Trailer light monitor
First Claim
1. A trailer light monitoring apparatus for monitoring the function of safety signal lights on a trailer during use of the trailer with a vehicle, said safety signal lights and the electrical system of said vehicle being directly connected by a two-part connector during normal use, said apparatus comprising:
- a monitoring apparatus with at least one monitoring circuit which can instantaneously detect variations beyond predefined parameters in at least one light circuit of a trailer during combined operation of the trailer with a vehicle;
said monitoring apparatus having a one-piece connector insertable between the two parts of said two-part connector to connect said at least one monitoring circuit to the at least one safety signal light circuit of the trailer and the vehicle electrical system;
said monitoring apparatus connecting into both the at least one safety signal light circuit of the trailer and the vehicle electrical system to form a connection therebetween, and wherein the signal light circuit and the vehicle electrical system can operate directly connected to each other or with said monitoring apparatus connected therebetween; and
said monitoring apparatus has at least one indicator operatively connected to the at least one monitoring circuit and positioned for observation by the vehicle operator during combined vehicle and trailer operation, whereby said at least one indicator, upon receipt of a signal from said at least one monitoring circuit that the at least one electrical signal light circuit of the trailer has varied beyond certain predefined parameters, warns the operator of the vehicle.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system which monitors the functioning of safety and signal light circuits on a trailer and verify the lights are operating properly. The system connects into the signal and safety light circuits of the trailer and includes a unit which can be positioned within view of an operator of the vehicle towing the trailer. The unit has an appropriate visual display which warns the operator if one of the safety or signal light circuits have ailed. The visual display can be light emitting diodes which provide an appropriate visual signal. The unit can also include an audio signaling device to warn of a failure in the signal and safety light circuit.
46 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A trailer light monitoring apparatus for monitoring the function of safety signal lights on a trailer during use of the trailer with a vehicle, said safety signal lights and the electrical system of said vehicle being directly connected by a two-part connector during normal use, said apparatus comprising:
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a monitoring apparatus with at least one monitoring circuit which can instantaneously detect variations beyond predefined parameters in at least one light circuit of a trailer during combined operation of the trailer with a vehicle;
said monitoring apparatus having a one-piece connector insertable between the two parts of said two-part connector to connect said at least one monitoring circuit to the at least one safety signal light circuit of the trailer and the vehicle electrical system;
said monitoring apparatus connecting into both the at least one safety signal light circuit of the trailer and the vehicle electrical system to form a connection therebetween, and wherein the signal light circuit and the vehicle electrical system can operate directly connected to each other or with said monitoring apparatus connected therebetween; and
said monitoring apparatus has at least one indicator operatively connected to the at least one monitoring circuit and positioned for observation by the vehicle operator during combined vehicle and trailer operation, whereby said at least one indicator, upon receipt of a signal from said at least one monitoring circuit that the at least one electrical signal light circuit of the trailer has varied beyond certain predefined parameters, warns the operator of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for monitoring the safety signal light circuits of a trailer during operation of the trailer with a vehicle, said safety signal lights and the electrical system of said vehicle being directly connected by a two-part connector during normal use, said method comprising:
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monitoring, with a monitoring apparatus which connects to an electrical system of a towing vehicle and the safety signal light circuits of a trailer said monitoring circuit forming a connection therebetween by a one-piece connector insertable between the two parts of said two-part connector, the electrical activity levels of at least one safety signal light circuit of the trailer during operation of the trailer with the vehicle, and wherein the signal light circuit and the vehicle electrical system can operate directly connected to each other or with said monitoring apparatus connected therebetween;
determining if during activation of the at least one safety signal light circuit whether or not the electrical activity levels meet predefined parameters; and
indicating if the electrical activity levels meet the predefined parameters during activation of the at least one safety signal light circuit. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
the step of monitoring the electrical activity comprises monitoring the current levels; and
indicating comprises providing a warning signal to the vehicle operator.
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27. The method of claim 25 comprising the further step of monitoring a brake light circuit.
Specification