Sway control for trailer hitch

Claim 2

In a sway control device for trailers the combination of: a cable having first and second opposite ends and an intermediate portion between said ends; first and second spaced apart connection means disposed for connection and disconnection of said first and second opposite ends of said cable relative to a towing vehicle; first and second spaced apart rotary means adapted to be connected to a trailer; each rotary means having a generally annular single groove cable engaging portion frictionally engaged by said intermediate portion of said cable, at least one of said rotary means comprising a damped rotor having said cable engaging portion near the periphery thereof; friction plate means frictionally engaging said rotor; stationary means engaging said friction plate means; said stationary means being adapted for connection with a trailer; said damped rotor disposed and holding said intermediate portion of said cable in disposition and in engagement with more than 180* and less than 360* around said annular single groove cable engaging portion of said damped rotor, the axis of said damped rotor being tilted to avoid rubbing of said cable near to said damped rotor; said opposite ends of said cable extending respectively from said first and second rotary means to said first and second connection means.

Claim 3

The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein: a bar supports said first and second rotary means near opposite ends thereof.

Claim 4

The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein toggle means is coupled to said cable in order to provide for slackening thereof by releasing said toggle and to thereby permit facility in the hitching and unhitching of opposite ends of said cable relative to a towing vehicle.

Claim 5

The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein: at least one of said rotary means movably mounted for moving its rotary axis laterally in a direction to permit a slack condition of said cable; a release means for holding said last mentioned rotary means in a stationary position in which said cable is held taut on said plurality of rOtary means; said last mentioned rotary means having a mount adapted to move in a direction laterally relative to the axis of said last mentioned rotary means.

Claim 6

In a sway control device for trailers the combination of: a cable having first and second opposite ends and an intermediate portion between said ends; first and second spaced apart connection means disposed for connection and disconnection of said first and second opposite ends of said cable relative to a towing vehicle; first and second spaced apart rotary means adapted to be connected to a trailer; each rotary means having a generally annular single groove cable engaging portion frictionally engaged by said intermediate portion of said cable, at least one of said rotary means comprising a rotor having said cable engaging portion near the periphery thereof; friction plate means frictionally engaging said rotor; stationary means engaging said friction plate means; said stationary means being adapted for connection with a trailer; said rotor disposed and holding said intermediate portion of said cable in disposition and in engagement with more than 180* and less than 360* around said annular single groove cable engaging portion of said rotor, the axis of said rotor being tilted to avoid rubbing of said cable near to said rotor; said opposite ends of said cable extending respectively from said first and second rotary means directly to said first and second connection means; at least one of said rotary means is provided with a movable mount adapted, when moved, to shift the axis of the respective rotary means laterally; releasable means for holding said mount in position to maintain said cable taut over said first and second rotary means and relative to said first and second ends of said cable; said releasable means, when released, disposed to allow said mount and said respective rotary means to shift and cause a slack condition of said cable to thereby provide facility in the connection and disconnection thereof relative to a towing vehicle.

Claim 7

In a sway control device for trailers the combination of: a cable having first and second opposite ends and an intermediate portion between said ends; first and second spaced apart connection means disposed for connection and disconnection of said first and second opposite ends of said cable relative to a towing vehicle; first and second spaced apart rotary means adapted to be connected to a trailer; each rotary means having a generally annular single groove cable engaging portion frictionally engaged by said intermediate portion of said cable, at least one of said rotary means comprising a rotor having said cable engaging portion near the periphery thereof; friction plate means frictionally engaging said rotor; stationary means engaging said friction plate means; said stationary means being adapted for connection with a trailer; said rotor disposed and holding said intermediate portion of said cable in disposition and in engagement with more than 180* and less than 360* around said annular single groove cable engaging portion of said rotor, the axis of said rotor being tilted to avoid rubbing of said cable near to said rotor; said opposite ends of said cable extending respectively from said first and second rotary means directly to said first and second connection means; at least one of said rotary means is provided with a movable mount adapted, when moved, to shift the axis of the respective rotary means laterally; releasable means for holding said mount in position to maintain said cable taut over said first and second rotary means and relative to said first and second ends of said cable; said releasable means, when released, disposed to allow said mount and said respective rotary means to shift and cause a slack condition of said cable to thereby provide facility in the connection and disconnection thereof relative to a towing vehicle.