Patent ID: 8573627

Claim:
A fifth wheel hitch support assembly, comprising: at least one support bracket adapted to pivotably support a fifth wheel hitch plate; at least one mounting member adapted to be coupled to a vehicle frame rail to create a gap therebetween and above the frame rail, wherein the gap extends longitudinally along the at least one mounting member, and wherein the at least one mounting member includes a plurality of irregularities spaced longitudinally along a length thereof; and an engagement assembly operably coupled to the at least one support bracket, wherein a portion of the engagement assembly is slidable within the gap and is operable between an engaged position, wherein the engagement assembly engages at least one of the irregularities, thereby locking the at least one support bracket with respect to the at least one mounting member at a select position along the length of the at least one mounting member, and a disengaged position, wherein the engagement assembly does not engage the plurality of irregularities, thereby allowing the at least one support bracket to be slidably repositioned with respect to the at least one support bracket; wherein the plurality of irregularities includes a plurality of apertures; and wherein the at least one mounting member includes an L-shaped angle having a vertically extending leg portion and a horizontally extending leg portion, and wherein the plurality of apertures extend through the vertical leg portion of the L-shaped angle.