# US 9,751,575 B2 · Self-aligning trailer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,575 B2 - Document ID: US9751575B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/033,861 - Filed: 2013-12-04 - Published: 2016-09-29 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-12-04 - Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Applicants: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Inventors: Calvin L. Stegemoeller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751575B2 ## CPC - B62D 53/0842: {King pins} - B60D 1/143: {characterised by the mounting of the draw-gear on the towed vehicle (B60D1/187 takes precedence)} - B60D 1/245: {for facilitating push back or parking of trailers} - B62D 53/08: Fifth wheel traction couplings {(tractors for handling trailers in terminals B62D49/007)} - 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 trailer hitch assembly and method characterized by having a hitch arm pivotally attached to a trailer such that when the hitch arm is placed in an unlocked position the hitch arm can pivot and when the hitch arm is placed in a locked position it is prevented from rotating. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A trailer hitch assembly comprising: a kingpin plate having a first end and a second end, wherein said kingpin plate is pivotally attached to a trailer at said first end; a rotation limiter configured to limit pivoting of the kingpin plate so as to define a maximum pivot for the kingpin plate relative to the trailer, a kingpin attached to said kingpin plate at or near said second end; and an alignment lock having a locked position in which said kingpin plate is prevented from pivoting at said first end and an unlocked position in which said kingpin plate is free to pivot at said first end. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The trailer hitch assembly of claim 1 wherein said kingpin is configured to pivotally mate with a locking assembly on a vehicle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The trailer hitch assembly of claim 1 wherein said trailer has a longitudinal axis and a mounting deck to which said kingpin plate is pivotally attached, and wherein said alignment lock comprises an alignment pin, a first mating hole in said mounting deck and a second mating hole in said kingpin plate such that when said kingpin plate is aligned along said longitudinal axis of said trailer, said first mating hole and said second mating hole align so that said alignment pin can be inserted thus placing said alignment lock in said locked position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The trailer hitch assembly of claim 1 wherein said kingpin is configured to pivotally mate with a fifth wheel locking assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The trailer hitch assembly of claim 1 wherein said trailer includes a mounting deck having an inside wall defining an orifice in said mounting deck and said kingpin plate includes a raised section fitting in said orifice, wherein said inside wall and said raised section interact to form said rotation limiter such that the pivoting of said kingpin plate is limited by the interaction of said raised section and said inside wall. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The trailer hitch assembly of claim 5 wherein said trailer has a longitudinal axis and the maximum pivot of said kingpin plate is from 10 degrees to 30 degrees from said longitudinal axis of said trailer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The trailer hitch assembly of claim 6 wherein the maximum pivot of said kingpin plate is from 15 degrees to 25 degrees from said longitudinal axis of the trailer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The trailer hitch assembly of claim 7 wherein said kingpin is configured to pivotally mate with a fifth wheel. ### Claim 9 A method of aligning a trailer with a stationary platform wherein the trailer has a front and a rear and is connected to a vehicle at said front, the method comprising: (a) contacting a portion of said rear of said trailer with said stationary platform wherein said trailer has a pivotally attached hitch arm in a locked position such that it does not pivot relative to the trailer, and has a hitch attachment element attached to said hitch arm, which is pivotally connected to a locking assembly on said vehicle to thus connect said trailer and said vehicle; (b) placing said hitch arm in an unlocked position such that said hitch arm can pivot relative to the trailer; and (c) backing said vehicle towards said stationary platform such that said hitch arm pivots thus causing said rear of said trailer to align with said stationary platform. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising: (d) after said trailer has been aligned with said stationary platform, aligning said hitch arm with a longitudinal axis of said trailer; and (e) placing said hitch arm in said locked position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein, when in said unlocked position, said hitch arm pivots relative to the trailer by an amount of pivot and further comprising restricting the amount of pivot for said hitch arm when said hitch arm is in said unlocked position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein said trailer has a longitudinal axis and the amount of pivot is restricted to provide for a maximum pivot of said hitch arm from 10 degrees to 30 degrees from said longitudinal axis of said trailer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein the amount of pivot is restricted so that the maximum pivot of said hitch arm is from 15 degrees to 25 degrees from said longitudinal axis of the trailer. ### Claim 14 A method of aligning a trailer with a stationary platform wherein said trailer has a front, a rear and a longitudinal axis and is connected to a vehicle at said front, the method comprising: (a) contacting a portion of said rear of said trailer with said stationary platform wherein said trailer has a pivotally attached kingpin plate in a locked position such that it does not pivot relative to the trailer, and has a kingpin attached to said plate, which is pivotally connected to a fifth wheel locking assembly on said vehicle to thus connect said trailer and said vehicle; (b) placing said kingpin plate in an unlocked position such that said kingpin plate can pivot relative to the trailer by an amount of pivot; (c) backing said vehicle toward said stationary platform such that said kingpin plate pivots thus causing said rear of said trailer to align with said stationary platform; (d) restricting the amount of pivot for said kingpin plate when said kingpin plate is in said unlocked position so that said kingpin plate has a maximum pivot from 15 degrees to 25 degrees from said longitudinal axis of said trailer; (e) after said trailer has been aligned with said stationary platform, aligning said kingpin plate with a longitudinal axis of said trailer; and (f) placing said kingpin plate in said locked position.