ENGAGED KINGPIN DETECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR FIFTH WHEEL PLATE

• US 3,868,127 A
• Filed: 07/26/1974
• Issued: 02/25/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pullman Standard, Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ray L. Ferris, Walter J. Marulic
• Inventors: Marulic, Walter J., Ferris, Ray L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friaglia, Leo
• Application Number:
  US05/492,296
• Time in Patent Office: 214 Days
• Field of Search: 280/434 403/27 105/368S
• US Class Current: 280/434
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/12 engaging automatically
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/20 with indicator or inspection means

Abstract

A fifth wheel plate for a trailer hitch or the like includes a locking mechanism which is adapted to lock a kingpin receiving jaw in a closed position. The locking mechanism includes an indicating member in an unlocked position projecting outwardly with respect to the fifth wheel plate so as to be readily visible. The indicating member also includes a slidable locking member which engages the kingpin jaw in the closed position for securing the same with the kingpin locked in place. An engaged kingpin detector assembly is provided which upon proper engagement of a kingpin in the fifth wheel plate permits engagement of the locking member with the fifth wheel plate. If the kingpin is not properly engaged, the detector assembly precludes engagement of the locking member.

Claims

1. A fifth wheel plate assembly for connection with the kingpin of a trailer, comprising a plate having a substantially circular opening and an entry slot communicating with said opening, a coupler jaw supported for turning movement within said opening, said coupler jaw having an open end slot in one position adapted to communicate with said entry slot to receive a kingpin, said coupler jaw during rotating movement from said one position to a locked position locking said kingpin to said plate, locking means on said coupler jaw, a locking element movable into engagement with said locking means to releasably lock said coupler jaw against rotation in said locked position, said locking element including a spring biased plunger normally urged into engagement with said locking element, said plunger having indicator means positionable to indicate locked and unlocked positions of said plunger, the improvement comprising;

an engaged kingpin detector assembly connected to and positioned below said plate, said assembly including an arm, a stop on said arm, said arm being normally biased into engagement with said locking element whereby said stop prevents movement of said locking element into engagement with said locking means, and means on said arm engageable by the kingpin in the closed position only when said kingpin is in a proper vertical position relative to said arm whereby a downward force of the kingpin on said arm moves the same and said stop out of engagement with the locking element permitting said locking element to engage said locking means.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1;

said arm being hingedly connected to said plate for movement about a horizontal axis.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1;

including a bracket connected to the underneath side of said plate, horizontal pivot means connecting one end of said arm for hinging movement about a horizontal axis, and spring means urging said arm upwardly whereby said stop is positioned in the path of travel of said locking element.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 3;

including a projection on an upper surface of said arm engaged by the lower end of a kingpin moving downwardly into said open end slot whereby said arm is depressed by the kingpIn and said stop is displaced from the path of movement of said locking pin.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 4;

said arm being disposed below and in alignment with said open end slot.