Galvanized upper coupler assembly
View Patent ↗A trailer coupler assembly includes a grid assembly having a plate and a channel formed on the plate. A kingpin is received in the channel and is positioned to extend below a bottom surface of the plate. The channel is galvanized. A method of making a coupler assembly comprises the steps of providing a grid assembly having a channel, galvanizing the channel, and covering the channel.
1. A method of making a vehicle coupler assembly comprising the steps of:
assembling together a coupler assembly, the coupler assembly comprising
a coupler grid plate, and
a kingpin coupled together with the coupler grid plate and extending below a surf ace of the coupler grid plate;
thereafter applying a coating to a selected area of the coupler assembly, the selected area having a surface area less than a total surface area of the coupler assembly; and
finishing the coupler assembly.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the applying step comprises applying the coating to an approximate thickness of between about 0.2 mils and about 20 mils.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected area is defined by a pair of spaced apart and generally parallel cross-members and a pair of spaced apart and generally parallel first and second dividers, the pair of dividers being disposed generally between and parallel to the pair of spaced apart cross-members; and wherein the coating galvanizes the selected area of the coupler assembly.