Abstract:
A universal control adapter system allows any commercial or custom snowplow controller to be quickly and easily attached and detached from any commercial or custom snowplow blade. A first adapter connects the snowplow driver&#39;s controller to a first universal controller. A second adapter connects the snowplow to a second universal connector, where the second universal connector is configured to removably mate with the first universal connector. The first universal connector and second universal connector are color coded or otherwise configured to ensure proper mating. In this manner, skilled snowplow drivers can quickly and easily transfer their controllers to different vehicles rather than learning different controls for various snowplow manufacturers.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/609,976 filed on Sep. 15, 2004. 

   BACKGROUND 
   The present invention pertains to snowplow systems designed for attachment to the front of a vehicle such as a pickup truck. These snowplow systems include a wiring harness that is routed to the interior cabin of the vehicle for connection to a control box. Typically, this wiring harness includes one or more connectors such that the control box may be disconnected from the plow. Some of the snowplow systems include a control box. Others require the purchase of an after-market control box. Further, some manufacturers of control boxes also manufacture compatible plow systems, while others simply manufacture control boxes. 
   Operating a plow while also operating a vehicle is a skill that is honed with experience. Understandably, some plow operators become extremely proficient using a particular control box and prefer not to change to a different control box. However, compatibility issues between control boxes and snowplows often require these operators to learn to use different control boxes, or forego work with a particular brand of plow. 
   There is a need for a system that resolves these compatibility issues, thereby allowing a plow operator to attach a favorite control box to any make of snowplow. Preferably, the system allows the connection between the control box and the snowplow to be made without requiring wire splicing. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention addresses the above-mentioned need by providing an adapter system that allows a plow operator to attach any control box to any make of snowplow. The system generally includes a first adapter and a second adapter. The first adapter has a length of straight cord having a first end and a second end. The first end has a plurality of pins for removably connecting the first end to a connector compatible with a controller box. The second end is removably connected to a universal connector that is configured to mate with another universal connector. 
   Similarly, the second adapter has a length of tubing having a first end and a second end. The first end is removably attached to another universal connector that is configured to mate with another universal connector. The second end is removably attached to a connector configured to mate with a snowplow. 
   Thus, connecting a controller box made by Brand A with a snowplow made by Brand B is simply a matter of attaching a Brand A first adapter to the controller box, and a Brand B second adapter to the snowplow. The universal connector ends of the first and second adapters can then be connected together to establish connectivity between the control box and the snowplow. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic of an embodiment of a first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1A  is a top plan view of a straight blade touchpad harness used with the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1B  is a front plan view of a universal connector positioned at a second end of the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1C  is a front plan view of a first connector positioned at a first end of the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1D  is a front plan view of a second connector positioned at a first end of the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic of an embodiment of a first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2A  is a schematic of a vee-blade touchpad harness used with the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2B  is a front plan view of a universal connector positioned at a second end of the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2C  is a front plan view of a first connector positioned at a first end of the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2D  is a front plan view of a second connector positioned at a first end of the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic of an embodiment of a first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3A  is a front plan view of a universal connector positioned on the second end of the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic of an embodiment of a first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4A  is a top plan view of an up/down small joystick harness used with the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4B  is a front plan view of a universal connector positioned on the second end of the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4C  is a front plan view of receptacles in a connector of an up/down joystick harness. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic of an embodiment of a first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5A  is a top plan view of a 4-way small joystick harness used with the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5B  is front plan view of a universal connector positioned on the second end of the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5C  is a front plan view of a first connector positioned at a first end of the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5D  is a front plan view of a second connector positioned at a first end of the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic of an embodiment of a second adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6A  is a front plan view of a universal connector positioned on the second end of the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6B  is a front plan view of a connector configured to mate with a connector of a particular snowplow. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic of an embodiment of a second adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7A  is a front plan view of a universal connector positioned on the second end of the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7B  is a front plan view of a connector configured to mate with a connector of a particular snowplow. 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic of an embodiment of a second adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8A  is a front plan view of a universal connector positioned on the second end of the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic of an embodiment of a second adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9A  is a front plan view of a universal connector positioned on the second end of the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9B  is a front plan view of a connector configured to mate with a connector of a particular snowplow. 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic of an embodiment of a second adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10A  is a front plan view of a universal connector positioned on the second end of the first adapter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10B  is a front plan view of a connector configured to mate with a connector of a particular snowplow. 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic of one embodiment of the universal control adapter system of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , there is shown a general schematic overview of one embodiment of a universal control adapter system  8  of the present invention. Specifically, there is shown a first adapter  20  connected to a second adapter  80  by way of mating universal connectors  28  and  30 . While  FIG. 11  depicts a first end  22  on the first adapter  20  having a plurality of pins  32  and a second adapter  80  having a second end  84  with a connector  86  configured to mate with a connector of a particular snowplow, various other embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. Following there are several embodiments of the first and second adapters  20  and  80 , respectively. 
   Referring now to the Figures, and first to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , there are shown various embodiments of a first adapter  20  of the present invention. Each of the first adapters  20  includes a length of straight cord  21  having a first end  22  and a second end  24 . The first ends  22  are constructed and arranged for attachment to particular controller boxes  26 . The second ends  24  include a universal connector  28  configured to mate with a universal connector  30  ( FIGS. 6–10 ). 
   For example,  FIG. 1  shows a first adapter  20  having a straight cord  21  with a first end  22  and a second end  24 . The first end  22  has a plurality of pins  32 , which are insertable into the female receptacles  34  of connectors  36  and  38  sold under the trademark TYCO® (Tyco International Services AG Corporation, Switzerland), which are connected to a straight blade touchpad harness  40  , as depicted in  FIG. 1A . The second end  24  connects to a universal connector  28 . Tables 1 and 2 show the functions of the individual pins  32  as they relate to pin  32  numbers depicted in  FIGS. 1C and 1D . Table 3 shows the functions of the pins  27  of the universal connector  28 . Referring to  FIG. 1B , in one embodiment, individual wires  23  bundled within the straight cord  21  are color coded to correspond to color coded receptacles  34  in connectors  36  and  38  and to the pins  27  of the universal connector  28 . 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 1 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               TYCO ® CONNECTOR P/N 172170-1 
             
             
               TYCO ® TERMINALS P/N 770804-1 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
               AWG 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               1 
               RED 
               POS {+} 
               18 
             
             
               2 
               WHITE 
               RAISE 
               20 
             
             
               3 
               ORANGE 
               FLOAT 
               18 
             
             
               4 
               BROWN 
               PUMP SOLENOID 
               18 
             
             
               5 
               GREEN 
               RIGHT 
               20 
             
             
               6 
               BLUE 
               LEFT 
               20 
             
             
               7 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               8 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               9 
               PINK/BLACK 
               AUXILIARY 
               20 
             
             
               10 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               11 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               12 
               BLACK 
               GROUND 
               20 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 2 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               TYCO ® CONNECTOR P/N 172168-1 
             
             
               TYCO ® TERMINALS P/N 770904-1 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
             
               1 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               2 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               3 
               BLACK 
               GROUND {−} 
             
             
               4 
               WHITE 
               LIFT 
             
             
               5 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               6 
               ORANGE 
               DOWN 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 3 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               TYCO ® CONNECTOR P/N 172168-1 
             
             
               TYCO ® TERMINALS P/N 770904-1 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
             
               1 
               RED 
               POS {+} 
             
             
               2 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               3 
               PINK/BLACK 
               AUXILIARY 
             
             
               4 
               BLUE 
               LEFT 
             
             
               5 
               GREEN 
               RIGHT 
             
             
               6 
               BROWN 
               PUMP SOLENOID 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
     FIG. 2  shows a first adapter  20  having a straight cord  21  with a first end  22  and a second  24 . The first end  22  that has a plurality of pins  42  , which are insertable into the female receptacles  44  of connectors  46  and  48  sold under the trademark TYCO® (Tyco International Services AG Corporation, Switzerland), which are connected to a vee-blade touchpad harness  50 . The second end connects to a universal connector  28 . Tables 4 and 5 show the functions of the individual pins  42  depicted in  FIGS. 2C and 2D . Table 6 shows the functions of the pins  27  of the universal connector  28 . Referring to  FIG. 2B , in one embodiment, individual wires  23  bundled within the straight cord  21  are color coded to correspond to color coded receptacles  44  in connectors  46  and  48  and to the pins  27  of the connector  28 . 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 4 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               TYCO ® CONNECTOR P/N 172170-1 
             
             
               TYCO ® TERMINALS P/N 770904-1 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
               AWG 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               1 
               RED 
               POS {+} 
               18 
             
             
               2 
               WHITE 
               RAISE 
               20 
             
             
               3 
               ORANGE 
               FLOAT 
               18 
             
             
               4 
               BROWN 
               PUMP SOLENOID 
               18 
             
             
               5 
               GREEN 
               RIGHT 
               20 
             
             
               6 
               BLUE 
               LEFT 
               20 
             
             
               7 
               RED/WHITE 
               RIGHT WING OUT 
               20 
             
             
               8 
               RED/BLACK 
               RIGHT WING IN 
               20 
             
             
               9 
               PINK/BLACK 
               AUXILIARY 
               20 
             
             
               10 
               BLUE/WHITE 
               LEFT WING OUT 
               20 
             
             
               11 
               BLUE/BLACK 
               LEFT WING IN 
               20 
             
             
               12 
               BLACK 
               GROUND 
               20 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 5 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               TYCO ® CONNECTOR P/N 172168-1 
             
             
               TYCO ® TERMINALS P/N 770904-1 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
             
               1 
               RED/BLACK 
               RIGHT WING IN 
             
             
               2 
               BLUE/WHITE 
               LEFT WING OUT 
             
             
               3 
               BLACK 
               GROUND {−} 
             
             
               4 
               WHITE 
               LIFT 
             
             
               5 
               RED/WHITE 
               RIGHT WING OUT 
             
             
               6 
               ORANGE 
               DOWN 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 6 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               TYCO ® CONNECTOR P/N 172168-1 
             
             
               TYCO ® TERMINALS P/N 770904-1 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
             
               1 
               RED 
               POS {+} 
             
             
               2 
               BLUE/BLACK 
               LEFT WING IN 
             
             
               3 
               PINK/BLACK 
               AUXILIARY 
             
             
               4 
               BLUE 
               LEFT 
             
             
               5 
               GREEN 
               RIGHT 
             
             
               6 
               BROWN 
               PUMP SOLENOID 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
     FIG. 3  shows a first adapter  20  having a straight cord  21  with a first end  22  and a second end  24 . The first end  22  has a plurality of flag terminals  52  and  54 , and a female coupler  56 . The terminals  52  and  54  , as well as female coupler  56 , connect to a main large joystick harness (not shown). The second end connects to a universal connector  28 . Table 7 shows the functions of the pins  27  of the universal connector  28 . In one embodiment, individual wires  23  bundled within the straight cord  21  are color coded to correspond to particular pins  27  of the universal connector  28  as depicted in  FIG. 3A . 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 7 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               TYCO ® CONNECTOR P/N 172170-1 
             
             
               TYCO ® TERMINALS P/N 770904-1 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               1 
               RED 
               POS {+} 
             
             
               2 
               WHITE 
               RAISE 
             
             
               3 
               ORANGE 
               FLOAT 
             
             
               4 
               BROWN 
               PUMP SOLENOID 
             
             
               5 
               GREEN 
               RIGHT 
             
             
               6 
               BLUE 
               LEFT 
             
             
               7 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               8 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               9 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               10 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               11 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               12 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
     FIG. 4  shows a first adapter  20  having a straight cord  21  with a first end  22  and a second end  24 . The first end  22  has a plurality of pins  58  that are connectable to a connector  60  of an up/down small joystick harness  62 . The up/down small joystick harness  62  is depicted in  FIG. 4A . There are also female couplers  64  connectable to a 12V power supply (not shown). Tables 8 and 9 show the functions of the pins of universal connector  28  and of the pins  58 , respectively. In one embodiment, individual wires  23  bundled within the straight cord  21  are color coded to correspond to receptacles in a connector  60  (shown in  FIG. 4C ) of an up/down joystick harness  62  and to the pins  27  of the universal connector  28 .  FIG. 4B  depicts a numbering configuration for the pins  27  of the universal connector  28  in order to mate the universal connector  28  with other connectors based on function. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 8 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               TYCO ® CONNECTOR P/N 172170-1 
             
             
               TYCO ® TERMINALS P/N 770904-1 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               1 
               RED 
               POS {+} 
             
             
               2 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               3 
               ORANGE 
               FLOAT 
             
             
               4 
               BROWN 
               PUMP SOLENOID 
             
             
               5 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               6 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               7 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               8 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               9 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               10 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               11 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               12 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 9 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               AMP SL-156 PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD CONNECTOR WITH 
             
             
               LOCKING RAMP/WITH POLARIZING TABS 0.465 (No. of Pos. 3) 
             
             
               P/N 770849-3 WITH AMP SL-156 CRIMP CONTACTS 
             
             
               CONTACT -C HOODED (DUAL WIPE) 10 AMP MAX. STRIP 
             
             
               P/N 770476-1 LOOSE PIECE P/N 770522-1 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
             
               1 
               BROWN 
               PUMP SOLENOID 
             
             
               2 
               RED 
               12 v+ 
             
             
               3 
               ORANGE 
               FLOAT 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
     FIG. 5  shows a first adapter  20  having a straight cord  21  with a first end  22  and a second end  24 . The first end  22  has a plurality of pins  66  connectable to connectors  68  and  70  of a 4-way small joystick harness  72 , as depicted in  FIG. 5A . The functions of the pins  66  are shown in Tables 11 and 12. Additionally, female couplers  74  are connectable to a 12V power supply (not shown). Table 10 shows the functions of the pins of universal connector  28 . In one embodiment, individual wires  23  bundled within the straight cord  21  are color coded to correspond to receptacles in connectors  68  and  70  of a 4-way small joystick harness  72  and to the pins  27  of the universal connector  28  (shown in  FIGS. 5C  and  FIG. 5D ). Referring to  FIG. 5B , there is shown a numbering configuration for the pins  27  of the universal connector  28  in order to mate the universal connector  28  with other connectors based on function. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 10 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               TYCO ® CONNECTOR P/N 172170-1 
             
             
               TYCO ® TERMINALS P/N 770904-1 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               1 
               RED 
               POS {+} 
             
             
               2 
               WHITE 
               RAISE 
             
             
               3 
               ORANGE 
               FLOAT 
             
             
               4 
               BROWN 
               PUMP SOLENOID 
             
             
               5 
               GREEN 
               RIGHT 
             
             
               6 
               BLUE 
               LEFT 
             
             
               7 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               8 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               9 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               10 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               11 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               12 
               BLACK 
               GROUND 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 11 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               AMP SL-156 PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD CONNECTOR WITH 
             
             
               LOCKING RAMP/WITH POLARIZING TABS 0.465 (No. of Pos. 3) 
             
             
               P/N 770849-3 WITH AMP SL-156 CRIMP CONTACTS 
             
             
               CONTACT -C HOODED (DUAL WIPE) 10 AMP MAX. STRIP 
             
             
               P/N 770476-1 LOOSE PIECE P/N 770522-1 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
             
               1 
               BROWN 
               PUMP SOLENOID 
             
             
               2 
               RED 
               12 v+ 
             
             
               3 
               ORANGE 
               FLOAT 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 12 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               AMP SL-156 PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD CONNECTOR WITH 
             
             
               LOCKING RAMP/WITH POLARIZING TABS 0.465 (No. of Pos. 3) 
             
             
               P/N 770849-3 WITH AMP SL-156 CRIMP CONTACTS 
             
             
               CONTACT -C HOODED (DUAL WIPE) 10 AMP MAX. STRIP 
             
             
               P/N 770476-1 LOOSE PIECE P/N 770522-1 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
             
               1 
               BLUE 
               LEFT 
             
             
               2 
               GREEN 
               RIGHT 
             
             
               3 
               BLACK 
               GROUND 
             
             
               4 
               WHITE 
               RAISE 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
     FIGS. 6–10  show various embodiments of a second adapter  80  of the present invention, usable to connect a first adapter  20  to a particular snowplow. Each second adapter  80  has length of tubing  81  having a first end  82  and a second end  84 . Each first end  82  includes a universal connector  30  configured to mate with the universal connectors  28  of the various embodiments of the first adapters  20 . Thus, despite the various embodiments of the present invention, each of the universal connectors  28  of the various first adapters  20  is the same, as is each of the universal connectors  30  of the various second adapters  80 . Each second end  84  of the second adapters  80  is constructed and arranged to be attached to a particular snowplow. 
   For example,  FIG. 6  shows a second adapter  80  with a first end  82  and a second end  84 . The second end  84  has a connector  86  configured to mate with a connector of a snowplow sold under the trademarks of MEYER® or DIAMOND® (manufactured by Meyer Products, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio) (not shown). Referring to  FIG. 6B , there is shown a numbering configuration for the connector  86 .  FIG. 6A  depicts a numbering configuration for the pins  31  of the universal connector  30  in order to mate the universal connector  30  with other connectors based on function. The pin assignments of both connectors  30  and  86  are shown in Tables 13 and 14. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 13 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               TYCO ® CONNECTOR P/N 172170-1 
             
             
               TYCO ® TERMINALS P/N 770904-1 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               1 
               RED 
               POS {+} 
             
             
               2 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               3 
               ORANGE 
               FLOAT 
             
             
               4 
               BROWN 
               PUMP SOLENOID 
             
             
               5 
               GREEN 
               RIGHT 
             
             
               6 
               BLUE 
               LEFT 
             
             
               7 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               8 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               9 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               10 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               11 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               12 
               BLACK 
               GROUND 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 14 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               “AMP” 
             
             
               0.093 (6) PIN POWER CONNECTOR 
             
             
               P/N 770086-1 WITH “AMP” FEMALE-TERMINAL 
             
             
               P/N 770529-1 (F) 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
             
               1 
               BROWN 
               PUMP SOLENOID 
             
             
               2 
               RED 
               POS {+} 
             
             
               3 
               BLACK 
               GROUND 
             
             
               4 
               BLUE 
               LEFT 
             
             
               5 
               GREEN 
               RIGHT 
             
             
               6 
               ORANGE 
               FLOAT 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
     FIG. 7  shows a second adapter  80  with a first end  82  and a second end  84 . The second end  84  has a connector  88  configured to mate with a connector of a straight blade snowplow sold under the trademark WESTERN® (manufactured by Western Products, Miliwaukee, Wis.) (not shown) or the trademark FISHER® (manufactured by Fisher Engineering, Rockland, Me.) (not shown).  FIG. 7B  depicts a numbering configuration of the connector  88 . The pin assignments of both connectors  30  and  88  are shown in Tables 15 and 16. In addition,  FIG. 7A  depicts a numbering configuration for the pins  31  of the universal connector  30  in order to mate the universal connector  30  with other connectors based on function. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 15 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               TYCO ® CONNECTOR P/N 172162-1 
             
             
               TYCO ® TERMINALS P/N 770903-1 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               1 
               RED 
               POS {+} 
             
             
               2 
               WHITE 
               RAISE 
             
             
               3 
               ORANGE 
               FLOAT 
             
             
               4 
               BROWN 
               PUMP SOLENOID 
             
             
               5 
               GREEN 
               RIGHT 
             
             
               6 
               BLUE 
               LEFT 
             
             
               7 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               8 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               9 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               10 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               11 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               12 
               BLACK 
               GROUND 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 16 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               “AMP” 
             
             
               0.062 (6) PIN POWER CONNECTOR 
             
             
               P/N 770086-1 WITH “AMP” FEMALE-TERMINAL 
             
             
               P/N 770355-1 
             
             
               WITH “AMP” FEMALE TERMINAL 
             
             
               P/N 794017-1 (M) 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
             
               1 
               RED 
               POS {+} 
             
             
               2 
               GREEN 
               RIGHT 
             
             
               3 
               BLACK 
               GROUND 
             
             
               4 
               BROWN 
               PUMP SOLENOID 
             
             
               5 
               WHITE 
               RAISE 
             
             
               6 
               ORANGE 
               FLOAT 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
     FIG. 8  shows a second adapter  80  with a first end  82  and a second end  84 . The second end  84  has several female terminals  90  configured to mate with male terminals of any snowplow that does not have a specific connector, but allows individual wire plugs.  FIG. 8A  depicts a numbering configuration for the pins  31  of the universal connector  30  in order to mate the universal connector  30  with other connectors based on function. The pin assignments of the connector  30  are shown in Table 17. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 17 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               TYCO ® CONNECTOR P/N 172162-1 
             
             
               TYCO ® TERMINALS P/N 770903-1 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               1 
               RED 
               POS {+} 
             
             
               2 
               WHITE 
               RAISE 
             
             
               3 
               ORANGE 
               FLOAT 
             
             
               4 
               BROWN 
               PUMP SOLENOID 
             
             
               5 
               GREEN 
               RIGHT 
             
             
               6 
               BLUE 
               LEFT 
             
             
               7 
               RED/WHITE 
               RIGHT WING OUT 
             
             
               8 
               RED/BLACK 
               RIGHT WING IN 
             
             
               9 
               PINK/BLACK 
               AUXILIARY 
             
             
               10 
               BLUE/WHITE 
               LEFT WING OUT 
             
             
               11 
               BLUE/BLACK 
               LEFT WING IN 
             
             
               12 
               BLACK 
               GROUND 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
     FIG. 9  shows a second adapter  80  with a first end  82  and a second end  84 . The second end  84  has a connector  92  configured to mate with a connector of a snowplow sold under the trademark NORTHMAN® (manufactured by Northman Snow Plows, Sioux Falls, S.Dak.) (not shown).  FIG. 9B  depicts a numbering configuration of the connector  92 .  FIG. 9A  depicts a numbering configuration for the pins  31  of the universal connector  30  in order to mate the universal connector  30  with other connectors based on function. The pin assignments of both connectors  30  and  92  are shown in Tables 18 and 19. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 18 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               TYCO ® CONNECTOR P/N 172162-1 
             
             
               TYCO ® TERMINALS P/N 770903-1 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               1 
               RED 
               POS {+} 
             
             
               2 
               WHITE 
               RAISE 
             
             
               3 
               ORANGE 
               FLOAT 
             
             
               4 
               BROWN 
               PUMP SOLENOID 
             
             
               5 
               GREEN 
               RIGHT 
             
             
               6 
               BLUE 
               LEFT 
             
             
               7 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               8 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               9 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               10 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               11 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               12 
               BLACK 
               GROUND 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 19 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               DIGI-KEY ® CONNECTOR P/N A1207-ND 
             
             
               DIGI-KEY ® TERMINALS P/N A1423-ND 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
             
               1 
               BLACK 
               GROUND 
             
             
               2 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               3 
               RED 
               POS {+} 
             
             
               4 
               GREEN 
               RIGHT 
             
             
               5 
               ORANGE 
               FLOAT 
             
             
               6 
               BROWN 
               PUMP 
             
             
               7 
               BLUE 
               LEFT 
             
             
               8 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
     FIG. 10  shows a second adapter  80  with a first end  82  and a second end  84 . The second end  84  has a connector  94  configured to mate with a connector of a snowplow sold under the trademark HINIKER® (manufactured by Hiniker Company, Mankato, Minn.) (not shown). The second adapter  80  also has two female terminals  96  that are connectable to a switch (not shown) unique to snowplows sold under the trademark HINIKER®.  FIG. 10B  depicts a numbering configuration of the connector  64 .  FIG. 10A  depicts a numbering configuration for the pins  31  of the universal connector  30  in order to mate the universal connector  30  with other connectors based on function. The pin assignments of both connector  30  and  94  are shown in Tables 20 and 21. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 20 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               TYCO ® CONNECTOR P/N 172162-1 
             
             
               TYCO ® TERMINALS P/N 770903-1 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               1 
               RED 
               POS {+} 
             
             
               2 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               3 
               ORANGE 
               FLOAT 
             
             
               4 
               BROWN 
               PUMP SOLENOID 
             
             
               5 
               GREEN 
               RIGHT 
             
             
               6 
               BLUE 
               LEFT 
             
             
               7 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               8 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               9 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               10 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               11 
               N/A 
               N/A 
             
             
               12 
               BLACK 
               GROUND 
             
             
                 
               WHITE/BLACK 
               GROUND 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 21 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               PEI-GENESIS SURE SEAL ® CONNECTIONS 
             
             
               CONNECTOR P/N 120-1874-000 
             
             
               FEMALE TERMINAL P/N 031-1067-001 
             
             
               MALE TERMINAL P/N 030-2196-001 
             
           
        
         
             
               PIN # 
               COLOR 
               FUNCTION 
             
             
                 
             
             
               1 
               BROWN 
               PUMP SOLENOID 
             
             
               2 
               ORANGE 
               FLOAT 
             
             
               3 
               RED 
               {POS +} 
             
             
               4 
               BLACK 
               GROUND 
             
             
               5 
               BLUE 
               LEFT 
             
             
               6 
               GREEN 
               RIGHT 
             
             
               7 
               WHITE/BLACK 
               SWITCH 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   In one embodiment, individual wires  83  bundled within the length of tubing  81  are color coded to correspond to color coded receptacles in the connectors  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 . The color coding of the individual wires  83  also corresponds to particular receptacles  31  of the universal connector  30 . 
   Having shown a variety of examples of first adapters  20  and second adapters  80  , it is apparent that the present invention can be used to connect any controller to any snowplow. For example, if it were desired to use a 4-way small joystick harness with a snowplow sold under the trademarks of MEYER® or DIAMOND® (manufactured by Meyer Products, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio), a first adapter  20  of  FIG. 5  would be used with a second adapter  80  of  FIG. 6 . 
   In operation, referring again to  FIGS. 1–5  , the first adapter  20  is constructed based on the type of controller desired, whereby the individual pins  32 ,  42 ,  58  and  66 ; terminals  52  and  54 ; and/or female couplers  56 ,  64  and  74  on the first end  22  are connected to corresponding receptacles in the desired controller  40 ,  50 ,  62  and  72 . The second end  24  is connected to the universal connector  28 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6–10  , the second adapter  80  is constructed based on the desired snowplow, whereby the individual wires  83  on the second end  84  are connected to a particular snowplow connector  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92  and  94 . The first end is connected to the universal connector  30  that corresponds to the universal connector  28  of the first adapter. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11 , when the universal connector  28  of the first adapter  28  is mated with the universal connector  30  of the second adapter  28  the desired snowplow is connected to the desired controller. It is contemplated that features disclosed in this application can be mixed and matched to suit particular circumstances. For example, the wires  23  and  81  of any of the adapters  20  and  80  shown can be fitted to a particular connector to allow connection to a controller or snowplow not shown. Various other modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the claims to determine the scope of the present invention.