Cavan drainage and reseeding contractor Ciaran Smith has developed a novel trailer brake locking system to provide what he claims to be a reliable hydraulic brake locking system for trailers. Ciaran developed his patented design in response to a danger that he experienced as a contractor when loading his 14t Kobelco tracked excavator on to his Chieftain low-loader trailer.
Cavan drainage and reseeding contractor Ciaran Smith has developed a novel trailer brake locking system to provide what he claims to be a reliable hydraulic brake locking system for trailers.
Ciaran developed his patented design in response to a danger that he experienced as a contractor when loading his 14t Kobelco tracked excavator on to his Chieftain low-loader trailer.
Ciaran found that even with the tractor’s brakes fully locked, loading machines on to trailers presented stability and braking problems, especially on hills. This was because while loading some machines, the trailer drawbar will be raised, raising the rear of the tractor off the ground. This renders the tractor’s brakes ineffective as most tractor braking systems operate on the tractor’s rear wheels only. And the tractor and trailer will start to move.
In response to this challenge, Ciaran has developed a patented braking system that locks the trailer brakes using the standard hydraulic trailer brake service, in tandem with the operation of the tractor’s handbrake. The system is such that when you engage the handbrake and the footbrake of the tractor with its trailer hydraulic braking system in line, you also lock the trailer’s hydraulic brakes in an engaged position.
Ciaran sought out a solution by getting an electrically controlled one-way hydraulic valve and inserting it into the trailer hydraulic brake line.
The valve is in turn wired to the tractor’s handbrake. The power from the tractor’s handbrake engagement warning light is enough to operate the electro-hydraulic one-way valve.
Engage the trailer brakes in the normal way on the tractor’s foot pedals, then lift the handbrake lever at the same time and the trailer’s brakes are engaged and locked.
To release the trailer brakes you simply release the handbrake, but only when the tractor’s ignition is turned on. This safety feature means that the trailer brakes cannot be accidentally disengaged from the tractor cab.
The novel system also allows for the trailer brakes to be locked with the trailer unhitched from the tractor. This means that it acts as a parking brake, almost in the same way that a trailer air brake system works.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has confirmed that handbrake issues were a factor in 13 of the 30 lives lost due to tractors and machinery last year. Some of these may have related to trailer brakes.
Ciaran is now looking to bring the design to the market and is seeking suppliers to take his idea to the next stage. As a designer/inventor, Ciaran wants to move on to other projects that he has in mind and does not see himself in the world of sales and marketing.
He has invested a significant sum in developing and patenting the design with the help of patent attorney Naoise Gordon from Annyalla, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan.
The patent has been fully registered and Ciaran can be contacted at ciaran.jpsmith@gmail.com, Ciaran Smith Agri Hire, Ballyhaise, Co Cavan, for information about this novel and practical design. You can also find Ciaran Smith Agri Hire on Facebook.
Patent agent
contact details:
Naoise Gordon,
NP Gordon and Associates Chartered & European
Patent Attorney,
Annyalla, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan.
Tel: 042-9752020
Email: naoise.gordon@npgordonandassociates.com
Website: www.npgordon
andassociates.com
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