Fifth wheel assembly

Patent 4443025 Issued on April 17, 1984. Estimated Expiration Date:

March 3, 2002. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

2533338

2985463

3606384

3893710

Inventors

Assignee

Holland Hitch Company

Application

No. 06/354240 filed on 03/03/1982

US Classes:

280/407, Adjustable connection to leading vehicle280/433, Fifth wheel only280/438.1, Movably mounted384/428Mounting or support

Examiners

Primary: Pekar, John A.
Assistant: Fugate, D. Lynn

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Price, Heneveld, Huizenga & Cooper

International Classes

B62D 53/00 (20060101)
B62D 53/08 (20060101)

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. A manual lock release comprises an over-centered lever arm arrangement, which securely retains the plungers in the unlocked position for adjustment.