Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for providing multi-trailer reverse assistance. In a multi-trailer reverse assistance system in an articulated transport system comprising a lead vehicle, an intermediate trailer, and a final trailer, the reverse assist system includes a controller. The controller is configured to: receive a view of an environment behind the final trailer; cause the view to be displayed in a display screen of a user interface device; receive, via a secondary steering device of the user interface device, a user intended direction of travel of the articulated transport system in reverse to direct the final trailer in a desired direction; continuously calculate controllable steering angles for directing the articulated transport system to direct the final trailer in the desired direction; and control the articulated transport system to direct the final trailer in the desired direction using the calculated controllable steering angles.

Abstract: A hitch hook includes a hook body with a hook opening configured to removably receive a pin of another work vehicle. The hitch hook further includes a latch that is slideably supported on the hook body between a first position and a second position relative to the hook body. The hook opening is open when the latch is in the first position, and the latch is configured to retain the pin within the hook opening when the latch is in the second position. The hitch hook additionally includes a retainer that is configured to retain the latch in the second position.

Abstract: A fifth wheel includes a top plate having a throat that is adapted to receive a kingpin of a trailer. The fifth wheel is equipped with a locking mechanism including a jaw slidably connected to the top plate and slidable between a closed position where the jaw blocks passage of a kingpin out of the throat of the fifth wheel and an open position where a kingpin may pass into and out of the throat of the fifth wheel. The jaw has an edge adapted to engage a kingpin positioned in the throat of the fifth wheel when the jaw is in the closed position. A bias device urges the jaw towards the closed position. The fifth wheel further includes a mechanism for moving the jaw between the open and closed positions. Further, the top plate of the fifth wheel is configured to allow service and/or replacement of the jaw from the top of the fifth wheel while it is assembled to a vehicle.

Abstract: A fifth wheel includes a top plate having a throat that is adapted to receive a kingpin of a trailer. The fifth wheel is equipped with a locking mechanism including a jaw slidably connected to the top plate and slidable between a closed position where the jaw blocks passage of a kingpin out of the throat of the fifth wheel and an open position where a kingpin may pass into and out of the throat of the fifth wheel. The jaw has an edge adapted to engage a kingpin positioned in the throat of the fifth wheel when the jaw is in the closed position. A release arm is pivotally attached to the top plate and the jaw. A trigger member is pivotally attached to the release arm and has a locking head. A main spring urges the jaw towards the closed position. A locking protrusion is attached to the top plate and is engaged by the locking head of the trigger member when the jaw is in the open position so as to prevent the jaw from moving into the closed position.

Abstract: A fifth wheel coupling with a pull handle, having a pull lever and a safety lever. The pull handle can move in a travel space of a guide mechanism of the fifth wheel coupling plate into a closed position and a release position. Elements are provided for blocking the pull handle, consisting of a safety mechanism with a movably disposed blocking element. The safety mechanism is arranged on the fifth wheel coupling plate. The pull handle has a device for manipulation of the safety mechanism.

Abstract: The latch assembly of a fifth wheel hitch plate comprises a latch member movable between lock and unlocked positions, a plunger member movable between engaged and unengaged positions, an actuator movable between coupled and uncoupled positions, a locking member movable between first and second positions, and a biasing member that biases the locking member from the disengaged position to the engaged position, wherein the latch member abuts the locking member as the latch member is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position, thereby moving the locking member from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A tow hitch comprises an elongated tubular shank of rectangular cross-section having four side walls; and at least one tow ball mounted to an adjacent side wall of the shank with a mounting shank extending from a base of the tow ball through a first hole in the adjacent side wall and a second hole in a side wall opposite the adjacent side wall.

Abstract: Invention patent application for one Lock Controller (1) made in a cast casing fitted with a closure lid (2) designed with a bearing for the solenoid (3) guiding axle (3a) and one micro-processed control unit (4), being said Lock Controller (1) installed in the free niche (C) of the bottom half of the fifth wheel (5) where the hole (5b) is made through the wall (5c) in order to allow the passage of the extension (1d) of the Lock Controller (1) and one hole (6a) made into the Locking bar (6) face coinciding with the wall (5c) limits the course and one safety ring (8) is welded or glued at section (7a) of the long rod (7), to limit its course.

Abstract: A secondary lock assembly for a fifth wheel, where the fifth wheel includes a hitch plate with a rearward opening slot to receive a trailer kingpin and a transversely sliding primary locking member for retaining the kingpin within the slot. The assembly comprises a tie bar pivotally connected at its middle to the primary locking member and a transversely oriented pull bar pivotally connected at an inner end to the forward end of the tie bar. The pull bar comprises a rearward offset tab. A latch is pivotally connected roughly at the center of the latch to the forward end of the tie bar, and also pivotally connected at a point rearwardly and inwardly offset from the first pivoting connection to the offset tab. A detent extends from a transverse wall comprised in said hitch plate such that said detent lies in the same horizontal plane as said latch.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch apparatus for connecting a kingpin to a towing vehicle includes a mounting mechanism having plate and skirt portions with an opening for ingress and egress of the kingpin, and a clamping mechanism having opposing first and second clamp elements. A first resilient device biases first and second lever arms of the respective first and second clamp elements to displace the first and second clamp elements into an opened configuration. Direct contact of the kingpin with the first and second clamp elements pivotally and positively displaces the first and second clamp elements from the opened configuration to a closed configuration to cooperatively capture the kingpin therebetween. A biased locking mechanism is releasably retained in an unlocked configuration and locks the first and second clamp elements in the closed configuration. In a modified embodiment, the first and second clamp elements are connected together to also pivot relative to each other about a common third pivot axis.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch may include a skid plate, and a retention system that is supported by the skid plate. The retention system is also operable to receive a coupling member of a towed vehicle to retain the coupling member within the retention system, where engagement of the coupling member with the retention system selectively positions the retention system in a locked and closed position.

