Importance

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Abstract

An improved trailer coupling with integral brake actuator that employs sturdier telescoping inner and outer casings and adjustable rollers there between to compensate for wear and tear tolerances over time. The outer casing is a hollow tubular outer beam, and the inner case is formed as a section of hollow I-beam adapted for a telescoping fit inside the outer case. A plurality of rollers are secured to each side of the outer case and project inwardly to provide bearing support against the outwardly-projecting lateral ridges of the I-beam, and this results in a substantially frictionless telescoping extension. Each roller is selectably offset on an axle to allow adjustment of the degree of support against the lateral ridges of the I-beam, thereby allowing compensation for increased wear tolerances over time. The device also employs an improved damping system including a pair of damping cylinders between the telescoping inner and outer casings, plus a master brake cylinder mounted on damped spring-brackets. A safety release assembly is also provided, and this includes a chain coupled at one end to the towing vehicle and coupled at the other end to a break-away lever that is pivotally mounted atop the outer case in operative engagement with the master cylinder. This way, inadvertent separation of the towing vehicle from the coupling/brake actuator activates the master cylinder to apply the trailer brakes to prevent accidents.

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First Claim