Abstract: A cast load cell comprising a load sensing portion integrally cast with a first mounting portion. The load sensing portion has a flexure portion spaced apart from the first mounting portion by a flexure gap. The load sensing portion has at least one sensor cavity above at least a portion of the flexure gap. A second mounting portion is integrally cast with the load sensing portion above the flexure gap. A load sensor is connected to the load sensor portion and positioned within the sensor cavity above a portion of the flexure gap. The first mounting portion, the load sensing portion, and the second mounting portion define an integral, low-profile, weld-free, substantially homogenous unitary cast member.

Abstract: A method of making a vehicle coupler assembly comprises the steps of assembling together a coupler assembly, the coupler assembly comprising a coupler grid plate and a kingpin coupled together with the coupler grid plate and extending below a bottom surface of the coupler grid plate and after assembling together the coupler grid and the kingpin, applying a coating to at least a portion of the coupler assembly.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to an improved fifth-wheel hitch which features a pivotally-mounted head assembly. The hitch assembly has a rocker assembly which allows for the pivotal movement of the head during mounting. The rocker can be secured in a fixed position during transport. A multi-point jaw assembly is also provided. A rail kit adaptor and gooseneck adaptor are also provided. The assembly is light and engineered for quick and efficient installation and use in the bed of a truck.

Abstract: A vehicle coupling, and a method for the manufacture thereof, having a coupling body (1) and at least one structural element (2) placed thereon wherein the structural element (2) is force fit to the coupling body (1) using a bulk plastic material (3).

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly is provided. The assembly includes at least one mounting bracket adapted to support a hitch plate and a vehicle frame rail having a vertical portion and at least one horizontal portion, wherein the at least one mounting bracket is disposed on the at least one horizontal portion. Also included is a support bracket having a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein the lower portion is releasably secured to the vertical portion of the vehicle frame rail and the upper portion is releasably secured to the at least one mounting bracket.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch may include at least one support frame capable of engaging with a towing vehicle. The fifth wheel hitch may further include a cross-member attached to the support frame and an isolation system operatively coupled with the cross-member. The isolation system may include a beam engaged with the cross-member about a first axis, where rotation of the beam about the first axis is dampened via a cross-member isolator. The isolation system may also include a skid plate engaged with the beam about a second axis, where rotation of the skid plate about the second axis is dampened via a wing isolator.

Abstract: A precision, light weight, high strength hitch for coupling a trailer or other vehicle to a towing vehicle. The hitch includes a mounting ball attached to a portion of the trailer or other vehicle and a ball socket attached to the towing vehicle. The mounting ball and the ball socket have compatible surfaces that permit seating of the two components regardless of the axial, transverse or longitudinal angular or rotational orientation of the two vehicles.

Abstract: A kingpin assembly comprises a housing having a recess located therein, a collar member operably coupled to the housing, and an integral single-piece kingpin having at least a portion located within the recess of the housing, wherein the housing and collar cooperate to rotationally secure the kingpin within the recess of the housing, and wherein the kingpin provides a sole rotational support for the kingpin with respect to the housing and the collar.

Abstract: A torsionally-biased, shock-absorbing fifth wheel hitch includes a first mounting mechanism removably and non-rotatably mounting a lower frame portion thereof to the bed of a towing vehicle; an upper frame portion; a second mounting mechanism with a pair of opposing resilient members pivotally mounting the upper frame portion about a horizontally-oriented transverse hitch axis relative to the lower frame portion, the second mounting mechanism having an inactivated configuration wherein the upper frame member is not pivotally biased about the transverse hitch axis relative to the lower frame member and an activated configuration wherein the upper frame member is pivotally biased about the transverse hitch axis relative to the lower frame member; and a fifth wheel hitch mechanism mounted to the upper frame portion.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing adapter for connecting a fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer to a towing vehicle including a lower plate, an upper plate, first and second guide means, cushioning means, a first coupling mechanism for releasably connecting the lower plate to the towing vehicle, and a second coupling mechanism for releasably connecting the upper plate to the fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer. The upper plate is operably displaceable relative to the lower plate to thereby compress the cushioning means and responsively cushion relative movements between the first coupling mechanism and the second coupling mechanism.

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 coupling comprising essentially a fifth wheel plate and a pair of pillow blocks for the attachment on the frame of a truck tractor. The fifth wheel plate pivots around an axis in relation to the pillow blocks and on its underside, is equipped with a pair of hollow cylindrical bearing troughs, while the pillow blocks have corresponding cylindrical bearing surfaces. Below the bearing surface, the pillow block is equipped with an eye for the penetration of an attachment bridge. The object is to reduce the weight of fifth wheel couplings of this type and to lower the manufacturing cost without thereby complicating the assembly or having to omit an adjustment to differing mounting widths.

Abstract: The articulating function of a mounting/bearing for fifth wheels is realized by utilizing 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 has a stirrup-shaped bearing pedestal and a bridge which can be fastened to a coupling plate of the fifth wheel, whereby a damping element is arranged between the bearing pedestal and the bridge. The damping element is realized as a walking element. This ensures that the mounting/bearing can be manufactured with large manufacturing tolerances and can be easily swiveled.

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: An articulated self-propelled agricultural machine, in particular, a forage harvester, whose group of rear axles comprise two frame parts having regions thereof arranged one above the other and the frame parts being coupled to one another by a bearing which limits the angle of rotation. One of these two frame parts is coupled to the front axle of the forage harvester by an articulated joint, while one frame part is coupled to the optionally driveable rear axle of the forage harvester via an elastic joint.

Abstract: A shock absorptive support structure in a coupler, improved in both economical efficiency and in practical usefulness, so that a shock due to relative displacement between a top plate and support brackets occurring in a vertical direction as well as in a back and forth direction can be effectively absorbed by the structure, driving comfort can be assured, wear of elastic members can be minimized, and a high measure of driving safety can be maintained for a long period of time with the structure of simplified construction enabling the manufacturing cost to be reduced. Shock absorbing members each include an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder and an elastic member disposed between these two cylinders and through which respective axle pins extend rotatably, and are tightly inserted into bearing holes of respective support brackets.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch includes a frame for mounting to a towing vehicle and a head assembly for engaging a trailer to be towed. The head assembly is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the frame by means of a pivot pin secured to the head assembly, a yoke for receiving the pivot pin, a support bracket on the frame for receiving the yoke and a damping element for engaging the yoke and the support bracket. A connecting pin secures the pivot pin in the yoke.

Abstract: A fluid and tension band-operated hitch adapter mounted in the bed of a pickup truck or similar towing vehicle for cushioning the fifth wheel, receiving pin or ball coupling element and dampening the resulting trailer load. In a preferred embodiment the fluid and tension band-operated hitch adapter is fitted with a fluid-operated bag, a tension band and fluid-operated cylinders and is attached to the vehicle bed by hinges, to cushion road shock.

Abstract: An improved fifth wheel structure for over the road tractors wherein a resilient elastomer pad placed between a fifth wheel pocket surface and a bearing surface includes non-extrudable end members to prevent extrusion of the pad from the pocket and wherein the pocket surface and corresponding shoe surface may also be undulated to better retain the elastomer pad.

Abstract: An air suspension apparatus is disclosed for use with the fifth wheel connection between a tractor and semitrailer. The apparatus includes upper and lower frame sections that are connected by a hinge mechanism for relative pivotal movement. An inflatable air bag is operably disposed between the upper and lower frame sections, having a low ratio of effective surface area to internal volume and hence a very low profile. An air reservoir defined by tubular framework surrounds the air bag and has an internal volume approximating that of the air bag. The air bag and reservoir are connected by an air line with a very small cross sectional area as compared to the surface area of the air bag. The reservoir and interconnecting air line effectively damp vibrational energy in the air bag as the tractor and semitrailer move over the highway.

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 fifth wheel provided on a tractor and adapted to be connected to a king pin fixed to a trailer. The fifth wheel comprises a base plate provided with a slot for receiving the king pin, a stationary lock fixed to the portion of the base plate near the terminal end of the slot and provided with a semi-circular recess, a movable lock pivotally supported by a vertical shaft and including a main body provided with a semi-circular recess and a hook adapted to contact the front end of the king pin when the latter moves into the slot, a spring adapted to hold the movable lock in the open position, a retainer piece movable along a guide on the base plate and adapted to hold the movable lock in the closed position, a bar connected to the retainer piece and provided with a spring for holding the retainer piece to hold the movable lock in the closed position, and projections on the bar for engaging with the base plate for holding the bar at the opened and closed positions.

Abstract: A connecting mechanism for connecting a king pin fixed to a trailer to a fifth wheel mounted on a tractor. The connecting mechanism has a box structure in which major parts for connecting the king pin are mounted pivotally. The box structure is secured detachably to the lower face of a fifth wheel plate, so that the major parts can easily be replaced or inspected simply by a demounting of the box structure. It is possible to provide an elastic member between the fifth wheel plate and the box structure so as to absorb the impact applied to the connecting mechanism to prevent rapid wear of the parts and to improve the comfort of the driver.