US 11,731,712 B2
Emergency trailer release device
Michael Magilton, Walnut Grove, CA (US)
Filed by Michael Magilton, Walnut Grove, CA (US)
Filed on May 20, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/325,271.
Prior Publication US 2022/0371671 A1, Nov. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. B62D 53/08 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 53/08 (2013.01) 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An emergency trailer release device comprising:
an actuating module configured to be mountable to a fifth wheel of a towing truck, such that the actuating module is operationally engaged to a set of locks of the fifth wheel, wherein the actuating module is configured for selectively opening the set of locks, such that a king pin of a trailer engaged to the fifth wheel by the set of locks is released, wherein the actuating module comprises a linear actuator;
a controller configured to be mountable to the towing truck within a cab thereof, the controller being operationally engaged to the actuating module and being configured for operationally engaging an electrical circuit of the towing truck, wherein the controller is configured for being selectively actuated by a driver of the towing truck in an emergency situation, such that the controller is positioned for signaling the actuating module for opening the set of locks for disengaging the trailer from the towing truck; and
wherein the linear actuator comprises
a cylinder,
a piston positioned in and selectively extensible from the cylinder,
a gear box operationally engaged to the piston, and
an electric motor operationally engaged to the gear box, such that the electric motor is positioned for selectively extending the piston from the cylinder, wherein the linear actuator is configured for selectively opening the set of locks for releasing the king pin.