초록 ▼

A fifth wheel hitch operable between a fully locked condition and a fully released condition, having a top hitch plate and a lock jaw, a locking plunger shiftable between a biased, extended locking position engaging the jaw and a retracted position for releasing the jaw, a release lever pivotally mo

A fifth wheel hitch operable between a fully locked condition and a fully released condition, having a top hitch plate and a lock jaw, a locking plunger shiftable between a biased, extended locking position engaging the jaw and a retracted position for releasing the jaw, a release lever pivotally mounted to the hitch plate and engaging the plunger to move the plunger therewith when actuated, for releasing the primary lock, a hitch release rod subassembly having an outer pull handle and an inner pivotal connection to the release lever for actuating the release lever, the release rod subassembly having a secondary stop aligned with an abutment surface in the fully locked condition to serve as a secondary lock, and shiftable out of alignment with the abutment surface to release the secondary lock, and having a limited play connection between its ends, enabling the subassembly to be lengthened a limited amount from its normal length to a lengthened condition, and biased toward the normal length condition, and having an indictor which provides a change in appearance between the normal length condition and the lengthened condition.

대표청구항 ▼

[ The invention claimed is:] [1.] A fifth wheel hitch operable between a fully locked condition and a fully released condition, comprising:a top hitch plate defining a tapered mouth and throat for receiving a kingpin;a pivotal lock jaw at said throat;a locking plunger shiftable between an extended l

[ The invention claimed is:] [1.] A fifth wheel hitch operable between a fully locked condition and a fully released condition, comprising:a top hitch plate defining a tapered mouth and throat for receiving a kingpin;a pivotal lock jaw at said throat;a locking plunger shiftable between an extended locking position engaging said jaw and a retracted position for releasing said jaw, and being biased toward said extended locking position to provide a primary lock;a release lever pivotally mounted to said hitch plate and engaging said plunger to move said plunger therewith when actuated, for releasing said primary lock;a hitch release rod subassembly having an outer pull handle and an inner pivotal connection to said release lever for actuating said release lever;said hitch having a fixed member defining an abutment surface;said release rod subassembly having a secondary stop aligned with said abutment surface in the fully locked condition to serve as a secondary lock, and shiftable out of alignment with said abutment surface to release said secondary lock;said release rod subassembly having a limited play connection between its ends, enabling said subassembly to be lengthened a limited amount from its normal length condition to a lengthened condition, and biased toward said normal length condition; andsaid release rod subassembly having an indicator which provides a change in appearance between said normal length condition and said lengthened condition;said indicator comprising a portion of said release rod assembly which is visible in one of said conditions and not visible in the other of said conditions; andsaid portion being visible in said normal length condition to confirm hitch full release or hitch full lock, and not visible in said lengthened condition to alert of a condition other than said hitch full release or hitch full lock.