IP Library Granted Patent US 7,331,792
Granted Patent B2
US 7,331,792 · App. 11/101,379 · Granted Feb 19, 2008

Trailer tow connector assembly

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,331,792
App. No.
11/101,379
Granted
Feb 19, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electrical connector including a first connector portion and a second connector portion. Each of the first and second connector interfaces includes several terminals. At least a portion of the terminals of the first connector interface are electrically coupled to associated ones of the terminals of the second connector interface via a multi-level arrangement.

Claims (31)

1. An electrical connector comprising:

a first connector portion comprising a plurality of first connector terminals, each of said first connector terminals comprising a connector portion and a terminal extension; and

a second connector portion separate from said first connector portion and comprising a plurality of second connector terminals;

each of said first connector terminals being coupled to an associated one of said second connector terminals at a different associated distance from a top of one of said second connector terminals by way of a layered arrangement of said terminal extensions,

said connector comprising a first number of said first connector terminals and a second number of said second connector terminals, said second number being greater than said first number.

2. An electrical connector according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first connector terminals comprises a contact pad and said second connector terminal associated with said one of said first connector terminals comprises a contact flange, said contact pad being directly coupled to said contact flange.

3. An electrical connector according to claim 2 , wherein said contact pad and said contact flange are resistance welded together.

4. An electrical connector comprising:

a first connector portion comprising a plurality of first connector terminals, each of said first connector terminals comprising a connector portion and a terminal extension; and

a second connector portion separate from said first connector portion and comprising a plurality of second connector terminals;

each of said first connector terminals being coupled to an associated one of said second connector terminals at a different associated distance from a top of one of said second connector terminals by way of a layered arrangement of said terminal extensions,

wherein said first connector portion comprises a four-way connector comprising four of said first connector terminals and said second connector portion comprises a seven-way connector comprising seven of said second connector terminals.

5. A connector comprising:

a first connector portion comprising a plurality of first connector terminals, each of said first connector terminals comprising a connector portion and a terminal extension; and

a second connector portion separate from said first connector portion and comprising a plurality of second connector terminals;

each of said first connector terminals being coupled to an associated one of said second connector terminals at a different associated distance from a top of one of said second connector terminals by way of a layered arrangement of said terminal extensions, said connector further comprising:

a body including said first connector portion and said second connector portion;

a first cover pivotally coupled to said body adjacent said first connector portion;

a second cover pivotally coupled to said body adjacent said second connector portion; and

a biasing element biasing said first cover toward a closed position relative to said first connector portion and biasing said second cover toward a closed position relative to said second connector portion.

6. An electrical connector according to claim 5 , wherein said biasing element comprises a spring applying a biasing force to said first cover and to said second cover.

7. An electrical connector according to claim 5 , wherein when one of said first and second cover is in an open position, pivotal movement of the other of said first and second cover is restricted.

8. A connector comprising:

a first connector portion comprising a plurality of first connector terminals, each of said first connector terminals comprising a connector portion and a terminal extension; and

a second connector portion separate from said first connector portion and comprising a plurality of second connector terminals;

each of said first connector terminals being coupled to an associated one of said second connector terminals at a different associated distance from a top of one of said second connector terminals by way of a layered arrangement of said terminal extensions,

wherein at least one of said first connector terminals or said second connector terminals comprises a tubular member comprising a slot extending axially along at least a portion of said tubular member; and wherein said connector further comprises a resiliently expandable member disposed around said tubular member.

9. A connector according to claim 8 , wherein adjacent ones of said first connector terminals or said second connector terminals comprises an associated one of said tubular members, and wherein said connector comprises a plurality of said resiliently expandable members, each of said resiliently expandable members being disposed around an associated one of said tubular members and being offset along the length of said associated one of said tubular members relative to one another.

10. A connector according to claim 5 , wherein at least one of said first connector terminals or said second connector terminals comprises a tubular member comprising a slot extending axially along at least a portion of said tubular member; and wherein said connector further comprises a resiliently expandable member disposed around said tubular member.

11. A connector according to claim 10 , wherein said first connector portion comprises a four-way connector comprising four of said first connector terminals and said second connector portion comprises a seven-way connector comprising seven of said second connector terminals.

12. A connector according to claim 5 , wherein said first connector portion comprises a four-way connector comprising four of said first connector terminals and said second connector portion comprises a seven-way connector comprising seven of said second connector terminals.

Assignments (8)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2023
From: STONERIDGE, INC.; STONERIDGE ELECTRONICS, INC.; STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC.; STONERIDGE FLEET SOLUTIONS, INC.; SRI HOLDINGS US LLC; SRI DELAWARE HOLDINGS LLC
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 065447/0664 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2019
From: STONERIDGE, INC.; STONERIDGE ELECTRONICS, INC.; STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC.; STONERIDGE AFTERMARKET, INC.; ORLACO INC.; SRI HOLDINGS US LLC; SRI DELAWARE HOLDINGS LLC
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 049451/0357 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 14, 2014
From: STONERIDGE, INC.; STONERIDGE ELECTRONICS, INC.; STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 034242/0176 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 15, 2014
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
To: STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 033998/0222 →
AMENDED AND RESTATED PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 5, 2011
From: STONERIDGE, INC.; STONERIDGE ELECTRONICS, INC.; STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 027328/0797 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 7, 2010
From: STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 025105/0078 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 12, 2007
From: VINCENT, MARK
To: STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 018994/0524 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2005
From: CUMMINGS, DAVE; O'REILLY, MICHAEL; PUGH, NEAL
To: STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 016205/0131 →