Abstract
Disclosed herein are specialized brackets for anchoring locking devices such as a glad hand lock and methods thereof. Glad hand locks lock out air brake service lines on tractor trailers preventing undesired movement of the trailer. The glad hand lock is removed when the trailer is to be moved but they frequently are misplaced or inconveniently stored resulting in wasted time and money retrieving the glad hand lock. The brackets herein provide a quick, secure, and protected option for storage of the glad hand locks at convenient locations near loading docks or trailer parking sites. The brackets comprise a back plate and a front plate spaced by a spacer arm which define a lock gap. The front plate has a top end configured for sliding fit into a lock slot of a glad hand lock. A plunger bar on the glad hand lock is deployed activating a storage configuration.
Claims
1. A bracket for anchoring a locking device comprising: a back plate; said back plate having a rear face facing rearward formed thereon; said back plate having a front face opposed to said rear face facing frontal; a front plate; said front plate having a rear surface facing rearward and an opposed frontal surface on said front plate facing frontal; said rear surface spaced from and facing said front face defining a lock gap therebetween; a spacer arm; said spacer arm extending between said front plate and said back plate; said spacer arm comprising a pair of laterally facing opposed side faces; said spacer arm comprising an upper face facing said lock gap; and a bottom facing lower surface.
2. The bracket of claim 1 further comprising: one or more mounting holes extending between said front face and said rear face operable to house a fastener.
3. The bracket of claim 1 further comprising: one or more frontal insets at said opposed side faces narrowing said front plate.
4. The bracket of claim 1 further comprising: a lock channel; said lock channel extending generally perpendicular from said frontal surface along said lower surface.
5. The bracket of claim 4 where said lock channel is substantially semi-cylindrical.
6. The bracket of claim 1 further comprising: a window face; said window face extending between said rear face and said front face in said back plate; said window face defining a back plate window extending through said back plate rearward of said front plate.
7. The bracket of claim 1 whereas said back plate is substantially hexagonal.
8. The bracket of claim 1 whereas said front face of said back plate comprises a logo.
9. The bracket of claim 1 further comprising: a top end of said front plate; and whereas said top end is configured for sliding fit into a lock slot of a glad hand lock.
10. The bracket of claim 1 further comprising: a protective shield coupled to said bracket.
11. The bracket of claim 10 whereas said protective shield is translucent.
12. The bracket of claim 10 further comprising: a shield hinge; whereas said shield hinge pivotably couples said protective shield to said back plate.
13. The bracket of claim 1 further comprising: a lock face on a bottom side of said front plate opposite said upper face.
14. The bracket of claim 1 further comprising: one or more downgrooves inset into said lower surface and extending between said front plate and said back plate.
15. The bracket of claim 1 whereas said lock gap ranges between 0.375 to 0.625 inches in length.
16. A method of storing a glad hand lock on a gladhanger comprising the steps of: obtaining a glad hand lock and a gladhanger whereas said glad hanger comprises a spacer arm having an upper face opposed by a lock face, and whereby the spacer arm extends between a parallel spaced back plate and front plate defining a lock gap therebetween, and said front plate having a top end configured for sliding fit into a lock slot of a gladhand; securing the gladhanger to an anchor; aligning the top end of the front plate with the lock slot of the gladhand; and lowering the glad hand lock to occupy the front plate in the lock slot.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of: lifting a protective shield to provide access to the front plate.
18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of: abutting the glad hand lock and the upper face.
19. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of: deploying a plunger bar on the glad hand lock adjacent the lock face.
20. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of: lowering the protective shield such that it rests against the back plate.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0063] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated when considered in connection with the following detailed description and appended drawings, wherein each drawing is according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, and wherein:
[0064] FIG. 1 depicts a top perspective view of a gladhanger;
[0065] FIG. 2 depicts a bottom perspective view of the gladhanger of FIG. 1;
[0066] FIG. 3 depicts a side perspective view of the gladhanger of FIG. 1;
[0067] FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the gladhanger of FIG. 1;
[0068] FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of the gladhanger of FIG. 1;
[0069] FIG. 6 depicts a top perspective view of a gladhanger;
[0070] FIG. 7 depicts a bottom perspective view of the gladhanger of FIG. 6;
[0071] FIG. 8 depicts a side view of the gladhanger of FIG. 6;
[0072] FIG. 9 depicts a rear perspective view of the gladhanger of FIG. 6;
[0073] FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a protective shield for gladhanger;
[0074] FIG. 11 depicts a front perspective view of a gladhanger with protective shield;
[0075] FIG. 12 depicts a rear perspective view of the gladhanger of FIG. 11;
[0076] FIG. 13 depicts a side perspective view of the gladhanger of FIG. 11 with mounted glad hand lock, gladhanger unlocked, and protective shield partially closed;
[0077] FIG. 14 depicts a side perspective view of the gladhanger of FIG. 11 with mounted gladhand lock and protective shield opened;
[0078] FIG. 15 depicts a front perspective view illustrating a step during mounting of a gladhand lock to a gladhanger;
[0079] FIG. 16 depicts a side view illustrating a step during mounting of a gladhand lock to a gladhanger;
[0080] FIG. 17 depicts a bottom perspective view illustrating a step during mounting of a gladhand lock to a gladhanger;
[0081] FIG. 18 depicts a bottom perspective view illustrating a step during mounting of a gladhand lock to a gladhanger;
[0082] FIG. 19 depicts a front perspective view illustrating a step during mounting of a gladhand lock to a gladhanger;
[0083] FIG. 20 depicts a flow diagram illustrating steps in using a gladhanger;
[0084] FIG. 21 depicts a perspective view of a common form of a glad hand on a trailer;
[0085] FIG. 22 depicts a perspective view of a common glad hand with a glad hand lock locked on the glad hand;
[0086] FIG. 23 depicts a top perspective view of a common glad hand lock in a locked mode;
[0087] FIG. 24 depicts a bottom perspective view of the common glad hand lock of FIG. 23 in a locked mode;
[0088] FIG. 25 depicts a top perspective view of the common glad hand lock of FIG. 23 in an unlocked mode;
[0089] FIG. 26 depicts a bottom perspective view of the common glad hand lock of FIG. 23 in an unlocked mode;
[0090] FIG. 27 depicts a front perspective view of a gladhanger mounted to a dock door;
[0091] FIG. 28 depicts a front perspective view of the glad hand lock of FIG. 27 in a storage configuration on a gladhanger;
[0092] FIG. 29 depicts a side perspective view of a glad hand lock in a storage configuration on a gladhanger that is mounted to a post.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0093] Select embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures. Like numerals indicate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views and wherein various embodiments are separated by letters (i.e. 100, 100B, 100C). The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive way, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include several novel features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to practicing the invention described herein.
[0094] Disclosed herein are various forms of glad hand lock hangers, which again can be alternatively referred to as a gladhanger 100. The gladhanger is utilized for securing a glad hand lock 60 to an anchor 104 in a storage mode near the dock, near the parking site of trailers, or other convenient location where it will be used when needed to secure a trailer having an air braking system.
[0095] In one embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, a gladhanger 100 is a one-piece monolithic device typically injected, casted or welded from an assembly of plates. In some forms the gladhanger is made of a polymer, a metal, or a metal alloy. The word ‘leg’ my be substituted herein wherever the word ‘plate’ is used such when describing the embodiments in FIGS. 6-9. The gladhanger can include a coating such as a powder coating. In alternative forms, the gladhanger is a multi-part device whereby individual plates are secured in an assembly form using fasteners or welds. In this case, the fastener heads are preferably accessed from a side of the gladhanger hidden from view or otherwise mounted against a wall.
[0096] FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of a gladhanger 100. This embodiment comprises a back plate 108 operable to be secured to an anchor 104 (FIG. 6) such as a wall, a door, a post, a frame of a doorway, or other suitable object. The back plate 108 comprises a front face 110 that is typically directed towards a user when the gladhanger is mounted on the anchor. Opposite the front face is a rear face 112 that typically faces the anchor. Although flat is preferable for the various gladhanger faces, they can assume other contours and not interfere with the function of the bracket. In this embodiment, the front face 110 and rear face 112 are substantially parallel to each other. In alternative embodiments for example, rear face 112 can be concave for enhanced mounting to a round post.
