Gladhand connector
A gladhand connector or gladhand coupler is an interlocking hose coupling fitted to hoses supplying pressurized air from a tractor unit to an air brakes on a semi-trailer,[1] or from a locomotive to railway air brakes on railroad cars.[2] Gladhand connectors resemble a pair of "hands shaking" when interlocked, hence the name.[1]
Design
Gladhands are designed to allow the driver to disconnect without a mechanic or tools.[1] They sometimes are utilize a quick release style to speed up brake release time.[1] A tractor / trailer typically has two gladhands - one for the brakes and another for the emergency brakes.[3] Gladhands are color coded; service lines are blue and emergency brake lines are red.[3]
Mated rubber grommets provide a positive seal.[4] Joined halves separate automatically when depressurized.[citation needed] Gladhand couplers are typically genderless or hermaphroditic,[1] allowing them to be freely connected to each other, for example allowing either end of a railcar to be connected to the end of a train. North America has a system of standardized gladhand sizes.[1]
