Fifth wheel release handle yanker
First Claim
1. A method for releasing a trailer from a tractor with a yanker, the tractor having a tractor frame below the trailer, the tractor having a fifth wheel mounted on the tractor frame, the fifth wheel having a release handle, the yanker comprising a yanker shaft extending between a first end connected to a yanker handle, and a second end connected to a yanker lever, the yanker further comprising a yanker hook connected to the yanker shaft proximate the second end, the yanker lever pointing generally opposite the direction of the yanker hook, the method comprising:
- a. hooking the yanker hook to engage the release handle of the fifth wheel;
b. twisting the yanker handle at the end of the yanker shaft counterclockwise, thereby twisting the yanker around an axis of the yanker shaft to engage the yanker lever with the tractor frame to generate an upward and leftward force to place the release handle onto a shelf of the fifth wheel with the yanker hook; and
c. pulling the yanker handle to release the trailer from the fifth wheel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for releasing a trailer from a tractor is disclosed. A fifth wheel yanker moves a fifth wheel release handle in the sequence needed to operate the release handle in the sequence used by, for example, the Yost brand of fifth wheel Jost fifth wheel safety catch release mechanisms. A yanker hook on a yanker shaft is hooked to a release handle of the fifth wheel, then twisted counterclockwise to press a yanker lever against the tractor frame to move the release handle upward and leftward onto a fifth wheel shelf. The yanker is then pulled outward, releasing a trailer from the fifth wheel. Reaching deep under the trailer is avoided, and biomechanical strain is reduced.
21 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for releasing a trailer from a tractor with a yanker, the tractor having a tractor frame below the trailer, the tractor having a fifth wheel mounted on the tractor frame, the fifth wheel having a release handle, the yanker comprising a yanker shaft extending between a first end connected to a yanker handle, and a second end connected to a yanker lever, the yanker further comprising a yanker hook connected to the yanker shaft proximate the second end, the yanker lever pointing generally opposite the direction of the yanker hook, the method comprising:
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a. hooking the yanker hook to engage the release handle of the fifth wheel; b. twisting the yanker handle at the end of the yanker shaft counterclockwise, thereby twisting the yanker around an axis of the yanker shaft to engage the yanker lever with the tractor frame to generate an upward and leftward force to place the release handle onto a shelf of the fifth wheel with the yanker hook; and c. pulling the yanker handle to release the trailer from the fifth wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for releasing a trailer from a tractor, the tractor having a tractor frame below the trailer, the tractor having a fifth wheel mounted on the tractor frame, the fifth wheel having a release handle, the yanker comprising a yanker shaft extending between a first end connected to a yanker handle, and a second end connected to a yanker lever, the yanker further comprising a yanker hook connected to the yanker shaft proximate the second end, the yanker lever pointing generally opposite the direction of the yanker hook, the method comprising:
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a. hooking the yanker hook to engage the release handle of the fifth wheel; b. twisting the yanker handle at the end of the yanker shaft counterclockwise, where the yanker hook is attached to the yanker shaft between the yanker lever and the yanker handle, thereby twisting the yanker around an axis of the yanker shaft to engage the tractor frame to generate an upward and leftward force, to place the release handle onto a shelf of the fifth wheel with the yanker hook; and c. pulling the yanker handle to release the trailer from the fifth wheel. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method for releasing a trailer from a tractor with a yanker, the tractor having a tractor frame below the trailer, the tractor having a fifth wheel mounted on the tractor frame, the fifth wheel having a release handle, the yanker comprising a yanker shaft extending between a first end connected to a yanker handle, and a second end connected to a yanker lever, the yanker further comprising a yanker hook connected to the yanker shaft proximate the second end, the yanker lever pointing generally opposite the direction of the yanker hook, the method comprising:
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a. hooking the yanker hook to engage the release handle of the fifth wheel; b. twisting the yanker handle at the end of the yanker shaft clockwise, thereby twisting the yanker around an axis of the yanker shaft to engage the yanker lever with the tractor frame to generate an upward and rightward force to place the release handle onto a shelf of the fifth wheel with the yanker hook; and c. pulling the yanker handle to release the trailer from the fifth wheel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification