Transverse Horizontal Pivot Retainer Patents (Class 280/437)
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Patent number: 9931898Abstract: A tie down apparatus for securing an item is shown and described herein. The tie down apparatus may include first and second body members, where the first body member is configured to be located and rotated about a first axis within a first receiving member and the second body member is configured to be located and rotated about a second axis within a second receiving member. The tie down apparatus may also include first and second locking members each extending through the first and second body members, respectively, where rotating the first and second body members about the respective first and second axes engages the first and second locking members and generally prevents removal of the first and second body members from the first and second receiving member, and a safety chain holding member selectively engaged with either of the first and second body members.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventor: Richard W. McCoy
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Patent number: 9579941Abstract: The invention concerns an attachment arrangement for attaching an external component to a chassis of a vehicle, such as a salvaging device for use when performing salvaging work and transport of heavy duty vehicles. The attachment arrangement comprises at least one elongated mounting device, where each mounting device comprises a first fastening element arranged to provide a rigid connection with a corresponding connection means in the chassis, and a second fastening element for connecting the external component. Further, a support element is arranged between the first fastening element and said second fastening element. The support element is arranged to bear against the chassis when the first fastening element is connected to the chassis.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: AARVAG'S BARGNING & MEK ABInventor: Iver Arvag
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Patent number: 8684389Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Buyers Products CompanyInventor: Thomas A. Gries
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Patent number: 8210558Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Fontaine Fifth Wheel Co.Inventors: Steven William Mann, James Matthew Rhodes
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Publication number: 20110127750Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Inventors: Steven William Mann, James Matthew Rhodes
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Patent number: 7806424Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch for towing a trailer behind a motor vehicle is adjustable between a forward position and a rearward position. The fifth wheel hitch includes a base assembly for mounting to the motor vehicle, head assembly for engaging the trailer and at least one pivoting arm coupled between the base assembly and the head assembly. The head assembly moves in an arcuate path between the forward position and the rearward position as the pivoting arm articulates relative to the base assembly. Once positioned in the forward or rearward position, the head assembly is locked relative to the base assembly so as to prevent further movement.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Modern Equipments Sales, L.C.Inventors: David J. Burns, Justin C. Schow, Erik M. Mumford
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Patent number: 7490845Abstract: A fifth wheel mounting pin riser adaptation is provided, said riser adaptation allowing a mounting pin to be easily extracted from a fifth wheel assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2005Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Fontaine InternationalInventors: James Matthew Rhodes, Steven William Mann
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Patent number: 6726179Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2001Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Inventors: John Howard Ketchapaw, Clifford Ketchapaw
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Patent number: 6520527Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Jost International Corp.Inventor: Greg Laarman
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Patent number: 6394481Abstract: A draw bar clamping locking mechanism for locking and unlocking rapidly a draw bar mounted on the front end of a trolley to the rear end of an automatic guided vehicle. The locking bar mechanism includes a locking bar which is moveable rotatably between a locked position where the draw bar is received in a U-shaped slot and an unlocked position where the draw bar is disengaged from the U-shaped slot. A release paddle is provided for unlocking and releasing rapidly the draw bar from the U-shaped slot when depressed downwardly.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Watcharin Pinlam, Chalor Moogdaharn, Youthachai Bupparit
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Patent number: 6352277Abstract: A vehicle coupling device is disclosed that includes a coupling plate provided with a slot for reception of a waisted portion of a king-pin of a trailer, a pivotally mounted coupler jaw for holding the king-pin in the slot and a locking bar for locking the coupler jaw in its closed position. The coupler jaw includes a sensor arm extending in a different (lower) plane to a hook. The arm, in use, is contacted by a lower flange of a correctly aligned king-pin, and causes the jaw to pivot so that the hook engages the waist of the king-pin. By this dual alignment of hook and arm, there is achieved a failsafe means of preventing a king-pin, which enters the slot at the wrong height, from causing actuation of the jaw and the lock bar.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2000Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: Fontaine International Europe LtdInventor: Neil Timmings
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Patent number: 6272949Abstract: An accessory apparatus for uncoupling a king pin of a trailer from a locking device on a fifth wheel. The accessory apparatus includes a power device such as a pneumatic cylinder suspended from the bottom surface of the fifth wheel plate to form a fifth wheel assembly. A cam is mounted on the end of the power device's actuating member. The cam and actuating member are symmetric. A coil spring is held within the power device's housing, and is also symmetric with the longitudinal axes of the cam and actuating member. No external guides or springs are needed. The power device may be energized from a remote location to propel the cam to contact and propel a follower on an operating rod to unlock the fifth wheel jaw to release the king pin.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1998Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: AMSTED Industries IncorporatedInventors: David J. Jarvis, Francis E. Madura, Thomas P. Gorman
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Patent number: 6199889Abstract: A reduced weight fifth wheel generally mountable on a tractor for coupling between a tractor and a trailer, which fifth wheel has the approximately the same bearing surface area, a more continuous surface area by elimination of a lever-bar pin port in the bearing surface, thinner support ribs and smaller fillets, a shorter longitudinal length with a wider kingpin receiving slot for receipt of a trailer kingpin, with a locking-jaw mechanism having a redesigned lever-bar pin and pin-receiving port to enable reduction of the weight and to enhance production casting practices, which fifth wheel further encompasses lateral support ribs at the plate outer perimeter and rearward of the mounting brackets to define support pockets ahead of the engaging ramps to avoid lateral deflection and deformation of the plate at vertical loading.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1998Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Amsted Industries IncorporatedInventors: Ronald D. Golembiewski, V. Terrey Hawthorne, John W. Kaim, Jeffrey M. Ruback
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Patent number: 6170850Abstract: A fifth wheel type hitch adapted for engaging a king pin of a trailer comprises a hitch head with downwardly opening pivot saddles which are pivotally supported on pivot bearings on a hitch base such that the hitch head pivots fore and aft relative to the hitch base. Outer portions of the pivot bearings are preferably formed from polyurethane. Latches, secured to the hitch head adjacent each pivot saddle, biasingly engage the pivot bearings when the hitch head is supported on the hitch base to prevent the hitch head from being separated therefrom. Lift handles connected to each latch are graspable by a user and pivotal to advance the latches to an unlatching position such that the hitch head can be separated from the hitch base and such that further lifting on the lift handles lifts the hitch head off of the hitch base. The hitch head comprises an intermediate pivot frame, in which the pivot saddles are formed and a coupler assembly which is adapted to releasably engage the king pin.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1999Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: B & W Custom Truck Beds, Inc.Inventor: Joseph W. Works
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Patent number: 5941549Abstract: A fifth wheel for trucks is disclosed. Such fifth wheels usually are mounted on truck tractors and receive kingpins that are mounted on truck trailers. An operating rod is provided to manually disengage the kingpin locking mechanism. In one embodiment the fifth wheel plate is mounted on bases with trunnion pins. The bases are secured to the truck tractor. Retaining pins are received in flanges and serve to block axial movement of the trunnion pins. The retaining pins are disposed parallel to the top surface of the plate and are perpendicular to the axes of the trunnion pins. The retaining pins and flanges may be spaced far enough below the fifth wheel support surface so that a misfed kingpin cannot contact them. Alternatively, or in addition, the retaining pins may be under a protector that extends over the length of the retaining pin to prevent a misfed kingpin from striking the retaining pins.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1997Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Amsted Industries IncorporatedInventor: John W. Kaim
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Patent number: 5876055Abstract: A mechanism is provided for a fifth wheel to eliminate squirting and to provide automatic adjustment for slack in the locking system. The mechanism is able to keep the wedge and jaw of a fifth wheel locking mechanism and trailer king pin within specified ranges of tolerance. The mechanism utilizes a self-adjusting or automatic ratchet lock system which may be positioned to work in relation to the operating handle or lever arm and utilize the leverage forces available allowed by the design of the lever arm. The invention also provides for a fully retractable lock release pull handle which may be retracted into the fifth wheel whether the locking mechanism is open or closed. The invention further incorporates electronic induction switches to indicate open and closed positions of the locking mechanism and to indicate whether the king pin is properly seated in the locking mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1998Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Inventor: John P. K. Fontaine
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Patent number: 5865458Abstract: A reduced weight fifth wheel generally mountable on a tractor for coupling between a tractor and a trailer, which fifth wheel has the approximately the same bearing surface area, a more continuous surface area by elimination of a lever-bar pin port in the bearing surface, thinner support ribs and smaller fillets, a shorter longitudinal length with a wider kingpin receiving slot for receipt of a trailer kingpin, with a locking-jaw mechanism having a redesigned lever-bar pin and pin-receiving port to enable reduction of the weight and to enhance production casting practices.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1996Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: AMSTED Industries IncorporatedInventors: Ronald D. Golembiewski, V. Terrey Hawthorne, John W. Kaim, Jeffrey M. Ruback
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Patent number: 5529329Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a frame for mounting to a towing vehicle and a head assembly including a jaw mechanism for engaging a trailer. The head assembly is mounted to the frame so as to allow for relative fore-and-aft as well as side-to-side pivotal movement. A side pivot lock mechanism, including a contoured plate, over-center spring and control handle, allow the user to selectively lock the head assembly relative to the frame and prevent side-to-side pivotal movement as desired.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 1994Date of Patent: June 25, 1996Assignee: Reese Products, Inc.Inventor: Richard McCoy
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Patent number: 5472223Abstract: An accessory fluid cylinder and cam apparatus mounted under a fifth wheel, which is both manually operable or energizable by a tractor air system to enable a driver to automatically and remotely release the safety latch and unlock the fifth wheel jaw to release a trailer king pin when the tractor parking brake is engaged.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1993Date of Patent: December 5, 1995Assignee: Amsted Industries IncorporatedInventors: V. Terrey Hawthorne, John W. Kaim
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Patent number: 5176396Abstract: An accessory fluid cylinder and cam apparatus mounted under a fifth wheel may be energized by a tractor compressed air system to enable a driver to automatically and remotely unlock the fifth wheel jaw to release a trailer king pin when the tractor parking brake is engaged.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1991Date of Patent: January 5, 1993Assignee: AMSTED Industries IncorporatedInventors: V. Terrey Hawthorne, John W. Kaim
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Patent number: 5137298Abstract: A fifth wheel for an over the road tractor having a locking bolt that may be cocked so as to latch and unlatch respecting movement to engage a king pin retaining jaw.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1991Date of Patent: August 11, 1992Assignee: Amsted Industries, Inc.Inventor: Francis E. Madura
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Patent number: 5028067Abstract: An automatic fifth wheel having a power operated jaw unlocking mechanism for non-highway use and a manual safety lock operative to immobilize the automatic unlocking mechanism so as to also enable safe over the road operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1990Date of Patent: July 2, 1991Assignee: AMSTED Industries IncorporatedInventor: Francis E. Madura
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Patent number: 4871182Abstract: A fifth wheel for an over the road tractor having an operating rod for the locking mechanism which requires only longitudinal and rotary motion thus facilitating operation thereof in the space between tractor frame and trailer and permitting that space to be reduced in that no vertical lifting motion is imparted to the operating rod.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1988Date of Patent: October 3, 1989Assignee: AMSTED Industries IncorporatedInventors: Russell G. Altherr, Richard L. Glaser, Francis E. Madura, Robert P. Radwill