Adjustable fifth wheel hitch with improved locking mechanism

#The present invention relates generally to the trailer towing field, and more particularly, to an improved fifth wheel hitch with an improved locking mechanism that is adjustable to conveniently allow enhanced maneuverability in limited or tight operating areas when required.

#Fifth wheel hitches for towing a trailer behind a vehicle have long been known in the art. Examples of state of the art fifth wheel hitches include those presently manufactured by Reese Products, Inc. of Elkhart, Ind. under U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,070 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/313,299 filed Aug. 17, 2001.

#These state of the art fifth wheel hitches include a support frame having base rails that are secured to the frame or other structure of a towing vehicle and a pair of spaced guide rails that bridge between the base rails. These fifth wheel hitches also include a head assembly having a jaw assembly for engaging a king pin of a trailer. A head support and a pair of uprights mount the head assembly for relative fore-and-aft sliding movement along the guide rails between a towing position and a maneuvering position. In one embodiment load bearing shoes formed from nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene or other known low friction material are provided in each upright to slide over the surface of the guide rails and allow smooth movement of the head assembly. In another embodiment, a roller arrangement is provided in each upright to roll on the surfaces of the guide rails and allow smooth movement of the head assembly between towing and maneuvering positions. In either of these embodiments, a releasable locking mechanism secures the head assembly in either of the selected positions.

#Still other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as descriptive.

#The accompanying drawing incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrates several aspects of the present invention and together with the description serves to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawing:

#FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of the fifth wheel hitch of the present invention for towing a trailer behind a motor vehicle;

#Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

#Reference is now made to FIG. 1 showing the fifth wheel hitch of the present invention. The hitch 10 includes a support frame, generally designated by reference numeral 12, comprising a pair of spaced parallel base rails of conventional design. These base rails 14 are bolted (note bolts 15) or otherwise fastened to the frame of the motor vehicle, such as a pickup truck, in a manner well known in the art. Additionally, the support frame 12 includes a pair of spaced guide rails 16 that are mounted so as to bridge between the transversely extending base rails 14 and thereby extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle. More particularly, each guide rail 16 is formed from a four-sided tube constructed from steel or other appropriate high strength material. A downwardly depending mounting tab 18 may be welded, fixed with bolts or mounted in some other manner at each end of the guide rails 16. Each mounting tab 18 is adapted for receipt in a matching slot 22 formed in the base rails 14. A connecting pin 24 may be passed through aligned cooperating apertures in each of the base rails 14 and tabs 18. A pin clip or other means 26 may then be utilized to secure each connecting pin 24 and, therefore, the guide rails 16 in position.

#As is known in the art, the fifth wheel hitch 10 also includes a head assembly generally designated by reference numeral 28. The head assembly 28 carries a jaw assembly, generally designated by reference numeral 30, for releaseably engaging the king pin of a trailer to be towed by the motor vehicle equipped with the hitch 10. Such jaw assemblies 30 are well known in the art. One such jaw assembly 30 that may be utilized is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,137 to Kass et al. also owned by the assignee of the present invention. The disclosure in that patent is fully incorporated herein by reference. It should be appreciated, however, that jaw assemblies of other design may also be incorporated into the present invention.