Towed vehicle brake actuation system

• US 6,158,823 A
• Filed: 12/19/1998
• Issued: 12/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dethmers Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: John Robert Schuck
• Inventors: Schuck, John Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Mar, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, XUAN LAN T
• Application Number:
  US09/216,419
• Time in Patent Office: 724 Days
• Field of Search: 303/7, 303/12, 188/3 R, 188/112 R, 188/112 A
• US Class Current: 303/7
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/46 Vacuum systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/683 in pneumatic systems or parts thereof in vacuum systems B60T13/72
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/02 Arrangements of pumps or compressors, or control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/221 Procedure or apparatus for checking or keeping in a correct functioning condition of brake systems hydraulic pressure systems in general F15B19/00, F15B21/04; testing structures or apparatus G01M

Abstract

The present invention is a vacuum operated brake actuation sytem for actuating a towed vehicle'"'"'s brake system. In a preferred embodiment it comprises a source of vacuum, a vacuum level sensor and switch, an electrically operated, spring return, four way, two position, vacuum valve with speed controls, and a double acting vacuum operated cylinder that actuates the towed vehicle'"'"'s brake pedal which actuates the towed vehicle'"'"'s brake system as the cylinder is directed by the valve. The preferred embodiment also comprises electrical wiring, vacuum hoses, fittings, connections, check valves, a breakaway switch, and other miscellaneous bracketry and hardware as required to complete the system. A vacuum pump along with a vacuum level sensor and switch for monitoring vacuum levels and passing electrical power to operate the vacuum pump as required are included in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. Towed vehicle brake actuation system for a vehicle being towed by a motor home, said towed vehicle brake actuation system comprising:

a) a vacuum level sensor and switch,

b) a vacuum pump which is electrically controlled by said vacuum level sensor and switch,

c) a cylinder with a rod that can be extended or retracted by atmospheric pressure when a vacuum is induced into said cylinder, said rod being connectable to a brake pedal of a towed vehicle so said rod can exert force to actuate or retract said brake pedal, and

d) an electrically operated vacuum valve that, when connected to said cylinder, can induce a vacuum within said cylinder as required to permit atmospheric pressure to extend or retract said rod of said cylinder,

wherein said vacuum pump is in fluid communications with said valve and said cylinder and with a brake booster of the towed vehicle, and

wherein said vacuum level sensor and switch, said vacuum pump, said cylinder, and said electrically operated vacuum valve are installed in said vehicle being towed by said motor home.

2. The towed vehicle brake actuation system of claim 1 wherein the cylinder is positioned to actuate the brake pedal of the towed vehicle by extension of the rod of the cylinder and said cylinder rod is connected to said brake pedal by a bracket.

3. The towed vehicle brake actuation system of claim 2 wherein the vacuum cylinder is secured to and pivotable about a braket in a vacuum assist unit, said vacuum assist unit seated on a floor of the towed vehicle, and secured in position.

4. The towed vehicle brake actuation system of claim 1 wherein the valve is an electrically operated, spring return, four way, two position vacuum valve.

5. The towed vehicle brake actuation system of claim 4 further comprising a breakaway switch that, when activated by a cable pull resulting from a separation of a towed vehicle by a towing vehicle, electrically energizes the towed vehicle brake actuation system.

6. A brake system for a towed vehicle comprising:

a) a brake system activated by a brake pedal in a towing vehicle;

b) means generating an electrical signal responsive to the actuation of the brake pedal in said towing vehicle;

c) a vacuum cylinder in the towed vehicle;

d) a vacuum pump maintaining a vacuum in a line in said towed vehicle, said vacuum pump and said line connected to said vacuum cylinder through a valve means; and

e) a brake actuation means in said towed vehicle including a brake pedal and a brake booster connected to said brake pedal in said towed vehicle, said vacuum cylinder having a rod connected to said pedal in said towed vehicle;

wherein said valve means is responsive to said electrical signal to supply vacuum from said vacuum pump and line through said valve means to said vacuum cylinder and to said brake booster to actuate the brakes of said towed vehicle.

7. A brake system for a towed vehicle comprising:

a) a towing vehicle coupled to a towed vehicle;

b) a vacuum cylinder in the towed vehicle;

c) a vacuum pump maintaining a vacuum in a line in said towed vehicle, said vacuum pump and said line connected to said vacuum cylinder through a valve means; and

d) a brake actuation means in said towed vehicle including

a brake pedal and a brake booster,

said vacuum cylinder having a rod connected to said brake pedal, and

a switch responsive to decoupling of the towed vehicle from the towing vehicle to actuate said valve means to connect said vacuum pump and line to said vacuum cylinder to activate the brakes in said towed vehicle.