Lateral force limiting coupler assembly
First Claim
1. A lateral force limiting coupler assembly for a towed vehicle, operable for self-contained actuation of a surge-brake mechanism on said towed vehicle, comprising in combination:
- A. a coupler member adapted for engagement with a mating hitch assembly on a towing vehicle; and
,B. a yoke member comprising a movable actuator portion of said surge-brake mechanism, and a tongue member comprising a portion of the frame of said towed vehicle; and
,C. connecting means between said coupler member and said yoke member for allowing relative rotation in a lateral plane between said coupler member and said yoke member; and
D. dampening means between said coupler member and said yoke member for resisting said relative rotation; and
E. actuator means between said coupler member and said tongue member operable to actuate the wheel brakes of said towed vehicle in response to said relative rotation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A coupler assembly for limiting lateral forces which may be generated during the highway operation of a trailer coupled to a towing vehicle. The present invention is part of the yoke of the trailer, and comprises a completely self-contained system for momentarily actuating the brakes on the towed vehicle, in response to undesirable lateral accelerations of the towed vehicle. The invention is characterized by a coupler member which itself is relatively rotatable, in a lateral plane, with respect to the trailer yoke, together with dampening spring assemblies, so there is a surge-brake actuation in response to lateral accelerations above a predetermined magnitude.
38 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A lateral force limiting coupler assembly for a towed vehicle, operable for self-contained actuation of a surge-brake mechanism on said towed vehicle, comprising in combination:
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A. a coupler member adapted for engagement with a mating hitch assembly on a towing vehicle; and
,B. a yoke member comprising a movable actuator portion of said surge-brake mechanism, and a tongue member comprising a portion of the frame of said towed vehicle; and
,C. connecting means between said coupler member and said yoke member for allowing relative rotation in a lateral plane between said coupler member and said yoke member; and D. dampening means between said coupler member and said yoke member for resisting said relative rotation; and E. actuator means between said coupler member and said tongue member operable to actuate the wheel brakes of said towed vehicle in response to said relative rotation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification