Patent Publication Number: US-6709275-B1

Title: Towing connector

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to towing connectors. More particularly, the present invention relates to a towing connector for electrically coupling any towed vehicle&#39;s wiring with a towing vehicle&#39;s wiring. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Towing connectors are commonly used to connect wiring of towed vehicles with wiring of towing vehicles. Unfortunately, wiring inside these connectors may have different electrical arrangements depending upon, among other things characteristics of the towed vehicles and the towing vehicles. Two of the most common electrical arrangements, pass-thru and cross-over, are very similar, differing in that two wires are electrically crossed in a cross-over type electrical arrangement. 
     Approximately 50% of vehicles use a pass-thru type electrical arrangement and approximately 50% use a cross-over type electrical arrangement. Therefore, retailers are often required to stock even numbers of connectors having each electrical arrangement. Additionally, consumers are required to know which electrical arrangement they need. 
     If a consumer purchases a connector with an incorrect electrical arrangement, they must disassemble and re-wire the connector. Doing so, requires the use of tools and is often extremely confusing and difficult for consumers to accomplish. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an improved towing connector that overcomes the limitations of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the above-identified problems and provides a distinct advance in the art of towing connector for electrically coupling any towed vehicle&#39;s wiring with a towing vehicle&#39;s wiring. The connector broadly comprises a housing, a first receptacle mounted within a first portion of the housing for electrically coupling with the wiring of the towing vehicle, a second receptacle mounted within a second portion of the housing for electrically coupling with the wiring of the towed vehicle, and a plurality of wires electrically coupling the first receptacle with the second receptacle. 
     In order to make the wiring of the towed vehicle compatible with the wiring of the towing vehicle, the wires must be arranged in a specific electrical arrangement. The arrangement defines the manner in which signals are transmitted from the wiring of the towing vehicle to the wiring of the towed vehicle through the connector. Thus, the arrangement is dependant upon specific characteristics of the towed vehicle and the towing vehicle. Therefore, in order for the connector to be operable with different towed vehicles, the arrangement may need to be modified. 
     In a first instance, each of the wires preferably electrically couple each terminal of the first receptacle with a corresponding terminal of the second receptacle. For example, a first terminal of the first receptacle is preferably electrically coupled with a first terminal of the second receptacle. Additionally, a second terminal of the first receptacle is preferably electrically coupled with a second terminal of the second receptacle. Furthermore, a third terminal, a forth terminal, a fifth terminal, and a sixth terminal of the first receptacle are preferably individually electrically coupled with a third terminal, a forth terminal, a fifth terminal, and a sixth terminal of the second receptacle. In this manner, the connector operates as a pass-thru type connector. 
     In a second instance, the first terminal of the first receptacle is preferably electrically coupled with the second terminal of the second receptacle. Additionally, the second terminal of the first receptacle is preferably electrically coupled with the first terminal of the second receptacle. The remaining terminals of the first receptacle are preferably electrically coupled to the remaining terminals of the second receptacle as described for the first instance above. In this manner, the connector operates as a cross-over type connector, with the first and second terminals of the first receptacle electrically crossed with the first and second terminals of the second receptacle. 
     The connector of the present invention can operate as either the pass-thru type connector or the cross-over type connector described above using a mechanism that modifies the electrical arrangement of two or more of the wires. In a first embodiment of the connector, the mechanism preferably comprises a plug removably mounted within the housing and a mount fixedly mounted within the housing. A first terminal of the plug is preferably electrically coupled to the first terminal of the first receptacle through a first wire. A second terminal of the plug is preferably electrically coupled to the second terminal of the first receptacle through a second wire. A first terminal of the mount is preferably electrically coupled to the first terminal of the second receptacle through a third wire. A second terminal of the mount is preferably electrically coupled to the second terminal of the second receptacle through a fourth wire. The third terminal, the forth terminal, the fifth terminal, and the sixth terminal of the first receptacle are preferably individually electrically coupled with the third terminal, the forth terminal, the fifth terminal, and the sixth terminal of the second receptacle through a fifth wire, a sixth wire, a seventh wire, and an eighth wire, respectively. 
     The plug is preferably designed to be received within the housing in either one of two orientations, with the orientations being approximately 180 degrees apart. Additionally, the terminals of the plug are preferably designed to engage the terminals of the mount in either one of the two orientations. Thus, the plug may be removed, rotated 180 degrees and reinserted within the housing. This allows a user to change the electrical arrangement of the wires from the first instance to the second instance described above, by operating the mechanism. 
     When the plug is inserted into the housing in a first orientation, the first terminal of the first receptacle is electrically coupled to the first terminal of the second receptacle, through the first wire, the first terminal of the plug, the first terminal of the mount, and the third wire. Additionally, the second terminal of the first receptacle is electrically coupled to the second terminal of the second receptacle, through the second wire, the second terminal of the plug, the second terminal of the mount, and the fourth wire. In this case, the electrical arrangement corresponds to the first instance, with the connector operating as the pass-thru type connector. 
     When the plug is inserted into the housing in a second orientation, the first terminal of the first receptacle is electrically coupled to the second terminal of the second receptacle, through the first wire, the first terminal of the plug, the second terminal of the mount, and the fourth wire. Additionally, the second terminal of the first receptacle is electrically coupled to the first terminal of the second receptacle, through the second wire, the second terminal of the plug, the first terminal of the mount, and the third wire. In this case, the electrical arrangement corresponds to the second instance, with the connector operating as the cross-over type connector. 
     In use, the user physically joins the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle and physically mates the connector with a receiver electrically coupled with the wiring of the towed vehicle. In this manner, components of the towed vehicle can receive the signals from the wiring of the towing vehicle through the connector. If the components of the towed vehicle do not operate properly, the user may remove and rotate the plug approximately 180 degrees. The user then reinserts the plug into the housing. In this manner, the user can change the electrical arrangement between the first instance and the second instance described above. 
     A mechanism of a second embodiment of the connector comprises a double-pole double-throw (DPDT) switch disposed within the housing. A first center terminal of the switch is preferably electrically coupled with the first terminal of the first receptacle and a second center terminal of the switch is preferably electrically coupled with the second terminal of the first receptacle. A first pair of side terminals of the switch are preferably individually electrically coupled with the first terminal and the second terminal of the second receptacle. A second pair of side terminals of the switch are preferably individually electrically coupled with the first terminal and the second terminal of the second receptacle, in a manner opposite the first pair of side terminals of the switch. Thus, the first pair of side terminals and the second pair of side terminals are essentially electrically crossed. Therefore, by selecting either a first position or a second position of the switch, the user is able to select the first instance or the second instance of the electrical arrangement of the connector. 
     In use, the user physically joins the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle and physically mates the connector with the receiver electrically coupled with the wiring of the towing vehicle. In this manner, the components of the towed vehicle can receive the signals from the wiring of the towing vehicle through the connector. If the components of the towed vehicle do not operate properly, the user may actuate the switch between the first position and the second position. In this manner, the user can change the electrical arrangement between the first instance and the second instance described above. 
     It should be apparent that the user may effectively re-wire the connector, in a reversible fashion, without having to disassemble the housing and without the use of tools. By rewiring the connector, in this manner, the user is able to ensure that the wiring of the towing vehicle can easily be made compatible with the wiring of any towed vehicle. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a towing connector constructed in accordance with the present invention and shown electrically coupling a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the connector of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic of a portion of the connector of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a towing connector constructed in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic of a portion of the connector of FIG.  4 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the preferred connector  10  in accordance with the present invention is illustrated connected between a towed vehicle  12  and a towing vehicle  14 . The connector  10  is preferably electrically coupled with the towing vehicle&#39;s  14  wiring. The connector  10  may be plugged into a receiver  16  which is preferably electrically coupled with the towed vehicle&#39;s  12  wiring. Alternatively, the connector  10  may be solidly mounted to the towing vehicle  14  and receive a member electrically coupled with the towed vehicle&#39;s  12  wiring. In either case, the connector  10  electrically couples the wiring of the towing vehicle  14  to the wiring of the towed vehicle  12 . 
     For example, the wiring of the towed vehicle  12  may include electric brakes and/or other components that require electrical signals and/or auxiliary electrical power from the towing vehicle  14 . The electric brakes aid the towing vehicle  14  is slowing the towed vehicle  12  and may also illuminate stop lights to indicate when the towed vehicle  12  is slowing down and/or stopping. Therefore, the wiring of the towing vehicle  14  preferably includes the signals and/or auxiliary power and preferably electrically couples with the connector  10  through a cable  18 . Thus, as will be discussed further, the wiring of the towing vehicle  14  is preferably operable to electrically communicate the signals to the towed vehicle  12  through the cable  18 , the connector  10 , and the receiver  16 . 
     Referring also to FIG. 2, a preferred first embodiment of the connector  10  broadly comprises a housing  20 , a first receptacle  22  mounted within a first portion of the housing  20  for electrically coupling with the cable  18 , a second receptacle  24  mounted within a second portion of the housing  20  for electrically coupling with the receiver  16 , and a plurality of wires  26  electrically coupling the first receptacle  22  with the second receptacle  24 . The housing  20  is preferably constructed of plastic, but may be made of metal or any suitable material. The housing  20  preferably includes a first half-shell  28  and a second half-shell  30 , which mate to form the housing  20 . Each half-shell  28 , 30  preferably includes at least one mating tab  32  with a hole  34  through which a bolt may be inserted in order to securely hold the half-shells  28 , 30  together. The first portion of the housing  20  is preferably designed to securely hold the cable  18  without damaging the cable  18 , while the second portion of the housing  20  is preferably designed to physically mate and electrically couple with the receiver  16 . 
     The first receptacle  22  is preferably circular and mounts within the housing  20  between the cable  18  and the wires  26 . A plurality of terminals preferably penetrate the first receptacle  22  in order to electrically couple the cable  18  with the wires  26 . The terminals of the first receptacle  22  preferably individually electrically couple individual conductors of the cable  18  with each one of the wires  26 . Alternatively, the individual conductors of the cable  18  may penetrate the first receptacle  22  and actually form the wires  26 . 
     The second receptacle  24  is preferably circular and mounts within the housing  20  such that the wires  26  are located between the first receptacle  22  the second receptacle  24 . A plurality of terminals preferably penetrate the second receptacle  24  in order to electrically couple the wires  26  with the receiver  16 . The signals are received at the first receptacle  22  and transferred through the wires  26  to the second receptacle  24  where the signals are transferred to the wiring of the towed vehicle  12 . In this manner, the connector  10  is operable to physically mate with the receiver  16  and transmit the signals from the towing vehicle  14  to the towed vehicle  12  through the receiver  16 . 
     In order to make the wiring of the towed vehicle  12  compatible with the wiring of the towing vehicle  14 , the wires  26  must be arranged in a specific electrical arrangement. The arrangement defines the manner in which the signals are transmitted from the wiring of the towing vehicle  14  to the wiring of the towed vehicle  12  through the connector  10 . Thus, the arrangement is dependant upon specific characteristics of the towed vehicle  12  and the towing vehicle  14 . Therefore, in order for the connector  10  to be operable with different combinations of towed vehicles  12  and towing vehicles  14 , the arrangement may need to be modified. 
     In a first instance, referring also to FIG. 3, each of the wires  26  preferably electrically couple each terminal of the first receptacle  22  with a corresponding terminal of the second receptacle  24 . For example, a first terminal  42   a  of the first receptacle  22  is preferably electrically coupled with a first terminal  42   b  of the second receptacle  24 . Additionally, a second terminal  44   a  of the first receptacle  22  is preferably electrically coupled with a second terminal  44   b  of the second receptacle  24 . Additionally, a third terminal  46   a  of the first receptacle  22  is preferably electrically coupled with a third terminal  46   b  of the second receptacle  24 . Additionally, a fourth terminal  48   a  of the first receptacle  22  is preferably electrically coupled with a fourth terminal  48   b  of the second receptacle  24 . Additionally, a fifth terminal  50   a  of the first receptacle  22  is preferably electrically coupled with a fifth terminal  50   b  of the second receptacle  24 . Additionally, a sixth terminal  52   a  of the first receptacle  22  is preferably electrically coupled with a sixth terminal  52   b  of the second receptacle  24 . In this manner, the connector  10  operates as a pass-thru type connector. 
     In a second instance, the first terminal  42   a  of the first receptacle  22  is preferably electrically coupled with the second terminal  44   b  of the second receptacle  24 . Additionally, the second terminal  44   a  of the first receptacle  22  is preferably electrically coupled with the first terminal  42   b  of the second receptacle  24 . The remaining terminals of the first receptacle  22  are preferably electrically coupled to the remaining terminals of the second receptacle  24  as described for the first instance above. In this manner, the connector  10  operates as a cross-over type connector, with the first and second terminals  42   a , 44   a  of the first receptacle  22  electrically crossed with the first and second terminals  42   b , 44   b  of the second receptacle  24 . 
     The connector  10  of the present invention can operate as either the pass-thru type connector or the cross-over type connector described above using a mechanism  54  that modifies the electrical arrangement of two or more of the wires  26 . The mechanism  54  preferably comprises a plug  56  removably mounted within the housing  20  and a mount  58  fixedly mounted within the housing  20 . The plug  56  preferably includes at least two terminals. A first terminal  62   a  of the plug  56  is preferably electrically coupled to the first terminal  42   a  of the first receptacle  22  through a first wire. A second terminal  64   a  of the plug  56  is preferably electrically coupled to the second terminal  44   a  of the first receptacle  22  through a second wire. 
     The mount  58  similarly preferably includes at least two terminals. A first terminal  62   b  of the mount  58  is preferably electrically coupled to the first terminal  42   b  of the second receptacle  24  through a third wire. A second terminal  64   b  of the mount  58  is preferably electrically coupled to the second terminal  44   b  of the second receptacle  24  through a fourth wire. 
     A fifth wire preferably electrically couples the third terminal  46   a  of the first receptacle  22  to the third terminal  46   b  of the second receptacle  24 . A sixth wire preferably electrically couples the fourth terminal  48   a  of the first receptacle  22  to the fourth terminal  48   b  of the second receptacle  24 . A seventh wire preferably electrically couples the fifth terminal  50   a  of the first receptacle  22  to the fifth terminal  50   b  of the second receptacle  24 . An eighth wire preferably electrically couples the sixth terminal  52   a  of the first receptacle  22  to the sixth terminal  52   b  of the second receptacle  24 . 
     Additionally, the terminals  62   a , 64   a  of the plug  56  engage the terminals  62   b , 64   b  of the mount  58  when the plug  56  is received within the housing  20 . In this manner, the plug  56  and the mount  58  combine to electrically couple the first terminal  42   a  and the second terminal  44   a  of the first receptacle  22  to the first terminal  42   b  and the second terminal  44   b  of the second receptacle  24  through the wires  26 . 
     As discussed above, the plug  56  is removably mounted within the housing  20  and physically mates with the mount  58  such that the terminals  62   a , 64   a  of the plug  56  engage the terminals  62   b , 64   b  of the mount  58 . The plug  56  is preferably designed to be received within the housing  20  in either one of two orientations, with the orientations being approximately 180 degrees apart. Additionally, the terminals  62   a , 64   a  of the plug  56  are preferably designed to engage the terminals  62   b , 64   b  of the mount  58  in either one of the two orientations. Thus, the plug  56  may be removed, rotated 180 degrees and reinserted within the housing  20 . This allows a user to change the electrical arrangement of the wires  26  from the first instance to the second instance described above, by operating the mechanism  54 . 
     In the above example, when the plug  56  is inserted into the housing  20  in a first orientation, the first terminal  42   a  of the first receptacle  22  is electrically coupled to the first terminal  42   b  of the second receptacle  24 , through the first wire, the first terminal  62   a  of the plug  56 , the first terminal  62   b  of the mount  58 , and the third wire. Additionally, the second terminal  44   a  of the first receptacle  22  is electrically coupled to the second terminal  44   b  of the second receptacle  24 , through the second wire, the second terminal  64   a  of the plug  56 , the second terminal  64   b  of the mount  58 , and the fourth wire. In this case, the electrical arrangement corresponds to the first instance, with the connector  10  operating as the pass-thru type connector. 
     In the above example, when the plug  56  is inserted into the housing in a second orientation, the first terminal  42   a  of the first receptacle  22  is electrically coupled to the second terminal  44   b  of the second receptacle  24 , through the first wire, the first terminal  62   a  of the plug  56 , the second terminal  64   b  of the mount  58 , and the fourth wire. Additionally, the second terminal  44   a  of the first receptacle  22  is electrically coupled to the first terminal  42   b  of the second receptacle  24 , through the second wire, the second terminal  64   a  of the plug  56 , the first terminal  62   b  of the mount  58 , and the third wire. In this case, the electrical arrangement corresponds to the second instance, with the connector  10  operating as the cross-over type connector. 
     The mechanism  54  may be modified from that described above. For example, the first terminal  42   a  and the second terminal  44   a  of the first receptacle  22  may be electrically coupled to the mount  58 , with the first terminal  42   b  and the second terminal  44   b  of the second receptacle  24  electrically coupled to the plug  56 . It should be apparent that such a modification would not significantly alter the operation of the mechanism  54 . 
     In use, the user physically joins the towed vehicle  12  to the towing vehicle  14  and physically mates the connector  10  with the receiver  16 . In this manner, the components of the towed vehicle  12  can receive the signals from the wiring of the towing vehicle  14  through the connector  10 . If the components of the towed vehicle  12  do not operate properly, the user may remove and rotate the plug  56  approximately 180 degrees. The user then reinserts the plug  56  into the housing  20 . In this manner, the user can change the electrical arrangement between the first instance and the second instance described above. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a preferred second embodiment of the connector  110  is similar to the preferred first embodiment of the connector  10 . The most significant difference between the connectors  10 , 110  is that a mechanism  154  of the second embodiment of the connector  110  comprises a double-pole double-throw (DPDT) switch  188  disposed within a housing  120 . A first center terminal  190  of the switch  188  is preferably electrically coupled with a first terminal  142   a  of a first receptacle  122  and a second center terminal  192  of the switch  188  is preferably electrically coupled with a second terminal  144   a  of the first receptacle  122 . A first pair of side terminals  194  of the switch  188  are preferably individually electrically coupled with a first terminal  142   b  and a second terminal  144   b  of a second receptacle  124 . A second pair of side terminals  196  of the switch  188  are preferably individually electrically coupled with the first terminal  142   b  and the second terminal  144   b  of the second receptacle  124 , in a manner opposite the first pair of side terminals  194  of the switch  188 . Thus, the first pair of side terminals  194  and the second pair of side terminals  196  are essentially electrically crossed. Therefore, by selecting either a first position or a second position of the switch  188 , the user is able to select the first instance or the second instance of the electrical arrangement of the connector  110 . 
     The mechanism  154  may be modified from that described above. For example, the first terminal  142   a  and the second terminal  144   a  of the first receptacle  122  may be electrically coupled to the side terminals  194 , 196  of the switch  188 , with the first terminal  142   b  and the second terminal  144   b  of the second receptacle  124  electrically coupled to the center terminals  190 , 192  of the switch  188 . It should be apparent that such a modification would not significantly alter the operation of the mechanism  154 . 
     In use, the user physically joins the towed vehicle  12  to the towing vehicle  14  and physically mates the connector  110  to the receiver  16 . In this manner, the components of the towed vehicle  12  can receive the signals from the wiring of the towing vehicle  14  through the connector  110 . If the components of the towed vehicle  12  do not operate properly, the user may actuate the switch  188  between the first position and the second position. In this manner, the user can change the electrical arrangement between the first instance and the second instance described above. 
     It should be apparent that the user may effectively re-wire the connector  10 , 110 , in a reversible fashion, without having to disassemble the housing  20 , 120  and without the use of tools. By rewiring the connector  10 , 110 , in this manner, the user is able to ensure that the wiring of the towed vehicle  12  can easily be made compatible with the wiring of any towing vehicle  14 . 
     While the present invention has been described above, it is understood that other materials and/or dimensions can be substituted. Additionally, there may be any number of wires  26 . Furthermore, the mechanism  54 , 154  may change the electrical arrangement of any number of the wires  26 . Finally, the mechanism  54 , 154  may change the electrical arrangement of any of the wires  26 . 
     Additionally, the connector  10 , 110  may be designed to be independent of and separate from the cable  18 . In this case, the cable  18  may be terminated into an outlet of the towing vehicle  14  and the connector  10 , 110  may be designed to be positioned between the outlet and the receiver  16 . It should be apparent that the connector  10 , 110  is still able to ensure that the wiring of any towed vehicle  12  can easily be made compatible with the wiring of the towing vehicle  14 . 
     Furthermore, the connector  10 , 110  may be electrically coupled with the wiring of the towed vehicle  12  and mate with the outlet of the towing vehicle  14 . It should be apparent that the connector  10 , 110  is still able to ensure that the wiring of any towed vehicle  12  can easily be made compatible with the wiring of the towing vehicle  14 . 
     Finally, the connector  10  may be used to communicate any electrical signal and/or supply electrical power between the towed vehicle  12  and the towing vehicle  14 , such as signals for lights. The connector  10  may also be used to communicate signals and/or supply electrical power from the towed vehicle  12  to the towing vehicle  14 . These and other minor modifications are within the scope of the present invention.