Safety Trailer Connector with Compression Metal Coil Spring Contacts

Abstract

29 Jan 2020 2020200606 DRAWINGS 1 / 1 20 20 20 06 06 2 9 Ja n 20 20 FIGURE 1 FIG FIGURE 11 0 all FIGURE 4 FIGURE 3 FIGURE 6 our FIGURE 5 2020200606 FIGURE 7 and FIGURE 9 FIGURE 8 00 D FIGURE 14 FIGURE 12 FIGURE 13

Description

Australian Patents Act 1990 Original complete Specification Standard Patent Invention Title Safety Trailer Connector with Compression Metal Spring Contacts The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing known to us. Related Art: US60013478, DE26206310, US 7048591B1, US8905766B2, US7097502B2 AU2015204300B7, AU2003326572. SAFTEY TRAILER CONNECTOR WITH COMPRESSION METAL SPRING CONTACTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to electrical trailer connector assemblies with a compression metal spring contact terminal pins for vehicles. More particularly, this invention relates to an electrical trailer connector assembly for a drawn or drawing vehicle and to a discernible electrical connector with a compression metal spring contact terminal pin connector for such an electrical trailer connector assembly. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION There are many types of electrical vehicle or trailer connector assemblies or connectors on the market today, to supply electrical connections from a hauling vehicle to a towed vehicle or trailer or vice versa. These connectors usually consist of a plastic moulded plug or socket housing, the connector pins and terminations so the connector can be attached to either, the wiring of the drawing vehicle or the trailer, depending on which connection type is used. The purpose of the connector is to provide electrical connection between to vehicle and trailer for each electrical trailer circuit, whether it is a lighting or an auxiliary circuit. However, our R & D research has found that in the early Fifties Vehicles and trailer electrical connectors supplied electrical current to filament globes that gave current draw in amps and an electrical load on the trailer connector pins to serve as a better connection. In the Ninety’s trailers manufactures were starting to installing on the trailers LED combination Lighting lamps which drew lesser current load in milliamps on the trailer connector pins. which having a lesser load on the connector pins making a poorer connection. Most common trailer plugs and sockets connections on the market, the connections are not reliable. This is due to the connector pins closing and not making an electrical connection this happens when pushing in and pulling out the trailer connections making a trailer circuit faulty. The only way to test a faulty trailer connector is to pull the connector out of the mating connector and clean and readjust and open the faulty connector pins and test each individual connector pin to determine if there is power getting to the connector pin or through the mating connector pin. This can be time consuming and costly. In the past years through our R & D directly relating to electrical connections with trailer plugs and sockets we have invented an Adjustable Electrical Tell Tale Modular Unit and External Monitor, Granted Patent 2003221372 for monitoring trailer circuits through electrical connections in trailer plugs and sockets, and Granted Patent 2005201078 Light Emitting Diode Safety Trailer Connector that senses open circuits on electrical trailer plugs and sockets, both inventions directly relate to faulty electrical connections in the connector pins in the trailer plugs and sockets. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the above mentioned problems with electrical connectors and / or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. SUMMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an electrical trailer connector assembly for a vehicle including, a housing defining an inlet for a cable and having a number of electrical contact terminals pins positioned within the housing. The housing may include first and second parts trailer plug, with male electric contact terminal pins fasted within the housing, and trailer socket female electric contact terminal pins fasted within the housing or vice versa. The housing of the trailer socket includes a front spring cover, when closed protects the female electrical contact terminal pins from the weather and at the rear an inlet for a cable wherein a fastener is arranged to clamp or screw a cable gland to secure the cable entry inside the housing and a method by screw or clamp or weld the wiring to each of the electrical contact terminal pins within the trailer socket housing and a removable cover when fitted protects the wiring within the trailer socket housing. The housing of the trailer plug includes positions at the front an array of male electric contact terminal pins not protected from the weather and at the rear an inlet for a cable wherein a fastener is arranged to clamp or screw a cable gland to secure the cable entry inside the housing and a method by screw or clamp or weld the wiring to each of the electrical contact terminal pins within the trailer plug housing and a removable cover when fitted protects the wiring within the trailer plug housing. There are many trailer plugs and sockets on the market today with male and female electric contact terminal pins. All of these tailer plugs and sockets have intermittent electrical connections when mating together mainly through loose electrical connection with the terminal pins. The trailer male plug electric contact terminal pins according to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of retro- fitting a compression metal coil springs around the outside of the male electric contacts terminal pins of a trailer plug. The trailer female socket electric contact terminal pins according to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of retro fitting a compression metal Tornado shape coil spring into the inside of the female electric contact terminal pins of a trailer socket. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of increasing a better electrical connection when trailer plug and socket electrical contact terminal pins make electrical connection when trailer plug and socket are mating together, by the present of a compression metal coil spring that increases a better electrical connection through the electric contact terminal pins. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of increasing a better electrical connection when trailer plug and socket electrical contact terminal pins male and female connect together. The trailer socket female electric contact terminal pins there is provided a compression metal Tornado shape coil spring. The lager end of the spring is inserted in to the female electric contact terminal pins. The male trailer plug electric contact terminal pins there is provided a compression metal coil spring that is machined and shaped to cater for a coil spring, and clamps around the male electric contact terminal pins. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of increasing a better electrical connection when trailer plug and socket are mated together. The compression metal coil springs on both of the electrical contact terminal pins having a compression spring tension on the male and female terminal pins. According to a further aspect of the present invention the trailer plug the compression metal coil springs around the male electric contact terminal pins the compression metal coil springs make electrical connection by rubbing inside the female trailer socket electric contact terminals pins. According to a further aspect of the present invention the trailer socket with the compression metal coil spring which has a Tornado shape inside the female electric contact terminal pins. The smaller part of the compression metal Tornado shape coil spring makes an electrical contact when compressed with the male electric contact terminals pins making both trailer plug and socket electric connections secured by compression spring tension on male and female electric contact terminals pins. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Details Description which provide sufficient information for those skilled in the art. To perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting in the scope. Of the preceding Summary of the Invention or the appended claims in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows. Figure 1 shows plan side and front views of an electrical trailer plug connector assembly with male connecting pins, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention for a vehicle such as a trailer or drawn vehicle. Figure 2 shows plan side and front views of an electrical trailer socket connector assembly with female connecting pins, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention for a vehicle such as a trailer or drawn vehicle. Figure 3 shows an side view of an compression metal coil spring, in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention of a vehicle such as a trailer or drawn vehicle. Figure 4 shows an side view of an compression metal Tornado shape coil spring, in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention of a vehicle such as a trailer or drawn vehicle. Figure 5 shows an side view of an male electric contact terminal pin, in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention of a vehicle such as a trailer or drawn vehicle. Figure 6 shows an side view of an female electric contact terminal pin accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention of a vehicle such as a trailer or drawn vehicle. Figure 7 shows an side view of an male and female electrical terminal pins when mated together in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the invention of a vehicle such as a trailer or drawn vehicle. Figure 8 shows an side view of an male electrical terminal pin separated with a compression coil metal spring around the terminal pin, in accordance with a eighth embodiment of the invention of a vehicle such as a trailer or drawn vehicle. Figure 9 shows an side view of an female electrical terminal pin separated with inside a compression coil metal Tornado shape spring around the terminal pin, in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the invention of a vehicle such as a trailer or drawn vehicle. Figure 10 shows a front view of an female electrical terminal pin, in accordance with a tenth embodiment of the invention of a vehicle such as a trailer or drawn vehicle. Figure 11 shows an front view of an male electrical terminal pin, in accordance with a eleventh embodiment of the invention of a vehicle such as a trailer or drawn vehicle. Figure 12 shows an side view of an male electrical terminal pin that is machined and shaped to cater for a coil spring, with a in accordance with a twelfth embodiment of the invention of a vehicle such as a trailer or drawn vehicle. Figure 13 shows an front view of an male electrical terminal pin, with the contacts open, in accordance with a thirteenth embodiment of the invention of a vehicle such as a trailer or drawn vehicle. Figure 14 shows an front view of an male electrical terminal pin, with the contacts closed in accordance with a fourteenth embodiment of the invention of a vehicle such as a trailer or drawn vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the drawings, an electrical connector assembly in accordance with the embodiments of the invention, takes a varying configuration, including such connectors as a: Figure 1 shows plan side and front views of an electrical trailer plug connector assembly with male connecting pins. (Figure 1) Figure 2 shows plan side and front views of an electrical trailer socket connector assembly with female connecting pins. (Figure 2) Figure 3 shows an side view of an compression metal coil spring. (Figure 3) Figure 4 shows an side view of an compression metal Tornado shape coil spring. (Figure 4) Figure 5 shows an side view of an male electric contact terminal pin. (Figure 5) Figure 6 shows an side view of an female electric contact terminal pin. (Figure 6) Figure 7 shows an side view of an male and female electrical terminal pins when mated together. (Figure 7) Figure 8 shows an side view of an male electrical terminal pin separated with a compression coil metal spring around the terminal pin. (Figure 8) Figure 9 shows an side view of an female electrical terminal pin separated with inside a compression coil metal Tornado shape spring around the terminal pin. (Figure 9) Figure 10 shows a front view of an female electrical terminal pin. (Figure 10) Figure 11 shows an front view of an male electrical terminal pin. (Figure 11) Figure 12 shows an side view of an male electrical terminal pin that is machined and shaped to cater for a coil spring. (Figure 12) Figure 13 shows an front view of an male electrical terminal pin, with the contacts open. (Figure 13) Figure 14 shows an front view of an male electrical terminal pin, with the contacts closed. (Figure 14) An electrical connector assembly for a vehicle including a housing. At least one electrical compression metal coil spring connectors arranged with the housing and is engageable with a complementary electrical connecting member on associated drawing or drawn vehicle. The or each electrical compression metal coil spring electric connecting member is connectable to a respective electrical circuit of the vehicle. At least one discernible current compression metal coil spring electric connecting contact device is arranged in the housing and is electrically spring tensioned connected to a respective electrical connecting member such that when a current is set up in the respective connection circuit a compression metal coil spring tension increases a more secure connection device when active to be discernible by the user. The 7pin flat male trailer connector Figure 1 has seven male split terminal pins Figure 11, a compression metal coil spring Figure 3 is wrapped round the male terminal pin Figure 5. The 7 pin flat female socket Figure 2 has seven female terminal pins Figure 10 a compression metal tornado shape coil spring Figure 4 is inserted into the female connector pin Figure 6 when mated together Figures 5 and 6 the compression metal springs Figures 3 and 4 compressors both contacts Figures 5 and 6 the larger end part of the compression tornado metal coil spring Figure 4 fits and clamps inside the female terminal pin Figure 10, the compression metal coil spring Figure 3 fits around loose on the male connector split pin terminal Figure 5 when both male Figure 5 and female Figure 6 connector pins mate together Figure 7 create a spring tensioned electrical connection which overrides closed terminal pin connectors Figure 14 and loose connections, male connector pin Figure 8 with compression metal coil spring Figure 3 when placed around the male connector pin Figure 5 helps prevent the split contact pins in the male connector from closing Figure 13 and making an electrical connection by contacting with the inside of the female connector terminal pin Figure 9 compression metal Tornado shape coil spring Figure 4 makes electrical contact when compressed on the front of the male contact split terminal pin Figure 7, the male split terminal pin Figure 12 is machined and shaped to cater for a compression coil spring Figure 3 and clamps around the male electric contact terminal pins Figure 8. In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural of methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises of preferred forms of putting the invention in to affect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications with the proper scope of the appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

2020200606   11 Sep 2026THE INVENTION IS DEFINED IN THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS1.    A male or female electrical safety trailer connector assembly for a vehicleincluding:a housing defining an inlet for a cable and having a number of terminal pin connections contacts with compression metal coil springs of different sizes and shapes located within the housing, and;a number of compression metal coil spring contacts that fits around a male split connector terminal pin that is machined and shaped to cater for a compression coil metal spring assembly that clamps around the male electric contact terminal pins, and fastens within the housing of an electrical trailer connector assembly, and;a number of compression metal Tornado shape coil springs are shaped to be received within a female connector terminal pin assembly that fastens within the housing of an electrical trailer connector assembly;wherein each compression metal Tornado shape coil spring has a smaller part configured to make electrical contact when compressed with a corresponding male electric split connector terminal pin.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing includes first and second parts defining an inlet for a cable and wherein a fastener is arranged about the inlet for holding the first and second parts together.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each electrical terminal pin connections comprises of compression metal coil springs of diff erent sizes and shapes located within the housing.

4. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each electrical terminal pin connections comprises of compression metal coil springs of different sizes and shapes located within the housing.

5. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compression metal coil spring contacts are shaped to be received within a female connector terminal pin assembly that fastens within the housing of an electrical trailer connector assembly.

6. An assembly as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the compression metal coil springs of diff erent sizes and shapes located within the housing of a trailer connector assembly.2020200606   11 Sep 20267. An according to one of the proceeding claims including a compression metal coil spring connector terminal pin between male and female connecting members.

8. A method of retro fitting compression metal coil spring contacts into an electrical trailer connector assembly, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, for a secure electrical connection from vehicle circuits to trailer circuits, the method including the steps of obtaining the electrical safety trailer connector having a number of compression metal coil springs incorporated with connector terminal pins, fastened within the housing of an electrical trailer connector assembly.

Images