Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly includes a hitch plate and a locking mechanism. The hitch plate includes a throat for receiving a kingpin of a trailer. The locking mechanism locks the kingpin in the throat and includes a pair of lock jaws whose lock jaw contact surface, which contacts the kingpin, is treated with an alloy obviating the need for a lubricant while maintaining the wear life of the pair of lock jaws.

Abstract: A fifth wheel mounting assembly for mounting a fifth wheel hitch plate to a frame of a tractor that includes a pair of first support members adapted to be fixedly coupled to a pair of rails of a tractor, and each having a plurality of first apertures, and a pair of first mounting brackets each including a plurality of apertures that receive mounting hardware therein, wherein the mounting hardware extends through the plurality of apertures of the first mounting bracket and through the plurality of first apertures of the support members, thereby fixedly coupling the mounting brackets with the support members. Each mounting bracket further includes an inwardly exposed aperture adapted to receive a mounting pin therein for pivotally coupling a fifth wheel hitch plate to the mounting brackets, and a recess.

Abstract: A device is described for indicating the locking state of a fifth wheel coupling and an arrangement of a first and a second sensor. According to the prior art, the first sensor is arranged on the underside of the locking latch and monitors the position of the kingpin in relation to the locking latch. A second sensor that is used is an inductive proximity switch that monitors a safety mechanism against loosening. In practice, this type of positioning of the first sensor has led to damage of the locking latch and the first sensor, while the signals of the second sensor were often false signals. Thus, the object of the invention is to provide a device for indicating the locking state, which maximizes operational availability and minimizes false signals. A further object of the invention is to optimize the arrangement of the first and the second sensor.

Abstract: Vehicle accessory mounting systems are limited in the accessories mountable thereto and interfere with the use of the bed. The present invention, however, is a vehicle accessory mounting system that comprises a frame assembly having an opening and a locking cavity being in communication with the opening, and at least one accessory mounting member capable of being removably mounted within the opening to removably mount an accessory to a vehicle. The accessory mounting member comprises a body, a locking element aperture within the body, and a locking element held within the aperture, the locking element being moveable between a retracted, unlocked position wherein the locking element does not engage the locking cavity and an extended, unlocked position wherein the locking element engages the locking cavity to prevent removal of the mounting member from within the opening.

Abstract: A slide rail assembly for providing adjustable positions for fifth wheel hitches including a slide rail having feet extending downward from the underside of the slide rail, adjacent feet being separated by a detent for receiving a slide locking mechanism, each of the feet having a recesses located at the bottom inside corner of each foot, respecting the assembly. The slide rail also comprises teeth with gaps therebetween, where the gaps are vertically aligned with the recesses.

Abstract: A fifth wheel mounting frame can be used to convert a conventional vehicle having a fifth wheel, such as the semi-tractor, into a tow truck. The fifth wheel mounting frame advantageously mounts to the tow vehicle's fifth wheel assembly to provide stability and other advantages. Additionally, various coupling members having selectably adjustable lengths and having various coupling mechanisms are used for variable placement of the coupling mechanisms and coupling members to the frame of the fifth wheel vehicle to accommodate such things as obstructions found on the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A improved detachable fifth wheel hitch device with a pivotal locking ramp, which replaces a supplied fifth wheel hitch plate device attached to a truck or pickup mounted fifth wheel hitch base, provides an extended collar hitch plate above a kingpin receiver channel incorporating a pivotal locking ramp directing a kingpin into the kingpin receiver channel, over the pivotal locking ramp during loading, the pivotal locking ramp returning to an erect position, blocking removal of the kingpin once past the pivotal locking ramp unless the kingpin is raised vertically out of the kingpin receiver channel, thus preventing unintentional release of the kingpin from the kingpin receiver channel during loading, unloading or transport.

