Patent ID: 7175194

Claim:
An anti-jackknifing apparatus adapted for engagement between a tractor engaged with a trailer, comprising: a pair of catch arms having a first end and a distal end; means for rotational attachment of said first end of each of said pair of catch arms to a mounting position on said tractor; a forward engaging component adapted to engage with each said distal end of each respective catch arm, and a rearward engaging component adapted to engage with each said distal end of each respective catch arm, said forward engaging component and said rearward engaging component positioned on a bottom surface of said trailer; said distal ends having an engaged position and having a retracted position; means to rotate said pair of catch arms to thereby move said respective distal ends between said retracted position and said engaged position; said distal ends in said engaged position located in an arced horizontal path between said forward engaging component and said rearward engaging component, said horizontal path being substantially parallel to the bottom of said trailer; said distal ends in said retracted position located out of said horizontal path; control means to activate said means to rotate said pair of catch arms to move said distal ends to said engaged position; and whereby said distal ends in said engaged position will engage with one of said forward engaging component or said rearward engaging component when said trailer rotates in its engagement with said tractor past a predetermined angle.