Abstract: A side marker lamp mounting assembly for mounting a side marker lamp vertically to an angled, non-horizontal exterior surface of a vehicle and creating an electrical grounding connection between the lamp and the exterior of the vehicle. The support, formed of a non-conductive material, is wedge-shaped and includes a number of mounting sleeves disposed within its interior. A U-shaped ground clip is inserted and secured within a pair of the sleeves such that a central portion of the clip extends below the support to electrically contact the exterior surface of the vehicle. A screw threaded into one of the sleeves secures the support to the vehicle and engages a first end portion of the clip to ensure electrical connection of the clip with the vehicle. The lamp is mounted to the support by a second screw threaded into a second of the sleeves and the second screw contacts a central section of a ground conductor strip extending beneath the lamp.

Abstract: A resealable light capsule for use in a tail light assembly utilized with boat trailers is provided. The capsule is mounted within the outer housing of the tail light assembly and includes a base, a lighting mechanism secured to the base, and a transparent, dome-like casing that is selectively engageable with the base. The casing is held in position on the base by a latching mechanism comprised of a number of locking clips extending outwardly from the base that releasably engage a locking flange located on the casing. The peripheral edge of the casing is sealed to the base by an O-ring seal that is positioned in a groove in the base and engages the inner surface of the casing adjacent the peripheral edge. The lighting mechanism disposed within the capsule can be selectively connected with the electrical system of a vehicle through the use of a plug, connected to the vehicle electrical system, and a set of plug receptacles, disposed in the base and connected to the lighting mechanism.

Abstract: An improved trailer tongue jack including an outer tube and an inner tube which is slidable within the outer tube. The lower end of the inner tube carries a terrain engaging member, such as a caster wheel or sand shoe. A nut is mounted within the inner tube and is threaded on a screw and the upper end of the screw carries a bevel gear which meshes with a second bevel gear mounted on a handle. The bevel gears are supported within a polymeric cup mounted in the upper end of the outer tube and the cup also serves to rotatably support the handle as well as the upper end of the screw and further functions, along with a thrust washer, as a thrust bearing for the screw. The jack also includes an improved locking mechanism for locking the jack in either a vertical or horizontal position. A U-shaped swivel bracket is secured to the outer surface of the outer tube and the lower end portion of a locking member is mounted for movement within aligned openings in flanges of the swivel bracket.

Abstract: A tail light construction comprising an outer housing having an aperture that extends therethrough. An annular resilient grommet is disposed in the aperture and a metal bulb holder is mounted within the central opening of the grommet and includes a socket which receives the base portion of a light bulb. The axis of the bulb is located at an acute angle with respect to the base of the housing. A lens encloses one end of the central opening of the grommet, while either a lens or an opaque closure plate encloses the opposite end. Electrical connectors are connected to the bulb and extend in sealed relation through the grommet and are connected to electrical leads.

Abstract: A combination side marker, clearance and reflex lamp for a vehicle. The lamp includes a base which is adapted to be connected to a vehicle. The base is provided with a recess, and a lens in combination with the base define a bulb chamber that houses a light bulb. The base portion of the bulb extends through an opening in the base and into the recess. A pair of electrical conductors are mounted on the base and extend into the recess and are connected to the base portion of the bulb. A resin is potted in the recess to encapsulate the conductors and the base portion of the bulb. The bulb chamber is hermetically sealed to prevent contact of moisture or water with the bulb.

Abstract: A sealed tail light assembly for a boat trailer including an outer housing and a sealed capsule is contained within the housing. The capsule is composed of a base and a transparent casing that contains a pair of light bulbs. The base is provided with a depression or well. Electrical conductors are connected to the bulbs and extend through openings in the base into the well where the ends of the conductors are connected to electrical leads. The well is filled with an electrically insulating material, such as resin, which encloses the openings in the well and encapsulates the connections between the conductors and the leads. One end of the capsule is provided with a tongue, which is received within a slot in the rear wall of the housing, while the opposite end of the capsule is formed with a lip which is captured between the lower edge of the side marker lens and the rear wall, thus enabling the capsule to be secured within the housing without the need for auxiliary connectors.

Abstract: A submersible tail light assembly for a boat trailer. The tail light assembly includes an outer housing having an open outer end that is enclosed by a tail light lens. A transparent capsule having an open inner end is sealed to the wall of the housing, and a bulb socket that carries a light bulb is mounted on the inner wall of the housing and is located within the capsule. The electrical leads connected to the bulb socket extend through an opening in the lower portion of the inner wall of the housing. In some cases the housing may also have an open side enclosed by a side marker lens and a side marker bulb socket and bulb are mounted in the housing in alignment with the side marker lens. When the trailer light is submerged in water during launching of a boat, air is entrapped within the capsule preventing water from rising in the capsule to the level of the bulb socket and bulb. The bulb can be conveniently replaced by removing the lens and capsule from the housing.

Abstract: Converter means for converting a side marker light for a vehicle such as a trailer to a combination side marker and clearance light comprises an adapter assembly for repositioning the ligh bulb and a multi-sided translucent lens for replacing the original flat lens of the side marker light.

Abstract: A jack for supporting and adjusting the elevation of a trailer tongue comprises a ground support post, having either a caster wheel or foot plate at its lower end, extending downwardly through a jack mechanism housing which is bolted to the trailer tongue. The post can be raised or lowered either by means of a rotatable crank extending from the housing or, alternately, after manual release of latching means in the housing and tilting of the crank, by manually sliding the post. The post has a toothed rack affixed along one side thereof. The mechanism in the housing comprises a pivotally movable support member on which a crank-driven worm and an intermeshing worm gear are rotatably mounted. The support member is spring biased and releasably latched into an upward position wherein the worm gear engages the rack (and functions as a pinion gear) and manual rotation of the crank is necessary to move the post up or down.