Tractor trailer fifth-wheel release tool

Abstract

A tool for use by truck operators includes an elongated member rigid throughout its length terminating at its rear end portion in a handle and terminating at its front end portion in a socket having a recess therein adapted to receive a load binder handle. A hook extends from the socket and is adapted to engage a fifth-wheel release mechanism handle. In use, the tool may serve as an extension of a load binder handle for facilitating the locking and release of a load binder for a vehicle, and it may also be used to conveniently engage with the hook thereon a fifth-wheel release mechanism handle which is normally not located in an accessible area of a trailer. The tool also serves the purpose of checking the tire pressure of the vehicle by enabling the operator to strike the tires with the socket end of the tool, whereby the operator can by observing the sound of the tool against the tire determine whether or not the tires are under inflated in a quick and easy manner.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tool for use on tractor-trailer trucks .[.employing a load binder having a release handle and.]. employing a fifth-wheel coupler having a release handle, comprising: an elongated member rigid throughout its length terminating at its rear end portion in a handle and .[.terminating at its.]. .Iadd.having a .Iaddend.front end portion .[.in a socket having a recess therein for receiving the load binder handle, the socket being defined by a solid tubular member.].; and   a hook .[.fixedly mounted on and.]. extending from said front end portion and adapted to engage the fifth-wheel release mechanism handle for moving it to actuate the mechanism, said hook .[.having a base portion connected to said front end portion and.].having a hook-like portion including .[.a radially-extending upstanding shank portion extending from said base portion,.]. a reversely-bent smoothly-curved portion extending backwardly .[.therefrom.]. and .[.terminating in.]. an inclined portion sloping from .[.the.]. .Iadd.its .Iaddend.outermost portion .[.of said hook.]. toward said .[.base.]. .Iadd.rear .Iaddend.portion, the distal end portion of said .[.inclined.]. .Iadd.hook-like .Iaddend.portion being blunt in shape and .Iadd.the innermost portion of said inclined portion .Iaddend.being spaced by a substantial distance from said outermost portion toward said .[.base.]. .Iadd.front .Iaddend.portion.   
     
     
       2. A tool according to claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.9 .Iaddend.wherein said socket has at least one flat external face to serve as a base when the tool is resting on a flat surface. 
     
     
       3. A tool according to claim 2, wherein said socket and said recess are square in cross section. 
     
     
       4. A tool according to claim 2, wherein said hook is mounted on said socket opposite said flat face thereof. 
     
     
       5. A tool according to claim 4, wherein said handle portion of the tool is composed of metal, said socket being fixedly secured to said tool handle. 
     
     
       6. A tool according to claim 5, further including a non-slip cork sleeve surrounding said tool handle, said tool handle terminating in a knob. 
     
     
       7. A tool according to claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.1.Iaddend. , wherein said tool includes a shank portion extending between said .[.socket.]. .Iadd.front portion .Iaddend.and said handle, said shank portion being tapered outwardly gradually from said handle to said .[.socket.]. .Iadd.front portion.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       8. A tool according to claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.9.Iaddend., wherein said distal end portion is spaced from said base portion by at least one-fourth of the distance between said outermost portion of said hook and said base portion. .Iadd. 9. A tool according to claim 1, wherein said tool is also adapted to be used on tractor trailer trucks employing a load binder having a release handle, said elongated member terminating at its front end portion in a socket having a recess therein for receiving the load binder handle, the socket being defined by a solid tubular member, said hook being fixedly mounted on said front end portion, said hook having a base portion connected to said front end portion, said hook-like portion including a radially-extending upstanding shank portion extending from said base portion, said reversely-bent smoothly-curved portion extending backwardly from said front end portion and terminating in said inclined portion. .Iaddend.