IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,262,119
Granted Patent B2
US 8,262,119 · App. 12/876,061 · Granted Sep 11, 2012

Systems and methods for connecting a power supply to a trailer

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,262,119
App. No.
12/876,061
Granted
Sep 11, 2012
Kind
B2
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.

Claims (45)

1. 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.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

the connector plate being arc-shaped; and

the curvilinear slot having a radius, the radius having an endpoint configured to be aligned with an axial centerline of a hitch pin of the fifth wheel trailer.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first flange coupled to the first connector on a first side of the connector plate; and

a second flange coupled to the first connector on a second side of the connector plate, the second side being opposite the first side.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first connector is an electrical connector.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first connector is selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic connector, a coolant connector, and a compressed air connector.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising;

the tow vehicle connector being manually adjustable vertically and horizontally.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the trailer connector and the tow vehicle connector are electrical connectors.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the trailer connector and the tow vehicle connector are selected from the group consisting of hydraulic connectors, coolant connectors, and compressed air connectors.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. The system of claim 11 , further comprising 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.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein a rod centerline of the rod is aligned with a pin centerline of a hitch pin of the fifth wheel trailer.

Continuity (1)
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