[0097] In preferred embodiments, the back plate 108 comprises one or more mounting holes 116 extending between the front face 110 and rear face 112. In some embodiments, one or more of the mounting holes 116 is hidden when a glad hand lock 60 is secured in place on the gladhanger thereby preventing removal of the fastener until the glad hand lock is removed. In this embodiment, the mounting holes 116 are substantially horizontally aligned, however other mounting hole placements can be utilized such as vertical so as to tie into a vertical stud supporting a wall. In some embodiments, the mounting hole can include a recess for counter sinking a fastener head. Fasteners 117 (FIGS. 15-19), such as threaded bolts having a fastener head 118 can be used to secure to an anchor 104. In some cases, nuts will be used to secure the fasteners to a non-threaded anchor. Traditional slotted heads are illustrated here, however other heads can be utilized such as those fasteners having tamper proof heads. A peripheral face 114 extends between the front face 110 and rear face 112 of the back plate 108 and in preferred forms the back plate is substantially hexagonal but can assume a variety of other shapes and forms. In alternative forms, for example, the back plate can be a substantially elongate rectangle standing vertical.
[0098] As further illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the gladhanger 100 comprises a front plate 120 spaced frontally from the back plate 108. In this embodiment, the front plate is substantially parallel to the back plate but in other embodiments is non-parallel. The front plate 120 comprises a frontal facing frontal surface 122 and a rear facing rear surface 124. Opposed side faces 134 extend between the frontal surface and the rear surface on the lateral sides of the front plate 120. A first frontal inset 125 and a second frontal inset 127 can be present as further steps inward from the opposed side faces. A top end 126 of the front plate 120 is formed where a lead face 123 extends between the frontal surface 122, rear surface 124, and opposed side surfaces 134. One or more edges at these intersections can be tapered 111 for eased loading of a glad hand lock on to the gladhanger. In preferred forms, top end 126 of the front plate has a size and profile for sliding fit into the lock slot 72 of a glad hand lock 60. The profile illustrated here is generally rectangular, however other profiles can be utilized. The assigned descriptions such as ‘top’, ‘side’, and ‘bottom’ represent a standard mounting of the gladhanger to an anchor such as illustrated in FIG. 10. It is recognized that the gladhanger can function when mounted in other orientations on an anchor such as sideways or upside down. It is also recognized that the front plate can assume a variety of other shapes and forms yet remain functional for locking a glad hand lock to it.
[0099] A spacer arm 128 extends between the front face 110 of back plate 108 and the rear surface 124 of front plate 120 whereas the back plate and the front plate are spaced a distance ‘G’ sufficient for free passage of the trap leg 66 (FIG. 23) of a glad hand lock. In preferred embodiments, distance ‘G’ ranges from 0.375 inch to 0.625 inch but can assume other ranges.
[0100] In this embodiment, the spacer arm 128 comprises an upper face 130 facing upwards and a lower face 132 facing downwards. The spacer arm 128 also comprises laterally facing opposed side faces 134. Typically, the opposed side faces are substantially parallel to each other while the upper face 130 and opposed side faces 134 are substantially perpendicular although other orientations can be used.
[0101] In this embodiment, inset into the lower face 132 is a lock face 136 defining lock channel 138 that opens to frontal surface 122. The lock channel houses the plunger bar 84 of a glad hand lock 60 that is mated to it (FIG. 18). Lock channel 138 in preferred embodiments has a semi-cylindrical profile although in other embodiments can assume other profiles. The lock channel comprises an elongate axis ‘A’ which in this embodiment is substantially perpendicular to back plate 108 and whereas one end of the lock channel opens to frontal surface 122. In some embodiments the lock channel is absent whereby lower face 132 is utilized as a blocking surface when the hanger lock assembly 102 is in a storage configuration (i.e. on gladhanger with plunger bar deployed).
[0102] FIGS. 6-9 depicts a preferred embodiment of a gladhanger including many of the same features highlighted in FIGS. 1-5 as represented by the like reference numbers. In this embodiment, a logo is inset in front face 110B and in a top facing peripheral face 114B. This embodiment also includes a window face 146B extending between the front face 110B and rear face 112B of back plate 108B that defines a generally square back plate window 144B aligned behind front plate 120B. In this embodiment, the back plate window is relatively enlarged by approximately 0.25 inch on 3 sides compared to back plate 108B. This embodiment also includes a pair of parallel spaced down grooves 148B extending between the rear face 112B and frontal surface 122B. The down grooves 148B run generally parallel to and are spaced on each side of axis A. In this embodiment, the down grooves have a flattened cone shape.
[0103] Illustrated in FIGS. 10-14 is yet another embodiment of a hanger lock assembly 102C including a gladhanger 100C having an optional protective shield 150C to shield a glad hand lock 60C supported on the gladhanger 100C from outdoor elements. In this embodiment, the shield is substantially box shaped with one or more relief edges 182C. The protective shield 150C comprises a superior wall 152C, a near wall 158C, a first lateral wall 164C, and a second lateral wall 166C. The superior wall 152C comprises an inner superior face 154C facing downward and an outer superior face 156C facing upwards. The near wall 158C comprises an inner near face160C facing the back plate and a front facing outer near face 162C. The first lateral wall 164C and the second lateral wall 166C each comprise an inner lateral face 168C facing the front plate 120C and an opposed outer lateral face 170C facing away from the front plate. An abutment face 172C extends between the inner lateral faces 168C and outer lateral faces 170C that abuts the front face 110C of the back plate when the protective shield is fully closed. A down face 174C facing downwards extends between the inner lateral faces 168C and outer lateral faces 170C.
[0104] Further noted in FIGS. 11-14 is a shield hinge 176C having a first leaf 178C and a second leaf 180C. The first leaf 178C is fixed to the back plate 108C and the second leaf 180C is fixed to the superior wall 152C. Fasteners can be used for securing the shield hinge to the protective shield as well as for securing to the back plate. Alternatively, bonding agents can be used for this purpose. In preferred forms, the protective shield is manufactured from a translucent polymer as is the shield hinge to provide a view to the gladhanger lock even when the protective shield is closed. These components can also be manufactured from metals, alloys, and a variety of polymers. The inner lateral faces, the inner superior face, the inner near face, and the front face of the back plate define a protection cavity 184C within the protective shield 150C to shield a glad hand lock 60C from outside elements.
[0105] FIG. 23-26 provide an example of a glad hand lock 60 as might be encountered in the prior art. Prior art examples include: AIRGAS-AS1KDD479, UNITED PACIFIC-UP190618, MYTEE PTORDUCT-MP-ABGHL-M, TECTRAN, VELMAC-035150, JENDYK-6300, AUTOMANN-179.1, and ZORO-5ZVP3. Glad hand lock 60 comprises a L-shaped body portion 62 whereby the shorter leg of the ‘L’ is referred to as the trap arm 64 and the longer leg of the ‘L’ is referred to as the lock arm 76. The trap arm 64 comprises a first extension leg 68 and a second extension leg 70 extending from the lock arm 76 and terminating at outer trap surface 67. A trap leg 66 extends between the first extension leg 68 and second extension leg 70 to define lock slot 72 which extends between top face 83 facing the top and first interior face 78 facing the inside of the 1′ on the trap arm 64. Mate surfaces 74 define the profile of lock slot 72.
[0106] Second interior face 80 also faces the inside of the 1′ and is located on lock arm 76 with exterior face 82 opposed on the opposite side of the lock arm 76. The long leg of ‘L’ shaped body portion 62 terminates at flange head 94 at the end of mating flange 92. The mating flange 92 is bounded on two sides by flange sides 96 which expand to first lateral side 98 and opposed second lateral side 97.
[0107] Extending through the body portion 62 between second exterior face 81 (if present) and exterior face 82 to second interior face 80 is plunger aperture 86 operable for housing with sliding fit plunger bar 84. Controlled by a key operable in key slot 90, of lock mechanism 88, plunger bar 84 extends beyond second interior face 80 in a storage configuration (FIGS. 23-24) and retracts into plunger aperture 86 in a released configuration (FIGS. 25-26).
[0108] FIG. 21 illustrates a glad hand service line 40 as might be commonly found on the front of a semi-trailer 50 for control of the trailer's air braking system. An air port 43 in the glad hand service line 40 provides for the transfer of compressed air utilizing seal 42 to minimize leakage. Service line mating flange 46 and flange head coupler 48 are utilized to couple with a truck's air brake supply lines. When the air brake supply lines are removed, a glad hand lock 60 is coupled with the glad hand service line 40 by capturing mating flange 92 in flange head coupler 48 and capturing service line mating flange 46 in lock slot 72. At this point plunger bar 84 is deployed thereby preventing removal of the glad hand lock 60.
[0109] FIGS. 15-19 along with the flow chart of FIG. 20 illustrate the method of utilizing a gladhanger 100 for storage of a glad hand lock 60 during transition from a released configuration (released from a gladhanger) to a stored configuration (locked on a gladhanger). An initial step includes obtaining a gladhanger 100, 100B, 100C such as described herein and a gladhand (200). Securing the gladhanger to an anchor (201) such as illustrated in FIG. 15. Here a gladhanger 100 with a back plate 108 is secured through mounting holes to an anchor 104 utilizing one or more threaded fasteners 117. Other examples of anchors include a post/pole, a wall, a metal rail, or a dock under a dock door pad. A glad hand lock 60 is then brought near the gladhanger 100 (202) and the protective shield is lifted if present (210). The top end 126 of front plate 120 is then aligned with lock slot 72 (202) of glad hand lock 60 as illustrated in FIG. 16 and lowered (204) such that front plate 120 passes into lock slot 72 and first interior face 78 of the glad hand lock and upper face 130 of the gladhanger 100 abut as illustrated in FIG. 17 (206). As noted in FIG. 4, gladhanger 100 comprises a top end 126 that has a profile substantially defined by a width ‘W’, a thickness ‘T’, and a height ‘H’. In preferred forms, W=1.625 inch with a range of +/−0.3 inch, T=0.625 with a range of +/−0.2 inch, and H=1.5 to 1.750 inch for passage through lock slot 72. In addition, lock gap 140, G=0.500 inch with a range of +/−0.2 inch in preferred forms. Although these represent preferred ranges, this disclosure is not limited to these values although embodiments in these ranges provide good fit that reduces theft of glad hand locks.
[0110] In a next step, plunger bar 84 is deployed into lock channel 138 (208) by a hand force on lock mechanism 88 and/or activation of a key 142 (FIG. 18). At this point, the glad hand lock 60 is secured in place on gladhanger 100 forming hanger lock assembly 102 on anchor 104. The protective shield can then be lowered if present (212). A reversal of these steps can be used to transition back from a stored configuration (locked on gladhanger), to a released configuration (released from gladhanger). Additional steps are utilized when the hanger lock assembly 102C includes a protective shield 150C. Mounting a glad hand lock 60C to a gladhanger 100C comprises lifting (pivoting) the protective shield 150C about the shield hinge 176C to provide open access to the front plate 120C as illustrated in FIG. 14. The protective shield is prevented from fully closing (FIG. 13) unless the lock mechanism of the glad hand lock is fully engaged in a storage configuration (FIGS. 11-12). This serves as a reminder to the user that the glad hand lock still needs to be locked on the gladhanger.
[0111] FIGS. 27-29 illustrate field use of the gladhanger. FIG. 27 illustrates a gladhanger 100B mounted with fasteners to an anchor 104B in the form of a steel rail on building. FIG. 28 illustrates a glad hand lock 60 in a storage configuration secured to gladhanger 100B using fasteners. FIG. 29 illustrates a glad hand lock 60 in a storage configuration mounted to a gladhanger 100B that is secured to an anchor 104B in the form of a pole.
[0112] It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” and “generally” may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.
[0113] The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards, thus the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the invention.
