Abstract:
A fifth wheel hitch may include a skid plate, and a retention system that is supported by the skid plate. The retention system is also operable to receive a coupling member of a towed vehicle to retain the coupling member within the retention system, where engagement of the coupling member with the retention system selectively positions the retention system in a locked and closed position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/367,702, entitled “Fifth Wheel Hitch Retention System,” filed on Jul. 26, 2010, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to a fifth wheel hitch and, more particularly, to a retention mechanism for a fifth wheel hitch. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The towing industry has developed a number of methods and apparatuses for securing a towed vehicle or trailer to a towing vehicle. For example, hitch balls have been developed to be attached to the bumper or other rear portion of a towing vehicle. A trailer or towed vehicle equipped with a coupler mechanism may be attached to the towing vehicle by placing the coupling mechanism over the hitch ball and securing the coupler to the ball. Similar apparatus using hitch receivers attached to the rear of a towing vehicle and drawbars may be used to secure trailers to towing vehicles. 
         [0004]    Some trailers may be designed to carry heavy loads. Connecting such a trailer to a ball hitch on a bumper of a towing vehicle, however, may be impractical. When a trailer load is heavy when compared to the weight of the towing vehicle, applying the trailer load to the rear of the towing vehicle may cause undesirable towing conditions. In such situations, the trailer may often be secured to a load bed of a towing vehicle, whereby the force of the trailer load is generally applied over or near the rear axle of the towing vehicle to create a potentially more stable towing condition. In addition, such an arrangement may put much of the force of the trailer load onto structural members of the towing vehicle, such as the frame. 
         [0005]    There are generally two arrangements for securing a trailer to the load bed of a towing vehicle—a fifth wheel hitch and a gooseneck hitch. A gooseneck hitch is generally attached to a hitch ball that may be located in the load bed of the towing vehicle. The hitch ball may typically be secured to the frame or load bed of the towing vehicle. A fifth wheel hitch may generally be positioned in a load bed of the towing vehicle and secured either to the load bed or directly to the frame of the towing vehicle. Fifth wheel hitches may generally be attached to the load bed or frame whereby tools may generally be required to remove fasteners and other connectors to install or uninstall a fifth wheel hitch to the load bed of a towing vehicle. 
         [0006]    Typically, a fifth wheel trailer may include a king pin that may be used to couple the trailer to the towing vehicle. Fifth wheel trailers are commonly coupled to towing vehicles that include a load bed, such as a pick-up truck or a flatbed truck. A fifth wheel hitch assembly may be secured in the load bed of the towing vehicle, whereby the king pin of the trailer is commonly coupled to the fifth wheel hitch assembly. 
         [0007]    Fifth wheel hitch assemblies may typically include a support frame for securing the hitch assembly to the load bed of the towing vehicle. The support frame may include a pair of mounting rails, a pair of side brackets, and a head assembly. The mounting rails may be bolted to the load bed or the frame of the towing vehicle. The side brackets may be secured to the mounting rails and the head assembly may be secured to the side brackets. The head assembly may be secured in a manner that allows the head assembly to pivot fore-and-aft with respect to the towing vehicle. 
         [0008]    The head assembly may include a jaw assembly for securing the king pin of the trailer to the towing vehicle. The jaws may be moveable to secure and release the king pin extending from the trailer. The jaws may also be arranged such that an operator may manually toggle the jaws between a position in which the king pin is secured in the jaws and a position in which the king pin is released from the jaws. When the king pin is secured in the jaws, the trailer is secured to the towing vehicle and may be towed by the towing vehicle. When the king pin is released from the jaws, the king pin may be removed from the jaws, decoupling the trailer from the towing vehicle. 
         [0009]    Fifth wheel hitches may normally be arranged such that the king pin is aligned over or near the rear axle and approximately equidistant between the rear wheels of the towing vehicle. Placing the king pin over the rear axle may also provide for sufficient clearance between the front edge of the trailer and the rear edge of the towing vehicle cabin. Such an arrangement may facilitate towing the trailer at operational speeds, such as highway speeds. 
