Patents by Inventor Michael T. Hughes

Michael T. Hughes 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: 5626479
    Abstract: A unified connector interface adapter apparatus which is adapted to provide electrical connection with any one of a plurality of towing vehicle round wiring harness receptacles. The unified connector interface adapter apparatus has a housing at the second end adapted for securement within a towing vehicle trailer harness receptacle located near the rear of a towing vehicle. The unified connector interface adapter apparatus is adapted at first end to receive a selected round towed vehicle plug having a plurality of connectors extending from the towed vehicle wiring harness. The unified connector interface adapter apparatus is also adapted to provide an interface between complimentary round and non-complementary connectors between a towing and towed vehicle. The housing may also be sized to receive a circuit board therein, which aligns the connectors on the first end with the appropriate connectors on the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Inventor: Michael T. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5514009
    Abstract: A plurality of adapter embodiments connect the electrical system of a first vehicle to the electrical system of a second vehicle, such as a vehicle in tow. The adapters have particular application for mating a four-way-flat harness connector of a trailer at one end, and at other opposite end, for mating a complex round harness connector with numerous terminals. The adapters are solid unitary structures formed with a covering material. Adapter molds are provided for fabricating the adapters. The molds include a series of interchangeable, removable mold inserts received within the mold body. Depressions are formed in the removable mold inserts in a configuration corresponding approximately to the shape of the adapter. The covering material is injected into the mold to thereby form the adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventor: Michael T. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5443389
    Abstract: A unified connector interface for mounting on a towing vehicle, which is adapted to provide electrical connection with any one of a plurality of towed vehicle wiring harness electrical connectors. The unified connector interface has a housing adapted for securement to the rear of the towing vehicle. The unified connector interface is adapted to receive a selected round connector having a plurality of connectors extending from the towed vehicle wiring harness. The unified connector interface is also adapted to provide an interface between complimentary connectors, and with piggyback double electrical connectors, as well as with individual or two wire connectors. The housing is sized to recieve a circuit board therein, which aligns the connectors on the first side with the connectors on the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Inventor: Michael T. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5442332
    Abstract: A self-contained portable interface system (10) coordinates vehicle light response on separate vehicles. A power interface (13) plugs into a cigarette lighter (14) on the first vehicle (16). A turn signal detector (18) releasably engages a turn signal lever arm (22) on the first vehicle (16) for the purpose of detecting actuation of turn signal lights on the first vehicle (16). A flasher switch (25) is disposed on the turn signal detector (18) for concurrently actuating turn signal lights on the second vehicle (12). A control unit (24) communicates via a ribbon cable (42) to the power interface (13) and the turn signal detector (18). The control unit (24) has a light sensing switch (28), which is actuated by atmospheric light, for switching park lights of the second vehicle (12) during the absence of light. An inertia sensor (56) detects deceleration of the first vehicle (16) and causes actuation of brake lights of the second vehicle (12) in response to the deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventor: Michael T. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5354204
    Abstract: A plurality of adapter embodiments connect the electrical system of a first vehicle to the electrical system of a second vehicle, such as a vehicle in tow. The adapters have particular application for mating a four-way-flat harness connector of a trailer at one end, and at other opposite end, for mating a complex round harness connector with numerous terminals. The adapters are solid unitary structures formed with a covering material. Adapter molds are provided for fabricating the adapters. The molds include a series of interchangeable, removable mold inserts received within the mold body. Depressions are formed in the removable mold inserts in a configuration corresponding approximately to the shape of the adapter. The covering material is injected into the mold to thereby form the adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventor: Michael T. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5281147
    Abstract: A modifiable harness adaptor (10) interfaces a conventional four-way-flat harness connector with any conventional four-way-round harness connector having any orientation of male pin terminals (38a-38d). The modifiable harness adaptor (10) has a first adaptor connector (14) for connecting to a correlative four-way-flat harness connector. Interconnect wires (16a-16d) connect the four-way-flat adaptor connector (14) with a modifiable four-way-round adaptor connector (12). The modifiable four-way-round adaptor connector (12) has four sectorial terminal sections (26a-26d), each comprising a corresponding female pin terminal (28a-28d). The four sectorial terminal sections (26a-26d) are held together to form a cylindrical configuration via a ring-like retainer (42) which is slidably engaged about the longitudinal portion of the sectorial terminal sections (26a-26d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Inventor: Michael T. Hughes