GB2438670A

GB2438670A - Tow bar electric test unit

Info

Publication number: GB2438670A
Application number: GB0605409A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Cuffe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-07
Filing date: 2006-03-07
Publication date: 2007-12-05
Also published as: GB0605409D0

Abstract

An electric test unit, fig 1, plugs into the electrical connector on a tow bar (fig 4). It has light bulbs, fig 3, that relate to the lights on the vehicle. It can be used to test the electrical connection if the trailer/caravan is stored a distance away from the vehicle. The unit is self-contained and plugs directly into a standard socket.

Description

U 2438670 Tow Bar Electric Test Unit The test unit is made up of the

plastic cover with lights (A) at the top and metal pins at the bottom (B). The light bulbs relate to the lights on any vehicle fitted with a tow bar. The unit is connected to the tow bar electrical socket (B&C).

* The test unit can be used by both the professionals and the DIY tow bar fitters. When a tow bar is fitted to a vehicle (fig.4) the light connection (fig 4c) is a legal requirement. The test unit is small and easy to store unlike a 1.2meter tail board (Fig 5).

* The DIY fitter may have their trailer/caravan many miles from their home, with this test unit anyone can test the wiring connections on the vehicle. Thus when the trailer/caravan is hooked on to the tow bar and the lights are connected you have the peace of mind that the lights on the trailer/caravan work and you are towing your vehicle legally.

* I realised that their may be a market for this devise, as I have recently bought a boat & trailer and needed to attach a tow bar to my car. Once the tow bar was fitted and I followed the wiring instructions.

* I come too realise how am I going to be able to test the wiring connections when my trailer was 70 miles away. This is when I came up with the idea, explained above. The Tow Bar Electric Test Unit.

Figure 1.

Looks at the unit from the side. Showing the electric connection (Fig. 3) which plugs into the tow bar light socket attached to the vehicle. (Fig. 4).

It also shows the lights bulbs (Fig 2). They relate to the lights on the vehicle Figure 2.

Looking at the top of the test unit, you see the lights that turn on when the relevant lights are switched on inside the vehicle. The numbers (1-6) are for wiring instructions for the test unit and the vehicle electrics.

I -Left turn, 2-fog light, 3-right tail 4-right turn, 5-left turn, 6-stop light, Figure 3.

You see the end view of the test unit. This shows the electrical pins connectors that plug into the vehicle tow bar electric socket (Fig. 4). The numbers (1-7) are again wiring instructions.

1-6 lights, as above in figure 2.

7-earth connection.

Figure 4 This is the view of a tow bar fitted onto any vehicle It shows the ball hitch (D) With the electric plug socket to the right (F).

Figure 5 Shows a tail board. They come in all shapes and sizes. At both ends are the lights as in figure 2 numbers I to 6, and in the middle are two lights to illuminate the number plate. Claim

Claims

Tow Bar Electric Test Unit * The test unit is made up of the plastic

cover with lights (A) at the top and metal pins at the bottom (B). The light bulbs relate to the lights on any vehicle fitted with a tow bar. The unit is connected to the tow bar electrical socket (B&C).

* The test unit can be used by both the professionals and the DIY tow bar fitters. When a tow bar is fitted to a vehicle (flg.4) the light connection (fig 4c) is a legal requirement. The test unit is small and easy to store unlike a I.2meter tail board (Fig 5).

* The DIY fitter may have their trailer/caravan many miles from their home, with this test unit anyone can test the wiring connections on the vehicle. Thus when the trailer/caravan is hooked on to the tow bar and the lights are connected you have the peace of mind that the lights on the trailer/caravan work and you are towing your vehicle legally.

* I realised that their may be a market for this devise, as I have recently bought a boat & trailer and needed to attach a tow bar to my car. Once the tow bar was fitted and I followed the wiring instructions.

* I come too realise how am I going to be able to test the wiring connections when my trailer was 70 miles away. This is when I came up with the idea, explained above. The Tow Bar Electric Test Unit.