# US 11,077,728 B2 · Tooling and method for galvanizing kingpin coupler > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,077,728 B2 - Document ID: US11077728B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/944,119 - Filed: 2018-04-03 - Published: 2019-10-03 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-03 - Assignees: STI Holdings, Inc. - Applicants: STI Holdings, Inc. - Inventors: Gary Lynn Fenton; Matthew Simon Kinsman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077728B2 ## CPC - B62D 53/08: Fifth wheel traction couplings {(tractors for handling trailers in terminals B62D49/007)} - B60D 1/605: {Protection caps} - B62D 53/0842: {King pins} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60D: VEHICLE CONNECTIONS ## Abstract A king pin coupler assembly of a fifth wheel coupling. A coupler plate has a king pin aperture therein. A king pin is positioned to extend axially through the king pin aperture of the coupler plate. The king pin has a first portion with a neck for engaging a fifth wheel of the fifth wheel coupling, the first portion extending to a first side of the coupler plate. The king pin has a second portion on a second side of the coupler plate and welded to the coupler plate. A shielding apparatus is secured to one or both of the king pin and the coupler plate. The shielding apparatus includes a cover sealed to the first side of the coupler plate. The cover extends over the first portion of the king pin to shield the first portion of the king pin during liquid immersion of the king pin coupler assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A king pin coupler assembly of a fifth wheel coupling, the king pin coupler assembly comprising: a coupler plate having a king pin aperture therein; a king pin positioned to extend axially through the king pin aperture of the coupler plate, the king pin having a first portion with a neck adapted to engage a fifth wheel of the fifth wheel coupling, the first portion extending to a first side of the coupler plate, the king pin having a second portion on a second side of the coupler plate and welded to the coupler plate; a shielding apparatus secured to one or both of the king pin and the coupler plate, the shielding apparatus including a cover sealed to the first side of the coupler plate, wherein the cover extends over the first portion of the king pin to shield the first portion of the king pin during liquid immersion of the king pin coupler assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The king pin coupler assembly of claim 1, wherein a first end of the cover is sealed to the first side of the coupler plate, and an interior of the cover is vented to atmosphere through a vent structure coupled therewith. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The king pin coupler assembly of claim 2, wherein the vent structure is coupled with a second end of the cover opposite the first end. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The king pin coupler assembly of claim 3, wherein the vent structure includes a hollow conduit extending from a banjo plate that is axially stacked on the second end of the cover and secured in place by a vented bolt having an axial bore and at least one cross-bore. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The king pin coupler assembly of claim 1, wherein the king pin coupler assembly has a hot dip galvanized coating extending up to an interface where the cover is sealed to the first side of the coupler plate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The king pin coupler assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover is sealed to the first side of the coupler plate with a gasket positioned therebetween. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The king pin coupler assembly of claim 6, wherein the gasket is formed of graphite. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The king pin coupler assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover includes an end cap portion at an axial end of the cover that is opposite an axial end sealed to the coupler plate, the end cap portion having a non-circular outer profile when viewed axially. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The king pin coupler assembly of claim 1, wherein the shielding apparatus includes a lock plate shaped to conform to the first portion of the king pin and prevent axial removal therefrom. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The king pin coupler assembly of claim 9, wherein the lock plate includes a threaded aperture, and wherein the shielding apparatus includes a fastener extending through an end cap portion of the cover and into engagement with the threaded aperture. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The king pin coupler assembly of claim 10, wherein the shielding apparatus includes an anti-rotation interface defined between the cover and the lock plate to restrain rotation of the lock plate by holding the cover as the fastener is installed into the threaded aperture. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The king pin coupler assembly of claim 1, wherein an interior of the cover is at least partially filled with a heat absorbing liquid. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The king pin coupler assembly of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the king pin is at least partially covered with a thermally insulating ceramic coating. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The king pin coupler assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover is formed of a metal having a protective coating or surface treatment.