Monitor for Manual Trailer Brake Activation

• US 20090206652A1
• Filed: 12/14/2006
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clay Meier, Ken Olson
• Original Assignee: Clay Meier
• Inventors: Olson, Ken
• Granted Patent: US 8,127,600 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 303/27
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 15/60 for releasing or applying brakes when vehicles of a vehicle train are uncoupled
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/18 Safety devices; Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/08 hand actuated

Abstract

In a highway tractor trailer vehicle, a brake control sensor is operative to detect each activation of the manual trailer brake control, and a recorder receives and stores data comprising a speed of the tractor at each manual trailer brake control activation. Trailer brake wear is reduced by penalizing an operator of the tractor for each unauthorized activation of the manual trailer brake control. Testing of the connection of the tractor to the trailer is encouraged by tracking the activation of the manual trailer brake control and penalizing the operator for failure to test the connection.

Claims

1. A manual trailer brake monitor apparatus for installation in a highway tractor with a manual trailer brake control mounted in the tractor, wherein the tractor is adapted for connection to a trailer such that activating the manual trailer brake control activates trailer brakes mounted on the trailer, the manual trailer brake monitor apparatus comprising:

a brake control sensor operative to detect each manual trailer brake control activation;

a recorder operatively connected to the brake control sensor, and operatively connectable to a speed sensor, wherein the recorder is operative to receive and store data comprising a speed of the tractor at each manual trailer brake control activation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the recorder is operatively connected to a clock, and wherein the recorder is operative to receive and store data comprising a speed of the tractor at each manual trailer brake control activation and the time and date of each manual trailer brake control activation.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the manual trailer brake control activates the trailer brakes by directing compressed air into an air line, and wherein the brake control sensor is operative to detect the presence of compressed air in the air line.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the brake control sensor comprises a switch and wherein the manual trailer brake control contacts the switch when activated.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the recorder comprises a microprocessor operative to store the data.

6. A method of reducing trailer brake wear, the method comprising:

arranging for installation of the manual trailer brake monitor apparatus of claim 1 in a highway tractor;

authorizing an operator of the highway tractor to activate the manual trailer brake control at specified tractor speeds;

reviewing the data periodically to determine the speed of the tractor at each manual trailer brake control activation;

penalizing an operator of the highway tractor for each unauthorized manual trailer brake control activation.

7. A method of ensuring secure connection of a highway tractor to a trailer, the method comprising:

arranging for installation of the manual trailer brake monitor apparatus of claim 2 in a highway tractor;

instructing an operator of the highway tractor to activate the manual trailer brake control, at a speed within a specified range, after connecting the tractor to the trailer to test the connection of the tractor to the trailer;

reviewing the data periodically to determine the speed of the tractor at each manual trailer brake control activation and the time and date of each manual trailer brake control activation;

comparing the data to a history of the tractor'"'"'s operations to determine if times of connecting the tractor to a trailer correspond to the time and date of a manual trailer brake control activation;

penalizing an operator of the highway tractor for each failure to test the connection of the tractor to the trailer by activating the manual trailer brake control as instructed.

8. A highway tractor manual trailer brake monitor apparatus comprising:

a manual trailer brake control mounted in a highway tractor, and wherein the tractor is adapted for connection to a trailer such that activating the manual trailer brake control activates trailer brakes mounted on the trailer;

a brake control sensor operative to detect each manual trailer brake control activation;

a recorder comprising a microprocessor operatively connected to the brake control sensor, and operatively connected to a speed sensor, and operatively connected to a clock, wherein the microprocessor is operative to record and store data comprising a speed of the tractor at each manual trailer brake control activation and the time and date of each manual trailer brake control activation.

9. A method of reducing trailer brake wear on trailers pulled by a highway tractor with the manual trailer brake monitor apparatus of claim 8, the method comprising:

authorizing an operator of the highway tractor to activate the manual trailer brake control at specified tractor speeds;

reviewing the data periodically to determine the speed of the tractor at each manual trailer brake control activation;

penalizing an operator of the highway tractor for each unauthorized manual trailer brake control activation.

10. A method of ensuring secure connection of a highway tractor with the manual trailer brake monitor apparatus of claim 8 to a trailer, the method comprising:

instructing an operator of the highway tractor to activate the manual trailer brake control, at a speed within a specified range, after connecting the tractor to the trailer to test the connection of the tractor to the trailer;

reviewing the data periodically to determine the speed of the tractor at each manual trailer brake control activation and the time and date of each manual trailer brake control activation;

comparing the data to a history of the tractor'"'"'s operations to determine if times of connecting the tractor to a trailer correspond to the time and date of a manual trailer brake control activation;

penalizing an operator of the highway tractor for each failure to test the connection of the tractor to the trailer by activating the manual trailer brake control as instructed.