Lateral force limiting coupler assembly
US4037856A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 26, 1976 |
| Grant date | Jul 26, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 26, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60D1/34
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A coupler assembly for limiting lateral forces which may be generated during the highway operation of a trailer coupled to a towing vehicle. The present invention is part of the yoke of the trailer, and comprises a completely self-contained system for momentarily actuating the brakes on the towed vehicle, in response to undesirable lateral accelerations of the towed vehicle. The invention is characterized by a coupler member which itself is relatively rotatable, in a lateral plane, with respect to the trailer yoke, together with dampening spring assemblies, so there is a surge-brake actuation in response to lateral accelerations above a predetermined magnitude.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.