Abstract: Coupling arrangement intended for mounting on a towing vehicle provided with parallel frame side members and for coupling the towing vehicle detachably to a towed vehicle such as a trailer. The arrangement incorporates a fifth wheel which is tiltably connected to the frame side members by tilt pivot mountings in the regions of the frame side members. Each tilt pivot mounting incorporates a vertically upright support device made integrally and intended to be fastened directly by means of a lower fastening portion to the outside of a vertical web portion of the respective adjacent frame side member. The support device has in its upper end a bearing sleeve in which a hingepin mounted on the underside of the fifth wheel is supported. Each support device incorporates at least two supporting legs which extend between and converge from the fastening portion to the bearing sleeve and a central support leg between the fastening portion and the bearing sleeve.

Abstract: The fifth wheel hitch lube plate (30) of the present invention comprises a perforated support member (40) having a plurality of perforations (50) and a lubricious material (42) 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 offset coupler device for increasing the relative distance between a tow vehicle having a fifth wheel hitch and a trailer having a kingpin during use is provided. The offset coupler has an upper plate member with an opening therein for receiving the kingpin of the trailer. A clamp member is clamped on the kingpin of the trailer and includes a means for pressing the upper plate member into abutting engagement with a skid plate of the trailer. A lower plate member of the offset coupler has a kingpin depending downwardly from a lower surface thereof. The kingpin of the offset coupler is spaced apart laterally from the opening to provide an offset. Once the offset coupler is coupled with the trailer, the trailer is coupled with the tow vehicle by receiving the kingpin of the offset coupler in the fifth wheel hitch.

Abstract: A fifth wheel pin box assembly for towing a trailer behind a towing vehicle including a column, a top member secured to the column, a rubber shear spring, a first plate on the rubber shear spring attached to the top member, a skid pad, a second plate on the rubber shear spring attached to the skid pad, a rubber member bonded between the first and second plates, and a pin extending downwardly from the skid pad.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch includes a head assembly having a skid plate with an opening for receiving a king pin of a trailer and a locking jaw assembly for securing the king pin in proper position with the trailer over the skid plate. Additionally, the fifth wheel hitch includes a rocking platform having an arcuate rocking surface and upstanding wings at each end thereof. A pair of pivot pins are provided for mounting the head assembly to the wings of the rocking platform while allowing pivotal/tilting movement of the head assembly in a fore-and-aft direction relative to the rocking platform. A base is provided including a cradle for receiving the rocking platform. The cradle allows side-to-side rocking movement of the rocking platform and the head assembly relative to the base. The base includes first and second pairs of opposed mounting lugs. A pair of mounting pins are received in the first and second pairs of mounting lugs and serve to capture the rocking platform on the cradle of the base.

Abstract: The fifth wheel release tool is a device for applying the required force for releasing the latch mechanism of the fifth wheel hitch securing a semi-trailer to a truck tractor. The release tool has a hook which is removably secured to the hitch release handle, a non-resilient line extending from the hook, a treadle or stirrup secured to the opposite end of the line from the hook, and a saddle which is removably secured to a relatively fixed structure and over or through which the flexible line runs. This assembly transfers the tensile force applied to the release handle from the horizontal to the vertical as the flexible line passes over the saddle component. A person using the present release tool need only apply one's weight to the treadle or stirrup, in order to apply sufficient force to release even a relatively sticky hitch release.

Abstract: A tractor having a cargo box and an axle mounted hitch ball in which the hitch ball projects upward through an opening in the cargo box floor. This arrangement enables the ball to be used when the cargo box is mounted to the tractor. Furthermore, since the ball is mounted to the axle and not the cargo box, greater load carrying capacity is achieved and the hitch can be used when the box removed from the tractor.

Abstract: A device for assisting in the release of a tandem wheel locking pin from a locking rail of a semi-trailer is disclosed. In a basic embodiment, the device consists of a gripping plate which engages the locking pin release rod of the tandem unit, a helical spring, and a hook plate which engages a frame member of the tandem unit such that tension is maintained on the spring. By locking the brakes of the tandem unit and rocking the trailer, friction between the locking rail and the locking pin is released, and the tension of the spring can pull the pin, at least partially, from the locking rail. An alternate embodiment of the device includes a positioning assist pin which may be placed into the locking rail at the point at which the tandem unit is to be moved to aid in aligning the locking pins at a new location.

Abstract: An assembly for coupling a tractor to a trailer is disclosed. The assembly comprises a fifth wheel bearing plate and a trailer bearing plate assembly. The trailer bearing plate assembly includes a self-lubricating plate securely attached to an underside of said trailer by a chemical attachment means.

Abstract: A remote controlled locking system for locking a trailer to a truck by locking a mechanism that secures the turck to the trailer. The system may include a remotely located transmitter adapted to transmit a control signal. A receiving unit on the truck is adapted to receive the control signal. An actuator is coupled to the receiving unit and to the mechanism for selectively inhibiting movement of the mechanism depending on information relayed by the control signal.

Abstract: An anti-jackknifing apparatus is disclosed for reducing articulation between a tractor having a fifth wheel and a trailer having a king pin. The anti-jackknifing apparatus comprises a rotatable shaft, a lug mounted on the shaft and a rotary actuator operatively engaged with the shaft.

Abstract: A fifth wheel trailer pin assembly characterized by having a horizontally pivoting joint to reduce the transmission of lateral flex and stress between the units coupled by the hitching assembly. The trailer pin assembly is designed to be used with conventional fifth wheel locking assemblies, which are designed to allow for horizontal rotation of the trailer pin within the locking assembly and far longitudinal pivoting between the units coupled by the hitching assembly, to provide a fifth wheel hitching system which minimizes the transmission of unwanted forces and stresses between the units that are coupled together.

Abstract: A carrier assembly for a fifth wheel mounted on a semi-trailer tractor includes a pair of generally parallel spaced rail assemblies, each comprising a bed plate, a rack of teeth superimposed over the bed plate and a rack cover plate superimposed over the rack of teeth. Bolts extend through the rack cover plate, rack of teeth and bed plate. A slider assembly includes a pair of spaced generally parallel axial elements superimposed over respective bed plates and connected by a transverse element. The slider assembly supports a tooth engaging mechanism that selectively engages the rack of teeth and is spring biased and mechanically biased toward a locked position. Rear stops are removably attached to the carrier assembly. Projections on the bed plate and rack cover plate extend into apertures in the rack of teeth to resist shear forces.

Abstract: A fifth wheel helper is adapted to be inserted underneath a fifth wheel hitch plate to hold it in a horizontal position so that the truck can be pulled forward after the king pin of the trailer has been trapped behind the fifth wheel. The fifth wheel helper comprises a solid piece of material having a tapered first end and a flat second end and an indentation on an underside thereof for engaging a truck frame rail to hold the fifth wheel helper underneath the hitch plate. A safety bolt is provided for locking the fifth wheel helper on the truck frame rail.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a jaw assembly and a fifth wheel hitch assembly incorporating that jaw assembly. The jaw assembly includes a control handle, a jaw bolt connected to the control handle and a biasing element. The jaw bolt includes an arcuate edge portion having a radius of curvature of between about 1.24 and about 3.24 inches. The fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a frame, a head assembly mounted on that frame and the above-described jaw assembly carried by that head assembly.

Abstract: A coupling system for a vehicle such as an articulated lorry and method of use thereof is provided. The articulated lorry includes at least a tractor unit and a trailer unit. The tractor unit has first coupling means provided on a fifth wheel which engages with second coupling means typically in the form of a kingpin on the trailer unit. The fifth wheel coupling means and the kingpin have one or more pneumatic and/or electrical supply lines provided therein which engage upon mechanical engagement of the fifth wheel coupling means and kingpin, thereby allowing pneumatic and/or electrical supply between said tractor unit and said trailer unit and/or vice versa. One of the fifth wheel coupling means or kingpin is provided with one or more annular protrusions on a coupling surface and the other is provided with complementary annular channels on a coupling surface.

Abstract: An improvement to a fifth wheel hitch providing a pivotal pin lock to retain a kingpin of a fifth wheel trailer within a front opening of the fifth wheel hitch during the loading process prior to engaging the pin in the fifth wheel hitch, the pivotal pin lock including a ramp plate pivotally engaged with the front opening of the fifth wheel hitch by extending arms of a transverse pivot rod, the ramp plate having an upper surface upon which the pin is directed towards a catch mechanism in the fifth wheel hitch, the ramp plate blocking the front opening of the fifth wheel hitch once the pin has passed the pivotal pin lock.

Abstract: A latch-release apparatus for use with a fifth-wheel hitch mechanism has a first rigid metal bar having a first end, a second end, and an outside diameter, a metal ring having an inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the metal bar, surrounding the rigid bar, contacting and welded to the rigid bar between the first and second ends, leaving an open region on a side of the metal bar opposite the weld and a rigid metal hooking rod having a first and a second end, attached by a bent loop on the first end through the open region of the ring welded to the rigid bar, the hooking rod having a bent hook at the second end away from the attachment to the ring welded to the rigid bar, the bent hook for, engaging a fifth-wheel release handle.

Abstract: A toy vehicle (10) comprising a part (12) resembling a truck tractor, a part (14) resembling a truck trailer and a pivotal connection (16) therebetween. The pivotal connection (16) is positioned between a platform portion (20) of the tractor part (12) and a front portion (22) of the trailer part (14) that extend over the tractor's platform portion (20). The pivotal connection (16) includes a recess-and-projection arrangement allowing pivotal movement between the tractor part (12) and the trailer part (14), and a groove-projection arrangement limiting the maximum turning radius between the tractor part (12) and the trailer part (14).

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a mounting assembly, an arched base assembly, a head assembly and a jaw assembly carried by the head assembly. The jaw assembly includes a stepped jaw body. The head assembly includes a single piece, weldless and seamless skid plate. The base assembly is modular and includes a pair of legs and a central housing. The base assembly includes feet that are received in cooperating sockets carried by the mounting assembly. The feet may be locked in those sockets.

Abstract: Fifth wheel couplings are used to form an articulated connection between a fifth wheel tractor and a semitrailer. They usually have a fifth wheel coupling plate which is fixed on the fifth wheel tractor by bearing elements (5, 10) and which has a V-shaped recess (2) with a central cavity (3) and a lock for receiving and locking in a kingpin which is mounted on the semitrailer in the middle of an upper plate in such a way that it is fixed. The fifth wheel coupling plate also has an anti-attrition sliding layer (4a, b) on the side facing the upper plate. The inventive fifth wheel coupling plate consists of two separate components which can be mechanically interconnected, i.e. an upper bearing component (12a) which interacts with the upper plate and which is provided with the sliding layer (4a, b), and a lower supporting component (1b) on which the central recess (3) is provided with the engaging lock.

Abstract: An adjustable fifth wheel hitch includes a support frame having base rails that are secured to the frame of a vehicle and a pair of spaced guide rails that bridge between the base rails. The fifth wheel hitch also includes a head assembly having a jaw assembly for engaging a king pin on a trailer. The head assembly also includes low friction shoes, rollers or the like for mounting the head assembly on the spaced guide rails so that the head assembly is selectively displaceable between a towing position and a maneuvering position. A lock on the head assembly includes at least one bar latch, a biasing element and a cam for engaging the biasing element. The bar latch is received in the first aperture in the guide rail to releaseably lock the head assembly in the towing position and in the second aperture of the guide rail to releaseably lock the head assembly in the maneuvering position.

Abstract: A method of releasing a trailer from a fifth wheel hitch assembly comprises providing a rigid member adapted at a first end to releasably engage a lock release lever of the fifth wheel hitch assembly. A flexible tether is attached to the rigid member on one end and to a handle on the other end. The tether is non-resilient such that same is resistant to stretching. The second end of the rigid member is grasped and manipulated to engage the first end with the lock release lever while standing at a front end of the attached trailer; then the grasping hand is slid along the tether to the handle and grasps the handle. The handle is moved toward the rigid member to provide some slack in the tether and then jerked away from the rigid member, thereby moving the lock release lever to a released position.

Abstract: A kingpin assembly includes an aluminum frame member (16) formed of two identical extrusions. Each extrusion includes a box beam (18, 20) having a top (40) three vertical walls (42, 44, 46) and a bottom (47) including forward and rearward flanges. The forward extrusion includes a box beam (18), a rearward bottom flange (28) and a forward bottom flange (30). The rearward extrusion includes a box beam (20) a rearward bottom flange (24) and a forward bottom flange (26). Each box beam extrusion is positioned end-for-end from the other box beam extrusion. A steel kingpin (KP) is connected to an aluminum kingpin mounting block (36) which is positioned at the center of the frame member (16) between the box beams (18, 20). The box beam extrusions are welded together by a single transverse weld (W). The forward bottom flange (30) on the forward extrusion is connected to a forward panel (60) by a single longitudinal weld (W).

Abstract: A fifth wheel for coupling a tractor to a trailer carrying a kingpin. The fifth wheel comprises a mounting structure adapted to be mounted to the tractor and a fifth wheel plate mounted to the mounting structure and a top bearing surface rotateable relative to the mounting structure about an axis normal to the top bearing surface in order to minimize the friction between the top bearing surface of the fifth wheel plate and the trailer.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement to a existing fifth wheel hitch mounted within the bed of a pickup, the improvement applied to the existing fifth wheel hitch either before or after installation to a towing vehicle, providing for secondary retainment of a fifth wheel trailer kingpin within the fifth wheel hitch in the event that accidental or inadvertent disengagement of the kingpin from the hitch occurs during transport, release or connection of the fifth wheel trailer to the fifth wheel hitch preventing injury to person or damage to the towing vehicle, the fifth wheel hitch and the fifth wheel trailer.

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: A short span fifth wheel hitch comprising a hitch plate, at least one back rib, a peripheral flange connected to ends of the back rib, and a main rib extending between the back rib and a portion of the peripheral flange, with the main rib being connected to ends of the peripheral flange. The fifth wheel hitch also includes skirts extending from the hitch plate adjacent the back rib. At least two pairs of mounting ribs are located interior of the peripheral flange and the back rib, each pair of mounting ribs including aligned apertures for accepting a mounting pin therein, whereby a mounting bracket can be inserted into a space between the mounting ribs of each pair of mounting ribs and the mounting pin can be placed through the aligned apertures and the mounting bracket to connect the fifth wheel hitch to a tractor.

Abstract: A fifth wheel arrangement (10) for raising the rear end of an SUV (100) wherein the arrangement (10) includes a tow bar member (20) adapted to be received in the towing package receptacle (101) and forming a support platform for a wheel suspension unit (12) that includes a wheel (42) connected by a pair of torsion arms (36) and (40) to a horizontal (37) and a vertical (30) support column wherein the vertical support column is provided with a jack shaft (34) that can be actuated by a selected height adjustment unit (13) (14) for varying the position of the wheel (42) relative to the tow bar member (20).

Abstract: An assembly for coupling a tractor to a trailer is disclosed. The assembly comprises a fifth wheel bearing plate and a trailer bearing plate assembly. The trailer bearing plate assembly includes a self-lubricating plate securely attached to an underside of said trailer by a chemical attachment means.

Abstract: A fifth wheel assembly for connecting a tractor trailer combination has a pressure actuated piston operated from within the cab of the tractor which releases the locking jaw from the trailer king pin. A piston rod has an internal floating rod which has a safety latch mechanism attached to its outer end to prevent premature movement of a locking lever which locks and unlocks the locking jaws. The safety latch mechanism has a pivotally mounted spring biased clevis which is moved to an unlatched position by outward movement of the piston rod when actuated to move the lever and connected locking jaw to the unlocked position. The locking jaw is retained in the unlocked position by the lever until the jaw is automatically actuated by an incoming king pin eliminating any manipulation of the locking mechanism by the vehicle operator.

Abstract: A fifth wheel for coupling a tractor to a trailer carrying a kingpin. The fifth wheel comprises a mounting structure adapted to be mounted to the tractor and a fifth wheel plate mounted to the mounting structure and having a top bearing surface rotatable relative to the mounting structure about an axis normal to the top bearing surface in order to minimize the friction between the top bearing surface of the fifth wheel plate and the trailer.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly for towing a trailer includes a base, a skid plate and a locking jaw assembly. The locking jaw assembly includes a first jaw having a first gear set, a cooperating second jaw having a second gear set and a control handle for displacing the jaws between open and closed positions. Both the skid plate and the base are weldless, seamless and of unitary one-piece construction.

Abstract: A carrier assembly for a fifth wheel mounted on a semi-trailer tractor in which there are a pair of generally parallel spaced rail assemblies. Each of these rail assemblies comprises a bed plate, a rack of teeth superimposed over said bed plate and a rack cover plate superimposed over said rack of teeth and a plurality of vertical axially spaced bolting means extending through said rack cover plate, rack of teeth and base bed plate. The carrier assembly also includes a slider assembly comprising a pair of spaced generally parallel axial elements each of which is superimposed over one of said bed plates. There is also a transverse element connecting said generally parallel axial elements, and said slider assembly supports a tooth engaging means for selectively employed the rack of teeth on the rail assemblies. Arrangements are disclosed which enable the carrier assembly to be attached to the tractor and rear stops to be attached to the rest of the assembly without welding.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fifth wheel for the coupling of the tractor of an articulated truck with a truck trailer. The inventive fifth wheel comprises a wheel plate, a kingpin (20) with an inner bore and with an outer coupling or engaging surface (30) as well as with connections for linking electric and pneumatic supply lines between the tractor of an articulated truck and the truck trailer. The supply lines of the tractor of an articulated truck lead to a male connector (100) of a supply unit (10) and the supply lines from a female connector (200) in the interior of the kingpin (20) to the designated places on the truck trailer. The parts of the male connector (11-15) and the female connector (21-25) that pertain to the supply lines and that are interlinkable are configured as respective rotation-symmetrical bushes that are fit into each other in pairs. All bushes (11-15, 21-25) are aligned coaxially with respect to one another and with respect to the axis of the kingpin (20).

Abstract: The invention is an attachment for a fifth wheel trailer hitch generally mounted within the bed of a vehicle to prevent damage to the vehicle in the event that the fifth wheel hitch fails due to faulty hook-up, the invention including a horizontal cross bar, two perpendicularly attached side bars with paired sets of bolt holes for mounting to the fifth wheel trailer hitch, a slide channel attached to the horizontal cross bar having an upper catch plate secured to the slide channel, and at least four bolts with lock nuts.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement between a trailer and a pulling vehicle wherein the pulling vehicle comprises first coupling plane on which the corresponding second coupling plane of said trailer is placed for obtaining locked coupling, said planes having low friction surfaces allowing said second plane to rotate on said first plane, said planes further being locked to each other by a vertical pin fixed to said second coupling plane wherein the first coupling plane comprises an open groove for said pin to get the locking position in the end of said groove, said coupling arrangement further comprising: a movable locking part fixed to said second plane and being able by means of a spring to move into the groove of said first coupling plane when said planes are rotating in relation to each other, wherein said locking part locating in said groove is locking said planes unrotatable, and for turning the steering wheels of said trailer said second coupling plane is arranged to rotate on said first coupling plane, and by mean

Abstract: A fifth wheel assembly for connecting a tractor trailer combination has a pressure actuated piston operated from within the cab of the tractor which releases the locking jaw from the trailer king pin. A piston rod has an internal floating rod which has a safety latch mechanism attached to its outer end to prevent premature movement of a locking lever which locks and unlocks the locking jaws. The safety latch mechanism has a pivotally mounted spring biased clevis which is moved to an unlatched position by outward movement of the piston rod when actuated to move the lever and connected locking jaw to the unlocked position. The locking jaw is retained in the unlocked position by the lever until the jaw is automatically actuated by an incoming king pin eliminating any manipulation of the locking mechanism by the vehicle operator.

Abstract: The invention involves a connector apparatus for attaching a trailer to a towing vehicle. The invention has a base structure with a kingpin-receiving plate attached with respect to the top of the base structure and pivotable with respect thereto about a substantially horizontal cross-axis.

Abstract: A device for covering a fifth wheel on a frame of a tractor. The covering device includes a tarpaulin and a storage device positioned on a first side of the frame for storing the tarpaulin when a semi-trailer is connected to the fifth wheel. The tarpaulin is held in a position above the fifth wheel by an elevating device upon removal of the tarpaulin from the storing device and into an extended position. A device is connected to the frame on a side of the fifth wheel opposite the storing device for selectively retaining the tarpaulin in an extended position above the elevating device and covering the fifth wheel. The covering device blocks dirt from contacting the fifth wheel and maintains the fifth wheel in a well lubricated state after the semi-trailer is removed thereby increasing the life of the fifth wheel. The cover also eliminates the possibility of a water and grease mixture normally caused by the greasy fifth wheel being exposed on a rainy day forming on the ground beneath the tractor.

Abstract: A manually actuable release arm of a fifth wheel coupling is engagable with a plate in a first position wherein the locking member is retracted to allow release (or entry) of a king pin and in a second position wherein the member is projected to hold a locking jaw in its king pin locking position. This may be accomplished by respective engagement of detents in the release arm with the edge of an aperture in the plate flange. To assist release of the king pin, a piston of a fluid actuable piston and cylinder arrangement (38, 39) is connected to the release arm and can be operated to move the release arm against the bias of spring to its first (release) position. In this respect, a plunger on the release arm may be used to actuate a switch which operates the piston.

Abstract: A sensing system employs multiple sensors utilizing mounting structure integrated into a fifth wheel hitch and which is protected from the environment, is capable of accurately measuring forces along longitudinal and vertical axes for providing information as to roll, pitch, yaw, and drawbar load and which utilizes sensors which provide output signals for display and control. In one embodiment, a fifth wheel includes mounting boxes formed on an undersurface thereof on opposite sides of the kingpin receiving slot and a force-sensing unit mounted within each of said mounting boxes. Each force-sensing unit includes a vertical sensor positioned fore and aft of the vertical hitch axis and forward and aft horizontal force sensors.

Abstract: The articulating function of a mounting/bearing for fifth wheels is realized by means of a bolted connection or by using rubber elements as a displacement coupling. The object of the current invention is to create a mounting/bearing device for a fifth wheel having the advantages of both the bolted coupling and the displacement coupling. A mounting/bearing as claimed by the current invention for a fifth wheel (1) has a stirrup-shaped bearing pedestal (30) and a bridge (20) which can be fastened to a coupling plate (2) of the fifth wheel (1), whereby a damping element is arranged between the bearing pedestal (30) and the bridge (20). The damping element is realized as a walking element (10). This ensures that the mounting/bearing can be manufactured with large manufacturing tolerances and can be easily swiveled.