Patent ID: 6802572
Filing Date: 2004-10-12
Classification: B60T

Abstract:
A brake control system for a multiple towing arrangement, comprising:a unit installed on a towed vehicle, including a hydrostatic pump, and a drive motor for the pump, the pump being operatively connected to a brake system of the towed vehicle to control operation thereof; a control unit operatively connected to at least one parameter of a towing vehicle, said control unit operative to apply power to the motor for said pump; and a breakaway switch operatively connected between the control unit and the towing vehicle; wherein the control unit is comprises a switch capable of a plurality of positions, a first position causing the control unit to enter an â€œoffâ€  mode, a second position causing the control unit to enter a backup mode wherein the brake system of the towed vehicle is applied for as long as a brake pedal of the towing vehicle is depressed, and further positions each associated with a different power setting of towed vehicle brake application and wherein the control unit initiates a timer function to apply the brakes of the towed vehicle for no more than a predetermined amount of time at the selected power level when the towing vehicle braking system is applied regardless of whether the braking system of the towing vehicle continues to be applied after the predetermined period of time and after which time the braking system of the towing vehicle must be released and reapplied in order to reset the timer function and reapply the braking system of the towed vehicle for another length of the predetermined time.