Remotely releasable coupler and hose retrieval mechanism for airbrake system

• US 7,669,875 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2008
• Issued: 03/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kalmar Industries USA LLC (Cargotec Oyj)
• Original Assignee: Kalmar Industries USA LLC (Cargotec Oyj)
• Inventors: Lehman, Gregory J., Halverson, Merlin B., King, Harold E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARCE, MARLON ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US12/032,418
• Publication Number:
  US 20080136138A1
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 280/420, 280/421, 280/422, 285/920, 285/65, 285/62
• US Class Current: 280/420
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/043 Brake line couplings, air hoses and stopcocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/046 Devices for pipe guiding and fixing
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/002 which can be controlled at a distance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/92 Remotely controlled

Abstract

A remotely releasable brake hose coupler for pressure fluid operated brake systems, such as on a motor truck and semi-trailer unit, and a retrieval mechanism for retrieving flexible hoses connected to the coupler. Pressure air from the truck tractor brake system is conducted through a valve to an actuator for effecting movement of a coupler member to release engagement with a corresponding coupler fitting mounted on a trailer. One or more air brake hoses connected to respective remotely releasable couplers are connected to tensioning mechanisms and to a movable boom mounted on the truck tractor for extending the hoses during a remote release operation and then retracting the hoses and couplers to a stored position when the remotely releasable couplers are disconnected from the trailer fittings.

Claims

1. In a motor truck tractor for transporting a trailer having a pressure fluid operated brake system, a flexible pressure fluid conduit connected to a source of pressure fluid for conducting same between said tractor and a trailer;

a remotely releasable coupler for coupling said conduit to a fitting connected to said trailer, said coupler including a member engageable with a part of said fitting for retaining said coupler connected to said fitting, and

an actuator on said coupler connected to said member and operable to move said member to a position to allow said coupler to decouple from said fitting, said actuator comprising a pressure fluid cylinder actuator responsive to pressure fluid supplied thereto to effect movement of said member to a position to release said coupler from said fitting;

a linkage interconnecting said actuator with said member for holding said member in a position in forcible engagement with said fitting and responsive to actuation of said actuator to move said member to effect release of said member from said fitting,

wherein said actuator is mounted for limited pivotal movement on said coupler to accommodate movement of said linkage.

2. The invention set forth in claim 1 including:

a pressure fluid control circuit operably connected to said actuator including a tractor driver operable control valve for valving pressure fluid to effect actuation of said actuator to effect release of said coupler.

3. The invention set forth in claim 2 wherein:

said driver operable control valve is disposed in a cab of said tractor.

4. In a motor truck tractor for transporting a trailer having a pressure fluid operated brake system:

a flexible pressure fluid conduit connected to a source of pressure fluid for conducting same between said tractor and a trailer; and

a remotely releasable coupler for coupling said conduit to a fitting connected to said trailer, said coupler including;

a member engageable with a part of said fitting for retaining said coupler connected to said fitting;

a handgrip including a conduit disposed therein for conducting pressure air between said coupler and said fitting;

a pressure fluid actuator disposed in said handgrip and connected to said member and operable to move said member to a position to allow said coupler to decouple from said fitting; and

a linkage interconnecting said actuator with said member for holding said member in a position in forcible engagement with said fitting and responsive to operation of said actuator to move said member to effect release of said member from said fitting.

5. The invention set forth in claim 4 including:

a pressure fluid control circuit operably connected to said actuator including a tractor driver operable control valve for valving pressure fluid to effect operation of said actuator to effect release of said coupler.

6. The invention set forth in claim 4 wherein:

said actuator is mounted for limited pivotal movement on said coupler to accommodate movement of said linkage.

7. In a motor truck tractor for transporting a trailer having a pressure fluid operated brake system:

a flexible pressure fluid conduit connected to a source of pressure fluid for conducting same between said tractor and a trailer; and

a remotely releasable coupler for coupling said conduit to a fitting connected to said trailer, said coupler including;

a member engageable with a part of said fitting for retaining said coupler connected to said fitting;

an actuator on said coupler connected to said member and operable to move said member to a position to allow said coupler to decouple from said fitting; and

a handgrip in which said actuator is disposed and formed by opposed housing members and including a conduit therein for conducting pressure air between said coupler and said fitting.