Abstract: An electrical junction box is configured to be attached to a vehicle. The box includes a container that has a front opening and a cavity located behind the front opening. A cover is movably attached to the container, so it can be moved into a closed position covering the front opening. A socket, to which an electrical supply cable can be removably connected, is fixed to the container beside the front opening. Breakers are secured to the container within the cavity. Each breaker has an input terminal and an output terminal. Each input terminal is electrically connected to the supply cable via the socket. Electrical distribution lines connect the breakers' output terminals to components of the vehicle that are outside the cavity.

Abstract: A controller is usable with a tractor that has a power supply and a trailer that has first and second auxiliary devices. The controller is configured to selectively enable and disable each of the auxiliary devices based on a predetermined set of device disabling conditions wherein: When any of the device disabling conditions occurs, then both auxiliary devices are disabled. When none of the device disabling conditions occurs then, when a first device-selecting condition occurs then the first auxiliary device is enabled and the second auxiliary device is disabled. And when a second device-selecting condition occurs then the second auxiliary device is enabled and the first auxiliary device is disabled.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for supplying power to a vehicle trailer. A connection device may be used to connect the vehicle trailer to a vehicle power line and to a control line from a vehicle electrical system. The trailer may include a main trailer electrical system and an auxiliary trailer electrical system. The main trailer electrical system requires power only when the vehicle trailer is in motion, and may be coupled to the connection device to receive power from the vehicle power line. A control unit may be coupled to the connection device, and may receive a control signal from the control line. The control unit may be used to switchably couple the auxiliary trailer electrical system to the vehicle power line based on the control signal.

Abstract: A connector assembly is disclosed and claimed. The male connector comprises at least one conductive terminal held by a male plug body including a head portion and a gripping portion, the head portion including a plurality of raised elements extending radially outward from the head portion. The female connector comprises at least one mating conductive terminal held by a female plug body including a receiving portion and a gripping portion, the receiving portion adapted to receive the head portion of the male connector and including a plurality of recessed areas adapted to interlock with the raised elements of the head portion. The male plug body is preferably made from a substantially rigid plastic and the female plug body is made from a flexible plastic.

Abstract: A power distribution unit useful in a truck tractor to apply electrical power to a selected one or more of a plurality of signal terminals of a tractor-mounted connector in a tractor-to-trailer electrical connection. The power distribution unit comprises a power bus adapted for connection to a power source, an output terminal corresponding to each signal terminal of the connector, a switch connected between each output terminal and the power bus, and an actuator associated with each switch and operable upon receipt of a respective control signal to operate the associated switch.

Abstract: A cartridge for removably connecting to a cable that electrically connects a tow vehicle to a towed vehicle is provided. The cartridge includes a body having a first end and a second end and a plurality of openings extending from the first end to the second end. The cartridge also includes a common contact member having a female contact end and a male contact end, wherein the female contact end is disposed in and the male contact extends from a corresponding one of the plurality of openings, and wherein the female contact end has an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the corresponding body opening in which it is disposed to allow for a lateral movement of the female contact end within the body.

Abstract: An electrical plug (60) comprising a body (16) having an end (40) carrying a plurality of first ones of corresponding pairs of male (14) and female (17) electrical connection moieties. The plug includes a sleeve (20) axially extending from the body end outwardly from the moieties. The sleeve is defined by an outer periphery and an end (36) spaced apart from the body end. Integrally molded with the sleeve is a circumferential flange (22) extending radially from the outer periphery of the sleeve at the sleeve end.

Abstract: To enable vehicles such as truck tractors, motor homes and recreational vehicles to receive electrical power and communications when parked, a power and communications assembly is provided. A base is mountable in an exterior surface of the vehicle openings through the base are defined for mounting a respective connection moiety so each mounted moiety can be engaged with a complementary connection moiety when a main cover for the base and the mounted moieties is opened against a bias causing it to be normally closed. The connection moieties mountable in the base openings are selected from a group which includes electrical power connectors, telephone circuit connectors, and connectors for coaxial cables and fiber optic cables. Features of either a base opening or a mounted connection moiety can be engaged by its own secondary cover; the several secondary covers when engaged can be accommodated with a space protected by the main cover when it is closed.

Abstract: An electric socket assembly is provided having a socket sleeve, an insert disc, a socket cap and a plurality of plug extenders. The insert disc carries a common pin and a plurality of non-common pins on its front face and service connection studs on its rear face. Each service connection stud is electrically connected to a respective pin. A socket cap having a plurality of pockets is positioned over the service connection studs such that each service connection stud extends through an opening in the respective pocket of the cap. A plug extender is positioned in each of the pockets of the cap such that the service connection stud extending through the opening in the pocket also extends through an opening in the plug extender. The plug extender includes plural service connection terminals in conductive relation to the service connection stud to enhance the connection capacity of the socket assembly.

Abstract: An electrical wiring system is described for providing required and other electrical signals and functions between a truck tractor and a trailer coupled for towing to the tractor. The tractor has an operator cab and may include a sleeper compartment (box) behind the cab. The wiring system provides efficiencies in manufacture of the tractor, particularly when it includes a sleeper box which the tractor manufacturer may offer in a range of lengths. The wiring system includes a cable module for the cab and a standard-length cable module for the sleeper box. The cab cable module terminates at its rear end in a connector to which can be connected either a socket assembly for a removable tractor-to-trailer cable unit having end connectors conforming to an applicable Standard, or a connector at the forward end of the sleeper box cable module, or a tractor-to-trailer cable unit which is more permanently connected to the tractor.

Abstract: A holder, mountable on the back of a truck tractor cab, has two electrical plug receptacles and two gladhand keepers. The gladhand keepers are vertically directed and angled with respect to the mounting surface of the cab, so that an operator can store in the keepers the hose-end gladhands associated with the tractor without climbing on, leaning over, or stretching across the frame of the truck behind the cab. The electrical plug receptacles are at an angle away from the surface, making it easier for an operator to insert the plugs into the electrical plug receptacle and thereby reducing wear to the cables.

Abstract: Overhead crane apparatus is disclosed incorporating an extruded aluminum alloy rail structure for runway and bridge girder applications. The relatively light weight and low cost rail structure is shaped to provide a trolley passageway protected from the ingress of deleterious substances, and is further contoured to provide a shaped cavity for ready reception of novel clamp means facilitating the imposition of increased loads on existing crane apparatus. The rail structure during the extrusion process may also be formed with fluid passages in the side walls thereof.