Patent US4173465A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3909044A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3909044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer hitch
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-11-18
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1994-11-18
Abstract
Abstract A device rendering a semitractor-trailer arrangement resistant to jackknifing through a gyroscopic action activating braking mechanisms upon detection of sudden sideways, i.e., lateral, movement of the trailer relative to the tractor. Alternative operation is provided for vehicle start-up and normal traffic maneuvering without affecting the gyroscopic movements and thus the braking mechanism. A variety of alternate braking mechanisms activated by the gyroscope and causing the desired results are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 George M Henzel
- 👤 John H Henzel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:06
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T8/00; B60T8/24; B60T8/246; B60T13/00; B60T13/74; B60T7/00; B60T7/12; B60T7/20; B60T8/248; B62; B62D; B62D37/00; B62D37/04; B62D37/06; B62D53/00; B62D53/04; B62D53/08; B62D53/0871; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S200/00; Y10S200/19
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus mounted on the trailer of a tractor-trailer rig having a fifth-wheel hitching mechanism, for preventing undesirable trailer movements through timely application of a mechanical braking mechanism, comprising support means securely attached to said trailer, axle means rotatably mounted in said support means, gyroscopic means mounted on said axle means, first electrical contact means attached to said axle means, and second electrical contact means mounted on said support means whereby the relative positions of said first electrical contact means and said second electrical contact means result in electrical signals being applied to said mechanical braking mechanism.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus mounted on the trailer of a tractor-trailer rig having a fifth-wheel hitching mechanism, for preventing undesirable trailer movements through timely application of a mechanical braking mechanism, comprising support means securely attached to said trailer, axle means rotatably mounted in said support means, gyroscopic means mounted on said axle means, first electrical contact means attached to said axle means, and second electrical contact means mounted on said support means whereby the relative positions of said first electrical contact means and said second electrical contact means result in electrical signals being applied to said mechanical braking mechanism.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
126 words
An apparatus mounted on the trailer of a tractor-trailer rig having a fifth-wheel hitching mechanism, for preventing undesirable trailer movements through timely application of a mechanical braking mechanism, comprising support means securely attached to said trailer, axle means rotatably mounted in said support means, an electrically operated motor mounted gimbal fashion on said axle means, an output shaft of said electrically operated motor arranged perpendicular to said axle means, flywheel means securely attached to the said output shaft, first electrical contact means attached to said axle means, and second electrical contact means permanently positioned on said support means whereby the relative positions of the said first electrical contact means and said second electrical contact means result in electrical signals being applied to said mechanical braking mechanism.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
126 words
An apparatus mounted on the trailer of a tractor-trailer rig having a fifth-wheel hitching mechanism, for preventing undesirable trailer movements through timely application of a mechanical braking mechanism, comprising support means securely attached to said trailer, axle means rotatably mounted in said support means, an electrically operated motor mounted gimbal fashion on said axle means, an output shaft of said electrically operated motor arranged perpendicular to said axle means, flywheel means securely attached to the said output shaft, first electrical contact means attached to said axle means, and second electrical contact means permanently positioned on said support means whereby the relative positions of the said first electrical contact means and said second electrical contact means result in electrical signals being applied to said mechanical braking mechanism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 in which the mechanical braking mechanism is operated directly by the electrical signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 in which the mechanical braking mechanism is operated indirectly through an air operated device activiated by the electrical signals.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
114 words
A device for sensing movements of a trailer relative to the tractor of a tractor-trailer rig having a fifth-wheel hitching mechanism, comprising support means securely attached to said trailer, axle means rotatably mounted in said support means, an electrically operated motor mounted gimbal fashion on said axle means, an output shaft of said electrically operated motor arranged perpendicular to the said axle means, flywheel means securely attached to the said output shaft, electrical brush means attached to said axle means and electrical contact means attached to said support means whereby the movements of the trailer are determined as a function of the positions of the electrical brush means relative to the electrical contact means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
114 words
A device for sensing movements of a trailer relative to the tractor of a tractor-trailer rig having a fifth-wheel hitching mechanism, comprising support means securely attached to said trailer, axle means rotatably mounted in said support means, an electrically operated motor mounted gimbal fashion on said axle means, an output shaft of said electrically operated motor arranged perpendicular to the said axle means, flywheel means securely attached to the said output shaft, electrical brush means attached to said axle means and electrical contact means attached to said support means whereby the movements of the trailer are determined as a function of the positions of the electrical brush means relative to the electrical contact means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device according to claim 5 in which restraining means for limiting the rotation of the said axle means, and thus, the electrical brush means, is permanently attached to the said axle means at a point removed from said electrically operated motor.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of preventing undesirable movements of a trailer relative to a tractor of a tractor-trailer rig having a fifth-wheel hitching mechanism, comprising supporting a detecting means from the trailer, mounting an electrically operated motor gimbal fashion on an axle rotatably mounted on the detecting means, providing flywheel means on an output shaft of said electrically operated Motor at a constant speed, attaching electrical brush means to the axle mounting said electrically operated motor, and positioning electrical contact means stationary relative to the trailer in the vicinity of said electrical brush means whereby movement of the trailer results in corresponding movement of the electrical brush means and electrical contact means relative to one another.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of preventing undesirable movements of a trailer relative to a tractor of a tractor-trailer rig having a fifth-wheel hitching mechanism, comprising supporting a detecting means from the trailer, mounting an electrically operated motor gimbal fashion on an axle rotatably mounted on the detecting means, providing flywheel means on an output shaft of said electrically operated Motor at a constant speed, attaching electrical brush means to the axle mounting said electrically operated motor, and positioning electrical contact means stationary relative to the trailer in the vicinity of said electrical brush means whereby movement of the trailer results in corresponding movement of the electrical brush means and electrical contact means relative to one another.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 7 further comprising limiting the rotation of said axle, and thus, said electrical brush means, by providing resistance means on the said axle allowing only a predetermined amount of rotation.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus mounted on the trailer of a tractor-trailer rig having a fifth-wheel hitching mechanism, for preventing undesirable trailer movements, comprising a mechanical braking mechanism, support means securely attached to said trailer, discontinuous axle means rotatably mounted in said support means, an electrically operated motor mounted on said discontinuous axle means at the discontinuous portion thereof, an output shaft of said electrically operated motor arranged perpendicular to said discontinuous axle means, flywheel means securely attached to the said output shaft, electrical brush means attached to said discontinuous axle means, electrical contact means permanently positioned on said support means in the vicinity of said electrical brush means, and restraining means attached to said discontinuous axle means for limiting the rotation of said discontinuous axle means relative to said support means, whereby the positions of the electrical brush means and electrical contact means relative to one another result in electrical signals being applied to said mechanical braking mechanism.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus mounted on the trailer of a tractor-trailer rig having a fifth-wheel hitching mechanism, for preventing undesirable trailer movements, comprising a mechanical braking mechanism, support means securely attached to said trailer, discontinuous axle means rotatably mounted in said support means, an electrically operated motor mounted on said discontinuous axle means at the discontinuous portion thereof, an output shaft of said electrically operated motor arranged perpendicular to said discontinuous axle means, flywheel means securely attached to the said output shaft, electrical brush means attached to said discontinuous axle means, electrical contact means permanently positioned on said support means in the vicinity of said electrical brush means, and restraining means attached to said discontinuous axle means for limiting the rotation of said discontinuous axle means relative to said support means, whereby the positions of the electrical brush means and electrical contact means relative to one another result in electrical signals being applied to said mechanical braking mechanism.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus according to claim 9 in which said electrical contact means further includes at least three independent electrical contacts and the electrical connection of any two said electrical contacts by the electrical brush means results in a predetermined activation of said mechanical braking mechanism.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 in which the independent electrical contacts are arranged in one radial arc with respect to the said discontinuous axle means such that the electrical brush means is positioned only in contact with the center electrical contact when the trailer is not rotating relative to the tractor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 11 in which the electrical brush means comprises a smaller arc length than does the center electrical contact.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 in which said mechanical braking mechanism comprises a frictional braking device activated by the electrical signals produced by the electrical brush means and electrical contact means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 in which said mechanical braking mechanism comprises electromagnetic devices integral within at least one of either the tractor or trailer portion of said fifth-wheel hitching device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 in which the mechanical braking mechanism comprises an air pressure opeated mechanical latching device energized by the electrical signals produced by the said electrical brush means and electrical contact means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |