Package and article carriers – Vehicle attached – Bracket connected to vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-10
2002-03-19
Vidovich, Gregory M. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Vehicle attached
Bracket connected to vehicle
C224S400000, C224S545000, C224S566000, C211S070600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06357645
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a storage holster that is securable to a support surface of a vehicle and which can safely and securely contain a release pull bar when it is not being used to decouple a tractor from a trailer by disengaging the locking mechanism of a fifth wheel assembly. The invention is particularly useful to a driver of a transport truck who requires a means for conveniently and safely storing a release pull bar when the truck is in transit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A release pull bar is a specialty decoupling tool frequently used by a driver of a transport truck to disengage a tractor and trailer that are connected together by a locking mechanism of a fifth wheel assembly. Because the fifth wheel locking mechanism and assembly are located underneath the truck, a driver must use a release pull bar as an aid to gain access to the area without having to crawl under the front of the trailer within the vicinity of the wheels. The bar is of sufficient length which allows the driver to safely reach a release handle located on the side of the locking mechanism whenever it is necessary to unlock and subsequently disengage the trailer from the tractor. In general, the release pull bar is an elongated cylindrical metal rod which has a diameter of about ½ inch and a length of approximately 3 feet. Located at the proximal end of the pull bar is a T-shaped handle which allows the bar to be conveniently and easily grasped, while the distal end of the bar terminates in a hook-shaped member. The driver manipulates the release pull bar in order to reach the release handle located at the side of the fifth wheel locking mechanism. Once the hook-shaped member of the bar has properly latched onto the release handle of the locking mechanism, the tractor and trailer are eventually disengaged from one another following the application of a pulling force by the driver.
After the driver has subsequently completed the operation described above, the release pull bar must be placed and stored in the tractor, which has traditionally occurred in a number of different places that are often inconvenient and not well suited for this purpose. Routinely, some of these temporary storage places have been located behind the driver's seat, in the sleeper compartment, on the rear deck plate, and in the grate of the deck plate behind the cab, to name a few. Unfortunately, all of these storage places are inconvenient for readily retrieving the pull bar and often pose a potential safety threat to the driver and the operation of the vehicle.
For instance, grease or oil which may coat the distal end of the release pull bar, often drips and accumulates onto the floor of the cab over time when the pull bar is not in use. This creates an unwanted and potentially hazardous mess for the driver if the grease or oil happens to pass onto the soles of the driver's shoes and/or the surface of a brake or clutch pedal eventually leading to slippage and lack of driving control.
Alternatively, placing the release pull bar on the rear deck plate, or in the grate of the deck plate, can also generate a potentially dangerous situation. This is because the air hose coupling, which connects the trailer to the tractor, and/or the electrical supply cord, can become entangled around the release pull bar creating a risk to the driver and those persons driving within the vicinity of the truck. For example, if the air hose becomes damaged or disconnected as a result of being entangled around the release pull bar, the tractor can suddenly lose air pressure. This will either cause the emergency brakes to engage automatically or the trailer brakes to suddenly lock, which is referred to as an automatic lock-up. Moreover, if the electrical cord becomes entangled around the release pull bar, a loss of power supply to the trailer could result in an electrical short and a subsequent fire hazard, or a malfunctioning of the trailer lights. In either case, this poses a considerable safety risk to the driver and those driving near him.
In-addition, placement of the release pull bar in the grate of the deck plate behind the cab can occasionally pose an inconvenience to the driver by temporarily impeding access to the refrigeration unit located on the front of the trailer, behind the cab.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent with the options currently available to a driver when storing a release pull bar in a transport truck, the present invention seeks to provide a storage holster specifically designed and constructed for this purpose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a storage holster to safely and securely contain a release pull bar and which has several advantages and novel features.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage holster for use in a transport truck which is especially adapted for receiving and storing a release pull bar, including means for firmly supporting and stabilizing the pull bar within the holster.
Still another object of the present invention to provide a release pull bar holster of durable and reliable construction which may be easily and efficiently manufactured.
According to the invention, there is provided a holster for storing a release pull bar for use in a transport truck, comprising in combination:
(a) a carrier member for receiving and supporting a release pull bar;
(b) mounting means disposed on one side of the carrier member, said mounting means being adapted for attachment to a support surface of a transport truck;
(c) securing means interior of the carrier member for supporting and stabilizing a release pull bar therein while the transport truck is in transit; and
(d) collar means located near the proximal end of the holster for supporting the proximal end of a release pull bar.
Thus, the present invention provides a holster which has a customized design and structure for appropriately supporting a release pull bar in a safe and convenient location. The holster also securely restrains the release pull bar and makes it easily accessible by positioning the handle of the bar in an uppermost position such that it may be readily grasped and withdrawn for use by the driver. Furthermore, the invention provides a means to enable preferred attachment of the holster to a battery box or frame rail of a transport truck.
The holster is advantageously of an essentially rectangular profile consisting of an elongated plate with a carrier projecting from one side of the plate. The carrier is designed for receiving and supporting the distal end of a release pull bar and preferably has a length which is approximately one-half that of the plate. The proximal end of the carrier commences at a point midway along the longitudinal axis of the plate and is open ended. The closed end of the carrier terminates at the distal end of the plate and is provided with one or more holes to permit drainage of grease or oil that may be coated on a pull bar following use thereof.
In a preferred embodiment, there is located at a point approximately midway along the longitudinal axis of the lateral wall of the carrier and in direct alignment with the opposing wall (being the plate), a pair of holes. The holes have sufficient diameter to accommodate the insertion of a metal pin. Near the distal end of the pin is an aperture sized to cooperate with a padlock such that in combination, they constitute a locking means. Collectively, the locking means in use with the holster functions to hold the pull bar firmly within the holster and prevent unauthorized removal thereof, or possible maneuvering out of position when a truck is in transit.
Mounted within the internal cavity of the carrier near its distal end is a pair of compressible wave springs, of similar height to the carrier and extending approximately one-half the entire length of the carrier. The wave springs are positioned on mutually opposed inside lateral walls of the carrier with their convex surfaces facing inward. When the driver inserts a release pull
Rosenman & Colin LLP
Vidovich Gregory M.
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