Device and method for unfreezing frozen brake lines of tractor trailers

摘要

A device is provided to facilitate introduction of a fluid agent (such as a deicing agent) into the air line of a trailer of a tractor trailer. The device comprises a canister defining an upwardly opening chamber, a lid removably securable to the canister to close the chamber, an inlet tube extending from the canister and having a connector at an end of the inlet tube, a valve in said inlet tube; and an outlet tube extending from the canister and having a connector at an end of the inlet tube. The outlet tube is shaped and sized such that the canister chamber can be filled with the liquid agent from the ground and without the need to climb on the chassis of the trailer tractor.

主权项

1. A portable device for delivering a fluid agent to the brake air lines and brake valves of a tractor trailer; the device being removably insertable in the air line of the tractor trailer and comprising:
a canister comprising a side wall and a bottom defining an upwardly opening chamber, wherein said bottom is flat such that said canister is self-supporting when placed on a level surface; a lid removably securable to the canister to close the chamber; the closure of the chamber being an air tight closure; a rigid inlet tube extending from the canister side wall and having an inlet connector at an end of the rigid inlet tube, the rigid inlet tube placing the inlet connector in fluid communication with the chamber via an opening in the side wall of the canister and distinct from the opening to the chamber; the inlet connector having an opening and being shaped and configured to be removably connected to a connector of an air supply hose of a trailer tractor; a valve positioned in the rigid inlet tube, the valve being selectively movable between a closed position in which said inlet tube connector is not in fluid communication with said chamber and an opened position in which said inlet tube connector is in fluid communication with said chamber; a rigid outlet tube extending from the canister side wall and having an outlet connector at an end of the rigid outlet tube, the rigid outlet tube placing the outlet connector in fluid communication with the chamber via an opening in the side wall and distinct from the opening to the chamber; the outlet connector having an opening and being shaped and configured to be removably connected to a connector of an air line of a trailer; wherein the opening to the chamber is substantially larger than the openings in the side wall and the connectors at the end of the inlet and outlet tubes; and the outlet tube being shaped such that an axis of the canister will be substantially vertical when the device is in use and connected to the trailer.