Nosebox for interchangeable connector assemblies for tractors and trailers
First Claim
1. A nosebox assembly for making electrical connection between a tractor and a trailer, comprising:
- separate first and second members selectively mounted within a nosebox housing, wherein said first member is spaced apart from said second member;
a plurality of primary conducting pins extending from said first member 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 second member;
a plurality of auxiliary pins extending from said second member, wherein each of said auxiliary pins is electrically connected to one of said secondary conducting pins, each of said auxiliary pins being adapted to receive a terminal connector thereby providing an additional electrical connection point to said circuits received by said primary conducting pins; and
an electrical connecting assembly electrically connecting said primary conducting pins and said secondary conducting pins.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A nosebox assembly for making electrical connection between a tractor and a trailer comprises a nosebox housing with an interchangeable connector assembly and a terminal plate assembly, both configured to mountable within the nosebox housing. The interchangeable connector assembly includes a plurality of primary conducting pins extending therefrom and configured as a socket, each of the pins being adapted to receive connection to a circuit. The interchangeable connector assembly is detachably mounted inside the nosebox housing and is easily removable for repair or replacement. The terminal plate assembly includes a plurality of secondary conducting pins extending therefrom. Additionally, the terminal plate assembly includes a plurality of auxiliary pins extending therefrom to provide additional connection points to the circuits received from the primary conducting pins. The assembly further includes an electrical connecting assembly electrically connecting the primary conducting pins and the secondary conducting pins.
23 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A nosebox assembly for making electrical connection between a tractor and a trailer, comprising:
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separate first and second members selectively mounted within a nosebox housing, wherein said first member is spaced apart from said second member; a plurality of primary conducting pins extending from said first member 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 second member; a plurality of auxiliary pins extending from said second member, wherein each of said auxiliary pins is electrically connected to one of said secondary conducting pins, each of said auxiliary pins being adapted to receive a terminal connector thereby providing an additional electrical connection point to said circuits received by said primary conducting pins; and an electrical connecting assembly electrically connecting said primary conducting pins and said secondary conducting pins. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A nosebox assembly for making electrical connection between a tractor and a trailer, comprising:
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a nosebox housing defining an interior space; a plurality of primary conducting pins at least partially disposed within said interior space 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 disposed within said interior space; an electrical connecting assembly electrically connecting said primary conducting pins and said secondary conducting pins; a plurality of auxiliary pins disposed within said interior space, wherein each of said auxiliary pins is electrically connected to one of said secondary conducting pins, wherein each of said auxiliary pins is adapted to receive a terminal connector thereby providing an additional electrical connection point to said circuits received by said primary conducting pins; wherein said auxiliary pins are remotely positioned from said primary conducting pins within said interior space such that replacement of said primary conducting pins occurs without disruption to electrical connections made with said auxiliary pins and without removal of said auxiliary pins from said interior space. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A nosebox assembly for making electrical connection between a tractor and a trailer, comprising:
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a connector having a first side forming a socket portion for receiving an electrical connector plug having a plurality of plug conductors, said connector 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 of said primary distal ends is positioned within said socket portion for mating with an electrical connector plug having a plurality of plug conductors, and wherein each of said primary proximal ends extends from said second side; a secondary member mounted apart from said connector; a plurality of secondary conducting pins extending from said secondary member; a plurality of auxiliary pins extending from said secondary member, each of said auxiliary pins being electrically connected to one of said secondary conducting pins; an electrical connecting assembly electrically connecting said primary conducting pins and said secondary conducting pins, wherein each of said plurality of secondary conducting pins and each of said plurality of auxiliary pins is in electrical connection with at least one of said primary conducting pins; wherein when an electrical connector plug having a plurality of plug conductors is received in said socket portion, each plug conductor is electrically connected to at least one primary conducting pin, at least one secondary conducting pin, and at least one auxiliary pin. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification