ANTI-SWAY BAR

• US 3,787,077 A
• Filed: 03/02/1973
• Issued: 01/22/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Louis J. Sanders
• Original Assignee: Louis J. Sanders
• Inventors: Sanders, Louis J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friaglia, Leo
• Application Number:
  US05/337,453
• Time in Patent Office: 326 Days
• Field of Search: 280/446B,432,46A
• US Class Current: 280/455.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/32 involving damping devices

Abstract

An anti-sway bar mechanism for a trailer driven by automobile or truck including first and second pivotal connections on the trailer and driving vehicle, respectively, a split cylindrical member extending from the trailer pivotal connection and a rod telescoping in the cylindrical member and extending from the other pivotal connection, there being provided an arcuate pressure plate which is actuated by a flat actuator or clamping plate to press the split cylindrical member and an associated frictional element into engagement with the rod member to vary the clamping force on the rod member and provide variable resistance to sway, there also being provided an actuating member for the arcuate pressure plate that is threaded into the actuating plate and spring biased to a retracted position, the actuating plate being held in position by a plate on the opposite side of the pressure plate connected to the bottom of the split cylindrical member that has threaded members connected to the actuating plate with the actuating plate and the bottom plate being urged apart to urge the pressure plate to its non-pressure position to assist in releasing the anti-sway pressure on the rod member.

Claims

1. An anti-sway bar mechanism for a trailer, comprising;

first pivot means adapted to and connected to the driving vehicle, second pivot means adapted to be mounted to the trailer, a first tubular member connected to one of the said pivot means, a second member slideable in said first tubular member and connected to the other pivot means, means for compressing said tubular member toward said second member to provide a sway resistant force, a first plate connected to one side of the tubular member and a pressure plate connected to the other side of the tubular member, an actuating plate for said pressure plate connected to react against said first plate, and a threaded actuating member threadedly engaged with said actuating plate and movably engaging the pressure plate.

2. An anti-sway bar mechanism for a trailer as defined in claim 1, wherein said tubular member and said second member are cylindrical.

3. An anti-sway bar mechanism for a trailer as defined in claim 2, wherein said pressure plate is elongated and arcuate in configuration.

4. An anti-sway bar mechanism for a trailer as defined in claim 1, wherein said threaded actuating member is spring released away from said actuating plate.

5. An anti-sway bar mechanism for a trailer, as defined in claim 1, wherein said first plate and said actuating plate are inter-connected by threaded members, and spring means urging said first plate and said actuating plate apart.

6. An anti-sway bar mechanism for a trailer, comprising;

first pivot means adapted to and connected to the driving vehicle, second pivot means adapted to be mounted to the trailer, a first tubular member connected to one of the said pivot means, a second member slideable in said first tubular member and connected to the other pivot means, means for compressing said tubular member toward said second member to provide a sway resistant force, a first plate connected to one side of the tubular member and a pressure plate connected to the other side of the tubular member, an actuating plate for said pressure plate connected to react against said first plate, and a threaded actuating member threadedly engaged with said actuating plate and driving engaging the pressure plate, wherein said first plate and said actuating plate are inter-connected by threaded members, and spring means urging said first plate and said actuating plate apart.