Patent ID: 6352277
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A fifth wheel coupling for mounting on a towing vehicle for co-operation with a waisted king-pin mounted on a trailer, said coupling comprising a plate and a slot in said plate defined by a closed end and opposing sides, a member pivotally mounted on said plate at one side of said slot, said member having a top and a bottom and comprising a hook having a bottom side laying in a first plane and a sensor arm having a top laying in a second plane at or below said bottom plane which are rigid one with another, said hook being moveable between an open position allowing access to said slot and a closed position in which it extends across said slot and can co-operate with the waist of a king-pin to retain the king-pin in said slot, and said sensor arm, when said hook is in its open position being arranged to be engaged by an enlarged portion of a correctly aligned king-pin entering said slot, whereupon said hook is moved towards its closed position, and an axially moveable locking member arranged at an opposite side of said slot to said pivotally mounted member, said locking member having a cam surface, with which a free end of said sensor arm makes contact when said hook is in its open position.