Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to trailer and towing safety devices, and more particularly, but not necessarily entirely, to trailer automatic braking devices that initiate braking when a trailer becomes separated from its tow vehicle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/839,385, filed Jul. 19, 2010, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/698,098, filed Feb. 1, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/157,057, filed Mar. 3, 2009, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/148,854, filed Jan. 30, 2009, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, including but not limited to those portions that specifically appear hereinafter, the incorporation by reference being made with the following exception: In the event that any portion of the above-referenced applications are inconsistent with this application, this application supercedes said above-referenced applications. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. The Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to trailer and towing safety devices, and more particularly, but not necessarily entirely, to trailer automatic braking devices that initiate braking when a trailer becomes separated from its tow vehicle. 
         [0005]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0006]    The two most common trailer brake systems are electrical and hydraulic both have safety brake actuator systems to apply the brakes in a case where the trailer becomes separated from the tow vehicle. The electrical style breakaway system is made up of a power connection box attached to the trailer frame. This power connection box is typically equipped with electrical contacts separated by a non-conductive pull pin. This pull pin is removable and connected to a cable (typically 4-6 feet long). One end of this cable is attached to the pull pin while the other end is to be attached to the tow vehicle. In case the tow vehicle and trailer become separated while moving, the cable attached to the tow vehicle will pull the non-conductive pull pin out of the power connection box allowing the electrical contacts to contact each other, thus sending an electrical charge to the trailer brakes. The desired effect is that the trailer brakes stop the now detached trailer before it damages itself or another object. 
         [0007]    A switch box (would be mounted to the trailer frame) cable is attached to pull pin/plunger that is removable from a switch box. A loop on the other end of cable is to be attached to the tow vehicle. A switch box and connective cable is used with bumper pull style trailers and is also used with Gooseneck and fifth wheel style trailers. 
         [0008]    The hydraulic breakaway system is part of the hydraulic brake system which is typically integrated into the trailer coupler or forward frame section of a trailer equipped with hydraulic wheel/axle brakes. This brake actuator has a safety lever protruding from the actuator and generally in a rearward facing orientation. Attached to this lever is a cable or chain (typically 3-6 feet long). The free end of the cable is attached to the tow vehicle. In a situation where the tow vehicle and trailer become separated while moving, the tow vehicle will pull away from the trailer thus pulling the protruding safety brake activation lever into a forward orientation-which causes the inner portion of the safety lever to compress the master cylinder which compresses the hydraulic brake fluid and sends compressed brake fluid to the trailer brakes. The desired effect is that the trailer brakes stop the now detached trailer before it damages itself or another object. 
         [0009]    A surge brake style coupler for straight tongue trailers with emergency breakaway actuator levers protruding from the top also use a similar system. One end of cable is attached to the lever and the other has a hook or loop to attach to the tow vehicle. Like the above systems, this brake actuator has a safety lever protruding from the actuator and generally in a rearward facing orientation. Attached to this lever is a cable or chain (typically 3-6 feet long). The free end of the cable is attached to the tow vehicle. In a situation where the tow vehicle and trailer become separated while moving the tow vehicle will pull away from the trailer thus pulling the protruding safety lever into an activated orientation-which causes the inner portion of the safety lever to activate the surge mechanism. The desired effect is that the trailer brakes stop the now detached trailer before it damages itself or another object. 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is illustrative of a trailer  10  to tow vehicle  12  union. Typically, a trailer  10  is attached for towing to a tow vehicle  12  through union assembly  14 . 
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is illustrative of a trailer  10  to tow vehicle  12  connection that has become disassociated because the union assembly  14  as come apart as shown by the bracket. 
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is illustrative of a chain  18  used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer  10  is connected to the tow vehicle  12 . The switching mechanism comprises a switch  16 , a pin  17 , a chain  18  and a tow vehicle attachment  20 . 
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is illustrative of a chain  18  used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer  10  is disconnected from the tow vehicle  12  and the chain  18  has been pulled taught. 
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is illustrative of a chain  18  used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer  10  is disconnected from the tow vehicle  12  and the chain has pulled the pin  17  from the safety switch  16 ; 
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is illustrative of a cable  28  used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer  10  is connected to the tow vehicle  12  and the cable  28  drags on the ground. The portion of the cable that drags is denoted by bracket D. 
         [0016]    Despite the advantages of known safety systems and apparatus, improvements are still being sought. For example, many of the current devices require extra user effort to address problems of dragging cables and chains. For many years the safety braking systems on trailers have been equipped with cable typically 3-6 feet long or occasionally small chain. There must be slack in this cable to allow articulating movement between the tow vehicle and trailer without actuating/locking up the trailer brakes in a normal towing situation. The problem with this design is that the safety cable often hangs down near the road surface and in a turn or when going over bumps or rough terrain the cable comes into contact with the road while the vehicles are moving. This contact frays the cable, often to the point that the cable completely separates into two pieces. A cable that is in two pieces or frayed to near separation and weakened cannot perform its intended safety function of actuating the brakes. Further, it is a safety hazard to the operator as the fragmented cable wires often gouge into the hand while trying to hook up the system. 
         [0017]    The solution up to this time has been to sell the trailer user a replacement cable or completely new electrical switch systems. Little effort has been made to protect the cable from dragging in the first place. While this problem of the cable dragging is specific to bumper pull trailers, the same electrical actuator is used on gooseneck and fifth wheel style trailers. In these type of trailers the cable doesn&#39;t risk dragging on the ground as the cable attaches in the bed of the truck, they do however risk being caught on cargo or the hitch mechanism, potentially locking up the trailer brakes while in a normal, coupled, towing situation. 
         [0018]    The prior art is thus characterized by several disadvantages that are addressed by the present invention. The present invention minimizes, and in some aspects eliminates, the above-mentioned failures, and other problems, by utilizing the methods and structural features described herein. 
         [0019]    The features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention without undue experimentation. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is illustrative of a trailer to tow vehicle union; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is illustrative of a trailer to tow vehicle connection that has become disassociated; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is illustrative of a chain used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer is connected to the tow vehicle; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is illustrative of a chain used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer is disconnected from the tow vehicle and the chain has been pulled taught; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is illustrative of a chain used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer is disconnected from the tow vehicle and the chain has pulled the pin from the safety switch; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is illustrative of a cable used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer is connected to the tow vehicle and the cable drags on the ground; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7A  is illustrative of an improved cable used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer is connected to the tow vehicle and the cable is prevented from dragging on the ground by a biased cable structure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7B  is a top view of an improved cable used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the tow vehicle is executing a left turn; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7C  is a top view of an improved cable used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the tow vehicle is executing a right turn; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7D  is a graph depicting the tension in an improved cable during a right turn and a left turn by the tow vehicle; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional view of an improved cable pursuant to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view of an improved cable pursuant to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0033]      FIG. 8C  is a side view of an improved cable pursuant to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8D  is an end view of an improved cable pursuant to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0035]      FIG. 9A  is illustrative of an improved cable used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer has become disconnected from the tow vehicle and the cable is stretched against the biased cable structure by the drag of the trailer; 
           [0036]      FIG. 9B  is illustrative of an improved cable used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer has become disconnected from the tow vehicle and the cable is stretched beyond a limit such that the safety switch is activated; 
           [0037]      FIG. 9C  is illustrative of an electric trailer braking system pursuant to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0038]      FIG. 10A  is illustrative of an improved cable used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer is connected to the tow vehicle and the cable is prevented from dragging on the ground by a biased cable structure; 
           [0039]      FIG. 10B  is illustrative of a hydraulic trailer braking system assembly pursuant to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0040]      FIG. 10C  is illustrative of a hydraulic trailer braking system assembly pursuant to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0041]      FIG. 10D  is illustrative of a hydraulic trailer braking system pursuant assembly to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0042]      FIG. 10E  is illustrative of an improved cable used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer has become disconnected from the tow vehicle and the cable is stretched against the biased cable structure by the drag of the trailer moving a safety lever; 
           [0043]      FIG. 11A  is illustrative of a biased spooling mechanism used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer is connected to the tow vehicle; 
           [0044]      FIG. 11B  is illustrative of a biased spooling mechanism used in a breakaway switching mechanism; 
           [0045]      FIG. 11C  is illustrative of a biased spooling mechanism used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer is disconnected from the tow vehicle and the cable is de-spooled from the spooling mechanism; 
           [0046]      FIG. 11D  is illustrative of a biased spooling mechanism used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer is disconnected from the tow vehicle and the cable is de-spooled from the spooling mechanism beyond a limit such that the safety switch is activated; 
           [0047]      FIG. 12  is illustrative of a multi point mechanism used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer is connected to the tow vehicle; 
           [0048]      FIG. 13  is illustrative of a multi point mechanism used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer is connected to the tow vehicle; 
           [0049]      FIG. 14  is illustrative of a multi point mechanism used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer is connected to the tow vehicle; 
           [0050]      FIG. 15  is illustrative of a biased multi point mechanism used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer is connected to the tow vehicle; 
           [0051]      FIG. 16  is illustrative of a biased cable used in conjunction with a goose neck trailer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0052]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure claimed. 
         [0053]    It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In describing and claiming the present disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below. As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. 
         [0054]    Applicant has discovered a coiled, biased, and resilient spring system where the actuation cable in the safety brake system may be held up off the road and may also allow the vehicle trailer to articulate without activating the trailer brake system. One embodiment is an apparatus or method that may integrate a coil spring into a cable structure by forming the cable into the shape of a coil spring so it contracts when it has slack and extends when under tension. This will require special forming of the cable and may be accomplished by coating it with plastic that can hold the spring shape, or by replacing the cable with a plastic coil that is strong enough to pull the pin from an electrical contact box or to activate a surge brake lever. An embodiment may have a retractable cable system such as a spooling mechanism that works by putting the cable into a biased spool that may be fashioned such that as the cable is unwound from the spool a spring is tensioned so that when the cable goes slack the spring rewinds the spool which winds the cable back onto the spool. This may be done by designing the spooling system strong enough to not release the cable when fully extended but rather allow it to pull the pin or actuate the surge brake lever. The spool apparatus may be attached to the tow vehicle to minimize road grime and water from entering it and corroding or gumming it up. 
         [0055]    A method may include attaching a coil spring or rigid attachment between the trailer tongue jack and the center of the cable or to the trailer frame and to many points along the cable. Both methods would allow the cable to be held up to the trailer frame in one or more locations allowing smaller loops of slack so the cable did not hang low enough to contact the ground in a turn. All of these embodiments would allow the cable to serve its function when fully extended to pull and actuate the safety brake system. 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIG. 7A , there is shown an improved cable  78  used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer  10  is connected to the tow vehicle  12 . The switching mechanism comprises a breakaway switch  16 , a pin  17 , a cable  78  and a tow vehicle attachment  20 , which may comprise a hook. A biased coil spring may be integrally formed in the cable  78 . The cable  78  may comprise a first terminal end  78 A and a second terminal end  78 B. The pin  17  may be attached to the first terminal end  78 A of the cable  78  and the tow vehicle attachment  20  may be attached to the second terminal end  78 B of the cable  78 . In one embodiment, the tow vehicle attachement  20  may be pivotally attached to the second terminal end  78 B of the cable  78 . The tow vehicle attachment  20  may be connected to a hitch loop  21  extending from the tow vehicle  12 . It will be appreciated that a pin may be an actuation member. 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIG. 7A , the center lines of the tow vehicle  12  and the trailer  10  may be in direct alignment. That is, the trailer  10  may be traveling directly behind the tow vehicle  12  in a straight path. When the trailer  10  is directly behind the tow vehicle  12 , the cable  78  may be tensioned. As shown in  FIG. 7B , when the tow vehicle  12  is making a left-hand turn, the tension in the cable  78  may be less than when traveling in a straight path. However, the cable  78  may not drag on the ground because the cable  78  was tensioned when the trailer  10  was directly behind the tow vehicle  12 . As shown in  FIG. 7C , when the tow vehicle  12  is making a right-hand turn, the cable  78  may become more tensioned than when the trailer  10  is directly behind the tow vehicle  12 . However, the tension of the cable  78  may not be sufficient to remove the pin  17  from the breakaway switch  16 . It will be appreciated that the cable  78  is not sagging or near the ground where it can be damaged by dragging. The biased configuration of the cable  78  allows tow vehicle  12  and trailer  10  articulation without activating the trailer brakes or having the cable dragging on the ground. 
         [0058]    Referring now to  FIG. 7D , there is depicted a graph  200  pursuant to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The graph  200  includes an x-axis  202  and a y-axis  204 . The x-axis  202  may represent an angle between the centerline of the tow vehicle  12  and the centerline of the trailer  10 . The y-axis  204  may represent tension. The dashed horizontal line  206  may represent the tension required in order to remove the pin  17  from the breakaway switch  16 . The line  208  may represent tension in the cable  78 . From  FIG. 7D , it may be observed that as the tow vehicle  12  makes a left turn, the tension in the cable  78  may decrease from its initial amount at 0 degrees. It may also be observed, that as the tow vehicle  12  makes a right turn, the tension in the cable  78  may increase from its initial amount at 0 degrees. It will be noted that the tension in the cable  78  never exceeds the amount of tension needed to remove the pin  17  from the breakaway switch indicated by line  206 . The amount of tension in the cable  78  represented by the line  208  may be linear or non-linear. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the amount of tension in the cable  78  may reach zero prior to −90 degrees. That is, the cable  78  may go slack at anywhere from about −1 degree to about −89 degrees. 
         [0059]    One embodiment is an apparatus or method that may integrate a coil spring into a cable  78  by forming the cable  78  into the shape of a coil spring so it contracts when it has slack and extends when under tension. This will require special forming of the cable  78  that may be accomplished by coating it with plastic, rubber, or some other material that can hold a spring shape. Or by replacing the cable with a coil that is strong enough to pull the pin from an electrical contact box or to activate a surge brake lever when extended beyond a limit. 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIG. 8A , there is depicted a cross-sectional view of the cable  78  pursuant to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cable  78  may comprise an outer layer  250 . The outer layer  250  may also be a coating or a sheath. The outer layer  250  may comprise plastic, rubber, vinyl, some other material, or any other suitable coating or sheathing material. The outer layer  250  may encapsulate individual strands  252  made of metal. The strands  252  may run side-by-side, twisted or braided together. The formation of the outer layer  250  may cause the strands  252 , and a length of the cable  78 , to be coiled. Alternatively, the cable  78  may have coils integrally formed therein or otherwise formed in any suitable manner that is not caused by formation of the outer layer  250 . The coils of the cable  78  may be said to comprise coils of a coil spring, such that the cable  78  has a coil spring formed therein. It is further to be understood that the outer layer  250  is optional, and as such, a suitable embodiment of the present disclosure can be made without an outer layer  250 . 
         [0061]    Referring now to  FIG. 8B , there is depicted a cross-sectional view of the cable  78  pursuant to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cable  78  may comprise an outer layer  260 . The outer layer  260  may comprise plastic, vinyl, rubber, or some other material. The outer layer  260  may encapsulate a single strand  262  made of metal. The formation of the outer layer  260  may cause the strand  262 , and a length of the cable  78 , to be coiled. 
         [0062]    Referring now to  FIG. 8C , there is depicted a side view of an improved cable  78  pursuant to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cable  78  is depicted in  FIG. 8C  in an unbiased state, meaning that the cable  78  is not stretched or is untensioned. The cable  78  includes a plurality of coils  800 , a first end  78 A, and a second end  78 B. In some embodiments, the cable  78  includes tow vehicle attachment  20  and a pin  17 . The cable is connectable to a tow vehicle  12  and a trailer  10  and may operate to activate a braking system on the trailer  10  in response to the trailer  10  becoming unhitched from the tow vehicle  12 . 
         [0063]    As described above, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the cable  78  is formed into a coil spring shape. The resulting coil spring shape may include a plurality of coils  800 . The plurality of coils  800  may be distributed along the length of the cable at a frequency of a number of coils per distance. For example, in an untensioned state, the plurality of coils may be distributed along the length of the cable at a frequency of approximately ten coils per inch. 
         [0064]    The cable  78  may include any number of coils  800 . For example, the cable  78  may include between fifteen and thirty coils  800 . In some embodiments, the number of coils in the cable is proportional to a stretched (or uncoiled) length of the cable  78 . For example, a cable  78  having a stretched (or uncoiled) length of four feet may have eighteen coils, and a cable  78  having a stretched (or uncoiled) length of six feet may have twenty seven coils. It will be appreciated that the cable  78  may have any stretched (or uncoiled) length. For example, the cable  78  may have a stretched (or uncoiled) length of between three and seven feet. In another example, the cable  78  may have a stretched (or uncoiled) length of approximately four feet. In yet another example, the cable  78  may have a stretched (or uncoiled) length of approximately six feet. 
         [0065]    In some embodiments, the cable  78  includes an overall length  804  and a coil length  802 . The coil length  802  may be any length equal to or less than the overall length  804 . In one embodiment, the coil length  802  may be a majority of the overall length  804  of the cable  78 . The overall length  804  may also be described as the absolute length of the cable  78 , with the understanding that the absolute or overall length  804  either does not change, or does not appreciably change regardless of whether the coils  800  are in an unbiased state or a biased (or stretched) state. 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIG. 8D , there is depicted an end view of an improved cable  78  pursuant to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cable  78 , in the illustrated embodiment, is coiled. The coiled cable  78  may be coiled into an approximately circular shape. It will be appreciated, however, that the cable  78  may be coiled into any shape capable of generating tension in the cable  78  when the cable  78  is biased. For example, the cable  78  may be coiled in a hexagonal shape. 
         [0067]    In some embodiments, the cable  78  may be coiled such that the coils have an outer diameter  806  and an inner diameter  808 . The outer diameter  806  and the inner diameter  808  may be any diameter capable of generating tension in the cable  78  as it is biased. For example, the cable  78  may have an outer diameter  806  of between 0.85 inches and 1.25 inches. In another example, the cable  78  may have an outer diameter  806  of approximately 0.9 inches. In yet another example, the cable  78  may have an inner diameter  808  of between 0.7 inches and 1.1 inches. In another example, the cable  78  may have an inner diameter  808  of approximately 0.75 inches. 
         [0068]    Referring to  FIG. 9A , there is depicted the trailer  10  becoming unhitched from the tow vehicle  12  while the tow vehicle  12  is in motion. The trailer  10  may become disconnected from the tow vehicle  12  for a wide variety of reasons. For example, unhitching may be due to failure of the hitch locking mechanism (not shown). Also, the trailer  10  may become disconnected by failure to properly engage the hitch locking mechanism (not shown) to the ball of the hitch. As can be observed, the cable  78  has been pulled taught by the increased separation between the tow vehicle  12  and the trailer  10  such that the coils of the spring reach a maximum tension. 
         [0069]    As can be observed in  FIG. 9B , when the distance separating the trailer  10  and the tow vehicle  12  reaches a predetermined distance, the tension in the cable  78  may overcome the resistance holding the pin  17  in the breakaway switch  16 . The pin  17  may then be pulled from the breakaway switch  16  and the safety brakes (not shown) of the trailer  10  will automatically engage as is known to one having ordinary skill in the art. The cable  78  may then snap back to its rest state due to the spring and coiled nature of the cable  78 . 
         [0070]    Referring now to  FIG. 9C , there is depicted a wiring diagram  300  for an electric brake system  302  for a trailer and a tow vehicle pursuant to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As can be observed, the diagram  300  may include a tow vehicle side  304  and a trailer side  306 . The tow vehicle side  304  of the diagram  300  may include an electric brake controller  308 . A wire  310  may be connected to a control wire  311  extending between a brake switch  312 , such as a pedal, and tow vehicle stop lights  312 . The wire  310  may indicate to the controller  308  when the brake switch  312  is actuated, e.g., when the driver of the tow vehicle presses the brake pedal. 
         [0071]    When the brake switch  312  is actuated, the controller  308  may energize a wire  314  which activates magnets  316  to thereby engage brakes (not shown) on the trailer. A positive terminal of a battery  318  of the tow vehicle may be connected by a wire  320  to the controller  308 . A negative terminal of the battery  318  may also be connected to the controller  308  by a wire  322 . 
         [0072]    On the trailer side  306 , the trailer may include the breakaway switch  16 . A wire  328  may be connected to a positive lead of a battery  326 . The wire  328  may lead to a battery charger  330 . A wire  331  may connect the charger  330  to a wire  324  that is connected to the positive terminal of the battery  318 . A negative terminal of the battery  326  may be connected to magnets  316 . A wire  332  from the breakaway switch  16  may be connected to the other side of the magnets  316 . A wire  334  may connect the breakaway switch  16  to the positive terminal of the battery  326  through the charger  330 . 
         [0073]    When installed into the breakaway switch  16 , the pin  17  may interrupt, or hold open, a connection between the wires  332  and  334 . If the tow vehicle becomes separated from the trailer, the cable  78  and attachment  20  may cause the pin  17  to be pulled from the switch  16 . The removal of the pin  17 , causes the connection between the wires  334  and  332  to be made, or closed, and the magnets  316  become energized to thereby apply the trailer brakes, which may be disc or drum brakes. 
         [0074]      FIGS. 10A ,  10 B and  11  are illustrative of an improved cable  118  used in a breakaway switching mechanism for use with a trailer having a hydraulically operated surge brake system. In particular, a tongue of the trailer  400  may comprise a hydraulically operated brake system  402 , such as a surge brake system. As best seen in  FIG. 10B , the hydraulic surge brake system  402  may comprise a master cylinder  404 . The master cylinder  404  may be filled with brake fluid as is known to one having ordinary skill in the art. It will be further noted that the master cylinder  404  may be part of a surge brake system. A line  406  may connect the master cylinder  404  to brakes  408 . In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the brakes  408  may be one of disc or drum brakes. 
         [0075]    A piston  410  may be disposed inside of the master cylinder  404 . The piston  410  may be extended further into the master cylinder  404  to thereby force the brake fluid into the line  406  and then cause the brakes  408  to be engaged. The piston  410  may be connected to a rod  412 . The rod  412  may also be connected to an end  116 A of the lever  116 . The lever  116  may be pivotally mounted on structure (not shown) by a shaft  416 . A first end  118 A of the cable  118  may be connected to an end  116 B of the lever  116 . A second end  118 B of the cable  118  may be connected to a tow vehicle attachment  20 . 
         [0076]    A biased coil spring may be formed in the cable  118  and attached to a breakaway lever  116  and tow vehicle  12 . It is noted that the cable  118  is not sagging or near the ground where it can be damaged by dragging. The biased configuration of the cable  118  allows tow vehicle  12  and trailer  10  articulation without activating the trailer brakes or having the cable dragging on the ground. 
         [0077]    As perhaps best seen in  FIG. 10E , the trailer  10  may become disconnected, as shown by bracket  14 , from the tow vehicle  12  and the improved cable  118  may be pulled taught such that the coils of the spring reach a predetermined tension and the lever  116  is moved into an actuated position in the direction of the arrow, thereby actuating a safety braking mechanism. In particular, the actuation of the lever  116  may cause the piston  410  in the master cylinder  404  to extend further into the cylinder  404  to thereby cause brake fluid to move through the line  406  to thereby engage the brakes  408  as shown in  FIG. 10B . It will be further noted that the master cylinder  404  may be part of a surge brake system. 
         [0078]    As shown in  FIG. 10C , there is depicted a suitable hydraulic surge brake assembly  600  pursuant to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The assembly  600  may include a breakaway cable  602 . The cable  602  may include a plurality of integrated coils  604 . Disposed at a first end  602 A of the cable  602  may be a tow vehicle attachment member  606 , which may take the form of a hook. A second end  602 B of the cable  602  may be connected to a first end  608 A of a cable  608 . A second end  608 B of the cable  608  may be connected to a push rod  610 . In particular, the second end  608 B of the cable  608  may be connected to a collar  612  which is coupled to the push rod  610 . 
         [0079]    The assembly  600  may include a master cylinder  614 . The push rod  610  may be attached to a piston (not shown) inside of the master cylinder  614 . When the tow vehicle becomes detached from the trailer on which the assembly  600  may be mounted, the cable  602  is pulled tight thereby causing the cable  608  to pull the collar  612 , which in turn causes the push rod  610  to extend into the master cylinder  614  to thereby engage the trailer brakes. 
         [0080]    Referring now to  FIG. 10D , there is depicted a suitable hydraulic surge brake assembly  650  pursuant to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The assembly  650  may comprise a master cylinder  652 . A piston  654  may be disposed inside of the master cylinder  652 . A push rod  655  may be connected to the piston  654 . A first end  656 B of a cable  656  may be attached to an anchor point  658 . A portion of the cable  656  may pass around a pin  660  extending from the push rod  655 . A second end  656 A of the cable  656  may be attached to a tow vehicle attachment member  662 . The cable  656  may have coils  664  integrated therein. When the tow vehicle becomes detached from the trailer on which the assembly  650  may be mounted, the cable  656  is pulled tight thereby causing the cable  656  to pull the pin  660 , which in turn causes the push rod  655  to extend into the master cylinder  652  to thereby engage the trailer brakes. 
         [0081]    It will be appreciated that a push rod connected to a piston in a master cylinder of a hydraulic braking system assembly may constitute an actuation member for purposes of this disclosure. It will be further appreciated that the concept of a cable being connected to an actuation member includes both direct and indirect connections to the actuation member. That is, a cable is considered connected to an actuation member if the cable is able to cause the actuation member to engage the trailer brakes upon a trailer becoming detached from a tow vehicle. 
         [0082]      FIGS. 11A ,  11 B,  11 C, and  11 D are illustrative of a biased spooling mechanism  128  used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer  10  is connected to the tow vehicle  12 . As perhaps best seen in  FIG. 11B , the spooling mechanism  128  may comprise a housing  500 . A spool  502  may be rotatably mounted on a shaft  504 . A cable  126  may be wound up on the spool  502 . The cable  126  may exit the housing  500  through aperture  506 . Connected to an end  508  of the cable  126  may be a pin  17 . A tow vehicle attachment  20  may be connect to, and extend from, the housing  500 . A spring  510  may be disposed in the housing  500 . The spring  510  may be operable to bias the spool  502  to thereby retract the cable  126  into the housing  500 . 
         [0083]    Referring back to  FIGS. 11A ,  11 B,  11 C, and  11 D, the biased spooling mechanism  128  with cable  126  may be attached to breakaway switch  16  and tow vehicle  12 . In particular, the pin  17  may be inserted into the breakaway switch  16  and the tow vehicle attachment  20  may be installed onto the tow vehicle  12 . The biased spool  128  prevents the cable  126  from sagging or dragging on the ground where it can be damaged. The spring configuration of the biased spooling mechanism  128  may allow the tow vehicle  12  and the trailer  10  to move in articulation without activating brakes or allowing the cable  126  to drag on the ground. For example, the biased spooling mechanism  128  retracts and extends the cable  126  as needed. In the case of a separation of the tow vehicle  12  and trailer  10 , the cable  126  would be fully extended and pull the pin  17  from the brake breakaway switch  16 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 11C  is illustrative of the biased spooling mechanism  128  used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer  10  may become disconnected from the tow vehicle  12  and the cable  126  is de-spooled from the spooling mechanism  128 .  FIG. 11D  is illustrative of the biased spooling mechanism  128  used in a breakaway switching mechanism wherein the trailer  10  may become disconnected from the tow vehicle  12  and the cable  126  may be de-spooled from the spooling mechanism  128  beyond a predetermined limit such that the safety switch  16  is activated, that is, the cable  126  pulls the pin  17  from the switch  16 . Once the pin  17  has been removed, the cable  126  may then be retracted into the housing  500  of the mechanism  128 . 
         [0085]    Referring now to  FIG. 12 , there is illustrated a multipoint support mechanism used in a breakaway switch  16  wherein the trailer  10  may be connected to the tow vehicle  12 . In the embodiment, the cable  28  may be held from dragging by a plurality of cable guides  150  and  151  positioned along the length of the cable  28 . In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the guides  150  and  151  may each comprise a ring. The guide  150  may be attached to the hitch  14 A and the guide  151  may be attached to a tongue  10 A of the trailer  10 . 
