GB2358058A

GB2358058A - Removable handbrake aid

Info

Publication number: GB2358058A
Application number: GB0103006A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Denis Sutton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-02-07
Filing date: 2001-02-07
Publication date: 2001-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 2021-02-07
Also published as: GB0103006D0; GB2358058B

Abstract

The removable handbrake aid is an accessory device that will make it easier for aged or unfit persons to operate a trailer handbrake lever. This device includes a body A which can be located on, and secured to, the trailer handbrake lever grip and increases the leverage to reduce the effort required. Squeezing trigger lever C presses the pawl release button on the handbrake lever. The whole device therefore gives an operator a one-handed, simultaneous and easier action to apply or relieve a handbrake. The removable handbrake aid also comprises removable sleeves (P, Q, and R, drawing 2) to be inserted into the lower end of the body A so as to allow the device to fit a wide range of trailer handbrake levers.

Description

1 2358058

Description

A. Removable handbrake aid. Not applicable Field of the invention

This invention is to be used to assist in the operation of trailer handbrakes.

D. Prior art. 1 Previous to 1999, caravan and trailer handbrakes needed much physical strength to apply the handbrake lever into the upright or on position. To release a handbrake, meant firstly, even more effort in the same direction while pressing a pawl release button with a thumb before letting off the handbrake lever. An operation that usually required two hands. 2. From 1999. Certain trailer handbrakes now incorporate a compressed gas strut, to help minimise that effort required to said handbrakes. 3. Unfortunately, that same physical effort is still needed to overcome the gas strut, when releasing handbrakes of this type. Also, still having to use a thumb to operate the pawl button as before. For an older or unfit person, said operations of trailer handbrakes can be even harder.

2 Summary of the invention

1 There are two key features of the invention called the removable handbrake aid, that differ ftom prior art.

2. One is that this portably lightweight and compact device gives an operator easier one handed control, by adding extra leverage to the trailer handbrake stem via Body A (Drawing. 1).

3. Two, the same hand that grasps the top of Body A to operate, sq'ueezes fingers round trigger lever C (Drawing. 1), and simultaneously presses the pawl release button with ease. Thus, applying or releasing of a trailer handbrake, takes less effort, with easier and better one handed control.

Description of Drawings

1. Drawing 1 is a cut-away isometric view of the assembled device, referred to as the removable handbrake aid. All parts identifiable by the letters A to 0.

The bottom of Drawing 1 illustrates references to a trailer handbrake gfip and P?.wl button 2. Drawing 2 Relates to the add-on claims and identifies the sleeves P, Q, and R. 3. Drawine 3 Relates to the suggested dimensional component parts that make up the handbrake aid. Identified by the letters as used in Drawing. 1.

3 Description of Preferred embodiinent.

A removable handbrake aid 1. The removable handbrake aid is a device strongly made from a suitably rigid material, lightweigh in construction. It is quickly and easily applied to a trailer handbrake, without the use of tools. The device is a tubular extension Body A (Drawing. 1) that by its addition to said handbrake increases its leverage. Body A should be of a suggested minimum length of 30 cm.

2. Drawing 1 shows a cross section of the assembled device. Body A is formed from a rigid material into an oval shape to allow it to fit various handbrake grips, and be strong. A good fit to different handbrakes levers can be obtained by the addition and insertion of a chosen sleeve, such as P, Q, or R (Drawing. 2) into the bottom of Body A.

3. Body A has a top face (Drawing. 1) profiled to the same shape, and welded round its edge. A si.ot being provided for anchor post F (Drawing. 1) to be affixed at right angles to said face.

4. Body A also incorporates and comprises the parts hereafter described and identified by letters on Drawing 1.

5, At the top end of Body A there is a W angled lever (trigger C Drawing 1), which must be of sufficient length capable of exerting pressure on cap J, in the ratio of at least 8 to 1 leverage from pivot pin G.

6. The trigger C when squeezed against Body A, forces down a spring loaded plunger part B (Drawing. 1). The trigger C is formed preferably from substantially rigid material, slotted at the back end (Drawng. 3) and shaped into two eyelets (fig 4 Drawing. 3) that straddle anchor post F.

7. The finger-grip portion of trigger C is concaved to a profile compatible to the front of Body A Said profile gives strength to the trigger, and comfort for the operator.

8. Pivot pin G passes through the eyelets and the hole in anchor post F, at a requisite height ftom the top face of Body A. Pivot pin G can be a standard size commercial item such as a split pin or plain rivet.

9. Anchor post F is a welded integrally to both the top face, and the back seam of Body A.

It will alsq, have a clearance hole for pivot pin G to pass through, while acting as a hinge point for trigger C.

4 Description cont:

10. Anchor post F is suitably profiled as in Drawing, 1 and 3, and at the top end is formed into a small stop lug (0 on Drawing. 1), that limits the upward movement of trigger C when inert.

