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US 12,570,367 B2Granted
Fifth wheel hitch with latching system
AssigneeHorizon Global Americas Inc.
InventorsMark Scruggs, Curt Nowack
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure relates generally to a fifth wheel hitch and, more particularly, to a fifth wheel hitch having a latching system that is viewable to a user. In another instance, the present disclosure relates to a fifth wheel hitch having a latching system that permits a user to restrict movement of the fifth wheel hitch in at least two different planes of motion.
Claims16
A fifth wheel hitch assembly comprising:
- a fifth wheel head configured to engage a towing vehicle;
- a carriage member attached to said fifth wheel head;
- a frame configured to be attached to a towing vehicle, said frame including at least one locator rail wherein said carriage is moveable along the at least one locator rail;
- and
- a latching system positioned along the frame that is configured to restrict a movement of the carriage relative to the frame, said latching system comprising:
- a control bar;
- at least one receptacle positioned along said carriage member;
- at least one latching finger configured to selectively engage with said at least one receptacle;
- a latch control handle attached to said control bar and configured to pivot said control bar and said at least one latching finger relative to said at least one receptacle;
- a biasing member attached to said control bar and configured to be spring loaded in a direction which will force said at least one latching finger to pivot towards or otherwise engage with said at least one receptacle;
- and
- a retaining spring configured to selectively engage with said at least one latching finger and prevent said at least one latching finger from re-engaging with said at least one receptacle such that said carriage member is free to move relative to said frame when said retaining spring is engaged to said at least one latching finger.
9 more elements
A fifth wheel hitch assembly comprising:
- a fifth wheel head configured to engage a towing vehicle;
- a carriage member attached to said fifth wheel head;
- a frame configured to be attached to said towing vehicle, said frame including at least one locator rail wherein said carriage member is moveable along said locator rail;
- and
- a latching system positioned along said frame, said latching system comprising:
- at least one latching finger attached to a retaining spring and configured to selectively prevent said at least one latching finger from re-engaging with at least one receptacle,
- a control bar attached to a biasing member and configured to be spring loaded in a direction which will force the at least one latching finger to pivot towards or otherwise engage with said at least one receptacle;
- a latch control handle attached to said control bar;
- wherein said latching system is in a locked positioned when said at least one latching finger is engaged to said at least one receptacle and is in an unlocked position when said at least one latching finger is not engaged to said at least one receptacle.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.