Speed Crank Projection Lock Device for Trailer Landing Gear Assembly

Abstract

A speed crank locking device automatically secures a hand crank in its operative position to an input shaft of a gearing mechanism, with the locking device being easily disengaged to move the crank from its operative position to a stored position following rotation of the crank in the operation of the mechanism, the locked device also holding the crank in the stored position.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 11 / 076,674, which was filed Mar. 10, 2005, and is currently pending.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] (1) Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention pertains to a crank that is manually rotated to selectively lower and raise a landing gear assembly of a truck trailer. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a locking device that automatically secures the hand crank in its operative position relative to the landing gear assembly, where the locking device is easily disengaged to move the crank from its operative position to its stored position following the operation of the landing gear assembly. [0004] (2) Description of the Related Art [0005] Many of the different types of trailers that are towed by trucks are connected to the trucks by a releasable coupling such as a gooseneck coupling or a fifth wheel coupling. When the trailer is released from the truck and is no longer support...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a hand crank for a landing gear assembly that is securely attached to the input shaft and can easily be moved to its stored position. The hand crank has a locking mechanism that securely attaches it to the input shaft and can be easily disengaged to move it to its stored position. The hand crank is designed to be easily attached and detached from the landing gear assembly, and its unique design features a plunger and a yoke for secure attachment to the input shaft. The hand crank is also designed to have a spring that pushes the plunger head into engagement with the side of the input shaft, holding the crank in its stored position. The hand crank is easily disengaged from the input shaft and can be quickly moved to its operative position. The unique design features a plunger with a post that is received in a cavity in the input shaft, allowing for secure attachment of the hand crank to the landing gear assembly."

Problems solved by technology

However, because the crank yoke arms do not have the elongated slots of the prior art hand crank, the hand crank cannot move axially relative to the end of the input shaft as does the prior art hand crank.

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