IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,678,419
Granted Patent B2
US 8,678,419 · App. 13/403,732 · Granted Mar 25, 2014

Systems and methods for connecting a power supply to a trailer

Inventor: Joseph Karl Glazner (Grapeland, TX)
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,678,419
App. No.
13/403,732
Granted
Mar 25, 2014
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 may comprise a connector plate coupled to a hitching member. The connector plate may define a curvilinear slot that receives a first connector. The curvilinear slot may allow the connector plate to rotate with respect to the first connector. A retention spring may be coupled to the first connector. In various embodiments, the hitching member may be a tongue of a fifth wheel trailer or a downward extending member of a gooseneck trailer.

Claims (58)

1. A system for connecting a power supply of a tow vehicle to a trailer, comprising:

a connector plate coupled to a hitching member, the connector plate defining a curvilinear slot receiving a first connector, the curvilinear slot allowing the connector plate to rotate with respect to the first connector; and

a retention spring coupled to the first connector;

the hitching member being a tongue of a fifth wheel trailer;

the first connector being a trailer connector;

the connector plate extending from the tongue; and

a tow vehicle connector bracket coupled to a tow vehicle and 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:

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.

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

4. 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.

5. A method of connecting a power supply to a trailer using the system of claim 1 , the method comprising:

aligning the first connector with the tow vehicle connector;

mating a hitch pin coupled to the trailer with a receiving slot on the tow vehicle; and

connecting the first connector with the tow vehicle connector substantially simultaneously with the mating of the hitch pin and the receiving slot.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

communicating power between the first connector and the tow vehicle connector.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

exerting a spring force on the connected first connector and tow vehicle connector to maintain the connection.

8. The method of claim 5 , further comprising allowing the connector plate to rotate about the first connector as the trailer rotates with respect to the tow vehicle.

9. 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 receiving a trailer connector, the curvilinear slot allowing the connector plate to rotate with respect to the trailer connector;

a retention spring coupled to the trailer connector; 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 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.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the trailer connector and the tow vehicle connector are electrical connectors.

11. The system of claim 9 , further comprising:

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

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

12. A method of connecting a power supply to a trailer using the system of claim 9 , the method comprising:

aligning the trailer connector with the tow vehicle connector;

mating the socket on the trailer with the ball on the tow vehicle; and

connecting the trailer connector with the tow vehicle connector substantially simultaneously with the mating of the socket and the ball.

13. A system for connecting a power supply of a tow vehicle to a trailer, comprising:

a connector plate coupled to a hitching member, the connector plate defining a curvilinear slot receiving a first connector, the curvilinear slot allowing the connector plate to rotate with respect to the first connector; and

a retention spring coupled to the first connector;

the 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 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 ball of the tow vehicle.

14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising:

a tow vehicle connector bracket coupled to a tow vehicle and coupled to a tow vehicle connector, the tow vehicle connector configured to communicate power from the tow vehicle to the gooseneck trailer.

15. The system of claim 13 , 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.

16. The system of claim 13 , wherein the first connector is an electrical connector.

17. The system of claim 13 , wherein the first connector is selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic connector, a coolant connector, and a compressed air connector.

18. A method of connecting a power supply to a trailer using the system of claim 13 , the method comprising:

aligning the first connector with a tow vehicle connector;

mating the socket on the trailer with the ball on the tow vehicle; and

connecting the first connector with the tow vehicle connector substantially simultaneously with the mating of the socket and the ball.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:

communicating power between the first connector and the tow vehicle connector.

20. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:

exerting a spring force on the connected first connector and tow vehicle connector to maintain the connection.

Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 12876061 · Sep 3, 2010
Related Publication 20120153597A1 · Jun 21, 2012