Fifth wheel conversion hitch mounting system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11148735-B2
Application number	US-201916518177-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 22, 2019
Priority date	Mar 2, 2015
Publication date	Oct 19, 2021
Grant date	Oct 19, 2021

Abstract

An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An under bed hitch mounting system comprising:
first and second cross members configured to attach to a frame of a towing vehicle;
a center section attached between the first and second cross members;
a primary receiver attached to the center section, the primary receiver configured to receive one of an attachment device and a gooseneck hitch ball; and
a pair of secondary receivers attached to the first cross member, wherein the second cross member does not include any secondary receivers.

2. The under bed hitch mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the primary receiver comprises a gooseneck collar.

3. The under bed hitch mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the secondary receivers accept a locking assembly.

4. The under bed hitch mounting system of claim 3 , wherein the locking assembly comprises a quarter turn locking assembly attached with a safety chain engaging body.

5. The under bed hitch mounting system of claim 1 further comprising an adapter assembly selectively engageable with the primary receiver and the pair of secondary receivers.

6. The under bed hitch mounting system of claim 5 further comprising a fifth wheel hitch attached to the adapter assembly.

7. An under bed hitch mounting system comprising:
first and second cross members configured to attach to a frame of a towing vehicle, wherein the first and second cross members comprise tubular bodies;
a center section attached between the first and second cross members;
a primary receiver attached to the center section, the primary receiver configured to receive a gooseneck hitch ball; and
a pair of secondary receivers attached to the first cross member and positioned in the first cross member's tubular body, wherein the second cross member does not include any secondary receivers.

8. The under bed hitch mounting system of claim 7 further comprising an adapter assembly selectively engageable with the primary receiver and the pair of secondary receivers.

9. The under bed hitch mounting system of claim 8 further comprising a fifth wheel hitch attached to the adapter assembly.

10. An under bed hitch mounting system comprising:
first and second cross members;
a pair of mounting flanges attached to each of the first and second cross members, wherein the mounting flanges are configured to attach to a frame of a towing vehicle,
a center section attached between the first and second cross members;
a primary receiver attached to the mid-rail, the primary receiver configured to receive a gooseneck hitch ball; and
a pair of secondary receivers attached to the first cross member and positioned in the first cross member's body, wherein the second cross member does not include any secondary receivers.

11. The under bed hitch mounting system of claim 10 further comprising an adapter assembly selectively engageable with the primary receiver and the pair of secondary receivers.

12. The under bed hitch mounting system of claim 11 further comprising a fifth wheel hitch attached to the adapter assembly.

Assignees

• Horizon Global Americas Inc

Inventors

• Guthard Henry J
• Mccoy Richard W

Classifications

• B62D53/08

  Fifth wheel traction couplings {(tractors for handling trailers in terminals B62D49/007)} · CPC title

• B62D53/0828 Primary

  Removable or fold-away traction couplings for non-specialised tractor vehicles · CPC title

• B60D1/488

  mounted directly to the chassis of the towing vehicle · CPC title

• B60F1/00

  Vehicles for use both on rail and on road; Conversions therefor · CPC title

• Y10S280/901

  Adaptation of nonspecialized vehicles to semitrailer tractors · CPC title