QUICK CONNECT ELECTRICAL JUNCTION BOX FOR VEHICLE WIRING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to vehicle wiring and, more particularly, to an electrical junction box having quick connect electrical connector terminals for electrically connecting wires of a vehicle electrical system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The electrical system of towing vehicle needs to the connected to the electrical system of a trailer so that lights and/or brakes on the trailer are activated when corresponding lights are activated on the towing vehicle and/or when the brakes are activated on the towing vehicle. An electrical connector having a plug and socket is used to removably connect the electrical systems of the towing vehicle and the trailer. The electrical system of the towing vehicle is wired to the socket and the electrical system of the towing vehicle is wired to the plug.

Wiring the respective electrical systems to the plug and socket is a time consuming and tedious job requiring use of many tools and various electrical connectors for making the appropriate electrical connections. There exist electrical junction boxes for trailer wiring, but these electrical junction boxes do not include quick connect electrical connectors.

The existing junction boxes require multiple steps, tools, and electrical wire connectors for wiring the electrical systems. For example, using existing junction boxes all the wire must be striped and fitted with ring terminals on the striped wire ends. These wires are then secured to threaded electrical couplings via the ring terminals, which require lock washers, nuts, and tightening thereof to make the electrical connection. This process is time consuming, laborious, requires many different tools and electrical connectors.

Accordingly, there is a need and desire to have an electrical junction box for connecting vehicle electrical systems that does not require the use of many different tools and electrical connectors. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention described herein provide for an electrical junction box having quick connect electrical connectors for connecting an electrical system of a vehicle without using numerous tools and electrical connectors attached to wire ends.

An object of one or more embodiments of the invention is to provide an electrical junction box having quick connect electrical connectors for connecting the electrical system of a vehicle to a trailer electrical connector. The vehicle may be a tow vehicle or the towed vehicle.

An object of one or more embodiments of the invention is provide an electrical junction box that facilities quick connection between a trailer electrical connector and a vehicle electrical system without requiring numerous tools.

An object of one or more embodiments of the invention is to provide a water- sealed electrical junction box for connecting a vehicle electrical system to an electrical accessory, such as, for example a trailer electrical connector.

Numerous additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate by way of example and are included to provide a further understanding of the invention for the purpose of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used to indicate a similar feature or a feature with similar functionality. In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of an electrical junction box that is constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a housing of an electrical junction box that is constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a lid of an electrical junction box that is constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 4 is a view of an electrical terminal having quick connect electrical connectors that is constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention references the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings, an electrical junction box 10 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The junction box 10 can be used on a towing vehicle to connect the electrical system of the towing vehicle (e.g., lighting and/or braking) to the socket of the trailer connector. The junction box 10 can also be used on a towed vehicle (i.e., a trailer) to connect the electrical system of the towed vehicle (e.g., lighting and/or braking) to the plug of a trailer connector. The electrical junction box 10 has a housing 12 and a lid 14. Representatively shown, housing 12 is rectangular shaped and has a bottom wall 16 and a sidewall 18 extending from the bottom wall. The bottom wall 16 and sidewall 18 define an interior space 20. Sidewall 18 has sidewall sections 22, 24, 26, and 28 and an edge 30.

Lid 14 is shaped to correspond to the shape of the housing and is removably attachable to housing 12 to close and seal housing to provide a water-tight enclosure. In embodiments, housing 12 and lid 14 are configured for a snap connection therebetween, such that the lid frictionally connects to the housing. In other embodiments, housing 12 and lid 14 could be configured with one or more latches to facilitate the connection therebetween. In embodiments, housing 12 and lid 14 could be configured such that the lid is secured to the housing by one or more threaded fasteners. In embodiments, the lid 14 may have a groove 32 around its perimeter that is configured to receive therein the edge 30 of the housing’s sidewall 22 to make a sealing connection therebetween. The groove 32 may include a sealing element, such as, for example, a rubber strip or the like.

In embodiments, housing 12 may have a plurality of wire openings 34 through the sidewall 22 of the housing to permit the passing of wires into the interior 20. The wire openings 34 may be fitted with wire grommets 36 to provide a sealing contact with the wires inserted into the housing. Housing 12 may have one or mounting holes 38 for securing the housing to the vehicle using threaded fasteners, for example.

The junction box 10 further includes a plurality of electrical connector strips or terminals 40 located entirely within the interior 20. Representatively, seven terminals 40 are illustrated. However, more or fewer terminals could be used. Each terminal 40 includes at least two quick connect electrical connectors 42 for electrically connecting at least two wires together. As shown, each terminal 40 includes four quick connect electrical connectors 42 for connecting four separate wires 44 to the terminal and thereby electrically connecting the four separate wires. Each quick connect electrical connector 42 is configured such that an end of a wire and simply be inserted into the connector and the connector operated to secure the wire to the connector while at the same time making an electrical connection. To this end, no tools are required to secure the wires to terminal 40 for electrical coupling.

For example, the electrical connectors 42 and/or terminals 40 could be the electrical connectors and/or terminals shown in described in US Patent No. 4,541,679 and/or shown and described in US Patent No. 6,238,233, the disclosures of both being incorporated herein in their entirety. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other quick connect electrical connectors could also be used, as such the invention is not limited solely to the electrical connectors and/or terminals shown and disclosed by these two patents.

While not shown, in embodiments, the junction box 10 may include LED lights to indicate the operation and electrical connection between the junction box and the vehicle electrical system.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope of the disclosure.