Lock Pin Releasing Device for Truck Trailer Axles

摘要

Described is a release device for assisting in freeing lock pins that secure truck trailer axles or axle carriages. A gas spring or other form of stored energy is used to provide a lifting or biasing force against a release mechanism or handle associated with the lock pins. A piston and rod or shaft extend out a first end of a cylinder and within an outer cylinder when the device is actuated. A hook or arm is mounted to the outer cylinder or to a hook body affixed to the outer cylinder. A gripping foot is fixed to the second end of the cylinder. The gripping foot is placed against the frame of the trailer when in use. A release mechanism is coordinated with rotation of a knob on the opposite end of the outer cylinder.

主权项

1. A lock pin release device for assisting release of a trailer lock pin, the device comprising:
a biasing mechanism including (1) a cylinder having a longitudinal axis, a first end and an opposing second end; (2) a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder to divide the cylinder into a first chamber and a second chamber on opposite sides of the piston; and (3) 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; wherein the piston and shaft are movable between a retracted position in which at least a portion of the shaft is within the cylinder, and an extended position in which a portion of the shaft is extended out of the cylinder; a biasing means in the second chamber of the cylinder between the second end of the cylinder and the piston, the biasing means biasing the piston and shaft into the extended position; a foot mounted to the second end of the cylinder of the biasing mechanism, wherein the foot includes a flat face for bearing against a portion of a frame adjacent to the lock pin; a pipe mounted concentric to the biasing mechanism, and wherein the pipe includes a first end proximate to the first end of the cylinder and distal end of the shaft, and wherein the pipe further includes a second end proximate to the second end of the cylinder, and wherein the pipe includes a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the biasing mechanism; a release mechanism proximate to the first end of the pipe for releasing the biasing mechanism when the biasing mechanism is in the retracted position; and an engaging member mounted to the pipe proximate to the second end of the pipe, and wherein the engaging member projects outwardly from the pipe in a generally radial direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pipe, the engaging member configured for releasably engaging with a portion of a lock pin mechanism, whereby, when the biasing mechanism is released, the device provides a biasing force to the lock pin mechanism to facilitate release of the lock pin from the frame, the cylinder extending exteriorly from the first end of the pipe as the biasing mechanism extends the shaft from the cylinder within the interior of the first end of the pipe.