Abstract: A truck tractor fifth wheel for semi-trailer trucks includes a built-in structure and mechanism for supporting and deploying a T-shaped retaining activation bar. The bar is carried underneath the fifth wheel and is supported on side walls of a support block cast integrally with the fifth wheel body. Upon being deployed in a jackknifing situation, an end of the bar comes into contact with a stop block underneath the trailer. Anti-jackknifing components are included in the fifth wheel design from the outset, thus avoiding difficulties associated with after-market installation of such components. Integral casting of components provides increased strength of the overall structure.

Abstract: An improved nozzle texturizer providing for twisting as well as kinking of extruded synthetic fiber material strands is disclosed. Apertures for introduction of heated compressed air into a longitudinally extending bore of the texturizer body at a location below the upper region of the bore are offset longitudinally with respect to one another to create a swirling action upon introduction of compressed air, causing the strands to become twisted, in addition to being kinked in a downstream nozzle region. Passageways into the apertures are disposed at angles of 43.degree. to 45.degree. with respect to the bore, much steeper than in prior devices, to further contribute to the swirling action. The body is made up of a pair of mating blocks with the bore and other apertures defined therein. In order to prevent warpage in use, the texturizer may be made of heat-treated, hardened steel.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing jackknifing between a tractor of a trailer truck and a trailer coupled thereto is disclosed. The apparatus includes a latch block that is movable to a deployed position forward of the front edge of the tractor's fifth wheel and a pair of stop blocks, one disposed on each side of the trailer wear plate so that a laterally extending arm of the latch block will come into contact with one of them upon relative pivotal movement of the fifth wheel and trailer wear plate beyond a predetermined angle. Upon making contact, the blocks prevent further angular movement. Arms of the latch block have projecting end portions on their upper side that slide under end portions of the stop blocks which are spaced apart from the wear plate. This secures the latch block from being sprung downward past the stop block upon occurrence of jackknifing. The latch block is supported by a forward extension of the fifth wheel and by gussets that extend underneath the fifth wheel and are welded thereto.