Abstract: In a fifth wheel hitch, a locking mechanism for retaining a trailer kingpin within a fifth wheel slot. The locking mechanism includes a jaw assembly comprised of two opposing jaw members pivotally attached at one end to the underside of the hitch plate, a longitudinally sliding cam interposed between the jaw members with a tip that contacts a bumper. The bumper is pivotally attached to tie bar that has its rear most end pivotally attached to the underside of the hitch plate. The mechanism also includes a wedge member and a secondary lock member pivotally attached thereto, where the lock member has a guide extension inserted through a guide hole in the tie bar. Rotation of the tie bar inward causes the wedge member and secondary lock to move inward until the wedge member is seated to the rear of the closed jaw assembly and the secondary lock rotates to engage a detent.

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 machine for providing hot-in-place recycling and repaving of an existing asphalt-based pavement, in which the pavement is first heated. Using this machine the heated pavement surface is then scarified, and new aggregate is dispensed onto it, to form a recycled, preheated asphalt and aggregate mixture. This mixture is again heated and scarified to premix it, and a new pavement surface is now milled to grade and width by applying this mixture using a plurality of extension mills having a main frame. The pavement surface is then remilled to grade using a main mill. Rejuvenator fluid is introduced in the main mill of the machine, and mixed with the recycled asphalt and aggregate mxiture. Rejuvenator fluid is also introduced into a pug mill of the machine and again mixed with the recycled asphalt and aggregate mixture. The rejuvenator-enriched, recycled asphalt and aggregate windrow thus formed is then laid to grade using one or more screeds.

Abstract: A kingpin coupler for allowing a user to connect a trailer having a kingpin to a towing vehicle. The kingpin coupler includes a head assembly, casting, jaws and a locking slide bar. The jaws are pivotably mounted in the housing and are biased into the open position by springs. When the jaws are in the open position and the locking slide bar is unlocked, the jaws prevent the locking slide bar from moving to the closed position. When the hitch ball is moved between the jaws, the jaws move to the closed position and, the unlocked, locking slide bar automatically moves to the closed position across the front of the jaws when the jaws are in the closed position.

Abstract: A coupling device (10) for allowing a user to connect a trailer (104) having a gooseneck assembly to a hitch ball (102) of a towing vehicle (106). The coupling device includes a housing (12), jaws (24 and 26) and a locking mechanism (32). The jaws are pivotably mounted in the housing and are biased into the open position by springs (30). The locking mechanism includes a locking slide bar (38) which moves across the front of the jaws when the jaws are in the closed position. When the jaws are in the open position and the locking slide bar is unlocked, the jaws prevent the locking slide bar from moving to the closed position. When the hitch ball is moved between the jaws, the jaws move to the closed position and, the unlocked, locking slide bar automatically moves to the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus (110) is provided for connecting a towed vehicle (111) to a towing vehicle that includes a support structure (216) with a self-steer axle system (290) connected to the support structure. The self-steer axle system has a reversible axle caster angle changing mechanism. A fifth wheel receiver (120) for connecting the support structure to a towed vehicle is mounted on the support structure. Additionally a locking mechanism (125) that is operable to prevent rotation of the trailer with respect to the support structure is provided. A method for connecting a towed vehicle (111) to a towing vehicle to allow backing up of the towed vehicle is disclosed. The method includes the step (820) of attaching a towed vehicle to a fifth wheel receiver of a dolly having a self-steering axle system with reversible caster angle. Another step (810) of the method includes attaching the dolly to a towing vehicle. Yet another step (830) of the method includes preventing rotation of the trailer with respect to the dolly.

Abstract: A fifth wheel coupling for connecting a semitrailer to a towing vehicle, which provides two swivel-articulated closing jaws with semicircular clearances for grasping a semitrailer king pin, and means for opening and closing the jaws which provide a hydraulic cylinder, a piston disposed therein with a rod having a central bore, a tappet disposed within the bore and protruding into the semicircular clearances, piston head and piston rod spaces, and a channel connecting the spaces which is closable by the tappet. Pressurization of the hydraulic cylinder opens the jaws, and contact of the semitrailer king pin against the tappet automatically closes the jaws.

Abstract: A trailer hitch head or fifth wheel is disclosed including a pair of jaws which engage the kingpin of a trailer to hold the kingpin in place. The jaws are held in closed position by a locking member which is biased to the engaged position by at least one stiff spring. A linkage engages the locking member to move the locking member to open position against the bias of the stiff spring. The linkage may be manually or automatically activated. A one-way kingpin gate is located in the front portion of the fifth wheel. The linkage engages an actuator which automatically engages the one-way gate and pivots the same to open position allowing exit of the kingpin. Preferably the linkage is automatically activated by a bumper bar linkage in a tractor operated hitch, and also may be manually activated by the operator. Optionally, a manually operable handle is provided including a keeper or projection which engages a slot in the locking member in open position to hold the locking member in open position.

Abstract: In a trailer hitch head, the kingpin opening in the top plate is made sufficiently large that, when the jaws are in closed position, the trailer kingpin engages only the jaws. The jaws thus bear the entire load of horizontal impacts to the hitch head. The jaws are made of hardened steel to bear these loads and, in the front portion, the longitudinal extent of the jaws is enlarged to better react loads applied to the rear of the jaws. The jaws are attached to the top and bottom plates of the head with readily removable fasteners whereby, when the jaws become worn, they may be quickly and easily replaced without taking the hitch and the flat car out of revenue service.