Abstract: Control valve assemblies for regulating the parking/emergency spring brakes of a tractor trailer air brake system which include valve components for insuring that the spring brakes are not released until pressurization of the system's service reservoir is achieved and which components are operable to exhaust the spring brakes to atmosphere upon the failure of the supply pressures within the system to thereby automatically apply the spring brakes. In one embodiment, the valve components permit pressure to be supplied to release the spring brakes under circumstances when it is not possible to pressurize the service reservoir.

Abstract: A swivel gladhand for vehicle air brake systems which includes a continuously torsioned body portion which when not in use is automatically urged to a position wherein the outlet opening therein is seated against a stop member which seals the outlet opening therein and which also includes a selectively movable locking arm which is operable to cam the body portion against the stop member to thereby positively secure the body in sealed engagement with the stop member to prevent the loss of air pressure therethrough when the gladhand is not in use.

Abstract: An air brake control system for use in truck trailers having at each axle compressed-air brakes including spring brakes and service brakes, and each trailer being coupled to receive compressed air through an emergency (supply) gladhand and to receive service brake signals through a service (control) gladhand, the invention comprising an integrated brake valve system for each axle of each trailer, including a common valve housing; a spring brake valve cluster having a non-return check valve connected to receive and pass air pressure from the emergency gladhand and to deliver it directly to the spring brakes and an air pressure responsive shuttle operative to open the check valve whenever the emergency line pressure falls below a predetermined spring brake isolation pressure above which the spring brake holding pressure is not affected by fluctuations of the emergency gladhand pressure; and including an air tank supply valve cluster connected between the emergency gladhand and the tank and operative to sense pr

Abstract: A swivel coupling for terminating the end of a hose made of resilient material, the coupling having a tubular nipple with a barbed hose receiving portion at one end and a cylindrical end extending from the hose and having an O-ring seal extending therearound, and the coupling including a screw threaded fitting surrounding the cylindrical end of the nipple and sealed thereto by the O-ring and having an annular abutment adjacent to the hose, and the coupling further including an annular collar, separable into sectors in the form of shell portions which surround the hose and squeeze it against the barbed nipple, the collar having a grooved structure overlying the annular abutment of the screw fitting and retaining the fitting close to the hose while permitting it to swivel with respect to its axis, and the nipple having female wrench flats in its outer end and having external screw threads at its inner end beyond the barbed portion whereby the nipple can be screwed into the hose bore after the screw fitting and

Abstract: A slack adjuster assembly for coupling a brake shaft to a power actuator comprising a bushing member fixed to the brake shaft and having an annular flange therearound and having an annular bearing surface next to the flange which carries a series of teeth on a shoulder facing toward the bearing surface, a lever having a hub member journaled on the bearing surface and having a toothed shoulder interengaging with the teeth on the flange when the hub member is moved toward the shoulder, a spring urging the hub member toward the flange to keep the teeth normally engaged, and a pawl carried in one of said members and having lugs engageable with teeth of the opposite member to separate the teeth by compressing the spring and to advance the engagement of the teeth in a direction determined by the direction of rotation of the pawl.

Abstract: A swivel coupling for terminating the end of a hose made of resilient material, the coupling having a tubular nipple with a barbed end entering the hose and a cylindrical end extending from the hose and having an O-ring seal extending therearound, and the coupling including a screw threaded fitting surrounding the cylindrical end of the nipple and sealed thereto by the O-ring and having an annular abutment adjacent to the hose, and the coupling further including an annular collar, separable into sectors in the form of shell portions which surround the hose and squeeze it against the barbed nipple, the collar having a grooved structure overlying the annular abutment of the screw fitting and retaining the fitting close to the hose while permitting it to swivel with respect to its axis.

Abstract: Brake actuators are provided which use pistons for both auxiliary and service functions, the auxiliary piston being operative to compress a spring in response to fluid source pressure and the service piston being operative to develop throughout its movement a brake operating force which is uniformly proportionate to service fluid pressure. Two cup-shaped housing members have rim portions secured together. One of such cup-shaped members and a metal sleeve define cylindrical surfaces for co-action with the pistons, the metal sleeve being disposed within a resilient sleeve which is disposed at least partly within the other of the cup-shaped members. The service piston is located in front of the auxiliary piston and coacts with the cylindrical surface of the metal sleeve. A resilient boot is disposed between the service piston and a forward end wall, around an actuating rod having a rearward end in engagement with the service piston.

Abstract: A spring brake actuator including an advantgeously formed housing having a longitudinally extending cavity therein for retaining a bolt useful in releasing spring induced brake application, and apparaus for selectively communicating fluid from one side of a spring piston of the actuator to the other side of that piston through the cavity.