TRAILER TESTING APPARATUS

• US 3,737,767 A
• Filed: 12/17/1971
• Issued: 06/05/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Slutsky
• Original Assignee: Robert Slutsky
• Inventors: Slutsky, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Strecker, Gerard R.
• Application Number:
  US05/209,113
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 324/51,52,73,149
• 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

Abstract

Apparatus for testing the electrical circuitry of trailers of the type utilized in the trucking industry. The highly portable apparatus is operable from line current via a step-down transformer, or may utilize an accompanying battery, and includes a generally rectangular, enclosed chassis, one side of which carries a plurality of switches for actuating the circuits being tested. A bayonet connector projects from the opposite side of the chassis and is utilized to secure the test apparatus to the front end of a trailer being tested, by mating such connector with the receptacle at such trailer normally used for effecting connection to the tractor electrical cable. The mating of connector and receptacle provides electrical connections for the circuits being tested, physically supports the test apparatus in operative position, and assures positive grounding of the test apparatus to the trailer body.

Claims

1. Apparatus for testing the electrical circuitry of trailers of the type utilized in the trucking industry comprising in combination:

a generally enclosed chassis, one side of which carries plurality of switches for actuating the circuits to be tested a bayonet connector projecting from the side of the chassis opposite said switch carrying side, said connector being adapted for mating with the power receptacle at the end of the trailer being tested, said connector having a metallic outer shell making electrical grounding contact with said trailer upon engagement of said connector and said trailer power receptacle, said connector being mechanically joined to said chassis so as to support said apparatus with said switches facing outwardly from said trailer when said connector and receptacle are mated;

a plurality of test circuits in said chassis connectable to said circuits be tested at said trailer by closing of selected of said switches;

powering means for providing an electrical potential to said plurality of circuits whereby to enable said tests, said means including a step-down transformer mounted at said chassis and connectable to line power; and

switch means at said chassis for selectively connecting said plurality of circuits to the output of said step-down transformer or to the output of a storage battery external to said apparatus, whereby said apparatus may alternatively be powered by said line current, or by said storage battery.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including a bulb testing station mounted on said chassis and connected to said power source for testing light bulbs brought to said station.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said bulb testing station comprises a pair of flexible conductors, the uninsulated ends of which are normally covered by removable cap elements.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of said plurality of said circuits is connected to the pins on said bayonet connector associated with the directional signal circuit to be tested on said trailer and includes a receptacle for a flasher unit connected in series with the circuit being tested, said circuit including a branch to ground, which is in parallel with said directional signal circuit and has in series with said flasher unit a light bulb, whereby by switching said circuit to an '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'On'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' position, said parallel branch is enabled through said flasher unit whereby said flasher units may be tested by mounting thereof in said receptacle.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of circuits includes separate circuits for testing marker, stop light, and directional signal light portions of said trailer lighting system.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said bayonet connector projects at right angles from said chassis, terminating at a point clear of any components mounted on said side of said chassis, whereby to enable mating with said trailer receptacle with said chassis and components mounted thereupon removed from contact with the said trailer, and with all of said apparatus controls and indicators accessible and visible to an operator.