Abstract:
A precision, light weight, high strength hitch for coupling a trailer or other vehicle to a towing vehicle. The hitch includes a mounting ball attached to a portion of the trailer or other vehicle and a ball socket attached to the towing vehicle. The mounting ball and the ball socket have compatible surfaces that permit seating of the two components regardless of the axial, transverse or longitudinal angular or rotational orientation of the two vehicles.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to technologies for attaching vehicles via a fifth wheel hitch system. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for coupling a trailer or other vehicle to a towing vehicle via a fifth wheel hitch configuration, regardless of the angular relationship between the trailer and the towing vehicle. 
     2. Background and Related Art 
     Fifth wheel hitch designs include a coupling device mounted to the towing vehicle, and a compatible coupling pin or king pin located on the trailer. The fifth wheel hitch connection is made by carefully aligning the king pin and the coupling device such that the king pin engages the coupling device. 
     Many difficulties exist with current fifth wheel hitch systems. For example, the process of properly aligning the king pin and the coupling device requires that the trailer and the towing vehicle be generally aligned in the same horizontal and vertical planes. This process of aligning can be quite complicated, especially where terrain upon which the vehicles are located is uneven or otherwise non-ideally situated. Thus, a consumer is limited in when and where the hitch system can be used. 
     Additionally, current fifth wheel hitch designs are based upon commercial needs by the trucking industry and are therefore ill-suited for recreational use by average consumers. Thus, where a consumer desires the use of a fifth wheel hitch system, the consumer is required to inconveniently modify their towing vehicle to incorporate heavy and bulky equipment ideally suited for semi trucks or other commercial grade vehicles. These modifications and systems are expensive, bulky and difficult to setup and remove. As such, the consumer is dissuaded from removing the system from their towing vehicle consequently losing alternative uses of their towing vehicle due to the presence of the fifth wheel hitch equipment. 
     Thus, while fifth wheel hitch systems and techniques currently exist, challenges still exist. Accordingly, it would be an improvement in the art to augment or even replace current techniques with other techniques. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to technologies for attaching vehicles via a fifth wheel hitch system. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for coupling a trailer or other vehicle to a towing vehicle via a fifth wheel hitch configuration, regardless of the angular relationship between the trailer and the towing vehicle. 
     Implementation of the present invention takes place in association with a fifth wheel hitch system including a base member and a pin box. The base member is generally pyramid shaped and attaches to the towing vehicle with a series of bolts or other fastening devices. The base member further includes a receiving feature located at the apex of the base. The receiving feature is compatibly designed to receive a modified king pin located on the pin box of the trailer. The king pin is modified to be encased within a spherical mounting ball. The mounting ball is compatibly designed to encase the king pin and provide a uniform, spherical surface to the king pin. 
     The circumference of the mounting ball is selected to fit compatibly within a spherical or concave surface of the receiving feature of the base member. The spherical shapes of the mounting ball and the receiving feature allow the mounting ball and the receiving feature to achieve coupling regardless of the angular relationship of the trailer and the towing vehicle. As such, the fifth wheel system of the present invention permits coupling and uncoupling of the system for a variety of terrains and conditions not currently possible with current fifth wheel hitch systems. 
     While the methods and processes of the present invention have proven to be particularly useful in the area of towing and hauling, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the methods and processes can be used in a variety of different applications and in a variety of different areas of manufacture to yield functionally equivalent results. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the manner in which the above recited and other features and advantages of the present invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that the drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present invention and are not, therefore, to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, the present invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectioned side view of a representative embodiment of the present system in a coupled configuration; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectioned three-quarters view of a representative embodiment of the present system in an uncoupled configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a coupled configuration of the system of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a representative embodiment of the present system in a coupled configuration; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a representative embodiment of the present system in an uncoupled configuration; and 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectioned view of a representative embodiment of the present system in a coupled configuration including a suspension system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to technologies for attaching vehicles via a fifth wheel hitch system. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for coupling a trailer or other vehicle to a towing vehicle via a fifth wheel hitch configuration, regardless of the angular relationship between the trailer and the towing vehicle. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a cross-sectioned view of an implementation of the current invention is shown. The fifth wheel hitch system  10  comprises a base  20  and a pin box  30 . The fifth wheel hitch system  10  generally comprises materials that are compatible with the extreme conditions inherent in towing and hauling activities. For example, extreme masses and forces are applied to both the base  20  and the pin box  30  during towing activities. As such, materials having high tensile strength are preferred for use with the current system  10 . Additionally, lightweight materials having high tensile strength are further preferred so as to reduce the overall weight of the current system  10  while maintaining the strength required by towing activities. For example, in one embodiment the pin box  30  comprises steel while the base  20  comprises an aluminum alloy, or carbon steel. 
     The pin box  30  is an extended portion of a trailer  90  or other vehicle configured to extend proximally towards the base  30  of the towing vehicle  100 . The pin box  30  comprises a neck portion  32 , a bottom plate  34 , and a king pin  36 . The neck portion  32  is commonly referred to as a “gooseneck” and attaches directly to a frame  92  or other structurally sound surface of the trailer  90 . The bottom plate  34  is fixedly attached to a terminal end  38  of the pin box  30  and provides a solid attaching surface for the king pin  36 . The king pin  36  comprises a solid or partially solid cylindrical post configured to compatibly engage a receiving feature  22  of the base  20 . Typically, the king pin  36  is directly coupled to a receiving feature  22  of the base  20 . However, the king pin  36  of the present invention is compatibly configured to be encased within a mounting ball  50  prior to engaging the receiving feature  22  of the base  20 . As such, the mounting ball  50  provides a uniform, spherical surface to the king pin  36  thereby simplifying the alignment and coupling of the pin box  30  and the base  20 . 
     The mounting ball  50  comprises an aluminum alloy or another suitable material. For example, in one embodiment the mounting ball comprises a non-corrosive, durable material. The mounting ball  50  is generally spherical and further comprises a cavity  52  for receiving the king pin  36 . Additionally, the mounting ball  50  may include any feature necessary to enable the mounting ball  50  to securely retain the king pin  36 . For example, in one embodiment the mounting ball  50  is secured to the king pin  36  via one or more fasteners such as bolts. In another embodiment, the mounting ball  50  is provided in two opposing halves. In this embodiment, the two halves are positioned around the king pin  36  and then affixed to one another via two or more fasteners. Alternatively, the mounting cavity  52  of the mounting ball  50  may include a set of threads or other feature for mechanically attaching to the outer surface of the king pin  36  without the need of a fastener. For example, in one embodiment the inner surface of the mounting  52  is modified to include a groove or channel  54  for accommodating a partially retained bearing  40  of the king pin  36 . In this embodiment, the bearing  40  moves within the channel  54  easily, but requires significant force to be removed from the channel  54 . As such, the king pin  36  is retained within the mounting ball  50  during the normal conditions of use. 
     The base  20  of the hitch system  10  is directly attached to a portion of the towing vehicle  100  via an appropriate fastener  96 . The base  20  comprises a flange  42  through which the appropriate fastener  96  is inserted. In one embodiment, the base  20  is directly attached to the frame  102  of a truck via a nut and bolt fastener  96  system. The base  20  is generally box-shaped and configured to stably mount to the towing vehicle  100  and support the weight of the trailer  90  or other vehicle being towed. In one embodiment, the base  20  is generally pyramid shaped having a wider footing  80  and a narrower apex  82 . In another embodiment, the base  20  comprises a truncated pyramid or frustum shape wherein the apex  82  is cut in a plane parallel to the plane of the footing  80 , as best illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     The apex  82  of the base  20  houses a receiving feature  22  of the hitch system  10 . The receiving feature  22  of the base  20  is fixedly attached to the apex  82  of the base  20  and comprises the upper portion  24  of the base  20 . The receiving feature  22  is the portion of the base  20  that directly receives the king pin  36  of the pin box  30 . As such, the receiving feature  22  is comprised of materials suitable to withstand the stresses and opposing forces between the pin box  30  and the base  20 . Referring now to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the receiving feature  22  comprises a top half  26  and a bottom half  28 . The top half  26  and the bottom half  28  are configured to compatibly engage one another, and are secured to one another by at least one pin  60  or other locking mechanism. The top half  26  is configured to seat within a docking portion  64  of the bottom half  28 . The top half  26  further comprises an interlocking flange  66  compatibly configured to engage an interlocking channel  68  of the bottom half  28 . Once engaged, a pin  60  is inserted through a port  70  of the interlocking channel  68 , thereby securing the interlocking flange  66  within the interlocking channel  68 . Thus, the top half  26  and the bottom half  28  are secured to one another via the interactions of the interlocking flange  66 , the interlocking channel  68  and the interposing pin  60 . 
     The receiving feature  22  is further distinguished as comprising a concave, spherical surface  56  compatibly configured to receive the mounting ball  50  of the pin box  30 . In one embodiment, the spherical surface  56  is divided into a first half  74  and a second half  76 , each half located on, and corresponding to one of the top half  26  and bottom half  28  of the receiving feature  22 . As such, the spherical surface  56  serves as a socket in compatibly receiving and retaining the mounting ball  50 . As so retained, the mounting ball  50  is permitted to freely rotate within the receiving feature  22  in any direction. In one embodiment, a low-friction coating or material is applied to the spherical surface  56  to further provide unrestricted movement of the mounting ball  50  within the receiving feature  22 . In another embodiment, a low-friction, self-lubricating coating or material is applied to the spherical surface  56  and the mounting ball  50  outer surface to further provide unrestricted movement of the mounting ball  50  within the receiving feature  22 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-5 , embodiments of the present system  10  are illustrated. Specifically, the components of the current invention are shown as engaged and disengaged from one another. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the hitch system  10  is shown in a disengaged configuration. Of particular note is the location of the top half  26  of the receiving feature  22  with respect to the remainder of the receiving feature  22 . The top half  26  is located adjacent to the mounting ball  50 , or more specifically is interposed between the top of the mounting ball  50  and the bottom plate  34  of the pin box  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the top half  26  of the receiving feature  22  is rotatably positioned as a collar around the exposed shaft of the king pin  36 . As such, the first half  74  of the spherical surface  56  is supported by an upper portion of the mounting ball  50  thereby preventing the removal of the top half  26  without removal of the mounting ball  50  from the king pin  36 . Thus, the top half  26  of the receiving feature  22  is generally associated with the pin box  30  of the hitch system  10  as assembled. 
     The mounting ball  50  and the spherical surface  56  are selected to be of compatible shape and dimension. As such, the specific dimensions of the components  50  and  56  may vary as needed by system  10 . In one embodiment, the mounting ball  50  and the spherical surface  56  each comprise a diameter of approximately 127 mm. The spherical contours of the mounting ball  50  and the concave surface  56  permit successful coupling of the trailer  90  to the towing vehicle  100  regardless of their angular relationship. For example, in one embodiment successful coupling is achieved where the angular relationship of the trailer  90  to the towing vehicle  100  is greater than 180°. In another embodiment, successful coupling is achieved where the angular relationship of the trailer  90  to the towing vehicle  100  is less than 180°. In another embodiment, successful coupling is achieved where the trailer  90  is in a first rotational axis and the towing vehicle is in a second rotational axis. In another embodiment, successful coupling is achieved where the trailer is in a first rotational axis, the towing vehicle is in a second rotational axis, and the angular relationship of the trailer  90  to the towing vehicle is less than or greater than 180°. 
     The trailer  90  and the towing vehicle  100  are coupled as the mounting ball  50  is secured within the receiving feature  22 . This is accomplished by first generally aligning the mounting ball  50  of the pin box  30  in the same vertical plane as the receiving feature  22  of the base  20 . Once generally aligned, the mounting ball  50  is lowered into the bottom or second half  76  of the spherical surface  56  of the receiving feature  22 . Once engaged, one or more pins  60  are inserted into the port  70  of the interlocking channel  68  thereby securing the top half  26  of the receiving feature  22  to the bottom half  28 . Once secured, the mounting ball  50  is retained within the receiving feature  22  thereby coupling the trailer  90  to the towing vehicle  100 . 
     One of skill in the art will appreciate that the hitch system  10  of the current invention may be modified to include other features commonly known in the art of towing and hauling. Referring to  FIG. 6 , for example, in one embodiment the base  120  is modified to include a suspension system  150 . The base  120  is further modified to include a suspension compartment  130  for housing the suspension system  150  and the receiving feature  122 . The receiving feature  122  is slidably retained within the suspension compartment  130  via a system of retaining clips  140  and retaining brackets  142 . Additionally, the receiving feature  122  is attached to the suspension compartment  130  via the suspension system  150 . As such, the receiving feature  122  is retained within the suspension compartment  130  and oscillates within the suspension compartment  130  via the suspension system  150 . 
     The suspension system  150  may include any form of suspension compatible with the demands and conditions inherent in towing and hauling activities. In one embodiment, the suspension system  150  comprises gas and oil shocks. In another embodiment, the suspension system  150  comprises spring or elastomeric shocks. In yet another embodiment, the suspension system  150  comprises an air bag. In a final embodiment, the suspension system  150  comprises a combination of multiple forms of suspension. For each embodiment, the base  120  and receiving feature  122  are modified and adapted as required to incorporate successfully the selected form or forms of suspension. 
     Thus, as discussed herein, the embodiments of the present invention embrace technologies and methods for attaching vehicles via a hitched configuration, regardless of the angular relationship between the vehicles. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.