Patent · US Expired

Towing connector

US6447302B1 · kind B1 · utility

40Cited by
7References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 24, 2000
Grant dateSep 10, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 24, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01R2201/26
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An electrical interface device (10) is provided for attachment to a towing vehicle (14) in order to allow the connection of the electrical systems of differently configured towed vehicles without any modification of the device (10). The device (10) includes a receptacle body (18) having a circular receptacle (22) and a flat receptacle (24), together with an electrical lead assembly (20) allowing connection of the device (10) to the electrical system of the towing vehicle (14). Individual covers (112, 114) are pivotally supported on the body (18) and allow individual access to the different receptacles (22, 24). In preferred forms, the circular receptacle (22) includes a central terminal (54) as well as six circularly arranged terminals (62) disposed about the terminal (54). The flat receptacle (24) has four aligned terminals, three female terminals (68-72) and a male terminal (74). The interface device (10) thus allows proper electrical connection of most types of towed vehicles to the electrical system of the towing vehicle (14).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.