U.S. patent application number 11/105468 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-29 for pivot pins for a slack adjuster in a braking system and method of greasing the pins.
Invention is credited to Painchaud, Daniel.
Application Number | 20050211506 11/105468 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34596847 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050211506 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Painchaud, Daniel |
September 29, 2005 |
Pivot pins for a slack adjuster in a braking system and method of
greasing the pins
Abstract
A kit of parts to prevent seizing of yoke and link pins of slack
adjusters in the braking system of highway tractors includes a
replacement yoke pin and a replacement link pin. Both the
replacement pins have a hexagonal head for gripping with a suitable
wrench or socket tool to rotate the pins. The replacement yoke pin
also includes a longitudinal bore which communicates between an
outer surface of the shaft of the pin and a nipple at the head to
introduce grease to the outer surface of the shaft of the pin. The
combination of the longitudinal bore to introduce the grease and
the hexagonal head for rotating the pin permits the grease to be
thoroughly dispensed about the pin and thereby prevent seizing.
Inventors: |
Painchaud, Daniel;
(Albertville, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ryan W. Dupuis
Ade & Company
1700-360 Main Street
Winnipeg
MB
R3C 3Z3
CA
|
Family ID: |
34596847 |
Appl. No.: |
11/105468 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
184/104.1 ;
16/221 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16D 2055/0062 20130101;
F16D 65/28 20130101; Y10T 16/52 20150115; F16D 65/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
184/104.1 ;
016/221 |
International
Class: |
F01M 005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 27, 2003 |
CA |
2,451,273 |
Claims
1. A greasable pivot pin comprising: an elongate shaft having a
smooth cylindrical outer surface; a head mounted at one end of the
shaft which is hexagonal in cross section and which is larger in
diameter than the shaft; a transverse aperture extending through
the shaft at an opposite end from the head for receiving a locking
pin therethrough; a longitudinal bore extending through the shaft
in a longitudinal direction thereof; at least one transverse bore
communicating between the longitudinal bore and the outer surface
of the bore; and a nipple supported on the head for communication
with the longitudinal bore to introduce grease into the transverse
bore at the outer surface of the shaft through the longitudinal
bore.
2. The pivot pin according to claim 1 wherein the shaft has a
diameter of 1/2 an inch.
3. The pivot pin according to claim 1 wherein the head has a
diameter of {fraction (9/16)}.sup.th of an inch.
4. The pivot pin according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a
pair of the transverse bores diametrically opposed from one another
midway between the head and the transverse aperture.
5. A kit of parts for use on a slack adjuster of a braking system
of a highway tractor; the kit of parts a yoke pin and a link pin,
the yoke pin comprising: an elongate shaft having a smooth
cylindrical outer surface; a head mounted at one end of the shaft
which is hexagonal in cross section and which is larger in diameter
than the shaft; a transverse aperture extending through the shaft
at an opposite end from the head for receiving a locking pin
therethrough; a longitudinal bore extending through the shaft in a
longitudinal direction thereof; at least one transverse bore
communicating between the longitudinal bore and the outer surface
of the bore; and a nipple supported on the head for communication
with the longitudinal bore to introduce grease into the transverse
bore at the outer surface of the shaft through the longitudinal
bore; the link pin comprising an elongate shaft having a smooth
cylindrical outer surface; a head mounted at one end of the shaft
which is hexagonal in cross section and which is larger in diameter
than the shaft; and a transverse aperture extending through the
shaft at an opposite end from the head for receiving a locking pin
therethrough.
6. The kit of parts according to claim 5 wherein the shaft of the
yoke pin has a diameter of 1/2 an inch and the shaft of the link
pin has a diameter of 1/4 of an inch.
7. The kit of parts according to claim 5 wherein the head of both
the yoke pin and the link pin have a diameter of {fraction
(9/16)}.sup.th of an inch.
8. The kit of parts according to claim 5 wherein there is provided
a pair of the transverse bores diametrically opposed from one
another midway between the head and the transverse aperture of the
yoke pin.
9. A method of greasing a yoke pin in a slack adjuster, the method
comprising: providing a yoke pin comprising: an elongate shaft
having a smooth cylindrical outer surface; a head mounted at one
end of the shaft which is hexagonal in cross section and which is
larger in diameter than the shaft; a transverse aperture extending
through the shaft at an opposite end from the head for receiving a
locking pin therethrough; a longitudinal bore extending through the
shaft in a longitudinal direction thereof; at least one transverse
bore communicating between the longitudinal bore and the outer
surface of the bore; and a nipple supported on the head for
communication with the longitudinal bore to introduce grease into
the transverse bore at the outer surface of the shaft through the
longitudinal bore; inserting grease into the nipple; gripping the
head with a suitable wrench-like tool; rotating the yoke pin about
a longitudinal axis thereof.
