Trailer locking device
First Claim
1. A trailer locking device for use with a trailer having a brake line configured to pneumatically interconnect a supply of compressed air to one or more air-operated brakes on said trailer, said trailer locking device comprising:
- a controller unit connected to a power supply;
a control valve electronically connected to said controller unit, said control valve having an inlet and an outlet selectively in fluid communication with said inlet, said inlet pneumatically connected to a brake line outlet pneumatically disposed in said brake line between said supply of compressed air and said brakes, said control valve configured to open in response to an open signal from said controller unit so as to allow compressed air from said brake line to vent from said outlet and maintain said brakes in a locked condition until a close signal is received from said controller unit to close said control valve so as to prevent compressed air from venting through said outlet and place said brakes in an unlocked condition; and
control means operatively connected to said controller unit for selectively controlling said control valve.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A trailer locking device for use with a trailer having a brake line configured to pneumatically interconnect a supply of compressed air to one or more air-operated brakes on said trailer, said trailer locking device comprising:
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a controller unit connected to a power supply;
a control valve electronically connected to said controller unit, said control valve having an inlet and an outlet selectively in fluid communication with said inlet, said inlet pneumatically connected to a brake line outlet pneumatically disposed in said brake line between said supply of compressed air and said brakes, said control valve configured to open in response to an open signal from said controller unit so as to allow compressed air from said brake line to vent from said outlet and maintain said brakes in a locked condition until a close signal is received from said controller unit to close said control valve so as to prevent compressed air from venting through said outlet and place said brakes in an unlocked condition; and
control means operatively connected to said controller unit for selectively controlling said control valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. 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:
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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 electronically connected to said controller unit, said control valve having an inlet pneumatically connected to a brake line outlet disposed in 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, said control valve configured to open in response to an open signal from said controller unit so as to allow compressed air from said brake line to vent from said outlet and to maintain said brakes in a locked condition until a close signal is received from said controller unit to close said control valve so as to prevent compressed air from venting though said outlet and place said brakes in an unlocked 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 said unlocked condition, said control means located outside of said housing. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A trailer locking device for use in a trailer having a brake line configured to pneumatically interconnect a supply of compressed air to one or more air-operated brakes, said trailer locking device comprising:
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a controller unit connected to a power supply;
a control valve electronically connected to said controller unit, said control valve having an inlet and an outlet selectively in fluid communication with said inlet, said inlet pneumatically connected to a brake line outlet pneumatically disposed in said brake line between said supply of compressed air and said brakes, said control valve configured to open in response to an open signal from said controller unit so as to allow compressed air from said brake line to vent from said outlet and maintain said brakes in a locked condition until a close signal is received from said controller unit to close said control valve so as to prevent compressed air from venting through said outlet and place said brakes in an unlocked condition;
one or more pressure sensors operatively engaged with said control valve, said one or more pressure sensors electronically connected to said controller unit so as to measure the air pressure at said control valve, at least one of said pressure sensors configured to communicate with said controller unit to open said control valve when the pressure in said brake line drops below a pre-determined level and to maintain said control valve in a closed condition when the pressure in said brake line is above said pre-determined level; and
control means operatively connected to said controller unit for selectively controlling said control valve so as to change between said locked condition and said unlocked condition. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of operating a trailer locking device for locking the brakes of a trailer having a brake line configured to pneumatically interconnect a supply of compressed air to one or more air-operated brakes on said trailer, comprising the steps of:
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a. intercepting the pressure in said brake line at a brake line output disposed between said source of compressed air and said air brakes;
b. delivering the pressure in said brake line to a control valve having an inlet and an outlet;
c. measuring the pressure in said brake line with one or more pressure sensors operatively engaged with said control valve and electronically connected to a controller unit to obtain a measured pressure;
d. comparing said measured pressure to a pre-determined pressure amount;
e. transmitting an open signal from said controller unit to said control valve to open said control valve when said measured pressure is less than said pre-determined pressure; and
f. venting air from said brake line through said outlet in said control valve to automatically place said brakes in a locked condition. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of locking the brakes of a trailer having a brake line pneumatically interconnect a supply of compressed air to one or more air-operated brakes on said trailer, comprising the steps of:
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a. intercepting the pressure in said brake line at a brake line output disposed between said source of compressed air and said air brakes;
b. delivering the pressure in said brake line to a control valve having an inlet and an outlet;
c. measuring the pressure in said brake line with one or more pressure sensors operatively engaged with said control valve and electronically connected to a controller unit to obtain a measured pressure, at least one of said one or more pressure sensors measuring the pressure inside said control valve between said inlet and said outlet;
d. comparing said measured pressure to a pre-determined pressure amount;
e. transmitting an open signal from said controller unit to said control valve to open said control valve when said measured pressure is less than said pre-determined pressure, said controller unit communication with said control valve configured to prevent opening of said control valve if said measured pressure is greater than said pre-determined pressure; and
f. venting air from said brake line through said outlet in said control valve so as to automatically place said brakes in a locked condition, said controller unit configured to operate said control valve so as to vent air through said outlet until said controller unit receives a close signal from a control means operatively connected to said controller unit. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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Specification