         [0086]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , there is illustrated a multi point mechanism used in a breakaway switch  16  wherein the trailer  10  is connected to the tow vehicle  12 . In the embodiment, the cable  28  may be held from dragging by a plurality of guides  166  and  168  positioned along its length by a retention device  160 . Retention device  160  may be a resilient, flexible or rigid member. The guides  166  and  168  may be disposed on opposing ends of the retention device  160 . The retention device  160  may be secured to a tongue  10 A of the trailer  10 . For example, the retention device  160  may be secured by a fastener to the tongue  10 A of the trailer  10 . The guides  166  and  168  and the retention device  160  may prevent the cable  28  from sagging and dragging on the ground. 
         [0087]      FIG. 14  is illustrative of a plurality of retention devices  170  and  171  used in a breakaway switch  16  wherein the trailer  10  may be connected to the tow vehicle  12 . In the embodiment, the cable  28  may be held from dragging by a plurality of retention devices  170  and  171 . The retention device  170  may include a guide  170 A on a first end and may be attached to a hitch  14 A on the other end. The retention device  171  may include a guide  171 A on a first end and may be attached to a tongue  10 A of the trailer  10 . The retention devices  170  and  171 A may be include a resilient, flexible or rigid member. 
         [0088]      FIG. 15  is illustrative of a plurality of retention points  180 A,  180 B,  180 C and  180 D with a biased member  180  that may be used in a breakaway switch  16  wherein the trailer  10  is connected to the tow vehicle  12 . In the embodiment the cable  28  may be held from dragging by a plurality of retention and a tensive force provided by the biased member  180 . 
         [0089]      FIG. 16  is illustrative of a biased cable  918  used in conjunction with a goose neck trailer  910 . The switching mechanism comprises a switch  916 , a pin  917 , a cable  918  and a tow vehicle attachment  920 . A biased coil spring may be formed in the cable  918  and attached to a breakaway switch  916  and tow vehicle  912 . It will be appreciated that the cable  918  may not be sagging or near the other components where it can be damaged. The bias configuration of the cable allows tow vehicle  912  and trailer  910  to articulate without activating the brakes or having the cable  918  tangling with other objects in the bed of the tow vehicle  912 . 
         [0090]    One embodiment is an apparatus or method that may integrate a coil spring into a cable  918  by forming the cable  918  into the shape of a coil spring so it contracts when it has slack and extends when under tension. This will require special forming of the cable  918  and may be accomplished by coating it with plastic, vinyl or rubber so that it may hold the spring shape. Or by replacing the cable with a coil that is strong enough to pull the pin  917  from an electrical contact box or to activate a surge brake lever when extended beyond a limit. Gooseneck and fifth wheel trailers attach in the bed of truck instead of near the rear bumper. The cable  918  may be attached to a bed or hitch of the tow vehicle  912 . In a goose neck or fifth wheel application the benefit may be that the spring cables  918  described herein are less likely to catch on cargo in the bed. 
         [0091]    In accordance with the features and combinations described above, a useful method of stopping a trailer that has become disconnected from a tow vehicle includes the steps of: 
         [0092]    attaching to the trailer a braking system; 
         [0093]    attaching to the trailer an actuating member for actuating the braking system; and 
         [0094]    connecting a first end of a cable to the actuating member, said cable having a coil spring integrally formed therein for tensioning said cable. 
         [0095]    It will be appreciated that the present disclosure is suitable for use with fifth wheel trailers and bumper pull trailers. 
         [0096]    It will be appreciated that the structure and apparatus disclosed herein is merely one example of a means for tensioning a cable, and it should be appreciated that any structure, apparatus or system for tensioning a cable which performs functions the same as, or equivalent to, those disclosed herein are intended to fall within the scope of a means for tensioning a cable, including those structures, apparatus or systems for tensioning a cable which are presently known, or which may become available in the future. Anything which functions the same as, or equivalently to, a means for tensioning a cable falls within the scope of this element. 
         [0097]    Those having ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate the advantages provided by the features of the present disclosure. In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features of the present disclosure are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. 
         [0098]    It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.