Holland Hitch Company

Saf-holland Gmbh

John T Buckley

Gerald W Hungerink

David Roe

Gregory R Thorwall

A hitch coupler () including an E-shaped frame (), a pin () and a conical spring (). The frame () includes a back plate (), a top plate (), a middle plate () and a bottom plate (). The top (), middle () and the bottom () plates include aligned openings. The pin () extends through the aligned holes () in the top (), middle () and bottom () plates, with the pin () being configured to slide within the aligned openings (). The conical spring () surrounds and engages the pin (). The conical spring () biases a bottom of the pin () through the middle plate () and the bottom plate (). The pin () includes a retainer () that extends through a slot () in the top plate () as the pin () is pulled against the bias of the spring (). The retainer () abuts against a top of the top plate () when the retainer () is located above the top plate (). The retainer () is located between the pin () and the spring ().

Industrial E-hitch trailer coupler

A fifth wheel hitch has a single swinging jaw, i.e., pivotal lock element, a unique cam arm, a locking plunger, a release arm, and release handle that all specially function in an interrelated manner to clearly indicate the locked or unlocked condition of the lock element. The release handle has special notches for cooperative interengagement with the top plate, specifically a lock notch and an unlock notch, engageable with a flange of the fifth wheel plate to cause the release handle to be located in specific positions. A cam surface on a finger of the pivotal lock element operates the novel cam arm to shift the release arm, for shifting it out of the unlock notch when the fifth wheel uncouples from the kingpin. The cam arm is held over center when the jaw is open, preventing the jaws from closing until the kingpin enters. When the release handle is pulled to release the locking plunger, the lock notch engages the top plate to retain the pull handle until released from this notch.

Integrated cam lever/handle lock fifth wheel

Disclosed herein is a fifth wheel hitch having a set of jaws removably retained in a pocket on the underside of the bearing plate, replaceable by like jaws or jaws accommodating a different size kingpin. The hitch can be of forged aluminum, for on-highway or off-highway usage. A swinging jaw is pivotally connected to a fixed jaw, and has a lower closure finger contacted by the head of a properly elevated kingpin to close the jaws. The jaws are locked closed by a locking plunger actuated with full jaw closure, by means of a trigger release mechanism. The trigger and plunger are retracted by a slide cam having actuators extending from both sides of the hitch. Adjustment of the jaws for wear is from the hitch exterior, and effectual whether the hitch is coupled or uncoupled.

Growing community of inventors

Holland, MI, United States of America

John T Buckley