A system and method for illuminating an area proximate a trailer, such as a boat or snowmobile trailer. At least one area illuminating light is connected to an area illuminating lighting control member. The area illuminating lighting control member receives and interprets trailer lighting control signals for determining when to activate and deactivate the area illuminating light. Control signals include is a trailer tow vehicle "lights on" condition combined with a second trailer lighting control signal, such as a "reverse lights on" indication, or indications from a water sensor or manual switch. The area illuminating lighting control member also receives a set of trailer lighting control signals for automatically deactivating the trailer illuminating lighting, including a "running light off" indication, a "brake lights on" indication, and/or a "turn signal lights on" indication. The trailer includes trailer lighting, which may optionally be deactivated by a disabling signal from the area illuminating lighting control member based on input from a sensor such as a water sensor.

Automatic trailer illuminating lighting control system

A trailer is provided having an electrical power connector for coupling a multi-conductor jumper cable plug between trailers connected in tandem, the connector comprising a multi-prong electrical power receptacle mounted to a trailer. One prong of the receptacle is electrically connected with the electrical power to the rear stop lights of the trailer. The connector further contains a switch for interrupting electrical power to the rear stop lights of the trailer when the jumper cable plug is connected to the receptacle while allowing electrical power to pass from the prong into the plug to supply electrical power to rear stop lights of a following trailer.

Electrical power connector for tandem trailers

A novel vehicle signaling converter is disclosed. In one embodiment, inverted logic gates are used to provide low-true signals to a negative-logic power switch, which powers appropriate trailer lighting. In other embodiments, divergent current paths are provided for multiple signals to pass from a vehicle's lighting system to a trailer's lighting system, with each current path being independently current-limited. In still other embodiments, circuitry is placed within each of multiple lighting control signal paths that handles electrostatic discharge within a vehicle-trailer lighting signal converter.

Vehicle-trailer signal converter

An outboard-motor-mounted safety light apparatus is provided for an outboard motor and includes an electrical lamp assembly, an attachment assembly for attaching the electrical lamp assembly to an outside housing of the outboard motor, and an electrical power connection assembly for connecting the electrical lamp assembly to an electrical power source. The electrical lamp assembly includes a wire grid assembly for protecting the electrical lamp assembly from damage due to impacts upon the electrical lamp assembly. The electrical power connection assembly includes an electrical conductor assembly connected to the electrical lamp assembly. An electrical connector assembly is connected to the electrical conductor assembly for connecting the electrical conductor assembly to the electrical power source. The electrical power connection assembly includes a dual electrical connector assembly which connects both the electrical lamp assembly and the safety lights, at the rear of a boat trailer, to a common electrical power source. A light flasher assembly is electrically connected to the electrical lamp assembly, for automatically causing the electrical lamp assembly to emit a flashing light under predetermined conditions. The light flasher assembly includes an outboard-motor-speed responsive switching assembly electrically connected to the electrical lamp assembly. The outboard-motor-speed responsive switching assembly is electrically connected to a tachometer which signals outboard motor speed and sends a signal representing outboard motor speed to the outboard-motor-speed responsive switching assembly. The electrical power source battery on a boat which supports the outboard motor.

Outboard-motor-mounted safety light apparatus

A trailer signal converter includes a plurality of inputs, including a first towing vehicle turn light signal, a second towing vehicle turn light signal, and a trailer brake signal. The trailer brake signal may be a pulse-width modulated signal. The trailer signal converter selectively drives the turn and stop light signals on the trailer based on the input signals. In a three-wire system, the signal converter may be configured to receive a brake signal input and a brake light input and selectively drive the trailer stop light signal.

Trailer signal converter

Input current from the automobile lighting circuitry is conducted to movable poles on a first relay. Normally open contacts in the first relay are connected through output conductors to corresponding lighting circuits on the boat trailer. The first relay contacts close when operating voltage is applied to the first relay coil via a normally closed contact in a second relay. When a float switch on the trailer enters water, it closes, thereby actuating a transistor which, in turn, actuates the second relay. Upon actuation, the normally closed second relay contact opens, thereby deactivating the first relay and arresting current flow to the trailer. The transistor is maintained in an "ON" state for a period of time after the trailer emerges from water by current from a capacitor. The capacitor receives a charge via the second relay upon application of the automobile brake pedal only when the transistor is in the "ON" state.

Anthony C. Schlich

Papers

Circuit control apparatus for boat trailers