Wiring harness adapter and method and apparatus for fabricating the same

• US 5,354,204 A
• Filed: 11/01/1993
• Issued: 10/11/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael T. Hughes
• Original Assignee: Michael T. Hughes
• Inventors: Hughes, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US08/143,655
• Time in Patent Office: 344 Days
• Field of Search: 439/638, 439/35, 439/650, 439/651, 439/653, 439/654, 439/678
• US Class Current: 439/35
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/64 Couplings or joints therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0239 Electronic boxes
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/18 for manufacturing bases or cases for contact members
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/24 Assembling by moulding on contact members

Abstract

A plurality of adapter embodiments connect the electrical system of a first vehicle to the electrical system of a second vehicle, such as a vehicle in tow. The adapters have particular application for mating a four-way-flat harness connector of a trailer at one end, and at other opposite end, for mating a complex round harness connector with numerous terminals. The adapters are solid unitary structures formed with a covering material. Adapter molds are provided for fabricating the adapters. The molds include a series of interchangeable, removable mold inserts received within the mold body. Depressions are formed in the removable mold inserts in a configuration corresponding approximately to the shape of the adapter. The covering material is injected into the mold to thereby form the adapters.

Claims

1. A wiring harness adapter body comprising a dielectric housing having a substantially round first end spaced from a second end, said front end having a plurality of four electrical terminals, said four electrical terminals being spaced and configured so as to form a shape of four sides of a hexagon with at least two said terminals being parallel to each other, gaps being located in the housing between one of said parallel terminals and respective adjacent said terminals, said gaps extending substantially the entire distance along said hexagon between said one parallel connector and the respective adjacent said connectors;

said second end having three female barrel shaped electrical terminals and one male electrical terminal in a linear configuration in a first tier, a plurality of wires electrically connecting each of the four electrical terminals at said first end to a respective said terminal at said second end.

2. The unitized wiring harness adapter body of claim 1, said second end further having a second tier having four said female barrel shaped electrical connectors in a linear configuration, said tiers being located one over the other.