Patent ID: 7549666
Filing Date: 2009-06-23
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A rotatable hitch assembly for detachably attaching a fifth wheel trailer to a towing vehicle, comprising a first hitch member, comprising: a) a base detachably attachable to the towing vehicle, said base having: i) a first element having a first pivotable end and a second pivotable end, ii) a second element having a first pivotable end and a second pivotable end, iii) a first linking member having a first pivotable end and a second pivotable end, said first linking member first pivotable end pivotably connected to said first pivotable end of said first element and said first linking member second pivotable end pivotably connected to said first pivotable end of said second element, and iv) a second linking member having a first pivotable end and a second pivotable end, said second linking member first pivotable end pivotably connected to said second pivotable end of said first element and said second linking member second pivotable end pivotably connected to said second pivotable end of said second element providing for four linked pivotable joints, said four linked pivotable joints providing for an effective pivot point between said trailer and said towing vehicle, such that increasing turning motion of said towing vehicle provides for pivotal motion of said four linked pivotable joints providing for automatic rearward repositioning of said effective pivot point, b) a fifth wheel assembly pivotally attached to said base, said fifth wheel assembly having a pin slot, said pin slot having a slot having an open end, a closed end, and parallel straight slot edges providing means for detachably attaching the trailer to the towing vehicle, c) a second hitch member attached to the trailer, comprising: a pin adapter fixedly attachable to a bottom surface of a hitch box attached to the trailer, said pin adapter providing for preventing rotational pivoting between a fifth wheel assembly and said hitch box when said first hitch member and said second hitch member are hitched to each other, providing for all rotational pivoting between said trailer and said towing vehicle to occur at said effective pivot point, d) said pin adaptor further comprising: a base plate having: i) an aperture for receiving a hitch box pin extending from said hitch box, and ii) a pin adapter pin extending from said base plate, wherein when said hitch box pin is received through said aperture of said base plate said pin adapter pin and said hitch box pin are proximate to each other with their center points positioned along an axis bisecting the length of said slot of said pin slot, said pin adapter pin and said hitch box pin thus positioned for acceptance by said slot of said fifth wheel assembly.