Abstract: A tractor (28) semi-trailer (30) brake system control for distributing brake effort to obtain inter-tractor-trailer balanced and proportional braking, depending upon the magnitude of operator demand for braking effort, is provided. The control utilizes sensors (80, 170, 172) provided solely on the tractor.

Abstract: A fifth wheel bracket mounting arrangement for fastening the bracket to the frame of a tractor having a frame including spaced channels. The mounting arrangement includes a mounting plate having one edge clamped to the horizontal flange of the channel member adjacent the free edge of the flange and secured to an angle member on the opposing side of the channel.

Abstract: A low-friction plastic covering on the fifth wheel bearing plate of a tractor is protected from damage during tractor/trailer coupling by a pair of elongated metal "skip" plates. Such plates are preferably rectangular in shape and are positioned in the interior region of the plastic covering, one on each side of a tapered slot adapted to receive the kingpin of a trailer's fifth wheel tongue attachment. The size, shape and position of such skip plates minimize wear on the trailer's bolster plate, and minimize any tendency for tearing of the plastic covering during tractor/trailer coupling and normal use of the tractor-trailer. Preferably, the skip plates are welded to the tractor's fifth wheel bearing plate through counterbored slots in the plastic covering, whereby the skip plates additionally function as retainers for attaching the plastic covering to the underlying bearing plate.

Abstract: A trailer hitch mountable on an upwardly facing surface of a vehicle capable of movement in a forward direction includes a base which can be fixedly secured to the upwardly facing surface and a coupling arrangement supported on the base and adapted to releasably grip a coupling element of a trailer. The base includes two support elements adapted to be fixedly secured at spaced locations to the upwardly facing surface, and a unitary pedestal which can be releasably fixedly secured to the two support elements. The coupling arrangement includes a hitch member having an upwardly facing surface and a slot which extends forwardly thereinto from a rear edge thereof, and two jaws supported for relative pivotal movement about respective pivot axes between a gripping position and a release position. An arrangement for actuating the jaws includes an elongate, transversely extending rod and a link element which extends between and is operatively coupled to the rod and a first of the jaws.

Abstract: A means and method for reducing the operative height of the fifth wheel of a truck tractor as original equipment or by retroactively modifying a typical truck tractor frame. In retroactive modification an upper section of the framework supporting the fifth wheel is severed from the framework, the lower portion of this upper section is cut away and removed, and the upper section without the cut away portion is replaced on the original supporting framework. The upper section without the cut away portion is spliced to the fifth wheel framework by securing methods such as welding or securing apparatus. The securing apparatus can include an inner support which mateably fits interiorly between the upper section and fifth wheel framework to restore section modulus and strength. An outer securing support which includes a rigid plate can be secured between the upper section and fifth wheel framework.

Abstract: A coupler device for use on frameless dump trailers to guide and position the dump body on the fifth wheel plate. The coupler is comprised of a coupler saddle having an inverted generally U-shaped cavity that engages and registers with an upstanding coupler positioned on the fifth wheel plate of the trailer providing multiple axis positioning of the frameless dump body.

Abstract: A flat bed vehicle has a king pin mounted in the flat bed for connection to a trailer to create a fifth wheel tractor-trailer combination. The king pin is vertically reciprocated above the flat bed and below the flat bed by a hand crank located at an outside edge of the flat bed. The king pin is held in its upward position by means of a horizontal bolt passing through a hole in the king pin. The bolt is manually removed from the king pin, for lowering the king pin, by a manual pull rod extending to the exterior of the vehicle bed, preferably adjacent to the hand crank.

Abstract: A multi-axle trailer is provided for transporting large, heavy and bulky loads. The trailer includes a load supporting frame portion which is longitudinally extendible both rearwardly and forwardly relative to the axles and the forward end of the frame includes a forwardly projecting and extendible tongue terminating forwardly in an upright post in turn terminating upwardly in a forwardly projecting horizontal neck portion provided with trailer coupling structure at its forward end. Opposite side inclined braces have their upper ends anchored relative to corresponding opposite side portions of the neck portion forwardly of the post, lower end portions anchored relative to opposite side portion of the tongue rearward of the post and longitudinal mid-portions anchored relative to opposite side mid-portions of the post.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism for a king pin, including a plate member formed with an outer peripheral rib, a pair of jaws for receiving the king pin, a locking member for locking the jaws in its king pin engaging position, a lever for moving the locking member into its jaw unlocking position, which is pivotally and axially movably connected with the locking member, and a stopper member for preventing the locking member in its jaw locking position from moving into the jaw unlocking position, which is operatively associated with the lever so as to be pivotally projected into and retracted from between the outer peripheral rib and the locking member in the jaw locking position and in the jaw unlocking position, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with hydraulic mechanism (1,2,3,4) capable of loading a transport frame (6) having at the front end thereof an upstanding member (5) for cooperation with the hydraulic mechanism (1,2,3,4). The transport frame (6) is provided with anchor members (10) which cooperate with hooks (26) and latches (30) to lock the transport frame (6) directly to the main chassis members (7) of the vehicle. The transport frame is also provided at the rear end thereof with a platform (51) which supports a fifth-wheel coupling (55,56,57,58). The platform also supports two ramps (62 and 63) used in loading the frame onto the vehicle. When the transport frame (6) is loaded on to, and locked to, the vehicle, the vehicle can be used to pull a trailer having a dependent king pin capable of being secured in the fifth-wheel coupling.

Abstract: A fifth wheel is illustrated having laterally extending wedge-shaped integral continuations of the fifth wheel for engaging a stop carried beneath the bottom surface of the trailer to limit angular movement between the tractor and trailer. Grease fittings and passageways are provided for greasing the upper surfaces of the wedge-shaped projections so as to facilitate their support of the trailer during turning. The connecting and operating of the tractor-trailer rig is facilitated by the application of grease to these upper surfaces which due to their extreme lateral disposition, engage the lower surface of the trailer magnifying the need for the application of grease.

Abstract: A coupler for connecting a trailer to a tractor includes a main plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and formed with an oil groove on the top surface for a lubricant to flow therethrough, a pair of king pin locking jaws secured to the bottom surface of the main plate for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane to cooperate with each other to releasably hold a king pin therebetween, and a locking member located on the bottom surface of the main plate for sliding movement in which it is brought into and out of engagement with the jaws, to be inserted in a space defined by heads of the jaws when the king pin is held between the jaws to keep the jaws from pivotally moving.

Abstract: A retractable hitch ball for "gooseneck" type trailers is housed as a self-contained unit beneath the bed of a towing truck such as a pick-up truck. A hydraulic cylinder controlled and operated from the cab of the truck moves an elevating block relative to a pivoted lifting plate which is biased downwardly by a spring. The hitch ball has a slotted connection with the pivoted lifting plate whereby it can be elevated and lowered vertically through a provided opening in the truck bed to active and inactive positions of the hitch ball. A closure plug for the truck bed opening is provided.

Abstract: A safety device for use with the fifth wheel and kingpin of a tractor-semitrailer combination, in which an auxiliary pin is insertable through an aperture in the fifth wheel upwardly into an arcuate slot located on the underside of the semitrailer and concentric with the kingpin. The auxiliary pin is mounted in a carrier frame fixed to the underside of the fifth wheel. A sleeve is mounted on the carrier frame in axial alignment with the aperture in the fifth wheel, the auxiliary pin being slidable axially in the sleeve and having an arcuate cam groove in its cylindrical surface, an inwardly projecting follower pin of the sleeve engaging the arcuate groove. The auxiliary pin is advanced into, and retracted from, the arcuate slot and at the same time the interaction between the follower pin and the cam groove.

Abstract: A fifth wheel bearing attachment for mounting on a tractor and avoiding the necessity of providing oil or grease to lubricate the attachment. The improvement to the attachment comprises an antifriction polyolefin plastic sheet covering to fit over a circular fifth wheel metal bearing plate and over two sloped flanges of the fifth wheel attachment. The plastic sheet is attached to the bearing plate and the flanges. Two protective riser bars located on the outside of the two sloped flanges act as protection for the sheet when the tractor is coupled to the trailer.

Abstract: A reservoir for grease is provided above the downwardly facing fifth wheel pin plate of a semi-trailer and opens downwardly through the plate at a point spaced forwardly of the associated depending fifth wheel pin. The reservoir may be filled with lubricating grease through a grease fitting associated therewith and sealed whereby the introduction of grease thereinto under pressure will cause the air pressure within the reservoir to be increased. The lower end of the reservoir opens downwardly through the fifth wheel plate and is equipped with a spring-biased ball valve projectable downwardly into sealed engagement with an appropriate seal provided therefor about the outlet of the reservoir and with the ball valve projecting below the fifth wheel pin plate.

Abstract: An adapter for existing tow bars or spotting dollies to tow aircraft having on-conventional landing gears has a vertical member which is dimensioned to fit into a socket mounted in the bottom of the aircraft in the vicinity of the nose or tail. A structural cross member, integral with the bottom of the vertical member, has holes in the ends which receive the axle pins located at the ends of the tow bar arms or the lifting arms of the spotting dolly.

Abstract: A wheel plate of a coupler for coupling a tractor and a trailer. The wheel plate has a lubricating arrangement for lubricating the sliding surfaces in the coupling. The lubricating arrangement includes a main groove formed in a central portion of the sliding surface of the wheel plate and surrounding the pivot shaft of the coupler, and a plurality of convolution grooves formed in the sliding surface of the wheel plate along convolution curves starting from and surrounding the main groove. The convolution grooves are communicated at their both ends with the main groove.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fifth wheel stand as used for hitching a semi-trailer on a railway flat car for over-the-rail hauling of such trailers and is especially directed to a system of repair for the fifth wheel, or top plate, of the hitch which includes a shoe, or insert, that is welded into the king-pin slot of the top plate to replace metal removed in the repair procedure and thus restore the king-pin slot to specified size. The insert preferably is made from hot formed bar stock, but also can be made as a casting, or can be formed as a forging.

Abstract: A trailer coupling is provided with a sliding plate and a coupling plate having an anti-friction layer, preferably of a PTFE composite material. To make it possible that in operation the anti-friction surface always remains paired with the same counter surface so that they may matingly wear with each other, a steel plate is placed onto the king journal of the tractor covering the slide plate itself. The steel plate is finished to a depth of roughness of 1 .mu.m. The bore of the steel plate permits passage of the king journal without additional clearance, so that the steel plate is maintained in position by tilting and no further connection is necessary between the steel plate and the slide plate.

Abstract: A device for supporting and towing a trailer includes a first part engageable with the kingpin of the trailer, a second part engageable with an edge portion of the trailer, and a pair of tension members extending from the first part past the second part at spaced positions therealong, and secured to a supporting or towing vehicle.

Abstract: A swinging link mechanism for connecting a prime mover to a rigid trailer comprises an upper and lower opposed pairs of laterally spaced mountings, the lower pair for attachment to the prime mover and the upper pair for connection to the trailer. A swinging link pivotally connects each respective two opposed mountings. The two links are inclined toward one another. The spacing of the lower pair of mountings to be attached to the prime mover exceeds the spacing of the upper pair to be connected to the trailer. The mechanism is particularly for semi-articulated tankers and allows for twisting of the semi-trailer relative to the prime mover.

Abstract: A fifth wheel assembly for coupling tractor and trailer units includes an improved trunnion bracket, comprising a pair of forged bearing caps having an inverted, U-shaped configuration, with bearing sleeves fixedly mounted therein. In sliding fifth wheel embodiments of the present invention, the bearing caps are mounted on rectangular channels fabricated from two L-shaped channel members with a flat plate attached to the upper edges of the L-shaped channels. An improved plunger is provided for adjustably connecting the trunnioned fifth wheel assembly with a base plate on which slotted racks have been mounted, and comprises a forged, two-prong construction with internal guides which minimizes structural disruption in the channels to provide greater strength. Adjustable stops are mounted on the exterior ends of the plungers, and abut the exterior sides of the racks to accurately maintain the plungers in a locked position.

Abstract: A bolster plate is mounted on the bottom side of a shaft which is supported longitudinally on the trailer for permitting pivotal movement of the bolster plate about the axis of the shaft. The shaft is mounted at its opposite ends by thrust bearings on longitudinal support of the trailer and is engaged on its upper side at the center by a half round groove-like bearing surface of a center bearing which is mounted on the support.

Abstract: A hitch mechanism connected to a freight car is disposed to receive a king pin of a trailer to be carried by the car. The hitch mechanism is adapted to be selectively opened to receive the king pin therein and then closed by a lever to secure the king pin in place. A latch mechanism automatically locks the hitch mechanism in a closed position after the hitch mechanism is closed. A manual operation of the latch mechanism is required before the hitch mechanism can be opened.

Abstract: A tractor operated hitch is provided including a vertical strut and a diagonal strut, each connected to the hitch head and which provide the sole support for the hitch head. A bumper block assembly is pivotably mounted about the hitch head which depends from and extends outwardly from the hitch head in a direction away from the diagonal strut a distance sufficient to locate a bumper within the industry standard distance above the deck. On the opposite side of its pivot point the bumper block assembly is connected to a diagonal strut linkage which, upon application of sufficient force by the tractor to the bumper, will pivot the bumper block assembly about its pivot point and disconnect the diagonal strut linkage from an upright, engaged position to a retracted position on the deck.

Abstract: A novel adjustable skid plate assembly which permits any trailer so equip to be towed by any sufficiently-powered draft vehicle having a different lower fifth wheel height than the trailer. By rotation of the entire skid plate assembly different skid plates are presented for use with the draft vehicle. A latch means or counter weight means is provided to eliminate unwanted rotation of the assembly.

Abstract: A hitch head or fifth wheel is provided including a pair of pivotable jaws which in closed position hold in place a kingpin of a highway trailer. A horizontally movable lock block engages the rear portion of the jaws and holds the jaws in closed position. The lock block is movable to a position out of engagement with the jaws to allow escape of the kingpin. The rear surfaces of the jaws and the side surface of the lock block are provided with cooperating tapers which reduce frictional drag when the lock block is moved to open position, and when it returns to locked position, compensate for manufacturing tolerances which tend to create misalignment between the lock block and the rear portion of the jaws, compensate for wear in the engaging surfaces of the jaws and lock block, and provide a tight fit without undue clearance when the lock block engages the jaws.

Abstract: The king pin assembly is adapted to be mounted on a first vehicle for coupling said vehicle to a second vehicle. First and second king pins are integral in one piece with a common shaft and are 90.degree. out of phase with each other. Each king pin when in its operative position is preloaded in a direction parallel to the axis of the shaft and is preloaded in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A mount is recessed mounted in the load bed of a pick-up truck and defines an upwardly opening recess. A hitch member is pivotally mounted in the recess for oscillation between an operative position projecting upwardly from the recess and an inoperative position with a portion of the hitch member substantially flush with the upper end of the recess. Also, latch means is operatively associated with the hitch member and the mount for releasably retaining the hitch member in the operative position thereof.

Abstract: A king pin assembly is disclosed having threadedly connected housings for supporting a removable king pin. Each housing has guide for engaging portions of the king pin to rigidly retain it in place. Positioning means formed on the king pin and one of the housings cooperate to centrally locate and prevent king pin rotation when the parts are assembled.

Abstract: The fifth wheel assembly by which the trailer is demountably coupled to the tractor of a tractor-trailer vehicle is releasably operated by a special decoupling tool which includes a lever bar having a handle end opposite to a fulcrum end with an elongated hook member pivotably mounted therebetween. To unlock the fifth wheel assembly, to allow decoupling of the tractor and trailer, the hook member is looped over the fifth wheel release handle and the fulcrum end of the lever bar is placed in bearing engagement with a suitable side surface of the vehicle so that movement of the lever bar about its fulcrum end will pull the fifth wheel release handle.

Abstract: A waterproof truck bed cover for pick-up trucks having a fifth wheel attachment within the truck bed is disclosed comprising a rigid frame removably secured to the truck bed and extending between the bed walls to dwell approximately in the horizontal plane of the upper edges of the side wall with the frame having both rearwardly extending and transversely extending brace elements. Rigid panel elements are attached to the brace elements to cover the truck bed and the brace elements contain water drain channels or troughs therein connected to drain conduits having discharge ports located exterior to the truck bed so that water is effectively drained away from the truck bed cover through the drain channels, through the drain conduits and discharged remote from the truck bed. The panel elements cover the truck bed while the drain channels and drain conduits effectively run off the water to substantially waterproof the interior of the truck bed.

Abstract: A heating system for a revolving cab rotatably supported on a support structure which has a heat source. An enclosed space exists between the cab and the support structure and heated air is conducted into the enclosed space. An air duct extends between the revolving cab and the enclosed space and is offset from the axis of rotation of the cab and thus is in constant air-flow communication with the enclosed space and the interior of the cab for directing the heated air from the enclosed space and into the interior of the cab.

Abstract: A portion of a hitch secured to the bed of a truck is flat so that when the hitch is not being used the hitch will not interfere with usual loading. A base is secured to the bed of a truck, and lateral spacing bars rigidly support a hold-down plate a short distance above the base. A removable, interchangeable portion connected to a goose-neck arm has a disk to be contained for rotation while the hitch is coupled, laterally between the spacing bars and vertically between the hold-down plate and the base. The peripheral edge of the disk guides it between the spacing bars to center the portions being coupled. The interchangeable portion adapts different types of couplings of connecting arms to the portion attached to the truck. Preferably, a disk or a plate is connected to the lower disk and spaced over the upper surface of the hold-down plate.

Abstract: A bearing plate cover for the fifth wheel of a vehicle engaging the entire bearing and non-bearing surfaces thereof. The bearing plate cover is composed of a flat sheet plastic material having a low friction coefficient and high deflection characteristics so as to provide a wear resistant slippery surface for contact with another bearing surface.

Abstract: A fuel transport land vehicle formed by a tractor and a trailer carrying fuel in which the tractor has a plurality of axles all of which are steerable. The tractor and trailer are detachably coupled so that they remain along the same general longitudinal axis and sideways relative motion between the tractor and trailer is prevented. A pumping module is removably coupled to the vehicle and has disposed therein means for pumping, filtering and modulating the flow of fuel from the trailer.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism adapted for attaching a draft vehicle to a drawn vehicle, so as to permit relative pivotal movement therebetween in a generally horizontal plane, and comprising an arcuate orientation of abutment means adapted to be supported by the draft vehicle and another abutment means adapted to be supported by the drawn vehicle, with at least one of the abutment means being selectively expandible or extendible by power means, for causing interlocking coaction between the first and second mentioned abutment means, so as to transmit force from the first mentioned abutment means to the second mentioned abutment means in a direction generally laterally of the longitudinal axis of the mechanism, whereby the drawn vehicle during a backing-up operation moves in the same general direction as the draft vehicle. The mechanism is useable with a fifth wheel type of truck-trailer combination as well as with trailer hitch drawn-bar type couplings for use in connection with automotive and truck-type vehicles.

Abstract: A preassembled bearing element including a Teflon disc attachable directly to the trailer plates of existing fifth wheel rigs.

Abstract: A portable prover barrel apparatus having a lower section with left and right tubes arranged horizontal and parallel to each other and terminating in vertical upstanding tubular rear ends and in vertical upstanding tubular connectors at the front ends, a wheel assembly connected to the lower section, an upper section with left and right tubes arranged horizontal and parallel to each other and terminating at the rearward ends in downwardly extending vertical tubular connectors, a U-shaped tubular portion operatively interconnected with the forward ends of the upper section's left and right tubes, a fifth wheel female assembly mounted to the upper section left and right tubes near the U-shaped portion, leveling jacks connected at the juncture between the upper and lower sections, and a housing compartment mounted on the lower section above the tubes and oriented behind the upper section.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the configuration and method of fabrication of the forward underbody of a semitrailer. A lower plate of the underbody has two inverted channels welded thereto. A kingpin extends downwardly through an aperture in the lower plate and is welded in position between the two inverted channels. The kingpin and the channels are braced by laterally spaced gussets which are welded in position thereto. A top plate with angular edge flanges fills the space between the inverted channels, the edge engaging sloping corners of the channels and forming a right angle therwith. Continuous welds secure the top plate to the channels which are below the top surface thereof. The assembly thus provided is extremely strong, light in weight, and capable of assembly with conventional welding equipment and without need of repositioning the several elements during the assembly and welding process. Critical welds are spaced from the high stress areas of the secured elements.

Abstract: This is a lock which can be quickly and easily attached to the locking groove of the king pin of a trailer to block entrance of the king pin into the attaching slot of the "fifth wheel" of a tractor, the lock having a pair of pivotally connected pin-surrounding locking segments with a snap-in lock element to hold the segments in closed position and also incorporating a safety warning sign to indicate the presence of the lock on the king pin and prevent inadvertent damage to the lock or the tractor unit.

Abstract: A fifth wheel plate assembly for a trailer hitch for securing trailers to railway flat cars includes a top plate having an opening in which a movable clamp or lock jaw is supported for grasping and locking the kingpin of a trailer to the fifth wheel. The lock jaw is provided with slidable extensions which are engaged by a lock screw mounted below the fifth wheel plate and which moves the lock jaw between open and closed positions. When in a closed position a slidable bolt assembly is movable transversely of the extensions into keeper openings within the extensions for maintaining the locking jaw in its closed position. The locking bolt is slidable in a tube provided with a diagonal recess which accommodates the stem of a manually operated handle for sliding the locking bolt. A flag or indicator is pivotally mounted underneath the top plate on an axis parallel to the axis of the locking bolt. The indicator includes an arm at one end and a flag at the other end.