US5800188A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Direct connect trailer tow interconnector
Assignee: National City Bank
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Filing: 1996-02-09
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Granted: 1998-09-01
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Expires: 2016-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A direct-connect trailer tow interconnector for connecting the electrical circuits of a tow vehicle with similar circuits of a trailer in which a one-piece shell socket accepts a standard trailer plug at one end and is compatible with the fitting of a tow vehicle harness at the other end. Pass-through conductors, each of which is made from a single metal blank, form terminals compatible with those of the trailer plug and also with those of the vehicle harness fitting. A cover is provided with a spring-loaded floating hinge to permit flat sealing protecting the interconnector from environmental hazards, and a flushing passage is formed through the cover to remove debris from the floating hinge.
Inventors
- 👤 Benjamin A. Barber
- 👤 Kayvan Heydayat
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:48
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/58; B60D1/62; B60D1/64; H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/52; H01R13/5213; H01R31/00; H01R31/06; H01R13/5227; H01R2201/00; H01R2201/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An interconnector for the electrical connection of a wiring harness connector fitting of a tow vehicle to the connector plug of a trailer comprising a socket shell of insulating material having a first generally cylindrical end, a second generally rectangular end and a transition section between said ends, an insulating spacer core disposed in said shell, a plurality of pass-through conductors fixed in said insulating core, each of said pass-through conductors being formed of a single piece of metal, said plurality of conductors being arranged in a hexagonal pattern adjacent said first end about a central conductor to accommodate said trailer plug and being arranged adjacent said second end in a double row pattern of terminals to accommodate said wiring harness fitting.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
An interconnector for the electrical connection of a wiring harness connector fitting of a tow vehicle to the connector plug of a trailer comprising a socket shell of insulating material having a first generally cylindrical end, a second generally rectangular end and a transition section between said ends, an insulating spacer core disposed in said shell, a plurality of pass-through conductors fixed in said insulating core, each of said pass-through conductors being formed of a single piece of metal, said plurality of conductors being arranged in a hexagonal pattern adjacent said first end about a central conductor to accommodate said trailer plug and being arranged adjacent said second end in a double row pattern of terminals to accommodate said wiring harness fitting.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-31 | 2002-03-02 | 2002-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-31 | 2006-03-02 | 2006-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-31 | 2010-03-02 | 2010-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |