Abstract: An electronic coupling control system for a vehicle trailer hitch assembly having a hitch plate in which a throat is defined for receiving a trailer kingpin and having a locking mechanism for locking the kingpin in the hitch throat. The electronic coupling control system includes a trailer proximity sensor for sensing when a trailer is in proximity to the hitch assembly, a kingpin sensor for sensing the presence of the kingpin in the hitch throat, a lock sensor for sensing when said locking mechanism is in a locked and secured position, and indicator means located in the vehicle for providing hitch coupling status information to an operator of the vehicle. The indicator means is coupled to the trailer proximity, kingpin, and lock sensors for informing the operator when a trailer is in proximity to the hitch assembly, when the kingpin is positioned in the hitch throat, and when the locking mechanism is in a locked position. The indicator means may include an indicator light and control circuit.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch having a fifth wheel hitch plate with a bifurcated rear portion defining a kingpin-receiving mouth, throat and latch, an upper surface and an upstanding peripheral rim defining a pocket over substantially all of the hitch plate, a plurality of lubricious polymeric pads filling the pocket, specially configurated to interfit and form a bearing surface over substantially all of the hitch plate, the pads each comprising a steel underlayer having a bottom surface on the hitch plate and having a top surface, and a lubricious polymeric overlayer bonded on the top surface of the steel underlayer and extending above the rim, the hitch plate having a pattern of a plurality of vertical, fastener-receiving orifices extending therethrough, a plurality of threaded studs having upper ends stud welded to the steel underlayer bottom surface, positioned to correspond to the pattern of orifices in the hitch plate and having lower ends extending down through the orifices, and a plurality of fastener nuts on t

Abstract: A cushioned landing gear foot is attached to the landing gear leg by a tubular suspension axle within a housing abutment member on the lower end of the leg, and which abutment engages a resilient pad in a pocket on the foot when under compression load. The abutment member has a rectangular cross section including a flat bottom surface for abutting the pad. The clearance between this flat surface (in elevated condition) and the resilient pad is less than the potential vertical movement of the hollow suspension axle in a pair of slots into which it extends. The pad retaining pocket includes a pair of fore-and-aft inverted L-shaped retaining walls allowing approximately 20 degree fore-and-aft articulation of the foot on the leg, and approximately five degree side-to-side articulation. When the leg and foot are put under load, the pad will be deformed until a predetermined maximum force is applied to it, and then the axle will bear all load exceeding this predetermined amount.