Importance

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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. The apparatus includes a control system for causing the actuator to extend the arm assembly and then retract to a position to allow movement of the arm assembly. The control system responds to a control signal for storing the arm assembly to again extend the actuator, effect engagement of the actuator with the sleeve member and then retract to move the arm assembly into its stored position.

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First Claim