10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the shaft has a
diameter of 1/2 an inch.
11. The method according to claim 9 wherein the head has a diameter
of {fraction (9/16)}.sup.th of an inch.
12. The method according to claim 9 wherein there is provided a
pair of the transverse bores diametrically opposed from one another
midway between the head and the transverse aperture.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a kit of parts and method
of use thereof for greasing the pivot pins on a braking system
slack adjuster.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Highway tractors for towing trailers typically include a
slack adjuster in the braking system which multiples and transforms
the linear force of the air actuator of the braking system into a
rotation force or torque which is used to apply the foundation
brake. The slack adjuster provides adjustment of clearance between
the brake lining and drum to compensate for wear. The slack
adjusters include pivoting mounting locations which are typically
exposed to the elements adjacent wheels of the vehicle so as to
suffer from corrosion and the like in use. Such corrosion is known
to cause seizure of the pivoting mounts of the slack adjuster to
cause potential malfunctions of the braking system. U.S. Pat. No.
6,135,242 describes components of a related braking system in which
yoke pins of the slack adjusters include bores which permit grease
to be introduced into the pivot joint to assist in deterring
corrosion, however the pins have a round head which is difficult to
grip when the pins become seized and no means are provided for
spreading the grease throughout the joint of the pivot pin.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to one aspect of the present invention there is
provided a greasable pivot pin comprising:
[0004] an elongate shaft having a smooth cylindrical outer
surface;
[0005] a head mounted at one end of the shaft which is hexagonal in
cross section and which is larger in diameter than the shaft;
[0006] a transverse aperture extending through the shaft at an
opposite end from the head for receiving a locking pin
therethrough;
[0007] a longitudinal bore extending through the shaft in a
longitudinal direction thereof;
[0008] at least one transverse bore communicating between the
longitudinal bore and the outer surface of the bore; and
[0009] a nipple supported on the head for communication with the
longitudinal bore to introduce grease into the transverse bore at
the outer surface of the shaft through the longitudinal bore.
[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided a kit of parts for use on a slack adjuster of a braking
system of a highway tractor; the kit of parts a yoke pin and a link
pin, the yoke pin comprising:
[0011] an elongate shaft having a smooth cylindrical outer
surface;
[0012] a head mounted at one end of the shaft which is hexagonal in
cross section and which is larger in diameter than the shaft;
[0013] a transverse aperture extending through the shaft at an
opposite end from the head for receiving a locking pin
therethrough;
[0014] a longitudinal bore extending through the shaft in a
longitudinal direction thereof;
[0015] at least one transverse bore communicating between the
longitudinal bore and the outer surface of the bore; and
[0016] a nipple supported on the head for communication with the
longitudinal bore to introduce grease into the transverse bore at
the outer surface of the shaft through the longitudinal bore;
[0017] the link pin comprising an elongate shaft having a smooth
cylindrical outer surface;
[0018] a head mounted at one end of the shaft which is hexagonal in
cross section and which is larger in diameter than the shaft;
and
[0019] a transverse aperture extending through the shaft at an
opposite end from the head for receiving a locking pin
therethrough.
[0020] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method of greasing a yoke pin in a slack adjuster,
the method comprising:
[0021] providing a yoke pin comprising:
[0022] an elongate shaft having a smooth cylindrical outer
surface;
[0023] a head mounted at one end of the shaft which is hexagonal in
cross section and which is larger in diameter than the shaft;
[0024] a transverse aperture extending through the shaft at an
opposite end from the head for receiving a locking pin
therethrough;
[0025] a longitudinal bore extending through the shaft in a
longitudinal direction thereof;
[0026] at least one transverse bore communicating between the
longitudinal bore and the outer surface of the bore; and
[0027] a nipple supported on the head for communication with the
longitudinal bore to introduce grease into the transverse bore at
the outer surface of the shaft through the longitudinal bore;
[0028] inserting grease into the nipple;
[0029] gripping the head with a suitable wrench-like tool;
[0030] rotating the yoke pin about a longitudinal axis thereof.
[0031] The combination of a head of hexagonal cross section with a
bore to introduce grease to the outer surface of the shaft produces
the surprising benefit of permitting the grease introduced through
the bore to be spread thoroughly about the shaft of the pin by
gripping and rotating the pivot pin. Thoroughly spreading grease
introduced into the joint of the pivot pin is key to effectively
deterring corrosion and keeping the braking system in good order.
The pivot pin may be readily sold as a kit with a link pin having a
similar hexagonal head to also permit the link pin to be loosened
by gripping with a suitable wrench tool.
[0032] The shaft of the yoke pin preferably has a diameter of 1/2
an inch while the shaft of the link pin preferably has a diameter
of 1/4 of an inch.
[0033] The head of both the yoke pin and the link pin may have a
diameter of {fraction (9/16)} of an inch and a thickness of 1/4 of
an inch for gripping by conventional wrench like tools.
[0034] There may be provided a pair of the transverse bores
diametrically opposed from one another midway between the head and
the transverse aperture of the yoke pin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention:
[0036] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a slack adjuster.
[0037] FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the slack adjuster.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the yoke pin and link pin of
the kit of parts.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view of the yoke pin.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated
a kit of parts generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The kit
of parts includes a yoke pin 12 and a link pin 14 which are used on
a slack adjuster 16 of the braking system of typical large vehicles
including highway tractors for towing trailers and the like.
[0041] When the brakes of the vehicle are applied, the linear
travel of the brake actuator's push rod 18 causes the slack
adjuster to rotate the foundation brake cam shaft which in turn
begins to force the brake shoes into contact with the drum. When
the body 20 of the slack adjuster rotates, the yoke assembly 22
pivots on the yoke pin 12 causing the link 24 to be pulled upward.
The teeth on the link 24 mesh with the adjuster mechanism pinion
and as the link is pulled it travels first through its free play
then the pinion is rotated. Rotation of the pinion is transmitted
through the clutch to the worm and shaft which results in rotation
of the worm gear 26 which in turn adjusts or repositions the brake
cam shaft. When the foundation brake shoes contact the drum of the
brake system, the cam shaft begins to resist rotation and friction
between the worm gear and worm builds, preventing further rotation
of the worm. Brake adjustment ceases at this point and further
rotation of the body 20 will cause the pinion and clutch spring to
slip. The free play between the link teeth and the pinion results
in a predetermined lining to drum clearance.
[0042] The yoke pin 12 and the link pin 14 each include an
elongate, non-threaded shaft having a smooth cylindrical outer
surface 28. A head 30 is mounted at one end of the shaft which is
hexagonal in cross section and larger in diameter than the diameter
of the shaft.
[0043] The head 30 is supported at a head end 32 of the shaft
opposite a locking end 34 forming a transverse aperture 36 therein
for receiving a locking pin 38 to secure the pin in a mounted
position. The transverse aperture 36 extends diametrically across
the shaft perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction thereof for
receiving the locking pin 38 therethrough similarly to conventional
pin lock fasteners.
[0044] The heads 30 of both pins 12 and 14 are 1/2 inch thick to
match the common thickness of various wrench-like tools. The pins
are further arranged such that the heads have a similar diameter of
{fraction (9/16)} of an inch.
[0045] The yoke pin 12 is larger than the link pin and accordingly
includes a shaft which is 1/2 inch in diameter as opposed to the
shaft of the link pin which is only 1/4 of a inch in diameter.
[0046] The yoke pin further includes a longitudinal bore 40 which
extends from an open end at the head 30 to an internal end 42
terminating before the transverse aperture 36. A diametrical bore
44 lies perpendicular to the longitudinal bore in communication
therewith to define a pair of transverse bores which meet the outer
surface 28 of the shaft midway between respective ends of the
shaft. A nipple 46 is mounted at the head of the yoke pin in
communication with the longitudinal bore and accordingly the
diametrical bore 44 for introducing grease from the nipple to the
outer surface of the shaft.
[0047] In use the yoke pin and link pin of the kit replace the
corresponding yoke and link pins of a slack adjuster on a braking
system of a vehicle to assist in corrosion prevention thereof. For
greasing, grease is introduced into the nipple 46 to be injected
within the bore which the yoke pin is received. By gripping the
hexagonal head with a suitable wrench tool rotation of the yoke pin
about its respective longitudinal axis ensures that the grease is
thoroughly spread about the outer surface of the shaft of the yoke
pin. Gripping the hexagonal head of the link pin can be
accomplished with the same tool due to the similar dimensions to
the yoke pin such that rotation thereof acts to free corrosion and
debris which may have accumulated at the outer surface thereof.
[0048] In further arrangements the greasable yoke pin with the
hexagonal head may be provided by itself to produce advantageous
results of spreading grease in pivot joints of various hardware
requiring a pivot pin.
[0049] While one embodiment of the present invention has been
described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other
embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. The
invention is to be considered limited solely by the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *