Patent ID: 6450833
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: B60D

Abstract:
A connector for connecting a trailer to an associated tractor comprising:a first assembly including a non-conductive housing mounted to the trailer, a plurality of terminals for providing electrical paths attached to said housing, respective ones of said terminals being electrically attached to respective ones of wires in a wiring harness provided on the trailer, an enclosure portion which generally surrounds said non-conductive housing and said terminals, and a lid portion attached to said enclosure portion, said lid portion having a cover which can be opened to expose the interior of said enclosure portion such that said terminals are exposed; and a second assembly including a non-conductive housing having a plurality of pins provided therethrough for providing electrical paths through said non-conductive housing of said second assembly, said pins having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first end portion extending outwardly from said housing and said second end portion being surrounded by said housing such that said second end portion is recessed within said housing, said second assembly being capable of being engaged with said first assembly by pushing at least a portion of said first end portion of said pins into engagement with said terminals and being capable of being disengaged from said first assembly by pulling said at least a portion of said first end portion of said pins out of engagement with said terminals, said first assembly maintaining its attachment to the trailer during the insertion and removal of said second assembly, wherein when said second assembly is engaged with said first assembly, respective ones of said pins are placed into electrical contact with respective ones of said terminals and said cover can be closed over said second assembly such that said pins are not exposed, said second end portion of said pins of said second assembly further being capable of being engaged with a connector which provides a plurality of electrical paths between the tractor and said second assembly when said cover is opened, said pins of said second assembly being capable of being disengaged from the connector.