Patent ID: 6773023
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
An improvement to a replacement plate assembly for providing a low coefficient of friction surface between a truck tractor fifth wheel and a semi-trailer and attachable to an assembly for coupling a truck tractor to a semi-trailer comprising a housing having first and second pairs of parallel end walls spaced by an upper coupling plate, the upper coupling plate has an upper surface, an exposed outer surface, and an opening, a plurality of reinforcement beams extend between the first pair of parallel end walls, a portion of a kingpin extends through the opening in the upper coupling plate, the improvement comprising: an attachment plate having a bonding surface and an opposing surface, the attachment plate adapted for secure attachment to the exposed outer surface of the upper coupling plate wherein the opposing surface is adjacent the exposed outer surface of the upper coupling plate; and a self-lubricating plate of a first material securely joined to the bonding surface of the attachment plate wherein the attachment plate is located between the self-lubricating plate and the exposed outer surface of the upper coupling plate.