Fifth wheel hitch engagement system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11529833-B2
Application number	US-201816615859-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 23, 2018
Priority date	May 23, 2017
Publication date	Dec 20, 2022
Grant date	Dec 20, 2022

Abstract

A fifth wheel hitch assembly is shown and described. The fifth wheel hitch system may comprise a jaw fixed about a pivot pin and a biasing member biasing the jaw to a closed position. The fifth wheel hitch assembly may also include a kingpin guide positioned opposite the jaw, where the kingpin guide is adapted to engage and retain a kingpin against the jaw.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fifth wheel hitch system comprising:
a head;
a jaw fixed about a pivot pin;
a biasing member biasing the jaw to a closed position;
a kingpin guide positioned opposite the jaw rigidly fixed to an underside of the head, wherein the kingpin guide is adapted to engage and retain a kingpin against the jaw, wherein the kingpin guide comprises:
a first flange portion; and
a second flange portion, wherein the first flange portion is attached to the underside of the head and the second flange portion is adapted to engage a minor diameter of the kingpin.

2. The fifth wheel hitch system of claim 1 , wherein the kingpin guide further comprises a longitudinal portion positioned between the first and second flange portions.

3. The fifth wheel hitch system of claim 1 , wherein the kingpin guide provides visual notice of the kingpin being operatively engaged with the jaw.

4. The fifth wheel hitch system of claim 1 , wherein the first flange portion provides visual notice of the kingpin being operatively engaged with the jaw.

5. The fifth wheel hitch system of claim 1 , wherein the kingpin guide prevents the jaw from closing when the kingpin is not in a lockable position relative to the jaw.

6. A fifth wheel hitch system comprising:
a head having a throat portion;
an arm fixed about a pivot point, a portion of the arm extending into the throat portion;
an indicator arm operatively secured with the arm, wherein engagement of the arm by a kingpin pivots the arm about the pivot point rotating the indicator arm from a first position to a second position; and
a window positioned in the head, wherein the window is positioned opposite the throat portion.

7. The fifth wheel hitch system of claim 6 further comprising an indicator face attached with the indicator arm.

8. The fifth wheel hitch system of claim 7 , wherein only a portion of the indicator face is viewable through the window.

9. The fifth wheel hitch system of claim 8 , wherein the indicator face comprises two sensor states.

10. The fifth wheel hitch system of claim 8 further comprising a jaw fixed about a pivot pin and a kingpin guide positioned opposite the jaw, wherein the kingpin guide is adapted to engage and retain a kingpin against the jaw.

11. The fifth wheel hitch system of claim 6 further comprising a handle pivotally attached to the head.

12. The fifth wheel hitch system of claim 11 further comprising a guide slot positioned in the handle wherein the guide slot permits movement of the handle along a predefined path.

13. The fifth wheel hitch system of claim 12 , wherein the jaw and handle are biased towards coupled position relative to a kingpin.

14. A fifth wheel hitch system comprising:
a head having a throat portion;
a jaw fixed about a pivot pin;
a biasing member biasing the jaw to a closed position, wherein a portion of the jaw is positioned in the throat portion;
a kingpin guide positioned opposite the jaw and rigidly fixed to an underside of the head, wherein the kingpin guide is adapted to engage and retain a kingpin against the jaw;
an arm fixed about a pivot point, a portion of the arm extending into the throat portion;
an indicator arm operatively secured with the arm, wherein engagement of the arm by a kingpin pivots the arm about the pivot point rotating the indicator arm from a first position to a second position; and
a window positioned in the head, wherein the window is positioned opposite the throat portion.

15. The fifth wheel hitch of claim 14 , wherein the indicator arm comprises an indicator face having two sensor states.

16. A fifth wheel hitch system comprising:
a head having a throat portion;
a jaw fixed about a pivot pin configured to receive a kingpin;
a biasing member biasing the jaw to a closed position, wherein a portion of the jaw is positioned in the throat portion;
an arm fixed about a pivot point, a portion of the arm extending into the throat portion;
a handle pivotally attached with the head and a handle lockout selectively engageable with the handle; and
a kingpin guide positioned opposite the jaw rigidly fixed to an underside of the head, wherein the kingpin guide is adapted to engage and retain a kingpin against the jaw.

17. The fifth wheel hitch of claim 16 , wherein upon full insertion of a kingpin the handle lockout holds the handle in a rotated position, keeping the jaw clear from the throat portion.

18. The fifth wheel hitch of claim 16 , wherein the handle lockout is disengagable from the handle allowing biasing of the jaw and handle to rotate the handle and jaw towards a coupled position.

Assignees

• Horizon Global Americas Inc

Inventors

• Scruggs Mark
• Nowack Curt
• Stalder Tom
• Mercier Gregoire

Classifications

• B62D53/08 Primary

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

• B62D53/10 Primary

  with means for preventing accidental uncoupling · CPC title

• B62D53/12

  engaging automatically · CPC title

• B60D1/015 Primary

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic