Restraint Device

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of testing a vehicle having a fifth wheel and an apparatus for restraining the vehicle. The method of testing the vehicle may include moving the vehicle on a dynamometer and inserting a coupling structure into the fifth wheel to secure the vehicle during a test. In accordance with example embodiments, the apparatus may include a boom having a pin connection and a connecting structure arranged at an end of the boom, the connecting structure being configured to couple to the fifth wheel of the vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of testing a truck having a fifth wheel, the method comprising:
 moving a truck on a dynamometer, and   inserting a coupling structure into the fifth wheel to secure the truck during a test.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the test uses a dynamometer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling structure is a kingpin. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 moving the coupling structure towards the fifth wheel by operating a first actuator.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein moving the coupling structure towards the fifth wheel by operating the first actuator includes changing a length of a boom or a restraining device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 exerting a downward force on the fifth wheel by operating a second actuator.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 moving the truck using the first actuator to secure the truck onto rollers of the dynamometer.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 moving a first telescoping member with respect to a second telescoping member to move the king pin towards the fifth wheel.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 locking the first telescoping member to the second telescoping member by passing a pin through the first and second telescoping members.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 a boom having a pin connection; and   a connecting structure arranged at an end of the boom, the connecting structure being configured to couple to a fifth wheel of a vehicle.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the boom includes a first telescoping member and a second telescoping member and the connecting structure is arranged on the first telescoping member. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a first actuator configured to move the first telescoping member with respect to the second telescoping member.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a second actuator pin connected to one of the first telescoping member and the second telescoping member.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second actuators are hydraulic cylinders. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein one of the first telescoping member and the second telescoping member includes a plurality of apertures configured to align with at least one aperture of the other of the first and second telescoping members as the first telescoping member is moved with respect to the second telescoping member. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a pin configured to insert into the one of the plurality of apertures of the one of the first and second telescoping members and the at least one aperture of the other of the first and second telescoping members to prevent the first and second telescoping members from moving with respect to each other.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second telescoping members comprise structural tubes. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the first telescoping member at least partially encloses the second telescoping member.