Locking system for air brakes of parked trailer
First Claim
1. A locking system for trailer air brakes of the type having a supply air line with a gladhand for being connected to an air supply from a tractor for disengaging the trailer air brakes from an actuated position, said locking system comprising:
- a valve connected to the trailer supply air line, said valve being actuatable between an open position, wherein said valve enables air conveyed in the trailer supply air line to disengage the trailer air brakes from the actuated position, and an exhaust position, wherein said valve exhaust air through an exhaust port thereof from the trailer supply air line such that the trailer air brakes remain in the actuated position, said valve moving automatically to said exhaust position when the tractor air supply is disconnected from the gladhand so as to cause the trailer air brakes to be engaged in the actuated position; and
a locking device having a portion being automatically displaceable to a locking position when said valve is actuated to said exhaust position so as to lock said valve in said exhaust position, and being displaceable to a disarmed position by manual disarming means for unlocking said locking device and displace said valve to said open position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A locking system for trailer air brakes of the type having a supply air line with a gladhand for being connected to an air supply from a tractor for disengaging the trailer air brakes from an actuated position. Said locking system comprises a valve connected to the trailer supply air line. Said valve is actuatable between an open position, wherein said valve enables air conveyed in the trailer supply air line to disengage the trailer air brakes from the actuated position, and an exhaust position, wherein said valve exhaust air through an exhaust port thereof from the trailer supply air line such that the trailer air brakes remain in the actuated position. Said valve moves automatically to said exhaust position when the tractor air supply is disconnected from the gladhand so as to cause the trailer air brakes to be engaged in the actuated position. A locking device has a portion being automatically displaceable to a locking position when said valve is actuated to said exhaust position so as to lock said valve in said exhaust position, and being displaceable to a disarmed position by manual disarming means for unlocking said locking device and displace said valve to said open position.
4 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A locking system for trailer air brakes of the type having a supply air line with a gladhand for being connected to an air supply from a tractor for disengaging the trailer air brakes from an actuated position, said locking system comprising:
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a valve connected to the trailer supply air line, said valve being actuatable between an open position, wherein said valve enables air conveyed in the trailer supply air line to disengage the trailer air brakes from the actuated position, and an exhaust position, wherein said valve exhaust air through an exhaust port thereof from the trailer supply air line such that the trailer air brakes remain in the actuated position, said valve moving automatically to said exhaust position when the tractor air supply is disconnected from the gladhand so as to cause the trailer air brakes to be engaged in the actuated position; and
a locking device having a portion being automatically displaceable to a locking position when said valve is actuated to said exhaust position so as to lock said valve in said exhaust position, and being displaceable to a disarmed position by manual disarming means for unlocking said locking device and displace said valve to said open position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for automatically locking air brakes of a parked trailer in an actuated position, the trailer being of the type having a supply air line with a gladhand for being connected to an air supply from a tractor for disengaging the trailer air brakes from an actuated position, said method comprising the steps of:
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i) providing a valve having a rod automatically displaceable to an extended position when a tractor air supply is disconnected from the gladhand of the trailer, with said rod interfering with said gladhand when displaced to said extended position, and a locking device for automatically locking said rod in said extended position;
ii) disconnecting the tractor air supply from said gladhand to engage the air brakes in the actuated position, and simultaneously causing said rod to automatically move to the extended position to interfere with said gladhand; and
iii) locking said rod in said extended position by said locking device automatically locking said rod in said extended position, whereby said rod interferes with said gladhand such that air cannot be reconnected to the supply air line for disengaging the trailer air brakes from the actuated position thereof unless said rod is unlocked. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method for automatically locking air brakes of a parked trailer in an actuated position, the trailer being of the type having a supply air line with a gladhand for being connected to an air supply from a tractor for disengaging the trailer air brakes from an actuated position, said method comprising the steps of:
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i) providing a valve in the supply air line automatically displaceable to an exhaust position when a tractor air supply is disconnected from the gladhand of the trailer, and a locking device for automatically locking said valve in said exhaust position;
ii) disconnecting the tractor air supply from said gladhand to engage the air brakes in the actuated position, and simultaneously causing said valve to automatically move to the exhaust position; and
iii) locking said valve in said exhaust position by an automatic displacement of said locking device, such that any air supplied to the supply air line is exhausted through said valve, whereby the trailer air brakes are locked in the actuated position unless said valve is unlocked. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification