Patent Publication Number: US-10308170-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for controlling auxiliary lighting using a vehicle electric plug

Description:
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/997,341 filed Jan. 15, 2016, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/871,858 filed Sep. 30, 2015, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/809,390 filed Jul. 27, 2015, which is a Division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/680,367 filed Apr. 7, 2015, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/622,211 filed Feb. 13, 2015 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/104,570 filed Jan. 16, 2015. This Application is also a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/356,618 filed Nov. 20, 2016, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/622,211 filed Feb. 13, 2013, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/104,570 filed Jan. 16, 2015. The contents of all these priority patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention concerns methods and apparatuses related to the operation of auxiliary lighting using a vehicle&#39;s electric plug. 
     BACKGROUND 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a known vehicle  10  in schematic representation showing numerous components including a battery  12  and exterior vehicle lights. The exterior vehicle lights include headlights  14  which illuminate a ground surface in front of the vehicle  10  upon which the vehicle  10  travels as is well known to those of skill in the art. The headlights  14  may include low and high beams. The exterior vehicle lights may also include one or more supplemental lights  16  which may be positioned at the front and the rear of the vehicle  10  and sometimes the sides of the vehicle as well. Numerous supplemental lights  16  are well known and include turn signal lights  15 , park lights, running lights, and brake lights, though brake lights  18  typically are only provided at the rear of the vehicle  10 , as shown. As is also known, sometimes the same light source, such as a light bulb or light emitting diode (LED), may serve more than one supplemental light purpose; such as a brake light and a turn signal light. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , an operator adjustable vehicle light control  20 , typically positioned within the vehicle interior, can be adjusted by a user in order to control the exterior vehicle lights; such as to turn the exterior vehicle lights into ON and OFF conditions and/or adjust the intensity of illumination. Vehicle light wiring  22  is used to electrically connect the operator adjustable vehicle light control  22  to the vehicle headlights  14 , and the supplemental lights  16  including turn signal lights  15 . The vehicle  10  may include at least one brake  24 , four shown at the four wheels, which are operable to slow down the vehicle&#39;s speed in a known manner. A braking device  26 , such as a brake pedal, may be operated by the user to activate the brakes  24 . In order to illuminate the brake lights  18 , the braking device  26  may be electrically connected to the vehicle light wiring  22 , as shown. As the basic operation of external vehicle lights is well known to those of skill in the art, further details will not be provided here. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the vehicle  10  of  FIG. 1  but with an auxiliary implement  30 , in the form of a snowplow, mounted onto the front of the vehicle  10 . An operator adjustable auxiliary implement control  34  may be operated by the user to operate one or more functions of the auxiliary implement  30 ; such as to raise and lower a snowplow blade  36  by way of a hydraulic unit  38 . The vehicle&#39;s headlights  14  and front positioned supplemental lights  16  which may include turn signal lights  15 , however, are commonly obscured by the auxiliary implement  30 . Therefore, an auxiliary lighting system  32 , including auxiliary headlights  40  and auxiliary supplemental lights  42  including auxiliary turn signal lights  46 , are used in place of, or in addition to, the vehicle headlights  14  and supplemental lights  16 . While known auxiliary lighting systems generally work well for their intended purposes, they are known to have problems. 
     One problem with known auxiliary lighting systems, with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , is that numerous electrical connections must be made between the auxiliary wiring  44  and the vehicle light wiring  22  so that the auxiliary headlights  40  and auxiliary supplemental lights  42  can be coordinated, powered, and controlled by the vehicle&#39;s existing electrical system including the operator adjustable vehicle light control  20 . Current installation techniques involve disconnecting the vehicle&#39;s original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) light wiring  22 , often in the form of a harness, and splicing or otherwise connecting the new auxiliary wiring  44 , also often in the form of a harness, to the OEM wiring  22  in order to provide auxiliary lighting. This part of the process is labor intensive and objectionable as it requires altering the vehicle&#39;s existing electrical system. For example, the time necessary to initially install and mount a snowplow that utilizes an auxiliary lighting system to a vehicle is approximately four hours. The process of installing the auxiliary wiring  44  consumes approximately two and one half hours of that time. Furthermore, given the complexity of the electrical interconnections required, an electrical technician should be used to assure that proper connections have been made. 
     Therefore, a simpler installation process would reduce the amount of time and effort necessary to install an auxiliary implement utilizing an auxiliary lighting system and would eliminate the need for major alterations to the vehicle&#39;s OEM electrical systems. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , many vehicles that are suited to operate an auxiliary implement, such as a snowplow or spreader, are trucks or other vehicles that include a trailer hitch  52  that includes a hitch receiver  54  and a trailer plug  50  that may be protected with a lid or cover  56 . It is believed that approximately 95% of trucks currently manufactured feature trailer hitches. More recently, manufacturers offer trucks with towing packages, including a hitch receiver and a trailer plug, installed as standard equipment. Trucks that do not include these features as standard equipment from the manufacturer have the towing package available as an option from the factory. Vehicles other than trucks, such as cars and all-terrain vehicles (also known as “ATVs”) may also offer such hitch receivers and/or trailer plugs and may also be candidates according to some aspects of the present teaching. A hitch receiver  54 , as is well known to those of skill in the art, is a tube adapted to receive a portion of a trailer or other device so that the trailer or other device can be physically attached to the vehicle. 
       FIG. 4  shows a vehicle  10 A that is similar to vehicle  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  except for the addition of trailer plug  50 . A trailer plug, as is well known to those of skill in the art, is a type of electric plug. Each trailer plug  50  includes wiring that indicates the condition of the vehicle supplemental lights  16 . Trailer plugs come in multiple varieties and are designed to power and control trailer features such as brake lights, turn signals, running lights, and the like. The two most common trailer plugs are the 7-way plug and the 4-way plug, which will be discussed further below. Many trucks now come with the 7-way plug installed from the factory, as discussed above. Other common plugs include a 6-way, a 5-way, and a 4-way plug. There are also a wide variety of European type trailer plugs with different wiring configurations than those just described. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to some aspects of the present teaching, an auxiliary apparatus may be used with an associated vehicle having a front, a back, and a trailer plug that indicates the condition of a first exterior light. The auxiliary apparatus may comprise: an auxiliary lighting system that: is mountable to the associated vehicle; and, comprises a first auxiliary light that, when properly mounted with respect to the associated vehicle, is front facing; a controller comprising a microprocessor; and, auxiliary wiring that: (1) is electrically hardwire connectable to the trailer plug; (2) is electrically hardwire connectable to at least one of the auxiliary lighting system and the controller; and, (3) transmits an electric signal from the trailer plug. The controller may be electrically connectable to at least one of the auxiliary wiring and the auxiliary lighting system; and, (2) the microprocessor may be programmed to operate the a first auxiliary light based directly or indirectly on the electric signal from the trailer plug. 
     According to some aspects of the present teaching, an auxiliary apparatus may be used with an associated vehicle having a front, a back, and an electric plug that indicates the condition of at least one turn signal light. The auxiliary apparatus may comprise: an auxiliary lighting system that: is mountable to the associated vehicle; and, comprises at least one auxiliary turn signal light that, when properly mounted with respect to the associated vehicle, is front facing; a controller comprising a microprocessor; and, auxiliary wiring that: (1) is electrically hardwire connectable to the electric plug; (2) is electrically hardwire connectable to at least one of the auxiliary lighting system and the controller; and, (3) transmits an electric signal from the electric plug. The controller may be electrically connectable to at least one of the auxiliary wiring and the auxiliary lighting system. The microprocessor may be programmed to operate the at least one auxiliary turn signal light based directly or indirectly on the electric signal from the electric plug. 
     According to some aspects of the present teaching, an auxiliary apparatus may be used with an associated vehicle having a front, a back, and an electrical connection that indicates the condition of a vehicle turn signal and a vehicle brake. The auxiliary apparatus may comprise: an auxiliary lighting system that: is mountable to the associated vehicle; and, comprises a an auxiliary turn signal light that, when properly mounted with respect to the associated vehicle, is front facing; a controller comprising a microprocessor; and, auxiliary wiring that: (1) is electrically hardwire connectable to the electrical connection; (2) is electrically hardwire connectable to at least one of the auxiliary lighting system and the controller; and, (3) transmits an electric signal from the electrical connection. The controller may be electrically connectable to at least one of the auxiliary wiring and the auxiliary lighting system. The microprocessor may be programmed to operate the auxiliary turn signal light based directly or indirectly on the electric signal from the electrical connection. 
     Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a known vehicle in schematic representation. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a known vehicle in schematic representation showing the complexity of known wiring systems required to install a snowplow. 
         FIG. 3  is a back perspective view of a known vehicle showing the trailer hitch including a trailer plug. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a known vehicle in schematic representation. 
         FIG. 5  a side view of a vehicle with a snowplow implement and a vehicle electric plug. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a vehicle in schematic representation according to some aspects of the present teaching. 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of a snowplow implement. 
         FIG. 8  is a back perspective view of a vehicle with a salt spreader attached thereto. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of a vehicle in schematic representation according to some aspects of the present teaching. 
         FIG. 10A  is a close-up, end view of a 7-way plug. 
         FIG. 10B  is a close-up, end view of a 6-way plug. 
         FIG. 10C  is a close-up, end view of a 5-way plug. 
         FIG. 10D  is a close-up, perspective view of a 4-way plug. 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of an electrical connector plug according to some aspects of the present teaching. 
         FIG. 11B  is a perspective view of an electrical connector plug according to some aspects of the present teaching. 
         FIG. 12  is perspective view of an adapter according to some aspects of the present teaching. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic representation of a wiring harness according to some aspects of the present teaching. 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic representation of a wiring harness according to some aspects of the present teaching. 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic representation of a wiring harness according to some aspects of the present teaching. 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of a control housing according to some aspects of the present teaching. 
         FIG. 17  is a top perspective view of a portion of the controller shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a view of the control housing shown in  FIG. 16  but also showing an electrical connector. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a plow frame with a controller. 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a vehicle chassis with the vehicle body removed. 
         FIG. 21  is a detailed view of a portion of a vehicle chassis. 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a portion of a conduit that may be used to support auxiliary wiring according to some aspects of the present teaching. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the rear of a vehicle, showing a transponder connected to a vehicle electric plug. 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a transponder. 
         FIG. 25  is a schematic representation of a transponder. 
         FIG. 26  is a schematic representation of a controller. 
         FIG. 27  is a schematic representation of a relay pack according to some aspects of the present teaching. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5-7 , vehicle  10 A (or any other vehicle equipped with the appropriate electric plug and chosen by a person of skill in the art) may be equipped with an auxiliary implement  100  and an auxiliary lighting system  102 , according to some aspects of the present teaching. The auxiliary implement  100  may be removably mountable to the vehicle  10 A and may include an operator adjustable auxiliary implement control  104  that is operable to operate at least one function of the auxiliary implement  100 . The particular auxiliary implement, and thus the particular function that is operated, can be any chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. According to some aspects of the present teaching, the auxiliary implement may be a snow and/or ice removal implement; such as a snowplow assembly or a spreader assembly. In  FIGS. 5-7 , the auxiliary implement  100  is a snowplow assembly including a snowplow blade  106  which may be position adjusted using a hydraulic unit  108 . The snowplow assembly may further comprise a plow frame  118 , a lift frame  120 , a lift cylinder  122  and all other parts associated with the snowplow assembly as is well known to those of skill in the art. The operator adjustable auxiliary implement control  104  may be operated, for example, to raise and/or lower and/or laterally position the snowplow blade  106  using the hydraulic unit  108 . 
       FIG. 8  shows another snow and/or ice removal implement in the form of a salt spreader  130  that may be mountable to a vehicle and used according to some aspects of the present teaching. The spreader  130  may include an auxiliary lighting system  102  that is operated using an electric signal from a vehicle electric plug  60  as will be discussed further below. Non-limiting examples of other snow and/or ice removal auxiliary implements that may be used with this invention include power brooms, sweepers, and the like. As the operation of auxiliary implements are known to those of skill in the art, further details will not be provided here. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5-7 , the auxiliary lighting system  102  may be designed for use with the auxiliary implement  100  and may include at least one auxiliary headlight  110  designed to illuminate the ground surface upon which the vehicle travels in place of the vehicle headlight  14  and at least one auxiliary supplemental light  112 , such as a turn signal light  114 , a park light, or any other supplemental light chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. An operator adjustable auxiliary light control  116  may be operable to operate the auxiliary headlight  110  as will be discussed further below. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 3-6 and 8-9 , a trailer plug, as is well known to those of skill in the art, is an electrical connector plug that indicates the condition of one or more of the vehicle supplemental lights  16  and that is positioned on the rear end of the vehicle  10 A. An electrical connector is any type of electrical apparatus that enables one or more electrical wires, cables, harnesses, or devices to be electrically connected. An electric plug is an electrical connector that comprises one or more male extensions and/or female sockets that engage with corresponding female sockets and/or male extensions in one or more corresponding electric plugs to complete an electric connection. While this invention is designed to work with a vehicle&#39;s trailer plug, it should be noted that this invention will work with any electrical connector, an electric plug or otherwise, that indicates the condition of one or more of the vehicle supplemental lights.  FIG. 9  is a schematic representation of a vehicle  10 B which may be similar to vehicle  10 A described above. Reference  60  again indicates a vehicle electric plug that indicates the condition of one or more of the vehicle supplemental lights and the corresponding letter indicates the various possible locations for the vehicle electric plug  60 . Thus, the vehicle electric plug  60  may be positioned at the rear of the vehicle, as is typically known and thus referred to as a “trailer plug,” as is shown with reference  60 A. Alternatively, or in addition, a vehicle electric plug may be positioned at the front of the vehicle as shown with reference  60 B. According to some aspects of the present teaching, a vehicle electric plug may be positioned at the side of the vehicle as shown with reference  60 C and/or near a power source  13  as shown with reference  60 D. The power source  13  may be any power source chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art to provide appropriate power used as will be discussed further below. Non-limiting examples of power sources  13  that may be used according to some aspects of the present teaching include a vehicle battery, a fuel cell, an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, a pneumatic motor and an internal combustion engine. It should be understood that the location of the electrical connector, such as an electric plug, when used with this invention can be any location chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 10A-10D , as noted above, there are several types of known trailer plugs  50 .  FIG. 10A  illustrates a 7-way trailer plug;  FIG. 10B  illustrates a 6-way trailer plug;  FIG. 10C  illustrates a 5-way trailer plug; and,  FIG. 10D  illustrates a 4-way trailer plug. Each trailer plug  50  may be factory installed on the vehicle or installed by an aftermarket or third party installer, without limitation. The trailer plug  50  may include a lid or cover  56 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 8 , but a cover is not required.  FIG. 10A  illustrates a standard 7-way plug  300  that includes seven electrical connections with each of these connections designed to provide power and/or control over some portion(s) of a trailer (not shown). One known set of connections are: (1) for a left turn signal  302  (also used for braking); (2) for a right turn signal  304  (also used for braking); (3) for tail lights  306  (also for marker lights); (4) a ground wire  308 ; (5) for trailer power brakes  310 ; (6) an auxiliary power connection  312 ; and, (7) for reverse lights  314 .  FIG. 10B  illustrates a 6-way plug  316  with these six connections: (1) for a left turn signal  302  (also used for braking); (2) for a right turn signal  304  (also used for braking); (3) for tail lights  306  (also for marker lights); (4) a ground wire  308 ; (5) for trailer power brakes  310 ; and, (6) an auxiliary power connection  312 .  FIG. 3C  illustrates a 5-way plug  318  with these five connections: (1) for a left turn signal  302  (also used for braking); (2) for a right turn signal  304  (also used for braking); (3) for tail lights  306  (also for marker lights); (4) a ground wire  308 ; and, (5) for trailer power brakes  310 .  FIG. 3D  illustrates a 4-way plug  320  with these four connections: (1) for a left turn signal  302  (also used for braking); (2) for a right turn signal  304  (also used for braking); (3) for tail lights  306  (also for marker lights); and, (4) a ground wire  308 . It should be understood that the trailer plugs  50  just described are exemplary only as many variations are possible. While trailer plugs ordinarily come with hitch receivers, it should be understood that a hitch receiver is not required. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5-7, 9, and 11-13 , according to some aspects of the present teaching, auxiliary wiring  140  may be used for one or more purposes. The auxiliary wiring  140  may be designed according to some aspects of the present teaching to: (1) electrically connect the power source  13  to: the auxiliary implement  100 ; and/or the auxiliary lighting system  102 ; (2) transfer power from the power source  13  to: the auxiliary implement  100 ; and/or the auxiliary lighting system  102 ; (3) electrically connect the vehicle electric plug  50 ,  60  to the auxiliary lighting system  102 ; and, (4) transmit an electric signal from the vehicle electric plug  50 ,  60  to the auxiliary lighting system  102 . When the auxiliary wiring  140  is properly connected according to some aspects of the present teaching: (1) the operator adjustable auxiliary implement control  104  may be operable to operate at least one function of the auxiliary implement  100 ; (2) the operator adjustable auxiliary light control  116  may be operable to operate the auxiliary headlights  110 ; and, (3) the operator adjustable vehicle light control  20  may be operable to operate the auxiliary supplemental lights  112 . 
     To connect the auxiliary wiring  140  to the vehicle electric plug  60 , the auxiliary wiring  140  may have an electrical connector plug that is suitable to electrically connect to (plug into) the particular vehicle electric plug  60 .  FIG. 11A  shows an electrical connector plug  142  that is suitable to plug into the 7-way vehicle electric plug  300  shown in  FIG. 10A . The same reference numbers are used in  FIG. 11A  as in  FIG. 10A  to indicate the correlating interconnections. Thus, for example, the electrical connector plug  142  connections are: (1)  302  to match or connect to connection  302  of the vehicle plug  300 ; (2)  304  to match or connect to connection  304  of the vehicle plug  300 ; (3)  306  to match or connect to connection  306  of the vehicle plug  300 ; (4)  308  to match or connect to connection  308  of the vehicle plug  300 ; (5)  310  to match or connect to connection  310  of the vehicle plug  300 ; (6)  312  to match or connect to connection  312  of the vehicle plug  300 ; and, (7)  314  to match or connect to connection  314  of the vehicle plug  300 . Similarly, according to some aspects of the present teaching, the electrical connector plug can be formed to electrically connect to (plug into): vehicle plug  316  in  FIG. 10B ; electrical connector plug  318  in  FIG. 10C ; and, electrical connector plug  320  in  FIG. 10D .  FIG. 11B , for example, shows an electrical connector plug  144  that is formed to electrically connect to (plug into) vehicle plug  320  shown in  FIG. 10D . The electrical connector plug can be formed to electrically connect to (plug into) any vehicle plug chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. 
     With reference to  FIG. 12 , an adapter  150  can be used between the vehicle electric plug  60  and the auxiliary wiring electrical connector plug. The adapter  150  can split the connections from the vehicle electric plug  60  into a first outlet  152  and a second outlet  154 . The first and second outlets  152 ,  154  can be configured to allow connections for any of the various plug types. By way of a non-limiting example, the first outlet  152  can be a 7-way plug and the second outlet  154  can be a 5-way plug, as shown. The combinations can be chosen by a person of ordinary skill in the art and can be tailored for specific needs given the desired usage. The adapter  150  can allow a person to connect the present invention while leaving an additional connection available for use with a trailer or second implement. According to some aspects of the present teaching, the adapter  150  can have more than two outlets. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 6, 11A, 11B and 13-15 , the auxiliary wiring  140  may include one or more wiring harnesses. According to some aspects of the present teaching, the auxiliary wiring  140  includes three wiring harnesses as will now be described. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5-7 and 13 , the auxiliary wiring  140  may include a first wiring harness  416 . Wiring harness  416  may include: a first electrical connector  418  that may be a power connector; a second electrical connector  420  that may be electrically connectable to at least one auxiliary headlight  110 ; a third electrical connector  422  that may be electrically connectable to at least one auxiliary supplemental light  112 ; a fourth electrical connector  424  that is electrically connectable to the auxiliary implement  100 ; and, a fifth electrical connector  426 . It should be noted, however, that additional electrical connectors may also be part of the first wiring harness  416 . Thus, for example, the first wiring harness  416  may also include a sixth electrical connector  428  that may be electrically connectable to at least one auxiliary headlight  110  and a seventh electrical connector  430  that may be electrically connectable to at least one auxiliary supplemental light  112 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, the first wiring harness  416  includes an electrical connector for each of the auxiliary head lights and each of the auxiliary supplemental lights that must be illuminated. The first wiring harness  416  may also include additional electrical connectors  432  used to connect to various components of the auxiliary implement  100 . Any number of electrical connectors chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art, may be included with the first wiring harness  416 . If desired, a connector cap may be secured to the wiring harness  416  near any electrical connector that can use such a cap to protect the electrical connector when not in use. Electrical connector  418 , for example, has a connector cap  434 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5-7 and 14 , the auxiliary wiring  140  may include a second wiring harness  440 . Wiring harness  440  may include: a first end that is electrically connectable to the power source  13  (a pair of battery loops  442 , one to receive the negative battery terminal and the other to receive the positive battery terminal, may be used for this purpose according to some aspects of the present teaching); and, a second end with a power connector  440 . The power connector  440  may be electrically connectable to the power connector  418  of the first wiring harness  416  and may be designed to transmit power from the power source  13  to the power connector  418  of the first wiring harness to power the auxiliary implement  100 . The power connector  440  may include an electrical connector cap  446 , as shown. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5-7, 11A, 11B and 15 , the auxiliary wiring  140  may include a third wiring harness  450 . Wiring harness  445  may include: a first electrical connector  452  that is electrically connectable to the vehicle electric plug  60  (such as previously described electrical connector plugs  140 ,  142  shown in  FIGS. 11 a    and  11 B, respectively); a second electrical connector  454  that is electrically connectable to the fifth electrical connector  426  of the first wiring harness  416 ; and, a third electrical connector  456  that is designed to be connected to the operator adjustable auxiliary light control  116  and the operator adjustable auxiliary implement control  104 . The third wiring harness  450  may be designed to transmit an electric signal from the vehicle electric plug  60  to the first wiring harness  416 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5-9, 13-15 and 18 , one or more of the electrical connectors described may, according to some aspects of the present teaching, be electric plugs. According to some aspects of the present teaching, shown, the following electric connectors are electric plugs: the power connector  418  of the first wiring harness  416 ; the second electrical connector  420  of the first wiring harness  416 ; the fifth electrical connector  426  of the first wiring harness  416 ; the sixth electrical connector  428  of the first wiring harness  416 ; the power connector  444  of the second wiring harness  440 ; the first electrical connector  452  of the third wiring harness  450 ; the second electrical connector  454  of the third wiring harness  450 ; and, the third electrical connector  456  of the third wiring harness  450 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5-7 and 16 , according to some aspects of the present teaching, not shown, the operator adjustable auxiliary implement control  104  and the operator adjustable auxiliary light control  116  user operable device  406  are supported within individual controller housings. According to some aspects of the present teaching, shown in  FIGS. 6 and 16 , the operator adjustable auxiliary implement control  104  and the operator adjustable auxiliary light control  116  are both supported to a common (the same) hand held controller housing  160 . The controller housing(s) may be positioned in any location chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. According to some aspects of the present teaching, the controller housing(s) may be maintained within the vehicle so that the vehicle&#39;s driver can also operate the controls. The controller housing  160  may have a power ON/OFF switch  162  that is operable to place both the auxiliary headlight(s)  110  and the auxiliary supplemental light(s)  112  into unilluminated conditions when in the power OFF condition. The power ON/OFF switch  162  may also, or alternatively, be operable to turn OFF the operator adjustable auxiliary implement control  104  when in the OFF condition. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5-7 and 16 , as noted earlier the operator adjustable auxiliary implement control  104  may be operable to operate at least one function of the auxiliary implement  100  chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. According to some aspects of the present teaching, the auxiliary implement  100  is a snowplow assembly, such as that shown in  FIG. 7 , and the operator adjustable auxiliary implement control  104  may have the capability to operate four functions related to the snowplow blade  106 : a control button  164  that can be used to cause the snowplow blade  106  to angle toward the right; a control button  166  that can be used to cause the snowplow blade  106  to angle toward the left; a control button  168  that can be used to cause the snowplow blade  106  to be raised (such as to raise above the ground surface being plowed); and, a control button  170  that can be used to cause the snowplow blade  106  to be lowered (such as to lower onto the ground surface being plowed). As these operations are well known to those of skill in the art, further details will not be provided here. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5-7 and 16-17 , the operator adjustable auxiliary light control  116  may be operable to operate the auxiliary headlights  110  in any manner chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. According to some aspects of the present teaching, the operator adjustable auxiliary light control  116  may comprise a control button  172  that is adjustable by the operator into three conditions: auxiliary headlights  110  powered OFF by pressing on portion  174  of the button  172 ; auxiliary headlights  110  in low beam condition by pressing on portion  176  of the button  172 ; and, auxiliary headlights  110  in high beam condition by pressing on portion  178  of the button  172 . As these operations are well known to those of skill in the art, further details will not be provided here. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 6, 15-16 and 18 , as noted earlier the auxiliary wiring  140  may connect to the operator adjustable auxiliary implement control  104  and to the operator adjustable auxiliary light control  116 . This connection can be of any form chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. According to some aspects of the present teaching, the third wiring harness  450  has a third electrical connector  456  that is designed to be connected to the operator adjustable auxiliary implement control  104  and to the operator adjustable auxiliary light control  116 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, the third electrical connector  456  connects directly to the controller housing  160 . In other aspects of the present teaching, the third electrical connector  456  electrically connects to a controller electrical connector  180  which is hardwired  182  to the controller housing  160 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5-7 and 19 , as noted earlier the auxiliary wiring  140  may electrically connect to the auxiliary lighting system  102 . According to some aspects of the present teaching this electrical connection is made by electrically connecting to (plugging into) a controller  600  which, according to some aspects of the present teaching, may include a microprocessor. Alternatively, this electrical connection may be made by connection to another component(s) that connect to the controller  600 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, a controller is not required in the connection is made directly to the auxiliary lighting system  102 . The operation of the controller  600  will be discussed further below. According to some aspects of the present teaching, the controller  600  may have one or more ports  602  to which the auxiliary wiring  140  connects. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5-7, 13-15 and 20-22 , the auxiliary wiring  140 , whether in the form of the three wiring harnesses  416 ,  440  and  450  discussed above or otherwise, may be secured to the auxiliary implement  100 , and/or the auxiliary lighting system  100 , and/or the vehicle, or any some combination in any manner chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. According to some aspects of the present teaching, at least a portion of the auxiliary wiring  140  is secured under the chassis  1000  of the vehicle and runs from the vehicle electric plug  60  to the auxiliary lighting system  102 . If the vehicle electric plug  60  is a trailer plug (and thus positioned at the rear of the vehicle) then at least a portion of the auxiliary wiring  140  may run lengthwise from the rear of the vehicle to the auxiliary lighting system  102 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, the at least a portion of the auxiliary wiring  140  can terminate at the front of the vehicle whereby a second connection could be made with the auxiliary lighting system  102 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, the auxiliary wiring  140  can be secured to the chassis  1000 , such as to the vehicle&#39;s frame rail  1004 , using zip-ties  1100 , twist ties, wires, or any other fastener chosen by the sound judgment of a person of ordinary skill in the art. The auxiliary wiring  140  may be shielded wire such as the hex-wire typically used for electronics. According to some aspects of the present teaching, some or all of the auxiliary wiring  140  can be routed through a conduit, such as conduit  1006  shown in  FIG. 22 . The conduit  1006  can be mounted to the chassis  1000 , such as to the vehicle&#39;s frame rail  1004 , using zip-ties  1010 , automotive grade tape, or other fasteners. The conduit  1006  could be formed of any material chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). According to some aspects of the present teaching, the auxiliary wiring  140 , whether in a conduit or otherwise, can be routed through the interior of the vehicle&#39;s frame  1002 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, the auxiliary wiring  140  can be aligned to the driver side or passenger side of the vehicle. According to some aspects of the present teaching, the wiring is on the same side of the vehicle as the vehicle battery. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 6 , according to some aspects of the present teaching, a sensor  184  may be operable to turn off the auxiliary headlight(s)  110  and/or the auxiliary supplemental light(s)  112  when the vehicle lights are turned off. The operation of sensor  184  may be in any manner chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. According to some aspects of the present teaching, the sensor  184  works with a microprocessor described elsewhere in this patent. According to some aspects of the present teaching, the sensor  184  works with a relay in a known manner. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5-7, 13-15, 19 and 26 , according to some aspects of the present teaching the wiring harnesses  416 ,  440 ,  450  may be used as follows after the auxiliary implement  100  has been mounted to the vehicle and the auxiliary lighting system  102  has been mounted to the vehicle and/or to the implement  100 . The wiring harnesses  416 ,  440 ,  450  may be secured as discussed above. The second electrical connector  420  of the first wiring harness  416  may be electrically connected to the auxiliary light(s)  104  (either directly or via a microprocessor). If the second electrical connector  420  is an electric plug, then it may plug into the auxiliary light(s). The third electrical connector  422  of the first wiring harness  416  may be electrically connected to the auxiliary implement  100 . The first end of the second wiring harness  436  (using, according to some aspects of the present teaching, battery loops  438 ) may be electrically connected to the vehicle battery  12 . The power connector  444  of the second wiring harness  440  may be electrically connected to the power connector  418  of the first wiring harness  416  to enable power to be transmitted from the vehicle battery  414  to the auxiliary snow and/or ice removal implement  100 . If the power connectors  444 ,  418  are both electric plugs, then power connector  444  may be plugged into power connector  418  to establish the electrical connection. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5-7, 13-15, and 19 , the first electrical connector  452  of the third wiring harness  450  may be electrically connected to the vehicle electric plug  60  to enable an electric signal to be transmitted from the vehicle electric plug  60  to the first wiring harness  416 . If the first electrical connector  452  is an electric plug, the electrical connector  452  may be plugged into the vehicle electric plug  60  to establish the electrical connection. The position of the vehicle electric plug  60  on the vehicle will determine the required length for the third wiring harness  450 . The second electrical connector  454  of the third wiring harness  450  may be electrically connected to the fifth electrical connector  426  of the first wiring harness  416 . If the electrical connectors  454 ,  426  are both electric plugs, then electrical connector  454  may be plugged into electrical connector  426  to establish the electrical connection. Once the wiring harnesses  416 ,  440  and  450  are properly connected, the operator adjustable auxiliary implement control  104  may be operable to operate at least one function of the auxiliary implement  100 ; the operator adjustable auxiliary light control  116  may be operable to operate the auxiliary light(s)  104 ; and, the operator adjustable vehicle light control  20  may be operable to operate the auxiliary headlight(s)  110 . One or more of the controls  104 ,  116 ,  20  may be manually operable according to some aspects of the present teaching. 
     There are numerous advantages of using such “hardwired” devices and methods as compared to wireless devices and methods (discussed further below). These advantages include the lack of electrical interference and the lack of control delays both of which are often found in wireless systems. Another advantage is that all the steps are safely accomplished without the aid of an electrical technician. This is because no splicing or cutting of any wiring is required. Thus, none of the vehicle&#39;s electrical system, in function or in structure, is altered in any way. Thus, for example, with reference to  FIGS. 1-2 and 6 , the vehicle headlights  14  do not have to be detached and the auxiliary wiring  140  is not electrically connected to the vehicle light wiring  22 . Also, there is no required reset or adjustments to the vehicle&#39;s computer. Another advantage, is that the various electrical plugs provide for easy “plug-and-play” connections. Thus, the time required to install this invention is greatly reduced over known systems.  FIG. 6 , especially when compared with  FIG. 2 , shows how greatly simplified the use of this invention is. 
     In other applications, by way of a non-limiting example in order to comply with vehicle operating regulations in some jurisdictions, according to some aspects of the present teaching, minor splicing or tying of wires into the vehicle&#39;s existing electrical system may be used. With reference now to  FIG. 27 , a relay pack  1900  can be tied into the vehicle&#39;s electrical system. A first relay  1902  and second relay  1904  can connect to the vehicle low beam via a wire tie  1906 , to a plow light low beam  1908 , to a plow controller  600 , and a ground wire  1910 . A third relay  1912  and fourth relay  1914  can likewise connect to the vehicle high beam via wire tie  1916 , to the plow light high beam  1918 , and to the plow controller  600  and ground wire  1910 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 27 , the first through fourth relays  1902 ,  1904 ,  1912  and  1914  respectively of the relay pack  1900  are in a normally closed position wherein both the low beam and high beam circuit of the auxiliary lighting system  114  of the snowplow assembly  102  are interrupted when either the low beam or high beam of the vehicle&#39;s headlights are turned on. This normally closed condition of the relay pack  1900  prevents the simultaneous operation of the vehicle&#39;s headlight system and the auxiliary lighting system  114 , as is required by vehicle operating laws in some jurisdictions. Turning off the vehicle&#39;s headlight system, or alternatively, powering the running lights of the vehicle, but not the low or high beams allows power to be supplied to the auxiliary lighting system  114 . The auxiliary light low and/or high beams can then be powered via the plow controller  600 . If the vehicle headlights are turned on while the auxiliary lighting system  114  is powered and the auxiliary lights  114  are illuminated, the relay pack  1900  will go to the open position, thereby interrupting power to the auxiliary lighting system  114  and powering off the auxiliary lights. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 27 , according to some aspects of the present teaching without a controller  600 , the auxiliary lighting system  114  can include sensors or other means by which the lights can be illuminated when the vehicle&#39;s headlights are not in operation. By way of one non-limiting example, a sensor can be used to detect when the relay pack  1900  is closed, i.e. the vehicle&#39;s headlights are not illuminated, along with a sensor to detect ambient light levels. When the relay pack is closed  1900  and ambient light levels fall below a certain threshold, the auxiliary lighting system  114  can illuminate. By way of a second non-limiting example, the auxiliary lighting system  114  can have an “always on” condition wherein when the relay pack  1900  is closed, the auxiliary lights are illuminated. Other such sensors and conditions can be determined by a person of skill in the art. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5-7, 10A-10D, 13-15, 19 and 23-26 , according to some aspects of the present teaching, instead of auxiliary wiring  140 , a transponder  800  may be electrically connected to and physically supported to the vehicle electric plug  60 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, the transponder  800  can include a transponder electrical connector plug  802  which plugs into the vehicle electric plug  60 . The specific transponder electrical connector plug  802  used may be configured to connect to the particular vehicle electric plug  60  type mounted to the vehicle. According to some aspects of the present teaching, the transponder plug  802  can be configured to align with a vehicle electric plug  60  such as the 7-way plug  300 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, the transponder plug  802  can be configured to connect to a vehicle electric plug  60  such as a 6-way plug  316 , a 5-way plug  318 , or a 4-way plug  320 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 5-7, 10A-10D, 13-15, 19 and 23-26 , according to some aspects of the present teaching the transponder  800  can include a housing  801  to which the transponder plug  802  is supported. The transponder  800  can also include several circuits that can perform one or more functions. The transponder  800  can, for example, include a receiving unit  900  which is supported to the housing  801  and which receives incoming signals from the vehicle via the vehicle electric plug  60 . The receiver then directs the signal to the processing unit  902  which is also supported to the housing  801 . The processing unit  902  can interpret the signal it receives to determine the appropriate signal it should send to the communication unit  904 . The communication unit  904  may also be supported to the housing  801  and may transmit a corresponding wireless signal. The wireless signal can be radio frequency, WiFi, Bluetooth, or any other wireless transmission protocol capable of being broadcast over a wide enough distance to reliably reach the desired end point to control and/or power the auxiliary lighting system  102 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, the transponder  800  can draw power directly from the vehicle&#39;s power supply  13  via the vehicle electric plug  60 , such as auxiliary power connection  312  (shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B ). According to some aspects of the present teaching, the transponder  800  may be powered directly by an independent power source  212  such as a battery which may be supported to the housing  801 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, the transponder  800  can be mounted to and supported by the hitch receiver  200 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, the transponder  800  can be mounted on and supported to the vehicle. According to some aspects of the present teaching, the transponder  800  cannot transfer power to the auxiliary light system  114  so another source of power may need to be supplied to the auxiliary lighting system  102 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, the auxiliary lighting system  102  is powered by the vehicle&#39;s power source  13 . In this case, appropriate wiring will have to be provided between the vehicle power source  13  and the auxiliary lighting system  102 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, the auxiliary lighting system  102  may be powered by a separate power source  450  shown in  FIG. 5 , which may be a battery, which is part of the auxiliary implement  100 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5-7 and 23-26 , the auxiliary lighting system  102  may include a controller  600  that uses a microprocessor. Controller  600  may, according to some aspects of the present teaching, be a controller that controls not only the auxiliary lighting system  102 , but also one or more other portions of the auxiliary implement  100 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, the controller  600  may control only the auxiliary lighting system  102 . Controller  600  may be mounted on the auxiliary implement  100 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, the controller  600  can be mounted or on the vehicle, or within the engine compartment of the vehicle. 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 5-7 and 23-26 , the controller  600  may include several circuits that can perform one or more functions. The controller  600  may include a receiver  700  which receives incoming signals  710 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, the signals  710  are sent by wires such as from the auxiliary wiring  140 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, the incoming signals  710  are sent wirelessly (through radio frequency, WiFi, Bluetooth, or any other wireless transmission protocol) such as by the transponder  800 . The receiver  700  then directs a corresponding signal to the microprocessor  702  which may be programmed to provide appropriate output(s) that may be directed to a power distribution circuit  704  which then sends the appropriate signals to the auxiliary lighting system  102 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, the controller  600  may have one or more ports  602  as described above. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5-7, 10A-10D, and 23-26 , according to some aspects of the present teaching, the microprocessor  702  may be programmed to be used with the auxiliary lighting system  102  as will now be described. If the vehicle electric plug  60  includes a connection  308  for ground, this signal could be used for grounding purposes as is well known to those of skill in the art. The connections  302  and  304  for left and right turn signals can be used to control left and right turn signal lights on the auxiliary lighting system  102  similar to such lights that might be on a trailer and on the vehicle. If the vehicle electric plug  60  includes a connection  312  for auxiliary power, this connection could be used to power any component in any manner chosen by a person of skill in the art. Such a component may be an auxiliary lighting system  102  component and/or an auxiliary implement  100  component. Any vehicle electric plug connection that is not desired to be used can be repurposed or terminated, as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. The connection  310  for trailer power brakes, for example, could be terminated. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5-7 and 10A-10D , connections  302  and  304  can also be used for indicating that the vehicle operator has activated the vehicle brakes  24  as noted above. The connection  310  could also be used for this purpose. This braking signal could be used with the auxiliary lighting system  102  in a number of different ways. According to some aspects of the present teaching, one or more lights on the auxiliary lighting system  102  could be illuminated continuously for the duration of the braking event. According to some aspects of the present teaching, left and right turn signal lights on the auxiliary lighting system  102  could be controlled to flash on and off for the duration of the braking event. These features may be used indicate to observers in front of the vehicle that the vehicle is slowing and/or that they should exercise caution. The brake signal could also, according to some aspects of the present teaching, be used with respect to the auxiliary implement  100 . In one non-limiting example, the brake signal could be used to adjust the position of the snowplow assembly. The connection  314  for reverse lights could also be used to change the illumination (higher or lower level or illumination) of the auxiliary lighting system  102 , such as one or more of the auxiliary supplemental lights  112 , when the vehicle brakes  24  are operated. This then would provide a clear signal to those near the vehicle that the vehicle is being braked. 
     According to some aspects of the present teaching, the vehicle electric plug  60  can also be used to control auxiliary headlights  40  in any manner chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. In one non-limiting example, it is common for vehicle light controls to be adjustable between: (1) an “off” or no power condition; (2) park or running lights “on” condition; (3) headlights “on” condition; and, (4) headlight high beams “on” condition. When the vehicle lights are in the off condition, no power goes to the vehicle head lights or high beams or to the vehicle&#39;s tail lights. In this case, connection  306  for tail lights would not be powered and the microprocessor  702  may be programmed to use this signal as an indication to provide no power to the auxiliary headlights—thus an “off” condition for the auxiliary headlights to match the vehicle headlights. When the vehicle lights are in any of the on conditions (whether park or running lights on, or headlights on, or high beams on), connection  306  for tail lights would be powered (an “on” condition) and the microprocessor  702  may be programmed to use this signal as an indication to provide power to the auxiliary headlights—thus an “on” condition for the auxiliary headlights. Whenever the auxiliary lighting system  102  is attached to the vehicle, the vehicle operator may treat all “headlight on” conditions (conditions 2, 3 and 4 discussed above) the same; namely, manually adjusting the vehicle light controls to be in the park or running lights “on” condition. In this way, neither the vehicle headlights nor the vehicle high beams will be “on” and thus will not reflect off of the auxiliary implement  100  back to the vehicle thereby interfering with the operator&#39;s vision. 
     According to some aspects of the present teaching, a signal may be communicated from the vehicle electric plug  60  through the auxiliary wiring  140  and eventually to the microprocessor  702 . According to some aspects of the present teaching described above, a signal is communicated from the vehicle electric plug  60  through the transponder  800  then wirelessly from the transponder and eventually to the microprocessor  702 . As is well known to those of skill in the art, a microprocessor operates based on the signal it receives from an input. As explained above, the signal that reaches the microprocessor  702  may come from a component intermediate the signal from the auxiliary wiring  140  or transponder  800 —such as from the receiver  700 . Additional and/or alternative intermediate components may also be used according to some aspects of the present teaching. For clarity, the expression “directly or indirectly” may be used in this patent with regard to signals (whether wired or wireless). It is to be understood that “directly” means a signal that travels directly from one component to a second component and indirectly” means a signal that travels from one component to a second component but with one or more intermediate components also used. Thus, for example, a signal that travels from auxiliary wiring  140  to microprocessor  702  with no intermediate components would be a direct signal. In this case, the microprocessor&#39;s operation may be said to be based directly on the signal. In another example, a signal that travels from the auxiliary wiring  140  to microprocessor  702  with one or more intermediate components (such as receiver  700 ) would be an indirect signal. In this case, the microprocessor&#39;s operation may be said to be based indirectly on the signal—regardless of what and how many intermediate components may be used. As another example, a wireless signal that travels from transponder  800  to microprocessor  702  with no intermediate components would be a direct signal. In this case, the microprocessor&#39;s operation may be said to be based directly on the wireless signal. In yet another example, a wireless signal that travels from transponder  800  to microprocessor  702  with one or more intermediate components (such as receiver  700 ) would be an indirect wireless signal. In this case, the microprocessor&#39;s operation may be said to be based indirectly on the wireless signal—regardless of what and how many intermediate components may be used. 
     To use this invention according to some aspects of the present teaching, the operator may first acquire the proper auxiliary wiring  140  to match the vehicle&#39;s electric plug  60  and the auxiliary lighting system  102  including, when used, the controller  600 . The operator may then attach the auxiliary wiring  140  to the vehicle—some aspects of the present teaching of this attachment are described above. The operator may then electrically connect the auxiliary wiring  140 , which may include the auxiliary plug  142 , into the vehicle electric plug  60 . The operator may then connect the auxiliary wiring  140  to the auxiliary lighting system  102 . According to some aspects of the present teaching, the auxiliary wiring  140  may be connected to the controller  600  or to another component which is ultimately connected to the controller  600 . This may complete the attachment. In use, the operator may simply adjust the vehicle lights, typically using vehicle light controls within the vehicle, to match the atmospheric light condition. If the atmospheric light condition is relatively lighter, there may be no need to turn on the vehicle lights. As a result, the vehicle electric plug  60  may indicate that no tail lights are required. The microprocessor  702  may use that indication to keep the auxiliary headlight(s) in an off condition. If the atmospheric light condition is relatively darker, there may be a need for the operator to turn on the vehicle lights. As a result of the operator turning on the vehicle lights, the vehicle electric plug  60  may indicate that tail lights are required. The microprocessor  702  may use that indication to place the auxiliary headlight(s) in an on condition. Turn signals, if applicable, may be used as described above. Similarly, a brake signal, if applicable, may be used as described above. 
     To use this invention according to some aspects of the present teaching, the operator may first acquire the proper transponder  800  to match the vehicle&#39;s electric plug  60  and the auxiliary lighting system  102  including, when applicable, the controller  600 . The operator may then attach the transponder  800  to the vehicle—non-limiting options for this attachment are described above. The operator may then electrically connect the transponder  800  to the vehicle electric plug  60 . Non-limiting options for this connection are described above. This may complete the attachment. In use, the operator may simply adjust the vehicle lights, typically using vehicle light controls within the vehicle, to match the atmospheric light condition. If the atmospheric light condition is relatively lighter, there may be no need to turn on the vehicle lights. As a result, the vehicle electric plug  60  may indicate that no tail lights are required. The microprocessor  702  may use that indication to keep the auxiliary headlight(s) in an off condition. If the atmospheric light condition is relatively darker, there may be a need for the operator to turn on the vehicle lights. As a result of the operator turning on the vehicle lights, the trailer plug  202  may indicate that tail lights are required. The microprocessor  702  may use that indication to place the auxiliary headlight(s) in an on condition. Turn signals, if applicable, may be used as described above. Similarly, a brake signal, if applicable, may be used as described above. 
     To use this invention according to some aspects of the present teaching, the operator may first acquire the proper auxiliary wiring  140  to match the vehicle&#39;s electric plug  60  and the auxiliary lighting system  102 . The operator may then attach the auxiliary wiring  140  to the vehicle—non-limiting options for this attachment are described above. The operator may then electrically connect the auxiliary wiring  140  to the vehicle electric plug  60 , to the power source  13 , to the auxiliary implement  100 , to the auxiliary lighting system  102 , to the operator adjustable auxiliary implement control  104  and to the operator adjustable auxiliary light control  116 . This may complete the attachment. As explained above, these electrical connections may be simple “plug in” attachments. In use, the operator may simply adjust the operator adjustable vehicle light control  20  to operate the auxiliary supplemental lights  112 , auxiliary turn signal lights and/or auxiliary park lights for example, based directly or indirectly on the electric signal transmitted from the vehicle electric plug  60 . The operator may also simply adjust the operator adjustable auxiliary light control  116  to operate the auxiliary headlights  110  to illuminate the ground surface upon which the vehicle travels in place of the vehicle headlights  14 . Finally, the operator may simply adjust the operator adjustable auxiliary implement control  104  to operate at least one function of the auxiliary implement  100 —for example, to raise or lower a snowplow blade  106 . 
     As described above, the present disclosure has been described with preferred embodiments thereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications to the described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the scope and the spirit of the present disclosure that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims. 
     In the patent claims that follow, it should be understood that any component referred to as being “associated” is not being claimed positively but rather indicates the environment in which the claimed invention is used. Thus, for a non-limiting example, if a patent claim includes “an auxiliary apparatus for use with an associated vehicle” then Applicant&#39;s intent is that infringement does not require a vehicle. Rather, infringement only requires an auxiliary apparatus that is capable of being used with a vehicle.