IP Library Granted Patent US 7,955,085
Granted Patent B2
US 7,955,085 · App. 12/633,191 · Granted Jun 7, 2011

Mounting bracket for trailer wiring connector

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,955,085
App. No.
12/633,191
Granted
Jun 7, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A mounting bracket for a trailer wiring connector is described. The mounting bracket may attach the electrical connector to a cross bar of a towing vehicle. The mounting bracket may include an upper housing and a lower housing. The upper housing may include a mounting aperture and a plurality of slots. The lower housing may include a threaded aperture and a plurality of tabs. The tabs may be capable of engagement with the slots to secure the upper housing to the lower housing. The lower housing may also include a clamping fastener, such as a set screw, that may be capable of engagement with a threaded aperture, wherein the set screw may be capable of clamping engagement with the electrical connector. The mounting bracket may also include a cover capable of engagement with the electrical connector.

Claims (45)

1. A mounting bracket for securing an electrical connector˜the mounting bracket comprising:

a first housing comprising at least one mounting aperture, at least one slot, a series of teeth, and at least one projection;

a second housing comprising at least one tab capable of engagement with said at least one slot, a wall capable of engagement with said series of teeth, and at least one attachment aperture capable of engagement with said at least one projection;

wherein, when attached, said first housing and said second housing define an inner chamber capable of securing the electrical connector; and

wherein the engagement of said teeth with said wall provides at least one opening capable of separating wires of the electrical connector.

2. The mounting bracket of claim 1 , wherein an attachment fastener is capable of engagement with said attachment apertures and said projections to secure said first housing and said second housing together.

3. The mounting bracket of claim 1 , wherein said mounting bracket is capable of being secured to the towing vehicle via said mounting apertures of said first housing.

4. The mounting bracket of claim 1 , wherein said mounting bracket is capable of being mounted vertically or horizontally.

5. The mounting bracket of claim 1 , wherein said inner chamber is shaped and sized for receiving a 4-way flat connector.

6. The mounting bracket of claim 1 , wherein said structure of a towing vehicle is a cross-bar.

7. The mounting bracket of claim 1 , wherein said structure of a towing vehicle is a bumper.

8. The mounting bracket of claim 1 , wherein said second housing has a pair of attachment apertures and said wall expands between said attachment apertures.

9. The mounting bracket of claim 8 , wherein said first housing has a pairs of projections and said series of teeth expands between said projections.

10. The mounting bracket of claim 1 , wherein said first housing includes a cutout for receiving a portion of the electrical connector.

11. The mounting bracket of claim 10 , wherein said second housing includes a cutout for receiving a portion of the electrical connector.

12. The mounting bracket of claim 11 further including a cover that is capable of engagement with the electrical connector that is partially extended out of said mounting bracket via said cutouts.

13. The mounting bracket of claim 1 further including a threaded aperture located in said second housing.

14. The mounting bracket of claim 13 , wherein said threaded aperture is capable of engagement with a clamping fastener that is capable of engagement with the electrical connector.

15. A mounting bracket for securing an electrical connector comprising:

an first housing including a flange, wherein said flange includes at least one mounting aperture;

a plurality of slots located on said first housing, wherein said first housing includes a plurality of teeth;

a second housing including a threaded aperture, wherein said second housing includes a wall capable of engagement with said plurality of said teeth;

a plurality of tabs located on said second housing, wherein said plurality of tabs are capable of engagement with said plurality of slots;

a clamping fastener capable of engagement with said threaded aperture, wherein said clamping fastener is capable of clamping engagement with the electrical connector; a cover capable of engagement with the electrical connector;

wherein said mounting bracket is capable of being connected to a cross bar of a towing vehicle using the mounting aperture; and

wherein the engagement of said teeth with said wall provides at least one opening capable of separating wires of the electrical connector.

