Trailer adapter with light

• US 8,845,155 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2012
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Horizon Global Americas Inc. (Horizon Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cequent Consumer Products Incorporated (TriMas Corporation)
• Inventors: Rotenberg, Gregory, Corless, Jerry
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F
• Assistant Examiner(s): CRANSON JR, JAMES W
• Application Number:
  US13/525,833
• Publication Number:
  US 20130335988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 834 Days
• Field of Search: 362/485, 439/35, 439/490, 307/10.8
• US Class Current: 362/485
• 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 for attaching an electrical system of a towing vehicle with an electrical system of a towed vehicle, the trailer adapter comprising:

a body having at least one electrical interface, wherein the at least one electrical interface is capable of electrically engaging the electrical system of the towing vehicle; and

a light source operatively coupled to the body, wherein the light source is selectively changeable between at least two operative modes capable of providing illumination to an area.

2. The trailer adapter of claim 1, wherein the at least two operative modes include a backup mode and an auxiliary mode.

3. The trailer adapter of claim 2, wherein the light source in the backup mode illuminates only when the electrical system of the towing vehicle indicates the towing vehicle is in reverse.

4. The trailer adapter of claim 2, wherein the light source in the auxiliary mode generally illuminates.

5. The trailer adapter of claim 1, wherein the light includes a third mode, wherein the third mode is an off mode whereby the light does not illuminate.

6. The trailer adapter of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a second electrical interface capable of electrically engaging the electrical system of the towed vehicle, wherein the second electrical interface includes a configuration different from a configuration of the at least one electrical interface.

7. The trailer adapter of claim 6, wherein the light source is selectively changeable between the at least two operative modes providing illumination when the electrical system of the towing vehicle is operatively connected with the at least one electrical interface and the electrical system of the towed vehicle is operatively connected with the second electrical interface.

8. The trailer adapter of claim 6, wherein the second electrical interface further includes an integrated circuit tester comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

9. The trailer adapter of claim 6 further comprising:

a plurality of terminals positioned on the second electrical interface; and

a cover capable of generally encasing the terminals of the second electrical interface.

10. A trailer adapter comprising:

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

a light operatively coupled with the body; and

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.

11. The trailer adapter of claim 10 further comprising an actuator positioned on the body, wherein the actuator is capable of selectively changing operation of the light between at least two operative modes capable of providing illumination.

12. The trailer adapter of claim 11, wherein the at least two modes include a backup mode and an auxiliary mode, whereby the light in the backup mode illuminates only when the towing vehicle is in reverse and the light in the auxiliary mode generally illuminates.

13. The trailer adapter of claim 10, wherein the second electrical interface further includes an integrated circuit tester comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

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

15. The trailer adapter of claim 10 further comprising a cover capable of generally encasing the second electrical interface.

16. The trailer adapter of claim 10, wherein the electrical system of the towing vehicle powers the light for illumination.

17. A trailer adapter capable of attaching a master electrical system of a towing vehicle with a subservient electrical system of a towed vehicle, the trailer adapter comprising:

a housing having a first electrical interface configured to electrically engage the master electrical system, and a second electrical interface configured to electrically engage the subservient electrical system;

a light attached to the housing; and

an integrated circuit tester comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes positioned on the second electrical interface.

18. The trailer adapter of claim 17, wherein the light is selectively operable between at least two modes of operation.

19. The trailer adapter of claim 18, wherein the light is operable in the at least two modes with the second electrical interface electrically engaged with the subservient electrical system and without the second electrical interface being electrically engaged with the subservient electrical system.

20. The trailer adapter of claim 18 further comprising an actuator positioned on the housing, the actuator capable of selectively changing the light between the at least two modes of operation.

21. The trailer adapter of claim 20, wherein the actuator comprises a manually operated switch capable of selectively changing the light between at least a backup mode and an auxiliary mode.

22. The trailer adapter of claim 17, wherein the light includes a third mode, wherein the third mode is an off mode whereby the light does not illuminate.