Abstract: A mounting box formed of polymeric material for mounting an electrical connector laterally to the cross tube of a trailer hitch with walls enclosing the body of the electrical connector receivable through a mounting wall opening with another opening receiving the cable of wires connected to the electrical connector. A pair of spaced apart slots formed in the mounting box through which an adjustable band clamp is received for encompassing the cross tube of the trailer hitch for rigidly securing the mounting box to the cross tube. Fastening holes are arranged about the first wall opening in a pattern that corresponds to different electrical connectors and different mounting positions of the electrical connector. A flap in the mounting wall permits the cable of a prewired electrical connector to be received within the mounting box.

Abstract: An encoder and decoder (multiplexer and demultiplexer) are used to control the rear operating lights (e.g., turn, brake, or running lights) of a trailer towed on the roads behind a tractor vehicle. Voltages powering the tractor vehicle's rear lamps are the inputs to a combinational logic unit with gates (AND, OR, etc.) for interfacing between different lighting systems on the tractor and trailer. The logic unit's outputs are fed to an encoder which converts the parallel outputs to serial data. The data are sent over a single wire to the decoder, mounted on the trailer. The decoder regenerates the parallel signals to control switches (power transistors) driving the trailer lamps with power from the vehicle battery.

Abstract: A compact universal terminal block for connecting single wire conductors to plural wire conductors in series-parallel electrical circuits. The terminal block has a generally rectangular insulative housing with a stepped end portion and plural unitary connectors inside of the housing. Each connector is made from a blank of conductive material and has an input terminal and multiple tubular output terminals for operatively connecting multiple wire conductors to a single wire conductor. The tubular output terminals are arranged in parallel and staggered relationship with respect to each other to minimize the size of the terminal block and the amount of material used for stamping the connectors. Connectors having differing numbers of output terminals are provided in the common insulative housing to serve the requirements of many users.

Abstract: A decorative cover for the end of a drawbar comprises top and sidewall portions overlying top and side surfaces of the drawbar member. The cover is a bright shiny metal which dresses up the drawbar member. The cover mounts without the use of any additional fasteners, the cover top wall comprising an aperture aligned with the hole in the drawbar member for the towing ball mounting and the cover being held in place by the towing ball mounting. The top wall of the cover contains a further aperture allowing viewing of hitch load rating data on the drawbar; alternatively said further aperture may be omitted and instead a blank space provided for the installer to inscribe the load rating data directly on the cover.