Trailer adapter with light

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.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an electrical interface device and, more particularly, to an electrical trailer adapter device having a light.

BACKGROUND

Cars, trucks and other vehicles are frequently used to pull or tow different types of towed vehicles or trailers for various purposes. These towed vehicles or trailers may generally be provided with electrical features, such as lights, brakes, etc., that may receive power through an electrical connection with the electrical system of the towing vehicle. To that end, it may be necessary to interconnect the brake lights, turn signal indicators, running lights, and the like, of the towing vehicle with the corresponding lights on the towed vehicle or trailer.

More specifically, it may be necessary to interconnect the electrical system of the towing vehicle with that of the towed vehicle to control the corresponding electrical systems of the towing and towed vehicles. For example, when the brake lights on the towing vehicle are lit, the brake lights on the towed vehicle may be simultaneously lit. Similarly, when the turn signal on the towing vehicle is illuminated the corresponding turn signal on the towed vehicle may be illuminated. The same may apply to backup lights of the two vehicles.

In order to accomplish this, however, the electrical system of the towing vehicle must interconnect with the electrical system of the towed vehicle. Towing vehicles and towed vehicles, however, may have different electrical configuration connections, which can make it difficult to electrically attach a particular towed vehicle with a particular towing vehicle.

Typically, the wiring harness or electrical connector of each vehicle may have an array of blades, pins, slots, or receptacles. These slots or receptacle may receive pins or blades, whereas the pins or blades may be inserted into corresponding slots or receptacles. The configurations of the electrical connector of the towing vehicle may not match the electrical configuration of the towed vehicle, which may preclude the two systems from being interconnected. An electrical interface device may be used to accommodate the different types of towed vehicle electrical connectors. There are, however, limitations on the available configurations.

In addition to hooking up an applicable electrical interface device between the towing vehicle and towed vehicle, there are often other connections required, actuation of devices, or such required to operatively couple a towed vehicle with a towing vehicle and to operate a towed vehicle. It may, therefore, be beneficial to have a light source to assist with such or to otherwise have provided a light source. However, such light sources may require additional power sources, are difficult to store, or are otherwise unavailable. An additional source of light, therefore, may be needed.

Still further, it is often beneficial in towing a towed vehicle to attempt to limit the amount of items required to accomplish the hook-up and operation thereof. However, there may be limitations as to the available uses of the electrical interface device. The electrical interface devices may not be capable of providing any other functionality other than interconnecting the electrical systems of the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved electrical interface device, such as a trailer adapter, that may accommodate different types of towed vehicle electrical connectors, all without any modification of the trailer adapter. Still further, there is a need for a trailer adapter that may provide an improved interface for quick and easy connections between the electrical systems of the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle while providing additional functionality, such as a light source.

SUMMARY

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.

A trailer adapter may include 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. The trailer adapter may include a light operatively coupled with the body, and where the light is operable to provide illumination when the second electrical interface is electrically engaged with the subservient electrical system and when the second electrical interface is disengaged from the subservient electrical system.

A trailer adapter capable of attaching a master electrical system of a towing vehicle with a subservient electrical system of a towed vehicle is disclosed. The trailer adapter may include 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. The trailer adapter may also include a light operatively attached to the housing, and an integrated circuit tester comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes positioned on the second electrical interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary trailer adapter with light10is illustrated inFIGS. 1-9. The trailer adapter with light10may be used in conjunction with a most all towing vehicles and towed vehicles/trailers, such as recreational vehicles, tractor-trailers, boat trailers, livestock trailers, cargo trailers, and any other appropriate vehicle. The trailer adapter with light10may be positioned at any appropriate location on the towing vehicle11, an example of which is shown inFIG. 1, and towed vehicle or trailer (not shown). For example, the trailer adapter with light10may be mounted on a bumper of the towing vehicle11, or if the towing vehicle is equipped with a hitch12, the trailer adapter with light10may be mounted on the hitch12. The trailer adapter with light10may be attached to the towing vehicle11by any appropriate means, such as with fasteners, ties, or the like. As an alternative, the trailer adapter with light10may be selectively attachable to the towing vehicle11, whereby the trailer adapter with light10is not required to be mounted to any particular location. For example, the trailer adapter with light10may be capable of being mounted under the bumper, on a hitch mount, on the rear of the towing vehicle11, or at any other appropriate location. The trailer adapter with light10may be attached in any appropriate manner and the present teachings are not limited to such.

