Trailer locking device

• US 20010050509A1
• Filed: 06/01/2001
• Published: 12/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John P. Holt
• Original Assignee: John P. Holt
• Inventors: Holt, John P.
• Granted Patent: US 6,634,721 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 303/89
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/08 operating on brakes or brake systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/16 Locking of brake cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/18 Safety devices; Monitoring

Abstract

A locking device for immobilizing trailers to prevent unauthorized movement or theft of the trailer by venting the compressed air that is used to release the brakes. The locking device has a controller unit, a control valve and power source mounted inside a housing. A control mechanism, such as a keypad or key lock system, is located outside of the housing, preferably on a trailer wall. The inlet on the control valve connects to the brake line that delivers compressed air to the trailer'"'"'s compressed air-operated brakes. In the locked condition, the control valve is set so compressed air vents out the control valve'"'"'s outlet, preventing release of the brakes. When the proper lock code, key or other signal is received, the control valve closes the outlet to stop the venting and allow the brakes to be released.

Claims

1. A trailer locking device, comprising:

a housing;

a controller unit in said housing, said controller unit connected to a power supply;

a control valve in said housing and electrically connected to said controller unit, said control valve having an inlet configured for connection to a supply of compressed air and an outlet selectively in fluid communication with said inlet so as to allow said compressed air to vent from said control valve; and

control means operatively connected to said controller unit for selectively controlling said control valve, said control means outside of said housing.

2. The trailer locking device of

claim 1

, wherein said control valve further comprises means for activating said control valve by selectively opening and closing the communication between said inlet and said outlet.

3. The trailer locking device of

claim 2

, wherein said activating means comprises an electric motor operatively connected to a shaft slidably disposed in said control valve.

4. The trailer locking device of

claim 3

, wherein said control valve further comprises one or more limiting switches to monitor and limit the movement of said shaft in said control valve.

5. The trailer locking device of

claim 4

, wherein said one or more limiting switches is electrically connected to said controller unit.

6. The trailer locking device of

claim 4

, wherein said control valve further comprises one or more pressure sensors operatively engaged with said control valve, said one or more pressure sensors electrically connected to said controller unit.

7. The trailer locking device of

claim 1

, wherein said control valve further comprises one or more pressure sensors operatively engaged with said control valve, said one or more pressure sensors electrically connected to said controller unit.

8. The trailer locking device of

claim 1

, wherein said control means comprises a keypad entry system.

9. The trailer locking device of

claim 1

, wherein said control means comprises a key lock system.

10. The trailer locking device of

claim 1

, wherein said outlet on said control valve vents air outside of said housing.

11. The trailer locking device of

claim 1

, wherein said power supply is a battery disposed inside of said housing.

12. The trailer locking device of

claim 11

, wherein said battery is connected to an external electrical source and said device further comprises a charging regulator disposed between said external electrical source and said battery.

13. A trailer locking device for use with a trailer having an internal cavity and a brake line connected to one or more compressed air-operated brakes, comprising:

a housing disposed in said internal cavity of said trailer;

a controller unit in said housing, said controller unit connected to a power supply;

a control valve in said housing and electrically connected to said controller unit, said control valve having an inlet pneumatically connected to said brake line between a supply of compressed air and said brakes, said control valve having an outlet selectively in fluid communication with said inlet so as to allow said compressed air to vent from said control valve to place said brakes in a locked condition; and

control means operatively connected to said controller unit for selectively controlling said control valve so as to change between said locked condition and an unlocked condition, said control means outside of said housing.

14. The trailer locking device of

claim 13

, wherein said control valve further comprises means for activating said control valve by selectively opening and closing the communication between said inlet and said outlet.

15. The trailer locking device of

claim 14

, wherein said activating means comprises an electric motor operatively connected to a shaft slidably disposed in said control valve.

16. The trailer locking device of

claim 15

, wherein said control valve further comprises one or more limiting switches to monitor and limit the movement of said shaft in said control valve.

17. The trailer locking device of

claim 13

, wherein said control valve further comprises one or more pressure sensors operatively engaged with said brake line and said control valve, said one or more pressure sensors electrically connected to said controller unit.

18. The trailer locking device of

claim 13

, wherein said control means is disposed on a wall of said cavity external to said cavity.

19. The trailer locking device of

claim 13

, wherein said control means is a radio controlled device.

20. In a trailer having a brake line pneumatically connected to one or more compressed air-operated brakes, said trailer having a trailer locking device comprising:

a controller unit connected to a power supply;

a control valve electrically connected to said controller unit, said control valve having an inlet pneumatically connected to said brake line between a supply of compressed air and said brakes, said control valve having an outlet selectively in fluid communication with said inlet so as to allow said compressed air to vent from said control valve to place said brakes in a locked condition; and

control means operatively connected to said controller unit for selectively controlling said control valve so as to change between said locked condition and an unlocked condition.

21. The trailer locking device of

claim 20

, wherein said controller unit and said control valve are disposed in a housing.

22. The trailer locking device of

claim 21

, wherein said housing is located in an internal cavity of said trailer.

23. The trailer locking device of

claim 20

, wherein said control valve further comprises means for activating said control valve by selectively opening and closing the communication between said inlet and said outlet.

24. The trailer locking device of

claim 23

, wherein said activating means comprises an electric motor operatively connected to a shaft slidably disposed in said control valve.

25. The trailer locking device of

claim 24

, wherein said control valve further comprises one or more limiting switches to monitor and limit the movement of said shaft in said control valve.

26. The trailer locking device of

claim 20

, wherein said control valve further comprises one or more pressure sensors operatively engaged with said brakes and said control valve, said one or more pressure sensors electrically connected to said controller unit.

28. The method of

claim 20

, wherein air is vented from said brake line until said control valve receives a close signal from said controller unit.

29. The method of

claim 28

further comprising the step closing said outlet so as to allow air from said brake line to place said brakes in an unlocked condition.

27. A method of locking the brakes of a trailer having a brake line pneumatically connected to one or more air-operated brakes, comprising the steps of:

a. measuring the pressure in said brake line with one or more pressure sensors connected to a controller unit to obtain a measured pressure;

b. comparing said measured pressure to a pre-determined pressure amount;

c. transmitting a signal from said controller unit to a control valve to open said control valve when said measured pressure is less than said pre-determined pressure; and

d. venting air from said brake line through an outlet in said control valve, placing said brakes in a locked condition.