Fifth wheel kingpin deflector and catcher

Abstract

A fifth wheel for trucks is disclosed. Such fifth wheels usually are mounted on truck tractors and receive kingpins that are mounted on truck trailers. An operating rod is provided to manually disengage the kingpin locking mechanism. In one embodiment the fifth wheel plate is mounted on bases with trunnion pins. The bases are secured to the truck tractor. Retaining pins are received in flanges and serve to block axial movement of the trunnion pins. The retaining pins are disposed parallel to the top surface of the plate and are perpendicular to the axes of the trunnion pins. The retaining pins and flanges may be spaced far enough below the fifth wheel support surface so that a misfed kingpin cannot contact them. Alternatively, or in addition, the retaining pins may be under a protector that extends over the length of the retaining pin to prevent a misfed kingpin from striking the retaining pins. In another embodiment the protector is sized and shaped to prevent a misfed kingpin from striking an extended operating rod of the fifth wheel assembly. The protector may be a convex shaped deflector that shifts the path of the misfed kingpin away from the operating arm, or may be shaped to catch the misfed kingpin. The same shape protector can serve both purposes of protecting the retaining pins and the operating arm. The outer edge of each protector is below the top surface of the fifth wheel plate.