Abstract:
A tow hitch that detects movement between a towing vehicle and a load and adjusts the braking forces of the load brakes proportionately to the movement, is disclosed. Said tow hitch comprising a load tow member selectively engaged with a vehicle tow member, a one or more sensors connected to the load tow member, and at least one of the one or more sensors is disposed between the vehicle tow member and the load tow member when the load tow member is engaged with the vehicle tow member. The at least one of the one or more sensors is in electronic communication with the load brakes, whereby the at least one of the one or more sensors senses movement between a load member and a vehicle member when the load tow member is engaged with the vehicle tow member and adjusts the braking forces of the load brakes.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/136,468 (filed on Dec. 20, 2013), which is co-pending at the time of filing of this application. This application also claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/745,075 (filed on Dec. 21, 2012). Accordingly, portions of this application may qualify under pre-AIA rules. Those portions will be identified as prosecution of the current application proceeds and as necessary for allowance of this application. Both of these applications are owned by the current Applicant and bear the same inventors. Note that all of the inventors on this and the parent applications are owners in the current applicant-company. Since ownership is maintained between the parent applications and this application, continuity is thereby maintained. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT (IF APPLICABLE) 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX (IF APPLICABLE) 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This disclosure relates generally to a Tow Hitch with Brake Sensor System and Method of Use. Examples of similar disclosures can be found at U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,864 A (Lang et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,936 A (Snyder, Robert C.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,123 A (Rubenzik, Robert), U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,664 A (Feldmann et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,018 B2 (Knestel, Anton), U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,133 B1 (Rosenlund, Blaine L.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,684 B1 (Garvey, Vincent), U.S. Pat. No. 7,438,368 B2 (Roy Kohler et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,905,555 B2 (Huntimer, Todd M.), U.S. Pat. No. 8,038,166 B1 (Piesinger, Gregory Hubert), and U.S. Pat. No. 8,380,390 B2 (Sy et al.). However, none of the known inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant disclosure as claimed. Accordingly, an improved Tow Hitch with Brake Sensor System and Method of Use would be advantageous. 
         [0005]    The parent application to this submission (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/136,468) is currently (as of 2015 Jun. 23) under a non-final rejection for the following rationale: under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Kohler (U.S. Pat. No. 7,438,368); under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kohler in view of Feldmann (U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,664); under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kohler in view of Piesinger (U.S. Pat. No. 8,038,166); under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kohler in view of Sy (U.S. Pat. No. 8,380,390); and under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kohler in view of Rubenzik (U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,123). The claims submitted below have considered the objections of the office action. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A tow hitch that detects movement between a towing vehicle and a load and adjusts the braking forces of the load brakes proportionately to the movement, is disclosed. Said tow hitch comprising a load tow member selectively engaged with a vehicle tow member, a one or more sensors connected to the load tow member, and at least one of the one or more sensors is disposed between the vehicle tow member and the load tow member when the load tow member is engaged with the vehicle tow member. The at least one of the one or more sensors is in electronic communication with the load brakes, whereby the at least one of the one or more sensors senses movement between a load member and a vehicle member when the load tow member is engaged with the vehicle tow member and adjusts the braking forces of the load brakes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective overview of a hitch system  100 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded perspective overview of a hitch system  100 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an exploded perspective overview of a draw tube assembly  104 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  illustrates an exploded elevated front view of a draw tube assembly  104 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an elevated front view of a draw tube assembly  104 .  FIG. 4B  illustrates a cross-section perspective overview of a draw tube assembly  104 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an elevated top view of an inner portions  330  in a first position  500   a.    FIG. 5B  illustrates an elevated top view of an inner portions  330  in a second position  500   b.    FIG. 5C  illustrates an elevated top view of an inner portions  330  in a third position  500   c.    
           [0013]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an elevated bottom side view of an inner portions  330  in a first position  500   a.    FIG. 6B  illustrates an elevated bottom side view of an inner portions  330  in a second position  500   b.    FIG. 6C  illustrates an elevated bottom side view of an inner portions  330  in a third position  500   c.    
           [0014]      FIG. 7A  illustrates a perspective overview of a first elastic energy storage device  304 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 7B  illustrates a cross-section perspective overview of a first elastic energy storage device  304 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 8A  illustrates an elevated front view of a ball foot assembly  108 .  FIG. 8B  illustrates a perspective exploded overview of a ball foot assembly  108 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 9A  illustrates a perspective first side overview of a second elastic energy storage device  306 .  FIG. 9B  illustrates a perspective second side overview of a second elastic energy storage device  306 .  FIG. 9C  illustrates a perspective cross-section overview of a second elastic energy storage device  306 .  FIG. 9D  illustrates an elevated top view of a second elastic energy storage device  306 .  FIG. 9E  illustrates an elevated side view of a second elastic energy storage device  306 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 10A  illustrates a perspective overview of a hitch system  100  with said circuit compartment  106  disassembled.  FIG. 10B  illustrates a perspective lower side view of a hitch system  100  with said circuit compartment  106  disassembled. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  illustrates an elevated front view of a hitch system  100  without said outer draw tube  302 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective exploded overview of a sensor assembly  1100 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 13A  illustrates a perspective overview of an inner portions  330  in a first position  500   a.    FIG. 13B  illustrates a perspective overview of an inner portions  330  in a second position  500   b.    FIG. 13C  illustrates a perspective overview of an inner portions  330  in a third position  500   c.    
           [0022]      FIG. 14A  illustrates a perspective overview of an inner portions  330  in a first position  500   a  with a cross-section view of said outer draw tube  302 .  FIG. 14B  illustrates a perspective overview of an inner portions  330  in a second position  500   b  with a cross-section view of said outer draw tube  302 .  FIG. 14C  illustrates a perspective overview of an inner portions  330  in a third position  500   c  with a cross-section view of said outer draw tube  302 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    Described herein is a tow hitch with brake sensor system and method of use. The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any development project), design decisions must be made to achieve the designers&#39; specific goals (e.g., compliance with system- and business-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective overview of a hitch system  100 . 
         [0025]    Illustrated herein are a hitch system  100 , an elevator channel  102 , a draw tube assembly  104 , a circuit compartment  106 , a ball foot assembly  108 , a hitch ball  110 , an one or more harness plugs  112 , a first harness plug  112   a,  a second harness plug  112   b,  a latch  114 , a cover  116 , an one or more keyed pins  118 , a first keyed pin  118   a,  a second keyed pin  118   b,  a third keyed pin  118   c,  an one or more spring clips  120 , a first spring clip  120   a,  a second spring clip  120   b,  a third spring clip  120   c.    
         [0026]    In one embodiment, said hitch system  100  can comprise said elevator channel  102 , said draw tube assembly  104 , said circuit compartment  106 , said ball foot assembly  108 , said one or more harness plugs  112 , said latch  114 , and said one or more spring clips  120 . 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, said latch  114  can comprise a mono latch. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded perspective overview of a hitch system  100 . 
         [0029]    Illustrated herein are a side plates  202 , a first side plate  202   a,  a second side plate  202   b , a bore ball mount plate  204 , a first side wall  206   a,  a second side wall  206   b,  an alignment apertures  208 , a first side alignment apertures  208   a,  a second side alignment apertures  208   b,  an elevator apertures  210 , a first side elevator apertures  210   a,  a second side elevator apertures  210   b.    
         [0030]    In one embodiment, said side plates  202  can comprise said first side plate  202   a,  said second side plate  202   b,  and said alignment apertures  208 . In one embodiment, said alignment apertures  208  can comprise said first side alignment apertures  208   a,  said second side alignment apertures  208   b.  In one embodiment, said elevator apertures  210  can comprise said first side elevator apertures  210   a,  said second side elevator apertures  210   b.    
         [0031]    In one embodiment, attaching said ball foot assembly  108  to said elevator channel  102  can comprise aligning and attaching said alignment apertures  208  with a portion of said elevator apertures  210 . In one embodiment, said alignment apertures  208  can be attached to said elevator apertures  210  with said one or more keyed pins  118  and/or said latch  114 , as is known in the art. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an exploded perspective overview of a draw tube assembly  104 .  FIG. 3B  illustrates an exploded elevated front view of a draw tube assembly  104 . 
         [0033]    Illustrated herein are an outer draw tube  302 , a first elastic energy storage device  304 , a second elastic energy storage device  306 , an inner draw tube  308 , an end caps  310 , a first end cap  310   a,  a second end cap  310   b,  an outer aperture  312 , an inner aperture  314 , a sensor notch  316 , a roll pin aperture  318 , a first open end  320   a,  a second open end  320   b,  an inner portions  330 , a roll pin  340 . 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, said outer draw tube  302  can comprise said outer aperture  312 , said sensor notch  316 , said roll pin aperture  318 , said first open end  320   a,  said second open end  320   b,  said inner diameter  402 , said length  404 , and said outer diameter  406 . 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, said first elastic energy storage device  304  can comprise said one or more apertures  702 , said front face  704 , said back face  706 , said width  708 , said height  710 , said depth  712 , said y axis  714 . In one embodiment, said second elastic energy storage device  306  can comprise said first side  902 , said second side  904 , said extension  906 , said cup  908 , said height  910 , said width  912 , and said depth  914 . In one embodiment, said inner draw tube  308  can comprise said end caps  310 , said inner aperture  314 , said outer diameter  403 , said magnet  604 , said magnet  1102 . In one embodiment, said end caps  310  can comprise said first end cap  310   a , said second end cap  310   b.  In one embodiment, said inner aperture  314  can comprise said width  416 . 
