Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A power distribution unit useful in a truck tractor to apply electrical power to a selected one or more of a plurality of signal terminals of a tractor-mounted connector in a tractor-to-trailer electrical connection. The power distribution unit comprises a power bus adapted for connection to a power source, an output terminal corresponding to each signal terminal of the connector, a switch connected between each output terminal and the power bus, and an actuator associated with each switch and operable upon receipt of a respective control signal to operate the associated switch.

Abstract: A safety stop for preventing activation of brakes of a towed vehicle by a cable braking system connected between a towing vehicle and the towed vehicle until a predetermined load is placed on the cable system such that premature activation of the system is prevented.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In a method for the avoidance of rollover phenomena in semitrailers with the emission of warning signals for the driver of the vehicle when driving inappropriately, the center of gravity of the load of the semitrailer is calculated in an on-board computer. From the center of gravity thus determined and the known weight of the loaded semitrailer, the on-board computer calculates a rollover limit as a function of instantaneous driving parameters, on exceeding of which limit a warning is issued to the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A bracket, apparatus and method are provided for adapting a simple draw bar and hitch ball arrangement to allow connection to a sway control device. The bracket includes an aperture for receiving the threaded stem of the hitch ball, a notch for receiving and engaging the draw bar and a second aperture for receiving a sway control device connector such as a sway control ball. The bracket allows connection to any number of sway control devices available in the industry so that a simple draw bar and hitch ball may be converted for sway control capability.

Abstract: An anti-jackknifing apparatus is disclosed for reducing articulation between a tractor having a fifth wheel and a trailer having a king pin. The anti-jackknifing apparatus comprises a rotatable shaft, a lug mounted on the shaft and a rotary actuator operatively engaged with the shaft.

Abstract: An actuator/coupler device attached to a towed vehicle for releasably coupling the towed vehicle to a towing vehicle, and for actuating brakes on the towed vehicle, wherein the point of coupling is a coupler ball attached to the towing vehicle. In particular, the device comprises a generally rectangular shaped housing for attachment to the towed vehicle, and a generally hollow coupler correspondingly shaped for telescopic attachment to the housing. A roller shaft extends through a hole in the housing and extends through an elongated slot in the coupler thereby providing a point of attachment for the coupler and the housing that allows for limited movement of the coupler relative to the housing. A pair of opposing rollers secure to the roller shaft and are located inside the generally hollow interior of the coupler whereby the rollers roll on a surface within the generally hollow interior of the coupler.

Abstract: An implement/vehicle hitch system for coupling implements to a utility vehicle includes two hydraulic cylinders for adjusting the position of the implement. The hydraulic cylinders are connected to a pair of motor/pump units which cause the hydraulic cylinders to operate in a synchronous manner.

Abstract: A trailer for a dynamically balanced transporter that allows leaning of the transporter such as for control of the combination of transporter and trailer. The trailer has a platform and an arm with two ends, one of which ends is coupled to the platform and the other of which is pivotally coupled about a horizontal axis to the transporter. The trailer has a ground-contacting member that may be a wheel, or a ski or a skid. A locking mechanism may lock the pivot in response to a fault condition. The platform of the trailer may support a rider in a seated or standing position and may have a characteristic transverse linear dimension comparable to the shoulder width of the rider.

Abstract: A device for determining a distance between the back of a motor vehicle and an object located behind the motor vehicle, including a sensor arrangement for detecting a distance between at least one location on the back of the motor vehicle and a location at the side of the object facing the vehicle, and an evaluation unit for determining distance values on the basis of the detected sensor signals, the evaluation unit including an arrangement for ascertaining a periodic nature of the determined distance values.

Abstract: A steerable trailer is provided with a trailer hitch which extends forward to attach to a corresponding hitch on the towing vehicle. The towing vehicle hitch further includes an extending arm, referred to as the position arm, to which the end of the piston of a hydraulic master cylinder carried by the trailer is pivotally attached. A slave cylinder carried by the trailer adjacent to the steerable wheels is in hydraulic communication with the master cylinder for turning the steerable wheels. A pair of hydraulic lines communicate between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder to extend or retract the slave cylinder piston rod. The steerable wheels are rotatably and pivotally connected to an axle by conventional steering knuckles. A pivot arm is affixed to the steering knuckle of one of the wheels and to a tie rod extending from the steering knuckle of the opposite wheel. The extending end of the cylinder rod of the slave cylinder carries a steering knuckle to which is pivotally attached the pivot arm.

Abstract: A hitch ball assembly which includes a housing adapted to be movably mounted within a conventional hitch receiver associated with a towing vehicle wherein a shock absorber is mounted within the housing and which is connected to a pivotable lever having a free end extending outwardly of the housing. A brake cable is connected between the free end of the lever and a brake pedal of a towed vehicle such that the brake pedal is applied by the cable whenever forces are developed by the towed vehicle in the direction of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linkage mechanism (10) for operative association between a fifth wheel on a drive vehicle and at least one pair of steerable rear wheels. The linkage mechanism (10) is arranged so as, in the first phase, to convey rotary movement of the fifth wheel to rotary movement of the at least one pair of rear wheels and, in a second phase, to permit further rotary movement of the fifth wheel substantially without further rotary movement of the at least one pair of rear wheels. The linkage mechanism (10) comprises a pivotable crank (12); a cam roller (24) in operative association with the fifth wheel; and a cam collar (26) in operative association with the crank (12). The invention also relates to a vehicle having at least one pair of steerable rear wheels and incorporating the linkage mechanism (10).

Abstract: A load sensor is provided on a tractor to sense a load in the upper link of a three point hitch. The load sensor is fixed to the upper link, rather than the tractor to move with the upper link rather than the tractor. This arrangement permits the load sensor to always indicate the longitudinal load placed on the upper link.