US3880263A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surge brake actuator
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1973-10-23
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1993-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A control apparatus for activating the wheel brakes of a trailer in response to a deceleration force from a tow vehicle exerted through a resilient coupling. The resilient coupling is surrounded by first and second telescoping members to maintain the deceleration force from the tow vehicle in direct axial alignment with a pressure producing device. A force absorbing device located between the first and second telescoping members will attenuate the oscillatory movement caused by road conditions from inadvertently establishing a momentary deceleration force through the resilient coupling.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerome T Ewald
- 👤 Walter J Mizen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:36
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T11/00; B60T11/10; B60T11/107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
In a control device for a tow vehicle-trailer braking system, means for activating the wheel brakes of the trailer, said means comprising: first and second telescoping members, said first telescoping member being attached to the tow vehicle and the second telescoping member being attached to the trailer; dampening means locateD between said first and second telescoping members for attenuating oscillatory movement therebetween without momentarily activating the wheel brakes of the trailer; pressure producing means fixed to one of said telescoping members for supplying said wheel brakes with an operational fluid under pressure; and resilient means located between the other of said telescoping members and said pressure producing means for transmitting a direct axial operational input force to the pressure producing means, the space between the other of said telescoping members and pressure producing means occupied by said resilient means being greater than the length of said resilient means when the braking system is in an unoperated condition such that the resilient means is brought into engagement with said pressure producing means and said other of the telescoping members in response to relative movement produced by a deceleration in the tow vehicle with respect to the trailer sufficient to overcome said dampening means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
In a control device for a tow vehicle-trailer braking system, means for activating the wheel brakes of the trailer, said means comprising: first and second telescoping members, said first telescoping member being attached to the tow vehicle and the second telescoping member being attached to the trailer; dampening means locateD between said first and second telescoping members for attenuating oscillatory movement therebetween without momentarily activating the wheel brakes of the trailer; pressure producing means fixed to one of said telescoping members for supplying said wheel brakes with an operational fluid under pressure; and resilient means located between the other of said telescoping members and said pressure producing means for transmitting a direct axial operational input force to the pressure producing means, the space between the other of said telescoping members and pressure producing means occupied by said resilient means being greater than the length of said resilient means when the braking system is in an unoperated condition such that the resilient means is brought into engagement with said pressure producing means and said other of the telescoping members in response to relative movement produced by a deceleration in the tow vehicle with respect to the trailer sufficient to overcome said dampening means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
The control device, as recited in claim 1, wherein said dampening means includes: a closed cylinder attached to one of said first and second telescoping members, said closed cylinder a fluid; a connecting rod attached to the other of said first and second telescoping members; and a piston secured to the connecting rod and located in the closed cylinder, said piston having a restricted passageway therethrough to permit controlled flow of the fluid within the closed cylinder when the piston and cylinder move relative to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
The control device, as recited in claim 2, wherein said first telescoping member includes: a first tubular member having a hitch on one end therof for engagement with the tow vehicle and a clevis on the other end, said clevis having a first arm and a second arm each of which has a slotted opening therein, said tubular member having a shoulder located between the hitch and the clevis or positioning said resilient means on the first telescoping member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
The control device, as recited in claim 3, wherein said second telescoping member includes: an end plate having a first projection and a second projection extending toward said first telescoping member, said first projection having an opening therein directly opposite a similar opening in the second projection; and pin means extending from the opening in the first projection to the opening in the second projection for fixing the closed cylinder in the second telescoping member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The control device, as recited in claim 4, wherein said second telescoping means further includes: fastner means for rigidly connecting the second telescoping member and the end plate to the trailer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The control device, as recited in claim 5, wherein said second telescoping means further includes: push rod means connected to said resilient means for transmitting an operational force to the pressure producing means which is proportional to said deceleration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The control device, as recited in claim 6, wherein said push rod means includes: bracket means having a slot therein through which said pin means extends, said slot and pin means cooperating to maintain the input force from the resilient means in an axial position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The control device, as recited in claim 7, wherein said first named means further includes: bypass means connected to the pressure producing means for venting displaced fluid into a reservoir when the tow vehicle moves the trailer in a reverse direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The control device, as recited in claim 8, wherein said bypass means includes: solenoid means activated by an operator controlled switch operating the bypass means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The control device, as recited in claim 9, wherein said first named means further includes: breakaway means connected to the tow vehicle and secured to said end plate for providing said pressure producing means with an operational input upon separation of the tow vehicle from the trAiler.
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) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |