IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,261,311
Granted Patent B2
US 7,261,311 · App. 10/920,052 · Granted Aug 28, 2007

Fifth wheel hitch assembly with self-locator

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,261,311
App. No.
10/920,052
Granted
Aug 28, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

Typical fifth wheel hitch assemblies require the operator to leave the cab of the vehicle to put the fifth wheel hitch assembly into position to receive a king pin of a trailer. The present invention is a fifth wheel hitch assembly that comprises a base assembly, a head assembly pivotally connected to the base assembly about a generally horizontal axis, the head assembly being pivotable between a raised position and a lowered position, and at least one biasing member urging the head assembly into the raised position.

Claims (29)

1. A fifth wheel hitch assembly comprising:

a base assembly;

a head assembly connected to said base assembly about a first generally horizontal axis wherein said head assembly is pivotable about said first horizontal axis in a front and rearward direction between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein said head assembly is at an acute angle relative to a generally horizontal plane passing through said horizontal axis at said raised position and wherein said head assembly is substantially parallel to said horizontal plane at said lowered position, and further wherein said head assembly is pivotable about a second generally horizontal axis generally perpendicular to said first horizontal axis in a side-to-side direction; and

at least one torsion spring, carried on one of said base assembly and said head assembly, urging said head assembly toward said raised position, wherein said torsion spring has a first end engaging said base assembly and a second end engaging said head assembly.

2. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 1 , wherein said head assembly includes a skid plate and a locking jaw assembly.

3. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 2 , wherein said base assembly includes a first leg, a second leg, and a central housing.

4. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 3 , wherein said base assembly further includes a rocker pivotally connected to said central housing.

5. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 4 , wherein said central housing includes a first end wall, a second end wall, a first sidewall and a second sidewall.

6. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 5 , wherein a pivot pin pivotally connects said rocker to said first and second end walls so as to allow said rocker to pivot freely from side-to-side.

7. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 1 , wherein said torsion spring provides a biasing moment of between about 35 lb. in. and about 60 lb. in.

8. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 4 , wherein said torsion spring is mounted to said rocker.

9. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 4 , wherein said torsion spring is mounted to said head assembly.

10. A fifth wheel hitch assembly comprising:

a base assembly including a central housing and a rocker,

said rocker pivotally connected to said central housing;

a head assembly pivotally connected to said base assembly about a generally horizontal axis, said head assembly pivotable between a raised position at an included angle relative to a horizontal plane passing through said horizontal axis of between about 5 and 15 degrees and a lowered position; and

at least one torsion spring having an end engaging said head assembly and an opposing end engaging said base assembly wherein said torsion spring is aligned with said horizontal axis and further wherein said torsion spring urges said head assembly into said raised position.

11. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 10 wherein said rocker permits pivotal movement of said head assembly to said raised position.

12. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 11 wherein said base assembly includes at least two trunnions.

13. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 12 wherein at least one trunnion is offset from a center axis of said base assembly.

14. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 10 wherein said head assembly includes a skid plate.

15. A fifth wheel hitch assembly comprising:

a base;

a rocker coupled to said base, wherein said rocker is pivotable in a side-to-side direction about a first generally horizontal axis;

a head assembly coupled to said rocker, wherein said head assembly is pivotable in a front and rearward direction about a second generally horizontal axis; and

a torsion spring urging said head assembly to pivot in a first direction about said second horizontal axis.

16. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 15 , wherein said head assembly is pivotable about said second horizontal axis between a raised position and a lowered position.

17. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 16 , wherein said first direction is towards said raised position.

18. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 15 , wherein said base further includes a central housing, and said rocker is connected to said central housing.

Assignments (22)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 9, 2021
From: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC, SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS COLLATERAL AGENT (AS SUCCESSOR TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.)
To: HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION; WESTFALIA-AUTOMOTIVE GMBH; HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 055262/0842 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 9, 2021
From: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.; C.P. WITTER LIMITED; WESTFALIA-AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
To: ATLANTIC PARK STRATEGIC CAPITAL FUND, L.P., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 055262/0949 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 11, 2020
From: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC
To: HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION; HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
Reel/Frame 053453/0229 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 052463/0091 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2020
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 052918/0733 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 17, 2020
From: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
To: ENCINA BUSINESS CREDIT, LLC
Reel/Frame 052183/0590 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 20, 2019
From: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.; HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
To: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 048648/0006 →
MERGER Recorded May 10, 2017
From: CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.
To: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
Reel/Frame 042435/0260 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 22, 2015
From: CEQUENT TOWING PRODUCTS, INC.
To: CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 036150/0317 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (024120/0535) Recorded Jul 16, 2015
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS SECOND LIEN AGENT
To: CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 036125/0710 →
SECURITY INTEREST (ABL) Recorded Jul 8, 2015
From: CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 036082/0668 →
SECURITY INTEREST (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jul 6, 2015
From: CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 036062/0554 →
RELEASE OF REEL/FRAME 029537/0582 Recorded Nov 15, 2013
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: TRIMAS CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR TO MASCO TECH, INC.); TRIMAS COMPANY LLC; ARMINAK & ASSOCIATES LLC; ARROW ENGINE COMPANY; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC. (SUCCESSOR TO CEQUENT ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS, INC., CEQUENT TOWING PRODUCTS, INC., CEQUENT TRAILER PRODUCTS, INC., FULTON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC., HIDDEN HITCH INTERNATIONAL, AND THEODORE BARGMAN, INC.); COMPAC CORPORATION; INNOVATIVE MOLDING; LAMONS GASKET COMPANY; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC.; NI INDUSTRIES, INC.; NORRIS CYLINDER COMPANY; RIEKE-ARMINAK CORP.; RIEKE CORPORATION; RIEKE LEASING CO., INCORPORATED; TRIMAS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 031645/0436 →
RELEASE OF REEL/FRAME 026712/0001 Recorded Nov 15, 2013
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: ARROW ENGINE COMPANY; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; LAMONS GASKET COMPANY; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC.; RIEKE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 031645/0591 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 28, 2012
From: TRIMAS CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR TO MASCOTECH, INC.); TRIMAS COMPANY LLC; ARMINAK & ASSOCIATES LLC; ARROW ENGINE COMPANY; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC. (SUCCESSOR TO CEQUENT ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS, INC., CEQUENT TOWING PRODUCTS, INC., CEQUENT TRAILER PRODUCTS, INC., FULTON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC., HIDDEN HITCH INTERNATIONAL, AND THEODORE BARGMAN, INC.); COMPAC CORPORATION; INNOVATIVE MOLDING; LAMONS GASKET COMPANY; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC.; NI INDUSTRIES, INC.; NORRIS CYLINDER COMPANY; RIEKE-ARMINAK CORP.; RIEKE CORPORATION; RIEKE LEASING CO., INCORPORATED; TRIMAS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 029537/0582 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 13, 2012
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
To: TRIMAS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029291/0265 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 7, 2011
From: ARROW ENGINE COMPANY, AN OKLAHOMA CORPORATION; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC., AN OHIO CORPORATION; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC., A MICHIGAN CORPORATION; LAMONS GASKET COMPANY, A TEXAS CORPORATION; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION; RIEKE CORPORATION, AN INDIANA CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 026712/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2011
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: TRIMAS CORPORATION; ARROW ENGINE COMPANY; BEAUMONT BOLT & GASKET, INC.; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT TOWING PRODUCTS, INC.; COMPAC CORPORATION; CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CUYAM CORPORATION; DEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DI-RITE COMPANY; ENTEGRA FASTENER CORPORATION; FULTON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; HAMMERBLOW ACQUISITION CORP.; THE HAMMERBLOW COMPANY, LLC; HI-VOL PRODUCTS LLC; INDUSTRIAL BOLT & GASKET, INC.; KEO CUTTERS, INC.; LAKE ERIE PRODUCTS CORPORATION; LAMONS GASKET COMPANY; LAMONS METAL GASKET CO.; LOUISIANA HOSE & RUBBER CO.; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC.; NETCONG INVESTMENTS, INC.; NI INDUSTRIES, INC.; NI WEST, INC.; NORRIS CYLINDER COMPANY; NORRIS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.; NORRIS INDUSTRIES, INC.; PLASTIC FORM, INC.; REESE PRODUCTS, INC.; RESKA SPLINE PRODUCTS, INC.; RIEKE CORPORATION; RIEKE OF INDIANA, INC.; RIEKE LEASING CO., INCORPORATED; RIEKE OF MEXICO, INC.; TOWING HOLDING LLC; TRIMAS COMPANY LLC; TRIMAS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; WESBAR CORPORATION; DRAW-TITE, INC.; RICHARDS MICRO-TOOL, INC.
Reel/Frame 026706/0434 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 4, 2010
From: TRIMAS COMPANY, LLC FKA K.S. DISPOSITION, INC; TRIMAS COMPANY LLC; TRIMAS CORPORATION; ARROW ENGINE COMPANY; BEAUMONT BOLT & GASKET, INC.; TRIMAS COMPANY LLC FKA COMMONWEALTH DISPOSITION, LLC; COMPAC CORPORATION; CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CUYAM CORPORATION; DI-RITE COMPANY; DRAW-TITE, INC.; ENTEGRA FASTENER CORPORATION; FULTON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT TOWING PRODUCTS, INC. FKA HITCH 'N POST, INC.; INDUSTRIAL BOLT & GASKET, INC.; KEO CUTTERS, INC.; LAKE ERIE SCREW CORPORATION; LAMONS METAL GASKET CO.; LOUISIANA HOSE & RUBBER CO.; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC.; NETCONG INVESTMENTS, INC.; TRIMAS COMPANY LLC FKA NI FOREIGN MILITARY SALES CORP.; NI INDUSTRIES, INC.; NI WEST, INC.; NORRIS CYLINDER COMPANY; NORRIS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.; NORRIS INDUSTRIES, INC.; PLASTIC FORM, INC.; REESE PRODUCTS, INC.; RESKA SPLINE PRODUCTS, INC.; RICHARDS MICRO-TOOL, INC.; RIEKE CORPORATION; RIEKE OF INDIANA, INC.; RIEKE OF MEXICO; RIEKE LEASING CO.; TRIMAS COMPANY, LLC FKA TRIMAS FASTENERS, INC.; TRIMAS COMPANY, LLC FKA TRIMAS SERVICES CORP.; WESBAR CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 024390/0471 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 28, 2010
From: HITCH 'N POST, INC.
To: CEQUENT TOWING PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 024294/0863 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 23, 2010
From: TRIMAS CORPORATION; TRIMAS COMPANY LLC; ARROW ENGINE COMPANY; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; COMPAC CORPORATION; DEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; HI-VOL PRODUCTS LLC; KEO CUTTERS, INC.; LAKE ERIE PRODUCTS CORPORATION; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC; NI INDUSTRIES, INC.; NORRIS CYLINDER COMPANY; RICHARDS MICRO-TOOL, INC.; RIEKE CORPORATION; RIEKE LEASING CO.; RIEKE OF MEXICO, INC.; THE HAMMERBLOW COMPANY, LLC; TRIMAS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; LAMONS GASKET COMPANY; TOWING HOLDING LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS SECOND LIEN AGENT
Reel/Frame 024120/0535 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 17, 2004
From: LINDENMAN, THOMAS W.; MCCOY, RICHARD W.; ROBERTS, ANTHONY S.
To: CEQUENT TOWING PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 015473/0837 →