Trailer light circuit testing device

• US 20080042656A1
• Filed: 08/10/2006
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aaron R. Hall
• Original Assignee: Aaron R. Hall
• Inventors: Hall, Aaron R.
• Application Number:
  US11/502,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20080042656A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/500
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/44 Testing lamps

Abstract

A trailer light testing device designed to test a plurality of lights on a conventional recreational vehicle trailer independent of the recreational vehicle being coupled to a tow vehicle'"'"'s power supply. The trailer light testing device includes a housing with a terminal assembly disposed on one end of the housing. The terminal assembly includes a circuit with a seven electrical terminals configured to be mateably connected with a conventional seven-way plug of a trailer light system. The trailer light testing device further includes a switch for controlling at least two of the electrical terminal that are operably connected to the turn signal lights of the trailer. The housing further includes a lid mounted on one end proximate the terminal assembly.

Claims

1. A trailer light test device comprising:

a housing;

a terminal assembly, said terminal assembly configured to be positioned within said housing, said terminal assembly being adapted to be operably connected to a trailer light wiring connector of a trailer;

said terminal assembly further including a terminal assembly circuit, said terminal assembly circuit having a plurality of electrical terminals configured to be electrically coupled with the trailer light wiring connector and lights of the trailer; and

wherein said terminal assembly circuit provides electrical current subsequent to coupling of said terminal assembly with the trailer light wiring connector of a trailer and further wherein a light is illuminated indicating no problem with the particular light.

2. The trailer light test device as recited in claim 1, wherein said terminal assembly is configured to operably connect with a conventional seven-way plug of a trailer light system.

3. The trailer light test device as recited in claim 2, wherein said electrical terminals in said terminal assembly are female so as to facilitate operable engagement with the seven-way plug of a conventional trailer light system.

4. The trailer light test device as recited in claim 3, wherein said terminal assembly circuit includes two turn signal terminals for operably engaging with the turn signal lights of a conventional trailer lighting system.

5. The trailer light test device as recited in claim 4, wherein said two turn signal terminals are operably controlled by a flashing unit.

6. The trailer light test device as recited in claim 5, and further including a switch, said switch being operably connected to said turn signal terminals, said switch configured to control electrical current to said turn signal terminals.

7. The trailer light test device as recited in claim 6, wherein said lighting test device is powered by a twelve volt DC power supply that is substantially disposed within said housing.

8. A trailer light testing device for selectively providing power to at least one of a plurality of trailer lights, comprising:

a housing, said housing having at least one wall defining an interior volume, said housing having a first and second end;

a terminal assembly, said terminal assembly configured to be positioned proximate said first end of said housing, said terminal assembly being adapted to be operably connected to a trailer light wiring connector of a trailer;

said terminal assembly further including a terminal assembly circuit, said terminal assembly circuit including a power terminal for connection to a power supply, said terminal assembly circuit having a plurality of electrical terminals electrically coupled with said power terminal, said terminal assembly circuit being configured to be operably engaged with the trailer light wiring connector and plurality of trailer lights of the trailer; and

wherein said terminal assembly circuit selectively provides electrical current to at least one of the plurality of trailer lights and further wherein the illumination of the at least one of the plurality of trailer lights indicates a passing condition for the at least one of the plurality of trailer lights.

9. The trailer light testing device as recited in claim 8, wherein said terminal assembly is configured to mateably engage with a seven-way plug of a trailer lighting system.

10. The trailer light testing device as recited in claim 9, wherein said electrical terminals include a right turn signal terminal, a left turn signal terminal, a tail light terminal, a reverse light terminal and a ground terminal, said electrical terminals being female so as to operably engage with a conventional seven-way plug of a trailer light system.

11. The trailer light testing device as recited in claim 10, and further including a switch, said switch being mounted on said housing, said switch having a first, second and third position, said switch being intermediate said power terminal and said left turn signal terminal and said right turn signal terminal along said terminal assembly circuit, said switch for controlling the current flow to said right turn signal terminal and said left turn signal terminal.

12. The trailer light testing device as recited in claim 11, and further including an automotive light flashing unit, said automotive light flashing unit being operably connected to said right turn signal terminal and said left turn signal terminal, said automotive light flashing unit for controlling the cycle of electrical current to said right turn signal terminal and said left turn signal terminal.

13. The trailer light testing device as recited in claim 12, wherein said trailer light testing device is powered by a twelve volt DC power supply.

14. The trailer light testing device as recited in claim 13, and further including a lid configured to substantially cover said terminal assembly.

15. A recreational vehicle trailer light testing device, comprising:

a housing, said housing having at least one wall defining an interior volume, said housing having a first and second end;

a terminal assembly, said terminal assembly configured to be positioned proximate said first end of said housing, said terminal assembly being generally annular in shape, said terminal assembly being adapted to be operably connected to a trailer light wiring connector of the recreational vehicle trailer;

said terminal assembly further includes, a terminal assembly circuit, said terminal assembly circuit having a seven electrical terminals being configured as female receptacles, said terminal assembly circuit being adapted to have electrical current supplied thereto via a power terminal, said terminal assembly circuit having six electrical terminals electrically coupled with said power terminal, said terminal assembly circuit being configured to be operably engaged with the recreational vehicle trailer light wiring connector,

wherein said terminal assembly circuit provides electrical current to the lighting system of the trailer subsequent to coupling of said terminal assembly with the trailer light wiring connector of a trailer.

16. The recreational vehicle trailer light testing device as recited in claim 15, wherein said electrical terminals include a right turn signal terminal, a left turn signal terminal, a tail light terminal, a reverse light terminal and a ground terminal, said electrical terminals being configured so as to operably engage with a conventional seven-way plug of a trailer light system, said ground terminal being electrically coupled with each of said electrical terminals for providing an independent ground path for electrical current.

17. The recreational vehicle trailer light testing device as recited in claim 16, and further including a switch, said switch being mounted on said housing, said switch having a first, second and third position, said switch being intermediate said power terminal and said left turn signal terminal and said right turn signal terminal along said terminal assembly circuit, said switch for controlling the current flow to said right turn signal terminal and said left turn signal terminal.

18. The recreational vehicle trailer light testing device as recited in claim 17, and further including an automotive light flashing unit, said automotive light flashing unit being operably connected to said right turn signal terminal and said left turn signal terminal, said automotive light flashing unit for controlling the cycle of electrical current to said right turn signal terminal and said left turn signal terminal.

19. The recreational vehicle trailer light testing device as recited in claim 18, and further including a lid, said lid being hingedly mounted proximate said first end of said housing, said lid configured to substantially cover said terminal assembly.

20. The recreational vehicle trailer light testing device as recited in claim 19, wherein said trailer light testing device is powered by a twelve volt DC power supply.