Abstract: A folding ball hitch having a recessed safety chain latching mechanism is of the type normally mounted in the bed of a pickup truck. The ball is foldable from an upright or active position to a down or stowed position in which the ball does not interfere with the usage of the bed when the truck is not towing a trailer. To accommodate the safety chains of a trailer, the present invention provides a sliding rod mounted below the mounting plate of the hitch. Chain link sized slots are formed in the mounting plate. The end links of the safety chains can be inserted into the slots and the rod can be slid from one side to the other to securely lock the chains in respective slots. The rod is biased toward a latching position wherein the rod can be manually translated to open the slot for allowing insertion of a link of the safety chain, following which the rod can be returned to its center position in which the link is secured and any chain forces are transferred by the rod directly to the mounting structure.

Abstract: A folding ball hitch for use with fifth wheel trailers is movable between an operative position (protruding above a truck bed) and an inoperative position (stowed below the surface of the truck bed). A locking mechanism prevents the ball from inadvertent movement from the operative position to the inoperative position.

Abstract: A hitch assembly is provided with a hitch mount and a safety chain connector, both of which adjust to provide a hitch assembly which conforms substantially to the contour of the towing vehicle body when the hitch assembly is not in use. The hitch mount is configured for retractable extension from a hitch base plate, providing a seat for a matching trailer mount. The safety chain connector is configured to selectively provide a seat for a trailer-connected safety chain. The hitch base plate attaches to the towing vehicle body, defining a support surface which is contoured substantially similar to the body contour of the towing vehicle. The hitch mount and safety chain connector are adjustable such that the hitch assembly may be conformed generally to the body contour of the towing vehicle, thus minimizing any interference with the vehicle's use.

Abstract: A storage box for mounting in the rear end of a pick up truck by extending laterally across the rear end of the truck. The truck has a towing hitch mounted to the rear of the truck immediately in front of the box, and a 5th wheel trailer has an elonated towing arm fixed to its front end which can be detachably mounted to the hitch of the truck while extending over the top of the storage box. The storage box has a bottom receptacle portion and a top cover portion pivotally mounted to the bottom portion. The cover portion has a depression intermediate the ends of the cover whereby the cover portion may be pivoted upward and the towing arm may be received in the depression in the cover portion while the ends of the cover portion may be beside the towing arm to enable the ends of the cover portion to have a greater depth and the cover portion to pivot upward at a greater angle for easier access into the bottom of the box.

Abstract: A hitch for towing a trailer behind a truck. The inventive device includes a mounting assembly securable to a frame of the truck. A receiving assembly is secured to the mounting assembly for receiving a vertical stanchion having a ball hitch secured to an upper end thereof. A coupling assembly projects through both the receiving assembly and the vertical stanchion to removably couple the two together.

Abstract: A hitch assembly is proved with a retractable hitch mount and a retractable safety chain connector, both of which retract to provide a hitch assembly which conforms substantially to the contour of the towing vehicle body when the hitch assembly is not in use. The hitch mount is configured for retractable extension from a hitch base plate, providing a seat for a matching trailer mount. The safety chain connector is configured for retractable extension from the base plate, providing a seat for a trailer-connected safety chain. The hitch base plate attaches to the towing vehicle body, defining a support surface which is contoured substantially similar to the body contour of the towing vehicle. When the hitch mount and safety chain connector are retracted, the hitch assembly conforms generally to the body contour of the towing vehicle, minimizing any interference with the vehicle's use.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a frame for mounting to a towing vehicle and a head assembly including a jaw mechanism for engaging a trailer. The head assembly is mounted to the frame so as to allow for relative fore-and-aft as well as side-to-side pivotal movement. A side pivot lock mechanism, including a contoured plate, over-center spring and control handle, allow the user to selectively lock the head assembly relative to the frame and prevent side-to-side pivotal movement as desired.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly (10) which is mounted on the hitch ball (32) of a gooseneck subassembly (12), is described. The subassembly is mounted in the bed (14A) of a pickup truck (14) such that the subassembly is parallel to the rear axle (16) of the truck and the hitch ball is directly centered over or slightly fore or aft of the axle differential housing (58). A pair of flexible half-shell bearings (39) are positioned on the hitch ball to form a complete bearing (38) completely surrounding the top portion (33) of the hitch ball. A fifth wheel hitch assembly with a permanently mounted adaptor (42) is mounted with the adaptor extending over the complete bearing when the complete bearing is positioned on the hitch ball. A pair of securing rods (52) extend through the adaptor and the complete bearing below the ball (33A) of the top portion of the hitch ball and securing the adaptor on the complete bearing and the hitch ball.

Abstract: A scissor coupler, for attaching to a trailer hitch ball having a widest point and a neck, comprising a top plate, a bottom plate, a hinge bolt, and a main spring connected between the top plate and bottom plate. The hinge bolt attaches the top plate and bottom plate so that they can pivot relative to one another from a closed position to an open position. The top plate and bottom plate have top plate and bottom plate bores that have a slightly larger diameter than the widest point of the trailer hitch ball, and are concentric when the top plate and bottom plate are in the open position. The top plate and bottom plate bores are not concentric when the scissor coupler is in the closed position. When the top plate and bottom plate are in the closed position, an elliptical hole is formed therebetween that is narrower than the widest point but wider than the neck of the trailer hitch ball. The main spring biases the scissor coupler to the closed position.

Abstract: A hitch for a goose neck trailer is provided which includes a cross member positionable beneath the cargo bed and between the frame members of a truck. A central opening is provided on the cross member for receiving a socket that is insertable within a sleeve member aligned with the opening. A spring biased pin attached to the sleeve engages a vertical groove formed on the exterior of the socket to secure the ball socket for use. A ball hitch attached to an upper end of the socket protrudes above the cargo bed and is attachable to a goose neck trailer. Removal of the ball hitch and socket is accomplished by aligning the pin with an eccentric groove formed on the socket's exterior, rotating the socket to an area where the groove ends, and pulling upwards. Adjustment means are provided to adjust the hitch to accommodate differing frame and cargo bed configurations found on trucks.

Abstract: A hitch adapted to be mounted in the bed of a pickup truck for towing a trailer having a coupling mechanism and safety chains. The hitch includes a ball adapted to releasably interlock with the coupling mechanism. The ball has an upright position for engaging the coupling mechanism and a stowed position. The hitch further includes vertically oriented rings for engaging the safety chain. The rings are slidably located in horizontal slots in the hitch and are slidably retained in the slots by pins located transversely with respect to the slots. The rings are movable upwardly from stowed positions for engagement with the safety chains. The rings automatically drop to the stowed positions by virtue of gravity acting on the rings after the safety chains have been disengaged from the rings. The stowed positions of the ball and the rings insure that the bed of the pickup is substantially unobstructed by the presence of the hitch when the hitch is not in use.

Abstract: A converter dolly for connecting a second trailer in tandem to a first trailer is provided. The converter dolly comprises a base, a connector frame pivotally connected to the base for horizontal movement about a substantially vertical axis, a dolly locking structure, and a plurality of ground engaging wheels carried by the base. The connector frame includes a hitch for pivotally connecting the connector frame to the forward wheeled vehicle for substantially horizontal movement about a substantially vertical axis, and a fifth wheel assembly fixed on the connector frame to pivotally connect the connector frame to the rear wheeled vehicle for substantially horizontal movement about a substantially vertical axis. The fifth wheel assembly includes a fifth wheel locking having an unengaged position and an engaged position for preventing rotational movement between the connector frame and the rear wheeled vehicle in its engaged position.

Abstract: A trailer hitch includes a support structure having spaced end mounting brackets and a U-shaped cross member pivotally mounted to, and suspended between, the mounting brackets. The U-shaped cross member pivots about a first axis. The trailer hitch also includes a coupling subassembly pivotally mounted to a mid-section of the U-shaped cross member to pivot about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: A trunk extends down through an opening in the truck's flat bed. A mounting frame is pivoted in the trunk and swings to an open position where the fifth wheel mounted thereon is exposed. Locks releaseably retain the frame in the open and in the closed positions.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly for installation to the frame or chassis of a pick-up truck and for use with a gooseneck trailer is herein provided, the trailer hitch assembly comprising a detachable ball hitch including a stem attached at one end thereof, a mounting frame which includes means for attaching the mounting frame to the chassis of the truck, and receiving means for securing the stem of the ball hitch to the mounting frame, and integrated locking means for locking the stem of the ball hitch in the receiving means in an operative, locked position. This invention provides the distinct advantage of using integrated locking means which do not include a lock washer, such that the tendency of the lock washer to rip and tear the mounting plate with continued tightenings and loosenings is obviated. The hitch assembly is completely concealed when not in use, leaving the truck bed with a flush floor.

Abstract: A fifth wheel trailer hitch apparatus includes a support attachable to the trunk compartment, a platform connected to and supported by the support, a hitch ball mechanism, including a hitch ball attached to an extension member which is slideably communicating with the platform for movement of the mechanism between a retracted, lower position and extended, raised position, extended and retracted position securing devices to secure the mechanism in the extended and retracted positions respectively, and a coupling device for coupling the coupling mechanism of the trailer to the hitch ball.

Abstract: A clear bed gooseneck trailer hitch is provided. The trailer hitch is comprised of a wide metal plate, or disc, supported on a truck bed and having a standard long shank hitch ball fixedly connected perpendicularly therethrough. The threaded shaft of the shank hitch ball attaches to a threaded hole provided in a steel plate or channel of suitable design affixed underneath the truck bed to the frame rails of a pickup truck over the rear axle area. The plate has two handles on its top side located near the edge of the disc for use in turning the disc manually or by a torque bar upon attachment to or removal from the truck bed. Once the disc is removed, the truck bed remains clear and unobstructed for use in other conventional manners. The disc is used with a rubber bed mat, or a rubber washer, having a circumference slightly larger than the disc.

Abstract: An improved gooseneck trailer hitch assembly mounting to the frame and underneath the bed of a pick-up truck. Only the hitch extends into the cargo carrying space overlying the bed of the pick-up. The ball hitch is removable from its mounting when not in use to clear the bed of any obstructions. The mounting assembly for the hitch is adjustable to provide easy mounting to virtually any pick-up truck irrespective of frame width.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly for use in the bed of pickup trucks and the like and including a trailer hitch supporting member secured to the underside of the pickup truck bed, a readily removable trailer hitch for seated and assembled relationship within the trailer hitch supporting member, and a spring-biased cylindrical rod for locking together the trailer hitch and the trailer hitch supporting member against vertical separation from each other while enabling the trailer hitch to be freely rotated relative to the trailer hitch supporting member, the cylindrical rod being manually movable against its spring-bias to a position to enable ready removal of the trailer hitch from the trailer hitch supporting member.

Abstract: A converter dolly for interconnecting and facilitating backing up of a tandem trailer assembly pulled by a tractor is disclosed. The converter dolly is coupled to the rear of a first trailer for pivotable movement relative thereto about a substantially vertical axis. The converter dolly includes a wheeled frame. A fifth wheel is fixed on the wheeled frame and has a front end defining opposing front corner portions. The wheeled frame includes a coupling assembly for coupling the wheeled frame to a second trailer for pivotable movement about a substantially vertical axis. A locking mechanism cooperates with the fifth wheel and includes a spaced pin housing secured at each front corner portion of the fifth wheel so that when the fifth wheel pivots up or down, the housings move as units with the fifth wheel. A pin is positioned in each housing and movable therein from a retracted to an extended position.

Abstract: A trailer hitch including a pin that extends axially from a pivotal mounting by a universal joint of a rocking or tilting platform of a trailer draw or towbar. The pin is preferably cylindrical and is grooved circumferentially for fitting into a wide head end of a keyhole or keyway slot formed in a mounting plate attached to a truck bed. The keyway forward circular end includes a flange therearound that fits into the cylindrical pin groove, prohibiting the pin from lifting from the keyway. To complete the locking of the pin to mounting plate, either the pin includes a plug for extending axially into a hole formed in the mounting plate in the center of the keyway forward end, or a brace plate is installed in a keyway large rearward end, resting against the pin prohibiting the pin for being slid therefrom. Which plug is extended or withdrawn by turning a locking or camming rod journaled across the pin, which locking or camming rod is spring biased to a plug extended attitude.

Abstract: This is directed to a mounting mechanism for supporting a fifth wheel hitch on the bed of a pickup truck. In incorporates a fixed framework which is ideally bolted to the bed of the pickup. It has a pair of lengthwise facing guide rails which are spaced from one another and extend toward the rear of the truck parallel to the centerline of the truck. That supports on a set of rollers a slidably mounted and movable mounting means so that the mounting means can travel along the facing guide rails. Moreover, the mounting mechanism receives a fifth wheel hitch mechanism thereon. The mounting mechanism is held in the forward most position by means of a latch means which hooks against the mounting means and holding it. The latch means is optionally defeated by an extending lever positioned and located so that it is moved by the trailer mechanism during turning whereupon the slide mechanism moves the trailer toward the rear of the truck.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly which includes a hitch ball which is selectively positioned within a retention sleeve mounted below and through the cargo bed of a vehicle and which further includes a locking pin which secures the hitch ball either in a first upright position within the sleeve wherein the ball is elevated with respect to the cargo bed or in an inverted position wherein the base of the hitch ball is mounted flush with the cargo bed.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch is attached releasably to the bed of a pickup truck by brackets which resemble the parts of a swinging door hinge and which are connected by removable pins. The hinge-type brackets with the removable pins enable the hitch to be quickly and easily removed from and re-installed in the truck.

Abstract: A fifth wheel gooseneck trailer ball coupling system for user mounting to pickup trucks comprises a multi-piece stress distributing frame and a hammer actuated ball coupling which enables the user to deploy the system in towing or non-towing modes with the use of a simple hammer. The three piece frame comprises a first generally rectangular, bed plate adapted to be disposed upon the bed of the pickup truck and bolted to the chassis, a second, back-up plate of a generally rectangular or square configuration, which is carefully welded at the front center of the bed plate, and a third frame plate, in the form of an annular apertured hammer ball base plate welded to the back-up plate. The hammer ball base plate comprises a rigid steel, annular disk comprising a central threaded orifice which receives the ball coupling. The ball coupling comprises a rigid spherical ball integral with a base portion and a downwardly projecting threaded shaft.

Abstract: A trailer hitch that provides a heavy duty center box type for gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailers which may be quickly removed from a truck bed to leave the truck bed uncluttered and unobstructed. The hitch includes a hitch frame that fixedly mounts rear latch legs to depend therefrom through slots in the bed to latchingly engage the rear edge portion of a mounting member which is fixed to the truck frame beneath the truck bed (floor). A pair of front latch legs are pivoted to the hitch frame in depending relationship for movement by a handle between a position to latchingly engage the front edge portion of the mounting member and a release position. Lock arms are mounted on the hitch frame for pivotal movement by trigger mechanism between a position to retain the front latch legs in their latching position and a position permitting the front latch legs to move to their release position.

Abstract: A technique especially suitable for delivering trucks from their manufacturing site to a common delivery site. Each of these trucks includes a decking bar mounted to and extending across the truck main chassis in front of and above the axle of its front wheels and a saddle arrangement connected with the chassis adjacent the truck's back end. One of the truck's is selected as the lead, towing truck and the decking bar of a second truck is supported on the saddle arrangement of the lead truck such that the second truck can be towed by the lead truck from the manufacturing site to the delivery site. This technique can also be used to transport an additional truck or trucks between these points and it can be used for towing generally.

Abstract: A portable fifth wheel hitch assembly (10) for conventional pick-up trucks (100); wherein, the assembly (10) comprises a plurality of rail units (11) which are removably secured to the truck side walls (105) via a plurality of expansible securing members (60) that fit inside the stake wells (103) of the truck (100); and wherein the assembly further comprises a draw bar unit (12) having pintles (72) whereby the draw bar unit (12) having pintles (72) whereby the draw bar unit (12) is operatively and removably connected to the rail units (11) via a pintle capturing assembly (50).