Fifth Wheel Hitch With Spring-Loaded Locking Pin and Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current towing vehicles are inefficiently designed to accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch, requiring time and labor to convert between the two, which is impractical for securing trailers with heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
A fifth wheel hitch system that includes a chamber for a hitch ball, a spring-loaded locking pin for secure attachment, and adjustable support members to fit various hitch ball sizes and shapes, allowing for easy conversion and secure attachment to the bed of a towing vehicle, with damping materials to reduce impact and wear strips to prevent bed damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a towing vehicle is designed to accommodate a fifth wheel hitch or gooseneck hitch permanently, then the attachment is secure and stable, but the vehicle cannot be converted to the other hitch type without time and labor
Solution Approach 1:
The fifth wheel hitch assembly is designed with a universal mounting system that can accommodate both fifth wheel and gooseneck hitch configurations. The mounting brackets and support members are configured to work with different hitch ball sizes and types, allowing the same physical assembly to serve multiple functions and accommodate different trailer types without requiring separate dedicated installations for each hitch variant.
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch assembly incorporates movable and adjustable components including the locking pin mechanism with spring bias, adjustable support members, and removable mounting brackets. These dynamic elements allow the system to be quickly reconfigured between fifth wheel and gooseneck modes by simply adjusting or repositioning components rather than performing permanent installation changes, enabling rapid conversion while maintaining secure attachment.
2Reliability
If a fifth wheel hitch is permanently secured to the bed or frame, then the attachment is strong and reliable, but tools are required to install or uninstall the hitch
Solution Approach 1:
The fifth wheel hitch system is divided into separate modular components including the main hitch assembly, mounting brackets, support members, and locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the hitch to be installed and removed as discrete units rather than as a single permanent fixture. The mounting brackets can be attached and detached independently, enabling tool-free or minimal-tool installation and uninstallation while maintaining reliable attachment when installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin mechanism incorporates spring bias that automatically engages the locking position when the hitch is properly installed, providing self-securing functionality. The system is designed to be self-aligning and self-latching, reducing the need for tools and complex installation procedures while ensuring reliable attachment through automatic engagement mechanisms that maintain security without requiring ongoing tool-based maintenance.
3Device complexity
If the fifth wheel hitch directly contacts the bed surface, then the structure is simple, but the bed may be damaged due to impact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces support members as intermediary elements between the fifth wheel hitch assembly and the vehicle bed surface. These support members distribute the contact area and can incorporate damping materials or cushioning features that absorb impact forces. This intermediary layer protects the bed from direct high-stress contact while maintaining structural support, adding minimal complexity through simple additive components rather than redesigning the entire hitch structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and secure attachment of trailers to towing vehicles, reducing the time and labor required for conversion between hitch types, enhancing towing stability and comfort by minimizing impact and wear, while accommodating a range of hitch ball sizes and shapes.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded locking pin for secure attachment
Implementation Method 2
Damping material may be included in the fifth wheel hitch to dampen impact forces transferred from the trailer to the towing vehicle through the fifth wheel hitch
Data Source
AI summary
The present application describes apparatus for attaching or securing a fifth wheel hitch to a bed of a towing vehicle. The fifth wheel hitch may be arranged to be secured to a hitch ball, such as a gooseneck hitch ball. The fifth wheel hitch may include a chamber for accepting a hitch ball, a locking pin for securing the hitch ball in the chamber, and a handle for selectively securing and releasing the hitch ball. The locking pin may be biased towards a position for securing the hitch ball in the chamber. A damper may be included to dampen impact forces transferred from the trailer to the towing vehicle through the fifth wheel hitch. The fifth wheel hitch may include support members having wear strips that may rest on the surface of the towing vehicle bed.