Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
In combination with a trailer hitch for flexibly connecting the frame of a tractive vehicle to the frame of a trailer, a trailer hitch stabilizing mechanism comprising: a. a resistance means connected to the frame of the tractive vehicle and extending adjacent the frame of the trailer; b. connecting means connecting the resistance means to said trailer frame so that upon movement of the tractive vehicle and trailer out of the straight in-line direction of travel the resistance means exerts a horizontal force on the trailer and tractive vehicle resisting such movement; c. locking means coacting with said connecting means in one operative position to render the resistance means capable of exerting said horizontal force to effect stabilization and in another operative position render the resistance means incapable of exerting said horizontal force upon movement of the tractive vehicle and trailer out of the straight in-line direction of travel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
In combination with a trailer hitch for flexibly connecting the frame of a tractive vehicle to the frame of a trailer, a trailer hitch stabilizing mechanism comprising: a. a resistance means connected to the frame of the tractive vehicle and extending adjacent the frame of the trailer; b. connecting means connecting the resistance means to said trailer frame so that upon movement of the tractive vehicle and trailer out of the straight in-line direction of travel the resistance means exerts a horizontal force on the trailer and tractive vehicle resisting such movement; c. locking means coacting with said connecting means in one operative position to render the resistance means capable of exerting said horizontal force to effect stabilization and in another operative position render the resistance means incapable of exerting said horizontal force upon movement of the tractive vehicle and trailer out of the straight in-line direction of travel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resistance means is an elongated bar pivotally connected at one end to the tractive vEhicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said elongated bar is a spring bar subject to flexure upon endwise axial moement thereof relative to the trailer frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said connecting means includes a pivotal plate and said locking means includes a stop means operative in one position to engage said plate and prevent its pivotal movement and operative in another position to release said plate for pivotal movement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said connecting means includes at least one tethering means secured to the elongated bar and to said pivotal plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said locking means includes a bracket secured to the trailer frame and said connecting means includes a plate pivotally mounted on the bracket, said locking means also including a stop pin carried by the bracket and movable to a position to prevent pivotal movement of said plate and to another position releasing said plate for pivotal movement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a jack having a reciprocable post is supported by said bracket and wherein a linkage means is provided for interconnecting the post with the stop pin so that reciprocable movement of said post effects movement of the stop pin to said positions preventing and allowing pivotal movement of said plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said stop pin is the core of a bidirectional linear solenoid which core is dimensioned in one position to extend through registered holes in said plate and bracket and in another position be out of the one of the registered holes and thereby release the plate for pivotal movement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said locking means is a bidirectional solenoid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said locking means is a stop means and wherein a jack means having a telescopically extensile and retractile post is provided to engage and actuate said stop means to the said one operative position and said other operative position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein a control means for effecting reciprocation of the post of said jack is located at a point remote from the jack.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resistance means includes a pair of elongated bars and a connecting means is provided for each elongated bar.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a control means is located remotely from and is connected to the locking means to actuate said locking means to said one or said other operative position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes a bracket mounted on the trailer frame for movement relative to the latter and wherein said locking means includes stop means for engaging said bracket and trailer frame and thereby preventing movement of said bracket relative to the trailer frame.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said stop means is an actuator having a reciprocable pin and the bracket and trailer frame have means which coact with said pin to prevent movement of the bracket.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said stop means is an electrically operated jack which has a reciprocable post and wherein said stop means is a rod connected by the post to be moved upon reciprocation of the post into and out of positions of engagement and disengagement with the bracket and trailer frame.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein a control means for effecting actuation of the jack is located at a point remote from the jack and the connecting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resistance means comprises two spring bars each of which is pivotally connected at one end to the tractive vehicle and said connecting means includes a plate pivotally mounted on the trailer frame and the opposite end portions of which are connected to the distal end portions of the spring bars.