Fluid-pressure and analogous brake systems – Locks
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-20
2002-06-11
Schwartz, Christopher P. (Department: 3613)
Fluid-pressure and analogous brake systems
Locks
C303S009760, C188S170000, C092S023000, C060S399000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06402261
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is in the field of electromechanical devices designed to provide anti-theft protection to cargo trailers and like equipment equipped with air brakes. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a device or system that prevents unauthorized release of the locked brake actuator rod of trailers, tractors and of like equipment that are equipped with a dual chamber air brake system.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Cargo-trailers, tractors and like equipment are vulnerable to theft particularly when parked or stored in remote or unpopulated locations where audible alarms are ineffective. In case of trailers and like equipment that do not have their own motive power (engine), compressed air for operating the brake system is supplied through a conduit from the tractor or truck that pulls the trailer. Such trailers and like towed equipment, as well as many tractors and trucks, are equipped with a dual chamber brake system that operates in such manner that the brakes are locked when pressurized air is not available. In order to take such a trailer without authorization, that is to steal it, the thief typically hooks the trailer to the thief's tractor which then supplies pressurized air to the dual chamber brake system of the trailer. In other words, by hooking up the thief's tractor's or truck's air pressure conduit to the brake system of the trailer, the thief is able to pull the trailer with the brakes operating normally. To this date and to the best knowledge of the present inventor, the state-of-the-art has attempted to prevent or discourage the theft of cargo-trailers by providing devices that make it difficult for an unauthorized person to access the trailer's hitch or “fifth wheel”, or by providing a keyed cover (“glad hand” cover) that prevents attachment of a pressurized air conduit to the pressurized air inlet of the dual chamber air brake system of the trailer. Experience has shown however, that a determined thief circumvents these devices relatively easily. Therefore, there is still a serious need in the art for a device or system that renders the dual chamber air brake system of a trailer (or of a tractor) inoperational for unauthorized users. The present invention provides such a system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a secure and difficult to circumvent locking device for the brakes of a trailer, tractor or other vehicle equipped with dual chamber air brake system, which locking device can be released only by an authorized user.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the locking device that meets the above-noted objective, and which operates within the interior of the dual chamber air brake system, thereby making it more difficult and time consuming to disassemble or inactivate the locking device and make unauthorized use of the trailer, tractor or other vehicle equipped with the device.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by a device that has means mounted within the interior of the dual chamber brake system to prevent a brake actuator rod from being retracted into its non-braking operative position even when pressurized air is supplied to the dual chamber brake system. The means for preventing such retraction, that is the means for locking the actuator rod into its position where the brakes are fully engaged, are activated and deactivated to respectively lock or to permit normal operation of the dual chamber brake system by an electro mechanical device, such as a servo-motor, solenoid or the like which is actuated from the outside by the use of a coded signal that is likely to be transmitted only by an authorized user. Alternatively a valve is incorporated within the interior of the air inlet of the dual chamber brake system which in its locked position prevents pressurized air from being supplied to one of the dual chambers, thereby preventing the release or retraction of the brake actuator rod into its non-braking operative position, The valve is operated by an electro mechanical device, such as a servo-motor or solenoid and is responsive to a coded signal that is likely to be transmitted only by an authorized user.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3597016 (1971-08-01), Gachot
patent: 3826176 (1974-07-01), Ike
patent: 4007815 (1977-02-01), Acre
patent: 4014414 (1977-03-01), Yamamoto et al.
patent: 4014579 (1977-03-01), Dubois
patent: 4268093 (1981-05-01), Muller
patent: 4273388 (1981-06-01), Muller
patent: 4354536 (1982-10-01), Moss
patent: 4589704 (1986-05-01), Graham
patent: 4685744 (1987-08-01), Luce
patent: RE32885 (1989-03-01), Graham
patent: 4873824 (1989-10-01), Cox
patent: 5402866 (1995-04-01), Naedler et al.
patent: 6076385 (2000-06-01), Pedroso et al.
Statutory Invention Registration H117 to Graham Sep. 2, 1986.*
Statutory Invention Registration H748 to Graham Mar. 6, 1990.
Burch Melody M.
Cargo Safe, Inc.
Klein & Szekeres LLP
Schwartz Christopher P.
LandOfFree
Cargo trailer anti-theft system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Cargo trailer anti-theft system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cargo trailer anti-theft system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2982438