Electrical coupling apparatus
OwnerClyde J. Younginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrical coupling apparatus adapted to properly match and interconnect the electrical circuit of each of a number of different trailers or the like with that of each of a number of different towing vehicles. The apparatus comprises a polarized coupler interconnecting first and second multi-conductor vehicle electrical systems, and a universal coupler interconnecting one of the first and second systems with the polarized coupler. The universal coupler includes a support mounting a contact for each conductor of an intermediate circuit, and a terminal carried at the end of each conductor of the one system. The terminals are individually connectable to the contacts in any desired arrangement to thereby permit a proper matching of the conductors of the two vehicle circuits.
Claims5
An electrical coupling apparatus for interconnecting respective first and second multi-conductor electrical circuits of releasably interconnected vehicles, such as an automobile and trailer, and having provision for assuring a desired connection between the several conductors in said first and second circuits, said apparatus comrising
- polarized coupling means for releasably interconnecting said first and second circuits with a fixed predetermined arrangement of the several conductors thereof, and
- universal coupling means interposed between said polarized coupling means and one of said first and second circuits for selectively and releasably interconnecting the conductors of said one circuit and the conductors of an intermediate multi-conductor electrical circuit, said universal coupling means comrising
- a. an electrically insulating support,
- b. a plurality of spaced apart, electrical contacts carried by said support, with each conductor of one of said one circuit or said intermediate circuit being electrically connected to separate ones of said contacts,
- c. a plurality of individual terminals, with each conductor of the other of said one circuit or said intermediate circuit being electrically connected to separate ones of said terminals,
- d. means for releasably interconnecting each of said terminals with any one of said contacts, whereby said terminals may be selectively interconnected to said contacts in any desired arrangement;
- and
- e. electrically conductive clamping means for releasably attaching said support to the frame of one of said vehicles, said clamping means being electrically connected with one of said contacts for thereby providing a common ground for the two vehicles.
An electrical coupling apparatus for interconnecting respective first and second multi-conductor electrical circuits of releasably interconnected vehicles, such as an automobile and trailer, and having provision for assuring a desired connection between the several conductors in said first and second circuits, said apparatus comrising
- polarized coupling means for releasably interconnecting three separate wires and a vehicle ground of said first electrical circuit with three separate wires and a vehicle ground of said second circuit with a fixed predetermined arrangement of the several wires, and
- universal coupling means interposed between said polaized coupling means and one of said first and second circuits for selectively and releasably interconnecting the wires of said one circuit with an intermediate four wire circuit, said universal coupling means comprising
- a. an electrically insulating support,
- b. four spaced apart, like, electrical contacts carried by said support, with each of said three wires and vehicle ground of said one circuit being electrically connected to separate ones of said contacts,
- c. four individual terminals, with each of said three wires and vehicle ground of the other of said first or second circuits being electrically connected to separate ones of said terminals,
- d. means for releasably interconnecting each of said terminals with any one of said contacts, whereby said terminals may be selectively interconnected to said contacts in any desired arrangement;
- and
- e. electrically conductive clamping means for releasably attaching said support to the frame of one of said vehicles, said clamping means being electrically connected with one of said contacts for thereby providing a common ground for the two vehicles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.