Trailer hitch with surge braking/dampening apparatus

A trailer hitch assembly for a trailer having hydraulically actuated brakes the hitch assembly comprising:

• a forward coupler having a front end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a top wall, said front end of said forward coupler having an integral socket formed therein, said socket having a downward opening for receiving a ball of a vehicle, said first and second side wall extending generally downward from said top wall, thereby forming a generally hollow interior;
• a rear housing having a front end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a top wall, said first and second side wall of said rear housing extending generally downwardly from said top wall of said rear housing, thereby forming a generally hollow interior, wherein said rear housing is adapted to fit comfortably around said forward coupler when placed in operable position, said first and second side wall of said rear said rear housing having a plurality of aligned bolt holes formed therethrough, each of said bolt holes adapted to receive a bolt for bolting said rear housing to a tongue of a trailer;
• means for slidably mounting said forward coupler to said rear housing, wherein said forward coupler slides relative to said rear housing along the longitudinal direction;
• a coupling bracket defining a first hole and a second hole, each of said holes for receiving a rod of a piston, said coupling bracket rigidly affixed to said top wall of said forward coupler;
• a hydraulic brake fluid reservoir rigidly affixed to the interior portion of said top wall of said rear housing;
• a master brake cylinder in communication with said hydraulic brake fluid reservoir, wherein said master brake cylinder is aligned with the longitudinal direction of said forward coupler, and wherein said master brake cylinder includes means for coupling said master brake cylinder to a hydraulic brake line of a trailer, whereby hydraulic pressure created in the master brake cylinder is transmitted to the hydraulic brake line;
• a brake piston head coaxially aligned with said master brake cylinder, whereby hydraulic pressure is created in the master brake cylinder when the brake piston head moves rearward relative to the master brake cylinder;
• a piston rod having a first end and a second end, said first end of said piston rod rigidly affixed to said brake piston head, said second end extending through said first hole of said coupling bracket therebeyond, wherein said piston rod is configured to remain stationary relative to said forward coupler when said rear housing slides forward relative to said forward coupler, whereby relative forward motion of the rear housing causes the master brake cylinder to move forward with respect to the piston head, thereby creating hydraulic pressure in the master brake cylinder;
• a dampener cylinder aligned parallel to said master brake cylinder, and said dampener cylinder being in communication with said hydraulic brake fluid reservoir through at least one restrictive aperture;
• a dampening piston head being coaxially aligned with said dampener cylinder, whereby hydraulic pressure is created in the dampener cylinder when the dampening piston head moves rearward relative to the dampener cylinder;
• a dampening piston rod having a first end and a second end, said first end of said dampening piston rod being rigidly affixed to said dampening piston head, and said second end of said dampening piston rod extending through said second hole of said coupling bracket and rigidly affixed thereto, whereby relative forward motion of the rear housing causes the dampener cylinder to move forward with respect to the dampening piston head thereby creating hydraulic pressure in the dampener cylinder, and wherein hydraulic pressure in said dampener cylinder is relieved through said at least one restrictive aperture.

A trailer for towing behind a towing vehicle, comprising:

• a forward hitch and a rear housing movably connected to each other,
• a surge brake system actuated by the relative movement between said forwardhitch and said rear housing,
• said brake system including a master brake cylinder and a hydraulic dampener both responsive to the relative movement between said forward hitch and said rear housing, wherein said hydraulic dampener actuates independently of said brake system, and
• a brake fluid reservoir in fluid communication with both said master cylinder and said dampener supplying brake fluid to both said master cylinder and said hydraulic
• said brake fluid reservoir, master cylinder and dampener being constructed and ranged upon depletion of brake fluid to said master cylinder to allow said forward hitch and said rear housings to jar against each other in response to acceleration or deceleration of the towing vehicle.

A trailer hitch assembly for a trailer having hydraulically actuated brakes, said assembly comprising:

• a forward coupler for mounting to a towing vehicle, said forward coupler having an integral ball socket formed therein, said socket having a downward opening for receiving a ball of a vehicle;
• a rear housing movably mounted with respect to said forward coupler for rigidly affixing to a tongue of a trailer, wherein said forward coupler and said rear housing cooperate to maintain the axial alignment of the tongue of the trailer with said ball socket;
• a hydraulic brake fluid reservoir;
• a hydraulic brake system having a master cylinder innerconnected between said forward coupler and said rear housing adapted to hydraulically brake the trailer, said brake system being actuated in response to said rear housing moving toward said forward coupler,
• a hydraulic dampener innerconnected between said forward coupler and said rear housing hydraulically dampening the motion of said rear housing relative to said forward coupler independently of said brake system;
• and
• said hydraulic brake fluid reservoir in independent fluid communication with both said hydraulic dampener and said master cylinder and arranged to provide brake fluid to both said hydraulic dampener and said maser cylinder and arranged to starve the hydraulic dampener of brake fluid upon staving said master cylinder of brake fluid.