DUAL WHEEL LOCKING CHOCK

DISPOSITIF DE CALAGE POUR ROUES EN TANDEM

English Abstract

Embodiments of a locking wheel chock apparatus are disclosed for use
with recreational vehicles, travel trailers and boat trailers having dual
axles.
The chock apparatus functions not only to hold a trailer in position, but also
to
limit the rocking or rotational movement of tire and wheel combination where a
recreational vehicle or travel trailer is used for camping, i.e. living
conditions.
The chock apparatus generally comprises a pair of metal chocks, which are
movably linked together by a screw driven mechanism for tightening and
loosening the chocks about the tread area of adjacent tires. The chock
assembly is capable of being reduced to a small package to facilitate storage
and transportation when not in use.

Claims

Having described the invention, what is claimed is:
1. A dual wheel locking chock for use with adjacently positioned dual tires
comprising:
a pair of vertically spaced apart chocks, each chock having two spaced
apart tire engaging surfaces, one tire engaging surface adapted to engage a
first one of the dual tires, the other tire engaging surface adapted to engage
a
second one of the dual tires; and
a means for vertically tightening and loosening the chocks against the
tires, the means for vertically tightening and loosening being laterally
spaced
from the chocks and the dual tires, the means for vertically tightening and
loosening not being positioned between the tires.
2. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 1, wherein each
chock is removably attached to the means for vertically tightening and
loosening.
3. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 1, further comprising:
a laterally extending tab connecting a chock to the means for vertically
tightening and loosening, each chock being laterally offset from a
longitudinal
axis extending through the means for vertically tightening and loosening.
4. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 1, wherein the means
for vertically tightening and loosening comprises: a threaded assembly
positioned between the pair of chocks and movably connecting the pair of
chocks, the threaded assembly including: an elongated rotatable polygonal
hand grip; a right hand threaded rod attached to one end of the hand grip; a
left hand threaded rod attached to the other end of the hand grip; the right
hand threaded rod threadedly engaging a first threaded connector, and the
left hand threaded rod threadedly engaging a second threaded connector,
each chock being connected to one of the threaded connectors.
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5. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 4, wherein there is
one and only one threaded assembly.
6. A dual wheel locking chock for use with adjacently positioned dual tires
comprising:
a pair of vertically spaced apart chocks, each chock having two spaced
apart tire engaging surfaces, one tire engaging surface adapted to engage a
first one of the dual tires, the other tire engaging surface adapted to engage
a
second one of the dual tires; and
a single threaded assembly positioned between the pair of chocks and
movably connecting the pair of chocks, the threaded assembly comprising: an
elongated rotatable polygonal hand grip; a rod being attached to each end of
the hand grip, each rod engaging a connector, each connector being
connected to a chock, at least one rod being threaded, at least one connector
being threaded, a threaded rod threadedly engaging a threaded connector.
7. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 6, wherein one rod
and one connector are threaded, the other rod rotatably engages the other
connector.
8. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 6, wherein both rods
and both connectors are threaded, one rod has a right hand thread, the other
rod has a left hand thread.
9. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 6, further comprising:
a laterally extending tab connecting a chock to a connector, each
chock being laterally offset from a longitudinal axis extending through the
threaded assembly.
10. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 6, wherein each
chock is removably connected to a connector.
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11. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 6, wherein each
chock has a first surface, and a second surface spaced from the first surface,
each tire engaging surface connecting the first surface and the second
surface.
12. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 11, wherein each
chock has a mid-support connected to the first surface and the second
surface, the support being positioned between the tire engaging surfaces.
13. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 12, further
comprising:
a laterally extending tab connecting a chock to a connector, each
chock being laterally offset from a longitudinal axis extending through the
threaded assembly, the laterally extending tab being connected to the mid-
support.
14. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 13, wherein the
laterally extending tab is removably connected to the mid-support.
15. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 14, wherein a portion
of the laterally extending tab overlaps at least a portion of the mid-support.
16. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 13, wherein the
laterally extending tab and the mid-support are integral with one another.
17. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 6, wherein each tire
engaging surface is inclined towards an adjacent tire.
18. A dual wheel locking chock for use with adjacently positioned dual tires
comprising:
a pair of vertically spaced apart chocks, each chock being adapted to
engage both tires;
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a threaded operator movably connecting the chocks; and
a laterally extending tab connecting a chock to the threaded operator,
each chock being laterally offset from a longitudinal axis extending through
the threaded operator.
19. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 18, wherein the threaded
operator is threadedly connected to one chock and is rotatably connected to
the other chock.
20. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 18, wherein the
threaded operator is threadedly connected to both chocks.
21. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 18, wherein each
chock is removably connected to the threaded operator.
22. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 18, wherein each
chock has two spaced apart tire engaging surfaces.
23. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 22, wherein each tire
engaging surface is inclined towards an adjacent tire.
24. The dual wheel locking chock according to claim 18, wherein there is
one and only one threaded operator.
25. A dual wheel locking chock for use with adjacently positioned dual tires
comprising:
a pair of vertically spaced apart chocks, each chock being adapted to
engage both tires;
a single threaded operator movably connecting the chocks, the chocks
be removably connected to the threaded operator; and
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a laterally extending tab connecting a chock to the threaded operator,
each chock being laterally offset from a longitudinal axis extending through
the threaded operator.
26. A wheel locking chock for use with at least two tires, comprising:
a pair of spaced apart chocks;
one of said pair of chocks fitting against a first tire, the other of said
pair
of chocks fitting against a second tire; and
a means for tightening and loosening the chocks against the first and
second tires, the means for tightening and loosening being laterally spaced
from the chocks and the first and second tires.
27. The wheel locking chock according to claim 26 further comprising:
a laterally extending tab connecting a chock to the means for tightening
and loosening, each chock being laterally offset from a longitudinal axis ex-
tending through the means for tightening and loosening.
28. The wheel locking chock according to claim 26, wherein the means for
tightening and loosening comprises: a threaded assembly positioned between
the pair of chocks and movably connecting the pair of chocks, the threaded
assembly including: an elongated rotatable polygonal hand grip; a rod being
attached to each end of the hand grip, each rod engaging a connector, each
connector being connected to a chock, at least one rod being threaded, at
least one connector being threaded, a threaded rod threadedly engaging a
threaded connector.
29. The wheel locking chock according to claim 28, wherein one rad and
one connector are threaded, the other rod rotatably engages the other con-
nector.
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30. The wheel locking chock according to claim 28, wherein both rods and
both connectors are threaded, one rod has a right hand thread, the other rod
has a left hand thread.
31. The wheel locking chock according to claim 26, wherein there is one,
and only one, threaded assembly.
32. The wheel locking chock according to claim 26, wherein each chock
has two spaced apart tire engaging surfaces, one tire engaging surface being
adapted to engage the first tire, the other tire engaging surface being
adapted
to engage the second tire, the means for tightening and loosening not being
positioned between the tires.
33. A dual wheel locking chock for use with adjacently positioned dual tires
comprising:
a pair of spaced apart chocks, each chock having a tire engaging sur-
face adapted to engage one of the dual tires; and
a single threaded assembly positioned between the pair of chocks and
movably connecting the pair of chocks, the threaded assembly comprising: an
elongated rotatable polygonal hand grip; a rod being attached to each end of
the hand grip, each rod engaging a connector, each chock being connected to
one of the connectors, at least one rod being threaded, at least one connector
being threaded, a threaded rod threadedly engaging a threaded connector, an
unthreaded rod rotatably engaging an unthreaded connector.
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Description

CA 02424458 2003-03-31
DUAL WHEEL LOCKING CHOCK
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a wheel chock apparatus, and more
particularly to a locking chock apparatus that is especially suited for use
between the tires of dual axle vehicles such as travel trailers, boat trailers
and
the like.
When vehicles with tandem axle wheels are to be parked at a selected
location and expected to remain immovably in fixed position until the occasion
arises when they are again expected to be mobile, some type of braking
mechanism is needed. Such need becomes particularly acute when the
surface on which the vehicle is parked is other than level. lJnder
circumstances where the vehicle is a trailer type vehicle, not supplied with a
conventional braking arrangement, some form of blocking device for the
wheels becomes necessary, whether the vehicle has single axle wheels or
tandem axle wheels.
Recreational vehicle wheels also have a tendency to rotate when
people move around inside the recreational vehicle, even when auxiliary jacks
and a vehicle tongue jack have been used to level and stabilizE; the
recreational vehicle.
In recognition of this need, the industry has heretofore provided
tandem locking chocks of some description which, once in position between
the wheels of the tandem axles, can be pushed against each other by some
appropriate mechanism into positions where one chock is pushed to blocking
position against a forward wheel and the other chock simultaneously pushed
into blocking position against the aft wheel. Chocking devices of this
gE~neral
character and of varying degrees of mechanical capability have here?tofore
been available. Practical problems represented, for example, by variable
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CA 02424458 2003-03-31
spacing in a fore and aft direction with respect to the tandem axles still
need
to be met.
The foregoing illustrates limitations known to exist in presenl: dual
wheel locking chocks. Thus, it is apparent that it would be advantageous to
provide an alternative directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations
set forth above. Accordingly, a suitable alternative is provided including
features more fully disclosed hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, this is accomplished by provid-
ing a dual wheel locking chock for use with adjacently positioned dual tires
comprising: a pair of vertically spaced apart chocks, each chock being
adapted to engage both tires; a threaded operator movably connecting the
chocks; and a laterally extending tab connecting a chock to the threadE:d op-
erator, each chock being laterally offset from a longitudinal axis extending
through the threaded operator.
In another aspect of the present invention, this is accomplished by pro-
viding a dual wheel locking chock for use with adjacently positioned dual
tires
comprising: a pair of vertically spaced apart chocks, each chock having two
spaced apart tire engaging surfaces, one tire engaging surface adapted to
engage a first one of the dual tires, the other tire engaging surface adapted
to
engage a second one of the dual tires; and a means for vertically tightening
and loosening the chocks against the tires, the means for vertically
tightening
and loosening being laterally spaced from the chocks and the dual tires, the
means for vertically tightening and loosening not being positioned between
the tires.
In another aspect of the present invention, this is accomplished by pro-
viding a wheel locking chock for use with at least one tire comprising: a pair
of
spaced apart chocks; and a means for tightening and loosening the chocks
against the at least one tire, the means for tightening and loosening being
lat-

CA 02424458 2003-03-31
erally spaced from the chocks and the at least one tire. This embodiment can
be used as a single wheel locking chock or a dual wheel locking chock.
The foregoing and other aspects will become apparent from the
following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction
with the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual wheel locking chock according to
one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the dual
wheel locking chock shown in FIG. 1;
FiG. 2 is a second perspective view of the dual wheel locking chock
shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front view of the dual wheel locking chock shown in FIG. 1,
shown in use with dual wheels;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the dual wheel locking chock shown in FIG. 8,
with a portion of the tire removed;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dual wheel locking chock shown in
FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper portion of the dual
wheel locking chock shown in FIG. 1, with a portion of the upper chock
removed;
FIG. 7 is a top view of a second embodiment of a dual wheel locking
chock of the present invention; and
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the dual wheel locking chock shown in
FIG 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A dual wheel locking chock 210 is shown in the FIGURES. The dual
wheel locking chock 210 has two vertically spaced chocks 215 that fit be-
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CA 02424458 2003-03-31
tween two adjacently spaced tires 272 of a dual axle trailer or recreational
vehicle. A threaded operator is used to tighten the chocks 215 against the
tires 272 by moving the chocks 215 towards one another.
Each chock 215 has two spaced apart tire engaging surfaces 21;3 that
bear against an adjacent tire 272. Each tire engaging surface 213 may have
a non-slip checker pattern, as shown in the FIGURES. Preferably, each tire
engaging surface 213 is inclined towards the adjacent tire 272. Other shapes,
such as a curved surface that matches or approximates the curvature of the
tire 272 may be used. Chock 215 may have an open trapezoidal ;>hape
formed by four sides (first surface 220, second surface 219 and tire engaging
surfaces 213). Preferably, chock 215 is removably attached to the thrE:aded
operator. A vertical mid-support plate 231 is positioned mid-way betweE;n tire
engaging surfaces 213 and is welded to both first surface 220 and second
surface 219. The mid-support 231 extends outside of chock 215, as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6. Preferably, mid-support 231 consists of two parallel spaced
apart plates. A laterally extending tab 243 extends from a threaded connector
245 (and parallel to mid-support 231 ), which is part of the threaded
opE:rator.
The chock 215 is connected to the threaded connector 245 by inserting tab
243 into chock 215 between mid-support plates 231, and placing dete:nt pin
259 through apertures (not shown) in both mid-support 231 and tab 243.
Chock 215 may be also non-removably attached to the threaded operator by
welding tab 243 to chock 215.
A threaded operator is used to vertically tighten and loosen the chocks
215. the threaded operator consists of a hand grip 250 having left: hand
threaded and right hand threaded rods 251 welded to hand grip 250. Pref-
erably hand grip 250 has a longitudinally extending polygonal shape, which
can be turned by hand or by a wrench (not shown). Each threaded rod 251
extends into a tubular threaded connector 245, one having right hand threads
and one having left hand threads. The laterally extending tabs 243 extend
from the threaded connectors 245. Therefore, chocks 215 are laterally offset
from a longitudinal axis extending through the threaded operator (250, 251,
245). The laterally extending tab 243 allows the threaded operator to be posi-
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CA 02424458 2003-03-31
tinned outside of tires 272, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This allows the dual
wheel locking chock 210 to be used with tire spacing that is too narrow to
allow the chock operator to fit between the tires. As shown in FIG. 5, if the
threaded operator, including hand grip 250, were positioned between tires
272, it would not be possible to turn hand grip 250. There is insufficient
clearance between tires 272 to fit one's hand around hand grip 250. Some
dual axle recreational vehicles have tire spacings as small as one inch.
FIG. 1A shows a variation of the dual wheel locking chock 210 shown
in FIG. 1. !n this variation, only one threaded rod 251 is welded to hand grip
250. At the other end of hand grip 250, an unthreaded rod 253 is welded to
hand grip 250. Unthreaded rod 253 is then rotatably attached to connector
245, which may also be unthreaded. This variation can also be applied to the
dual wheel locking chock 10 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show an alternate embodiment of dual wheel locking
chock. Dual wheel locking chock 10 is similar to the single wheel locking
chock described in co-pending U.S. patent application serial no. 09/395,783,
which is incorporated by reference. Dual wheel locking chock 10 has two
spaced chocks 11 that fit between two adjacently spaced tires 60 of .a dual
axle trailer or recreational vehicle. A threaded operator is used to tighten
the
chocks 11 against the tires 60 by moving the chocks 11 away from one
another.
Each chock 11 has an inclined tire engaging surface 13 that bears
against a tire 60. Other shapes, such as a curved surface that matches or
approximates the curvature of tire 60 may be used. Chocks 11 facE: away
from each other towards tires 60. Each tire engaging surface 13 may have a
non-slip checker pattern, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Chock 11 has a wedge
shaped formed by tire engaging surface 13 and base 17. A vertical wedge
shaped reinforcing web 31 extends between base 17 and tire engaging
surface 13 and is preferably welded to both base 17 and tire engaging surface
13. A laterally extending tab 43 extends from a threaded connector 45 and is
welded to reinforcing web 31.
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CA 02424458 2003-03-31
A threaded operator is used to tighten and loosen the chocks 11. The
threaded operator consists of a hand grip 50 having left hand threaded and
right hand threaded rods 51 welded to hand grip 50. Preferably hand grip 50
has a longitudinally extending polygonal shaped, which can be turned by hand
or by a wrench (not shown). Each threaded rod 51 extends into a tubular
threaded connector 45, one having right hand threads and one having left
hand threads. The IateraHy extending tabs 43 extend from a longitudinal axis
extending through the threaded operator (50, 51, 45). The laterally extending
tab 43 allows the threaded operator to be positioned outside of tires fi0, as
shown in FIG. 8. This allows the dual wheel locking chock 10 to be used with
tire spacing that is too narrow to allow the chock operator to fit between the
tires.
Reversing the attachment of chocks 11 and the laterally extending tabs
43, such that the chocks 11 face each other and tabs 43 extend away from
hand grip 50 would form a locking wheel chock that could be used with a
single tire, similar to the locking chock described in U.S. patent application
serial no. 09/395,783.
_g_

Representative Drawing