US 6,547,599 B2 · Truck electrical socket with enhanced connection capacity

Abstract

An electric socket assembly is provided having a socket sleeve, an insert disc, a socket cap and a plurality of plug extenders. The insert disc carries a common pin and a plurality of non-common pins on its front face and service connection studs on its rear face. Each service connection stud is electrically connected to a respective pin. A socket cap having a plurality of pockets is positioned over the service connection studs such that each service connection stud extends through an opening in the respective pocket of the cap. A plug extender is positioned in each of the pockets of the cap such that the service connection stud extending through the opening in the pocket also extends through an opening in the plug extender. The plug extender includes plural service connection terminals in conductive relation to the service connection stud to enhance the connection capacity of the socket assembly. The plug extender is secured in the pocket using a fastener which can be a component of one of the service connection terminals.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An electric socket assembly for truck tractors and trailers comprising:

an insert disc having a front face and a rear face;
a common pin and a plurality of non-common pins carried on the front face of the insert disc;
a plurality of service connection studs carried on the rear face of the insert disc corresponding to each non-common pin on the front face, each service connection stud being electrically connected to the respective non-common pin;
a ground stud disposed on the rear face of the insert disc and electrically connected to the common pin disposed on the front face;
a cap having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface of the cap having a plurality of pockets, each pocket corresponding with one of the service connection studs, each service connection stud extending through an opening in the respective pocket of the cap;
a plurality of conductive plug extenders, each plug extender having an opening dimensioned to receive a service connection stud, each plug extender positioned in a respective one of the pockets such that the service connection stud extending through the opening in the pocket also extends through the opening in the plug extender;
a service connection terminal connected to the connection stud in the opening of each plug extender in conductive engagement with the plug extender;
and
at least one additional service connection terminal conductively carried by each of the plug extenders.

6 more elements

An electric socket assembly comprising:

an insert disc having a front face and a rear face;
a common pin and a plurality of non-common pins carried on the front face of the insert disc;
a plurality of circuit breakers, each circuit breaker having a fused terminal and a non-fused terminal, each non-fused terminal electrically connected to a respective non-common pin, each fused terminal serving as a non-common service connection stud;
a ground service connection stud disposed on the rear face of the insert disc and electrically connected to the common pin disposed on the front face;
a cap having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface of the cap having a plurality of pockets, each pocket corresponding with one of the service connection studs, each service connection stud extending through an opening in the respective pocket of the cap;
a plurality of conductive plug extenders, each plug extender having an opening dimensioned to receive a service connection stud, each plug extender positioned in a respective one of the pockets such that the service connection stud extending through the opening in the pocket also extends through the opening in the plug extender;
a service connection terminal connected to the connection stud in the opening of each plug extender in conductive engagement with the plug extender;
and
at least one additional service connection terminal located on each of the plug extenders.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Truck electrical socket with enhanced connection capacity

Life of this patent

Truck electrical socket with enhanced connection capacity

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20