Patent ID: 6280004
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: B60T

Abstract:
A microswitch for controlling the braking of a towed vehicle with respect to a towing vehicle, the towed vehicle having a towed-side fixed point and a means for actuating a towed brake, the towed-side fixed point being rigidly fixed with respect to the towed vehicle, the towing vehicle having a power source and a towing-side fixed point, the towing-side fixed point being rigidly fixed with respect to the towing vehicle, the towing-side fixed point being connectable to the towed-side fixed point to interconnect the towing and towed vehicles, the microswitch comprising:a housing having a power input terminal and a power output terminal, the power input terminal being adapted to be electronically connectable to the power source, and the power output terminal being adapted to be electronically connectable to the means for actuating the towed brake;a means for mounting the housing on the towed side fixed point adjacent the towing-side fixed point;a sensor arm extending outwardly from the housing to contact the towing side fixed point such that the towing-side fixed point functions to depress the sensor arm when the housing is mounted on the towed-side fixed point and the towing vehicle decelerates with respect to the towed vehicle; and,the sensor arm being shaped to electrically connect the power input terminal and the power output terminal when the sensor arm is depressed.