Fifth-wheel assembly
OwnerRichard L. Kochinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A slidable fifth-wheel assembly permitting the relative positions of a tractor and its associated trailer to be adjusted includes switching means which activates an alarm in the cab of the tractor when the fifth-wheel reaches a desired position. This desired position is a trade-off between rear axle weight and drive axle weight. The switching mechanism includes a switch mounted on the base plate of the fifth-wheel assembly. The actuator arm of the switch is extended by means of a coil spring which is engaged and displaced by the coupling shoe of the fifth-wheel assembly.
Claims6
An improved fifth wheel assembly for use on a tractor having a frame, a cab, a drive axle and a steering axle, comprising:
- a mounting plate fixedly coupled to the frame of said tractor;
- a coupling assembly slideably mounted on said mounting plate and capable of being moved in forward and rearward directions;
- and
- adjustably positional first means coupled to said mounting plate for triggering an alarm signal when said coupling assembly has been moved to a desired position, said first means including
- a mounting bracket fixedly coupled to said mounting plate,
- switch means coupled to said mounting bracket, and
- second means coupled to said switch means and responsive to movement of said coupling assembly for triggering said switch means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.