US4226103A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking device for glad hand brake line couplers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-09-05
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Granted: 1980-10-07
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Expires: 1998-09-05
Abstract
Abstract A locking device engageable in mating relationship with a glad hand brake line coupler of a semi-trailer disconnected from its tractor is disclosed. A depressible lock mechanism supported by a housing of the locking device is connected to a plunger which is extended into an air passage opening in a heavy rubber grommet of the glad hand coupler when the lock mechanism is depressed. Once the plunger is extended, it can only be retracted by means of a key which unlocks the depressible lock mechanism. When the locking device is matingly engaged with the glad hand coupler, it is prevented from vertical displacement from the glad hand connector by engagement of tongues and corresponding tongue receiving recesses of the glad hand and the locking device. The locking device is prevented from lateral or rotational displacement with respect to the glad hand coupler by the engagement of the plunger with the inside walls of the air passage opening in the rubber grommet.
Inventors
- 👤 Ray M. Strickland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:31
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/01; B60R25/08; B60T; B60T17/00; B60T17/04; B60T17/043; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/40; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5889
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A locking device for locking engagement with a trailer brake line coupler having a tongue, a tongue-receiving recess and a seal with an air passage opening therein, said locking device comprising in combination: a. a housing having a lower surface and an upper surface; b. a tongue extending outward from said housing for insertion into said tongue-receiving recess of said brake line connector; c. a flange attached to said housing extending outwardly from said lower surface, said flange having a tongue-receiving opening for receiving said tongue of said brake line connector; and d. a lock mechanism mounted in said housing, said lock mechanism having an extendible plunger extendible outward from said lower surface into said air passage opening, said plunger being retractable by unlocking said locking device, said tongue of said housing extending into said tongue-receiving recess and said tongue of said brake line connector extending into said tongue receiving opening when said extendible plunger extends into said air passage opening; whereby, said locking device is not removable from said brake line coupler when said extendible plunger extends into said air passage opening without damaging said locking device and/or said brake line connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A locking device for locking engagement with a trailer brake line coupler having a tongue, a tongue-receiving recess and a seal with an air passage opening therein, said locking device comprising in combination: a. a housing having a lower surface and an upper surface; b. a tongue extending outward from said housing for insertion into said tongue-receiving recess of said brake line connector; c. a flange attached to said housing extending outwardly from said lower surface, said flange having a tongue-receiving opening for receiving said tongue of said brake line connector; and d. a lock mechanism mounted in said housing, said lock mechanism having an extendible plunger extendible outward from said lower surface into said air passage opening, said plunger being retractable by unlocking said locking device, said tongue of said housing extending into said tongue-receiving recess and said tongue of said brake line connector extending into said tongue receiving opening when said extendible plunger extends into said air passage opening; whereby, said locking device is not removable from said brake line coupler when said extendible plunger extends into said air passage opening without damaging said locking device and/or said brake line connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The locking device of claim 1 wherein said lock mechanism includes a depressible lock barrel mechanism coupled to said plunger for extending said plunger into said air passage opening when said depressible lock barrel mechanism is depressed and retracting said plunger from said air passage opening when said depressible lock barrel mechanism is unlocked.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The locking device of claim 2 wherein said flange and said tongue are integrally formed with said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The locking device of claim 3 wherein said housing, said flange, and said tongue are made of cast aluminum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The locking device of claim 3 wherein said housing, said flange, and said tongue are made of steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The locking device of claim 1 wherein said brake line coupler is a glad hand coupler.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The locking device of claim 6 wherein said glad hand coupler has a curved ridge bounding said tongue-receiving recess of said brake line coupler, wherein said housing of said locking device includes a curved surface which mates with said curved ridge to help prevent rotational movement of said locking device with respect to said brake line coupler when said locking device is in locking engagement with said brake line coupler.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-10-07 | 1984-04-07 | 1984-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-10-07 | 1988-04-07 | 1988-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-10-07 | 1992-04-07 | 1992-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |