Enclosed trailer tow connector with rear locking wedge wire retainer
First Claim
1. An electrical connector for a towed vehicle comprising:
- a base to be secured to a towing vehicle;
a moving plate fixed to said base;
electrical connections fixed to one of said base and said moving plate, said moving plate being movable relative to said base from a stowed position to an access position, said electrical connections being protected and enclosed by the combination of said moving plate and said base when in said stowed position, and being exposed when in said access position; and
one of said base and said moving plate having walls, abutting surfaces on the other for forming an enclosed chamber in said stowed position to protect and enclose said electrical connection.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A connector for supplying electrical connections to a towed vehicle includes a housing structure that encloses the electrical connections in a stowed position. The electrical connections are thus protected from the environment. The connector is secured to the towing vehicle, and properly positions the electrical connections. When it is desired to attach a towed vehicle to the electrical connector, the electrical connector is easily moved to an access position where access is provided to the electrical connections. The connector preferably includes a moving plate which is secured to a fixed base, and carries the wires between the stowed and access positions. Further, the moving plate preferably includes a locking wedge which snaps onto the moving plate to bias locking fingers to lock the wires into the connector at their appropriate positions.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electrical connector for a towed vehicle comprising:
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a base to be secured to a towing vehicle; a moving plate fixed to said base; electrical connections fixed to one of said base and said moving plate, said moving plate being movable relative to said base from a stowed position to an access position, said electrical connections being protected and enclosed by the combination of said moving plate and said base when in said stowed position, and being exposed when in said access position; and one of said base and said moving plate having walls, abutting surfaces on the other for forming an enclosed chamber in said stowed position to protect and enclose said electrical connection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An electrical connector comprising:
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a first housing member including forward and rear walls, and a plurality of wires secured in a connector plate adjacent said forward wall, said rear wall including holes for passage of said wires toward said forward wall, said rear wall also including holes for passage of a finger wedge, said first housing member including a plurality of resilient locking fingers selectively biased into a locking space adjacent said wires and a wedge plate having a rear portion, said wedge plate further including integral finger wedges extending forwardly from said rear portion, said finger wedges selectively passing through said holes in said rear wall, said rear portion remaining outwardly of said holes in said rear wall, said finger wedges being received in contact with said locking fingers, and biasing said locking fingers into said locking spaces to secure said wires in said connector plate. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An electrical connector for a towed vehicle comprising:
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a fixed base adapted to be fixed to a towing vehicle; a moving plate secured to said base; and electrical connections fixed to said moving plate, said moving plate being moveable relative to said base from a stowed position to an access position, said electrical connections being protected and enclosed by the combination of said moving plate and said base when in said stowed position, and being exposed when in said access position, said electrical connections being received within a connector plate adjacent a forward end of said moving plate, said moving plate including a rear wall including holes for passage of said wires towards said forward wall, said rear wall also including holes for passage of a plurality of finger wedges, said moving plate including a plurality of resilient locking fingers selectively biased into locking spaces adjacent said wires, and a wedge plate attached to said moving plate, said wedge plate including finger wedges selectively passing through said holes in said rear wall, said finger wedges being received in contact with said locking fingers, and biasing said locking fingers into said locking spaces to secure said wires in said connector plate. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification