Patent ID: 7100933

Claim:
A system to be connected to a vehicle, the vehicle having a fifth wheel plate, comprising: a beam with a rearward portion, a forward portion, and a mid-portion between the rearward and forward portions along a longitudinal dimension, the beam having a surface on the mid-portion configured for placement on top of the fifth wheel plate when the system is in an operational position on the vehicle; a plurality of two-axis joints; a first rigid member having a first end coupled to a first of the two-axis joints and a second end coupled to a second of the two-axis joints, the first of the two-axis joints coupled to the rearward portion of the beam; a second rigid member having a first end coupled to a third of the two-axis joints and a second end coupled to a fourth of the two-axis joints, the third of the two-axis joints coupled to the rearward portion of the beam; a third rigid member having a first end coupled to a fifth of the two-axis joints and a second end coupled to a sixth of the two-axis joints, the fifth of the two-axis joints coupled to the forward portion of the beam; a fourth rigid member having a first end coupled to a seventh of the two-axis joints and a second end coupled to a eighth of the two-axis joints, the seventh of the two-axis joints coupled to the forward portion of the beam; and an engagement assembly coupled to the beam.