Systems and methods for connecting a power supply to a trailer
OwnerJoseph Karl Glaznerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide systems and methods for connecting a power supply of a tow vehicle to a trailer. The system includes a connector plate that may be configured to be coupled to a hitching member. The connector plate may define a curvilinear slot that may be configured to receive a first connector. The curvilinear slot may allow the connector plate to rotate with respect to the first connector. A retention spring may be configured to be coupled to the first connector and the connector plate. In certain embodiments, the hitching member may be a downward extending member of a gooseneck trailer. In other embodiments, the hitching member may be a tongue of a fifth wheel trailer.
Claims13
A system for connecting a power supply of a tow vehicle to a trailer, comprising:
- a connector plate configured to be coupled to a hitching member, the connector plate defining a curvilinear slot configured to receive a first connector, the curvilinear slot allowing the connector plate to rotate with respect to the first connector;
- a retention spring having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end being configured to be coupled to the first connector and the second end being coupled to the connector plate;
- the hitching member being a tongue of a fifth wheel trailer;
- the first connector being a trailer connector;
- the connector plate extending vertically from the tongue;
- and
- a tow vehicle connector bracket configured to be coupled to a skid plate of a tow vehicle and configured to be coupled to a tow vehicle connector, the tow vehicle connector configured to communicate power from the tow vehicle to the fifth wheel trailer.
A system for connecting a power supply of a tow vehicle to a trailer, comprising:
- a connector plate configured to be coupled to a hitching member, the connector plate defining a curvilinear slot configured to receive a first connector, the curvilinear slot allowing the connector plate to rotate with respect to the first connector;
- a retention spring having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end being configured to be coupled to the first connector and the second end being coupled to the connector plate;
- the trailer hitching member being a downward extending member of a gooseneck trailer, the downward extending member defining a socket to receive a ball coupled to a tow vehicle;
- the connector plate extending horizontally from the downward extending member;
- and
- the curvilinear slot having a radius, the radius having an endpoint configured to be aligned with an axial centerline of the downward extending member.
A system for connecting a power supply of a tow vehicle to a trailer, comprising:
- a connector plate coupled to a hitching member of a trailer, the connector plate defining a curvilinear slot configured to receive a trailer connector, the curvilinear slot allowing the connector plate to rotate with respect to the trailer connector;
- a retention spring having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end being coupled to the trailer connector and the second end being coupled to the connector plate;
- and
- a tow vehicle connector coupled to a tow vehicle, the tow vehicle connector configured to communicate power from the tow vehicle to the trailer;
- wherein the trailer is a gooseneck trailer and further comprising:
- the trailer hitching member being a downward extending member of the gooseneck trailer, the downward extending member defining a socket to receive a ball coupled to a tow vehicle;
- the connector plate extending horizontally from the downward extending member;
- and
- the curvilinear slot having a radius, the radius having an endpoint aligned with an axial centerline of the downward extending member.
A system to connect a power supply of a tow vehicle to a trailer, comprising:
- a platform configured to be coupled to a trailer connector of a fifth wheel trailer;
- a rod coupled to the platform;
- a plate coupled to a tongue of the fifth wheel trailer, the plate defining an aperture, the aperture receiving the rod and allowing the plate to rotate with respect to the rod;
- a retention spring having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end being coupled to the platform and the second end being coupled to the plate;
- a second plate coupled to the tongue of the fifth wheel trailer below the plate, the second plate defining a second aperture, the second aperture receiving the rod and allowing the second plate to rotate with respect to the rod;
- a first washer coupled to the rod above the plate;
- a second washer coupled to the rod below the second plate;
- the first washer defining a minimum rod height above the tongue;
- and
- the second washer defining a maximum rod height above the tongue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.