A tension controllable flexible connector for sway control devices for trailers passing over a frictionally damping surface or surfaces for preventing uncontrolled lateral movements of a towed vehicle. The flexible connector comprising a recently available tough, durable belt equal in strength to cable or chain has an external surface suitable for frictional damping use and is connected to the towed or towing vehicle by suitable connectors one of which is a toggle release means. A curved or arcuate structure is used in conjunction with the flexible connector for providing the friction damping surface which limits undesirable sway of the trailer. Simplicity of installation, operation and interchangeability of the flexible connector for use on other trailers to be towed by the same vehicle are features of the disclosed device.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a trailer hitch for quickly and easily connecting a trailer to a tractor including a draw bar, a primary pivot device for connecting the draw bar to the tractor, a hitching device connected to the trailer for connecting the trailer to the draw bar, the hitching device having a stabilizer and air cylinder connected thereto for decreasing the downward forces on the rear end of a tractor.

An apparatus for reducing or eliminating rearward amplification of yaw in commercial multi-trailer highway combinations by maintaining constant tension on a cable-and-pulley system connecting a towed trailer with a towing trailer, and offering constant resistance to motion of the cable through the pulleys when the towed vehicle begins to yaw with respect to the towing vehicle. The cable is wrapped around a drum having a vertical axis of rotation. Cable tension is maintained by an air spring which slides the drum in a fore-and-aft direction. Resistance to movement of the cable connecting the vehicles is achieved by controlling rotation of the drum by means of a pneumatic brake.

A coupler assembly for limiting lateral forces which may be generated during the highway operation of a trailer coupled to a towing vehicle. The present invention is part of the yoke of the trailer, and comprises a completely self-contained system for momentarily actuating the brakes on the towed vehicle, in response to undesirable lateral accelerations of the towed vehicle. The invention is characterized by a coupler member which itself is relatively rotatable, in a lateral plane, with respect to the trailer yoke, together with dampening spring assemblies, so there is a surge-brake actuation in response to lateral accelerations above a predetermined magnitude.

An anti-sway trailer hitch for connecting a trailer to a tow vehicle. The hitch includes a first pivotal element attached to the tow vehicle and a second pivotal element attached to the trailer with a set of a converging link assembly on the first element connecting it to the second element. The converging link assembly projects the effective pivot point forward adjacent the rear axle of the tow vehicle and prevents lateral sway while allowing changes in the angular relationship between the two elements as the tow vehicle and trailer negotiate turns. The second pivotal element includes a yoke attached to the trailer frame. The yoke includes Spaced apart side members with a hitch ball mount in sliding engagement with the side members. The trailer is attached to the hitch ball. A pivotally attached strut extends between the first pivotal element and the-hitch ball mount. As the radius of the Converging links shortens or lengthens during and after turns, and the yoke is drawn toward or away from the tow vehicle, the strut maintains the hitch ball mount, with the trailer attached thereto, at a predetermined distance from the tow vehicle. The strut also reduces push-pull stresses on the converging link assembly by directing those stresses to the tow vehicle hitch bar.