US Patent 7293781 Anti-creep trailer locking mechanism

An anti-creep locking mechanism for a trailer suspension system is disclosed. The disclosed locking mechanism includes at least one column that may be swung into a first position in a gap formed between a trailer frame and a suspension component to keep a trailer at a predetermined height. The column is biased into the first position by a spring. An actuator, such as a contracting air bag or an air cylinder with a linkage assembly, is used to overcome the biasing force of the spring and retract the column into a second position, thereby deactivating the anti-creep locking mechanism. The anti-creep mechanism may further include an angle limiter to insure that column is fully retracted once the system is deactivated.