         [0010]    The typical jaw assembly may often require a large vertical space in order to operate. Since these jaw assemblies are not directly locked, the retaining jaws may have a lot of varying movement. Therefore, there is a need to substantially prevent the retaining jaws from varying movement such as through employing a locking device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    A fifth wheel hitch may include a skid plate, and a retention system that is supported by the skid plate. The retention system is also operable to receive a coupling member of a towed vehicle to retain the coupling member within the retention system, where engagement of the coupling member with the retention system selectively positions the retention system in a locked and closed position. 
         [0012]    A fifth wheel hitch may include at least one support frame capable of being secured to a towing vehicle, a skid plate attached to the support frame, and a retention system secured to the skid plate. The retention system may include a handle, a linkage attached to the handle, the linkage permitting rotation of the handle from a first position to a second position while the handle remains fixed about an axis, and a jaw assembly attached to the linkage, where rotation of the handle to the second position permits movement of the jaw assembly to a first jaw position. 
         [0013]    A retention system for a fifth wheel hitch assembly may include a handle, a linkage operatively coupled to the handle, a mounting tube attached to the handle, where the mounting tube is capable of being secured to a skid plate of a fifth wheel hitch assembly. The retention system may also include a jaw assembly operatively coupled to the linkage, and a locking mechanism attached to the handle and in operative communication with the jaw assembly, where the locking mechanism is selectively positionable from locked and unlocked positions. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The operation of the invention may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fifth wheel hitch assembly utilizing a retention system according to the present teachings. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a partially exploded perspective view of the fifth wheel hitch assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the retention system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the retention system of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the retention system of  FIG. 1  in a locked position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the retention system of  FIG. 3  in a locked and closed position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of the retention system taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the retention system of  FIG. 3  in an unlocked and closed position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional side view of the retention system in an unlocked position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the retention system of  FIG. 3  in an unlocked and partially open position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the retention system of  FIG. 3  in an unlocked and open position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional side view of the retention system taken along lines  11 - 11  of  FIG. 4  in a locked position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional side view of the retention system in a partially open position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the respective scope of the invention. Moreover, features of the various embodiments may be combined or altered without departing from the scope of the invention. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0028]    A fifth wheel hitch assembly  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The fifth wheel hitch assembly  10  may be positioned in a load bed of a towing vehicle, such as a truck (not shown), and secured either to the load bed or directly to the frame of the truck below the load bed. Once secured to the towing vehicle, a king pin (not shown) of a towed vehicle or trailer (not shown) may be coupled to the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10 . The fifth wheel hitch assembly  10  may be fabricated out of any appropriate types of materials, such as metal or the like. 
         [0029]    The fifth wheel hitch assembly  10  may include at least one support frame  12 , at least one mounting bracket  14  and at least one cross-member  16 . By way of a non-limiting example, the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10  may include a pair of support frames  12 . The support frames  12  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. By way of a non-limiting example, the support frames  12  may be of a generally curved shape, in a substantially arched shaped, or the like. 
         [0030]    The support frames  12  may be located at any appropriate position on the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10 , such as on each side of the hitch assembly  10 . The support frames  12  may be utilized to secure the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10  to the load bed of the towing vehicle. By way of a non-limiting example, the support frames  12  may be secured to the load bed or the frame of the towing vehicle by any appropriate means, such as with fasteners, or the like. More specifically, the support frames  12  may be secured to rails (not shown) that are attached to the frame (not shown) of the towing vehicle below the load bed. In this embodiment, the rails (not shown) may include a plurality of apertures (not shown) below the load bed and the load bed may include correspondingly shaped and positioned apertures (not shown) such that the apertures of the rails may include a fastening device (not shown) such that the support frames  12  may be secured to the fastening device (not shown). 
         [0031]    Each support frame  12  may be attached to a mounting bracket  14 , whereby the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10  may include a pair of mounting brackets  14 . The mounting brackets  14  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. By way of a no-limiting example, the mounting brackets  14  may be of a general C-shape or three sided square, rectangular shape, or the like. The mounting brackets  14  may be located at any appropriate position on the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10 , such as located above each support frame  12  and adjacent each end of the cross-member  16 . The mounting brackets  14  may be utilized to secure the cross-member  16  to the support frames  12 . 
         [0032]    The cross-member  16  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. By way of a non-limiting example, the skid plate  16  may be of a general horseshoe shape, a substantially semi-circular shape, a substantially curved shaped or the like. The cross-member  16  may be located at any appropriate position on the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10 , such as located between each support frame  12  and mounting bracket  14 . The cross-member  16  may be secured to the mounting brackets  14  by any appropriate means, such as by welding, fasteners, or the like. The cross-member  16  may be utilized to secure a pivot beam  20 . 
         [0033]    The pivot beam  20  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. By way of a non-limiting example, the pivot beam  20  may be of a generally curved or cradle shape, a substantially saddled shape, or any other such shape. The pivot beam  20  may be located at any appropriate position on the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10 , such as located between each support frame  12  and mounting bracket  14  and adjacent the cross-member  16 , an example of which is shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . The pivot beam  20  may be secured to the cross-member  16  by any appropriate means, such as with fasteners or the like. The pivot beam  20  may be utilized to secure a head or skid plate  18 . 
         [0034]    The head or skid plate  18  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. For example, the skid plate  18  may be of a general horseshoe shape, a substantially semi-circular shape, a substantially curved shaped or the like. The skid plate  18  may be located at any appropriate position on the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10 , such as located above the pivot beam  20 . The skid plate  18  may be utilized to engage with the king pin (not shown) of the trailer (not shown). 
         [0035]    The fifth wheel hitch assembly  10  may also include a cover  22 , an example of which is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The cover  22  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration, such as a generally planar horseshoe shape, substantially semi-circular shape, a substantially curved shaped or the like. For example, the cover  22  may be of a substantially similar shape to that of the skid plate  18 . The cover  22  may be located at any appropriate position on the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10 , such as located above the skid plate  18 . 
         [0036]    The fifth wheel hitch assembly  10  may include a retention system  30 . The retention system  30  of the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10  is shown in  FIGS. 2-11 . The retention system  30  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. The retention system  30  may be located at any appropriate position on the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10 , such as located between the pivot beam  20  and the skid plate  18 , an example of which is shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . The retention system  30  may be utilized to engage with the king pin (not shown) of the trailer (not shown). 
         [0037]    The retention system  30  may include a handle  32 , a slider  40  and at least one jaw  42 , which is shown in  FIGS. 3-5 ,  7 ,  9 - 10 . The handle  32  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. By way of a non-limiting example, the handle  32  may be of a general tubular L-shape, a substantially T-shape, or the like. The handle  32  may be located at any appropriate position on the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10 , such as located adjacent the pivot beam  20  and below the skid plate  18 . The handle  32  may be utilized to engage the jaws  42  of the retention system  30 . 
         [0038]    The handle  32  may include a grip  34 . The grip  34  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. By way of a non-limiting example, the grip  34  may be of a general tubular shape similar to that of the handle  32 , such as a general tubular L-shape, a substantially T-shape, or the like. The grip  34  may be located at any appropriate position on the handle  32 , such as at an end of the handle  32 . The grip  34  may provide the user with a comfortable surface to grip the handle  32  when adjusting the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10 , as well as being ergonomically shaped to further attempt to ease the use of the handle  32 . 
         [0039]    The retention system  30  may include a mounting tube  36 . The mounting tube  36  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. By way of a non-limiting example, the mounting tube  36  may be of a generally acircular cross-sectional shape, such as for example a generally square tubular shape in cross-section. The mounting tube  36  may be located at any appropriate position on the retention system  30 , such as located on the handle  32  adjacent or opposite that of an end of the handle  32 . The mounting tube  36  may be utilized to secure the retention system  30  to the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10 . The square mounting tube  36  may also maintain the handle  32  in locked and unlocked positions. A detent mechanism may allow for axial movement of handle  32  relative to the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10 . 
         [0040]    The retention system  30  may also include a linkage  38 , an example of which is shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  5 ,  7 ,  9  and  10 . The linkage  38  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. By way of a non-limiting example, the linkage  38  may be of a generally cylindrical shape, although it should not be limited to such. The linkage  38  may be located at any appropriate position on the retention system  30 , such as located between the handle  32  and the mounting tube  36 . The linkage  38  may be utilized to connect or secure the handle  32  and the mounting tube  36  together. 
         [0041]    The linkage  38  may include a post  39 . The post  39  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally smaller cylindrical shape than that of the linkage  38 . The post  39  may extend outward from the linkage  38 . The post  39  may be utilized to connect or secure the linkage  38 , and thereby the handle  32  and slider  40  together. 
         [0042]    The slider  40  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. By way of a non-limiting example, the slider  40  may be of a generally curved shape. The slider  40  may be located at any appropriate position on the retention system  30 , such as located adjacent the handle  32  and linkage  38 . The slider  40  may be utilized to engage with the jaw  42 . The slider  40  may allow for relative rotation of the handle  32 , while remaining axially fixed about an axis A. 
         [0043]    The retention system  30  may include any appropriate number of jaws  42 , such as, for example, a pair of jaws  42 . By way of a non-limiting example, the retention system  30  may include a first jaw  42  and a second jaw  44 . The jaws  42 ,  44  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. By way of a non-limiting example, the jaws  42 ,  44  may be of a general curved or claw shape or the like. The jaws  42 ,  44  may be located at any appropriate position on the retention system  30 , such as located adjacent the slider  40  and handle  32 . The jaws  42 ,  44  may be utilized to engage with the king pin (not shown) of the trailer (not shown). 
         [0044]    The first jaw  42  may be secured to the slider  40  by any appropriate means, such as with fasteners or the like. By way of a non-limiting example, the first jaw  42  may be secured to the linkage  40  with a pin  64 , such as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  5 ,  7 ,  9  and  10 . The pin  64  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. The pin  64  may be utilized to secure the slider  40  to the first jaw  42 , whereby use of the handle  32  may operate the first jaw  42 . The slider  40  may allow for relative rotation of the handle  32 , whereby the slider  40  may also move axially with the handle  32 . In this manner, axially movement of the handle  32  may cause the jaws  42 ,  44  to open. Slider  40  may pivot on post  39  and pin  64 . 
         [0045]    Each jaw  42 ,  44  may include a flipper  46 . The flippers  46  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. By way of a non-limiting example, the flippers  46  may be of a general fan shape or the like. The flippers  46  may be located at any appropriate position on the retention system  30 , such as located adjacent the first and second jaws  42 ,  44 . 
         [0046]    Each flipper  46  may include a plurality of gear teeth  48 . The gear teeth  48  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. By way of a non-limiting example, the gear teeth  48  may be of a general pointed shape. The gear teeth  48  may be located at any appropriate position on the retention system  30 , such as located on an end of the flipper  46 . 
         [0047]    The gear teeth  48  of one flipper  46  may be utilized to engage with the gear teeth  48  of the other flipper  46 , whereby the jaws  42 ,  44  may be gear  48  driven. By way of a non-limiting example, the gear teeth  48  of the flippers  46  may be intermeshed with one another to control relative movement of the retention system  30 . The flippers  46  and gear teeth  48  may be integrally formed with the jaws  42 ,  44  or may be separate components that may be attached to the jaws  42 ,  44  in a subsequent operation. 
         [0048]    The flippers  46  may be secured to the jaws  42 ,  44  by any appropriate means, such as with fasteners or the like. By way of a non-limiting example, each jaw  42 ,  44  may be secured to the flippers  46  with a pin  50 . The pin  50  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. The pin  50  may be utilized to secure the flippers  46  to the first and second jaws  42 ,  44 . The jaws  42 ,  44  may each pivot around their respective pin  50 . Flippers  46  may rotate with their associated jaws  42 ,  44 . 
         [0049]    The retention system  30  may include a locking mechanism  54 . The locking mechanism  54  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. By way of a non-limiting example, the locking mechanism  54  may be of a general rectangular shape or the like. The locking mechanism  54  may be located at any appropriate position on the retention system  30 , such as located on the mounting tube  36  and adjacent the linkage  38 . 
         [0050]    The retention system  30  may allow for the direct locking of one or both jaws  42 ,  44  with the locking mechanism  54 . By way of a non-limiting example, the locking mechanism  54  may be utilized to engage with the second jaw  44 . The locking mechanism  54  may be directly supported by the skid plate  18  structure. 
         [0051]    The second jaw  44  may include a notch  66 . The notch  66  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. By way of a non-limiting example, the notch  66  may be of a generally rectangular shape or the like. The notch  66  may be located at any appropriate position on the second jaw  44 , such as located at an end of the second jaw  44  and adjacent the locking mechanism  54 . The notch  66  may be utilized to engage with the locking mechanism  54  while the retention system  30  is in a closed and locked position; an example of which is shown in  FIGS. 1-6  and  11 . 
         [0052]    The retention system  30  may include at least one spring  52 . By way of a non-limiting example, the retention system  30  may include a pair of springs  52 . The springs  52  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. The springs  52  may be located at any appropriate position on the retention system  30 , such as located adjacent the jaws  42 ,  44 . The springs  52  may be utilized to bias each jaw  42 ,  44  to a closed position. 
         [0053]    In use, while the retention system  30  is in the “locked” position, the locking mechanism  54  may be in plane with the second jaw  44 , such as engaged with the notch  66 , thereby restricting movement.  FIG. 5  shows the retention system  30  in the locked position, with only one of the jaws restricted, however, it is to be understood that both jaws  42 ,  44  may be locked. 
         [0054]    To open the retention system  30 , the handle  32  may be rotated approximately ninety degrees upward, such as in the views depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , to the “unlocked” position. This thereby moves the locking mechanism  54  out of the path of the second jaw  44  and may enable the handle  32  to be moved axially and the retention system  30  opened. The handle  32  may be rotated about the axis A, which is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . While it is shown that the handle  32  may be rotated upward, it may alternatively be rotated in any direction by any suitable amount and should not be limited to that shown and described herein. 
         [0055]    The skid plate  18  may include at least one protrusion  56 . By way of a non-limiting example, the skid plate  18  may include a pair of protrusions  56 . The protrusions  56  may be of any appropriate shape or size. These protrusions  56  may extend approximately perpendicularly out from the skid plate  18  towards the load bed of the vehicle. These protrusions  56  may form a channel  58  located therein. 
         [0056]    The channel  58  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. By way of a non-limiting example, the channel  58  may be of a generally rectangular shape. The channel  58  may be located at any appropriate position on the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10 , such as located on an underside of the skid plate  18 , which is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 . When the handle  32  is rotated ninety degrees (or the appropriate amount) and initially moved axially, the locking mechanism  54  may be retained within the channel  58 , thereby not allowing the handle  32  to be rotated through for the full axial opening stroke. In this manner, channel  58  may limit the rotation of handle  32  to a range of axial positions. 
         [0057]    The skid plate  18  may also include a boss  60 . The boss  60  may be of any appropriate shape or size. The boss  60  may extend approximately perpendicularly out from the skid plate  18  towards the load bed of the vehicle. The boss  60  may house a spring  62 . The spring  62  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration, such as a compression spring  62 . 
         [0058]    The compression spring  62  may be located at any appropriate position on the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10 , such as within the boss  60 . The compression spring  62  may, bias, push or cam against the mounting tube  36 , thereby providing a positive reaction toward the open or closed position. 
         [0059]    As an alternative, there may also be built in guides to keep the stop out of the retention system  30  when the king pin (not shown) is engaging or disengaging the fifth wheel hitch assembly  10 , thereby preventing any unwanted rotation of the handle  32  while the king pin (not shown) is in the process of engaging or disengaging from the hitch assembly  10 . 
         [0060]    The jaws  42 ,  44  may self-close when the king pin (not shown) comes into contact with the jaws  42 ,  44 . By way of a non-limiting example, to unlock the jaws  42 ,  44  the handle  32  may be rotated approximately ninety degrees about axis A. Once the jaws  42 ,  44  are unlocked, but still closed, the king pin (not shown) may push the jaws  42 ,  44  open, as the jaws  42 ,  44  may be spring loaded. Once the king pin enters the jaws  42 ,  44 , the jaws  42 ,  44  may shut around the king pin(not shown), whereby the handle  32  may be rotated in the opposite direction about the axis A down to lock the jaws  42 ,  44 . During this engagement, the king pin (not shown) may enter into or above the intermeshed gear teeth  48 . The retention system  30  may operate even in an unlocked but closed position, whereby the king pin (not shown) may not be released from the jaws  42 ,  44 . 
         [0061]    Although the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the invention described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter. The claims as follows are intended to include all modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof.