US3825282A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sway control for trailers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-01-02
•
Granted: 1974-07-23
•
Expires: 1993-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A sway control device for trailers and the like comprising a brake member secured to a portion of the trailer and having means for selectively activating brake shoes thereon. A link is universally mounted on and extends between the brake shoe member and the towing vehicle and is operable to activate a brake arm member frictionally engaging the brake shoes for resisting turning and swaying of the trailer in response to turning of the towing vehicle and/or wind gusts striking the trailer.
Inventors
- 👤 J Meinholdt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:45
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/30; B60D1/32; F; F16; F16F; F16F7/00; F16F7/02; F16F7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A sway control device for a towed vehicle having a tongue member connected to a trailer hitch member that is secured to a towing vehicle comprising: a. a brake member secured to one of a tongue member and trailer hitch member and having a flange portion extending outwardly thereof and a brake surface; b. a stud fixed to said flange and defining a pivotal axis upstanding from said brake surface; c. an arm rotatably mounted on said stud and having a surface faced said flange and an end portion spaced from said stud; d. a friction member between said surfaces of said flange and said arm; e. a brake actuating lever pivotally mounted on said stud for swinging movement about an axis trAnsversely of said stud and selectively operative to effect relative movement of the arm, friction member and flange from a free rotative relation to a braking frictional engagement therebetween; f. a link having opposite ends with one end mounted on said arm end portion remote from said friction member and the other end mounted on the other of said tongue member and trailer hitch member in spaced relation to the connection of same.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A sway control device for a towed vehicle having a tongue member connected to a trailer hitch member that is secured to a towing vehicle comprising: a. a brake member secured to one of a tongue member and trailer hitch member and having a flange portion extending outwardly thereof and a brake surface; b. a stud fixed to said flange and defining a pivotal axis upstanding from said brake surface; c. an arm rotatably mounted on said stud and having a surface faced said flange and an end portion spaced from said stud; d. a friction member between said surfaces of said flange and said arm; e. a brake actuating lever pivotally mounted on said stud for swinging movement about an axis trAnsversely of said stud and selectively operative to effect relative movement of the arm, friction member and flange from a free rotative relation to a braking frictional engagement therebetween; f. a link having opposite ends with one end mounted on said arm end portion remote from said friction member and the other end mounted on the other of said tongue member and trailer hitch member in spaced relation to the connection of same.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
A sway control device as set forth in claim 1 including: a. a support member sleeved on said stud and spaced from said arm; b. means adjustable on said stud and adjusting the spacing the support member from the arm; c. said braking actuating lever being pivotally mounted on said support member and having a cam member engaging the arm to effect said relative movement and braking engagement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
139 words
A sway control device as set forth in claim 2 and including: a. a clamp plate sleeved on said stud between the cam and said arm, said plate having a surface facing the arm; b. a second friction member between the surface of said clamp plate and said arm; c. said brake member and flange is secured to the tongue member and the other end of the link is mounted on said trailer hitch member; d. said selective braking operation of said lever to move the cam into engagement with the clamp plate and frictional engagement of said clamp plate and arm with said second friction member and the arm and flange into frictional engagement with the first named friction member; e. means on said brake member and clamp plate holding said clamp plate against rotation relative said stud.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
102 words
A sway control device as set forth in claim 2 wherein: a. said stud has a threaded portion and said means adjustable on the stud is a threaded nut forming an abuttment limiting movement of the support member away from the arm; b. said lever is pivoted on the support member for pivotal movement about an axis transversely of the axis of the stud; c. said cam has oppositely disposed high and low portions that are flat and selectively engaged relative the arm to remain in brake engaging and brake released position until the lever is manually moved to the other position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-22 | 1978-01-21 | 1978-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-22 | 1982-01-21 | 1982-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-22 | 1986-01-21 | 1986-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |