A device is provided for releasably securing a parked vehicle to an adjacent structure. The device is provided with a first member hingedly mounted for movement between an operative mode and an inoperative mode. When the first member is in an operative mode the distal end thereof will releasably engage a portion of the parked vehicle and retain same in a desired position relative to the adjacent structure. When the first member is in an inoperative mode, it assumes a vehicle-release position. The first member is provided with means for moving same from the inoperative mode to the operative mode. A further means is provided for automatically locking the first member in an operative mode. The further means includes a means for effecting controlled unlocking of the first member whereby the latter will automatically return to its inoperative mode. The first member and associated means are mounted so as to move as a unit in a substantially vertical direction to compensate for dimensional variations occurring in the various vehicles parked next to the adjacent structure.

The truck locking device includes a flat substantially triangular shaped support member having a vertically extending surface and an inclined surface, a pair of locking arms pivoted adjacent the intersection of the vertical and inclined surface on opposite sides of the support member, a pair of double acting pneumatic cylinders mounted on opposite sides of said support member for moving the locking arms into and out of engagement with a standard ICC bar on the back of a truck and an activating arm pivoted on the support member for pivotal movement under the influence of the bar as it is moved over the locking device to operate a valve to cause the pneumatic cylinders to move the arms upwardly for engagement with the bar to lock the truck in position relative to a loading dock or the like. A second valve is provided for activating the cylinders for retracting the locking arms upon completion of a loading or unloading operation to release the truck. Upon departure of the truck the activating arm is spring biased to its original position for a subsequent truck locking operation.

A suspension system for a dump truck which is to be connected to a paver using a truck hitch. In one example, a system for connecting a dump truck to a paver includes a liftable and steerable suspension of the truck, the suspension having an adapter with a laterally outwardly facing concave side. A truck hitch of the paver engages the concave side of the adapter to attach the truck hitch to the suspension. In another example, a method of connecting a dump truck to a paver includes the steps of: interconnecting a hydraulic actuator between a frame of the truck and an axle of a suspension of the truck to thereby transmit a load from the frame to the axle; then raising a bed of the truck, the load increasing as the bed is raised; and increasing pressure in the hydraulic actuator in response to the increasing load.

The invention relates to a system and apparatus for use with a vehicle having a dump bed for carrying a material and having a moveable panel defining an outlet in the dump bed for dispensing material carried in the dump bed to a road surface when the dump bed is raised, comprising a baffle positioned in the dump bed extending upwardly from a floor of the bed, and extending from a region of the moveable panel to a region of a wall of the bed for directing the material to a portion of the outlet as gravitational force acts on the material when the dump bed is raised. Such system and apparatus may further include a receptacle coupled to the vehicle for receiving a flow of the material passing through the portion of the outlet and having a variable opening for dispensing controlled amounts of the material to the surface. Such system and apparatus may further include a leveling sled for leveling the material after the material leaving the dump bed reaches the road surface.