Patent Publication Number: US-2013229185-A1

Title: Trailer light tester

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD &amp; BACKGROUND 
     Conventional methods of analysis involve heavy equipment requiring access to a commercial truck battery and a dolly for transporting the commercial truck battery. Currently there are limited alternatives to proficient and lightweight products capable of relatively easily transporting and testing a commercial truck battery. 
     The present invention generally relates to a testing device. More specifically, the invention is a trailer light tester. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a trailer light tester that provides an individual with a time-efficient way of examining a commercial truck battery such as a recreational vehicle or RV. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a trailer light tester that is relatively more portable, lighter in weight and easier to utilize than other traditional commercial truck battery testing devices and methods. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a trailer light tester that can be utilized to test a commercial truck battery in a wet environment. 
     What is really needed is a trailer light tester that provides an individual with a time-efficient way of examining a commercial truck battery such as a recreational vehicle or RV that is relatively more portable, lighter in weight and easier to utilize than other traditional commercial truck battery testing devices and methods that can be utilized to test a commercial truck battery in a wet environment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a front view of a 7-way plug that is utilized in combination with a trailer light tester, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a side view of a trailer light tester, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments. 
     Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation. 
     The phrase “in one embodiment” is utilized repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a front view of a 7-way plug  110  of a trailer light tester  100 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. The 7-way plug  110  is inserted into and connected to any suitable trailer to check if various trailer lights of the trailer are working. The 7-way plug  110  can be any other suitable plug that can be utilized with the trailer light tester  100 . 
     The 7-way plug  110  includes a generally cylindrical body  120  and a plurality of outlet apertures  130 . The generally cylindrical body  120  has a top portion  122  and is made of plastic although the generally cylindrical body  120  can be made of other suitable materials and have other suitable shapes as well. The outlet apertures  130  are disposed on the top portion  122  of the generally cylindrical body  120  and are inserted into the trailer to test if various trailer lights of a trailer are working. Additional details regarding the various trailer lights of a trailer that are tested by the trailer light tester  100  are illustrated and described in  FIG. 1B  and its description. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a side view of a trailer light tester  100 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The trailer light tester  100  includes a similar previously described 7-way plug  110  that was illustrated in  FIG. 1A  and its description, an elongated casing  120 , a turning and stop light switch  130 , a taillight and marker light switch  140 , a battery  150  and a plurality of circuit breakers  160 . The elongated casing  120  has an exterior surface  122  and an interior  124  and houses a plurality of components of the trailer light tester  100 . The elongated casing  120  is approximately  11  inches long and weighs approximately 32 ounces and is made of plastic although the casing  120  can be other suitable lengths, weights and be made of other suitable materials as well. The turning and stop light switch  130  is disposed on the exterior surface  122  of the elongated casing  120  and activates and terminates a trailer&#39;s one or more turning lights and one or more stop lights to be tested. The turning and stop light switch  130  is a micro-switch mechanism  132  but can be any suitable switch mechanism. The taillight and marker light switch  140  is disposed on the exterior surface  122  of the elongated casing  120  and activates and terminates a trailer&#39;s one or more tail lights and marker lights to be tested. The turning and stop light switch  140  is a micro-switch mechanism  142  but can be any suitable switch mechanism. The battery  150  is typically a 14.4 V battery  152  that is also rechargeable and can accommodate and charge a 12V or a 14V light. The circuit breakers  160  are housed in the interior  124  of the elongated casing  120  and protect the trailer light tester  100  against a short or damage from an excessive amount of current. The circuit breakers  160  can also be utilized in combination with a wireless device  162  that can operate the circuit breakers  160 . The wireless device  162  can be any suitable wireless device such as a Wi-Fi controlling device  164 , a Bluetooth controlling device  166  or other suitable controlling device. 
     The trailer light tester is comprised of plastic and incorporates a 7-way plug, a switch for activating and terminating turning and stops lights and a switch for activating and terminating taillights and marker lights and is approximately 11 inches long and weighs approximately 32 ounces. The trailer light tester has a relatively compact design that affords users the convenience of a rechargeable 14.4 volt battery and features a plurality of circuit breakers that can be operated to prevent shortages. The trailer light tester connects to a trailer and is activated by a pair of relatively simple micro switch mechanisms. The trailer light tester may be readily available at retail hardware stores in various colors and styles. The trailer light tester is also water-tight, allowing use in a wide variety of conditions and environments, including rain and wet conditions and environments. The trailer light tester features a relatively compact design with an ability to fit into a standard tool box, allowing for maximum transportability and convenience. 
     While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.