Rollover prevention device

• US 20070205578A1
• Filed: 03/03/2006
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Keith Cornish
• Original Assignee: Keith Cornish
• Inventors: Cornish, Keith
• Granted Patent: US 7,731,216 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/432
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/04 related to roll-over prevention
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 37/00 Stabilising vehicle bodies without controlling suspension arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 49/08 having means for preventing overturning or tipping safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles B60K28/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/08 Fifth wheel traction couplings tractors for handling trailers in terminals B62D49/007

Abstract

A rollover prevention device for commercial tractor/trailers that senses when the tractor portion of the commercial truck has reached the critical height at which rollover of the trailer cannot be avoided. Once this critical height is reached pneumatic cylinders and pins automatically release the trailer from the tractor, thereby preserving human life and minimizing damage to property.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the prevention of the rollover of commercial trucks, said trucks being composed of a tractor portion and a trailer portion, said apparatus comprising

two weight-bearing supports equidistant from the fifth wheel plate located on said tractor, each of said supports containing pneumatic quick release cylinders mounted inside the longitudinal axes of said supports that are activated through air that has been compressed and stored in an air tank;

quick release pins that attach said weight-bearing supports to said fifth wheel plate;

two air flow supply lines connected to each of said pneumatic quick release cylinders;

an air actuator connected through an electrical means to said airflow supply lines and said weight-bearing supports;

two sensors connected through said electrical means to said air actuator, said sensors positioned on opposite sides of said tractor'"'"'s frame;

a tilt switch connected through said electrical means to said sensors and said air actuator located behind the cab of said tractor that senses when said tractor is 15 degrees from the ground, said tilt switch activating said electrical means when 15 degrees from the ground has been sensed, said sensors then changing the air flow in said actuator from a forward push to a reverse push when said tilt switch measures a 30 degree angle between said tractor and the ground, thereby causing said pneumatic quick release cylinders and said quick release pins to release from said fifth wheel, thereby breaking apart said trailer from said tractor.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said air flow supply is derived from an air compressor located in the engine of said commercial truck that begins pushing air into air tanks once the engine is started and begins to build air pressure in said air tanks.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said air actuator is a three-way normally closed type such as those manufactured by Peter Paul.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electrical means is the battery found in the engine of said commercial truck.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sensors are mercury sensors such as the non-insulated tilt and position switches manufactured by A.E.C. Durakool.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tilt switch is one such as the insulated tilt and position switches manufactured by A.E.C. Durakool.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a push line/retract line is run between said weight-bearing supports to the middle of said fifth wheel.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said weight-bearing supports are approximately 20″

long.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said weight-bearing supports are between approximately 3 and 4 inches high.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said weight-bearing supports are between approximately 4 and 5 inches wide.

11. A method for preventing the rollover of commercial trucks, said trucks being composed of a tractor portion and a trailer portion, said method comprising

the placement of two weight-bearing supports equidistant from the fifth wheel plate located on said tractor, each of said supports containing pneumatic cylinders mounted inside the longitudinal axes of said supports that are activated through air that has been compressed and stored in an air tank;

the placement of quick release pins that attach said weight-bearing supports to said fifth wheel plate;

the placement of two airflow supply lines connected to each of said pneumatic quick release cylinders;

the placement of an air actuator connected through an electrical means to said airflow supply lines and said weight-bearing supports;

the placement of two sensors connected through said electrical means to said air actuator, said sensors positioned on opposite sides of said tractor'"'"'s frame;

the placement of a tilt switch connected through said electrical means to said sensors and said air actuator located behind the cab of said tractor that senses when said tractor is 15 degrees from the ground, said tilt switch activating said electrical means when 15 degrees from the ground has been sensed, said sensors then changing the air flow in said actuator from a forward push to a reverse push when said tilt switch measures a 30 degree angle between said tractor and the ground, thereby causing said pneumatic quick release cylinders and said quick release pins to release from said fifth wheel, thereby breaking apart said trailer from said tractor.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein said air flow supply is derived from an air compressor located in the engine of said commercial truck that begins pushing air into air tanks once the engine is started and begins to build air pressure in said air tanks.

13. A method according to claim 11 wherein said air actuator is a three-way normally closed type such as those manufactured by Peter Paul.

14. A method according to claim 11 wherein said electrical means is the battery found in the engine of said commercial truck.

15. A method according to claim 11 wherein said sensors are mercury sensors such as the non-insulated tilt and position switches manufactured by A.E.C. Durakool.

16. A method according to claim 11 wherein said tilt switch is one such as the insulated tilt and position switches manufactured by A.E.C. Durakool.

17. A method according to claim 11 wherein a push line/retract line is run between said weight-bearing supports to the middle of said fifth wheel.

18. A method according to claim 11 wherein said weight-bearing supports are approximately 20″

long.

19. A method according to claim 11 wherein said weight-bearing supports are between approximately 3 and 4 inches high.

20. A method according to claim 11 wherein said weight-bearing supports are between approximately 4 and 5 inches wide.