Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward sway control systems for adjustably controlling sway between a trailer and towing vehicle through use of frictional forces that include a tow bar assembly, a connector assembly, a tensioner spanning the width of the housing of the tow bar assembly, and a crank assembly. Within the tow bar assembly, a slide bar is frictionally engaged with the housing, and the relative friction may be controlled by increasing or decreasing compression of the at least one brake pad through adjustment of the compression plate toward or away from the interconnecting web. The present disclosure attempts to improve ease of use by utilizing a single adjustment point.

Abstract: A headgear accessory that can be utilized with headgear to provide the wearer with sun protection along the back of the head and neck are disclosed. According to one example, the headgear accessory can have a shade and an attachment member. The shade can be configured of a formable material adapted to cover a rear portion of the head and a rear portion of the neck of a wearer. The shade can have at least one aperture disposed adjacent a first end thereof. The attachment mechanism can include a snap configured to be insertable in the at least one aperture and a spring loaded grasping mechanism adapted to couple with the snap to attach the spring loaded grasping mechanism to the shade.

Abstract: A headgear accessory that can be utilized with headgear to provide the wearer with sun protection along the back of the head and neck are disclosed. According to one example, the headgear accessory can have a shade and an attachment member. The shade can be configured of a formable material adapted to cover a rear portion of the head and a rear portion of the neck of a wearer. The shade can have at least one aperture disposed adjacent a first end thereof. The attachment mechanism can include a snap configured to be insertable in the at least one aperture and a spring loaded grasping mechanism adapted to couple with the snap to attach the spring loaded grasping mechanism to the shade.

Abstract: Sliding hitch assemblies including a rail assembly, a support assembly disposed upon and configured to translate between at least two positions along the rail assembly, a hitch head assembly mounted on the support assembly, and a translation lock mechanism including a locking assembly coupled to the support assembly and configured to selectively lock the support assembly in one or more of the at least two positions on the rail assembly, and an actuating assembly configured to actuate the locking assembly, where the actuating assembly is operably coupled to the locking body by an anti-binding assembly. The support assembly may be disposed upon the rail assembly via a glide block that includes a composite material.

Abstract: Examples of sliding hitch assemblies, and locking mechanisms therefor are disclosed. Sliding hitch assemblies include a pair of slide rails slidably supporting a fifth wheel. Each of the slide rails in turn includes a driving position locking pin that selectively locks the fifth wheel in a driving position, and a maneuvering position locking pin that selectively locks the fifth wheel in a maneuvering position. A cam member is slidably mounted inside each slide rail, and includes a first cam surface that unlocks the driving position locking pin when the cam member is in a first position, and a second cam surface that unlocks the maneuvering position locking pin when the cam member is in a second position. The fifth wheel is mounted on a pair of downwardly facing U-shaped members slidably supported on the slide rails, and a wear block is interposed each slide rail and a corresponding one of the U-shaped members.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates trailer hitch devices for towing a trailer behind a vehicle. The present disclosure provides a hitch and associated structures which provide an anti-sway function. More specifically, the present disclosure provides an anti-sway trailer hitch including an anti-sway device for the hitch, wherein the anti-sway device includes: a sway bar attachment member having a cammed surface; and a sway controller having a bias mechanism adapted to bias a travel axis of the trailer toward a travel axis of the towing vehicle through an interaction between the cammed surface of the sway bar attachment member and the bias mechanism.

Abstract: Examples of sliding hitch assemblies, and locking mechanisms therefor are disclosed. Sliding hitch assemblies include a pair of slide rails slidably supporting a fifth wheel. Each of the slide rails in turn includes a driving position locking pin that selectively locks the fifth wheel in a driving position, and a maneuvering position locking pin that selectively locks the fifth wheel in a maneuvering position. A cam member is slidably mounted inside each slide rail, and includes a first cam surface that unlocks the driving position locking pin when the cam member is in a first position, and a second cam surface that unlocks the maneuvering position locking pin when the cam member is in a second position. The fifth wheel is mounted on a pair of downwardly facing U-shaped members slidably supported on the slide rails, and a wear block is interposed each slide rail and a corresponding one of the U-shaped members.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly is provided for use with a kingpin, the hitch assembly including a hitch frame including a throat for receiving the kingpin therein, a jaw member pivotally coupled to the hitch frame and moveable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, and a locking arm having a cooperative relationship with the jaw member. One of the jaw member and locking arm defines a guide surface and another of the jaw member and locking arm includes a follower configured to traverse the guide surface, traverse of the follower along a guide segment of the guide surface directing rotation of the jaw member between the open orientation and the closed orientation, and traverse of the follower along a lock segment directing releasable locking of the jaw member in the closed orientation.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly is provided for use with a kingpin, the hitch assembly including a hitch frame including a throat for receiving the kingpin therein, a jaw member pivotally coupled to the hitch frame and moveable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, and a locking arm having a cooperative relationship with the jaw member. One of the jaw member and locking arm defines a guide surface and another of the jaw member and locking arm includes a follower configured to traverse the guide surface, traverse of the follower along a guide segment of the guide surface directing rotation of the jaw member between the open orientation and the closed orientation, and traverse of the follower along a lock segment directing releasable locking of the jaw member in the closed orientation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates trailer hitch devices for towing a trailer behind a vehicle. The present disclosure provides a hitch and associated structures which provide an anti-sway function. More specifically, the present disclosure provides an anti-sway trailer hitch including an anti-sway device for the hitch, wherein the anti-sway device includes: a sway bar attachment member having a cammed surface; and a sway controller having a bias mechanism adapted to bias a travel axis of the trailer toward a travel axis of the towing vehicle through an interaction between the cammed surface of the sway bar attachment member and the bias mechanism.

Abstract: In the invention, a system and method for controlling applications at remote locations from a central server is provided. The system comprises an application agent at one remote location and a control system at the central server. The application agent controls each application installed thereat. There is also configuration data accessible by the application agent and the control system. The application agent periodically accesses the configuration data to determine operating parameters for each application; initiates activation of each application according to the configuration data; receives output data from each application; and produces a filtered version of the output data and forwards the filtered version to the server application. The control system receives, reads and stores the filtered data in an output file; and updates the configuration data to refine operation of said each application after analyzing the filtered data.