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US 6,609,766 B1Granted
Unified brake system for towed and towing vehicles
OwnerRonald Chesnutinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides a new braking system for a first vehicle towing a second vehicle on its own four wheels. The system exhibits a process by which the towing vehicle's brake system send an electronic relay to the towed vehicle's brake system making the brake depress at the proper rate of deceleration.
Claims12
A braking system for a first vehicle towing a second vehicle such that said second vehicle remains on its own four wheels, said system comprising:
- a first vehicle braking apparatus including a first brake pedal, an electrical first brake circuit operatively responsive to activation of said first brake pedal, and first brakes for braking said first vehicle also responsive to activation of said first brake pedal;
- a second vehicle braking apparatus including a second brake pedal, and second brakes for braking said second vehicle responsive to activation of said second brake pedal, said second brakes operable when provided sufficient vacuum;
- a brake controller provided in said first vehicle electrically connected to said electrical first brake circuit, said controller producing a brake actuator signal when first brake pedal is activated;
- an electrically powered brake actuator assembly provided in said second vehicle mechanically connected to said second brake pedal and electrically connected to said brake controller in said first vehicle, said actuator assembly responsive to said brake actuator signal as input to provide mechanical actuation of said second brake pedal of said second vehicle;
- an electrically powered vacuum pump assembly provided in said second vehicle for continuously providing sufficient vacuum to said second brakes, said electrically powered vacuum pump assembly providing sufficient vacuum to said second brakes instantaneously as soon as said electrically powered brake actuator assembly receives said brake actuator signal;
- an umbilical electrically connecting said first vehicle to said second vehicle, said umbilical including a brake actuator assembly power line, a vacuum pump assembly power line, and a brake actuator signal line;
- a means for determining and applying an amount of pressure of said second brakes independent of an amount of pressure of said first brakes, wherein said amount of pressure on said second brakes provides equal stopping force as said first brakes, and
- a hitch mechanically connecting said first vehicle to said second vehicle;
- wherein said electrically powered vacuum pump assembly operates instantaneously and with separate vacuum from said first vehicle;
- and
- providing a stopping force to enable substantially equal spacing between said first vehicle and said second vehicle during braking.
8 more elements
A kit providing a braking system for a first vehicle towing a second vehicle, said first vehicle having a pre-existing first braking apparatus including a first brake pedal, an electrical first brake circuit operatively responsive to activation of said first brake pedal, and first brakes for braking said first vehicle also responsive to activation of said first brake pedal;
- said second vehicle having a pre-existing braking apparatus including a second brake pedal, and second brakes for braking said second vehicle responsive to activation of said second brake pedal, said second brakes operable when provided sufficient vacuum;
- said kit including:
- a brake controlled for installation in said first vehicle to be electrically connected to said electrical first brake circuit, said controller once installed producing a brake actuator signal when said first brake pedal is activated;
- an electrically powered brake actuator assembly for installation in said second vehicle to be mechanically connected to said second brake pedal and electrically connected to said brake controller in said first vehicle, said actuator assembly responsive to said brake actuator signal as input to provide mechanical actuation of said second brake pedal of said second vehicle once installed;
- an electrically powered vacuum pump assembly for installation in said second vehicle for continuously providing sufficient vacuum to said second brakes;
- an umbilical for electrically connecting said first vehicle to said second vehicle, said umbilical including a brake actuator power line, a vacuum pump assembly power line, and a brake actuator signal line;
- and
- a means for determining and applying an amount of pressure of said second brakes independent of an amount of pressure of said first brakes, wherein said amount of pressure on said second brakes provides a stopping force to enable substantially equal spacing between said first vehicle and said second vehicle during braking.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.