Trailer check

• US 20080265904A1
• Filed: 04/21/2008
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Russell Biel
• Original Assignee: Russell Biel
• Inventors: Biel, Russell
• Application Number:
  US12/148,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20080265904A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/504
• 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

An apparatus for checking lights on a tow trailer prior to connecting to a tow vehicle. The apparatus comprises a substantially hollow portable housing member. The portable member includes a turn signal switch for checking the status of such turn signals on such trailer, a brake light switch for checking the status of such brake lights, a tail light switch member for checking the status of tail lights on such trailer and a switch member for turning the portable housing member on and off. There is a power source for providing power to housing member disposed in the portable housing member. A communication means and is engageable with each of the power source, the turn signal switch, the brake light switch, the tail light switch and the switch means for providing electrical communication therein. A connection means is engageable with the communication means and is disposed on the housing member for connecting the housing member to a universal wiring harness of such trailer.

Claims

1. An apparatus for checking lights on a tow trailer prior to connecting such tow trailer to a tow vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a substantially hollow portable housing member having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined size and formed of a predetermined material, said portable housing member including;

(i) a turn signal switch, a first portion of said turn signal switch disposed in said housing member and a second portion disposed on said housing member for checking a status of such turn signals on such trailer;

(ii) a brake light switch, a first portion of said brake light switch disposed in said housing member and a second portion disposed on said housing member for checking a status of such brake lights on such trailer;

(iii) a tail light switch, a first portion of said tail light switch disposed in said housing member and a second portion disposed on said housing member for checking a status of tail lights on such trailer; and

(iv) a switch member, a first portion of said switch member disposed in said housing member and a second portion disposed on said housing member for one of turning said portable member on and off;

(b) a power source disposed in said housing member for providing power to said turn signal switch, said brake light switch, said tail light switch and said switch member;

(c) a communication means disposed in said housing member and engageable with each of said power source, said turn signal switch, said brake light switch, said tail light switch and said switch means for providing electrical communication therein; and

(d) a connection means engageable with said communication means and disposed on said housing member for connecting said housing member to a universal wiring harness of such trailer.

2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said turn signal indicator includes a toggle switch for testing left and right turn signals separately.

3. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein each of said brake light switch and said tail light switch include a toggle switch for testing each unit separately.

4. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined size of said housing member is between about 7 and about 9 inches long and between about 2½

and about 3½

inches wide.

5. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said connection means includes a cord and a plug disposed on an end of said cord for connection with such universal wiring harness of such trailer.

6. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said switch means includes a toggle switch.

7. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said power source includes at least one battery.

8. The apparatus, according to claim 7, wherein said at least one battery is one of a nine volt battery and a AA battery.

9. The apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said at least one battery includes three AA batteries.

10. The apparatus, according to claim 7, wherein said at least one battery is a rechargeable battery.

11. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus further includes a battery compartment disposed in a portion of said housing member.

12. The apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said housing member further includes an access cover disposed on a back side of said housing member for providing access to said battery compartment.