Trailer bracket for sway control towing system
AssigneeProgress Mfg. Inc.
InventorJed Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for reducing sway between a towing vehicle and a trailer is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise a bracket assembly that attaches to a tongue of a trailer. The bracket assembly may include a surface for supporting a spring arm extending from a weight distribution hitch installed on a tow vehicle. The bracket assembly may include a clamp that is able to apply a frictional force to thereby oppose movement of the spring arm. The clamping force applied by the clamp may be variable to ensure proper operation.
Claims41
An apparatus for reducing sway between a tow vehicle and a trailer, said apparatus comprising:
- a support bracket mountable to a frame of said trailer;
- a first clamping member disposed on the support bracket;
- a second clamping member secured to the support bracket;
- a spring arm contacting the first clamping member and the second clamping member;
- and
- a resilient member disposed against the second clamping member;
- wherein said resilient member is configured and arranged to bias said second clamping member against said spring arm.
An apparatus for reducing sway between a tow vehicle and a trailer, said apparatus comprising:
- an L-shaped support bracket, said L-shaped support bracket having a horizontal surface for engaging a spring arm and a vertical member for engaging a frame of the trailer;
- and
- a clamping mechanism integrated into said L-shaped support bracket, said clamping mechanism operable to apply a frictional force to said spring arm to thereby oppose movement of said spring arm.
An apparatus for reducing sway between a tow vehicle and a trailer, said apparatus comprising:
- a support bracket mountable to a frame of said trailer, said support bracket having a support location for receiving a tapered spring arm;
- and
- a clamping mechanism having a first clamping member, said clamping mechanism operable to apply a frictional force to thereby oppose movement of said tapered spring arm;
- wherein said clamping mechanism comprises a resilient member for biasing said first clamping member against a surface of the tapered spring arm.
A method of reducing sway between a tow vehicle and a trailer, wherein said tow vehicle and said trailer are coupled together using a weight distribution hitch having a spring arm, said method comprising the step of applying a frictional force to the spring arm with a clamping member to thereby oppose movement of the spring arm.
An apparatus for reducing sway between a tow vehicle and a trailer, said apparatus comprising:
- a support bracket mountable to a frame of said trailer, said support bracket having a support location;
- a spring arm received in said support location;
- a clamping member;
- and
- at least one fastener for securing said clamping member to the support bracket;
- wherein said spring arm is clamped between said support location and said clamping member to thereby oppose movement of the spring arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.