Abstract: The present invention is directed to a support plate for a trailer hitch. The plate has an upper surface adapted to receive at least a portion of a base of a trailer hitch assembly thereon and a lower surface adapted to rest on a loading surface of a pickup truck. The plate may have a longitudinal trough formed therein and the trough may be sized to fit between ridges formed in the loading surface. The invention is designed to transfer downward forces from the trailer hitch assembly to the areas of the truck bed between the ridges to help prevent the hitch assembly from smashing or denting the ridges.

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: The fifth wheel hitch lube plate of the present invention comprises a perforated support member having a plurality of perforations and a lubricious material 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: A fifth wheel with a removable bearing plate includes a load structure comprising frame walls and inner bracing, and including a plurality of flanges, each of said plurality of flanges having an aperture disposed therethrough, said load structure also having at least two pivot bearings; and a bearing plate having a plurality of fasteners extending from an underside of said bearing plate disposed at locations corresponding to the disposition of said apertures configured to permit removable attachment of said bearing plate to said load structure and plurality of ridges disposed upon the underside to form a seat for said frame walls.

Abstract: A king pin assembly for securing a trailer to a fifth wheel comprises a king pin and a king pin mount. The king pin is adapted to be secured to the fifth wheel. The king pin mount is secured to the king pin and adapted to mount the king pin to the trailer. The king pin mount comprises at least one component comprising a fiber-reinforced composite material.

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: 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: Fifth wheels are used to establish an articulated connection between a truck tractor and a semi-trailer. They consist of a plate (1) which is attached to the truck tractor and generally has at least one arched slideway lining (4a,4b) acting as a bearing surface and fitting into corresponding recesses of the fifth wheel plate (1) where it is fastened. According to the invention, fastening is provided in the form of a positive fit connection, whereby the lower part of the slideway lining (4a,b) and the upper part of the plate (1) have joining elements (6,8) to ensure a rotationally locked positive fit, thus enabling thermal dilation to occur in the fifth wheel plate (1). Preferably, the positive fitting joining elements for the lower side of the slideway lining (4a,b) are configured as ribs (6) extending radially outwards from a virtual center point (7) and the positive fitting joining elements for the upper side of the fifth wheel plate (1) are configured as complementary grooves (6).

Abstract: In a fifth wheel with a multipart sliding segmental lining which is rotationally and fixedly arranged on a coupling plate. Comfort is improved and a high service life is made possible by the fact that the sliding segment lining comprises a frictional material, the coefficient of friction of the sliding surface of the sliding surface lining being in the region of 0.1 to 0.2.

Abstract: A molded bearing plate of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene is formed with a bearing surface and series of strong, spaced, integrally formed posts extending from the opposed surface. A metal support plate is provided with a series of perforations through which the posts extend. The posts may have exteriorly threaded surfaces, and internally threaded fasteners may be threaded onto the posts to secure the molded bearing plate to the support plate. The posts are integrally formed with the bearing plate in a compression molding operation, and offer sufficient tensile strength to firmly attach the bearing plate to the metal plate. The bearing plate assembly is particularly suitable for use as a fifth wheel assembly.

Abstract: A fifth wheel includes a coupling plate formed with an insertion slot for receiving a trailer king pin. The insertion slot is provided with a central aperture sized to receive the king pin and formed with a counterbored step. A non-metallic wear ring is fitted within the aperture and is retained against axial displacement with an arcuate metal holding plate mounted within the counterbored step, and partially overlapping the wear ring. The wear ring includes an outer contour wall and an inner contour wall. The outer contour wall and the inner surface of the aperture share a common center of curvature, which center of curvature is eccentric relative to the axis of rotation of the king pin mounted therein such that any rotational force resulting from the rotation of the king pin translates linearly into the wear ring.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch having a fifth wheel hitch plate with a bifurcated rear portion defining a kingpin-receiving mouth, throat and latch, an upper surface and an upstanding peripheral rim defining a pocket over substantially all of the hitch plate, a plurality of lubricious polymeric pads filling the pocket, specially configurated to interfit and form a bearing surface over substantially all of the hitch plate, the pads each comprising a steel underlayer having a bottom surface on the hitch plate and having a top surface, and a lubricious polymeric overlayer bonded on the top surface of the steel underlayer and extending above the rim, the hitch plate having a pattern of a plurality of vertical, fastener-receiving orifices extending therethrough, a plurality of threaded studs having upper ends stud welded to the steel underlayer bottom surface, positioned to correspond to the pattern of orifices in the hitch plate and having lower ends extending down through the orifices, and a plurality of fastener nuts on t

Abstract: A fifth wheel bearing plate assembly is proposed where a recess is made in the original standard fifth wheel bearing plate, an antifriction plastic liner is placed in this recess, the liner being secured in working position by retaining ears and trapezoidal retaining blocks, the retaining ears not affecting the operation of the fifth wheel, the liner being raised in reference with the original surface of the fifth wheel bearing plate.

Abstract: A fifth wheel slip plate is described, in which plastic inserts are used in the plastic slip plate instead of metal skip plates, and in which a composite plastic material is used for outer lateral portions of the slip plate. The plastic of the insert, preferably nylon, is substantially harder than the plastic of the slip plate, which is preferably ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. The harder plastic insert therefore does not compress as much as the slip plate, and therefore absorbs the primary impact during the coupling operation. The composite material outer portions absorb much of the impact damage, without the undesirable friction which metal would produce, and they are relatively simple to replace, without need to replace the whole slip plate.

Abstract: A fifth wheel assembly for coupling a tractor to a trailer wherein the assembly includes a housing and a fixed plate which is secured to the trailer unit, and a king pin assembly having a body portion rotatably mounted within the housing, a plate member rotatably mounted with respect to the fixed plate, the king pin being secured to said body portion and plate member and being rotatable therewith. The ability of the king pin to rotate within the housing minimizes friction and reduces maintenance.

Abstract: A composite bearing plate for a fifth wheel comprises a steel base plate having a layer of polyurethane bonded thereto presenting a bearing surface. The base plate has a plurality of apertures communicating with a plurality of corresponding apertures in the polyurethane layer. The apertures present an opening for welding the bearing plate to the fifth wheel.

Abstract: A fifth wheel assembly for tractors or other draft arrangement has a bearing plate with a lubricating plate, a peripheral wall with diametrically opposed notches extending above the bearing plate surface and a nonmetallic lubricating wear liner with diametrically opposed ears notchable with the notches to resist rotational motion by the liner, which liner extends above the peripheral wall and is secured against the bearing plate as a lubricating liner but retained within the bearing plate cavity against radially outward displacement by the peripheral wall.

Abstract: An assembly for coupling a tractor to a trailer comprising a fifth wheel bearing plate and a trailer bearing plate assembly. The trailer bearing plate assembly includes a ring having a collar and is adapted to securely attach to an underside of the trailer. The trailer bearing plate further includes a disk disposed between the collar and the trailer underside.

Abstract: A fifth wheel coupling for connection of a semitrailer to a tractor unit is disclosed in which a pair of symmetrical, swivel-articulated closing jaws having semicircular recesses for grasping the king pin have a split bearing comprising an outer bearing half fixed in each closing jaw and inner bearing halves rotatable with respect to the outer bearing halves. The split bearing includes a mechanism for returning each inner bearing half to a position aligned with its respective outer bearing half for uncoupling. The split bearing eliminates friction between the king pin and the closing jaws and is substantially free from wear and maintenance.

Abstract: A removable self-lubricating plate for the coupling of semi-trailer vehicles includes an aperture having a diameter so that the plate will frictionally engage the pivot pin of a vehicle mounted on the bearing plate of the vehicle so as to pinch the base of the pivot pin and will be held in position by deformation of the self-lubricating plate under its own weight.

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 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 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 universal joint construction comprises a plastic housing casing portion which includes an interior cavity forming a ball receiving socket which has an opening in a wall bounding the opening exteriorally of the socket which is bevelled outwardly to an end from the socket. The exterior of the wall is bevelled outwardly in a direction toward the socket. The exterior of the housing casing has an annular groove around the socket which is adjacent to the wall. A ring portion is advantageously formed integral with and connected to the casing by a connecting web of slight thickness. The ring portion has a bore with a radially inwardly extending collar of a diameter to engage over the bevelled wall and be advanced over the bevelled portion of the wall to cause the inward deflection of the wall so as to permit the collar to move beyond the bevelled wall and engage in the groove.