Patent ID: 12194976

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The below description is given by way of example, and without limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein and can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not to be limited to the specific combination described herein. The scope or claims are not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments or exact materials of the prototype.

FIG.1is a view from the right, passenger side of trailer showing the trailer jack (1), a disengaged safety parking brake lever (2), mounting plate (3), the lock out bar (4), coupler release latch (5) and the coupler release latch pin (6).

FIG.2is a view from the left, driver side of the trailer showing the trailer jack (1), safety parking brake lever that is NOT engaged (2), the mounting plate (3), lock out bar (4), a closed coupler release latch (5), coupler release latch pin (6) and the index plunger pin (7).

FIG.3is a view from the left, driver side of the trailer showing the index plunger pin (7), an engaged safety parking brake lever (2), lock out bar lifted (4), trailer frame top (8) and an open coupler release latch (5).

FIG.4is an underside view of the travel trailer showing electric wheel brake assembly equipped with an emergency brake (11), emergency brake cable lines (12), cable mounting plate (13), distribution block (14), 5/16″ metal rod (15), clevis (16), cable eyelet (17), trailer bottom (9) and mounting clips (18).

FIG.5is a down view of the mounting plate (3) with cutout (10) for the trailer jack tongue and holes (19) for screw placement and welded bolts (20) for attaching the mounting plate to the frame.

The following items would be needed to make the invention functional: 1. Left and right electric wheel brake assembly kit equipped with an emergency brake. 2. A universal parking brake kit that includes: Two cables, one distribution block, adjustable clevises and required hardware. 3. 5/16″ threaded steel rod, length determined by travel trailer. 4. Emergency brake hand lever. 5. ⅛″ thick flat stock metal bent to 90 degree angle, desired length is based on trailer tongue and Emergency Hand Brake Lever used. 6. Mounting plate made of ¼″ steel plate that attaches under the trailer tongue jack on the trailer tongue frame by 3 bolts. 7. Locking index plunger pin welded in place on safety parking brake lever that prevents the safety parking brake lever from being accidentally released.

To make the invention functional you would have to replace the existing left and right electric wheel brake assemblies that come standard on the travel trailer with an electric wheel brake assembly kit equipped with an emergency brake. For utility trailers, there is no existing brake assembly, so you would just install the electric wheel brake assembly kit equipped with an emergency brake. For the prototype, Kwik-Load Model #77-10EP-22 RIGHT, #77-10EP-23 LEFT was used, other sizes and manufacturer brands are available and would be acceptable to use.

A universal parking brake kit, for the prototype AC Delco® Model #330-9371 parking brake kit was used, other manufacturer brands are available and could be used in its place; this gets attached to the emergency brake assembly per manufacturer's instructions.

The two emergency brake cables (12) that are supplied with the universal parking brake kit are attached to the cable mounting plate (13), that is then connected to the distribution block (14) that was supplied with the universal parking brake kit.

A 5/16″ steel threaded rod (15), cut to desired trailer length or expanded with couplers, based on trailer length, is then connected on the other end of the distribution block (14). Two 30″ threaded rods joined together with a coupling were used in the prototype. The 5/16″ steel threaded rod is then connected to a clevis (16) that was supplied with the universal parking brake kit, then to the safety parking brake lever's cable eyelet (17). All this is secured to the trailer frame with the supplied clips (18) from the universal parking brake kit.

A hole is cut into the safety parking brake lever that fits the size of the locking plunger pin (7) that is then welded in the opening. For the prototype a M6 nickel plated indexing spring plunger with pull ring and stainless steel, threaded pin was used. When the safety parking brake lever (2) is engaged, the index plunger pin automatically springs into place preventing the safety parking brake lever from being lowered without pulling the ring back on the locking plunger pin.

Before installing the safety parking brake lever (2), to the trailer you will first need to remove the trailer tongue jack's bolts and slide the tongue jack (1) out of the opening. The emergency brake lever used for the prototype is an AC Deco® Model #42563907; other low profile levers and manufacturer brands are available and acceptable to use.

The safety parking brake lever is then attached to the trailer tongue jack and tongue jack, by using the mounting plate (3). The mounting plate can be mounted to the majority of trailers with no modifications to the mounting plate.

The mounting plate (3) is made from ¼″ steel plate with a 2⅜″ hole cut out for the trailer tongue jack, three 7/16″ holes for the trailer tongue jack mounting bolts to pass through and be bolted between the top of the trailer frame and trailer tongue jack. Hole placements are based on the standard tongue jack used for most tow trailers and are then cut out. Three 5/16″ Grade 8 bolt threads, 9/16″ in height, are welded to the underside of the plate that mount the safety parking brake lever to the mounting plate. Then the mounting plate (3) is bolted to the tongue jack and Trailer Frame using the existing bolts of the trailer tongue, longer bolts may be required due to the thickness of the mounting plate. The safety parking brake lever may also be welded to the trailer tongue for a more permanent installation. The safety parking brake lever is mounted on the left side of the trailer tongue making it easily accessible to the driver of the vehicle.

Using the ⅛″ flat stock metal, configure the size by placing the metal against safety parking brake lever while it is disengaged, at a location that would be above the release coupler latch, then create a 90 degree bend in the flat stock bar that creates the lock out bar (4) that prevents the release coupler latch from being lifted. For the prototype a 10″×1½″ flat stock metal was used with a 90 degree bend 2″ up from bottom. Exact location and specific size will vary based on the trailer tongue and emergency brake lever used.

The 90 degree bent metal is then welded to the safety parking brake lever at the correct location for latch coverage as determined by the location of disengaged safety parking brake lever, lever type and the coupler release latch positioning. This creates a blocking point to the trailer coupler release latch (5) that prevents the operator from removing the coupler release latch pin (6) therefore keeping tension on the ball and preventing the trailer from being detached without the safety parking brake lever being engaged.

The last step is to adjust the emergency brake cable and safety parking brake lever for maximum grip on the electric wheel brake assemblies with emergency brakes (11) that holds the trailer firmly in place.