A yaw control system capable of detecting a predetermined yaw angle of a towed vehicle and then automatically communicating with a braking system of the towed vehicle includes an actuator and a switch. The actuator and switch operate to detect when a towed vehicle, such as a trailer, has exceeded a predetermined yaw angle. In one embodiment, the yaw control system includes a switch arranged to contact a surface of a plate (i.e., actuator) when the towed vehicle exceeds the predetermined yaw angle. In another embodiment, the yaw control system includes a switch mechanism arranged to contact retractable rods (i.e., actuator) coupled to a hitch assembly when the towed vehicle exceeds the predetermined yaw angle.

Yaw control system for a vehicle-trailer combination

An apparatus for facilitating the travel of a motor vehicle, designed for roadway travel, upon railways has the capacity to be towed to the rail site by the motor vehicle. The apparatus has a platform having at least one rotatable axle of roadway tires attached thereto. In the deployed position, the roadway wheels allow the apparatus to be towed similarly to a trailer. When the apparatus is properly positioned over a railroad crossing, the rotatable wheels are drawn back to a retraced position, the apparatus is lowered so that rail wheels, mounted to the platform, engage the rails exactly as other rail vehicles. A removable ramp allows the motor vehicle to mount the platform. The wheels of the motor vehicle engage either one or two sets of rollers disposed upon the platform. After the motor vehicle is properly secured, the motor vehicle can be engaged to drive the rollers, with the power delivered to the rollers being transmitted to the train wheels to supply the necessary locomotion. To accommodate various motor vehicles of differing offsets between the driven axles, the distance between the two sets of rollers may be adjusted, and each may receive rotational power from one axle of the vehicle and transmit that energy to one of the sets of train wheels of the apparatus to propel the apparatus down the railways, and thus either end of the apparatus may serve as the forward end of the apparatus when it is upon a railway.

Apparatus to facilitate rail transit by motor vehicles

A hydraulic braking system for a towed vehicle provides actuation of the hydraulic pump motor of the towed vehicle responsive to an electrical switch which is closed upon application of the brake pedal of the towing vehicle. However, even after actuation of the hydraulic pump, the towed vehicle brakes are only able to be applied in response to sensed relative movement of the towing and towed vehicle toward each other. A break-away switch sets the trailer brakes in the event of accidental separation of the towed vehicle from the towing vehicle. The control valve may be used in other situations to control a hydraulic pump and associated hydraulic braking system.

Control valve for hydraulic braking system

A trailer is equipped with a surge braking system having a braking/dampening unit 70 that is integrated with a common reservoir 71 that supplies brake fluid to both the master brake cylinder 72 and the dampener cylinder 75 , so that if the master cylinder is starved of brake fluid, the dampener also is starved of fluid and the jarring between the forward hitch and the rear housing in response to acceleration and deceleration of the towing vehicle will alert the operator of the towing vehicle to replenish the reservoir with brake fluid. Safety cable 111 connects at one end to the towing vehicle and actuates the master cylinder in response to tension being applied thereto, and latch 98 moves in behind the master cylinder and locks the master cylinder in it operative position so as to hold the brakes in their locked position.

Trailer hitch with surge braking/dampening apparatus

A surge brake actuator is disclosed. The actuator includes an actuator housing and a coupler housing movably engaged within the actuator housing. Upper and lower coupler slide channels formed from a plastic material are releasably connected to the coupler housing and contact the actuator housing. The plastic coupler slide channels reduce frictional loss and provides superior brake actuation output when the coupler housing retracts into the actuator housing during braking. The surge brake actuator includes a push rod assembly that also provides superior brake actuation output to the actuator and can engage the actuator during a breakaway event. The surge brake actuator includes a releasably engagable reverse lock that prevents brake actuation while the towing vehicle moves in reverse.

Surge brake actuator

A trailer hitch and brake actuator having lower production costs and improved operation is provided. The housings of the actuator are of stamped, low cost construction, employing fewer separate pieces. The actuator includes a rear component carrying a brake cylinder with a spring on the piston rod of the brake cylinder being engaged by a rigid member which is movable with a forward component and is connected directly with a shock absorber. The shock absorber is carried by the rear component and is parallel to the piston rod of the brake cylinder and to the movement of the forward component of the actuator. The brake cylinder is located directly above the shock absorber to minimize the space required and accordingly enable the actuator to be reduced in size. The forward component is of tubular cross section and is received in a passage of the rear actuator component and slidably carried thereby through plastic bearings. The actuator also has a break-away lever employing an over-center linkage with the lever acting on the brake piston rod spring and moved to an over-center position by a flexible link attached to the towing vehicle in the event the trailer becomes separated therefrom.

Hitch with trailer brake actuator

A trailer hitch is provided with a brake actuator which supplies hydraulic fluid at large volume and under high pressure to brakes of a towed vehicle. By supplying a large volume of brake fluid to the brakes, large brakes and worn brakes can be effectively accommodated by the actuator. By supplying the fluid at high pressure, the actuator also is capable of use with large or heavy trailers and with disc brakes, for which high pressure is particularly desirable. To accomplish both large volume and high pressure, the actuator includes a primary piston for producing large volume at relatively low pressure and a smaller, secondary piston for producing higher pressure at smaller volume. The primary piston is moved directly by a brake rod and this piston, in turn, moves the secondary piston after a predetermined length of stroke. The hitch and actuator also include an accumulator which enables smoother operation, an improved break-away lever mechanism, and an improved brake fluid reservoir.

Joseph L. Wherry

Papers

Hitch with trailer brake actuator

Trailer hitch and brake actuator