Patents by Inventor Douglas R. Rhude

Douglas R. Rhude has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6705880
    Abstract: A male plug protector for trailer wiring harness connection plug simulating a female type receptacle and is vertically mounted on the hitch frame with the upper end closed for protecting a plug when not in use. In one embodiment the male plug end is cylindrical and is retained in the protector by the spring action of the cover and a protrusion on the interior of the cover corresponding to a projection located on the male plug wall. The user pulls back the cover and to remove the plug. In another embodiment, the male plug is linear and retained in the protector by the spring action of the cover and a lower wall holding the base of the male plug and having a central opening for passage of the male plug electrical wiring harness closing over the male plug. The wiring harness plug's electrical connectors are protected when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Douglas R. Rhude
  • Patent number: 6638083
    Abstract: A vertically oriented, male plug protector for a trailer wiring harness connection plug having a female type receptacle with a spring-biased hinged cover at its lower end. The upper end is closed. The device has a back plate for mounting to a trailer near the hitch end. When the trailer is not in use, the cover is pulled back and the male wiring harness plug is inserted. The male plug end is retained in the protector by the spring action of the cover and a protrusion on the interior of the cover corresponding to a projection located on the male plug wall. To remove the plug, the user pulls back the cover and removes the plug. The electrical wiring harness plug is retained within the protector to prevent environment damage from occurring to the plug's electrical connectors when the trailer is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Douglas R. Rhude
  • Publication number: 20030186564
    Abstract: A male plug protector for trailer wiring harness connection plug simulating a female type receptacle and is vertically mounted on the hitch frame with the upper end closed for protecting a plug when not in use. In one embodiment the male plug end is cylindrical and is retained in the protector by the spring action of the cover and a protrusion on the interior of the cover corresponding to a projection located on the male plug wall. The user pulls back the cover and to remove the plug. In another embodiment, the male plug is linear and retained in the protector by the spring action of the cover and a lower wall holding the base of the male plug and having a central opening for passage of the male plug electrical wiring harness closing over the male plug. The wiring harness plug's electrical connectors are protected when not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Douglas R. Rhude
  • Publication number: 20020142637
    Abstract: A vertically oriented, male plug protector for a trailer wiring harness connection plug having a female type receptacle with a spring-biased hinged cover at its lower end. The upper end is closed. The device has a back plate for mounting to a trailer near the hitch end. When the trailer is not in use, the cover is pulled back and the male wiring harness plug is inserted. The male plug end is retained in the protector by the spring action of the cover and a protrusion on the interior of the cover corresponding to a projection located on the male plug wall. To remove the plug, the user pulls back the cover and removes the plug. The electrical wiring harness plug is retained within the protector to prevent environment damage from occurring to the plug's electrical connectors when the trailer is not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: Douglas R. Rhude