Patent ID: 8308181
Filing Date: 2012-11-13
Classification: B60D

Abstract:
1. In combination: a vehicle including an electrical system and a trailer hitch which extends rearwardly from the vehicle and which has a hitch ball structure mounted on a horizontally extending portion with the hitch ball including a shank portion and a base portion; a first support secured to said horizontally extending portion; a first contactor, having upper and lower ends, extending rearwardly from said first support and having electrical contacts at said upper end thereof; said electrical contacts extending around said hitch ball; said electrical contacts of said first contactor being electrically connected to the vehicle electrical system; a trailer having a hitch ball coupler at the forward end thereof for receiving the hitch ball therein; a second support operatively secured to said hitch ball coupler and having rearward and forward ends; a second semi-ring shaped contactor having rearward and forward ends; said rearward end of said second contactor being secured to said second support; said second contactor having electrical contacts thereon which electrically contact said electrical contacts of said first contactor when said hitch ball is received by said hitch ball coupler to supply electrical power to the trailer from the vehicle; said rearward end of said second contactor being pivotally secured about a horizontal axis to said second support.