| Combination tandem axle wheel chock and trailer tongue stand -> Monitor Keywords |
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Combination tandem axle wheel chock and trailer tongue standRelated Patent Categories: Brakes, Vehicle, On GroundCombination tandem axle wheel chock and trailer tongue stand description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060016645, Combination tandem axle wheel chock and trailer tongue stand. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/710,514 filed Jul. 16, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to wheel chocks. More specifically, the present invention concerns an improved tandem wheel chock presenting a unique configuration that enables easier and more effective use and storage of the chock while allowing the chock to be manufactured in a more cost-efficient manner from light-weight, durable materials. [0004] 2. Discussion of Prior Art [0005] Conventional wheel chocks are known in the art and generally include a body, typically presenting a triangular configuration, that is positioned in contact with a rubber tired wheel at rest, to maintain the wheel at rest within the design limitations of the chock. It is known in the art to utilize one or more wheel chocks (e.g., placed under one or both sides of one or more wheels) to prevent undesired movement of a resting vehicle, such as a fire fighting vehicle, dump truck, wrecker, recreational vehicle, etc., or other wheeled device, such as a camper, utility trailer, semi-trailer, etc. It will be appreciated that these wheel chocks can be used while the vehicle is in storage, but are typically used while the vehicle is onsite during operation, such as fighting a fire, loading or unloading, camping, etc. In this regard, one or more wheel chocks are typically transported with the vehicle for onsite use. Additionally, in many applications, it is desirable to be able to position the wheel chock(s) in a timely manner in order to minimize, sometimes critical, time spent placing the chock. However, it is also desirable to be able to position the wheel chock(s) in a secure manner so that the vehicle maintains its operating position without the need for repeated adjustment and repositioning. [0006] Prior art wheel chocks are problematic and subject to several undesirable limitations. For example, with prior art wheel chocks, in order to position the chock in contact with the majority of the treads of the rubber tired wheel at rest, the chock must be physically forced under the wheel to some degree thereby slightly deforming the tire and/or the chock in order to get a sufficiently secure engagement between the tire treads and the chock to desirably prevent the vehicle from any settling movement. The required physical force is typically accomplished by kicking the chock under the wheel. Such physical force is undesirably time consuming, tiresome, and in some cases dangerous. Alternatively, the prior art chocks can simply be placed under the wheel, without forcing them into a secure engagement with the majority of the tire treads, however, this is highly undesirable in most applications as the heavy vehicle is then subject to movement before the majority of treads engage the chock to thereby prevent such movement. Such settling movement can is some cases cooperate with the weight of the vehicle to cause the chock to catastrophically fail or become dislodged, potentially enabling the vehicle to roll uncontrollably. This is particularly problematic on inclined surface applications. [0007] Although larger wheel chocks constructed of heavier, stronger materials can reduce the risks of chock failure, such configurations compound the problems associated with forcing the chock under the tire detailed above. Additionally, users are increasingly desiring compact chocks that can be more easily transported on the vehicle and/or stored when not in use. All prior art wheel chocks, including relatively smaller, compact chocks, are undesirably difficult to transport and/or store particularly when used in a pair, or plurality of chocks, as is typically desired. For example, the solid surfaced, closed body configurations are space consuming and the generally triangular shape, as is preferred, is not conducive to interengaging a pair of chocks for transport and/or storage. In order to maintain chocks paired up, such as to prevent loss of one, some prior art chocks are interconnected with a chain or the like that also serves as a handle to facilitate dislodging the chocks from under the wheel during removal. However, such interconnection does not enable the chocks to be used independently from one another, for example, on separate wheels or to support a trailer. [0008] Furthermore, users are increasingly desiring compact wheel chocks which are capable of performing multiple tasks. For instance, as chocks are often used to brace the wheels of an unhitched trailer, it is often desirable to utilize a first chock to brace the wheels of the unhitched trailer and a second chock to support and elevate the unhitched trailer's tongue, such that the trailer is supported in a level position. Such combination wheel chocks and trailer tongue supports are known in the art, but suffer from all of the disadvantages described above. [0009] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved wheel chock that enables quicker and easier use, while providing multiple uses and more efficient transport and storage, without compromising effective and dependable performance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention provides an improved tandem wheel chock that does not suffer from the problems and limitations of the prior art wheel chocks detailed above. The improved wheel chock may be utilized to brace a wheel or alternatively support a trailer tongue, and enables easier and more effective use and storage of the chock while allowing the chock to be manufactured in a more cost-efficient manner from light-weight, durable materials without compromising effective and dependable performance. [0011] A first aspect of the present invention concerns a wheel chock for preventing rotation of a pair of tandem wheels and for alternatively supporting a trailer tongue wheel above the ground. The chock broadly includes a pair of opposed wheel supporting surfaces, a pair of sidewalls connecting the supporting surfaces, and a top surface extending between the sidewalls. The top surface includes an arcuate depression having an open rim. The arcuate depression is operable to support the trailer tongue wheel. The chock additionally includes a substantially hollow supporting leg which projects from the open rim to support the arcuate depression above the ground. [0012] A second aspect of the present invention concerns a pair of tandem wheel chocks for preventing rotation of a pair of tandem wheels and for alternatively supporting a trailer tongue wheel. Each chock includes a pair of opposed wheel supporting surfaces operable to be alternatively placed under one of the wheels, a pair of sidewalls connecting the wheel supporting surfaces, and a top surface extending between the sidewalls. The top surface includes an arcuate depression having an open rim. The arcuate depression is operable to support the trailer tongue wheel. The chock additionally includes a substantially hollow supporting leg which projects from the open rim to support the arcuate depression above the ground. The substantially hollow supporting leg of one the chocks may be at least partially received through the open rim of the other chock to enable nesting of the pair of chocks. [0013] A third aspect of the present invention includes a chock for preventing rotation of a wheel. The chock includes a top surface, a first wheel supporting surface having a first leading edge, and a second wheel supporting surface, opposed to the first wheel supporting surface, having a second leading edge. Each edge is adapted to engage the tire when its respective wheel supporting surface is placed under the wheel. The leading edge is arcuate so as to define a mid-section that is recessed relative to the sidewalls. [0014] A fourth aspect of the present invention includes a pair of wheel chocks for preventing rotation of a wheel and for alternatively supporting a trailer tongue. Each chock includes a top surface operable to support the trailer tongue, a first wheel supporting surface having a first leading edge, and a second wheel supporting surface, opposed to the first wheel supporting surface, having a second leading edge. Each edge is adapted to engage the tire when at least a portion of its respective wheel supporting surface is placed under the wheel. The leading edge is arcuate so as to define a mid-section that is recessed relative to the sidewalls. The chock additionally includes an interior chamber, between the walls and surfaces, and an open face communicating with the chamber. The area of the open face is greater than the surface area of the wheel supporting surfaces and top surface so that the wheel-engaging surfaces and top surface of one of the chocks can be received through the open face and at least partially within the interior chamber of the other chock. [0015] A fifth aspect of the present invention includes a method for temporarily preventing rotation of a tandem trailer wheel and for simultaneously supporting a trailer tongue utilizing a pair of wheel chocks. The method includes the steps of placing one of the chocks under the tandem trailer wheel to prevent rotation of the wheel, placing the other one of the chocks under the trailer tongue to support the trailer tongue, and removing both chocks and nesting the chocks together. [0016] In a preferred embodiment, the improved wheel chock presents a first wheel supporting surface and an opposed, second wheel supporting surface which are alternatively operable to be at least partially placed under a wheel, a top surface operable to support a trailer tongue, and a substantially hollow supporting leg which projects from and supports the top surface. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, the top surface includes an open rim which may at least partially receive the supporting leg of a second similar wheel chock to allow the wheel chocks to be substantially nested together for easy storage and transport. [0017] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES [0018] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: [0019] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a first wheel chock and a second wheel chock constructed in accordance with the principles of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and shown in use preventing rotation of a tandem trailer wheel and supporting a jack wheel of a trailer tongue, respectively; [0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first wheel chock illustrated in FIG. 1; Continue reading about Combination tandem axle wheel chock and trailer tongue stand... 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