Patent ID: 8690179

Claim:
A fifth wheel coupling for coupling a tractor unit to a semitrailer, said fifth wheel coupling comprising: an engagement element for mounting on the semitrailer, said engagement element including a coupling ball, and a fifth wheel plate for mounting on the tractor unit, said fifth wheel plate being configured to receive the engagement element and including a ball cup, said fifth wheel plate comprising a hold-down element which is movable from a release position to a holding position, said hold-down element having a contact region for contacting the coupling ball, when the hold-down element is in the holding position and the coupling ball is located in the ball cup, and being mounted for rotation about a first bearing point; a fixing element to secure the hold-down element in the holding position at a second bearing point; an actuating device constructed for actuation of the fixing element and being movable between a fixing position, a loose position, and a ready position; and an apparatus for moving the actuating device from the loose position into the ready position when the hold-down element is moved from the holding position to the release position.