Patent Publication Number: US-2023142655-A1

Title: Detachable plug

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present general inventive concept relates generally to a plug, and particularly, to a detachable plug. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Trailers are unpowered vehicles that are often connected to a motor vehicle. An owner of a trailer usually has to manage an amount of cargo stored in the trailer to ensure successful transportation of the trailer. However, trailer management can lead to frequent errors where wires connected to the trailer and the motor vehicle are pulled and damaged. As a result, the damage to the trailer wires are expensive to repair. 
     The wires that connect the trailer to the motor vehicle are fixed. In other words, in the event the trailer separates from the motor vehicle, the wires are damaged. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a detachable plug to prevent damage to the wires in the event of a trailer separation. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present general inventive concept provides a detachable plug. 
     Additional features and utilities of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the general inventive concept. 
     The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a detachable plug, including a main body, including a first section, and a second section detachably connected to at least a portion of the first section to detach from the first section in response to an application of force exceeding a predetermined level of separation force, a first connector disposed on at least a portion of the first section to removably connect to at least a portion of a motor vehicle, and a second connector disposed on at least a portion of the second section to removably connect to at least a portion of a trailer. 
     The main body may further include a locking clip springingly disposed on at least a portion of at least one of the first section and the second section to lock the first section to the second section in response to moving the locking clip from extended away from the first section and the second section in a first position to at least partially retracted toward the first section and the second section in a second position, and unlock the first section from the second section in response to moving the locking clip from retracted toward the first section and the second section in the second position to extended away from the first section and the second section in the first position. 
     The detachable plug may further include a plurality of connecting wires disposed within at least a portion of at least one the first section and the second section to send power received by the first connector to the second connector. 
     The plurality of connecting wires may send power received by the first connector to the second connector in response to locking the locking clip, and prevent power from being sent from the first connector to the second connector while the locking clip remains unlocked. 
     The first connector may include a first body, and a male end disposed on at least a portion of the first body to removably connect to at least a portion of the motor vehicle. 
     The second connector may include a second body, and a female end disposed on at least a portion of the second body to removably connect to at least a portion of the trailer. 
     The second connector may further include a barrier pivotally disposed on at least a portion of the female end to move from closed over the female end in a first position to at least partially opened away from the female end in a second position, and move from opened away from the female end in the second position to closed over the female end in the first position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other features and utilities of the present generally inventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a top perspective view of a detachable plug, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; and 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a top perspective view of the detachable plug with a sectional view of a main body, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various example embodiments (a.k.a., exemplary embodiments) will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some example embodiments are illustrated. In the figures, the thicknesses of lines, layers and/or regions may be exaggerated for clarity. 
     Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the figures and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure. Like numbers refer to like/similar elements throughout the detailed description. 
     It is understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art. However, should the present disclosure give a specific meaning to a term deviating from a meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill, this meaning is to be taken into account in the specific context this definition is given herein. 
     LIST OF COMPONENTS 
     
         
         
           
             Detachable Plug  100   
             Main Body  110   
             First Section  111   
             Second Section  112   
             Locking Clip  113   
             First Connector  120   
             First Body  121   
             Male End  122   
             First Connecting Wire  123   
             Second Connector  130   
             Second Body  131   
             Female End  132   
             Barrier  133   
             Second Connecting Wire  134   
             Connector Wires  140   
             First Set  141   
             Second Set  142   
           
         
       
    
       FIG.  1    illustrates a top perspective view of a detachable plug  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a top perspective view of the detachable plug  100  with a sectional view of a main body  110 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
     The detachable plug  100  may be constructed from at least one of metal, plastic, wood, and rubber, etc., but is not limited thereto. 
     The detachable plug  100  may include a main body  110 , a first connector  120 , a second connector  130 , and a plurality of connector wires  140 , but is not limited thereto. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the main body  110  is illustrated to have a rectangular prism shape. However, the main body  110  may be rectangular, circular, conical, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or any other shape known to one of ordinary skill in the art, but is not limited thereto. 
     The main body  110  may include a first section  111 , a second section  112 , and a locking clip  113 , but is not limited thereto. 
     The first section  111  may be removably connected to at least a portion of a motor vehicle  10 . 
     The second section  112  may be removably connected to at least a portion of a trailer  20 . Moreover, the second section  112  may be detachably connected to at least a portion of the first section  111 . More specifically, the first section  111  and/or the second section  112  may detachably connect using a magnet, an electromagnet, a plurality of hooks, and/or any other type of fastener, but is not limited thereto. 
     Furthermore, the first section  111  and/or the second section  112  may detach from each other in response to an application of force (e.g., pushing, pull) against the first section  111  and/or the second section  112  away from each other. Additionally, the first section  111  and/or the second section  112  may detach only in response to the application of force exceeding a predetermined level of separation force (e.g., five hundred pounds, one thousand pounds, two thousand pounds, etc.). For example, the first section  111  and/or the second section  112  may remain connected in response to a person and/or a plurality of persons attempting to separate the first section  111  and/or the second section  112 . However, the first section  111  and/or the second section  112  may detach in response to the motor vehicle  10  moving away from and/or separating from the trailer  20 , such that the application of force of the motor vehicle  10  moving away from the trailer  20  is substantially greater than the application of force from the person. 
     The locking clip  113  may be springingly and/or pivotally (i.e., rotatably) disposed on at least a portion of the first section  111  and/or the second section  112 . The locking clip  113  may lock the first section  111  to the second section  112  in response to moving the locking clip  113  from extended away from the first section  111  and/or the second section  112  in a first position to at least partially retracted toward the first section  111  and/or the second section  112  in a second position. Conversely, the locking clip  113  may unlock the first section  111  from the second section  112  in response to moving the locking clip  113  from retracted toward the first section  111  and/or the second section  112  in the second position to extended away from the first section  111  and/or the second section  112  in the first position. Also, the locking clip  113  may be spring biased to the unlocked position. As such, the locking clip  113  may secure the first section  111  to the second section  112 . For example, the locking clip  113  may connect the magnet on the first section  111  to the magnet on the second section  112 , and/or the plurality of hooks on the first section  111  to the plurality of hooks on the second section  112 . 
     It is important to note that the locking clip  113  does not prevent separation of the first section  111  from the second section  112  in response to the application of force exceeding the predetermined level of separation force. 
     The first connector  120  may be constructed as a seven-pin male end. 
     However, any number of pins may be used as required by the motor vehicle  10  and/or the trailer  20 . 
     The first connector  120  may include a first body  121 , a male end  122 , and a first connecting wire  123 , but is not limited thereto. 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the first body  121  is illustrated to have a cylindrical shape. However, the first body  121  may be rectangular, circular, conical, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or any other shape known to one of ordinary skill in the art, but is not limited thereto. 
     The first body  121  may be disposed on at least a portion of the first section  111 . 
     The male end  122  may be disposed on at least a portion of a first end of the first body  121 . The male end  122  may be removably connected (i.e., inserted) into at least a portion of at least one first connector. For example, the male end  122  may be removably connected to at least a portion of the at least one first connector of the motor vehicle  10 . 
     The first connecting wire  123  may be disposed on at least a portion of a second end of the first body  121  opposite with respect to the first end. Moreover, the first connecting wire  123  may connect the first body  121  to the first section  111 . 
     The second connector  130  may be constructed as a seven-pin female end. 
     However, any number of pins may be used as required by the motor vehicle  10  and/or the trailer  20 . 
     The second connector  130  may include a second body  131 , a female end  132 , a barrier  133 , and a second connecting wire  134 , but is not limited thereto. 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the second body  131  is illustrated to have a cylindrical shape. However, the second body  131  may be rectangular, circular, conical, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or any other shape known to one of ordinary skill in the art, but is not limited thereto. 
     The second body  131  may be disposed on at least a portion of the second section  112 . 
     The female end  132  may be disposed on at least a portion of a first end of the second body  131 . The female end  132  may be removably connected to at least a portion of at least one second connector. For example, the female end  132  may be removably connected to at least a portion of the at least one second connector of the trailer  20 . 
     The barrier  133  may be springingly and/or pivotally (i.e., rotatably) disposed on at least a portion of the female end  132 . In particular, the barrier  133  may move from closed over the female end  132  in a first position to at least partially opened away from the female end  132  in a second position. Conversely, the barrier  133  may move from opened away from the female end  132  in the second position to closed over the female end  132  in the first position. In other words, the barrier  133  may cover and/or prevent access to the female end  132  while closed, and allow access to the female end  132  while opened. 
     The second connecting wire  134  may be disposed on at least a portion of a second end of the second body  131  opposite with respect to the first end. Moreover, the second connecting wire  134  may connect the second body  131  to the second section  112 . 
     The plurality of connector wires  140  may include a first set  141  and a second set  142 , but is not limited thereto. 
     The first set  141  may be disposed within at least a portion of the first section  111 . The first set  141  may connect, separate, and/or organize the first connecting wire  123  to pins on the first section  111 . 
     The second set  142  may be disposed within at least a portion of the second section  112 . The second set  142  may connect, separate, and/or organize the second connecting wire  134  to pins on the second section  112 . Moreover, each wire of the first set  141  may connect to each wire of the second set  142 . In other words, each wire of the first set  141  may connect to each corresponding and/or equivalent wire of the second set  142 . Accordingly, the first connector  120  may receive power from the motor vehicle  10  and transfer power through the plurality of connector wires  140  to the second connector  130 , such that the second connector  130  may provide power to the trailer  20 . 
     Furthermore, the second set  142  may connect to the first set  141  in response to locking the locking clip  113 . Thus, the second set  142  may remain separate from the first set  141  while the locking clip  113  is unlocked. In other words, the locking clip  113  may prevent power from being sent from the first set  141  to the second set  142  while the locking clip  113  remains unlocked. 
     Therefore, the detachable plug  100  may prevent damage to the first connector  120  and/or the second connector  130  in the event of separation of the motor vehicle  10  from the trailer  20 . As such, the detachable plug  100  may save time and costs for repair that would otherwise result from torn wires. The detachable plug  100  may accommodate a wide variety of hitch connections and different combinations of the motor vehicle  10  and the trailer  20 . 
     The present general inventive concept may include a detachable plug  100 , including a main body  110 , including a first section  111 , and a second section  112  detachably connected to at least a portion of the first section  111  to detach from the first section  111  in response to an application of force exceeding a predetermined level of separation force, a first connector  120  disposed on at least a portion of the first section  111  to removably connect to at least a portion of a motor vehicle  10 , and a second connector  130  disposed on at least a portion of the second section  112  to removably connect to at least a portion of a trailer  20 . 
     The main body  110  may further include a locking clip  113  springingly disposed on at least a portion of at least one of the first section  111  and the second section  112  to lock the first section  111  to the second section  112  in response to moving the locking clip  113  from extended away from the first section  111  and the second section  112  in a first position to at least partially retracted toward the first section  111  and the second section  112  in a second position, and unlock the first section  111  from the second section  112  in response to moving the locking clip  113  from retracted toward the first section  111  and the second section  112  in the second position to extended away from the first section  111  and the second section  112  in the first position. 
     The detachable plug  100  may further include a plurality of connecting wires  140  disposed within at least a portion of at least one the first section  111  and the second section  112  to send power received by the first connector  120  to the second connector  130 . 
     The plurality of connecting wires  140  may send power received by the first connector  120  to the second connector  130  in response to locking the locking clip  113 , and prevent power from being sent from the first connector  120  to the second connector  130  while the locking clip  113  remains unlocked. 
     The first connector  120  may include a first body  121 , and a male end  122  disposed on at least a portion of the first body  121  to removably connect to at least a portion of the motor vehicle  10 . 
     The second connector  130  may include a second body  131 , and a female end  132  disposed on at least a portion of the second body  131  to removably connect to at least a portion of the trailer  20 . 
     The second connector  130  may further include a barrier  134  pivotally disposed on at least a portion of the female end  132  to move from closed over the female end  132  in a first position to at least partially opened away from the female end  132  in a second position, and move from opened away from the female end  132  in the second position to closed over the female end  132  in the first position. 
     Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.