Apparatus and method for indicating parking brake non-engagement

摘要

A parking brake engagement indicator for a parking brake system on a commercial truck wherein an indicator bar is mounted on the truck and is moveable between a position of impediment between the driver's outside lower leg portion and the driver's side exit doorframe of the truck, to a second position of non-impediment. The indicator bar is connected to the parking brake system whereby the bar is manipulated by the brake system itself to the position of impediment when the parking brake is disengaged and the bar is manipulated by the brake system to the position of non-impediment when the parking brake is engage.

主权项

1. A device as a parking brake engagement indicator on a vehicle, the device comprising:
a motor assembly with a motor, said motor attached to a clutch shaft such that said motor can rotate said clutch shaft, said motor adapted to be mounted in the vehicle; a component plate, said component plate including a shaft hole to allow said clutch shaft to pass; a circuit board, said circuit board to provide operation of said device including said motor; an electronic receptacle, said electronic receptacle adapted to provide a connection between said circuit board and a parking brake of the vehicle and adapted to provide a connection between said circuit board and an operator's door of the vehicle; a limit switch cam mounted to said clutch shaft, said cam including a limit switch notch; a first switch attached to said component plate, said first switch connected to said circuit board, said first switch including a lever to engage said limit switch notch to stop rotation of said motor and said clutch shaft at a first predetermined point; a second switch attached to said component plate, said second switch connected to said circuit board, said second switch including a lever to engage said limit switch notch to stop rotation of said motor and said clutch shaft at a second predetermined point; a slip clutch, said slip clutch mounted to said clutch shaft; a bar shaft connected to said slip clutch, said bar shaft connected to said slip clutch such that if the motion of said bar shaft is impeded then said slip clutch will protect said motor by allowing said clutch shaft to slip; and a safety bar connected to said bar shaft, said connection of said safety bar to said bar shaft adapted within the vehicle to provide a blocking position to indicate to a driver of non-engagement of the parking brake of the vehicle and to provide an unblocking position to indicate to the driver of engagement of the parking brake of the vehicle, said safety bar connected such that said safety bar will travel between said first predetermined point for said blocking position and said second predetermined point for said unblocking position.