Patent · US Active

Sliding hitch assembly

US8511703B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
36References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 7, 2010
Grant dateAug 20, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 30, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60D1/02
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Examples of sliding hitch assemblies, and locking mechanisms therefor are disclosed. Sliding hitch assemblies include a pair of slide rails slidably supporting a fifth wheel. Each of the slide rails in turn includes a driving position locking pin that selectively locks the fifth wheel in a driving position, and a maneuvering position locking pin that selectively locks the fifth wheel in a maneuvering position. A cam member is slidably mounted inside each slide rail, and includes a first cam surface that unlocks the driving position locking pin when the cam member is in a first position, and a second cam surface that unlocks the maneuvering position locking pin when the cam member is in a second position. The fifth wheel is mounted on a pair of downwardly facing U-shaped members slidably supported on the slide rails, and a wear block is interposed each slide rail and a corresponding one of the U-shaped members. An adjustable element may be moved relative to the corresponding one of the U-shaped members to stay adjacent the one of slide rails as the wear block wears during use.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.