US3948544A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surge brake combination vehicle stabilizer
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1975-02-24
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Granted: 1976-04-06
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Expires: 1995-02-24
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition of a trailer having surge brakes and towed by a tow vehicle. The hitch connects the trailer to the tow vehicle and has a reaction wheel for sensing hitch lateral force and for automatically controlling the trailer brakes to eliminate the sway condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Rex Wallace Presley
- 👤 Jack Richardson Lorraine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:32
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T7/00; B60T7/12; B60T7/20; B60T2230/00; B60T2230/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer towed by a tow vehicle and having brakes for retarding its rate of movement, comprising a hitch connecting the trailer to the tow vehicle, sensing means on the hitch for sensing the amplitude and direction of hitch lateral force, the sensing means including a reaction wheel and means for rotating the reaction wheel through an angle corresponding to hitch lateral force, and means connected to the sensing means for operating the trailer brakes for automatically eliminating a sway condition in the trailer including a pair of pistons reciprocating in associated cylinders operatively connected to the brakes, and means connecting the pistons to the reaction wheel for moving the pistons differentially in the cylinders in response to movement of the reaction wheel to operate the brakes for eliminating the sway condition in the trailer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer towed by a tow vehicle and having brakes for retarding its rate of movement, comprising a hitch connecting the trailer to the tow vehicle, sensing means on the hitch for sensing the amplitude and direction of hitch lateral force, the sensing means including a reaction wheel and means for rotating the reaction wheel through an angle corresponding to hitch lateral force, and means connected to the sensing means for operating the trailer brakes for automatically eliminating a sway condition in the trailer including a pair of pistons reciprocating in associated cylinders operatively connected to the brakes, and means connecting the pistons to the reaction wheel for moving the pistons differentially in the cylinders in response to movement of the reaction wheel to operate the brakes for eliminating the sway condition in the trailer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer as described in claim 1 in which the brake differential operating means has means for increasing the braking force on one wheel and decreasing the braking force on the other wheel when the brakes are otherwise applied.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer vehicle as described in claim 2 in which the braking force is increased on the wheel at the side of the trailer opposite the direction of hitch lateral force and the braking force is decreased on the wheel at the side of the trailer in the direction of hitch lateral force.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer vehicle as described in claim 1 in which the brake operating means applies braking force on one wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer vehicle as described in claim 4 in which the brake operating means applies braking force on the wheel on the right side of the trailer vehicle when the trailer sways to the right and applies the braking force on the wheel on the left side of the trailer when the trailer sways to the left.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer vehicle as described in claim 1 in which the means for operating the trailer brakes has means for operating both trailer brakes equally in the absence of hitch lateral force when movement of a tow vehicle is retarded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer vehicle as described in claim 1 in which the means for differentially moving the pistons includes levers connected to the reaction wheel at opposite sides thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer vehicle as described in claim 7 in which the levers are connected directly to the pistons.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer vehicle as described in claim 7 in which the means for differentially moving the piston includes a crank operatively connected to the levers and to the pistons.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer vehicle as described in claim 1 in which the means for differentially moving the pistons includes a crank mounted by a pivot to the trailer hitch and a pair of levers connected to the crank at opposite sides of the pivot and to opposite sides of the reaction wheel and connecting means between the crank and pistons for differentially operating the pistons.
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) | 1979-04-06 | 1979-10-06 | 1980-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-06 | 1983-10-06 | 1984-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-06 | 1987-10-06 | 1988-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |