vehicle with an integrated docking platform for holding a wafer carrier such as a FOUP (front opening unified pod). The docking platform is positioned at the correct height for sealing the FOUP to the load lock of a process tool. Vertical and/or horizontal movement is required in some cases. Methods for delivering wafers to process tools are also described. In a preferred embodiment, wafers are carried inside a FOUP on a cart, such as an automatically guided vehicle or a personally guided vehicle. The cart is docked at a process tool and the FOUP is sealed to the load lock of the tool without removing the FOUP from the cart. After processing on one tool, the cart along with the FOUP can be moved to the next process tool for further processing. The FOUP can stay on the same cart until all processing is completed. This is especially useful for moving priority lots through the fabrication facility quickly.

Abstract: A wheel-activated vehicle restraint for use at a loading dock includes a wheel-blocking barrier that is selectively locked to a frame by a latching mechanism that engages an inverted gear rack. Components of the latching mechanism are arranged to prevent spreading apart upper and lower members of the frame members. The latching mechanism includes an alignment device that helps ensure that the teeth of a latching member positively engages the teeth of the gear rack, thus preventing the teeth from coming together peak-to-peak. An upper rail of the wheel restraint's frame includes a contoured leading edge that smoothly guides the lift of the wheel-blocking barrier from its stored position to its wheel-chocking position. A wheel support is used to prevent a vehicle's mud flap from getting pinched between the vehicle's wheel and a trigger assembly of the wheel restraint.

Abstract: A transfer rack 15 loaded with a seriate number of component supply cassettes 14 to be handled collectively is carried and retained on a truck 61 so that it can be taken in and out of the truck 61. The transfer rack 15 is passed between the truck 61 and a component supply section 8. Thus, the withdrawal of the transfer rack 15 from the component supply section 8 to the truck 61 and the delivery of the transfer rack 15 to the component supply section 8 are executed in a timely manner so as to change the component supply cassettes 14 at the component supply section 8. The transfer rack 15 delivered to the component supply section 8 is positioned by operating an automatic positioning means at the component supply section 8 in a direction in which it is loaded and unloaded and in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which it is loaded and unloaded.

Abstract: A vehicle cargo loading and unloading system for rotating a vehicle in an area where there is a limited amount of space in which to maneuver. The vehicle cargo loading and unloading system includes a vehicle support platform for supporting the vehicle to be turned. The vehicle support platform includes an upper surface, a lower surface and a peripheral edge extending between the upper and lower surfaces. A plurality of rolling assemblies is provided for rotatably turning the vehicle supporting platform. Each of the rolling assemblies is movably mounted to the lower surface of the vehicle supporting platform. A supporting shaft is provided for supporting the vehicle supporting platform. The supporting shaft includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is mounted to a central point of the vehicle supporting platform. A gear is mounted to a portion of the supporting shaft and is operationally coupled to a motor used for turning the shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint at a loading dock includes a vertically moving barrier that engages a truck's rear ICC bar to help prevent the truck from accidentally moving too far away from the face of the dock. The restraint includes an inclined barrier actuator with minimal linkage that provides a low-profile stored position. The barrier actuator powers the barrier up to engage the ICC bar and powers the barrier down to a stored position. A compliant coupling provides the barrier with vertical float to allow for incidental vertical movement of the ICC bar, as the truck is being loaded or unloaded of its cargo. The restraint also includes a novel switch actuator that senses whether the ICC bar is properly positioned relative to the barrier.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint at a loading dock includes a vertically moving barrier that engages a truck's rear ICC bar to help prevent the truck from accidentally moving too far away from the face of the dock. The restraint includes an inclined barrier actuator with minimal linkage that provides a low-profile stored position. The barrier actuator powers the barrier up to engage the ICC bar and powers the barrier down to a stored position. A compliant coupling provides the barrier with vertical float to allow for incidental vertical movement of the ICC bar, as the truck is being loaded or unloaded of its cargo. The restraint also includes a novel switch actuator that senses whether the ICC bar is properly positioned relative to the barrier.

Abstract: A wheel chocking device having a wheel chock that can be raised from a retracted position to a raised position. In the retracted position, the wheel chock is substantially flat, thereby allowing a truck to be driven over the wheel chock. In the raised position, the wheel chock can be engaged with the wheel of a truck to prevent the truck from driving away from a loading dock. As the chock is moved from the distal position, the chock can raise from a lowered position to an intermediate position. The chock is then moved toward the vehicle wheel. Upon contact with the wheel, the chock will raise from the intermediate position to the fully raised position. In another embodiment, the chock can be inserted laterally from the side of the wheel.

Abstract: An electric power supply system for dock equipment at a freight loading dock, such equipment including dock levelers and truck restraints which are powered by electric motors. The emergency power supply system utilizes electric powered freight moving vehicles, such as lift trucks, which include on-board storage battery electric power sources. The dock equipment includes controllers which are provided with selector switches for selecting power from an electrical distribution system or from the lift trucks by way of a disconnectable power cable assembly. An AC voltage step-down transformer and rectifier are provided for supplying the proper voltage to the controller, depending on the voltage and current characteristics required of the dock equipment motor or motors.

Abstract: A vehicle (10) for transporting a container (12) and for loading and unloading a load port (14) is disclosed. The vehicle (10) comprises a frame (16), a container holder (26) mounted to the frame (16), and front wheels (18) and rear wheels (20) mounted to the frame (16). The front wheels (18) are movable with respect to the rear wheels (20), so that the critical footprint of the vehicle is reduced during loading and unloading. The vehicle is particularly useful in personal guided systems and methods for loading and unloading wafer containers.

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 selecidvely 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 means 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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for blocking a vehicle, comprising a guide track which can be disposed along a driveway, a carriage which engages on the guide track and is displaceable therealong in guided manner and which is provided with transversely protruding wheel engaging means and locking means for locking the carriage, wherein the guide track comprises on a front end a part extending upward from close to the driveway and, connecting thereto, a part extending substantially parallel to the driveway, and the carriage engages on the guide track close to a front end and a rear end.

Abstract: A person-guided vehicle (PGV) is provided for transporting and manipulating at least one carrier containing items such as semiconductor wafers to be loaded or unloaded at a load port. The PGV includes a wheeled cart having a frame configured to align with the load port. A carrier support assembly is mounted to the frame. The carrier support assembly includes a cradle configured to support the carrier, a lifting mechanism operative to raise and lower the cradle vertically, and a horizontal slide mechanism operative to move the cradle horizontally to and from a position outboard of the cart. A damping system is coupled to the cart and operative to dampen vibrations of the carrier in the carrier support assembly. One side of the cart is free of structural members to allow operator access to the carrier support assembly and to allow ready manipulation of the cart by the operator.

Abstract: A cargo transfer system provides a transport trailer floor with a plurality of guide tracks that slidably support a floor platform having substantially the same dimensions as the full size cargo floor of the trailer; a similar plurality of support guide tracks being provided in a shipping/receiving facility arranged for axial and elevational alignment with the guide tracks of a transport trailer positioned in the loading/unloading bay of the facility. A powered drive mechanism associated with the guide tracks in the facility releasably engages a floor platform member to push or pull the floor platform member along the aligned guide tracks between the transport trailer and the facility whereby to load or unload the entire contents of transport trailers in a single movement of the floor platform therebetween.

Abstract: A docking station for a robotic mail tray loading system includes a ground plate that is mounted to the floor of the building in which the robotic mail tray loading system is housed. The ground plate has first and second wheel-retaining recesses that preferably include ramped surfaces to accommodate wheels of mail carts. A plurality of guide plates are positioned to locate one pallet or two mail carts in the docking station at a time. The docking station also includes a plurality of sensors that sense the presence or absence of a pallet or cart in the docking station and that sense the type of cart present at the cart docking station.

Abstract: A restraint device for restraining a vehicle to a loading dock is disclosed. The restraint device has a pivot member with a hooking member pivotable between an upwards operative position and a downwards inoperative position. The device also has springs for biasing the pivot member in the upwards operative position and an actuator member for bringing back the pivot member from the upwards operative position to the downwards inoperative position. Such a restraint device is securable to a loading dock equipped with a dock leveller which has a platform pivotable between a raised position and a lowered position and a lip. When the platform is in the lowered position, the lip is hanging in a pendant position and engages and presses on the top end of the actuator member thus maintaining the pivot member in the downwards inoperative position.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint for a truck loading dock includes an actuator that rides up with a carriage to sense that a truck's ICC bar is within a predetermined region before fully extending a restraining member to engage the bar. The carriage and restraining member are raised and lowered by a drive unit, such as a cable extending from a winch. The winch may be attached directly to the carriage, or optionally remotely mounted to the dock. One end of the cable connects to a spring that compensates for incidental vertical movement of the ICC bar caused by the truck being loaded or unloaded. Large downward movement of the ICC bar is accommodated by a clutch associated with the winch. For large upward movement, the winch automatically restarts to pull the carriage up to meet the new height of the bar. An optional ICC bar deflector mounted at the base of the dock, along side the carriage, wedges underneath an exceptionally low ICC bar as the truck backs into the dock.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint apparatus includes a frame supporting an articulated arm assembly which is pivotable between a retracted or stored position and an extended operative position for engagement with the ICC bar or other restraint member connected to a truck or truck trailer. An electric motor driven linear actuator is connected to the arm assembly to move the arm assembly between its stored position and a working position. The linear actuator may be a power screw and nut mechanism operably connected to a tubular sleeve member which is connected at one end to the arm assembly and is sleeved over a linearly extensible member of the actuator. The actuator is operable to retract the linearly extensible member when the arm assembly is in its working position to allow floating motion of the truck or truck trailer doing loading and/or unloading operations. The arm assembly is biased into its working position by a gas spring.

Abstract: A chock is provided for use in a transportation container having one or more support rails. The chock includes an integral body having a rail-engaging member for cooperatively engaging one of the rails and a receiver portion adapted for receiving a portion of an object, such as the wheel of a wheeled vehicle or a corner of another large object. The chock of the present invention includes a rail-engaging tab extending laterally from the body of the chock, thereby allowing the user to fix the chock in place from the side of the object being restrained.

Abstract: A cart for the changeout of modules such as a laser chamber module. In one example, the cart includes at least two platforms that are movable with respect to a frame of the cart and that are coupled together such that an upward force for a vertical movement with respect to the frame of one platform provides a vertical movement with respect to the frame of a second platform at an elevated position. The platforms are coupled to each other with chains, wire, or linkage structures. With some carts, the platforms are removable from the rest of the frame. Also with some carts, an upper platform is collapsible on a lower platform. Some carts include two wheel bases that are foldable with respect to one another so as to allow the cart to traverse a surface obstacle by folding one wheel base down over the surface obstacle and transferring a load to that wheel base from another wheel base located on the opposite side of the surface obstacle.

Abstract: A restraint device for restraining a vehicle to a loading dock is disclosed. The restraint device has a pivot member with a hooking member pivotable between an upwards operative position and a downwards inoperative position. The device also has springs for biasing the pivot member in the upwards operative position and an actuator member for bringing back the pivot member from the upwards operative position to the downwards inoperative position. Such a restraint device is securable to a loading dock equipped with a dock leveller which has a platform pivotable between a raised position and a lowered position and a lip. When the platform is in the lowered position, the lip is hanging in a pendant position and engages and presses on the top end of the actuator member thus maintaining the pivot member in the downwards inoperative position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for blocking wheels (5) of a vehicle (4). The device comprises elongate guide means (7), a wheel block carrier (10) which is guided slidably in lengthwise direction of the guide means (7) and which comprises a wheel block (6) guided for transverse movement, and control and drive means (13) for moving the wheel block unit relative to the guide means (7) and for moving the wheel block (6) relative to the wheel block carrier (10).

Abstract: A vehicle restraint comprising a base member (e.g., a track), a carriage movably mounted to the base member, and a restraining member (e.g., a pivotable hook) mounted to the carriage and movable between and engaged position and a disengaged position. The restraining member is biased toward the engaged position. The restraining member is biased by a biasing member in the form of a gas spring operatively positioned between the restraining member and the carriage. The restraining member is pivotable, and the restraint further includes a lever interconnected with the restraining member. In this embodiment, the biasing member is interconnected with the lever to bias the restraining member toward an engaged position. The biasing member can be positioned to bias the restraining member toward the disengaged position when the restraining member is in the disengaged position and to bias the restraining member toward the engaged position when the restraining member is in the engaged position.

Abstract: A truck leveler includes a low-profile traffic surface that is pivotally mounted to a driveway approach in front of a loading dock. Pivoting the leveler raises a reat portion of a truck or trailer to the height of the dock. The truck leveler has strength, rigidity and accommodates a retractable or repositionable wheel restraint while maintaining its low profile. This is accomplished by virtue of a raised rear beam and two lateral beams that extend above the traffic surface of the leveler. A central beam allows field assembly of the leveler while adding further to the leveler's strength and rigidity.

Abstract: A device and method of loading wheelchair-using passengers includes a passenger platform, a ride vehicle, a lifting device, and a moveable transfer platform. The lifting device is located under the passenger platform and has raised and lowered positions. A moveable transfer platform is affixed to the lifting device when the lifting device is in the raised position. The lifting device is then lowered in the lowered position, wherein a wheelchair-using passenger is secured to the top of the moveable transfer platform. The lifting device then raises the moveable transfer platform and passenger to a raised position. The moveable transfer device is then rolled to a nearby ride vehicle wherein the moveable transfer device and passenger are secured. After completion of the ride, the moveable transfer device is then rolled on top of the lifting device, which is then lowered beneath the platform. The wheelchair-using passenger is then able to simply exit the ride attraction via the platform.