Actuating mechanism for pressurized fluid brake system and fail-safe locking device therefor

Claim 2

In a fluid pressure operated brake system where a brake actuator rod is selectively movable along a straight line path of travel corresponding to its longitudinal axis to actuate a brake crank arm disposed adjacent a first end of said actuator rod, the improvement of mechanism for connecting said first rod end to said crank arm comprising: a clevis having an open and closed end, said clevis forming a longitudinal extension of the first end of said actuator rod with said open clevis end positioned outwardly, said crank arm being positioned to interfit within said clevis; and a rigid connecting member for connecting said clevis to said crank arm, one end of said conecting member being connected to said crank arm to pivot about a first axis, the other end of said connecting member being connected to the outer open end of said clevis to pivot about a second axis whereby said connecting member is disposed to extend from said crank arm outwardly from the closed end of said clevis towards its open end.

Claim 3

In a fluid pressure operated brake system where a brake actuator rod is selectively movable along a straight line path of travel corresponding to its longitudinal axis to actuate a brake crank arm disposed adjacent a first end of said actuator rod, the improvement of mechanism for connecting said first rod end to said crank arm comprising: a clevis having an open and closed end, said clevis forming a longitudinal extension of the first end of said actuator rod with said open clevis end positioned outwardly, said crank arm being positioned to interfit within said clevis; and a rigid connecting member for connecting said clevis to said crank arm, one end of said connecting member being connected to said crank arm to pivot about a first axis, the other end of said connecting member being connected to the outer open end of said clevis to pivot about a second axis whereby said connecting member is disposed to extend from said crank arm outwardly from the closed end of said clevis towards its open end, with said first and second pivot axes being substantially mutually parallel, and said connecting member interfitting within said clevis.

Claim 4

In a fluid pressure operated brake system where a brake actuator rod is selectively movable along a straight line path of travel corresponding to its longitudinal axis to actuate a brake crank arm disposed adjacent a first end of said actuator rod, the improvement of mechanism for connecting said first rod end to said crank arm comprising: a clevis having an open and closed end, said clevis forming a longitudinal extension of the first end of said actuator rod with said open clevis end positioned outwardly, said crank arm being positioned to interfit within said clevis; and a rigid connecting member for connecting said clevis to said crank arm, one end of said connecting member being connected to said crank arm to pivot about a first axis, the other end of said connecting member being connected to the outer open end of said clevis to pivot about a second axis whereby said connecting member is disposed to extend from said crank arm outwardly from the closed end of said clevis towards its open end, with said first and second pivot axes being substantially mutually parallel, and said connecting member interfitting within said clevis.

Claim 5

The invention defined in claim 2, wherein said first and second pivot axes are substantially perpendicularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of said actuator rod

Claim 6

The invention defined in claim 3, wherein the longitudinal axis of the portion of said crank arm to which said connecting member is pivotally connected is substantially perpendicularly disposed to said first pivot axis.

Claim 7

The invention defined in claim 4, in combination with said fluid pressure operated brake system; and wherein said brake system includes a rotatably mounted crank rod for actuating vehicle brakes, said crank arm being fixedly secured to said crank rod to extend radially therefrom whereby actuation of said crank arm rotates said crank rod, said crank rod being disposed with its longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said actuator rod.

Claim 8

The invention defined in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis of said clevis is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of said actuator rod.

Claim 9

In a fluid pressure operated brake system where a brake actuator rod is selectively movable along a straight line path of travel corresponding to its longitudinal axis to actuate a brake crank arm disposed adjacent a first end of said actuator rod, the improvement of mechanism for connecting said first rod end to said crank arm comprising: a clevis having an open and closed end, said clevis forming a longitudinal extension of the first end of said actuator rod with said open clevis end positioned outwardly, said crank arm being positioned to interfit within said clevis; and a rigid connecting member for connecting said clevis to said crank arm, one end of said connecting member being connected to said crank arm to pivot about a first axis, the other end of said connecting member being connected to the outer open end of said clevis to pivot about a second axis whereby said connecting member is disposed to extend from said crank arm outwardly from the closed end of said clevis towards its open end, with said connecting member being a second clevis having an open and closed end, said second clevis being smaller than said first clevis and dimensioned to fit therein, said second clevis having its closed end pivotally mounted in the open end of said first clevis, said crank arm interfitting within the open end of said second clevis and being pivotally mounted therein.

Claim 10

In a fluid pressure operated brake system where a brake actuator rod is selectively movable along a straight line path of travel corresponding to its longitudinal axis to actuate a brake crank arm disposed adjacent a first end of said actuator rod, the improvement of mechanism for connecting said first rod end to said crank arm comprising: a clevis having an open and closed end, said clevis forming a longitudinal extension of the first end of said actuator rod with said open clevis end positioned outwardly, said crank arm being positioned to interfit within said clevis; and a rigid connecting member for connecting said clevis to said crank arm, one end of said connecting member being connected to said crank arm to pivot about a first axis, the other end of said connecting member being connected to the outer open end of said clevis to pivot about a second axis whereby said connecting member is disposed to extend from said crank arm outwardly from the closed end of said clevis towards its open end, with said connecting member being a second clevis having an open and closed end, said second clevis being smaller than said first clevis and dimensioned to fit therein, said second clevis having its closed end pivotally mounted in the open end of said first clevis, said crank arm interfitting within the open end of said second clevis and being pivotally mounted therein.

Claim 11

The invention defined in claim 1, in combination with said fluid pressure operated brake system, said brake system including: means for supplying fluid pressure; means connected to receive said fluid pressure to actuate said actuator rod in response thereto to apply the brakes associated with said brake system; and means connected to receive said fluid pressure and responsive to the loss thereof for locking said actuator rod in a fixed position.

Claim 12

The invention defined in claim 8, wherein said rod locking means includes: at least one canting plate associated with said actuator rod, said actuator rod being freely positionable with respect to said canting plate when said canting plate is positioned normal thereto and binding with said canting plate to be locked in a fixed position when said canting plate is tilted from said normal position; and means responsive to said fluid pressure and the loss thereof for positioning said canting plate in a substantially normal disposition to said actuator rod in response to said fluid pressure and for tilting said canting plate from said normal position upon loss of said fluid pressure.

Claim 13

The invention defined in claim 9, wherein: said brake actuating system is associated with a tractor trailer; said fluid pressure supply means is a source of pressurized air associated with said trailer for holding the trailer brakes applied when the trailer is parked; and said canting plate positioning means is an air cylinder having means for biasing said canting plate in said tilted position when said source of pressurized air loses pressure.

Claim 14

Actuator mechanism, comprising: a straight actuator rod; means mounting said actuator rod for selective movement along a straight line path of travel corresponding to its longitudinal axis; a clevis having an open and closed end, said clevis forming a longitudinal extension of one end of said actuator rod with said open clevis end positioned outwardly; a crank rod; means mounting said crank rod for selective rotation; a crank arm fixedly secured to said crank rod to extend radially therefrom, said crank arm being positioned to interfit within said clevis; and a rigid connecting member for connecting said clevis to said crank arm, one end of said connecting member being connected to said crank arm to pivot about a first axis, the other end of said connecting member being connected to the outer open end of said clevis to pivot about a second axis whereby said connecting member is disposed to extend from said crank arm outwardly from the closed end of said clevis towards its open end.

Claim 15

Actuator mechanism, comprising: a straight actuator rod; means mounting said actuator rod for selective movement along a straight line path of travel corresponding to its longitudinal axis; a clevis having an open and closed end, said clevis forming a longitudinal extension of one end of said actuator rod with said open clevis end positioned outwardly; a crank rod; means mounting said crank rod for selective rotation; a crank arm fixedly secured to said crank rod to extend radially therefrom, said crank arm being positioned to interfit within said clevis; and a rigid connecting member for connecting said clevis to said crank arm, one end of said connecting member being connected to said crank arm to pivot about a first axis, the other end of said connecting member being connected to the outer open end of said clevis to pivot about a second axis whereby said connecting member is disposed to extend from said crank arm outwardly from the closed end of said clevis towards its open end.

Claim 16

Actuator mechanism, comprising: a straight actuator rod; means mounting said actuator rod for selective movement along a straight line path of travel corresponding to its longitudinal axis; a clevis having an open and closed end, said clevis forming a longitudinal extension of one end of said actuator rod with said open clevis end positioned outwardly; a crank rod; means mounting said crank rod for selective rotation; a crank arm fixedly secured to said crank rod to extend radially therefrom, said crank arm being positioned to interfit within said clevis; and a rigid connecting member for connecting said clevis to said crank arm, one end of said connecting member being connected to said crank arm to pivot about a first axis, the other end of said connecting member being connected to the outer open end of said clevis to pivot about a second axis whereby said connecting member is disposed to extend from said crank arm outwardly from the closed end of said clevis toward its open end; with said first and second pivot axes being substantially mutually parallel and substantially perpendicularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of said actuator rod; said crank rod being disposed with its longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said actuator rod; the longitudinal axis of the portion of said crank arm to which said connecting member is pivotally connected being substantially perpendicularly disposed to said first pivot axis; and said connecting member interfitting within said clevis.

Claim 17

Actuator mechanism, comprising: a straight actuator rod; means mounting said actuator rod for selective movement along a straight line path of travel corresponding to its longitudinal axis; a clevis having an open and closed end, said clevis forming a longitudinal extension of one end of said actuator rod with said open clevis end positioned outwardly; a crank rod; means mounting said crank rod for selective rotation; a crank arm fixedly secured to said crank rod to extend radially therefrom, said crank arm being positioned to interfit within said clevis; and a rigid connecting member for connecting said clevis to said crank arm, one end of said connecting member being connected to said crank arm to pivot about a first axis, the other end of said connecting member being connected to the outer open end of said clevis to pivot about a second axis whereby said connecting member is disposed to extend from said crank arm outwardly from the closed end of said clevis toward its open end; with said first and second pivot axes being substantially mutually parallel and substantially perpendicularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of said actuator rod; said crank rod being disposed with its longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said actuator rod; the longitudinal axis of the portion of said crank arm to which said connecting member is pivotally connected being substantially perpendicularly disposed to said first pivot axis; and said connecting member interfitting within said clevis.

Claim 18

The invention defined in claim 12, wherein said connecting member is a second clevis having an open and closed end, said second clevis being smaller than said first clevis and dimensioned to fit therein, said second clevis having its closed end pivotally mounted in the open end of said first clevis, said crank arm interfitting within the open end of said second clevis and being pivotally mounted therein.

Claim 19

The invention defined in claim 13, wherein the longitudinal axes of said first clevis and actuator rod are substantially aligned.

Claim 20

The invention defined in claim 13 in combination with means responsive to a selected condition for locking said actuator rod in a fixed position.

Claim 21

The invention defined in claim 15, wherein: said selected condition is fluid pressure level; and said rod locking means includes canting plates for locking said actuator rod in a fixed position and means in the form of a pressure operated cylinder for positioning said canting plates as a function of said fluid pressure level.

Claim 22

The invention defined in claim 2, wherein the longitudinal axis of said clevis is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of said actuator rod.

Claim 23

The invention defined in claim 2, in combination with said fluid pressure operated brake system, said brake system including: means for supplying fluid pressure; means connected to receive said fluid pressure to actuate said actuator rod in response thereto to apply the brakes associated with said brake system; and means connected to receive said fluid pressure and responsive to the loss thereof for locking said actuator rod in a fixed position.

Claim 24

The invention defined in claim 18, wherein said rod locking means includes: at least one canting plate associated with said actuator rod, said actuator rod being freely positionable with respect to said canting plate when said canting plate is positioned normal thereto and binding with said canting plate to be locked in a fixed position when said canting plate is tilted from said normal position; and means responsive to said fluid pressure and the loss thereof for positioning said canting plate in a substantially normal disposition to said actuator rod in response to said fluid pressure and for tilting said canting plate from said normal position upon loss of said fluid pressure.

Claim 25

The invention defined in claim 19, wherein: said brake actuating system is associated with a tractor trailer; said fluid pressure supply means is a source of pressurized air associated with said trailer for holding the trailer brakes applied when the trailer is parked; and said canting plate positioning means is an air cylinder having means for biasing said canting plate in said tilted position when said source of pressurized air loses pressure.

Claim 26

In a fluid pressure operated brake system where a brake actuator rod is selectively movable along a straight line path of travel corresponding to its longitudinal axis to actuate a brake crank arm disposed adjacent a first end of said actuator rod, the improvement of mechanism for connecting said first rod end to said crank arm comprising: a first clevis having an open and closed end, said first clevis forming a longitudinal extension of the first end of said actuator rod with said open clevis end positioned outwardly, said crank arm being positioned to interfit within said first clevis; and a second clevis positioned within said first clevis for connecting said first clevis to said crank arm, one end of said second clevis being connected to said crank arm to pivot about a first axis, the other end of said second clevis being connected to the open end of said first clevis to pivot about a second axis whereby said second clevis is disposed to extend from said crank arm outwardly from the closed end of said first clevis towards its open end.

Claim 27

In a fluid pressure operated brake system where a brake actuator rod is selectively movable along a straight line path of travel corresponding to its longitudinal axis to actuate a brake crank arm disposed adjacent a first end of said actuator rod, the improvement of mechanism for connecting said first rod end to said crank arm comprising: a first clevis having an open and closed end, said first clevis forming a longitudinal extension of the first end of said actuator rod with said open clevis end positioned outwardly, said crank arm being positioned to interfit within said first clevis; and a second clevis positioned within said first clevis for connecting said first clevis to said crank arm, one end of said second clevis being connected to said crank arm to pivot about a first axis, the other end of said second clevis being connected to the open end of said first clevis to pivot about a second axis whereby said second clevis is disposed to extend from said crank arm outwardly from the closed end of said first clevis towards its open end.

Claim 28

Actuator mechanism, comprising: a straight actuator rod; means mounting said actuator rod for selective movement along a straight line path of travel corresponding to its longitudinal axis; a first clevis having an open and closed end, said first clevis forming a longitudinal extension of one end of said actuator rod with said open clevis end positioned outwardly; a crank rod; means mounting said crank rod for selective rotation; a crank arm fixedly secured to said crank rod to extend radially therefrom, said crank arm being positioned to interfit within said first clevis; and a second clevis positioned within said first clevis for connecting said first clevis to said crank arm, one end of said second clevis being connected to said crank arm to pivot about a first axis, the other end of said second clevis being connected to the open end of said first clevis to pivot about a second axis whereby said second clevis is disposed to extend from said crank arm outwardly from the closed end of said first clevis towards its open end.

Claim 29

Actuator mechanism, comprising: a straight actuator rod; means mounting said actuator rod for selective movement along a straight line path of travel corresponding to its longitudinal axis; a first clevis having an open and closed end, said first clevis forming a longitudinal extension of one end of said actuator rod with said open clevis end positioned outwardly; a crank rod; means mounting said crank rod for selective rotation; a crank arm fixedly secured to said crank rod to extend radially therefrom, said crank arm being positioned to interfit within said first clevis; and a second clevis positioned within said first clevis for connecting said first clevis to said crank arm, one end of said second clevis being connected to said crank arm to pivot about a first axis, the other end of said second clevis being connected to the open end of said first clevis to pivot about a second axis whereby said second clevis is disposed to extend from said crank arm outwardly from the closed end of said first clevis towards its open end.