11. At the top end of plunger B there is a round cap screwed centrally onto said plunger.

This cap (J on Drawing. 1) is partially domed on top, and recessed underneath. When in position on plunger B, said cap J retains and positions the return spring E, between the top face, and the inside of trigger C. Cap J is made from strong material that has a low friction quality. Cap J will have a diameter that is less than the inside of trigger C.

12. Return spring E (Drawing. 1) will be of sufficient pressure and length to hold trigger C against the lug 0, and a diameter that fits inside cap J.

13. In operation, plunger B is forced downward by trigger C, against spring E, and can move freely where it passes through the holes in the topface, and also the guide plate H (Drawing. 1). Plunger B preferably should be made from 5 '1, n round steel.

14. Affixed to the bottom of plunger B, there is a small circular steel plate of 22 % diameter, (part 1). Said plate is saucer shaped so as to position itself when pressing on the pawl button of a trailer handbrake.

15. Guide plate H is made from suitable flat steel, round in shape, and affixed at a height clear, and above the stopped position of plunger end 1 (Drawing. 1).

16. At the bottom front of Body A, and permanently fixed, there is a steel boss (L Drawing 1). Threaded to a size compatible to take thumbscrew K.

17. At the bottom back of Body A, there is a cut out, or slot M (Drawing1). Said slot M is to allow the body to fit over a variety of trailer handbrake grips, also to locate sleeves P, Q, and R (Drawing. 2), as described in claims, page 5 paragraph 5 to 9.

Claims

1 A removable handbrake aid, in the form of Body A, that when slipped over the grip part of a trailer handbrake lever gives leverage, and better control of said lever.

2. A removable handbrake aid as in claim 1, formed from substantially rigid material into the shape of Body A, that can be tightened at the bottom end by thumbscrew K, through boss 1 against a trailer handbrake stem.

3. A removable handbrake aid as in claims 1 and 2, where in at the top end of Body A, there is provided a lever mechanism trigger C. Said lever when squeezed against Body A, gives finger tip control to depress the trailer handbrake pawl button.

4, A removable handbrake aid, as in claims 1, 2, 3, that provides a means of transmitting the motion of trigger C via plunger B to a handbrake pawl button.

5. A removable handbrake aid, as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, and 4 where in by flilly inserting into the bottom of Body A, one sleeve such as P, Q, or R (Drawing. 2) of a chosen wall thickness, allows fitment to various handbrake designs.

6. Sleeves P, Q, and R as in claim 5 will be a push fit, and conform to the inside oval shape of Body A.

7. Sleeves P, Q, and R as in claim 5 and 6 will have a length that will go from the bottom edge N (Drawing. 1) to a height between the inert position of plunger plate 1, and guide plate H.

8_ Said sleeves P, Q, R as in claims 5, 6, and 7, will have a suitable sized clearance slot T (Drawing. 2) provided in the bottom front of each sleeve to allow thumbscrew K (Drawing. 1) to pass through.

9. Said sleeves P, Q, and R as in claims 5, 6, 7, and 8 will have a cut away to match the cut- out M in Body A (Drawing. 1). The cut material bent outwards at 90 0 to form lugs S (Drawing. 2). Lugs S will act as stops when sleeves are inserted into Body A, also as projections to grip when removing said sleeves.

(0 Amended claims have been filed as follows Claims A removable handbrake aid in the form of Body A when slipped over the grip part of a trailer handbrake lever gives added leverage and easier control of the pawl button via trigger lever C in a one handed movement.

2. A removable handbrake aid as in claim 1 formed from substantially rigid material into the shape of Body A wherein a means of tightening said Body A to a handbrake stem provided by thumbscrew K.

A removable handbrake aid as in claims 1 and 2 wherein at the top end of Body A there is provided a trigger lever C who's motion is transmitted via plunger B to a handbrake pawl button when said lever C is depressed against Body A.

4. A removable handbrake aid as in claims 1, 2, 3 wherein plunger B is provided with suitable parts such as spring E and cap J which are capable of returning it to an inert position 5. A removable handbrake aid as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, and 4 wherein by the adaption of one sleeve P, Q, or R of a chosen wall thickness to the bottom of body A allows fitment to various handbrake designs.

6. A removable handbrake aid as claimed in 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wherein sleeves P, Q and R conform to the inside shape at the lower end of body A and be a push fit into said body A.

7. A removable handbrake aid as claimed in claims 5 and 6 wherein the sleeves P, Q, R are of sufficient length to fill the space in Body A from the bottom edge N to the inert position of plunger plate I

8. A removable handbrake aid as in claims 5, 6 and 7 who's said sleeves P, Q and R will have at their bottom ends a slot T in front to clear thumbscrew K and a cut out at the back to match M in Body A.

9. Removable handbrake aid sleeves P, Q and R as claimed in all previous claims will have lugs S provided at 900 to the cut-outs in Body A to facilitate insertion and removal of said sleeves.

10. A removable handbrake aid substantially as described herein with reference to figures of the accompanying drawings.