Air powered actuator for retracting the locking pins of a slider

A slider for adjustment of the suspension of a vehicle longitudinally with respect to the body of the vehicle, the slider comprising a pair of side rails adapted to be secured at the left and right sides of the body in a fixed position extending longitudinally of the body, and a frame adapted to carry the suspension comprising left and right slide members slidable longitudinally of the body on the side rails, and a plurality of locking pins for locking the frame in various positions of adjustment relative to the side rails, said locking pins being retractable for permitting adjustment of the frame to a selected position of adjustment and extensible for locking the frame in a selected position of adjustment, means for retracting said locking pins including linkage interconnecting said pins for conjoint movement of the pins between extended and retracted positions, said linkage including shaft means extending longitudinally of the frame, a crank for rotating said shaft means, and a plurality of links interconnecting said shaft means and the locking pins whereby rotation of the shaft means in one direction effects retracting of the locking pins and rotation of the shaft means in the opposite direction effects extension of the locking pins, an actuating member connected to said crank manually movable from a first position to a second position for rotating the crank to rotate the shaft means in said one direction to retract the locking pins, spring means associated with said locking pins for yieldably urging said locking pins to their extended positions wherein the improvement comprises:

• an air powered actuator means mounted on said slider including a movable actuator rod extending therefrom which is operatively secured to said shaft means for rotating said shaft means in said one direction to effect retraction of said locking pins;
• said air powered actuator means comprising an air brake actuator, said air brake actuator including a housing having a diaphragm means positioned therein which defines an air inlet side, said air inlet side being in communication with a source of air pressure, said actuator rod being connected to said diaphragm means where the introduction of pressurized air into said air inlet side causes the extension of said actuator rod, said diaphragm means being movable from a neutral position to a pressurized position, said air brake actuator including a spring means for urging said diaphragm means from its pressurized position to its neutral position;
• said housing of said air brake actuator being secured to said slider for movement therewith;
• said housing having a first side through which the actuator rod extends, a first bracket secured to said first side of said air brake actuator housing and including a pair of elongated arms extending from said housing;
• each of said elongated arms having elongated longitudinally extending slots formed therein;
• a second bracket secured to said shaft means which is positioned between said elongated arms;
• said actuator rod being positioned between said elongated arms;
• a pin means positioned in said slots in said elongated arms which interconnects said second bracket and said actuator;
• said first bracket being operatively secured to said slider.