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United States Patent [w]

Hensley

US006050649A [ii] Patent Number: [45] Date of Patent:

6,050,649 Apr. 18,2000

[54] BRAKE CONTROLLER

[75] Inventor: James C. Hensley, Centralia, 111.

[73] Assignee: James Hensley Revocable Trust A, Centralia, 111.

[21] Appl. No.: 09/032,263 [22] Filed: Feb. 27, 1998

Related U.S. Application Data

[60] Provisional application No. 60/040,537, Mar. 13, 1997.

[51] Int. CI.7 B60T 13/00

[52] U.S. CI 303/7; 303/3; 303/20;

188/158

[58] Field of Search 303/7, 20, 123,

303/3, 155, 113.4; 188/158, 159, 161-163, 112 R, 112 A, 3 R, 3 H, 138; 340/479;

74/512, 514

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

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4,295,687 10/1981 Becker et al 303/20

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4,572,030 2/1986 Sakurai et al. .

4,721,344 1/1988 Frait et al. .

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4,802,562 2/1989 Kuroyanagi et al. .

[blocks in formation]

A brake controller for use in a tow vehicle to control the application ol towed vehicle brakes. The brake controller is responsive to movement ol the tow vehicle brake pedal to send electronic brake control signals to the towed vehicle brakes, actuating the brakes in proportion to the movement ol the brake pedal. An optical coupler senses movement ol the brake pedal by a graduated increase in transmitted light, or by counting marks associated with a spring-tensioned cable or chain secured between the tow vehicle firewall and the brake pedal arm. A microcontroller is incorporated into the brake controller to adjust the proportionality ol the brake actuation in response to operator gain settings, and to allow for manual actuation ol the towed vehicle brakes.

19 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets

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