OVERRUNNING BRAKE FOR TRAILERS

• US 3,870,128 A
• Filed: 10/25/1972
• Issued: 03/11/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bergische Achsenfabrik FR KOTZ & Sohne Am Ohlerhammer
• Original Assignee: Hans Gruner, Heinz Nicolay
• Inventors: Nicolay, Heinz, Gruner, Hans
• Primary Examiner(s): Blix, Trygve M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barefoot, Galen L.
• Application Number:
  US05/300,747
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 188/112,129,3R
• US Class Current: 188/112.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/20 specially for trailers, e.g. in case of uncoupling of or overrunning by trailer inertia-actuated overrun brakes B60T13/08

Abstract

An overrunning brake is provided with a pull rod displaceably mounted in a pull tube, with a power transmission mechanically coupled to the pull rod for acting on the brake, and with a shock absorbing mechanism including a friction member positioned in the pull tube and prestressed for displacement between a pair of lugs. The friction member is operatively coupled to the pull rod with its friction face being forced against the pull rod.

Claims

1. An overrunning brake for a trailer, said brake comprising a first pull member displaceably mounted in a second pull member, power transmission means coupled to the first pull member for acting on the brake, and shock absorbing means positioned between the first and second pull members for absorbing shocks and vibrations, said shock absorbing means including a mechanically operating friction member positioned in the second pull member and prestressed for displacement between first and second lugs fixedly positioned in and attached to the second pull member, said friction member being operatively coupled to the second pull member and having a friction face forced against the first pull member, and said first pull member being provided with a third lug adapted for movement to a position between the first and second lugs so as to shorten the displacement of the friction member between the first and second lugs during starting action of the trailer and for movement to another position so as not to shorten the displacement of the friction member between the first and second lugs during braking action of the trailer.

2. An overrunning brake as in claim 1 wherein said first, second, and third lugs are axially aligned within the second pull member, said positions are disposed on opposite sides of the second lug, and said third lug is provided with a clearance opening permitting it to move relative to the second lug between said positions.

3. An overrunning brake as in claim 2 wherein said third lug is only constructed for transmitting pulling force between the trailer and a pulling vehicle therefor.

4. An overrunning brake as in claim 2 including means for adjusting the displacement and, hence, the prestressing of the friction member between the first and second lugs.

5. An overrunning brake as in claim 2 wherein the one of said first and second lugs upon which the friction member abuts during the starting action of the trailer is wedge-shaped to increase the friction force acting against the first pull member, and said friction member includes a correspondingly shaped contact surface.

6. An overrunning brake as in claim 2 including a resilient carrier member upon which the friction member abuts during the braking action of the trailer to decrease the friction force.

7. An overrunning brake as in claim 2 including a carrier member upon which the friction member abuts during the braking action of the trailer, said carrier member being provided with free spaces for receiving a part of the mass of the friction member.

8. An overruNning brake as in claim 2 wherein said friction member includes an undulated friction face.

9. An overrunning brake as in claim 2 wherein said friction member includes a toothed friction face.