Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02462695 2004-04-O1
WO 03/030309 PCT/USO1/30710
POWER DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS
FOR A VEHICLE EQUIPPED FOR TRAILER TOWING
Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to accessories for motor
vehicles and, more particularly, to a power distribution apparatus for
providing electrical power between a towing vehicle and a trailer being
towed and/or an electrical accessory requiring 12 volt power.
Summary of the Invention
It has long been known to construct towing hitches that are mounted
to vehicles in order to allow the towing of trailers or the like. In recent
years such hitches have been designed to include a receiver box having a
rearwardly directed opening or cavity for the receipt of a hitch or draw bar
, that carries a hitch ball or other means allowing connection to a trailer.
Examples of such a structure include the Insta-Hitch II and Custom Hitch
Receiver 35365 as manufactured by Reese Products, Inc. of Elkhart,
Indiana. Such a hitch receiver is also disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patent
No. 3,768,837 to Reese.
Recent efforts to enhance the versatility of, a hitch receiver have led
to development of various accessories (e.g., both open and closed article
CA 02462695 2004-04-O1
WO 03/030309 PCT/USO1/30710
2
carriers, bike racks, ski racks, tables, winches or other equipment) mounted
by means of an accessory mounting bar in the receiver box of a trailer hitch
receiver assembly. Because of their convenience and suitability to the
particular applications/interests of the user, such accessories have become
very popular.
In order to allow for or accommodate trailer towing and accessory
mounting simultaneously, a trailer hitch assembly with both a trailer hitch
receiver and towing accessory receivers has been recently developed and is
the subject of LT.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 60/194,502, filed April 3,
2000 and 60/243,486 filed October 26, 2000. This new trailer hitch
receiver assembly includes a central frame member, a mounting bracket
carried on each end of the central frame member for securing the central
frame member to the vehicle, a hitch receiver box carried on the central
frame member and at least one accessory receiver for receiving and holding
a recreational and/or utilitarian accessory.
Many useful accessories, such as the utility light illustrated and
described in detail in IJ.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.
60/243,484 filed October 26, 2000, require 12-volt electrical power for
proper operation. The present invention relates to a power distribution
system particularly adapted for distributing power from the towing vehicle
to the electrical operating systems of the trailer (i.e. taillights, turn
indicator
lights, brake lights and electrical trailer brakes) and/or a utilitarian
accessory requiring 12-volt power for operation.
Summary of the Invention
In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as
described herein, a power distribution apparatus is provided for a tow
CA 02462695 2004-04-O1
WO 03/030309 PCT/USO1/30710
3
vehicle. In one embodiment of the invention, the power distribution
apparatus comprises a 4-way power inlet, a 4-way power outlet, a 12-volt
utility power outlet and electrical conductors operatively connecting the 4-
way power inlet to the 4-way power outlet and the utility power outlet.
The power distribution apparatus may take the form of a simple
wiring harness or it may further include a housing carrying the 4-way
power inlet, the 4-way power outlet, the utility power outlet and the
electrical conductors. That housing may be mounted directly to the towing
vehicle, such as to the frame or bumper, or indirectly to the towing vehicle
through a cross member, mounting bracket or other element of a receiver
assembly.
Toward this end the housing may include at least one mounting tab
having an aperture. Additionally, the apparatus includes a fastener for
passing through the aperture and securing the apparatus to the tow vehicle.
Additionally, the apparatus may include a fuse in one of the electrical
conductors between the 4-way power inlet and the utility power outlet.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the
power distribution apparatus for a tow vehicle may comprise a 7-way
power inlet, a 7-way power outlet, a 12-volt utility power outlet and
electrical conductors operatively connecting the 7-way power inlet to the 7-
way power outlet and the utility power outlet.
As noted above with respect to the first embodiment, the apparatus
may comprise a simple wiring harness. Alternatively, the apparatus may
include a housing that carries the 7-way power inlet, the 7-way power
outlet, the utility power outlet and the electrical conductors. Like the
housing described above that housing may include at least one mounting
tab having a mounting aperture. The apparatus may also include a fastener
CA 02462695 2004-04-O1
WO 03/030309 PCT/USO1/30710
4
for passing through the aperture and securing the apparatus either directly
or indirectly to the tow vehicle. Similarly, a fuse may also be provided in
one of the electrical conductors between the 7-way power inlet and the
utility power outlet. '
In still another embodiment of the present invention, a power
distribution apparatus for a tow vehicle comprises a 4-way power inlet, a 7-
way power inlet, a 4-way power outlet, a 7-way power outlet, a 12-volt
utility power outlet and electrical conductors operatively connecting (a) the
4-way power inlet to the 4-way power outlet and the utility power outlet
and (b) the 7-way power inlet to the 7-way power outlet and the utility
power outlet.
As noted above with respect to the other embodiments, this third
embodiment may take the form of a wiring harness or alternatively include
a housing that carries the various components of the invention. That
housing may include at least one mounting tab having an aperture. The
apparatus may further include a fastener for passing through the aperture
and securing the apparatus either directly or indirectly to the tow vehicle.
Additionally, the apparatus of the third embodiment may include a fuse in
one of the electrical conductors between the 4-way and 7-way power inlets
and the utility power outlet.
In the following description there is shown and described several
preferred embodiments of the present invention, simply by way of
illustration of some of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As
it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments
and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious
aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the
drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not
CA 02462695 2004-04-O1
WO 03/030309 PCT/USO1/30710
as restrictive.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of
5 the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention and
together with the description serve to explain the principles of the
invention. In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a top plan view showing a first embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 2 is a top plan view showing a second embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 4 is a left side elevational view of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a schematical wiring diagram of the embodiment of the
invention shown in Figures 3 and 4; and
Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a utility light mounted on a
trailer hitch receiver assembly carrying the power distribution apparatus of
the present invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Reference is now made to Figure 1 showing a first embodiment of
the power distribution apparatus of the present invention generally
CA 02462695 2004-04-O1
WO 03/030309 PCT/USO1/30710
6
designated by reference numeral 10. As illustrated, the power distribution
apparatus 10 includes a 4-way power inlet 12, a 4-way power outlet 14, a
12-volt utility power outlet 16 and electrical conductors 18a-~ As should be
appreciated, in the illustrated embodiment the 4-way power inlet 12, 4-way
power outlet 14 and 12-volt utility power outlet 16 assume the form of
standard electrical power plugs. It, of course, should be appreciated that
such plugs are only shown for purposes of illustration and that substantially
any power inlet and outlet structures may be utilized so long as they are
appropriate for the intended purpose.
As should be appreciated, the power distribution apparatus 10 is
specially adapted for use with a towing vehicle equipped with a standard 4-
way power outlet plug (not shown). In use, the 4-way power inlet 12 is
connected to the 4-way power outlet of the towing vehicle. The electrical
conductor 18a is the ground line. The electrical conductor 18b is the
taillight line. The electrical conductor 18c is the left turn signal line. The
electrical conductor 18d is the right turn signal line. The electrical
conductor 18e is the ground feed to the utility power outlet 16 while the
electrical conductor 18f is the power feed to the utility power outlet which
taps power from the taillight line. A fuse (not shown) may be provided in
power feed line/electrical conductor 18f if desired.
As noted above, the 4-way power inlet 12 connects with a
cooperating power outlet or plug provided on the tow vehicle. Similarly,
the 4-way power outlet 14 interconnects with a cooperating standard plug
or inlet provided on a trailer. The electrical conductors 18a-18d carry the
power between the inlet 12 and outlet 14 thereby providing a bridge
between the power outlet on the towing vehicle and the power inlet of the
trailer. In this way the electrical operating systems of the trailer including
CA 02462695 2004-04-O1
WO 03/030309 PCT/USO1/30710
7
the taillights, brake lights and turn indicator lights are all powered for
proper operation. Additionally, a useful accessory, such as the utility light
shown in Figure 6 and generally designated by reference numeral 20 may
be powered through the 12-volt utility power outlet 16. More specifically,
a cooperating inlet plug 22 on the utility light 20 is connected with the 12-
volt utility power outlet 16. The taillights of the towing vehicle are
energized to provide power through the electrical conductor 18f so that the
electrical connection is completed from the towing vehicle, through the
towing vehicle power outlet, the 4-way power inlet 12, the electrical
conductors 18e (ground), 18f, the 12-volt utility power outlet 16 and the
power inlet plug 22 of the utility light 20. Accordingly, 12-volt power is
provided to the utility light which then functions to illuminate the
surroundings.
An alternative embodiment of the present invention 30 is shown in
Figure 2. The power distribution apparatus 30 includes a 7-way power inlet
32, a 7-way power outlet 34, a 12-volt utility power outlet 36 and a group
of electrical conductors 38a-38i. As illustrated in Figure 2, the 7-way
power inlet 32 and 7-way power outlet 34 take the form of standard 7-way
plugs commonly utilized for trailer towing. It should be appreciated,
however, that other mating electrical terminals could be utilized and still
provide the intended function. Similarly, the 12-volt utility outlet 36 may
take the form of the standard plug illustrated or any other appropriate
arrangement useful for the intended purpose.
As shown, the electrical conductors 38a-i interconnect the 7-way
power inlet 32 with the 7-way power outlet 34 and the utility outlet 36.
More specifically, electrical conductor 38a is a ground. Electrical
conductor 38b is a 12-volt power line. Electrical conductor 38c is a left-
CA 02462695 2004-04-O1
WO 03/030309 PCT/USO1/30710
8
turn signal line. Electrical conductor 38d is an auxiliary line. Electrical
conductor 38e is a taillight line. Electrical conductor 38f is an electrical
trailer brake line. Electrical conductor 38g is a right-turn signal line.
Electrical conductor 38h is a ground feed line for the utility outlet 36 while
electrical conductor 38i is a 12-volt power feed line for the utility outlet
36.
A fuse (not shown) may be provided in the power feed line/electrical
conductor 38i if desired.
In use, the 7-way power inlet 32 of the power distribution apparatus
30 is connected or plugged into the standard 7-way power outlet provided
on the towing vehicle. In order to power the electrical systems of a trailer,
the 7-way outlet 34 is connected to the cooperating standard 7-way plug
with which the trailer is equipped. In this way power flows from the
towing vehicle through the apparatus 30 to the trailer so as to provide the
desired power to the electrical operating systems of the trailer including the
turn signals, brake lights, taillights and electrical trailer brakes. Of
course,
it should be appreciated that the apparatus 30 could just as easily be
equipped with a 4-way power output plug just as shown at 14 in the first
embodiment to allow for conversion from a 7-way system on the tow
vehicle to a 4-way system on a trailer if required for any particular
application.
Additionally, an electrical accessory such as the utility light 20
shown in Figure 6 may be powered through the utility outlet 36. More
specifically, the standard inlet plug 22 carried on the utility light 20 is
connected with the 12-volt utility outlet 36. This connection serves to
provide power from the towing vehicle through the apparatus 30 and more
particularly, the power inlet 32, electrical conductors 38h and 38i and the
utility outlet 36 to the utility light 20. Thus, by means of this connection
CA 02462695 2004-04-O1
WO 03/030309 PCT/USO1/30710
9
the utility light 20 is powered and may be utilized to illuminate the
surrounding area.
Up to this point in time, the two illustrated embodiments have taken
the form of wiring harnesses. Reference is now made to Figures 3 - 5
showing a third embodiment of the power distribution apparatus 40 of the
present invention. The apparatus 40 includes a 4-way power inlet 42, a 7-
way power inlet 44, a 4-way power outlet 46, a 7-way power outlet 48 and
a 12-volt power outlet 50. Electrical conductors 52a-52d provide proper
interconnection of the 4-way inlet 42 with the 4-way outlet 46 in the same
manner described above for the electrical conductors 18a - 18d of the first
embodiment 10 of the present invention. The electrical conductors 52e and
52f provide proper interconnection of the 4-way inlet 42 with the 12-volt
power outlet 50 in the same manner as electrical conductors 18e and 18f of
the first embodiment of the power distribution apparatus 10.
Similarly, the electrical conductors 52g-52m provide proper
interconnection of the 7-way power inlet 44 with the 7-way power outlet 48
in the manner described above with respect to the electrical conductors 38a-
38g of the second embodiment of the apparatus 30. Likewise, the electrical
conductors 52n and 52o provide proper interconnection between the 7-way
power inlet 44 and the 12-volt power outlet 50 in the same manner that the
electrical conductors 3 8h and 3 8i provided that interconnection in the
second embodiment of the apparatus 30. Again, a fuse such as illustrated at
reference numeral 53 may be provided in the power line feed leading to the
utility outlet 50 between the connection point 55 of the electrical
conductors 52f and 52o and the utility outlet.
As further shown in Figures 3 and 4, this apparatus 40 includes a
box like housing 54 that holds all of the components of the apparatus. As
CA 02462695 2004-04-O1
WO 03/030309 PCT/USO1/30710
illustrated, the 7-way power inlet 44 is mounted and held in the side wall
56, the 4-way power inlet 42 is mounted and held in the side wall 58 and
the 4-way power outlet 46, 7-way power outlet 48 and 12-volt power outlet
50 are all mounted and held in the wall 60. The electrical conductors 52a-
5 52o are all contained within the housing enclosure. While not clearly
illustrated, it should be appreciated that one of the walls 64-66 is provided
in the form of a removable cover to allow access to the enclosure for
purposes of installation and maintenance of the various inlets, outlets and
conductors. The cover preferably forms a weather-tight seal with the
10 remaining walls of the housing 54.
As further shown in Figures 3 and 4, the housing 54 includes a pair
of mounting tabs or lugs 68. Each tab/lug 68 includes an aperture 70. A
fastener passes through each aperture and may be utilized to secure the
apparatus 40 directly to the bumper, frame or other component of the tow
vehicle. Substantially any form of fastener may be utilized including but
not limited to screws, bolts with cooperating lock nuts and tie straps of
plastic, metal or other appropriate material.
As shown in Figure 6, the apparatus 40 could also be secured
indirectly to the towing vehicle through the receiver assembly generally
designated by reference numeral 80. As illustrated, that receiver assembly
80 includes a cross member 82 that carries a centrally located receiver box
84. The receiver box 84 includes a hitch bar receiving cavity 86 for
receiving and holding a hitch bar or draw bar (not shown) for towing a
trailer. The receiver assembly 80 also includes mounting brackets 88
adjacent the distal ends thereof (only one shown in the figure). The
mounting brackets 88 include mounting flanges and lugs 90 provided with
apertures 92. Nut and bolt fasteners (not shown) are extended through
CA 02462695 2004-04-O1
WO 03/030309 PCT/USO1/30710
11
these apertures 92 and cooperating apertures drilled in the frame of the
towing vehicle in order to mount the trailer hitch receiver assembly 80
thereto.
As shown in Figure 6, the power distribution apparatus 40 of the
present invention is secured to the cross member 80 by means of
cooperating bolt and nut fasteners 95 secured through the apertures 70 in
the tabs 68 and a mounting plate 97 welded to the cross member 82. As
noted above, however, other appropriate fasteners including cooperating
screws and tie straps could be utilized for this purpose. By mounting the
apparatus 40 in this position, it is conveniently located to allow an operator
to interconnect the power plug from the tow vehicle into the matching 4-
way or 7-way inlets 42, 44 of the apparatus and the power plug of the trailer
to the hatching 4-way or 7-way power outlets 46, 48 of the apparatus.
Additionally, the 12-volt power outlet 50 is also readily accessible for
interconnection to an accessory such as the utility light 20.
As shown, that utility light 20 includes a telescoping post 98 and a
mounting end 96 received and secured in an accessory receiver 94 carried
on the cross member 82 of the trailer hitch receiver assembly 80. While a
utility light 20 is illustrated, it should be appreciated that substantially
any
other useful accessory requiring 12-volt power may be interconnected and
powered through any one of the illustrated apparatus 10, 30, 40 of the
present invention.
In summary, numerous benefits result from employing the concepts
of the present invention. The first embodiment of the apparatus 10 allows
one to quickly and easily connect a standard 4-way power plug on a tow
vehicle with either or both a similarly equipped trailer and a useful 12-volt
electrically powered accessory 20. The second embodiment of the
CA 02462695 2004-04-O1
WO 03/030309 PCT/USO1/30710
12
apparatus 30 provides the same advantages for individuals with vehicles
and trailers equipped with a 7-way electrical system. The third embodiment
of the apparatus 40 is the most versatile. It allows operation with either a 4-
way or 7-way system. This is particularly useful for individuals that (1)
utilize their vehicles to tow different trailers where some of those different
trailers are equipped with a 4-way system while others are equipped with a
7-way system or (2) utilize their receiver assembly on two different towing
vehicles where one is equipped with a 4-way system and the other a 7-way
system.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the
present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to
the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are
possible in light of the above teachings. For example, the Figure 1 and
Figure 2 embodiments 10, 30 are illustrated as wiring harnesses but could
just as easily incorporate a full housing enclosure as illustrated with
respect
to the third embodiment 40. Likewise, the third embodiment 40, illustrated
with a fully enclosed housing 54 could take the form of a wiring harness
without any housing such as illustrated for the Figure 1 and 2 embodiments.
It should also be appreciated that the third embodiment 40 could be wired
for converting a 7-way standard outlet plug on the towing vehicle to a 4-
way standard inlet plug on a trailer.
The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best
illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application
to
thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in
various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are
CA 02462695 2004-04-O1
WO 03/030309 PCT/USO1/30710
13
within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims
when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly,
legally and equitably entitled.
