# US 4,394,030 A · King pin connecting mechanism

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- Number: US 4,394,030 A
- Document ID: US4394030A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/228,180
- Filed: 1981-01-26
- Granted: 1983-07-19
- Earliest claimed: 1981-01-26
- Assignees: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
- Inventors: Akira Inoue
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4394030A

## CPC

- B62D 53/0885: {Comprising devices to limit or to compensate for wear or excessive play; Lubricating, shock absorbing, bearing devices, or the like}
- 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)

## Abstract

A connecting mechanism for connecting a king pin fixed to a trailer to a fifth wheel mounted on a tractor. The connecting mechanism has a box structure in which major parts for connecting the king pin are mounted pivotally. The box structure is secured detachably to the lower face of a fifth wheel plate, so that the major parts can easily be replaced or inspected simply by a demounting of the box structure. It is possible to provide an elastic member between the fifth wheel plate and the box structure so as to absorb the impact applied to the connecting mechanism to prevent rapid wear of the parts and to improve the comfort of the driver.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A connecting mechanism for connecting a king pin fixed to a trailer to a fifth wheel plate provided on a tractor, comprising: a substantially enclosed box structure having a slot extending longitudinally in one side thereof for receiving said king pin therein, and having an opening in an adjacent side thereof contiguous with said slot for permitting entry of said king pin into said box structure and into said slot, said box structure having pivotally mounted therein at least a portion of the parts for connecting said king pin, said box structure being detachably attached in a secure manner to the lower face of said fifth wheel plate, with said one side of said box structure adjacent thereto.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A connecting mechanism for connecting a king pin fixed to a trailer to a fifth wheel plate provided on a tractor as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an elastic member interposed between said box structure and said fifth wheel plate for absorbing impacts applied to the connecting mechanism.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least a portion of said elastic member is interposed between said fifth wheel plate and the sides of said box structure which extend parallel to said slot and transverse to said lower face of said fifth wheel plate.