US 12,089,355 B2
Modular electrical distribution system for vehicles
Thomas P. Hicks, Lafayette, IN (US); Donald E. DeWitt, Syracuse, IN (US); Joshua E. DeWitt, Westfield, IN (US); Jonathan Brock, Warsaw, IN (US); and Bradd Giggy, LaGrange, IN (US)
Assigned to Steiner Enterprises, Lafayette, IN (US)
Filed by Steiner Enterprises, Lafayette, IN (US)
Filed on Jun. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/329,977.
Application 18/329,977 is a continuation of application No. 17/091,459, filed on Nov. 6, 2020, granted, now 11,672,092, issued on Jun. 6, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/931,249, filed on Nov. 6, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0320009 A1, Oct. 5, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H05K 5/00 (2006.01); B60R 16/023 (2006.01); H02G 5/06 (2006.01); H05K 5/02 (2006.01)
CPC H05K 5/0247 (2013.01) [B60R 16/0238 (2013.01); H02G 5/06 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A modular electrical distribution system for a recreational vehicle (RV), in which the RV is towed by a towing vehicle or is a stand-alone vehicle, the system comprising:
a housing including a mounting feature for mounting the housing to the RV, said housing including a plurality of openings for receiving electrical cables or wires, the housing defining an enclosure;
a power-in assembly disposed within said enclosure, said power-in assembly including;
an input terminal fixed within said enclosure configured to be electrically connected to a power cable connected to a battery of the RV, the power cable passing through one of said plurality of openings to connect the power-in assembly to the battery of the RV; and
a bus bar terminal fixed within said enclosure and electrically connected to said input terminal; and
one or both of;
a trailer connection assembly including a trailer bar mounted within said housing and electrically connectable to said bus bar terminal, said trailer bar having a plurality of electrical terminals for engagement to wires passing through one of said plurality of openings and connected to electrical components of the RV or towing vehicle; and
one or more output bars disposed within said enclosure, each including a number of output terminals for engagement to wires connected to electrical components independent of the towing vehicle and the RV, said one or more output bars optionally electrically connectable to said bus bar terminal.