Abstract: A trailer light connection system includes a T-shaped connector having three terminals including a modularized tap plug as the third terminal for direct or indirect connection to the trailer lighting system. One of the conductors leading to the tap plug can be selectively disconnected from the first and second terminals and then reconnected to a ground receptacle on the vehicle to ground the trailer to the towing vehicle when the trailer does not have a back-up light system. By standardizing the system components and modularizing the tap plug connections, the trailer light system of the present invention reduces the number of stock keeping units required while simplifying system installation.

Abstract: A rewind trailer light connector which is characterized by a rewind housing attached to either the frame, bumper or trailer hitch of a towing vehicle or the trailer tongue of a trailer and fitted with wiring having either a plug or receptacle for receiving the mating plug or receptacle of the trailer or vehicle to illuminate lights on the trailer. In a preferred embodiment the rewind trailer light connector is characterized by a split housing fitted with a central opening and a coil spring, such that the plug or receptacle can be retracted against the housing when not in use and extended from the housing for connection to the corresponding plug or receptacle component during use.

Abstract: A pigtail connector for transferring electrical power between electrical systems of a tractor and trailer includes a housing and an integral light source. The light source is wired to terminals of opposite polarity in the housing. The light source may be activated by engaging the marker lights on the tractor/trailer and provides a safety light directed over the deck plate area at the rear of the tractor. A removable lens focuses the light into a beam directed longitudinally over the connector so as to illuminate the connection area.

Abstract: An electrical connector for providing an insulation displaced connection between first and second insulated electrical wires includes a base and a cap. The base includes a body having at least one groove and a first electrical wire partially embedded in the body. A terminal pin on the end of the first wire extends into and is partially exposed within that groove. A second insulated wire is positioned in and extends through the groove, and the cap is positioned around part of that second wire adjacent the body. The cap is then matingly slid along the base, with a cam surface on the cap slidingly contacting the second wire to force that wire into an insulation displaced connection with the terminal pin on the first wire. When the cap is fully received on the base, the electrical connection is complete without any hand tools being used.

Abstract: A universal wiring connection cord is disclosed for interconnecting various types of wiring sockets that are interconnected with the electrical lighting system of a towing vehicle to various types of wiring plugs that may be interconnected with the electrical lighting system of a trailer. The universal wiring connection cord includes a central cable housing a number of stranded electrical wires bundled therein. The bundled electrical wires extend from a first end of the central cable and are provided with electrical connectors adapted to be engaged with the electrical terminals housed within the wiring socket mounted to the towing vehicle. The ends of the wires extending from the first end of the central cable are free to move with respect to one another in order to be positioned in the pinout pattern of the wiring socket.

Abstract: A trailer light connection system includes T-shape connectors principally for truck lighting systems respectively having three terminals including a modularized tap plug, split wire connectors principally for automobile lighting systems respectively including a modularized plug and trailer wiring harnesses respectively used with either the T-shape connector or the split wire connector and having a modularized plug interconnecting therewith. By standardizing the system components and modularizing the plug connections, the trailer lighting system of the present invention reduces the number of stock keeping units required while simplifying system installation.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting the cables interconnecting the tractor and trailer portion of a combination vehicle includes axially offset portions, each of which carries a set of electrical conductors. The conductors in one of the portions provide the standard electrical connections between the portions of the vehicle for tail lights, turn signals, etc. Conductors in the other portion provide the connections for an electropneumatic actuated braking system. The offset portions are designed so that the portion carrying the connections for the tail lights, stop lights, turn signals, etc are compatible with existing connectors so that a portion of the vehicle equipped with an electropneumatic system may be used with another portion of the vehicle which is not equipped with an electropneumatic braking system.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for electrically connecting together two cables. The connection is easily coupled and uncoupled and is comprised of a first unit having a number of first contact elements electrically connected to the first cable; and a second unit having a corresponding number of second contact elements electrically connected to the second cable. The first unit includes a pair of spring biased flaps for receiving and holding the second unit thereby forcing the second unit and the second contact members against the complementary contacts in the first unit.

Abstract: To match the wires of a pickup to a trailer, a conversion box is provided. The jumper adapters are used to convert the plugs from the pickup to a six connection plug. Another adapter connects the wires from the trailer to a six wire connector. Therefore, a standard six wire box is used regardless of the fact that the pickup and the trailer may neither have six wires nor the same number of wires as the other.The wires from the pickup are connected to switch wires which have banana plugs on the end. The wires from the trailer are connected to receptacles so that when each switch wire is plugged into a receptacle, a connection is made. Lights on the box are used to indicate which of the truck wires are activated.

Abstract: A standard sized multipole connector for the transmission of electricity therethrough, which connector has plural concentric contacts and structure for preventing shorting when connected to a connector not having a concentric array of contacts.

Abstract: A latching device is disclosed herein for releasably securing the components of a plugable electrical connector together to prevent inadvertent decoupling therebetween. The device includes a semicircular base attached to a support about one component of plugable connector while pivotally mounting a latch arm at one end. The opposite end of the latch arm is provided with a closure opening for cooperating with a closure latch projecting from the underside of a lug carried on the base in fixed spaced apart relationship with respect to the latch arm pivot connection with the base. When latched, the arm bears against the other component of the plugable connector so that the other component is fixedly held in connection with the first mentioned component of the connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector for selectively connecting various electrical circuits of a first vehicle to corresponding electrical circuits of a second vehicle. The connector includes variably positionable switches whereby no rewiring of either vehicle is necessary. The housing for the connector is parallelepipedonal in form and the switches project from a major surface of the housing.