FIELD OF INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates generally to scotch blocks, though not necessarily exclusively to scotch blocks of the type for use with rolling stock.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Scotch blocks are typically wedges of solid material which are placed between a wheel of a vehicle and an adjacent surface on which the wheel rests so as to limit travel of the wheel, and hence the vehicle, in a direction towards the block, typically when the vehicle is not in operation. In other words, the scotch block is configured to hold or scotch a wheel of the vehicle.

A typical application of a scotch block is in use with rolling stock, whereby a scotch block is placed between a wheel of a railway vehicle and a rail on which the railway vehicle travels so as to limit movement of the same in a manner mentioned above when the railway vehicle is not in operation. Most conventional scotch blocks are made of a relatively rigid material such as wood, or in some instances, hard plastics. However, a problem arises in that should an operator of a vehicle, typically located in a suitable cabin of the vehicle, be oblivious to the use of a scotch block/s on their vehicle, operation of the vehicle is likely to destroy the scotch block/s. Though scotch blocks are typically inexpensive, the destruction of a plurality of scotch blocks over time in this fashion generally results in a significant unnecessary expense. It is therefore an object of the present invention at least to address and ameliorate the aforementioned problem/s.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a scotch block apparatus comprising: at least one scotch block; and a signaling arrangement extending away from the at least one scotch block to signal the presence of the scotch block to spectators.

In an embodiment, the scotch block may comprise at least one operative face to engage a wheel of a vehicle, and at least one operative face to engage a surface adjacent the wheel of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the signaling arrangement may comprise at least a first elongate signaling member extending along an axis transverse to a plane along which at least one of the at least one operative faces of the scotch block extends, and wherein the signaling arrangement provides a visual indication of the location of the apparatus adjacent a wheel of a vehicle, in use.

In this way, the signaling arrangement, or at least part/s thereof, is visible to at least an operator of the vehicle from a cabin thereof thereby to indicate that the scotch block is operatively engaged with a wheel of the vehicle.

The scotch block may be in the form of a wedge having two planar operative faces extending from opposite ends of a common end portion, meeting at an acute angle, wherein the operative faces are shouldered by planar parallel triangular non-operative faces. In some example embodiments, the operative faces may be interchangeable. It will be appreciated that in some example embodiments, the scotch block may shaped and/or dimensioned to engage the wheel of a vehicle to limit motion thereof.

The first elongate member may extend on an axis which is parallel to an axis which substantially bisects the operative faces, in use. In other words, the signaling member may extend along a vertical axis or along an axis which is transverse to the direction of travel of the vehicle or transverse the surface which the vehicle travels on.

The signaling arrangement may comprise a second signaling member attachable to the first signaling member, wherein the second signaling member is a visual signaling member selected from a group comprising a flag, a light emitting device, and the like. The second signaling member may be operatively attachable adjacent a free end of the first member.

The signaling arrangement may be integral with the scotch block, for example by forming, or by way of adhesives, attachment members including screws, nuts and bolts, nails, and the like. However, it will be appreciated that in some example embodiments, the signaling arrangement may be attachable to the scotch block by way of a suitable attachment member such as an elongate bracket or base.

In one example embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a pair of opposing spaced apart scotch blocks attachable to each other and to the signaling arrangement by way of an elongate attachment bracket or base. In this example embodiment, the elongate attachment bracket or base may be attachable to the scotch blocks adjacent each end thereof such that the scotch blocks are substantially at a predetermined distance apart.

It will be noted that the spacing between the scotch blocks may be selected depending on the size of the wheel to which the apparatus is to be attached, and optionally the amount of travel in either direction the wheel is allowed. The spacing may be determined by the length of the attachment bracket or base and/or the location of the opposing scotch blocks attached thereto. The first signaling member may extend from the bracket at a region between the scotch blocks.

The first signaling member may extend transversely from the base from a first end portion thereof, wherein the scotch block extend from a second end portion thereof. The first signaling member may be located on a raised platform on the first end portion of the base. The second end portion of the base on may be opposite the first end portion of the base. The base may be a slab-like base, wherein the raised platform is provided thereon. The base may define a cradle and a wheel operatively restrained and located in the cradle to facilitate handling of the apparatus. The second end portion of the base may define attachment formations for attaching one or more scotch blocks thereto.

In one example embodiment, the first signaling member may be telescopically extendable.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a scotch block apparatus comprising: a pair of scotch blocks; an attachment member extending between the pair of scotch blocks; and a signaling arrangement extending from the attachment member to signal the presence of the scotch block to spectators.