The trailer adapter with light10may be capable of accepting any appropriate number of or variety of different connectors that may be associated with the electrical systems of different types of towing and towed vehicles, without any modification to the trailer adapter with light10. In particular, the trailer adapter with light10may be used to connect a master electrical system of a towing vehicle11with a subservient electrical system of a towed vehicle to operate the electrical systems of the towed vehicle, while also being able to operate as an illuminating device, as described in more detail below. In many situations, the master electrical interface may not match that of the subservient electrical interface (i.e., the subservient electrical interface is different from the master electrical interface). The trailer adapter with light10may allow for connection of the master electrical interface with the non-matching/different subservient electrical interface while also acting as an illuminating device. In addition, the trailer adapter with light10may be operatively coupled with only the towing vehicle11while acting solely as an illuminating device.

The trailer adapter with light10may be of any appropriate shape and size, such as a generally circular, rectangular, ovoidal, oval, or a combination of shapes, not just that shown in the exemplary embodiments herein. The trailer adapter with light10may be ergonomically compact, yet of a design that accommodates the towing vehicle11towing a towed vehicle or trailer having a different connector. The trailer adapter with light10may also be constructed from any appropriate type of material.

The trailer adapter with light10may include a body or housing13having a first end14and a second end16. The body13may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as generally circular, rectangular, ovoidal, oval or a combination of shapes. The body13may include gripping features18, such as ribs, an example of which is shown inFIGS. 1-6and8. The rib features18may be located at any appropriate position on the body13, such as adjacent the second end16. The rib features18may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally elongated shape. The rib features18may also be slightly raised above the surface of the body13. Still further, there may be any appropriate number of rib features18. The rib features18may aid the user in placing or removing the trailer adapter with light10from the towing vehicle11or trailer, by for example, making it easier to hold and grip. The rib features18may be of any appropriate shape and located on any appropriate position on the body13and are not limited to that shown and described herein.

In some embodiments, the trailer adapter with light10may include a first electrical interface20and a second electrical interface30; as shown inFIGS. 2,4and7. The interfaces20and30, in these embodiments, may provide the trailer adapter with light10with the appropriate electrical connection(s) between the electrical systems of the towing vehicle11and towed vehicle. While the trailer adapter with light10may be shown and described as having two electrical interfaces20and30, it is to be understood that the trailer adapter with light10may have any appropriate number of interfaces and should not be limited to that shown and described herein. By way of a non-limiting example, the trailer adapter with light10may include three, four, five or more electrical interfaces. While any number of electrical interfaces may be used, the exemplary embodiments showing two such electrical interfaces will be described.

The first electrical interface20may be located at any appropriate position on the trailer adapter with light10, such as at the first end14, as shown inFIGS. 2,7and8. The first interface20may be configured to be coupled to the master electrical interface of the towing vehicle11and may include a first set of terminals22. The first set of terminals22may include at least one terminal24; however, there may be any appropriate number of terminals24, such as four, six, seven, etc. The terminals24may be of any appropriate shape, size, or type. By way of a non-limiting example, the terminals24may be flat or blade type terminals, pin-type terminals, etc. The terminals24may be in any appropriate type of arrangement or configuration, such as in a generally circular arrangement. Each terminal24may correspond to a certain function, such as providing a signal for controlling the tail lights, left turn signal, right turn signal, brake lights, electric brake control circuit, back-up/auxiliary, battery voltage, and the like from the corresponding master electrical system of the towing vehicle11to the subservient electrical system of the towed vehicle. This may result in the user of the towing vehicle11only having to operate the function on the towing vehicle11to operate the corresponding function on the towed vehicle.

More specifically, the first set of terminals22may be a seven-way terminal, which is shown inFIGS. 2,7and8as a blade terminal with a central pin26, in which one terminal24dmay connect ground, a second terminal24cmay connect the left turn control, a third terminal24fmay connect the right turn control, a fourth terminal24bmay connect the tail light control, a fifth terminal24emay connect the electric brake control circuit, a sixth terminal24amay connect the battery/auxiliary control to the towed vehicle/light source60, and a seventh pin terminal26may connect the reverse/back-up control to the towed vehicle/light source60. It should be understood, however, that many other variations may be used without departing from the present teachings.

As shown, the seventh pin terminal26of the first interface20may be located at any appropriate position on the first interface20, such as at the approximate center of the first interface20. The seventh pin terminal26may be located at the approximate center of the terminals24a-24f, whereby the terminals24may be located radially around the pin terminal26.

The second electrical interface30may be located at any appropriate position on the adapter10, such as at the second end16as shown inFIG. 4. The second interface30may include a second set of terminals32. The second set of terminals32may include at least one terminal34; however, there may be any appropriate number of terminals34, such as two, three, five, etc. The terminals34may be of any appropriate shape, size, or type. For example, the terminals34may be generally cylindrical in shape. The terminals34may be in any appropriate type of arrangement or configuration, such as in a generally linear arrangement or any other appropriate configuration. Each terminal34may correspond to a certain function, such as providing a signal for controlling the tail lights, left turn signal, right turn signal, brake lights, brake circuit, back-up/auxiliary, battery voltage, and the like from the corresponding master electrical system of the towing vehicle11to the subservient electrical system of the towed vehicle. This may permit the user of the towing vehicle11to only have to operate the function on the towing vehicle11to operate the corresponding function on the towed vehicle.

By way of a non-limiting example as shown inFIG. 4, the second set of terminals32may be a four-way terminal in which one terminal34dmay connect ground, a second terminal34bmay connect the left turn and stop control, a second terminal34amay connect the right turn and stop control, and a fourth terminal34cmay connect the tail light control to the towed vehicle. When the second set of terminals32is configured as a four-way terminal the fifth terminal34amay be absent. It should be understood, however, that many other variations may be used without departing from the present invention.

The trailer adapter with light10may include at least one integrated circuit tester, such as by way of a non-limiting example a light-emitting diode (LED)50, which is shown inFIG. 4. There may be any appropriate number of LEDs50, such as two, three, four, etc. The integrated circuit tester with LEDs50may monitor the continuity of the circuits. In particular, the LEDs50may be continuously be illuminated if there is continuity of the circuit. This, therefore, may allow the user to determine if the trailer adapter with light10is installed effectively and that the connections on the trailer adapter with light10have not come undone or disconnected. The LEDs50may be of any appropriate color, such as blue, clear, red, etc., or any combination of colors.

The trailer adapter with light10may include an alignment member54. The alignment member54may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally square, rectangular, or circular shape. The alignment member54may be located at any appropriate position on the trailer adapter with light10, such as along an approximate centerline of the body13. The alignment member54may be slightly raised from the surface of the body13. The alignment member54may aid in alignment of the trailer adapter with light10. For example, the alignment member54may help with proper alignment when coupling the first end14with the master electrical system of the towing vehicle11. The alignment member54may cooperate with a correspondingly shaped and sized key-type mechanism of the electrical system that may be provided at the towing vehicle.

The trailer adapter with light10may include a stop56shown inFIGS. 2,3,6and7. The stop56may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally square, rectangular, or circular shape. The stop56may be located at any appropriate position on the trailer adapter with light10, such as at the approximate center of the body13. The stop56may be at a raised position from the surface of the body13. The stop56may contact a portion of the towing vehicle11or trailer and thereby prevent any further movement/insertion of the trailer adapter with light10.

Further, the trailer adapter with light10may include a light source60, an example of which is shown inFIGS. 1-8. The light source60may be any appropriate light, such as by way of a non-limiting example, incandescent, LED, compact fluorescent, and the like. The present teachings are not limited to a specific light, but may include any appropriate type of light. As shown inFIGS. 1-8, the light source60may be an LED light.

The light source60may be operatively coupled to the body13of the trailer adapter with light10in any appropriate manner; for example, the light source60may be integrally formed with the trailer adapter with light10. By way of a non-limiting example, the light source60may include a body62. The body62of the light source60may be integrally formed with the body13. Alternatively, the body62of the light source60may be attached to the body13in any appropriate manner, such as by way of non-limiting examples, welding, fastening, or using adhesives.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 4, the light source60may include three LEDs64. However, any number of LEDs may be utilized without departing from the present teachings, such as one, two, four, etc. The LEDs64may be used as the light source60as they generally may draw less power from the towing vehicle11, they tend not to generate unneeded heat, and have a longer life than other light sources. The light source60may include a generally clear cover66generally allowing light to pass therethrough that may be selectively attachable to the body62. The cover66being selectively attachable may allow it to be removed so as to provide access to the LEDs64to repair, replace, etc. In other embodiments, the cover66may be permanently affixed to or integrally formed with the body64.

The trailer adapter with light10may include an actuator, such as a switch70, which is shown inFIGS. 3,5and8. The switch70may be of any appropriate shape, size or type, such as a generally square, rectangular, or circular shape. The switch70may be located at any appropriate position on the trailer adapter with light10, such as at an approximate center of the underside of the body13. By way of a non-limiting example, the switch70may be positioned on the body13generally perpendicular to the first electrical interface20. The switch70, however, may be in any appropriate position and the teachings are not limited to such. The switch70may be positioned on the body13in a recess75of the body13in an effort to help prevent the switch70from being inadvertently manipulated between the first and second positions. The recess75may allow the switch70to be below or at the approximately same level as the body13adjacent the switch70.

The switch70may be utilized to change the light source60between different modes of operation of the light source60. In some embodiments, the operative modes of the light source60may include a backup operative mode and an auxiliary operative mode. In addition, the trailer adapter with light10may include a third mode, such as for example an off mode in which the light source60is not operative, i.e., it does not illuminate.

In the backup mode, trailer adapter with light10may illuminate the light source60when the towing vehicle11is put in reverse or the towing vehicle's electrical system otherwise detects the towing vehicle11being in reverse. In these embodiments, the light source60may be powered to illuminate utilizing the electrical system of the towing vehicle11. The trailer adapter with light10being selectively positioned in the backup mode may operate so as to be illuminated when the towing vehicle11is in reverse with the first and second electrical interfaces20,30, being operatively coupled with the towing11and towed vehicle, respectively. In addition, the trailer adapter with light10being selectively positioned in the backup mode may operate so as to be illuminated when the towing vehicle11is in reverse with only the first electrical interface20being operatively coupled with the towing vehicle11. Regardless of how the trailer adapter with light10is operatively secured, the backup mode illuminating the light source60may allow a user more light with which to reverse the towing vehicle11.

In the auxiliary mode, trailer adapter with light10may generally illuminate the light source60. The illumination in the auxiliary mode may not be conditioned on any input from the towing vehicle11other than the power required to illuminate, i.e., in the auxiliary mode the light source60may stay illuminated until the mode of operation of the trailer adapter with light10is changed from the auxiliary mode. In these embodiments, the light source60may be powered to illuminate utilizing the electrical system of the towing vehicle11. The trailer adapter with light10being selectively positioned in the auxiliary mode may operate so as to be generally illuminated when the first and second electrical interfaces20,30, are operatively coupled with the towing11and towed vehicle, respectively. In addition, the trailer adapter with light10being selectively positioned in the auxiliary mode may operate so as to be generally illuminated when only the first electrical interface20being operatively coupled with the towing vehicle11. Regardless of how the trailer adapter with light10is operatively secured, the auxiliary mode may be particularly useful to illuminate the area generally behind the towing vehicle11and/or near the front of the towed vehicle such as to manage propane tanks on the front of a towed vehicle.

In some embodiments, the trailer adapter with light10may be selectively operated in a third mode. The third mode may be an “off” mode such that when the trailer adapter with light10is in the off mode the light source60will not illuminate regardless of the status of the towing vehicle11. While three modes of operation are described, the present teachings are not limited to such. Any number of different modes of operation may be utilized without departing from the present teachings.

In some embodiments, the switch70may be selectively positioned laterally across the body13to and from a first position and a second position during operation thereof. In some embodiments, during operation of the switch70, it may be selectively positioned laterally across the body13to and from a first position, a second position, and a third position. The switch70, however, may take any appropriate form and may operate through any appropriate motion, such as by way of a non-limiting example, rotating, depressing, sliding, rolling, or any other appropriate actuation.

An exemplary wiring of the trailer adapter with light10is shown inFIG. 9. InFIG. 9, the wiring diagram depicts a seven-way to four-flat adapter. In these exemplary embodiments, one terminal24emay connect ground, a second terminal24fmay connect the left turn control, a third terminal24cmay connect the right turn control, a fourth terminal24amay connect the tail light control, a fifth terminal24dmay connect the electric brake control circuit, a sixth terminal24bmay connect the battery/auxiliary control to the light source60through the actuator70, and a seventh pin terminal26that may connect the reverse/back-up control to the light source60through the switch70. It should be understood, however, that many other variations may be used without departing from the present teachings.

While the trailer adapter with light10may have been shown and described as utilizing certain types of terminals or configurations of terminals, the trailer adapter with light10should not be limited to that shown and described herein. By way of a non-limiting example, the trailer adapter with light10may provide for a seven-way to six-way adapter, a seven-way to four-flat adapter, etc.

The trailer adapter with light10may be connected to the electrical system of the towing vehicle11, whereby the trailer adapter with light10may be properly integrated into the master electrical system of the towing vehicle11. When it is desired to tow a trailer, the subservient electrical system of the towed vehicle may be connected to that of the towing vehicle11through the trailer adapter with light10. Connecting the electrical systems of the towing11and towed vehicles through the trailer adapter with light10may serve to electrically interconnect the electrical systems, without requiring any modification of the trailer adapter with light10. Still further, while the trailer adapter with light10may be connected to the electrical systems of the towing11and towed vehicle, the light source60may still be operative in the applicable mode operation, e.g., backup and auxiliary modes. For example, when the trailer adapter with light10is operatively positioned in the backup mode, the light source60may illuminate when the towing vehicle11is placed in reverse. When the trailer adapter with light10is operatively positioned in the auxiliary mode, the light source60may generally illuminate. Both of these modes of operation may occur with the electrical system of the towed vehicle, or the subservient electrical system, being operatively coupled with the trailer adapter with light10and not being so operatively coupled.

For example, the first interface20may cooperate with the electrical connecter on the towing vehicle11so as to permit an electrical connection through the trailer adapter with light10. The second interface30may cooperate with the electrical connector on the towed vehicle so as to electrically connect the towed vehicle with the subservient electrical system of the towing vehicle11via the trailer adapter with light10. All this may occur while the light source60may still be capable of being selectively operated to illuminate in the applicable mode described above.

Additional embodiments of a trailer adapter with light according the present teachings are described below. In the descriptions, all of the details and components may not be fully described or shown. Rather, the features or components are described and, in some instances, differences with the above-described embodiments may be pointed out. Moreover, it should be appreciated that these additional embodiments may include elements or components utilized in the above-described embodiments although not shown or described. Thus, the descriptions of these additional embodiments are merely exemplary and not all-inclusive nor exclusive. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the features, components, elements and functionalities of the various embodiments may be combined or altered to achieve a desired trailer adapter with light without departing from the spirit and scope of the present teachings.

In some embodiments of a trailer adapter with light100, such as that shown inFIGS. 10-12the trailer adapter with light100may include a second electrical interface130that includes a five-way terminal. The second electrical interface130may include a second set of terminals132configured as a five-way terminal that are shown inFIG. 10. By way of a non-limiting example, the second set of terminals132may include one terminal134ethat may connect ground, a second terminal134cthat may connect the left turn and stop control, a second terminal134bthat may connect the right turn and stop control, a fourth terminal134dthat may connect the tail light control, and a fifth terminal134athat may connect the electric brake control circuit to the towed vehicle. It should be understood, however, that many other variations may be used without departing from the present invention.

In addition, the second electrical interface130may optionally include a cover140. The cover140may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally circular, ovular or rectangular shape. The cover140may be correspondingly shaped and sized to fully cover or encase the second electrical interface130and its second set of terminals132. The cover140may be attached to the body13by any appropriate means, such as with a tether, by a hingedly connected mechanism, or by any other appropriate means. Alternatively, the cover140may be completely removable from the body13. The cover140may protect the second set of terminals132and provide weather protection to the second electrical interface130. It should be understood, however, that the cover140may not be included at all.

An exemplary wiring of the trailer adapter with light100is shown inFIG. 12. InFIG. 12, the wiring diagram depicts a seven-way to five-flat adapter. In these exemplary embodiments, one terminal24emay connect ground, a second terminal24fmay connect the left turn control, a third terminal24cmay connect the right turn control, a fourth terminal24amay connect the tail light control, a fifth terminal24dmay connect the electric brake control circuit, a sixth terminal24bmay connect the battery/auxiliary control to the light source60through the actuator70, and a seventh pin terminal26that may connect the reverse/back-up control to the light source60through the switch70. It should be understood, however, that many other variations may be used without departing from the present teachings.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the invention described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter. The claims as follows are intended to include all modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof.