TRAILER ADAPTER WITH LIGHT

• US 20150011098A1
• Filed: 09/23/2014
• Published: 01/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Horizon Global Americas Inc. (Horizon Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cequent Consumer Products Incorporated (TriMas Corporation)
• Inventors: Rotenberg, Gregory, Corless, Jerry
• Application Number:
  US14/493,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20150011098A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/35
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/62 involving supply lines, electric circuits, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/64 Couplings or joints therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/70 with built-in switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus

Abstract

A trailer adapter to connect a master electrical system of a towing vehicle with a subservient electrical system of a towed vehicle having a light connectable thereto is disclosed. In particular, the trailer adapter may include a body having at least one electrical interface, where the at least one electrical interface is capable of electrically engaging the electrical system of the towing vehicle. The trailer adapter may also include a light source operatively coupled to the body, where the light source is selectively changeable between at least two operative modes capable of providing illumination.

Claims

1. A trailer adapter comprising:

a body having a first electrical interface operatively engageable with an electrical system of a towing vehicle and a second electrical interface operatively engageable with an electrical system of a towed vehicle, the first electrical interface being a seven-blade interface and the second electrical interface being different from the first electrical interface; and

a light operatively coupled with the body, the light capable of providing illumination to an area when the first electrical interface is engaged with the electrical system of the towing vehicle.

2. The trailer adapter of claim 1, wherein the light is operable to provide illumination when the second electrical interface is electrically engaged with the electrical system of the towed vehicle.

3. The trailer adapter of claim 1, wherein the light is operable to provide illumination when the second electrical interface is disengaged from the electrical system of the towed vehicle.

4. The trailer adapter of claim 1, wherein the light is operable to provide illumination when the second electrical interface is electrically engaged with the electrical system of the towed vehicle and when the second electrical interface is disengaged from the electrical system of the towed vehicle.

5. The trailer adapter of claim 1, wherein the light is operative in at least two modes.

6. The trailer adapter of claim 5, wherein one of the at least two modes includes a backup mode whereby the light illuminates when the towing vehicle is in reverse.

7. The trailer adapter of claim 6, wherein a second of the at least two modes includes an auxiliary mode whereby the light illuminates regardless of operation of the towed vehicle.

8. The trailer adapter of claim 1, further comprising an actuator positioned on the body, wherein the actuator selectively changes operation of the light between at least two operative modes capable of providing illumination.

9. The trailer adapter of claim 1, wherein the second electrical interface comprises at least one of a four-pin adapter and a five-pin adapter.

10. A trailer adapter comprising:

a body having a first electrical interface operatively engageable with an electrical system of a towing vehicle and a second electrical interface operatively engageable with an electrical system of a towed vehicle, the first and second electrical interfaces being different from one another; and

a light selectively and operatively engageable with the body, the light capable of providing illumination to an area when the first electrical interface is engaged with the electrical system of the towing vehicle and regardless of the second electrical interface being operatively engaged with the electrical system of the towed vehicle.

11. The trailer adapter of claim 10, wherein the light includes a light body, the light body operatively insertable into the body.

12. The trailer adapter of claim 10, wherein the light includes a light body and cover selectively attached with the light body.

13. The trailer adapter of claim 12, wherein the light includes a light source whereby the cover is removable from the light body to access the light source.

14. The trailer adapter of claim 10, wherein the first electrical interface comprises a seven-blade interface.

15. The trailer adapter of claim 10, wherein the second electrical interface comprises at least one of a four-pin adapter and a five-pin adapter.

16. A trailer adapter comprising:

a body having a first electrical interface operatively engageable with an electrical system of a towing vehicle and a second electrical interface operatively engageable with an electrical system of a towed vehicle; and

a light body coupled with the body;

a light positioned in the light body, the light capable of providing illumination to an area when the first electrical interface is engaged with the electrical system of the towing vehicle; and

a cover selectively attached with the body.

17. The trailer adapter of claim 16, wherein the first electrical comprises a seven-blade interface.

18. The trailer adapter of claim 17, wherein the second electrical interface comprises at least one of a four-pin adapter and a five-pin adapter.

19. The trailer adapter of claim 16, wherein the light is operable to provide illumination when the second electrical interface is electrically engaged with the electrical system of the towed vehicle.

20. The trailer adapter of claim 16, wherein the light is operable to provide illumination when the second electrical interface is disengaged from the electrical system of the towed vehicle.