Trailer lamp testing and lamp storage apparatus

• US 5,416,421 A
• Filed: 02/09/1994
• Issued: 05/16/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniel A. Driscoll, Russell A. Doland Sr
• Original Assignee: Daniel A. Driscoll, Russell A. Doland Sr
• Inventors: Driscoll, Daniel A., Doland, Russell A. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wieder, Kenneth A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DO, DIEP N
• Application Number:
  US08/194,006
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• Field of Search: 324/503, 324/504, 324/506, 324/507, 324/555, 324/556, 324/133, 324/156, 340/642, 206/216, 206/305, 206/419, 206/569, 206/573, D 3/203, D 3/284, D 3/295, D 3/905
• US Class Current: 324/556
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/44 Testing lamps

Abstract

A trailer lamp testing and lamp storage apparatus is provided for connecting to an electrical connector of a trailer, wherein the electrical connector of the trailer has a predetermined number of contacts for a predetermined number of lamp circuits in the trailer. The lamp testing and storage apparatus includes a housing assembly which includes a bottom housing portion, a hinge assembly connected to the bottom housing portion, and a lid assembly connected to the hinge assembly. A storage assembly, supported by the housing assembly, is provided for storing a number of replacement lamps for replacing burned out lamps in the trailer. The lamp testing and storage apparatus also includes a predetermined number of battery-powered testing circuits and a connector assembly for receiving respective ends of the predetermined number of testing circuits. A connector assembly supports and arranges the respective ends of the testing circuits such that they are placed in contact with corresponding electrical contacts in the electrical connector from the trailer. By this electrical contact, respective lamp circuits in the trailer are placed in series with corresponding testing circuits in the testing circuitry assembly, whereby respective lamps in the trailer are capable of being tested by the respective testing circuits in the testing circuit assembly. The storage assembly is supported by a floor portion of the bottom housing portion and includes a plurality of storage wells arrayed in rows and columns in a storage base.

Claims

1. A trailer lamp testing and lamp storage apparatus for connecting to an electrical connector of a trailer having a predetermined number of contacts for a predetermined number of lamp circuits in the trailer, said apparatus comprising:

a housing assembly which includes a bottom housing portion, a hinge assembly connected to said bottom housing portion, and a lid assembly connected to said hinge assembly,

a storage assembly, supported by said housing assembly, for storing a plurality of replacement lamps,

a testing circuitry assembly, supported by said housing assembly, which includes a predetermined number of testing circuits, each of said testing circuits including a respective end, and

a connector assembly for receiving respective ends of said predetermined number of testing circuits, said connector assembly supporting and arraying said respective ends of said testing circuits such that they are placed in contact with corresponding electrical contacts in the electrical connector in the trailer, such that respective lamp circuits in the trailer are placed in series with said respective testing circuits in said testing circuitry assembly, whereby respective lamps in the trailer are capable of being tested by said testing circuits in said testing circuit assembly,

wherein said storage assembly is supported by a floor portion of said bottom housing portion., and said storage assembly includes a plurality of storage wells arrayed in a storage base, wherein said storage wells are arrayed in said storage base in an arrangement of rows and columns, and

wherein said testing circuitry assembly is housed in said lid assembly of said housing assembly, and wherein said storage assembly is housed in said bottom housing portion of said housing assembly.

2. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said testing circuit assembly includes:

a battery power source housed within said housing assembly, and

a predetermined number of testing circuits connected in parallel with said battery power source.

3. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said predetermined number of testing circuits include:

a predetermined number of first conductors connected in parallel to said battery power source,

a predetermined number of selector switch assemblies connected in series with said respective first conductors,

a predetermined number of indicator light assemblies connected in series with said respective selector switch assemblies, and

a predetermined number of second conductors connected in series with said respective indicator light assemblies,

wherein said connector assembly receives respective ends of said predetermined number of second conductors, said connector assembly supporting and arraying said ends of said second conductors such that they are placed in contact with corresponding electrical contacts in the electrical connector in the trailer, such that respective lamp circuits in the trailer are placed in series with respective testing circuits in said testing circuitry assembly,

whereby lamps in the trailer are capable of being tested by said testing circuit assembly.

4. The apparatus described in claim 1, further including:

a handle assembly attached to said lid assembly of said housing assembly.

5. The apparatus described in claim 1, further including:

a lock assembly for locking said lid assembly in a closed orientations with respect to said bottom housing portion.