Abstract: The present invention is a safety-enhancing automatic brake control system that automatically applies and maintains the brakes in the applied state, in response to sensors at various stations around/in the vehicle or equipment that signal an invented controller when conditions exist that make vehicle movement potentially dangerous. The controller validates the signals and then actuates a mechanism that manages the air, brake fluid, or mechanical brake linkage/cable that applies the brakes. The control system preferably includes a vehicle motion override system that prevents automatic application of the brakes if the vehicle is in motion above a set speed, and a manual brake-releasing override that allows a driver to override the controller temporarily at the driver's discretion.

Abstract: A safety-enhancing automatic brake control system automatically applies and maintains the brakes in the applied state, when one or more conditions exist at various stations around/in the vehicle or equipment that make vehicle movement dangerous. A preferred controller electrically, electronically, or otherwise connects to various sensors at the vehicle stations, validates the signal(s), and then actuates a mechanism that manages the air, brake fluid, mechanical brake linkage/cable, electric, or other mechanism that applies the brakes. In an air brake system, a solenoid valve blocks and vents the air line to release a piston that normally counteracts a spring mechanism. In a hydraulic brake system, a piston or spring, for example, powers a secondary piston rod and piston in a master cylinder to apply the brakes. In the case of a spring-actuated system, a release unit such as a piston may be used to counteract the spring for releasing the brakes.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety-enhancing automatic air parking brake actuator system that automatically actuators the air brakes in an engaged condition when one or more dangerous conditions exist at various stations around/in the vehicle or equipment. The preferred actuator system operates on the principle that the brake actuator system is electrically connected to the various stations, and, when a circuit including the actuator unit is interrupted, a solenoid valve of the actuator system closes and vents, to cut off the air supply to the air brakes to engage the brakes. The stations may include the vehicle ignition, one or more doors, a wheelchair lift, a dump truck bed, a backhoe arm, or other equipment.