16. The mounting bracket of claim 15 , wherein said threaded aperture is located in a platform on the second housing.

17. The mounting bracket of claim 15 , wherein said mounting bracket is capable of being used on Class I, II, III, IV, or V hitch receivers.

18. The mounting bracket of claim 15 , wherein said mounting bracket is capable of being mounted vertically or horizontally on the cross bar of the hitch receiver.

19. A method of securing an electrical connector to a towing vehicle, said method comprising:

placing the electrical connector within a recessed area of one of a first housing and a second housing, wherein said first housing includes a plurality of teeth and said second housing includes a wall capable of engagement with said plurality of said teeth;

attaching said first housing and said second housing together to form a mounting bracket, the electrical connector being disposed within an inner chamber of said mounting bracket and wherein the engagement of said plurality of teeth with said wall provides at least one opening capable of separating wires of the electrical connector;

securing said first housing and said second housing together via at least one fastener; and securing said mounting bracket to a cross bar of the towing vehicle.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein said mounting bracket is secured to the cross bar by at least one cable tie.

21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the step of securing the electrical connector within said inner chamber includes tightening a clamping fastener through a threaded aperture located in said second housing.

22. A mounting bracket comprising:

a first housing comprising at least one mounting aperture, at least one slot, a series of teeth, and at least one projection;

a second housing connected to said first housing, said second housing comprising at least one tab capable of engagement with said at least one slot, a wall capable of engagement with said series of teeth, and at least one attachment aperture capable of engagement with said at least one projection;

an inner chamber defined by an interior portion of said first housing and said second housing;

an electrical connector positioned within said inner chamber, wherein said electrical connector includes wiring connections of a towing vehicle; and

wherein the engagement of said teeth with said wall provides at least one opening for separating wires of the electrical connector.

23. The mounting bracket of claim 22 further comprising a threaded aperture located in said second housing.

24. The mounting bracket of claim 22 , wherein said threaded aperture is capable of engagement with a clamping fastener that is capable of engagement with said electrical connector.

25. The mounting bracket of claim 22 , wherein said mounting bracket is mounted to a structure of a towing vehicle.

26. The mounting bracket of claim 25 , wherein said structure of a towing vehicle is a cross bar.

Assignments (16)
FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 18, 2025
From: AIRTEX INDUSTRIES, LLC; AIRTEX PRODUCTS, LP; APC INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, LLC; APC PARENT, LLC; ASC INDUSTRIES, INC.; AUTOLITE OPERATIONS LLC; AVM EXPORT, INC.; BPI ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC; BPI EC, LLC; BPI HOLDINGS INTERNATIONAL, LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC CHINA LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC INDIA LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC LLC; CARDONE INDUSTRIES, INC.; CARRAND COMPANIES, INC.; CARTER CARBURETOR HOLDINGS, LLC; CARTER CARBURETOR, LLC; CARTER FUEL EXPORT, INC.; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; CHAMPION LABORATORIES, INC.; CWD HOLDING, LLC; CWD INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS I, LLC; CWD INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS II, LLC; CWD, LLC; DALTON CORPORATION; DALTON CORPORATION, KENDALLVILLE; MANUFACTURING FACILITY DALTON CORPORATION, ASHLAND; MANUFACTURING FACILITY DALTON CORPORATION, STRYKER MACHINING FACILITY CO.; DALTON CORPORATION, WARSAW MANUFACTURING FACILITY; EAGLE CASTING, LLC; EAGLE MACHINING, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP INTERMEDIATE, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP, LLC; FRAM GROUP IP LLC; FRAM GROUP OPERATIONS LLC; FRAMAUTO HOLDINGS, LLC; FUEL FILTER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GLOBAL REMAN VENTURES, LLC; HEATHERTON HOLDINGS, LLC; HOPKINS ACQUISITION, INC.; HOPKINS MANUFACTURING CORPORATION; HORIZON EURO FINANCE LLC; HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.; HORIZON GLOBAL COMPANY LLC; HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION; HORIZON INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; IBI INTERNATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; INTERNATIONAL BRAKE INDUSTRIES, INC.; JASPER ACQUISITION CORP.; JASPER RUBBER PRODUCTS, INC.; KTRI HOLDINGS, INC.; KTRI OFFSHORE HOLDINGS, LLC; LONGMAN ENTERPRISES, INC.; PHNX ACQUISITION CORP.; PREMIER MARKETING GROUP, LLC; PYLON MANUFACTURING CORP.; PYLON SOUTH BEND, INC.; QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE, L.L.C.; QUALIS ENTERPRISES, LLC; QUALITOR ACQUISITION INC.; QUALITOR AUTOMOTIVE, LLC; QUALITOR SUBSIDIARY H, INC.; QUALITOR SUBSIDIARY S, INC.; QUALITOR, INC.; REMAN MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL LLC; SDC TX, LLC; SMART CHOICE, LLC; SPECIALTY PUMPS GROUP, INC.; STRONGARM, LLC; TAE BRAKES, LLC; TAE CHINA HOLDINGS, INC.; TMD INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; TMD MEXICO LLC; TOLEDO MOLDING & DIE, LLC; TRANSPORTATION AFTERMARKET ENTERPRISE, LLC; TRICO HOLDING CORPORATION; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; TRICO TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; TRIDONEX USA LLC; UCI ACQUISITION HOLDINGS (NO. 4) LLC; UCI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS PARENT, INC.; UCI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; UCI INTERNATIONAL, LLC; UCI PENNSYLVANIA, INC.; UCI-AIRTEX HOLDINGS, INC.; UNITED COMPONENTS, LLC; UNIVERSAL AUTO FILTER LLC; VIPER ACQUISITION I, INC.; VIPER ACQUISITION, INC.; WALBRO LLC; WALBRO MIDCO LLC; WEM US CO.
To: GLAS USA LLC
Reel/Frame 071674/0688 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 9, 2021
From: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC, SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS COLLATERAL AGENT (AS SUCCESSOR TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.)
To: HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION; WESTFALIA-AUTOMOTIVE GMBH; HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 055262/0842 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 9, 2021
From: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.; C.P. WITTER LIMITED; WESTFALIA-AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
To: ATLANTIC PARK STRATEGIC CAPITAL FUND, L.P., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 055262/0949 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 11, 2020
From: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC
To: HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION; HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
Reel/Frame 053453/0229 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 052463/0091 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2020
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 052918/0733 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 17, 2020
From: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
To: ENCINA BUSINESS CREDIT, LLC
Reel/Frame 052183/0590 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 20, 2019
From: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.; HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
To: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 048648/0006 →
MERGER Recorded May 10, 2017
From: CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.
To: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
Reel/Frame 042435/0260 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE RECEIVING PARTY'S NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 023619 FRAME: 0810. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jul 15, 2015
From: ROTENBERG, GREGORY; CORLESS, JERRY
To: CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 036107/0804 →
SECURITY INTEREST (ABL) Recorded Jul 8, 2015
From: CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 036082/0668 →
SECURITY INTEREST (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jul 6, 2015
From: CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 036062/0554 →
RELEASE OF REEL/FRAME 026712/0001 Recorded Nov 15, 2013
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: ARROW ENGINE COMPANY; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; LAMONS GASKET COMPANY; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC.; RIEKE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 031645/0591 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 13, 2012
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
To: TRIMAS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029291/0265 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 7, 2011
From: ARROW ENGINE COMPANY, AN OKLAHOMA CORPORATION; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC., AN OHIO CORPORATION; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC., A MICHIGAN CORPORATION; LAMONS GASKET COMPANY, A TEXAS CORPORATION; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION; RIEKE CORPORATION, AN INDIANA CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 026712/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 8, 2009
From: ROTENBERG, GREGORY; CORLESS, JERRY
To: CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS
Reel/Frame 023619/0810 →