         [0036]    In one embodiment, said outer draw tube  302  and said inner draw tube  308  can comprise square tubing. In one embodiment, said end caps  310  can enclose said inner draw tube  308 . In one embodiment, said inner draw tube  308  can be affixed to a portion of said second open end  320   b  of said outer draw tube  302  so as to close off said second open end  320   b.  In one embodiment, said third keyed pin  118   c  can slide through said outer aperture  312  and said inner aperture  314  as described below. In one embodiment, said first elastic energy storage device  304  and said second elastic energy storage device  306  can compress and decompress when force is applied and removed therefrom. In one embodiment, said inner portions  330  can comprise said first elastic energy storage device  304 , said second elastic energy storage device  306 , and said inner draw tube  308 . In one embodiment, said roll pin  340  can selectively slide into said roll pin aperture  318  in order to hold a portion of said inner portions  330  within said outer draw tube  302 . 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, the term “elastic energy storage device” can mean that said first elastic energy storage device  304  and said second elastic energy storage device  306  are elements being mechanical or semi mechanical capable storing elastic energy or inducing an elastic like response; e.g. elastomer, rubber, natural cellulous. Situated around a steel spring. Logically or analog driven. Capable of exerting energy on another device. 
         [0038]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an elevated front view of a draw tube assembly  104 .  FIG. 4B  illustrates a cross-section perspective overview of a draw tube assembly  104 . 
         [0039]    Illustrated herein are an inner diameter  402 , an outer diameter  403 , a length  404 , an outer diameter  406 , an outer aperture  410 , a width  412 , a width  416 , and an x axis  422 . 
         [0040]    In one embodiment, said outer aperture  410  can comprise said width  412 . 
         [0041]    In one embodiment, said outer draw tube  302  and said inner draw tube  308  can comprise a square tubing, or similar, each comprising a width and height being substantially similar. 
         [0042]    In one embodiment, said inner diameter  402  and said outer diameter  403  can be substantially similar, however, said outer diameter  403  is smaller than said inner diameter  402  in so far as said inner draw tube  308  is able to move according to specification within said outer draw tube  302 . 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, said inner draw tube  308  can move along said x axis  422  within said outer draw tube  302 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an elevated top view of an inner portions  330  in a first position  500   a.    FIG. 5B  illustrates an elevated top view of an inner portions  330  in a second position  500   b.    FIG. 5C  illustrates an elevated top view of an inner portions  330  in a third position  500   c.    
         [0045]    Illustrated herein are a first position  500   a,  a second position  500   b,  a third position  500   c , a forward movement distance  502 , a rearward movement distance  504 , a forward force  506 , a rearward force  508 , a relative equilibrium  510 . 
         [0046]    In one embodiment, said first position  500   a  can comprise said inner portions  330  in a relative equilibrium  510 ; said second position  500   b  can comprise said hitch system  100  under forward force  506  (such as deceleration); and said third position  500   c  can comprise said hitch system  100  and said inner portions  330  under a rearward force  508  (such as an acceleration). In one embodiment, said inner portions  330  can compress said second elastic energy storage device  306  under said forward force  506  and can compress said first elastic energy storage device  304  under said rearward force  508 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an elevated bottom side view of an inner portions  330  in a first position  500   a.    FIG. 6B  illustrates an elevated bottom side view of an inner portions  330  in a second position  500   b.    FIG. 6C  illustrates an elevated bottom side view of an inner portions  330  in a third position  500   c.    
         [0048]    Illustrated herein are a sensor location  602 , a magnet  604 , a proximity  606 , a first proximity  606   a,  and a second proximity  606   b,  and a third proximity  606   c.    
         [0049]    In one embodiment, said proximity  606  can comprise said first proximity  606   a,  said second proximity  606   b,  and said third proximity  606   c.    
         [0050]    In one embodiment, a sensor and circuit assembly  1100  (not illustrated here, see infra) can be used to sense said proximity  606  said magnet  604  as related to said sensor location  602 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 7A  illustrates a perspective overview of a first elastic energy storage device  304 .  FIG. 7B  illustrates a cross-section perspective overview of a first elastic energy storage device  304 . 
         [0052]    Illustrated herein are an one or more apertures  702 , a first aperture  702   a,  a second aperture  702   b,  a third aperture  702   c,  a front face  704 , a back face  706 , a width  708 , a height  710 , a depth  712 , a y axis  714 , a first diameter  718 , a second diameter  720 . 
         [0053]    In one embodiment, said one or more apertures  702  can comprise said first aperture  702   a,  said second aperture  702   b,  said third aperture  702   c,  said first diameter  718 , said second diameter  720 . 
         [0054]    In one embodiment, said first elastic energy storage device  304  can comprise ethane or an ether based urethane. 
         [0055]    In one embodiment, the diameter of said one or more apertures  702  can taper downward while approaching said y axis  714  (at a central point in said one or more apertures  702 ), as illustrated. For example, in one embodiment, said one or more apertures  702  can comprise said first diameter  718  at said front face  704  and said back face  706 , and said second diameter  720  at said y axis  714 . In one embodiment, said first elastic energy storage device  304  can compress and decompress to substantially identical dimensions making it an ideal buffer to reset said inner portions  330  relative to said magnet  604 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 8A  illustrates an elevated front view of a ball foot assembly  108 .  FIG. 8B  illustrates a perspective exploded overview of a ball foot assembly  108 . 
         [0057]    Illustrated herein are a side plates  802 , a first side plate  802   a,  a second side plate  802   b , a bore ball mount plate  804 , a first upper aperture  810   a,  a second upper aperture  810   b,  a first lower aperture  812   a,  a second lower aperture  812   b,  a bore aperture  814 , a lower socket portion  816 , an upper ball portion  818 . 
         [0058]    In one embodiment, said side plates  802  can comprise said first side plate  802   a,  said second side plate  802   b.  In one embodiment, said first side plate  802   a  can comprise said first upper aperture  810   a,  said first lower aperture  812   a.  In one embodiment, said second side plate  802   b  can comprise said second upper aperture  810   b,  said second lower aperture  812   b.  In one embodiment, said bore ball mount plate  804  can comprise said bore aperture  814 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 9A  illustrates a perspective first side overview of a second elastic energy storage device  306 .  FIG. 9B  illustrates a perspective second side overview of a second elastic energy storage device  306 .  FIG. 9C  illustrates a perspective cross-section overview of a second elastic energy storage device  306 .  FIG. 9D  illustrates an elevated top view of a second elastic energy storage device  306 .  FIG. 9E  illustrates an elevated side view of a second elastic energy storage device  306 . 
         [0060]    Illustrated herein are a first side  902 , a second side  904 , an extension  906 , a cup  908 , a height  910 , a width  912 , and a depth  914 . 
         [0061]    In one embodiment, said extension  906  can interface with said first end cap  310   a  of said inner draw tube  308 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 10A  illustrates a perspective overview of a hitch system  100  with said circuit compartment  106  disassembled.  FIG. 10B  illustrates a perspective lower side view of a hitch system  100  with said circuit compartment  106  disassembled. 
         [0063]    Illustrated herein are a circuit cavity  1002 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 11  illustrates an elevated front view of a hitch system  100  without said outer draw tube  302 . 
         [0065]    Illustrated herein are a sensor and circuit assembly  1100 , a magnet  1102 . 
         [0066]    In one embodiment, said sensor and circuit assembly  1100  can comprise said case  1202 , said integrated circuit  1204 . 
         [0067]    In one embodiment, said magnet  1102  can comprise NdFeBr. In one embodiment, said 1 hitch system  100  selectively senses said proximity  606  between said sensor location  602  and said magnet  1102 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective exploded overview of a sensor assembly  1100 . 
         [0069]    Illustrated herein are a case  1202 , an integrated circuit  1204 , and a sensor  1206 . 
         [0070]    In one embodiment, said integrated circuit  1204  can comprise said sensor  1206 . In one embodiment, said sensor  1206  can comprise said sensor location  602 . 
         [0071]    In one embodiment, said integrated circuit  1204  can be protected by said case  1202 . These illustrations of said 1 hitch system  100  are for illustration only and may comprise different dimensions and features, as is known in the art. 
         [0072]      FIG. 13A  illustrates a perspective overview of an inner portions  330  in a first position  500   a.    FIG. 13B  illustrates a perspective overview of an inner portions  330  in a second position  500   b.    FIG. 13C  illustrates a perspective overview of an inner portions  330  in a third position  500   c.    
         [0073]      FIG. 14A  illustrates a perspective overview of an inner portions  330  in a first position  500   a  with a cross-section view of said outer draw tube  302 .  FIG. 14B  illustrates a perspective overview of an inner portions  330  in a second position  500   b  with a cross-section view of said outer draw tube  302 .  FIG. 14C  illustrates a perspective overview of an inner portions  330  in a third position  500   c  with a cross-section view of said outer draw tube  302 . 
         [0074]    In one embodiment, said hitch system  100  can adjust for forces such as said forward force  506  and said rearward force  508  by buffering signals sent to said sensor and circuit assembly  1100  since proximity  606  is buffered by the elasticity of said first elastic energy storage device  304  and said second elastic energy storage device  306 . 
         [0075]    Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methods are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the method is being implemented in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.