BRAKING CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A TRAILER

Abstract

A braking control system for a trailer includes a braking system on a semi-trailer with the brake application handle located at the inside rear of the trailer. The handle has a locking member so that personnel loading the trailer are able to apply and lock the brakes on the trailer, and only the person(s) holding the key are able to release the brakes. The system prevents the trailer from moving away from the dock plate and having the dock plate fall through the space between the moved trailer and the dock, injuring personnel and/or damaging equipment.

Claims

1. A braking control system for a trailer, comprising: an input air supply line; an output air supply line; and a valve mechanism comprising: an elongated main chamber body including: an input aperture through one end thereof adapted to releasably connect with said input air supply line and adapted to allow air to pass into said main chamber body; an output aperture through an opposite end thereof adapted to releasably connect with said output air supply line and adapted to allow air to pass out from said main chamber body; an air passageway there through along a length thereof and connected between said input and output apertures and adapted to selectively allow air to pass there through; a valve handle aperture through an upper portion thereof and located in a middle section thereof and connected to said air passageway; and an air exhaust aperture through a lower portion thereof and located in a middle section thereof, is in axial alignment with said valve handle aperture, is connected to said air passageway, and is adapted to allow air to pass outwardly from said main chamber body; a valve member; wherein said valve member is located within said air passageway of said main chamber body in between said valve handle aperture and said air exhaust aperture and adapted to move between an open position allowing air to pass through said air passageway and out through said output aperture and a closed position blocking air from pass through said air passageway and out through said output aperture and redirecting said air through said air exhaust aperture; a valve handle; wherein said valve handle is connected to said valve handle aperture, extends there through, and is mechanically connected to said valve member, such that said valve handle can be manipulated by hand and is adapted to move said valve member into said open and closed positions; wherein said braking control system is adapted to be connected between a compressed air supply and a braking system of a trailer to thereby enable and disable said braking system by hand via compressed air.

2. The braking control system of claim 1, wherein further comprising a locking member securely attached to on outer surface of said main chamber body adjacent said valve handle and includes a lock aperture there through; and wherein said valve handle includes a lock aperture there through; and a lock member adapted to pass through the lock apertures of said locking member and said valve handle to thereby lock said valve handle in a closed position.

3. The braking control system of claim 1, wherein said elongated main chamber body is approximately 10 inches in length, 8 inches in height, and 1½ inches in depth.

4. The braking control system of claim 1, wherein an interior hollow volume of said main chamber body is formed having a cylindrical shape.

5. The braking control system of claim 1, wherein said input air supply line and said output air supply line are formed as 300 psi air-lines.

6. The braking control system of claim 1, wherein said releasably connections between respective said input air supply line and said output air supply line and said input and output apertures of said main chamber body are formed by elbow joint members.

7. The braking control system of claim 6, wherein said elbow joint members are formed from brass.

8. The braking control system of claim 1, wherein said main chamber body formed from a material chosen from a group of materials consisting of brass, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and ceramic.

9. A combination of a trailer and a braking control system for said trailer, said combination comprising: a trailer including: a main frame; a compressed air source; wherein said compressed air source is connected to said main frame at least one axle member; wherein said at least one axle member is attached to said main frame; a plurality of wheel assemblies; wherein said plurality of wheel assemblies are respectively rotatably attached to opposite ends of each of said at least one axle member; and a plurality of brake assemblies; wherein said plurality of brake assemblies are respectively mechanically connected to said opposite ends of each of said at least one axle member and are adapted to releasably and frictionally engage each respective said plurality of wheel assemblies to thereby stop and prevent rotation of said plurality of wheel assemblies; and wherein each of said plurality of brake assemblies includes an air supply aperture and an air supply line receiver member adapted to releasably connect with an output air supply line of a braking control system and allow compressed air to pass there through and control said plurality of brake assemblies; and a braking control system comprising: an input air supply line; wherein said input air supply line is releasably connected to said compressed air source; an output air supply line; wherein said output air supply line is releasably connected to each of said plurality of brake assemblies; and a valve mechanism comprising: an elongated main chamber body including: an input aperture through one end thereof adapted to releasably connect with said input air supply line and adapted to allow air to pass into said main chamber body; an output aperture through an opposite end thereof adapted to releasably connect with said output air supply line and adapted to allow air to pass out from said main chamber body; an air passageway there through along a length thereof and connected between said input and output apertures and adapted to selectively allow air to pass there through; a valve handle aperture through an upper portion thereof and located in a middle section thereof and connected to said air passageway; and an air exhaust aperture through a lower portion thereof and located in a middle section thereof, is in axial alignment with said valve handle aperture, is connected to said air passageway, and is adapted to allow air to pass outwardly from said main chamber body; a valve member; wherein said valve member is located within said air passageway of said main chamber body in between said valve handle aperture and said air exhaust aperture and adapted to move between an open position allowing air to pass through said air passageway and out through said output aperture and a closed position blocking air from pass through said air passageway and out through said output aperture and redirecting said air through said air exhaust aperture; a valve handle; wherein said valve handle is connected to said valve handle aperture, extends there through, and is mechanically connected to said valve member, such that said valve handle can be manipulated by hand and is adapted to move said valve member into said open and closed positions; wherein said braking control system is adapted to enable and disable each said plurality of brake assemblies by hand via compressed air.

10. The braking control system of claim 9, wherein further comprising a locking member securely attached to on outer surface of said main chamber body adjacent said valve handle and includes a lock aperture there through; and wherein said valve handle includes a lock aperture there through; and a lock member adapted to pass through the lock apertures of said locking member and said valve handle to thereby lock said valve handle in a closed position.

11. The braking control system of claim 9, wherein said elongated main chamber body is approximately 10 inches in length, 8 inches in height, and 1½ inches in depth.

12. The braking control system of claim 9, wherein an interior hollow volume of said main chamber body is formed having a cylindrical shape.

13. The braking control system of claim 9, wherein said input air supply line and said output air supply line are formed as 300 psi air-lines.

14. The braking control system of claim 9, wherein said releasably connections between respective said input air supply line and said output air supply line and said input and output apertures of said main chamber body are formed by elbow joint members.

15. The braking control system of claim 14, wherein said elbow joint members are formed from brass.

16. The braking control system of claim 9, wherein said main chamber body formed from a material chosen from a group of materials consisting of brass, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and ceramic.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, braking control system for a trailer, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a braking control system for a trailer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a braking control system for a trailer according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a combination of a trailer and a braking control system for a trailer according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the combination of a trailer and a braking control system for a trailer according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0028] The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a braking system and more particularly to a braking control system for a trailer as used to improve the safety and convenience of loading trailers safely via a lockable valve attachment for use with air brakes on large trucks to provide a practical enhancement to air brake systems which would effectively close and lock the brake valve, preventing the valves from opening and the vehicle from moving, when the truck is parked and being loaded or unloaded.

[0030] Generally speaking, a braking control system for a trailer is a braking system on a semi trailer with the brake application handle located at the inside rear of the trailer. The handle has a locking member so that personnel loading the trailer are able to apply and lock the brakes on the trailer, and only the person(s) holding the key are able to release the brakes. The system prevents the trailer from moving away from the dock plate and having the dock plate fall through the space between the moved trailer and the dock, injuring personnel and/or damaging equipment.

[0031] In greater detail now, referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIG. 1, a perspective view illustrating braking control system for a trailer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Braking control system for a trailer 100 preferably comprises input air supply line 105, output air supply line 106, and valve mechanism 115 having an elongated main chamber body 116 that includes input aperture 117 through one end adapted to be releasably connected with input air supply line 105 and adapted to allow air to pass into main chamber body 116, output aperture 118 through opposite end thereof adapted to releasably connect with output air supply line 106 and adapted to allow air to pass out from main chamber body 116, an air passageway 120 therethrough along the length thereof and connected between input 117 and output apertures 118 and adapted to selectively allow air to pass therethrough, valve handle aperture 125 through an upper portion thereof located in middle section 126 thereof and connected to air passageway 120, and air exhaust aperture 130 through a lower portion thereof and located in middle section 126 thereof that is in axial alignment with valve handle aperture 125 and is connected to air passageway 120, and adapted to allow air to pass outwardly from main chamber body 116.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 2, is a diagram illustrating braking control system for a trailer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0034] Valve member 135 is located within air passageway 120 of main chamber body 116 in between valve handle aperture 125 and air exhaust aperture 130 that is adapted to move between the open position allowing air to pass through air passageway 120 and out through output aperture 118, and the closed position blocking air from passing through air passageway 120 and out through output aperture 118 and redirecting the air through air exhaust aperture 130. Valve handle 136 is connected to valve handle aperture 125 and extends therethrough and is mechanically connected to valve member 135 such that valve handle 136 can be manipulated by hand and is adapted to move valve member 135 into the open and closed positions. Braking control system for a trailer 100 is adapted to be connected between compressed air supply 140 and trailer braking system 102 to thereby enable and to disable trailer braking system 102 by hand via compressed air.

[0035] Locking member 145 is securely attached to the outer surface of main chamber body 116 adjacent to valve handle 136 that includes lock aperture 137 therethrough that is adapted to pass through lock aperture 137 of locking member 145 and valve handle 136 to thereby lock valve handle 136 in a closed position. The elongated main chamber body 116 is approximately 10 inches in length, 8 inches in height, and 1½ inches in depth and has an interior hollow volume having a cylindrical shape.

[0036] Input air supply line 105 and output air supply line 106 are preferably 300 psi rated air-lines. Releasable connections between respective input air supply line 105 and output air supply lines 106 and the input 117 and output apertures 118 of main chamber body 116 are formed by elbow joint members 122. Elbow joint members 122 may be formed from brass or from other suitable high strength materials. Main chamber body 116 is preferably formed from a material chosen from the group of materials consisting of brass, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and ceramic.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 3, is a perspective view illustrating combination of a trailer and a braking control system for said trailer 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0038] Combination of a trailer and a braking control system for said trailer 200 may have trailer 205 including main frame 206, compressed air source 207 connected to main frame 206, at least one axle member 208 attached to main frame 206, a plurality of wheel assembly(s) 209 that are respectively and rotatably attached to opposite ends of each of axle member(s) 208, and a plurality of brake assembly(s) 210 that are respectively and mechanically connected to the opposite ends of each of axle member(s) 208 and are adapted to releasably and frictionally engage each respective wheel assembly(s) 209 to thereby stop and prevent rotation of wheel assembly(s) 209. Each of brake assembly(s) 210 include air supply aperture 215 and air supply line receiver member 220 adapted to releasably connect with output air supply line 222 of braking control system 224 and allow compressed air to pass therethrough and control the plurality of brake assembly(s) 210.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 4, showing a diagram illustrating combination of a trailer and a braking control system for said trailer 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0040] Braking control system 224 preferably comprises input air supply line 226 releasably connected to compressed air source 207, output air supply line 222 releasably connected to each of brake assembly(s) 210, and valve mechanism 230 comprising main chamber body 235 including input aperture 236 through one end thereof adapted to releasably connect with input air supply line 226 and adapted to allow air to pass into main chamber body 235, output aperture 238 through an opposite end adapted to releasably connect with the output air supply line 222 and adapted to allow air to pass out from main chamber body 235, air passageway 240 therethrough along the length thereof and connected between input aperture 236 and output aperture 238 and adapted to selectively allow air to pass there through, valve handle aperture 242 through an upper portion thereof and located in the middle section and connected to air passageway 240, and air exhaust aperture 244 through a lower portion thereof and located in the middle section thereof in axial alignment with valve handle aperture 242 which is connected to air passageway 240 and adapted to allow air to pass outwardly from main chamber body 235.

[0041] Valve member 250 located within air passageway 240 of main chamber body 235 in between valve handle aperture 242 and air exhaust aperture 244 is adapted to move between an open position allowing air to pass through air passageway 240 and out through output aperture 238, and the closed position blocking air from passing through air passageway 240 and out through output aperture 238 and redirecting the air through air exhaust aperture 244.

[0042] Valve handle 252 connected to valve handle aperture 242 extends therethrough and is mechanically connected to valve member 250 such that valve handle 252 can be manipulated by hand and is adapted to move the valve member into the open and closed positions. Braking control system 224 is adapted to enable and disable each brake assembly(s) 210 by hand via compressed air.

[0043] Combination of a trailer and a braking control system for said trailer 200 further comprises locking member 255 securely attached onto the outer surface of main chamber body 235 adjacent valve handle 252 and includes lock aperture 256 therethrough. Valve handle 252 also includes lock aperture 256 therethrough and lock member 258 is adapted to pass through lock apertures 256 of locking member 255 and valve handle 252 to thereby lock valve handle 252 in the closed position. The elongated main chamber body 235 is approximately 10 inches in length, 8 inches in height, and 1½ inches in depth. Interior hollow volume 246 of main chamber body 235 is formed having a cylindrical shape. Input air supply line 226 and output air supply line 222 are preferably formed as 300 psi air-lines.

[0044] Releasable connections 265 between each respective input air supply line 226 and output air supply line 222, and input aperture 236 and output aperture 238 of main chamber body 235 may be formed with elbow joint members 266. Elbow joint members 266 may be formed from brass and main chamber body 235 is preferably formed from a material chosen from the group of materials consisting of brass, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and ceramic.

[0045] braking control system for a trailer 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.

[0046] Under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other material of construction such as, for example, different metals within the above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain components, including or excluding certain methods of use, etc., may be sufficient.

[0047] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.