In an embodiment, each scotch block may comprise at least one operative face to engage a wheel of a vehicle, and at least one operative face to engage a surface adjacent the wheel of the vehicle, and the scotch blocks may be provided in an operatively opposing fashion to limit the travel of the wheel of the vehicle in a direction towards each of the scotch blocks. In an embodiment, the attachment member may be a bracket or base that is attachable to each of the pair of scotch blocks such that the scotch blocks are provided in an operatively opposing fashion to limit the travel of the wheel of the vehicle in a direction towards each of the scotch blocks, in use.

In an embodiment, the signaling arrangement may comprise at least a first elongate signaling member extending along an axis transverse to an axis which the attachment bracket or base extends along, and wherein the signaling arrangement provides a visual indication of the location of the apparatus adjacent the wheel of the vehicle, in use.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of limiting travel of a wheel of a vehicle, the method comprising: providing an apparatus as described above; and locating the apparatus adjacent a wheel of the vehicle wherein the operative face/s of the scotch block/s is/are operative to engage the wheel, and another operative face/s is/are operative to engage a surface adjacent the wheel, thereby limiting travel of the wheel and hence the vehicle on the surface in the direction of the scotch block/s, wherein location of the apparatus is visible by way of the signaling arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a scotch block apparatus in accordance with a first example embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a scotch block forming part of the apparatus of Figure 1 , in accordance with the first example embodiment of the invention; shows a perspective view of the scotch block apparatus of Figure 1 , in use, with rolling stock; shows an enlarged perspective view of detailed view B of Figure 3; shows a front perspective view of a scotch block apparatus in accordance with a second example embodiment of the invention, the scotch block apparatus being shown with rolling stock; and shows a rear perspective view of the scotch block apparatus of Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognise that many changes can be made to the embodiment described, while still attaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be attained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilising other features. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognise that modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances, and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not a limitation thereof.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a scotch block apparatus in accordance with a first example embodiment of the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The scotch block apparatus 10 typically comprises of a pair of scotch blocks 12, 14 which are arranged in an operatively opposing fashion, or in other words opposite each other, and are spaced apart, and connected to each other, by way of a suitable attachment member in the form of a bracket 16. The apparatus 10 further comprises a signaling arrangement 18 operatively attachable to the attachment bracket 16, wherein the signaling arrangement 18 comprises a first signaling member 20 and a second signaling member 22 operatively connected thereto.

Referring to now also to Figure 2 of the drawings, where a scotch block 12, 14 in accordance with a first example embodiment of the invention is shown. The scotch blocks 12, 14 may substantially similar and may be in the form of conventional scotch blocks constructed of wood. In this regard the scotch block 12, 14 is in the form of a solid wedge having a pair of operative planar faces 24, 26 which meets at an acute angle and are interconnected at an opposite end by a transverse face 28, and laterally by way of a pair of parallel side faces 30.

The scotch block 12, 14 may have a suitable aperture 32 provided thereby to facilitate attachment to the attachment bracket 16. In one example embodiment, the attachment member 16 may be in the form of an elongate bracket member 16 extending along a longitudinal axis A and comprising suitable attachment formations, for example, a pair of spaced apart elongate slots 16.1 which may be alignable to the apertures 32, preferable elongate (not shown) of the blocks 12, 14. In this regard, a securing arrangement comprising suitable members such as bolts 16.2 which may be receivable in aligned apertures 32 and slots 16.1 and affixed thereto by way of suitable nuts 16.3 (of the securing arrangement) thereby to attach the scotch blocks 12, 14 to the bracket 16. In one example embodiment the slot 16.1 may be configured so as to allow the spacing between opposing blocks 12 and 14 to be adjustable, i.e., to be affixed to the brackets to be closer together or further apart along the axis A. In accordance with the invention the elongate slots 16.1 on the bracket member 16 together with the apertures 32 on the scotch blocks 12, 14 and the securing arrangement described herein, define an adjustment arrangement of the scotch block apparatus 10 for adjusting the distance between the scotch blocks 12, 14 so that the apparatus 10 can cater for railway wheels of various sizes.

The signaling arrangement 20 may comprise a first signaling member 20 which may be in the form of an elongate telescopic pole 20.1 having a telescopic arrangement 20.4 defining a series of overlapping tubes 20.5 accommodated in the outer tube 20.7 of the pole 20.1 . Each inner tube 20.5 and the outer tube 20.6 has a pin member extending therefrom. The outer tube 20.7 is also provided with a pin member 20.8. The pole 20.1 extends transversely to the longitudinal axis A. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the pole 20.1 is attached to the bracket 16 by way of an elongate bridge member 20.2. A handle bar 20.3 extends transversely outwardly from the pole 20.1 .

The second signaling member 22 may be selected to be visible. To this end, the second signaling member 22 may be in the form of a suitable flag, light device, LED (light emitting diode), or the like. It follows that the second signaling member 22 may thus be brightly coloured. The first signaling member 20.1 may also be suitably coloured in an eye-catching colour so as to be visible, in use as will be described below.

In use, referring to Figures 1 and 2, and additionally Figures 3 and 4, wherein the latter two Figures illustrate the apparatus 10, in use, the apparatus 10 may typically find application for use with rolling stock, for example, for railcars/locomotives 34 having wheels 34.1 which are suitably engageable with tracks 36 in a conventional fashion. In particular, when a locomotive 34 is located on tracks 36, and it is required to be kept substantially stationary, the apparatus 10 as herein described is located adjacent at least one wheel 34.1 of the locomotive 34 such that the longitudinal axis A is substantially parallel to the track 36 and the scotch blocks 12, 14 flank the wheel 34.1 along the track 36. It will be appreciated that the distance between the opposing blocks 12, 14 may be adjustable along the longitudinal axis A of the adjustment bracket by way of the suitable slots 16.1 so as to accommodate wheels 34.1 of various diameters, as the case may be.

By flanking the wheel 34.1 , the scotch blocks 12, 14 limit motion of the wheel 34.1 and thus the locomotive 34 in directions C and D along the track 36. Moreover, the telescopically extendable first signaling member 20.1 conveniently positions the second signaling member 22 in at least a field of view of an interested operator, for example, an operator of the locomotive 34. In this way the operator will be able to easily visually determine that apparatus 10 with the scotch blocks 12, 14 are mounted, in use, adjacent the wheel 34.1 thus reducing the likelihood of the operator operating the rail car/locomotive to displace the locomotive 34 and destroy the scotch blocks 12, 14. Though illustrated and discussed with respect to two scotch blocks 12, 14, it will be appreciated that in some example embodiments (not illustrated), the apparatus 10 may comprise a single scotch block to limit movement of a wheel of a vehicle in one direction only. Now turning our attention to Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings which show a second example embodiment of the scotch apparatus in accordance with the invention, wherein like parts in Figures 5 and 6 denote the same parts mentioned in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. The scotch block apparatus 100 of Figures 5 and 6 comprises the attachment member in the form of a base 102, particularly a slab-like base 102, that has a lower platform 102.2 an undersurface of which (not shown) being arranged to rest on the ground during use, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The base 102 has a raised platform 105 at a first end portion 106 of the base 102. In one example embodiment, the first end portion 106 is in the form of a truncated pointy end of a triangle. The raised platform 105 has a top surface 105.2 defining an opening 104 for slidingly accommodating the pole 20.1 which extends upright or transversely to the base 102. Thus, the platform 105 may define a slot for removably attaching the pole 20.1 thereto.

The base 102 further comprises a first and second opposite ears 108, 1 10 on a second elongate end portion 1 12 of the base 102. One or more scotch blocks may be attachable to the second end portion 1 12 of the base. The ears 108, 1 10 define openings 1 12, 1 14 through which bolts 16.2 extend. The openings 108, 1 10 may be elongate so that the spacing between the bolts 16.2 can be adjusted to cater for rail wheels of various dimensions. The bolts 16.2 are received through the respective apertures 32 of the opposing scotch blocks 12, 14 and preferably secured to the scotch blocks 12, 14 by nuts 16.3. The base 102 further comprises opposite side walls, only one of which being shown as 102.4, the side walls 102.4 taper forwardly from the ears 108, 1 10 to the front face 105.4 of the raised platform 105.

As can be seen in Figure 6 of the drawings, a wheel 1 16, typically a caster wheel, is rotatably connected to the base 102 at the front end of the base 106, typically via a shaft (not shown) on which a hub (not shown) of the wheel 1 16 rotates during use. The wheel 1 16 is provided in a cradle defining by two guard members 1 18, 120 to which is connected the shaft (not shown). The two guard members 1 18, 120 are oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis G-G of the pole 20.1 of Figure 6, and extend from a lower portion 105.6 of, and forwardly from, a front face 105.4 of the raised platform 105.

In use, as can be seen in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, a railway wheel 150 is engaged by the scotch blocks 12, 14 to prevent the railway wheel 150 from rolling sidewardly (i.e. in directions E and F) once engaged by the scotch blocks 12, 14. In order to remove the scotch block apparatus 100 from the railway wheel, a user may remove the scotch blocks 12, 14 from the bolts 16.2, and thereafter pull the apparatus 100 away from the railway wheel 150. The user may accordingly tilt the base 102 relative to the ground so that its entire weight is supported on the wheel 1 16, and thereafter the user may pull or push the apparatus 100 using the handle bar 20.3 to move the apparatus 100 to a desired location.

The invention as described herein provides a convenient means in which a conventional scotch block may be used, for example, on railway, with limited potential of damage and destruction to the same due to a convenient signaling means to indicate the location of the scotch blocks provided on said wheel of the locomotive.