Abstract: A protective cover for protecting a pair of tow bar arms has a cover element adapted to fit around the pair of tow arms. The protective cover also includes a fastener adapted for fastening elongate upper edges of the cover element around each of the pair of the tow bar arms once the cover element has been folded along a fold line, so that the cover element substantially surrounds each of the tow bar arms.

Abstract: A tow bar apparatus has a hitch member, a pair of linkages, and a pair of tow bars. The hitch member has a receiver tube adapted to removably engage a towing vehicle, and a vertical pivot post having a vertical axis that is generally orthogonal to the surface when the hitch member is mounted on the towing vehicle. Each of the pair of linkages connects the hitch member to a proximal end of one of the pair of tow bars. Each linkage includes a vertical aperture that pivotally mounts the linkage on the vertical pivot post, and a horizontal pivot pin attached to one of the pair of tow bars. A towed vehicle attachment element of a distal end of each of the tow bars is adapted to be removably attached to the towed vehicle.

Abstract: A braking apparatus used to brake a vehicle having brakes actuated by a power boost in response to the movement of a brake pedal has a vacuum source adapted to be operably connectable to a vacuum conduit network, the vacuum conduit network being adapted to be operably connectable to a vacuum control valve, the vacuum conduit network further being adapted to be operably connectable to the power boost of the vehicle. The braking apparatus also includes a vacuum actuated servo mechanism adapted to be operably connectable to receive vacuum from the vacuum control means as directed by an electronic controller, the vacuum then being capable of actuating the vacuum actuated servo mechanism to move between a resting position and a braking position. The braking apparatus further includes a connection cable adapted to be mechanically connectable to both the vacuum actuated servo mechanism and the brake pedal of the vehicle such that the vacuum actuated servo mechanism and the brake pedal move responsively.

Abstract: A tow bar apparatus has a pair of socket members adapted to be attached to a towed vehicle and a pair of ball rod end joints adapted to be attached to a towing vehicle. The pair of socket members each includes a girdle around a sidewall, the girdle being adapted to support the sidewall to prevent the sidewall from bending out of shape under the stress of towing; the girdle further including a first bolt aperture opposite the bar slot of the sidewall for pivotal attachment of the socket member to the towed vehicle. The ball rod end joint includes an external ring attached to the second end of one of the tow bars, and an internal ring pivotally mounted within the external ring. The internal ring is adapted to be mounted on a post of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A brake control system has a power source electronically connectable through a brake switch and a microswitch to a towed brake actuation mechanism that actuates a towed brake of the towed vehicle. The brake control system is designed for use in a towed vehicle that is removably connected to a towing vehicle with a tow hitch. It is critical that the brake control system include two switches to control the actuation of the towed brake: (1) the brake switch to ensure that the towed brake is not actuated until the user depresses a brake pedal to actuate the towing brake of the towing vehicle; and (2) the microswitch to ensure that the towed brake is not actuated unless the towed vehicle and the towing vehicle are being pressed together, such as when the towing vehicle is braking and the towed vehicle is coasting into the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A remote braking apparatus has a vacuum conduit network that operably connects a vacuum source to both the power boost of the towed-vehicle and a pair of solenoid valves. A vacuum cylinder receives vacuum from the solenoid valves as directed by an electronic circuit connected to the vehicle's battery. The vacuum actuates the vacuum cylinder causing it to move between a resting position and a braking position. A cable mechanically interconnects the vacuum cylinder and a brake pedal of the towed-vehicle. The cable passes through a cable shield tube that is anchored to both the vacuum cylinder and the firewall of the vehicle, thereby directing the movement of the vacuum cylinder to the brake pedal, allowing the vacuum cylinder to control the movement of the brake pedal.

Abstract: The present trailer brake device is a portable, quickly and easily installable and removable assembly which secures to the existing conventional receiver hitch receptacle of a towing vehicle to provide for the attachment of a trailer to the towing vehicle. A telescoping component actuates a hydraulic brake master cylinder when the assembly is compressed, as when the brakes of the towing vehicle are applied and the inertia of the trailer (or towed vehicle) applies a compressive force to the device. The brake master cylinder of the device is connected to the hydraulic brakes of the towed vehicle or trailer, thus automatically actuating them proportionally to the amount of force being applied by the towed vehicle to the brake device. The present device includes adjustment for the initial brake application as well as for the braking force applied to the trailer brakes by the master cylinder, and is quickly and easily adjusted to preclude trailer brake actuation during backing maneuvers.