Patent ID: 7126458

Claim:
A locking pin alarm system for a sliding axle assembly of a vehicle comprising: a locking pin adapted to engage and disengage a component of the vehicle; a horn; a selectively pressurized spring brake valve in fluid communication with a mechanical parking brake of the vehicle; an air supply; and an alarm valve mechanically coupled to the locking pin, the alarm valve in fluid communication with the horn, the spring brake valve, and the air supply, the alarm valve actuatable to: a rest mode when the locking pins engage the component of the vehicle, wherein the alarm valve permits the brake of the vehicle to be pressurized in the rest mode, and an alarm mode when the locking pins disengage the component of the vehicle, wherein the alarm valve vents air from at least one of the spring brake valve and the air supply, thereby preventing the brake of the vehicle from being fully pressurized in the alarm mode, wherein the alarm valve diverts the vented air from at least one of the spring brake valve and the air supply to the horn so that the diverted air blows the horn in the alarm mode, whereby an operator of the vehicle is informed that the locking pins are disengaged from the component by the sounding of the horn.