Patent ID: 7654553
Filing Date: 2010-02-02
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. Fifth wheel coupling for coupling sections of an articulated vehicle comprising a main plate defining a keyhole slot for receiving a kingpin, said keyhole slot terminating in a coupling aperture, a locking mechanism for locking the kingpin in the aperture to thereby couple said sections, and a safety latch mounted in said keyhole slot and movable from an inactive position permitting said kingpin to move through said slot and into said aperture to an active position blocking said keyhole slot thereby preventing movement of the kingpin through the keyhole slot, and a safety latch operating mechanism for moving the safety latch from the active to the inactive position to permit movement of the kingpin out of said keyhole slot to thereby permit uncoupling of the sections, said safety latch operating mechanism including a cam part mounted for movement relative to said main plate, said safety latch operating mechanism for forcing said cam part into engagement with a corresponding surface on said safety latch to urge the safety latch from said active to said inactive position.