Abstract: A powered coupling system is configured to interconnect utility lines such as fluid and/or electric lines of a vehicle tractor to a trailer. A curved track is mounted to a frame of the tractor, and the system includes pneumatic and/or electrical connectors that move along the curved track to align the connectors with a corresponding connectors on a trailer. A linear actuator causes the connectors on the tractor to shift vertically to connect and disconnect the connectors on the tractor to connectors on the trailer. The curved track permits alignment of the connectors on the tractor with the connectors on the trailer even if the trailer is not in a straight line with the tractor.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a mounting bracket adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame, a trailing arm member pivotably coupled to the first mounting bracket, an axle member adjustable between a first pinion angle and a second pinion angle, an axle mounting assembly securing the axle member to the trailing arm member and including an upwardly disposed, curved abutment surface, and a stop member adapted to be operably coupled to a vehicle frame, the stop member including a downwardly disposed, curved abutment surface adapted to abut the abutment surface of the axle mounting assembly, thereby limiting travel of the trailing arm with respect to the vehicle frame to a constant value when the axle member is at both the first pinion angle and the second pinion angle.

Abstract: A drawbar assembly includes a mounting member adapted to couple to a vehicle and that includes a body portion having a first passage, an eye portion extending outwardly from the mounting body portion, wherein the eye portion includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a second passage extending therethrough adapted to receive a pintle hook therein, and a wedge member slidably received within the first passage of the body portion. The wedge member is slidably movable between a first portion, wherein the wedge member is withdrawn into the first passage of the body portion, and a second position, where the wedge member extends into the second passage of the eye portion. The wedge member is located between the top surface and the bottom surface of the eye portion, and does not extend above the top surface or the bottom surface.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch mounting assembly for mounting a fifth wheel hitch plate to a vehicle frame assembly includes a first and second frame members each having substantially vertically extending mounting portions each having an inwardly facing surface, comprises a first support member adapted to couple to the inwardly facing surface of the mounting portion of the first frame member, a second support member adapted to couple to the inwardly facing surface of the mounting portion of the second frame member, a cross member extending between and coupled to the first support member and the second support member, a first mounting member coupled with a first support member and including an inwardly exposed aperture adapted to receive a mounting pin therein for pivotally coupling a fifth wheel hitch plate to the first mounting bracket, and a second mounting member coupled to the second support member and including an inwardly exposed aperture adapted to receive a mounting pin therein for pivotally coupling the fifth w

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch plate support assembly includes a rack member adapted to be mounted to a vehicle frame member, a mounting member slidably engaging the rack member and selectively repositionable along a length of the rack member, wherein the mounting member is adapted to pivotably support a fifth wheel hitch plate therefrom, a bracket member separated from the mounting member and slidably engaging the rack member, and a stop assembly operably supported by the bracket member and adapted to abut the fifth wheel hitch plate to limit a pivoting movement of the fifth wheel hitch plate with respect to the mounting member.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a first trailing arm assembly and a second trailing assembly each including a mounting bracket adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame and a trailing arm member pivotably coupled to the associated mounting bracket and adapted to be operably coupled to an axle member, wherein the trailing arm members each include an aperture extending therein, wherein the aperture has a relatively constant cross-sectional configuration along a depth thereof. The vehicle suspension system further includes a torsional member extending between the first and second trailing arm members and frictionally secured within the apertures thereof, wherein the torsional member has a relatively constant cross-sectional configuration along a length thereof that is received within the apertures of the trailing arms.

Abstract: A fifth wheel slider assembly includes a hitch plate with a throat for receiving a king pin of a trailer, and a slider assembly that includes at least one rack member having a first side and a second side and supportable above a vehicle frame. The slider assembly further includes a first portion including a guide plate slidably abutting the second side of the at least one rack member, and an engagement assembly releasably engaging the at least one rack member at incremental points along a length of the at least one rack member, thereby selectively positioning the hitch plate with respect to the at least one rack member, and a second portion including at least one support bracket pivotably supporting the hitch plate, slidably abutting the first side of the at least one rack member, and readily releasably coupled to the first portion of the slider assembly.

Abstract: A hitch coupler includes a frame that includes a back plate, a first plate connected to the back plate, a second plate connected to the back plate at a position spaced from the first plate extending between the first plate and the second plate and cooperating therewith to define an interior space, and a third plate connected to the back plate spaced from the second plate, wherein the first, second and third plates each include an aperture extending therethrough. The frame also includes a pin extending through the first, second and third apertures, such that the pin extends through the interior space and is adapted to slide within the apertures between an extended position and a retracted position, and a spring member biasing the pin towards the extended position.

Abstract: Landing gear for selectively supporting a semitrailer and a method of assembly of the landing gear is provided. The landing gear includes a leg having an upper section and a lower section telescopingly received in the upper section. A lead screw extends and retracts the upper and lower sections relative to each other upon rotation thereof. An input shaft applies a torque to the lead screw to drive rotation thereof, the input shaft being rotatable about a rotation axis and movable in translation along the rotation axis for shifting between a first position for low gear operation and a second position for high gear operation. An output shaft, axially aligned with the input shaft, has an output gear for transmitting torque to the lead screw. A gearing subassembly is received in the upper leg section and is configured to augment lift when the input shaft is in the first position and augment speed in the second position.

Abstract: A suspension assembly comprises an axle member extending between a pair of trailing beam assemblies, wherein each trailing beam assembly comprises first and second members pivotally coupled to one another that cooperate to form an aperture within which the axle member is clamped. Each trailing beam assembly comprises a first member having a first recess, and a second member that includes a second recess, wherein the first and second members are pivotally coupled to one another and are pivotable between a first position, wherein the first recess and second recess cooperate with one another to form an open aperture, and a second position, wherein the first recess and the second recess cooperate to form a first closed aperture that receives the axle member therethrough.

Abstract: A powered coupling system is configured to interconnect utility lines such as fluid and/or electric lines of a vehicle tractor to a trailer. A curved track is mounted to a frame of the tractor, and the system includes pneumatic and/or electrical connectors that move along the curved track to align the connectors with a corresponding connectors on a trailer. A linear actuator causes the connectors on the tractor to shift vertically to connect and disconnect the connectors on the tractor to connectors on the trailer. The curved track permits alignment of the connectors on the tractor with the connectors on the trailer even if the trailer is not in a straight line with the tractor.

Abstract: The fifth wheel hitch lube plate of the present invention comprises a perforated support member having a plurality of perforations and a lubricious material molded around the perforated support member such that the lubricious material covers both the top and bottom surfaces of the perforated support member and extends through the perforations formed in the perforated support member. Preferably, the support member is a perforated metal plate and the lubricious material is nylon, graphite, or an ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene material. The problems associated with utilizing nylon (or similar materials) and bonding it to a support plate are overcome by forming the plurality of apertures in the support plate so that a mechanical cohesive bond is formed between the upper and lower surfaces of the support plate, thereby substantially increasing the lube plate strength, and shear strength, while decreasing the likelihood that the lube plate may buckle.

Abstract: A kingpin assembly comprises a housing having a recess located therein, a collar member operably coupled to the housing, and an integral single-piece kingpin having at least a portion located within the recess of the housing, wherein the housing and collar cooperate to rotationally secure the kingpin within the recess of the housing, and wherein the kingpin provides a sole rotational support for the kingpin with respect to the housing and the collar.

Abstract: The fifth wheel hitch lube plate of the present invention comprises a perforated support member having a plurality of perforations and a lubricious material molded around the perforated support member such that the lubricious material covers both the top and bottom surfaces of the perforated support member and extends through the perforations formed in the perforated support member. Preferably, the support member is a perforated metal plate and the lubricious material is nylon, graphite, or an ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene material. The problems associated with utilizing nylon (or similar materials) and bonding it to a support plate are overcome by forming the plurality of apertures in the support plate so that a mechanical cohesive bond is formed between the upper and lower surfaces of the support plate, thereby substantially increasing the lube plate strength, and shear strength, while decreasing the likelihood that the lube plate may buckle.

Abstract: An electronic system that monitors a trailer hitch assembly having a plate hitch with a throat for receiving a kingpin of a trailer and a locking mechanism for locking the kingpin within the throat. The electronic system determines whether the trailer hitch assemblies is properly coupled to the trailer, and comprises a first magnet creating a first magnetic flux, and a first Hall-effect sensor for sensing the position of the kingpin of the trailer relative to the throat of the hitch plate by measuring the first magnetic flux. The system further comprises a control circuit operably coupled with the first Hall-effect sensor in determining whether the first magnetic flux indicates a proper location of the kingpin of the trailer relative to the throat of the hitch plate. The electronic system discriminates between the kingpin and foreign materials, thereby assuring proper locking of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a hitch plate having a rearward end that defines a throat for receiving a kingpin. First and second structural support ribs extend downwardly from a bottom surface of the hitch plate. A pair of ears extend longitudinally between the first and second support ribs. Each ear includes an aperture adapted to receive a pivot pin to pivotably support the top hitch plate on a supporting structure. Each ear is substantially offset from at least a selected one of the first support rib and the second support rib.