Emergency steering wheel braking system

• US 6,609,768 B1
• Filed: 04/16/2002
• Issued: 08/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donald E. Frank
• Original Assignee: Donald E. Frank
• Inventors: Frank, Donald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Butler, Douglas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pezzlo, Benjamin A
• Application Number:
  US10/123,552
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.54, 200/61.55, 200/61.56, 200/61.57, 200/61.38, 745/58, 744/89, 744/84.R, 280/264, 280/750, 303/124, 303/20
• US Class Current: 303/20
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/662 characterised by specified functions of the control system components
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/18 Safety devices; Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/107 with electrical power assistance
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/06 Rims, e.g. with heating means; Rim covers B62D1/11 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20256 Steering and controls assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20287 Flexible control element

Abstract

A trailer brake control system comprises a trailer. The trailer has brakes. The trailer also has a secondary electrical receiver. A towing vehicle is also provided. The vehicle has a steering wheel. The vehicle also has a secondary electrical transmitter. A steering wheel cover having a primary wireless signal transmitter is provided. The signal transmitter has a power source and a flexible torus-shaped tube. The tube has a hollow bore. Secured within the bore are a pair of wires, one flat and one toothed, offset from each other. Both wires are electronically coupled to the primary signal transmitter. A trailer brake processor is provided next. The brake processor has a trailer brake actuating switch. The actuating switch is electrically coupled with the brakes of the trailer. A primary signal receiver is coupled to the actuating switch and adapted to receive signals from the primary signal transmitter. A manual switch is also coupled to the actuating switch.

Claims

1. A braking system for safe and convenient operation by a user comprising, in combination:

a steering wheel in a torus shaped configuration;

a tube positioned on the steering wheel in a torus shaped configuration, the tube adapted to be deformed upon the application of pressure by a user;

electronic components within the tube operable to send signals in response to deforming of the tube by said user; and

a trailer with wheels and brakes, the brakes being operable in response to signals from the electronic components.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tube includes internally a pair of spaced electrical wires which, when brought in contact with each other, will generate an electrical signal.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tube includes therein a pressure sensitive switch adapted to generate signals upon the deformation and contraction of the tube.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1 and further including a plurality of lights on the rear of the vehicle operable from the steering wheel and tube and wherein signals generated by the electronic components act to turn on the rear lights.

6. The system as set forth in claim 1 and further including a transceiver capable of sending and receiving a danger signal to other vehicles.

7. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tube contains insulated electrical wires and a switch, which when activated, will generate an electrical signal.

5. A braking system for safe and convenient operation by a user comprising, in combination:

a steering wheel and cover in a torus shaped configuration;

a tube positioned on the steering wheel cover in a torus shaped configuration, the tube adapted to be deformed upon the application of pressure by a user;

a cable formed adjacent to the tube to preclude inadvertent twisting and bending of the tube for extending the life of the tube; and

a trailer with wheels and brakes, the brakes being operable in response to signals from the electronic components.

8. A dual braking system for use with a vehicle with a steering wheel and a trailer with brakes comprising a first circuit and a second circuit with a power source for powering both circuits, each circuit independently capable of energizing the brakes of the trailer, one of the circuits being operable from the steering wheel.

9. A system with a steering wheel and a trailer with brakes and for activating the brakes of the trailer from a primary brake controller, the primary brake controller being capable of removably receiving a modular retrofit assembly, the modular retrofit assembly having a receiver for receiving electronic signals provided by a user from the steering wheel.

10. A system with a steering wheel and a trailer with brakes and for activating the brakes of the trailer in response to a signal from the steering wheel, the system including a primary controller and a secondary controller, the primary controller having a plurality of settings and with the secondary controller having a plurality of corresponding settings adapted to be set by an operator upon a review of the primary settings.