Dico, Inc.

Albert P Marasco

A trailer break away safety mechanism which brings a trailer to a controlled stop after disengagement with a pulling vehicle. The mechanism consists of a cable which remains attached to the trailer after the trailer has disengaged from the pulling vehicle. As the trailer slows in relationship to the pulling vehicle, the cable actuates a braking mechanism on the trailer. Once the breaking mechanism has been fully actuated, the S-hook which attaches the cable to the pulling vehicle straightens, thereby completely releasing the trailer from the pulling vehicle. The cable is connected to a lever which pivots to actuate the braking system on the trailer. A catch spring and catch pin are provided to prevent the lever from inadvertently moving to its nonactuation position after the trailer has separated from the pulling vehicle. The use of the lever allows accurate and positive engagement of the trailer braking system which may be easily released by simply lifting a catch pin up and away from the actuated lever.

Trailer break-away device

A lockout device for selectively locking out the trailer brake actuator on a hitching device to allow for backing. The lockout device works on a hitching device having an inner housing connected to a pulling vehicle and an outer housing connected to a trailer. A brake actuator to activate the trailer brakes is connected between the inner housing and the outer housing. During towing, the actuator will activate the trailer brakes if the trailer approaches the pulling vehicle, as for example when the pulling vehicle slows and the trailer's inertia carries it towards the pulling vehicle. When the lockout device is in a lockout orientation, the lockout device prevents the inner housing from sliding rearward in the outer housing, thereby preventing the actuator from activating the trailer brakes. Upon an initial movement forward by the pulling vehicle, the lockout device will return to a neutral position so that the actuator is functional.

Growing community of inventors

Des Moines, IA, United States of America

Albert P Marasco