Patent ID: 6170851
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A fifth wheel trailer hitch characterized by:a housing affixably mountable on a truck having a rearward facing slot;a skid plate having a rearward facing longitudinal slot aligned with the slot in the housing for receiving a kingpin of a trailer;said skid plate being pivotably mounted on said housing for transverse pivotable motion relative to said housing for alignment with a trailer kingpin that is canted with respect to the housing;a locking jaw device movable from an open position to a closed position for securing said kingpin in said slot;said locking jaw device operably connected to a manually operable handle extending from said housing for opening and closing said hitch about said kingpin;a lock-out device mounted to said housing and being selectively biased for movement in a direction to automatically engage the skid plate when said skid plate is in a level horizontal position and for affixing said skid plate in said horizontal level position with respect to said housing and preventing further transverse pivotable motion of said skid plate relative to said housing until said hitch is manually reset; andsaid lock-out device being selectively set by said handle that extends laterally out from said housing.