WO1994015804A1

WO1994015804A1 - Coupling arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO1994015804A1
Application number: PCT/GB1994/000071
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Haynes
Original assignee: Knight Lock Systems Limited
Priority date: 1993-01-15
Filing date: 1994-01-13
Publication date: 1994-07-21
Also published as: GB2289925B; AU5839094A; CA2153980A1; GB9514259D0; GB2289925A

Abstract

There is provided a coupling arrangement (10) for the air line of a truck. The coupling arrangement (10) has a first coupling member (11) and a second coupling member (12) which is readily attachable to and removable from the air line by way of a standard coupling formation (30). The two coupling members (11, 12) are attachable to each other by a bayonet fixing comprising pins (33)/grooves (20) and pegs (32)/slots (23). Removal of the second coupling member (12) renders the truck inoperational due to the break in the air line. The bayonet fixings will have a multitude of individual combinations to constitute a security feature.

Description

COUPLING ARRANGEMENT

This in ention relates to a coupling arrangement for a lorry/trailer combination or rigid trucks or indeed any vehicle incorporating brakes or other functions operated by a fluid such as air or hydraulic fluid. Lorry/trailer combinations incorporate universal couplings for air lines so that power can be supplied to trailer functions such as brakes from the lorry engine. The current standard fitting has a universal male fitting on the air line of the trailer and a universal female fitting on the air supply line, or "Red Line", of the lorry. When the trailer is attached to the lorry, the fittings are joined together thereby giving an air supply for the brakes of the trailer. However, the universal nature of the couplings means that a trailer can be towed away by any lorry regardless of whether permission has been given.

Similarly standard, fixed cab trucks incorporate air brakes and are susceptible to being driven away without permission.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a coupling arrangement for a lorry/trailer combination which arrangement comprises a first coupling member for attachment to an air line of the trailer and a second coupling member, one end of which can be releasably, sealingly connected to the first coupling member and the other end of which has a universal air line coupling for attachment to a cooperating air line coupling on a lorry, the first and second coupling members being provided with cooperating means whereby the first coupling member can only be connected to the second coupling member if the cooperating means on both coupling members are positioned and/or dimensioned so as to match thus providing a security feature.

According to a second aspect there is provided a coupling arrangement for a truck which arrangement comprises a first coupling member for attachment in an air line of a truck, a second coupling member, one end of which can be releasably, sealingly connected to the first coupling member and the other end of which can be releasably, sealingly connected to a third coupling member which in use is attached to said air line, the first and second coupling members being provided with cooperating means whereby the first coupling member can only be connected to the second coupling member if the cooperating means on the first and second coupling members are positioned and/or dimensioned so as to match.

In preferred arrangements the cooperating means interengage . Preferably the sealing connection between said first and second coupling members is effected by slidable motion relative to each other in a longitudinal direction and also said one end of the second coupling member is formed with projections at locations aligned with associated grooves in the first coupling member.

In one arrangement said one end comprises a pair of first coaxial spaced annular walls, the first inner annular wall defining a through hole, said projections projecting inwardly from the first outer annular wall. Ideally said projections are in the form of pins.

With a further preferred arrangement an 0 ring seal is seated in a groove on the external face of the first inner annular wall. Also said inner wall and 0 ring seal are received within a second inner annular wall of the first coupling member, the outer surface of which is formed with said associated grooves.

A preferred feature is that a second outer annular wall of the first coupling member is mounted coaxially with respect to the second inner annular wall and for rotation about the common longitudinal axis relative to the second inner annular wall, the first outer annular wall being removably received between the second inner and outer annular walls.

Conveniently a bayonet fit is provided between the two outer annular walls. In one arrangement a spring is disposed between the second inner and outer wa ls so as to urge the coupling members apart, the spring bias being overcome when connecting the two members using the bayonet fit. Preferably the bayonet fit comprises one or more pegs projecting outwardly from the outer annular wall of the second coupling member and receiving slots in the outer annular wall of the first coupling member.

In a further construction the receiving slots are L-shaped such that connected is effected by longitudinal movement followed by a rotational movement. The positions of the pegs/slots of the bayonet fit can be varied to give further security combinations. Also the depths of the L-shaped slots can be varied and abutment means provided in the coupling such that further security combinations are provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of attaching the coupling arrangements to vehicles.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail. The description makes reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view through a separated coupling arrangement according to the present invention,

Figure 2 is a front view of the left hand member of figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of the member shown in figure 2. Figure 4 is a rear view of the right hand member of figure 1.

In the figures there is shown a coupling arrangement 10 comprising first and second coupling members 11, 12. The first coupling member 11 is formed from three principal parts namely a female air seal 13, a main locking collar 14 and a second locking collar 15. The air seal has a central through bore 16 and an internal female thread 17 at one end for attaching the member 11 to the air line of a trailer. The other end of the air seal 13 is in the form of a generally annular wall 18 such that the bore 16 has an internal step 19. Formed in the outer surface of the annular wall 18 are two spaced, lengthwise extending grooves 20 or splines.

The locking collar 14 is fitted on the air seal 13 and generally abuts a shoulder 21 of the air seal 13. The locking collar provides an outer generally annular wall 22 which is coaxial with and spaced from annular wall 18. At the free end of the annular wall 22 open two generally L-shaped, oppositely disposed, locking slots 23.

The locking collar 14 is held against lengthwise movement relative to the air seal 13 by the second locking collar 15 which is secured to the air seal 13 by means of a grub screw 24. It will be apparent that the locking collar 14 is free to rotate about lengthwise axis relative to the air seal 13.

In addition a coil spring 25 is located in the annular space between the annular walls 18, 22.

The second coupling member 12 has a main member 26 which has at one end a male air seal 27 incorporating an O-ring 28 seated in an annular groove in annular wall portion 29. At the other end of main member 26 is a coupling formation 30 which is of standard shape and is conventionally permanently connected to the air line of the trailer such that it can be readily coupled to the female coupling formation on a standard lorry.

Attached to the main member 26 is an annular sleeve 31 which is spaced from the annular wall portion 29. Attachment is by means of two pegs 32 which are an interference fit in holes formed in the sleeve 31 and the main member 26. The pegs 32 are driven forcibly into the holes and their free ends stand proud of the annular sleeve 31.

Also two pins 33 project inwards from the sleeve 31. The angular spacing of the two pins 33 is the same as the angular spacing between the two grooves 20 in the annular wall 18 of the first coupling member 11.

In order for a lorry to be coupled to a trailer for towing purposes it is always necessary to connect the "Red Line" or emergency air supply line of the trailer to the "Red Line" or emergency air supply line of the lorry. This serves to release the brakes on the trailer. Because of the universal coupling, any lorry can be used to pull any trailer at any time without permission having been given.

With the above described arrangement the second coupling member 12 is removed entirely when the trailer is left unused. To render the trailer usable the correct second coupling member 12 has to be attached to the first coupling member so as to provide the correct coupling for the red line of the lorry.

In operation, therefore, the two coupling members 11, 12 are brought together in the manner of figure 1 such that the sleeve 31 enters the annular space between the annular walls 18, 22 of the first coupling member. It is then necessary for the pins 33 to be aligned with the groove 20 in the wall 18 of the first coupling member 11. When alignment occurs the coupling members can be brought further together such that the annular wall portion 29 complete with O-ring 28 sealingly engage the bore 16 of female air seal 13. At the same time the end of the sleeve 31 engages and compresses the spring 25. The locking collar 14 can be rotated relative to the female air seal 13/main member 26/annular sleeve 31 combination such that pegs 32 become aligned with the L-shaped slots 23. Further compression of the spring 25 together with rotation of the locking collar 14 and then subsequent release ensures that the pegs 32 are located in recessed seats 34 provided in the slots 23. Accidental rotational action applied to locking collar 14 cannot effect disconnection unless a compression movement is conducted at the same time.

The standard coupling 30 can then be attached in the normal way to the female coupling on the lorry. The exact form of the standard coupling 30 will, however, vary from country to country. That shown in figure 1 is simply an example.

It will be appreciated that the coupling arrangement can also be used on articulated or rigid vehicles which also use air brakes and the coupling arrangement can be readily adapted. Such vehicles incorporate an air compressor supplying air tanks via a four-way protection valve or non-return valve. On these vehicles the coupling arrangement is fitted between the compressor and the four way protection valve or non-return valve as close to the valve as possible. The replacement pipework is then passed to a convenient point so that the driver can easily reach the coupling in order to fit or remove the second coupling member 12.

It is best if a site is chosen within the pipework that will cause a potential thief the most effort if an attempt is made to by-pass the coupling arrangement. If at all possible the joins into the pipework should be underneath or behind a fixed structure on the vehicle for example the battery box. The least amount possible of the original pipework should be left to the four way protection valve or nonrreturn valve so there will then be nothing for a thief to join a by-pass hose into.

It is best if reinforced hose is used to connect the coupling arrangement 10 so that it will splay if cut and cannot be readily used again. All fittings should be assembled with a good quality metal adhesive. A bracket should also be used to fix the first coupling member 11 to a convenient stable point on the vehicle.

In the same way as discussed above a second coupling member 12 is used to reconnect the air line for use. Also in the same way, the cab driver can immobilise his vehicle. I will be appreciated that the second coupling member acts as a key in some respects. If a different second coupling member 12 is used connection will not be possible because the pins 33 will not be correctly aligned with grooves 20. Clearly there are a huge amount of variations especially if more pins and grooves are used at various angular locations. Also the groove/pin width and length can vary.

It will also be clear that the peg/slot connection could also provide further combinations for further security. For example, the number, angular location, depth and thickness of the pegs/slots could be varied hugely. Also the depth of the slot could be varied as well as the relative lengths of the annular walls to create abutment surfaces. In addition the locations of the pins/grooves could be changed over such that the pins are on the female air seal 13 with the grooves in the annular sleeve 31. It would also be possible to provide a mixture. Further pins could be located on the outside of sleeve 31 for engagement in grooves in the inside of locking sleeve 14 and vice versa. Still further options, alternatives and combinations can be achieved by varying the length or width of annular wall 29 and cooperating step 19 and also the annular sleeve 31 and cooperating locking collar 14. Also the dimensions of the shoulder can be varied.

In the above description air lines have been discussed. However, it is feasible that other fluid power lines such as hydraulics could be made more secure in a similar manner. This may require lengthening of the thread 17 in order to accommodate the pipe swage fitting. The thread 17 could also be external in some uses and the locking collar 15 and grub screw 24 can be replaced by a circlip or other suitable means.

Claims

A coupling arrangement for a lorry/trailer combination which arrangement comprises a first coupling member for attachment to an air line of the trailer and a second coupling member, one end of which can be releasably, sealingly connected to the first coupling member and the other end of which has a universal air line coupling for attachment to a cooperating air line coupling on a lorry, the first and second coupling members being provided with cooperating means whereby the first coupling member can only be connected to the second coupling member if the cooperating means on both coupling members are positioned and/or dimensioned so as to match thus providing a security feature.

A coupling arrangement for a truck which arrangement comprises a first coupling member for attachment in an air line of a truck, a second coupling member, one end of which can be releasably, sealingly connected to the first coupling member and the other end of which can be releasably, sealingly connected to a third coupling member which in use is attached to said air line, the first and second coupling members being provided with cooperating means whereby the first coupling member can only be connected to the second coupling member if the cooperating means on the first and second coupling members are positioned and/or dimensioned so as to match.

A coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the cooperating means interengage .

4. A coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the sealing connection between said first and second coupling members is effected by slidable motion relative to each other in a longitudinal direction.

5. A coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 4 wherein said one end of the second coupling member is formed with projections at locations aligned with associated grooves in the first coupling member.

6. A coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 5 wherein said one end comprises a pair of first coaxial spaced annular walls, the first inner annular wall defining a through hole, said projections projecting inwardly from the first outer annular wall.

7. A coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 6 wherein said projections are in the form of pins.

8. A coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein an 0 ring seal is seated in a groove on the external face of the first inner annular wall.

9. A coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein said inner wall and 0 ring seal are received within a second inner annular wall of the first coupling member, the outer surface of which is formed with said associated grooves.

10. A coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 9 wherein a second outer annular wall of the first coupling member is mounted coaxially with respect to the second inner annular wall and for rotation about the common longitudinal axis relative to the second inner annular wall, the first outer annular wall being removably received between the second inner and outer annular walls.

11. A coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 10 wherein a bayonet fit is provided between the two outer annular walls.

12. A coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 11 wherein a spring is disposed between the second inner and outer walls so as to urge the coupling members apart, the spring bias being overcome when connecting the two members using the bayonet fit.

13. A coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 12 wherein the bayonet fit comprises one or more pegs projecting outwardly from the outer annular wall of the second coupling member and receiving slots in the outer annular wall of the first coupling member.

14. A coupling arrangement as claimed in claim 13 wherein the receiving slots are L-shaped such that connected is effected by longitudinal movement followed by a rotational movement.