Glad Hand Lock Hanger for Accessible Trailer Lock Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Glad hand locks used to secure trailers are frequently lost or misplaced, leading to unsecured trailers and inefficiencies in transportation operations.
Innovation Solution
The development of gladhanger devices, which are specialized brackets used to securely attach glad hand locks to anchors near trailer docks, ensuring quick access and preventing misplacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If glad hand locks are stored in desk drawers or on closet shelves, then they are kept secure from loss, but time is wasted locating and retrieving them when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The glad hand lock hanger pre-positions the glad hand lock in a readily accessible location near the trailer dock before it is needed. The lock is hung on the hanger after use and remains there until the next driver arrives, eliminating the need to search for it later.
2Ease of operation
If glad hand locks are placed in the driver's tractor, then they are easily accessible, but the next driver cannot access them and the trailer remains unsecured
Solution Approach 1:
The glad hand lock hanger serves as an intermediary storage solution located at the trailer dock. It is neither in the driver's tractor nor in a remote office, but in a neutral, shared location that all drivers can access equally, ensuring both accessibility and reliability.
3Reliability
If glad hand locks are left with office personnel, then they are stored safely, but transportation companies waste time communicating about their location and retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The glad hand lock hanger is a self-service system that requires no human intervention for storage or retrieval. Drivers independently hang the lock on the hanger after use and retrieve it when needed, eliminating the need to contact office personnel or coordinate with anyone else.
4Ease of operation
If glad hand locks are misplaced or lost, then they are no longer available for use, but searching for them creates operational inefficiencies and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The glad hand lock hanger provides visual feedback that confirms the lock's presence and proper storage. The lock remains visibly hung on the hanger, allowing drivers to immediately verify its availability without searching or asking others, thus maintaining both ease of operation and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are specialized brackets for anchoring locking devices such as a glad hand lock and methods thereof. Glad hand locks lock out air brake service lines on tractor trailers preventing undesired movement of the trailer. The glad hand lock is removed when the trailer is to be moved but they frequently are misplaced or inconveniently stored resulting in wasted time and money retrieving the glad hand lock. The brackets herein provide a quick, secure, and protected option for storage of the glad hand locks at convenient locations near loading docks or trailer parking sites. The brackets comprise a back plate and a front plate spaced by a spacer arm which define a lock gap. The front plate has a top end configured for sliding fit into a lock slot of a glad hand lock. A plunger bar on the glad hand lock is deployed activating a storage configuration.