Fifth wheel slider assembly
Inactive Publication Date: 2006-09-14
THE HOLLAND GROUP
View PDF13 Cites 13 Cited by
- Summary
- Abstract
- Description
- Claims
- Application Information
AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
[0011] The present inventive fifth wheel hitch assembly reduces the number of components necessary to provide a slidable adjustment of an associated hitch plate with respect to supporting vehicle frame rails, while simultaneously providing for easy adjustment and replacement of worn or damaged components. The hitch assembly further reduces the associated weight, reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating welding and other time consuming processes, provides a modular design that allows easy assembly and / or retrofitting, allows for use with various truck frame designs without requiring significant reworking to either the hitch assembly of the truck frame, is economical to manufacture, and is particularly well adapted for the proposed use.
Problems solved by technology
However, one significant disadvantage of the flat plat mounting arrangement is the use of a heavy steel plate adding to the weight and total cost of the overall assembly.
Another significant disadvantage to each of these arrangements as discussed above is the significant welding the overall assemblies require, thereby increasing the manufacturing costs and decreasing the adjustability and variability of the overall assembly once installed.
Still further, typical fifth wheel assemblies that provide for slidable adjustment of the associated fifth wheel hitch plate with respect to the vehicle frame members require the use of separate stock members affixed to either a component of the fifth wheel assembly or the frame rails, in order to limit the travel of the fifth wheel hitch plate with respect to the vehicle frame rails, thereby adding to the costs associated with the manufacture of the fifth wheel hitch assembly.
Method used
the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View moreImage
Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Smart ImageViewing Examples
Examples
Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test
Embodiment Construction
[0023] For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,”“lower,”“right,”“left,”“rear,”“front,”“vertical,”“horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIGS. 1, 5 and 8. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
[0024] The reference numeral 10 (FIGS. 1-4) generally designates a fifth wheel slider assembly embodying the present invention. In the illustrated example, the fifth wheel slider assembly is suppo...
the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More PUM
Login to View More Abstract
A fifth wheel slider assembly comprises at least one rack member having a first side and a second side and is supportable above a vehicle frame, a hitch plate with a throat for receiving a kingpin of a trailer, and a pair of support brackets pivotally supporting the hitch plate and slidably abutting the first side of the at least one rack member. The slider assembly further includes a guide plate slidably abutting the second side of the at least one rack member and coupled to the pair of support brackets by a plurality of mechanical fasteners, and an engagement assembly releasably engaging the at least one rack member at incremental points along the length of the at least one rack member, thereby selectively positioning the hitch plate with respect to the at least one rack member.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 659,796, filed Mar. 9, 2005, entitled FIFTH WHEEL SLIDER ASSEMBLY, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to fifth wheel coupling assemblies, and in particular to a slider assembly for adjustably supporting a fifth wheel hitch assembly from a frame of an associated vehicle. [0003] Fifth wheel hitch assemblies are used in a wide variety of applications to releasably couple a trailer to an associated towing vehicle, including heavy-duty, over-the-road, tractors. The frames of the tractors, to which the fifth wheel assemblies are mounted, typically comprise a pair of longitudinally-extending C-shaped channel members that are supported by the wheel and axle members of the vehicle. The channel members are laterally spaced apart from one another such that they provide a planar sur...
Claims
the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More Application Information
Patent Timeline
Login to View More IPC IPC(8): B62D53/06
CPCB62D53/0814
InventorSIBLEY, RICHARD J. JR.THORWALL, GREGORY R.BAHNSEN, RUDOLPH A.KEATLEY, JUSTIN D.WIERINGA, JOHN G.HUNGERINK, GERRY W.
OwnerTHE HOLLAND GROUP