Patent US3785680A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3785680A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sway control device for connection between a trailer and towing vehicles
Assignee: Horizon Global Americas Inc
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Filing: 1973-01-26
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Granted: 1974-01-15
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Expires: 1993-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A control device usable for reducing sway between a trailer and towing vehicle. The control device includes a friction disk disposed between a bracket connected to one of the trailer and towing vehicle and a pivot arm connected to the other of the trailer and towing vehicle. The disk is compressed between the bracket and arm by means of an adjustable securement part.
Inventors
- 👤 A Good
- 👤 R Reese
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:25
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/30; B60D1/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
339 words
A control device for connection between a trailer and towing vehicle, said control device including a bracket which includes a plate part having an inner face, means connecting said bracket to one of said trailer and towing vehicle whereby said bracket plate part is spaced from said one trailer or vehicle, an arm, said arm including a plate part having an inner face and an extended part, said arm and bracket plate parts being positioned in an opposed relationship with said inner faces thereof confronting one another, a disk of friction material disposed between said arm and bracket inner faces, said bracket and arm plate parts each having an aperture formed therein, said bracket and arm plate part apertures extending through the inner faces of the plate parts and being aligned, adjustable securement means extending through said apertures and causing said bracket and arm plate parts to be drawn together and said friction disk compressed therebetween, said arm being pivotable relative to said bracket plate part about said securement means, linkage means having first and second ends secured between said arm extended part and the other of said trailer and towing vehicle for causing pivotal movement between said bracket and arm upon pivotal movement of said trailer relative to said towing vehicle, the improvement wherein said securement means includes a shank extending through said bracket and arm plate part apertures and a tightening nut rotatably carried upon said shank, said nut located at the opposite side of said friction disk from said arm and being spaced from said bracket plate part, a pressure washer means disposed between said nut and bracket plate part, said pressure washer means including an annular bracket-contact area substantially concentric with said shank and engaging said bracket plate part over said friction disk radially spaced from said shank, means anchoring said pressure washer means to said bracket, said nut being turned onto said shank and against said pressure washer means to cause said compression of the friction disk between said bracket and arm plate parts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
339 words
A control device for connection between a trailer and towing vehicle, said control device including a bracket which includes a plate part having an inner face, means connecting said bracket to one of said trailer and towing vehicle whereby said bracket plate part is spaced from said one trailer or vehicle, an arm, said arm including a plate part having an inner face and an extended part, said arm and bracket plate parts being positioned in an opposed relationship with said inner faces thereof confronting one another, a disk of friction material disposed between said arm and bracket inner faces, said bracket and arm plate parts each having an aperture formed therein, said bracket and arm plate part apertures extending through the inner faces of the plate parts and being aligned, adjustable securement means extending through said apertures and causing said bracket and arm plate parts to be drawn together and said friction disk compressed therebetween, said arm being pivotable relative to said bracket plate part about said securement means, linkage means having first and second ends secured between said arm extended part and the other of said trailer and towing vehicle for causing pivotal movement between said bracket and arm upon pivotal movement of said trailer relative to said towing vehicle, the improvement wherein said securement means includes a shank extending through said bracket and arm plate part apertures and a tightening nut rotatably carried upon said shank, said nut located at the opposite side of said friction disk from said arm and being spaced from said bracket plate part, a pressure washer means disposed between said nut and bracket plate part, said pressure washer means including an annular bracket-contact area substantially concentric with said shank and engaging said bracket plate part over said friction disk radially spaced from said shank, means anchoring said pressure washer means to said bracket, said nut being turned onto said shank and against said pressure washer means to cause said compression of the friction disk between said bracket and arm plate parts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The control device of claim 1 wherein said friction disk has a central opening therein, said securement means shank extending with substantial clearance through said friction disk opening, a locating washer means fitted over said securement means shank and into said friction disk centraL opening to coaxially locate said disk relative to said shank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The control device of claim 2 and means for securing said friction disk against rotation relative to said bracket plate part.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
210 words
The control device of claim 1 wherein there are two of said brackets, each said bracket secured to said one of the trailer or towing vehicle, the plate parts of said brackets being positioned on opposite sides of said arm plate part, a said friction disk located between said arm plate part and each bracket plate part, said apertures in the arm and bracket plates being aligned, said securement means shaft extending through said apertures, said securement means including a head formed at one end of said shank, one said pressure washer means disposed between said head and one of said bracket plate parts and another said pressure washer means disposed between said nut and other of said bracket plate parts, means anchoring said pressure washer means to said brackets, each bracket including a flange angularly disposed relative to its plate part, said brackets being secured to said one trailer or towing vehicle at said flanges, reinforcement means constituting a part of said bracket located between the flange and plate part of each bracket for the purpose of strengthening the plate part against flexure in a direction opposite to the direction of force exerted by the securement means to compress the friction disks between said arm and bracket plate parts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The control device of claim 4 wherein said reinforcement means is an angle iron secured to said bracket flange and having a foot part positioned against said bracket plate part.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The control device of claim 5 wherein the foot part of each reinforcing means has a notched opening formed therein, each pressure washer means including a tab part fitting within a said notched opening and thereby preventing said washer means from rotating relative to said bracket.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The control device of claim 6 and including holder means engaging said securement means for locking said securement means shaft against rotation relative to said brackets, said holder means including parts lockingly engaging the head of said securement means and the tab of one of said pressure washer means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The control device of claim 4 wherein the peripheral outer edges of said friction disk are spaced inwardly from the peripheral edges of said bracket and arm plate parts, an annular moisture and dirt seal means encircling at least one of said friction disks at its outer peripheral edge in sealing engagement with the arm and bracket plate parts in contact with said one disk.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
The control device of claim 4 wherein each pressure washer means includes a washer part in contact with a said bracket and includes a plate part overlying and in contact with said washer part, said washer part having first and second annular bracket-contact areas radially spaced from said securement means shaft, said second annular bracket-contact area being outwardly spaced from said first annular bracket-contact area, said washer part being concave wherein only said first annular bracketcontact area will be pressed into contact with said bracket plate part upon initial tightening of said securement means and both said contact areas will be pressed into contact with the bracket plate part upon additional tightening of the securement means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
150 words
The control device of claim 1 wherein said linkage means comprises first and second telescopically interfitting members, said first member having opposed sides with pairs of longitudinally spaced openings therein, each pair of openings in one side of the first member being offset from the pairs of openings in the other side of the first member so that no two pairs of openings are aligned, said second member having opposed sides with longitudinally spaced slots therein, said slots being equally spaced apart on each side of the second member with the slots on one such side being offset by one-half of a slot from the slots on the other such side of the second member, said first and second members being extended to a selected length with at least one opening and one slot in each side of said members being aligned and receiving a nut and bolt securement means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |