Abstract: A glider fifth wheel attachment assembly includes a support frame including a pair of spaced guide rails and a pair of upright assemblies attached to the guide rails. Each upright assembly includes a lower sleeve portion for receiving a respective guide rail, an intermediate housing portion vertically above the sleeve portion, and an upper mounting portion vertically above the housing portion. A head assembly may be adjustably mounted between respective housing portions of the upright assemblies. At least one roller is positioned within each housing portion of the upright assemblies such that the at least one roller contacts an upper surface of an upper guide rail. In addition, the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly includes a latching assembly for releasably locking the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly between a first and a second position.

Abstract: A glider fifth wheel automatic adjustment assembly includes a support frame including a pair of spaced guide rails and a pair of upright assemblies attached to the guide rails. Each upright assembly includes a lower sleeve portion for receiving a respective guide rail, an intermediate housing portion vertically above the sleeve portion, and an upper mounting portion vertically above the housing portion. A head assembly may be adjustably mounted between respective housing portions of the upright assemblies. At least one roller is positioned within each housing portion of the upright assemblies such that the at least one roller contacts an upper surface of an upper guide rail. In addition, the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly includes a latching assembly for releasably locking the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly between a first and a second position.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that is suitable for securing an article (e.g., a spare tire and wheel assembly) suspended in an elevated position underneath a support article (e.g., a vehicle) by a resilient support member. The apparatus includes a stationary bracket, outer and inner members, a compression spring, and a catch member. The stationary bracket is connected to the support article and includes a retaining formation. The outer member includes a passageway, an inner seating surface, and at least one slot-like formation. The inner member, which includes an end surface, is telescopingly received within the outer member and is connected to the resilient support member. The compression spring is positioned between the inner seating surface of the outer member and the end surface of the inner member and biases the inner and outer members with respect to one another.

Abstract: A cam assembly for a hoist mechanism includes a cam member, a pair of springs and an input shaft. The cam member has a cavity defined by an inner periphery of a side wall and floor. Cutout portions extend radially outwardly from the inner periphery of the cavity. The springs include a bow-shaped body portion positioned between first and second connection end members. The body portion further includes an outwardly extending detent, each detent extends into a cutout of the cam member to operatively connect the cam member to the springs. The input shaft has a through hole. The first connection end members of each spring are inserted into the through holes of the input shaft, thereby operatively connecting the springs to the input shaft with a reduced number of components.

Abstract: A ball assembly is intended to be mounted on a stem of a tow vehicle, and to be used in conjunction with a hitch portion of a trailer hitch assembly. The ball assembly, generally, includes a body member which is substantially spherical in shape, the body member having a partial bore formed substantially vertically therein for receiving a stem of a towing vehicle therein, the body member further having first and second transverse registering apertures formed therethrough. The ball assembly also includes a locking pin which is slidably movable in the registering apertures of the body member, and structure for connecting the pin to the body member. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting structure includes an enlarged shoulder portion on the pin, and a stop member disposed in the first transverse aperture of the body member, the stop member preventing the shoulder portion from moving therepast.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a trailer ball to a mounting platform. The apparatus includes a trailer ball having a threaded stem, a flat washer, and a nut having a plastic collar. The plastic collar includes a ring which is disposed between the nut and flat washer. The ring is formed of a plastic material which is extruded when the nut is tightened sufficiently to provide a positive indication that sufficient tension has been placed on the joint. The method also includes lubricating the stem before threading the nut onto the stem and removing the extruded ring after tightening.

Abstract: A spare tire assembly is provided which is securely mounted to the frame of a vehicle. The assembly includes a swing arm which is pivotally moveable between an open position extending laterally away from the vehicle and a closed position securely attached to the rear door of the vehicle. A latch mechanism allows for the detachable connection of the assembly to the rear door such that the assembly can be securely fastened to the rear door to prevent the movement of the spare tire assembly while the vehicle is in motion. The latch mechanism includes a spring biased handle which provides for the manual release of the swing arm and allows for the displacement of the swing arm away from the vehicle door.