US3972543A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combination vehicle yaw stabilizer
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1974-12-06
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Granted: 1976-08-03
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Expires: 1994-12-06
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition of a trailer towed by a tow vehicle. A hitch connects the trailer to the tow vehicle and has a sensor for providing signals corresponding to the hitch lateral force for operating the trailer brakes.
Inventors
- 👤 Rex Wallace Presley
- 👤 Walter Frederick Datwyler, Jr.
- 👤 Jack Richardson Lorraine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:31
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/242; B60D1/30; B60T; B60T8/00; B60T8/17; B60T8/1701; B60T8/1708; B60T8/24; B60T8/248; B60T2230/00; B60T2230/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer vehicle towed by a tow vehicle and having brakes for retarding its rate of movement and having brake operating means with manual means for providing signals to the brake operating means for operating the brakes of the trailer vehicle, comprising a hitch connecting the trailer vehicle to the tow vehicle, sensing means on the hitch for providing signals corresponding to hitch lateral forces, and means connected to the sensing means and to the manual means for combining the hitch lateral force signals with the manual signals to increase the braking force on at least one wheel of the trailer vehicle for automatically eliminating a sway condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer vehicle towed by a tow vehicle and having brakes for retarding its rate of movement and having brake operating means with manual means for providing signals to the brake operating means for operating the brakes of the trailer vehicle, comprising a hitch connecting the trailer vehicle to the tow vehicle, sensing means on the hitch for providing signals corresponding to hitch lateral forces, and means connected to the sensing means and to the manual means for combining the hitch lateral force signals with the manual signals to increase the braking force on at least one wheel of the trailer vehicle for automatically eliminating a sway condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer vehicle as described in claim 1 in which the brake operating means increases the braking force on the wheel at the side of the trailer opposite to the direction of the hitch lateral force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer vehicle towed by a tow vehicle and having brakes for retarding its rate of movement and having brake operating means for operating the brakes of the trailer vehicle, comprising a hitch including a ball member and a socket member connecting the trailer vehicle to the tow vehicle, sensing means on the hitch for providing signals corresponding to hitch lateral forces including a crank connected to one of the members, a torque arm secured to the crank, and a signal device operated by the torque arm and connected to the brake operating means, the crank being arranged to transmit hitch lateral forces to the torque arm for operating the signal device to provide signals to the brake operating means for operating the tow vehicle brakes to automatically eliminate a sway condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer vehicle towed by a tow vehicle and having brakes for retarding its rate of movement and having brake operating means for operating the brakes of the trailer vehicle, comprising a hitch including a ball member and a socket member connecting the trailer vehicle to the tow vehicle, sensing means on the hitch for providing signals corresponding to hitch lateral forces including a crank connected to one of the members, a torque arm secured to the crank, and a signal device operated by the torque arm and connected to the brake operating means, the crank being arranged to transmit hitch lateral forces to the torque arm for operating the signal device to provide signals to the brake operating means for operating the tow vehicle brakes to automatically eliminate a sway condition.
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) | 1979-08-03 | 1980-02-02 | 1980-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-03 | 1984-02-02 | 1984-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-03 | 1988-02-02 | 1988-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |