Patent ID: 7165658
Filing Date: 2007-01-23
Classification: B60B

Abstract:
1. An auxiliary braking device for assisting an operator to instantly stop a moving vehicle without actuating a vehicle's primary braking system, said auxiliary braking device comprising: a plurality of arcuate housings extending along a plurality of vehicle tires, said housings being spaced from the vehicle tires generally along a quadrant defined adjacent to a forward rotational path of the vehicle tires; a plurality of flexible chain pads having centrally disposed longitudinal axes and comprising a plurality of interlocked rings, said chain pads having a width greater than a width of the vehicle tires respectively and being stored within associated ones of said housings during driving conditions; a plurality of elongated flexible arms having a plurality of first end portions secured to said chain pads respectively, said arms further having a plurality of second end portions; and means for releasing said chain pads from said housings while the vehicle is in motion such that said chain pads become sandwiched between the vehicle tires and a support surface and abruptly halt the vehicle tires, said releasing means being connected to said second end portions of said arms; wherein said releasing means comprises a plurality of handles and a plurality of cables having first end portions attached thereto and further having second end portions extending outwardly and away along a partial length of the vehicle and connected to said arms respectively, said handles being disposed inside a vehicle cab such that the operator can readily access said handles while positioned inside the vehicle cab; a rigid cross brace connected to a respective one of said cables, wherein said respective cable is disposed medially between opposing ends of said rigid cross brace such that said cables can be uniformly displaced between equilibrium and tensed positions; and a plurality of pins passing through said housings and securely connected thereto for engaging opposed edge portions of said chain pads during driving conditions.