Abstract: A combined four way and seven way connector assembly for communicating a towing vehicle's electrical system with either a four way or seven way input harness associated with a towed vehicle. The towing vehicle includes a wire harness supplying an output of the electrical system. The connector assembly provides a three dimensional housing including a top and a plurality of interconnected sides and which is secured to a suitable rear end location of the towing vehicle. A circuit board, or other suitable component, contains a plurality of electrical circuits and is secured within the housing. A first plurality of terminals defines a four way connector and a second plurality of terminals defines a seven way connector. Each of the first and second pluralities of terminals communicates with a selected number of said plurality of circuits and further define first and second input plugs accessible through the housing by the towed vehicle input harness.

Abstract: A combined four way and seven way connector assembly for communicating a towing vehicle's electrical system with either a four way or seven way input harness associated with a towed vehicle. The towing vehicle includes a wire harness supplying an output of the electrical system. The connector assembly provides a three dimensional housing including a top and a plurality of interconnected sides and which is secured to a suitable rear end location of the towing vehicle. A circuit board, or other suitable component, contains a plurality of electrical circuits and is secured within the housing. A first plurality of terminals defines a four way connector and a second plurality of terminals defines a seven way connector. Each of the first and second pluralities of terminals communicates with a selected number of said plurality of circuits and further define first and second input plugs accessible through the housing by the towed vehicle input harness.

Abstract: A terminal socket assembly including a T-shaped sealed connector for interconnecting electrically powered vehicular components with a male input pin and output cable. A spring cage is formed into a substantially helix “hourglass shape” configuration. A tubular sleeve receives the configured spring cage in axially inserting fashion and includes first and second extending bracket portions which are biased towards each other to create a compressing and interference fit with the inserted spring cage. The assembled sleeve and spring cage is receives and engaging and inserting portion of the male pin. Gripping portions extend from a selected bracket portion and fixedly engage an extending end of a cable to electrically communicate the two cables. A sealed connector housing forms a part of and encases the terminal socket assembly and extending connector cables and includes assembleable male and female housing portions and end seals.

Abstract: A terminal socket assembly for electrically connecting a male input blade with an output cable. The socket assembly includes a spring cage exhibiting a three dimensional rectangular and arcuate cross sectional shape having a plurality of angled and torsioned beams. A sleeve exhibits a similar rectangular configuration and receives the configured spring cage in axially inserting and interference fitting fashion and so that the assembled sleeve and spring cage is capable of biasingly receiving and engaging the male blade. Gripping portions are integrally secured to the rectangular sleeve and fixedly engage an extending end of a cable to electrically communicate the cable to the blade. A sealed connector housing encases the terminal socket assembly and extending connector cables and encloses the assembled spring cage and sleeve. Other elements of the housing including a seating terminal position assurance element, seals and retainer elements engageable with opposite open ends of the housing.

Abstract: A terminal socket assembly for interconnecting electrically powered vehicular components with an associated input male input pin and an output cable. The socket assembly includes a spring cage blank having first and second extending edges and a plurality of spaced apart and angled beams extending between the edges. The spring cage is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape, and particularly in an “hourglass shape”, configuration utilizing any of a variety of different forming and bending operations. A substantially tubular sleeve is provided for receiving the configured spring cage in axially inserting fashion. The sleeve is compressingly engageable, such as by forming an axially extending slit along the length of the sleeve with a predetermined incremental amount of spacing established between adjoining surfaces, and in order to create an interference fit with the axially inserted spring cage.

Abstract: An electrical coupling device for a vehicle that includes a tub having side ends defining an upwardly facing perimeter edge surrounding an open interior. A plurality of female connectors are mounted within the tub open interior and arranged in axially extending and predetermined spaced apart fashion. Electrical components extend from the top surface of an electrical center and electrically communicate with male connectors constructed to the bottom surface of the electrical center. A lever pivotally engages with the tub and is rotated from a first disengaged position over and across the top surface of the electrical center to a second and electrically engaged position proximate the first end, and so that each of the male connectors is drawn in successive and engaging electrical contact, and with a significant minimization of mating force with the female connectors.

Abstract: A battery terminal connector for connection to a battery post, particularly useful in automotive application. The connector includes a plate having an aperture which is shaped and sized to fit about the battery post. A slot extends from the aperture to one end of the plate so as to form two spines in the plate which are separated by the slot. With the plate positioned in a horizontal orientation, one spine has an extender element, such as a bolt, extending upwardly from the spine. The other spine has a receiving element such as an upwardly extending clasp. A camming band seats about the bolt and about the clasp, and extends across the slot. A nut is rotatable on the bolt and can be moved downwardly to forcibly contact the camming band. The nut and camming band have cooperating surfaces such that downward movement of the nut on the bolt forces the camming band to move laterally relative to the bolt. This lateral motion of the camming band pulls the clasp so that the bolt and clasp move toward each other.

Abstract: A linear-type belt retractor is disclosed which can be incorporated into the safety belt restraint system of a vehicular seat, auxiliary child seat or integral child seat. The linear-type belt retractor includes a stationary lock plate and a latch assembly supported for reciprocal longitudinal movement relative to the lock plate. A belt member of the safety belt restraint is slidably secured to the latch assembly such that movement of the latch assembly in a first direction causes withdrawal of the belt member and movement in a second direction causes retraction thereof. The belt retractor is operable in a first mode for permitting movement of latch assembly on the lock plate in both directions, and in a second mode for inhibiting movement of the latch assembly in the first direction. A remote actuation mechanism is provided for automatically shifting the belt retractor into the second mode in response to fastening of a tongue plate of the safety belt restraint to a belt buckle member.