Trailer surge brake breakaway system
US5415424A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 1993 |
| Grant date | May 16, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60T7/20
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a breakaway trailer brake activating mechanism mounted on a trailer surge brake actuator, one end of a tension coil spring is attached to the breakaway activating mechanism while the other end of the spring is connected to an intermediate link on a breakaway chain. The connection is such that a surplus, predetermined number of breakaway chain links, forming a slack section of the breakaway chain, are connected between the ends of the spring. The spring prevents the slack section of the breakaway chain connected between the ends of the spring from being pulled tight so as to allow for tow vehicle turns even if the breakway chain is incorrectly secured. Thus, during a sharp turn of the tow vehicle, the spring will allow the reserve links of the slack section of chain to extend but not so far as to cause the trailer brake to be activated. Should the trailer become separated from the towing vehicle during towing, however, the force exerted on the breakaway chain extends the spring to the point that the slack section of the breakaway chain is pulled tight thereby causing application of the trailer surge brakes by the breakaway brake activating mechanism.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.