Cable for interconnecting lighting systems of towing vehicle and trailer

• US 4,846,697 A
• Filed: 11/02/1987
• Issued: 07/11/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rodgers E. Walter
• Original Assignee: Rodgers E. Walter
• Inventors: Rodgers, E. Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US07/115,824
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 439/34-36, 439/49, 439/52, 439/53, 439/217-224, 439/501-506, 439/623
• US Class Current: 439/35
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/62 involving supply lines, electric circuits, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/72 Means for accommodating flexible lead within the holder
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/00 Flexible or turnable line connectors , i.e. the rotation angle being limited rotary current collectors, distributors H01R39/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/00 Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts

Abstract

A universal wiring connection cord is disclosed for interconnecting various types of wiring sockets that are interconnected with the electrical lighting system of a towing vehicle to various types of wiring plugs that may be interconnected with the electrical lighting system of a trailer. The universal wiring connection cord includes a central cable housing a number of stranded electrical wires bundled therein. The bundled electrical wires extend from a first end of the central cable and are provided with electrical connectors adapted to be engaged with the electrical terminals housed within the wiring socket mounted to the towing vehicle. The ends of the wires extending from the first end of the central cable are free to move with respect to one another in order to be positioned in the pinout pattern of the wiring socket. The electrical wires also extend from the opposing second end of the central cable and are provided with electrical connectors adapted to be engaged with the terminals housed in the wiring plug mounted to the trailer. Again, the second ends of the electrical wires are free to move relative to one another to match the layout of the terminals within the wiring plug of the trailer. One of the electrical wires is provided at each end with a spring-biased clip for establishing ground connections at the towing vehicle and trailer ends. Rigid wire extensions are provided at the towing vehicle end of the connection cord to facilitate insertion of the connectors into the wiring socket mounted to the towing vehicle.

Claims

1. A universal wiring connection cord for interconnecting the electrical lighting system of a towing vehicle with the electrical lighting system of a trailer to be towed, the towing vehicle having a wiring socket interconnected with the electrical lighting system thereof, the wiring socket having a first plurality of terminals housed therein in a first predetermined pattern, the trailer having a wiring plug interconnected with the electrical lighting system thereof, the wiring plug having a second plurality of terminals housed therein in a second predetermined pattern, said connection cord comprising in combination:

(a) a central cable containing a plurality of flexible electrical wires bundled therein, said central cable having a first end for coupling to the electrical system of the towing vehicle and a second end for coupling to the trailer;

(b) said plurality of bundled electrical wires each having a first end extending outwardly from the first end of said central cable, the first ends of said plurality of bundled electrical wires being moveable relative to each other in order to assume different orientations with respect to one another, at least two of said plurality of bundled electrical wires each being coupled at its first end to a connector adapted to engage one of the first plurality of terminals within the wiring socket that is interconnected with the towing vehicle; and

(c) said plurality of bundled electrical wires each having a second end extending outwardly from the second end of said central cable, the second ends of said plurality of bundled electrical wires being moveable relative to each other in order to assume different orientations with respect to one another, at least two of the plurality of bundled electrical wires each being coupled at its second end to a connector adapted to engage one of the second plurality of terminals within the wiring plug that is interconnected with the electrical lighting system of the trailer;

(d) at least one of said plurality of bundled electrical wires being coupled at its first end to a spring-biased clip for being clipped to a ground connection on the towing vehicle, said at least one electrical wire also being coupled at its second end to a spring-biased clip for being clipped to a ground connection on the trailer;

whereby said universal wiring connection cord permits the wiring socket of the towing vehicle to be electrically interconnected with the wiring plug of the trailer, even though the first and second predetermined patterns of terminals housed therein do not match one another.

2. A universal wiring connection cord for interconnecting the electrical lighting system of a towing vehicle with the electrical lighting system of a trailer to be towed, the towing vehicle having a wiring socket interconnected with the electrical lighting system thereof, the wiring socket having a first plurality of terminals housed therein in a first predetermined pattern, the trailer having a wiring plug interconnected with the electrical lighting system thereof, the wiring plug having a second plurality of terminals housed therein in a second predetermined pattern, said connection cord comprising in combination:

(a) a central cable containing a plurality of flexible electrical wires bundled therein, said central cable having a first end for coupling to the electrical system of the towing vehicle and a second end for coupling to the trailer;

(b) said plurality of bundled electrical wires each having a first end extending outwardly from the first end of said central cable, the first ends of said plurality of bundled electrical wires being moveable relative to each other in order to assume different orientations with respect to one another, at least two of said plurality of bundled electrical wires each being coupled at its first end to a connector adapted to engage one of the first plurality of terminals within the wiring socket that is interconnected with the towing vehicle; and

(c) said plurality of bundled electrical wires each having a second end extending outwardly from the second end of said central cable, the second ends of said plurality of bundled electrical wires being moveable relative to each other in order to assume different orientations with respect to one another, at least two of the plurality of bundled electrical wires each being coupled at its second end to a connector adapted to engage one of the second plurality of terminals within the wiring plug that is interconnected with the electrical lighting system of the trailer;

(d) at least two of said plurality of bundled electrical wires are each coupled at the first ends thereof to a female connector adapted to be engaged over a terminal pin extending within the wiring socket that is interconnected with the towing vehicle;

(e) the first ends of said at least two bundled electrical wires are coupled to said female connectors by a substantially rigid section of wire to facilitate proper placement of said female connectors within the socket that is interconnected with the electrical system of the towing vehicle;

whereby said universal wiring connection cord permits the wiring socket of the towing vehicle to be electrically interconnected with the wiring plug of the trailer, even though the first and second predetermined patterns of terminals housed therein do not match one another.

3. A universal wiring connection cord as recited by claim 2 wherein at least two of said plurality of bundled electrical wires have male connectors coupled to the second ends thereof for engaging female terminals within the wiring plug that is interconnected with the electrical lighting system of the trailer.

4. A universal wiring connection cord as recited by claim 3 wherein said male connectors are banana plugs having spring-like electrical conductors for grippingly engaging a female terminal within the wiring socket that is interconnected to the electrical lighting system of the trailer.

5. A universal wiring connection cord as recited by claim 3 wherein said male connectors each have a longitudinally extending slot formed in a tip portion thereof, said longitudinally extending slot being adapted to be engaged with a generally flattened spade terminal within the wiring plug that is interconnected with the electrical lighting system of the trailer.

6. A universal wiring connection cord as recited by claim 2 wherein said central cable is a coiled, retractile cord for remaining taut and untangled when in use.

7. A universal wiring connection cord as recited by claim 2 and further including at least one fastening strap secured to said central cable at a first point thereof and adapted to releasably secure a second point of said central cable adjacent said first point thereof to eliminate excessive slack in said central cable when said universal wiring connection cord is in use.

8. A universal wiring connection cord as recited by claim 2 wherein each of said plurality of bundled electrical wires is of a different color to aid in identifying the corresponding ends of each such wire.

9. A universal wiring connection cord for interconnecting the electrical lighting system of a towing vehicle with the electrical lighting system of a trailer to be towed, the towing vehicle having a wiring socket interconnected with the electrical lighting system thereof, the wiring socket having a first plurality of terminals housed therein in a first predetermined pattern, the trailer having a wiring plug interconnected with the electrical lighting system thereof, the wiring plug having a second plurality of terminals housed therein in a second predetermined pattern, said connection cord comprising in combination:

(a) a central cable containing a plurality of flexible electrical wires bundled therein, said central cable having a first end for coupling to the electrical system of the towing vehicle and a second end for coupling to the trailer;

(b) said plurality of bundled electrical wires each having a first end extending outwardly from the first end of said central cable, the first ends of said plurality of bundled electrical wires being moveable relative to each other in order to assume different orientations with respect to one another, at least two of said plurality of bundled electrical wires each being coupled at its first end to a connector adapted to engage one of the first plurality of terminals within the wiring socket that is interconnected with the towing vehicle; and

(c) said plurality of bundled electrical wires each having a second end extending outwardly from the second end of said central cable, the second ends of said plurality of bundled electrical wires being moveable relative to each other in order to assume different orientations with resepct to one another, at least two of the plurality of bundled electrical wires each being coupled at its second end to a connector adapted to engage one of the second plurality of terminals within the wiring plug that is interconnected with the electrical lighting system of the trailer;

(d) at least two of said plurality of bundled electrical wires are each coupled to the first ends thereof to a female connector adapted to be engaged over a terminal pin extending within the wiring socket that is interconnected with the towing vehicle;

(e) said female connectors each include an inner socket portion of a first diameter extending along a central axis, said inner socket portion opening into an outer socket portion of a second diameter larger than the first diameter, asid outer socket portion also extending about the central axis, each of said female connectors being adapted to engage within the outer socket portion a wiring pin of a diameter commensurate with said second diameter, as well as being adapted to engage within said inner socket portion a wiring pin of a diameter commensurate with the first diameter;

whereby said universal wiring connection cord permits the wiring socket of the towing vehicle to be electrically interconnected with the wiring plug of the trailer, even though the first and second predetermined patterns of terminals housed thereindo not match one another.

10. A universal wiring connection cord for interconnecting the electrical lighting system of a towing vehicle with the electrical lighting system of a trailer to be towed, the towing vehicle having a wiring socket interconnected with the electrical lighting system thereof, the wiring socket having a first plurality of terminals housed therein in a first predetermined pattern, the trailer having a wiring plug interconnected with the electrical lighting system thereof, the wiring plug having a second plurality of terminals housed therein in a second predetermined pattern, said connection cord comprising in combination:

(a) a central cable containing a plurality of flexible electrical wires bundled therein, said central cable having a first end for coupling to the electrical system of the towing vehicle and a second end for coupling to the trailer;

(b) said plurality of bundled electrical wires each having a first end extending outwardly from the first end of said central cable, the first ends of said plurality of bundled electrical wires being moveable relative to each other in order to assume different orientations with respect to one another, at least two of said plurality of bundled electrical wires each being coupled at its first end to a connector adapted to engage one of the first plurality of terminals within the wiring socket that is interconnected with the towing vehicle; and

(c) said plurality of bundled electrical wires each having a second end extending outwardly from the second end of said central cable, the second ends of said plurality of bundled electrical wires being moveable relative to each other in order to assume different orientations with respect to one another, at least two of the plurality of bundled electrical wires each being coupled at its second end to a connector adapted to engage one of the second plurality of terminals within the wiring plug that is interconnected with the electrical lighting system of the trailer;

(d) at least two of said plurality of bundled electrical wires are each coupled at the first ends thereof to a female connector adapted to be engaged over a terminal pin extending within the wiring socket that is interconnected with the towing vehicle;

(e) at least one female adapter having an electrically conductive pin of a diameter commensurate with the internal diameter of said female connectors for being inserted therein, said female adaptor including an electrically conductive socket having an internal diameter larger than the internal diameter of said female connectors for engaging an electrical pin having a diameter larger than the internal diameter of said female connectors;

whereby said universal wiring connection cord permits the wiring socket of the towing vehicle to be electrically interconnected with the wiring plug of the trailer, even though the first and second predetermined patterns of terminals housed therein do not match one another.

11. A universal wiring connection cord for interconnecting the electrical lighting system of a towing vehicle with the electrical lighting system of a trailer to be towed, the towing vehicle having a wiring socket interconnected with the electrical lighting system thereof, the wiring socket having a first plurality of terminals housed therein in a first predetermined pattern, the trailer having a wiring plug interconnected with the electrical lighting system thereof, the wiring plug having a second plurality of terminals housed therein in a second predetermined pattern, said connection cord comprising in combination:

(a) a central cable containing a plurality of flexible electrical wires bundled therein, said central cable having a first end for coupling to the electrical system of the towing vehicle and a second end for coupling to the trailer;

(b) said plurality of bundled electrical wires each having a first end extending outwardly from the first end of said central cable, the first ends of said plurality of bundled electrical wires being moveable relative to each other in order to assume different orientations with respect to one another, at least two of said plurality of bundled electrical wires each being coupled at its first end to a connector adapted to engage one of the first plurality of terminals within the wiring socket that is interconnected with the towing vehicle; and

(c) said plurality of bundled electrical wires each having a second end extending outwardly from the second end of said central cable, the second ends of said plurality of bundled electrical wires being moveable relative to each other in order to assume different orientations with respect to one another, at least two of the plurality of bundled electrical wires each being coupled at its second end to a connector adapted to engage one of the second plurality of terminals within the wiring plug that is interconnected with the electrical lighting system of the trailer;

(d) at least two of said plurality of bundled electrical wires are each coupled at the first ends thereof to a female connector adapted to be engaged over a terminal pin extending within the wiring socket that is interconnected with the towing vehicle;

(e) at least two bullet terminals, each of said bullet terminals being inserted within one of said at least two female connectors for converting said at least two female connectors into male connectors, adapted to be engaged with a female terminal within the wiring socket that is interconnected with the electrical lighting system of the towing vehicle;

whereby said universal wiring connection cord permits the wiring socket of the towing vehicle to be electrically interconnected with the wiring plug of the trailer, even though the first and second predetermined patterns of terminals housed therein do not match one another.

12. A universal wiring connection cord for interconnecting the electrical lighting system of a towing vehicle with the electrical lighting system of a trailer to be towed, the towing vehicle having a wiring socket interconnected with the electrical lighting system thereof, the wiring socket having a first plurality of terminals housed therein in a first predetermined pattern, the trailer having a wiring plug interconnected with the electrical lighting system thereof, the wiring plug having a second plurality of terminals housed therein in a second predetermined pattern, said connection cord comprising in combination:

(a) a central cable containing a plurality of flexible electrical wires bundled therein, said central cable having a first end for coupling to the electrical system of the towing vehicle and a second end for coupling to the trailer;

(b) said plurality of bundled electrical wires each having a first end extending outwardly from the first end of said central cable, the first ends of said plurality of bundled electrical wires being moveable relative to each other in order to assume different orientations with respect to one another, at least two of said plurality of bundled electrical wires each being coupled at its first end to a connector adapted to engage one of the first plurality of terminals within the wiring socket that is interconnected with the towing vehicle; and

(c) said plurality of bundled electrical wires each having a second end extending outwardly from the second end of said central cable, the seconds ends of said plurality of bundled electrical wires being moveable relative to each other in order to assume different orientations with respect to one another, at least two of the plurality of bundled electrical wires each being coupled at its second end to a connector adapted to engage one of the second plurality of terminals within the wiring plug that is interconnected with the electrical lighting system of the trailer;

(d) at least two of said plurality of bundled electrical wires are each coupled at the first ends thereof to a female connector adapted to be engaged over a terminal pin extending within the wiring socket that is interconnected with the towing vehicle;

(e) at least two of said plurality of bundled electrical wires have male connectors coupled to the second ends thereof for engaging female terminals within the wiring plug that is interconnected with the electrical lighting system of the trailer; and

(f) at least two spade adaptors, each spade adaptor having a first, generally circular female end engaged over one of said male connectors, and each spade adaptor having a generally flattened second end adapted to be engaged with a flattened spade terminal within the wiring plug that is interconnected with the electrical lighting system of the trailer;

whereby said universal wiring connection cord permits the wiring socket of the towing vehicle to be electrically interconnected with the wiring plug of the trailer, even though the first and second predetermined patterns of terminals housed therein do not match one another.

13. Apparatus for interconnecting the electrical lighting system of a towing vehicle with the electrical lighting system of a trailer to be towed, said apparatus comprising in combination:

(a) a wiring socket interconnected with the electrical lighting system of the towing vehicle, the wiring socket having a first plurality of terminals housed therein in a first predetermined pattern;

(b) a wiring plug interconnected with the electrical lighting system of the trailer, the wiring plug having a second plurality of terminals housed therein in a second predetermined pattern;

(c) a connection cord including;

(i) a central cable containing a plurality of flexible electrical wires bundled therein, said central cable having a first end for coupling to the wiring socket of the towing vehicle and a second end for coupling to the wiring plug of the trailer;

(ii) said plurality of bundled electrical wires each having a first end extending outwardly from the first end of said central cable, the first ends of said plurality of bundled electrical wires being moveable relative to each other in order to assume different orientations with respect to one another, at least two of said plurality of bundled electrical wires each being coupled at its first end to a connector which engages one of the first plurality of terminals within the wiring socket of the towing vehicle; and

(iii) said plurality of bundled electrical wires each having a second end extending outwardly from the second end of said central cable, the second ends of said plurality of bundled electrical wires being moveable relative to each other in order to assume different orientations with respect to one another, at least two of the plurality of bundled electrical wires each being coupled at its second end to a connector which engages one of the second plurality of terminals within the wiring plug of the trailer;

whereby said connection cord electrically interconnects the wiring socket of the towing vehicle with the wiring plug of the trailer, even though the first and second predetermined patterns of terminals housed therein do not match one another.

14. The apparatus as recited by claim 13 wherein at least two of said plurality of bundled electrical wires are each coupled at the first ends thereof to a female connector adapted to be engaged over a terminal pin extending within the wiring socket of the towing vehicle.

15. The apparatus as recited by claim 13 wherein the first ends of said at least two bundled electrical wires are coupled to said connectors by a substantially rigid section of wire to facilitate proper placement of said connectors within the wiring socket of the towing vehicle.

16. The apparatus as recited by claim 14 wherein at least two of said plurality of bundled electrical wires have male connectors coupled to the second ends thereof for engaging female terminals within the wiring plug of the trailer.

17. The apparatus as recited by claim 16 further including at least two spade adaptors, each spade adaptor having a first, generally circular female end engaged over one of said male connectors, and each spade adaptor having a generally flattened second end adapted to be engaged with a flattened spade terminal within the wiring plug of the trailer.