Lock pin release device for truck tandem axle
OwnerWilliam G. White, James R. Whiteinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A release device for a tandem axle of a semi-truck is a compressible piston and cylinder, with the piston rod extending out of one end of the cylinder and biased into an extended position by a biasing mechanism such as compressed gas in the cylinder. A latch on the cylinder is releasably engageable with an indent on the piston rod to hold it in a retracted position. A hook on the cylinder engages over the handle of a manual release rod for a truck tandem axle, with an enlarged head on the end of the piston rod bearing against part of the frame adjacent the release rod with the piston rod in the latched, retracted position. Release of the latch puts biasing force on the piston rod, urging the cylinder outwardly away from the frame to pull out the release rod.
Claims9
A lock pin release device for a semi truck, comprising:
- a cylinder having a longitudinal axis and opposite first and second ends;
- a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder to divide the cylinder into separate first and second chambers on opposite sides of the piston;
- a shaft secured to the piston and extending through the first chamber and out of the first end of the cylinder, the shaft having an outer free end;
- an enlarged head at the outer free end of the shaft having a flat face for bearing against a portion of a frame adjacent a tandem axle release rod;
- the piston and shaft being movable between a retracted position in which substantially all of the shaft is within the cylinder and the head is located adjacent the first end of the cylinder, and an extended position in which a major portion of the shaft extends out of the cylinder;
- a biasing mechanism in the second chamber of the cylinder between the second end of the cylinder and the piston biasing the piston and shaft into the extended position;
- a releasable latch mechanism at the first end of the cylinder for releasably securing the shaft in the retracted position;
- and
- a hook member projecting outwardly from the cylinder in radial direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, the hook having a generally rounded indent facing in a direction parallel to and spaced outwardly from the cylinder longitudinal axis for releasable engagement over a handle of a tandem axle release rod, whereby, when the flat face of the head is placed against the frame with the hook engaging the release rod handle and the cylinder projecting outwardly from the frame, and the latch mechanism is released, the piston and shaft move towards the extended position to pull out the release rod and release the semi tandem axle.
A lock pin release device for a semi truck, comprising:
- a cylinder having opposite first and second ends;
- a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder to divide the cylinder into separate first and second chambers on opposite sides of the piston;
- a shaft secured to the piston and extending through the first chamber and out of the first end of the cylinder, the shaft having an outer free end;
- an enlarged head at the outer free end of the shaft having a flat face for bearing against a portion of a frame adjacent a tandem axle release rod;
- the piston and shaft being movable between a retracted position in which substantially all of the shaft is within the cylinder and the head is located adjacent the first end of the cylinder, and an extended position in which a major portion of the shaft extends out of the cylinder;
- a biasing mechanism in the second chamber of the cylinder between the second end of the cylinder and the piston biasing the piston and shaft into the extended position;
- a releasable latch mechanism at the first end of the cylinder for releasably securing the shaft in the retracted position;
- the latch mechanism comprising a latch member pivotally mounted at the first end of the cylinder, the piston shaft having a latch indent adjacent the head, and the latch member having a latch finger for engaging in the indent to releasably latch the piston shaft in the retracted position, the latch member being movable between a first position in which the latch finger engages the indent, and a second position in which the latch finger is moved out of the indent;
- and
- a hook member projecting from the latch member for releasable engagement with a handle of a tandem axle release rod, whereby, when the flat face of the head is placed against the frame with the hook engaging the release rod handle and the cylinder projecting outwardly from the frame, and the latch mechanism is released, the piston and shaft move towards the extended position to pull out the release rod and release the semi tandem axle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.