Tester for electric and pneumatic systems of vehicular trailers

• US 4,586,370 A
• Filed: 11/25/1983
• Issued: 05/06/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kenneth R. Massender
• Original Assignee: Kenneth R. Massender
• Inventors: Massender, Kenneth R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Levy, Stewart J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROSKOS, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US06/555,299
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 73/121, 340/696, 340/52 F
• US Class Current: 73/121
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/28 for testing brakes
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/26 by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00

Abstract

A relatively small portable tester to test operative electric and pneumatic systems of vehicular trailers without use of an associated truck tractor. The tester provides a separated radio operated control module that allows visual inspection of the various electric and pneumatic systems by an operator while such systems are operated. The invention is interconnected to a trailer'"'"'s systems by existing connectors without any required modification and provides self-contained pneumatic and electrical powering devices.

Claims

1. A self powered portable apparatus to test electric and electro-pneumatic systems of a vehicular trailer comprising, in combination:

a portable, self powered radio transmitter having at least four normally open switches each of which may be closed to cause the transmitter to send distinguishable signals to a radio receiver;

a radio receiver to receive the aforesaid signals and responsive thereto transmit an electric current in at least four electrical circuits, the transmittal of current in any one circuit being responsive to closure of a particular transmitter switch;

each of said electrical circuits having an electro-mechanical device to operate, upon receipt of electric current, to close a normally open switch, each of said switches being in parallel with a source of electrical energy and in series with one of the electrical circuits of a vehicular trailer to pass electric current to a trailer circuit upon closure of the aforesaid switch in said circuit.

2. The invention of claim 1 further characterized by:

a self powered pneumatic compressor having two parallel pneumatic circuits releasably interconnectable to pneumatic brake lines of a vehicular trailer, oneof said circuits having a normally open electro-mechanical pneumatic valve interconnected to one electrical circuit to change state of the electromechanical pneumatic valve.

3. A self contained portable tester for the electrical and electro-pneumatic systems of a vehicular trailer having two standardized releasable pneumatic connectors to pressurize and control an automatic braking system and at least four electrical systems including a stop light system, right turn light system, left turn light system and marker light system, all interconnectable by means of a standardized electrical plug, comprising in combination:

a self powered, portable radio transmitter having at least four normally open switches each adapted upon manual closure to cause the radio transmitter to send a unique distinguishable signal to

a radio receiver adapted to receive said signals and responsive to a particular signal thereto transmit a discrete electrical signal in only one of four control electrical circuits during such transmittal,

each of said control electrical circuits having an electro-mechanical device operative upon receipt of current to close a normally open switch each of said switches being in parallel with a source of electromotive power, and

each of said control electrical circuits being interconnectable by a plug type connector with a trailer electrical system plug to pass current respectively to the stop light circuit, right turn light circuit, left turn light circuit and marker light circuit of a vehicular trailer upon closure of the switch associated with said control circuit; and

a self powered compressor having a pneumatic output through two parallel pneumatic lines, each having a connector to releasably interconnect with the pneumatic connectors provided by two pneumatic brake circuits of a trailer, the pneumatic line interconnecting with the braking line of the trailer having a normally open electro-pneumatic valve closable responsive to receipt of electric current thereby, said electro-mechanical valve being electrically interconnected to the stop light control circuit of the tester, to receive electric current therefrom to close said electro-pneumatic valve responsive thereto.