Nosebox with interchangeable connector assemblies for tractors and trailers
First Claim
1. A nosebox-plug interchangeable connector assembly comprising:
- a body;
a plurality of primary conducting pins extending from said body and configured as a socket, wherein each of said primary conducting pins is adapted to receive connection to a circuit;
a plurality of secondary conducting pins extending from said body, said plurality of secondary conducting pins exceeding said plurality of primary conducting pins in number, and wherein each of said plurality of primary conducting pins is electrically connected to at least one of said plurality of secondary conducting pins;
wherein said secondary conducting pins are adapted to receive terminal connectors, thereby said secondary conducting pins providing additional electrical connection points to said circuits received by said primary conducting pins;
wherein electrical connection between said primary conducting pins and said secondary pins are made through bar conductors, said bar conductors having first and second surfaces, wherein said primary conducting pins extend from said second surface and said secondary pins extend from said first surface.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a nosebox having an interchangeable connector assembly contained in a housing, for making electrical connection between a tractor and a trailer. The nosebox housing is sized to receive electrical conduits in excess of the size and/or number (seven) proscribed by the SAE J-560 standards and is adapted to securely attach to either the tractor or the trailer. The nosebox housing includes a cover member hingedly attached to a tray member. When closed, the cover member seals against the tray member, thus preventing water from entering the interior of the box. Additionally, the interior of the nosebox is contoured for directing electrical conduits without pinching them.
The interchangeable connector assembly is detachably mounted inside the nosebox housing and is easily removable for repair or replacement. The interchangeable connector assembly also meets SAE-J560b standard. The interchangeable connector assembly offers push-on sealed plug connections, stacking ring-terminal connections, and circuit breaker protection in different embodiments.
37 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A nosebox-plug interchangeable connector assembly comprising:
- a body;
a plurality of primary conducting pins extending from said body and configured as a socket, wherein each of said primary conducting pins is adapted to receive connection to a circuit;
a plurality of secondary conducting pins extending from said body, said plurality of secondary conducting pins exceeding said plurality of primary conducting pins in number, and wherein each of said plurality of primary conducting pins is electrically connected to at least one of said plurality of secondary conducting pins;
wherein said secondary conducting pins are adapted to receive terminal connectors, thereby said secondary conducting pins providing additional electrical connection points to said circuits received by said primary conducting pins;
wherein electrical connection between said primary conducting pins and said secondary pins are made through bar conductors, said bar conductors having first and second surfaces, wherein said primary conducting pins extend from said second surface and said secondary pins extend from said first surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- a body;
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9. A nosebox-plug interchangeable connector assembly comprising:
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a body having a first side forming a socket portion for receiving an electrical connector plug having a plurality of plug conductors, said body having a second opposite side;
a plurality of primary conducting pins, each of said primary conducting pins having a primary distal end and a primary proximal end, wherein each said primary distal end is positioned within said socket for mating with said electrical connector plug; and
wherein each said primary proximal end extends from said second side;
a plurality of secondary conducting pins extending from said second side, wherein each of said plurality of secondary conducting pins is electrically connected to at least one of said primary conducting pins;
wherein each of said plurality of plug conductors is electrically connected to at least one primary conducting pin and at least one secondary conducting pin when said electrical connector plug is received in said socket portion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A nosebox for making electrical connections between a tractor and a trailer, comprising:
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at least one first conductor adapted to receive a mating conductor for electrical communication therebetween;
at least one second conductor, wherein each said second conductor is sufficiently tall for accepting multiple ring terminals in stacking configuration;
wherein each said first conductor is electrically coupled to at least one of said at least one second conductor by means of at least one bar conductor. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification