Locking button for semi-tractor pneumatics
AssigneeNeff Co Technologies
InventorsRandy M. Lenz, Jeff M. Grote
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An anti-theft device for preventing unauthorized release of the air brakes on a vehicle includes a lockable button for the valve stem for the control valve. The lockable button includes a button body, a coupling member, and a lock assembly having a latch member that selectively inserts into an annular groove on the coupling member. The coupling member is secured to move axially with the axially movable valve stem of the air brake control valve. The latch member extends into the annular groove on the coupling member to position the button body so as to limit the axial movement of the valve stem and thereby prevent the release of the air brakes.
Claims20
A lockable button device for an brake control valve on a vehicle comprising:
- a lock assembly including an elongated lock canister and a latch member selectively movable in a transverse direction with respect to the lock canister;
- a coupling member including an outer surface having at least one annular groove thereon and further including fastening means for securing the coupling member to move axially with an axially movable valve stem of the air brake control valve;
- a button body having elongated first and second bores therein adapted to receive the lock assembly and the coupling member respectively, the first and second bores each having a different central longitudinal axis, the button body having an internal cavity connecting the first and second bores so as to permit the latch member to be selectively moved into latching engagement in the groove on the coupling member.
An anti-theft device for an air brake control valve on a vehicle comprising:
- a hollow tubular coupling member including an outer surface having an annular groove thereon and further including fastening means for securing the coupling member to move axially with an axially movable valve stem of the air brake control valve;
- a button body having a coupling bore therein far receiving at 1east a portion of the outer surface of the coupling member such that the annular groove resides in the button body;
- said button body being adapted to remain on said air brake control valve during the operation of the vehicle;
- a lock assembly mounted in the button body, the lock assembly including a movable latch member thereon arranged to engage the groove to limit axial movement of the button body relative to the coupling member.
A device for locking an air brake control valve in a vehicle, the valve including a push/pull stem, the device comprising:
- a coupler mounted on the valve stem;
- a button slidably mounted on the coupler and being selectively fixed to the coupler in a locked position to prevent actuation of the brake system and a unlocked position allowing actuation of the valve stem;
- and
- a lock cylinder in the button for controlling the position of the button on the coupler.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.