Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Hand bars and hand barrows – Ball retriever
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-06
2002-03-12
Kramer, Dean J. (Department: 3652)
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Hand bars and hand barrows
Ball retriever
C294S024000, C180S209000, C280S149200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06354642
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to tools and equipment used in the trucking industry, and more specifically to a combination device for pulling the lock pin handle for a longitudinally adjustable tandem axle unit on a semitrailer. The present invention also serves to indicate the desired position for the tandem unit as the trailer is moved, and other functions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many semitrailers are equipped with longitudinally adjustable tandem axle assemblies, where the position of the tandem unit may be adjusted over some range in order to better distribute the load over the wheels, support the rear of the trailer during loading, or for other reasons. These tandem axle units are normally secured to the trailer subframe by a series of large, heavy spring loaded pins which project laterally through mating passages in the subframe and tandem axle unit, with a handle being provided to release the pins for tandem adjustment.
However, the shear force on the pins, particularly when the pins are somewhat worn and grooved, along with the spring tension urging the pins into their locked position, result in it being necessary to apply a fair amount of force to the handle while rocking the trailer in order to release the pins. In the past, a driver has required the assistance of a second party to pull on the tandem release handle, while the driver maneuvers the truck back and forth. This is potentially dangerous to the assistant unless all parties involved know precisely what they are doing and communicate well, as the person pulling the release handle is very close to the left side dual tandem wheels of the assembly. Even though the wheels should not move appreciably, there is always the possibility of contact with the wheels by the assistant.
Accordingly, tools have been developed in the past to apply a releasing force to the release handle while the driver repositions the truck from the cab. Even with the use of such a tool, the driver may be required to make several trips in and out of the cab to check on the progress of the operation, as he must (1) attach the tool to apply a tensile force to the handle, (2) return to the cab to rock the trailer, (3) perhaps leave the cab to see if the rocking action has released the pins, (4) return to the cab to move the tractor and trailer relative to the tandem axle assembly, (5) leave the cab to check on the relative position of the tandem assembly, release the unlocking force on the lock pin handle as required, and remove the tool, (6) return to the cab to move the tractor and trailer slightly to cause the pins to lock the tandem assembly in its new desired position, (7) leave the cab to confirm that the tandem is locked in position as desired, and (8) finally return to the cab for the drive. Moreover, it may be necessary for the driver to repeat steps (2) and (3) one or more times, if the initial rocking of the truck has failed to release the tandem locking pins. This operation is very frustrating for truckers, as they are normally paid by the mile, and the loss of five, ten, or fifteen minutes or more while attempting to adjust the position of the tandem unit on their trailer, eats up a substantial fraction of time which they could be spending on the road.
Even if the driver is aware of the release of the locking pins for the tandem axle unit and proceeds to reposition the tractor and trailer relative to the tandem, the driver still must leave the cab to check the position of the tandem. If the driver has not moved the tractor and trailer sufficiently far, or has moved the rig too far, then he must return to the cab and move the tractor and trailer again in an attempt to position the tandem unit at least close to the desired position so he can release the unlocking position of the lock pin release handle and begin the trip.
It will be seen that the positional adjustment of a tandem axle unit on a semitrailer is a major hassle for a truck driver, even where a tool is applied to the lock pin release handle for pulling the release handle automatically. Accordingly, a need will be seen for a puller and locator tool for use with tandem axle units of semi trailers, which tool serves to automatically apply a release force to the tandem lock pin release handle and also indicates the proper repositioning of the tandem unit to the desired position. With the use of the present tool, the driver need only attach the tool to the tandem unit and lock pin release handle and secure the locator to the trailer as desired, return to the cab to maneuver the tractor and trailer to release the lock pins, move the tractor and trailer the predetermined distance to reposition the tandem unit as desired (the desired position is indicated by the locator of the present tool), and leave the cab a second time to remove the tool and locator respectively from the tandem axle unit and trailer. The present release handle puller and tandem locator tool thus saves a considerable amount of time for a driver, and also provides other functions as well (i.e., an accessory permits it to be used to pull the release for the fifth wheel coupling of the tractor).
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,618,969 issued on Nov. 9, 1971 to John J. Glassmeyer, titled “Apparatus For Positioning Trailer Suspension Frame,” describes an automated mechanism for releasing the lock pin handle from its pulled position when the tandem axle unit has been repositioned to the desired location. The Glassmeyer mechanism goes beyond the scope of the present invention, in that it automatically releases the unlocking force on the lock pin handle to allow the lock pins to engage the desired corresponding holes in the trailer subframe. However, the Glassmeyer mechanism is a permanent installation and is integrated with the trailer; it cannot be removably applied to a trailer as a portable tool which is retained by the driver, as is the case with the present puller and locator tool. While a driver who drives for a company whose trailers are equipped with the Glassmeyer mechanism would enjoy its benefits, the mechanism does nothing for drivers who have occasion to pull trailers not equipped with the Glassmeyer apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,488 issued on Nov. 19, 1991 to Richard L. Chapman et al., titled “Tandem Axle Trailer Pin Extracter Device,” describes a portable device generally comprising a tube with an internal spring and handlebars projecting therefrom. The spring provides a tensile force for hooks which project from opposed slots in the sides of the tube, with the handlebars being connected to the opposite end of the spring and projecting from the slots. The hooks are secured to the tandem lock pin release handle of the trailer, and the handlebars pulled and secured in retainer grooves at the opposite end of the slot, with the spring thus providing a tensile force on the lock pin release handle. The Chapman et al. device has no means of securing positively to the tandem axle slider frame, and thus requires a separate brace arm which bears against the ground while the tool is installed. In contrast, the present tool attaches securely to the tandem slider frame adjacent to the lock pin release handle, and does not require any additional attachment means or bracing. Also, the present tool is adjustable in length, to allow for different distances between the tandem slider frame and the outer edge of the trailer where the present tool may be manipulated and observed from the cab. Moreover, Chapman et al. describe the removal of their tool from the trailer once the lock pin release handle has been pulled, leaving the driver to guess at the amount of movement required to reposition the trailer body relative to the tandem axle unit. The locator provided with the present tool provides a positive indication to the driver that the trailer has been moved the desired amount, with the driver being able to
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