Coupling system
US-12472783-B2 · Nov 18, 2025 · US
Automatic rolling fifth wheel hitch
US12012162B2 · US · B2
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Publication number | US-12012162-B2 |
| Application number | US-202117346561-A |
| Country | US |
| Kind code | B2 |
| Filing date | Jun 14, 2021 |
| Priority date | Mar 15, 2013 |
| Publication date | Jun 18, 2024 |
| Grant date | Jun 18, 2024 |
How to read this patent
A practical reading order for non-experts. Skip the full description unless you need deep technical detail.
- Title
What the patent document calls the invention.
- Abstract
A short plain-language summary of the technical disclosure.
- Assignees and inventors
Who owns or filed the patent and who is credited as inventor.
- Key dates
Filing, priority, publication, and grant dates set the timeline.
- First independent claim
The legal scope of protection — read this for what is actually claimed.
- CPC / IPC classifications
Technology tags used to group this patent with similar filings.
- Citations and related patents
Prior art links and similar publications in this corpus.
Abstract
Official abstract text for this publication.
A fifth wheel hitch is shown and described. The fifth wheel hitch may include a base frame configured to be secured to a load bed of a towing vehicle, a trolley operatively engaged with the base frame, the trolley adapted to move along the base frame between first and second positions, and a cam member attached with the base frame, the cam member having a cam path. The fifth wheel hitch may also include a cam follower coupled with the trolley, the cam follower operatively engaged with the cam path, and a fifth wheel head pivotally coupled with the trolley, where the trolley is moved between the first and second positions in response to pivoting of the fifth wheel head.
First claim
Opening claim text (preview).
Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed: 1. A fifth wheel hitch comprising: a base frame; a cam member attached with the base frame, the cam member having a cam path positioned entirely between the base frame; a cam follower positionable along the cam path; a trolley coupled with the cam follower; a fifth wheel head attached to the trolley, wherein pivoting of the fifth wheel head displaces the trolley rearward toward a rear of a towing vehicle; and wherein the cam path includes a first portion causing the trolley to be displaced at a first rate as the fifth wheel head pivots and a second portion causing the trolley to be displaced at a second rate, different from the first rate, as the fifth wheel head pivots, and wherein the second portion is at a different pivot angle relative to a centerline of the cam member that the first portion. 2. The fifth wheel hitch of claim 1 , wherein the second rate is less than the first rate.
Assignees
Inventors
Classifications
- B62D53/0814Primary
with adjustment of the clearance between the tractor or the trailer (devices modifying the load in tractor-trailer combinations B62D53/068) · CPC title
- B62D53/0807Primary
adjustable coupling saddles mounted on sub-frames; Mounting plates therefor · CPC title
Patent family
Related publications grouped by family.
External sources
Frequently asked questions
Answers are generated from the same data shown on this page.
- What does patent US12012162B2 cover?
- A fifth wheel hitch is shown and described. The fifth wheel hitch may include a base frame configured to be secured to a load bed of a towing vehicle, a trolley operatively engaged with the base frame, the trolley adapted to move along the base frame between first and second positions, and a cam member attached with the base frame, the cam member having a cam path. The fifth wheel hitch may als…
- Who is the assignee on this patent?
- Horizon Global Americas Inc
- What technology area does this patent fall under?
- Primary CPC classification B62D53/0814. Mapped technology areas include Operations & Transport.
- When was this patent published?
- Publication date Tue Jun 18 2024 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) (B2). Legal status and post-grant events are not shown on this page.
- What related patents are in patentsdb?
- We list 8 related publications on this page (citations in our corpus or others sharing the same primary CPC).