US Patent 7604109 Releasable connection between members

A trailer (T) and a dock (D) are provided with substantially identical slat conveyors (10, 12). Each conveyor (10, 12) has alternating conveyor slats (36, 36′) and lifting/holding slats (38, 38′). The trailer (T) is backed up to the dock (D). Upper portions of the lifting/holding slats (38, 38′) are coupled together at their ends. The confronting ends of the conveying slats (36, 36′) are also coupled together. A mechanism carried by the dock (D) raises and lowers the upper portions of the two sets of lifting/holding slats (38, 38′) a drive mechanism carried by the dock (D) where it reciprocates both sets of conveying slats (36, 36′).