Patent ID: 7040425

Claim:
A powered vehicle ( 10 ) comprising, a frame ( 14 ), first and second drive wheels ( 12 ) coupled to said frame along a horizontal axis ( 16 ), each of said drive wheels designed and arranged to be capable of powered clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation independent of the other, first and second support wheels ( 28 ) mounted to said frame, each of said support wheels designed and arranged to be capable of freewheel rotation about an independent horizontal axis and freewheel swiveling about an independent vertical axis, at least one control mechanism ( 42 , 44 , 46 , 48 ) arranged and designed to control the direction of rotation and the speed of said first and second drive wheels, and a hitch assembly coupled to said frame, disposed generally centered between said first and second drive wheels above said horizontal axis, and designed and arranged to mate with a semi-trailer ( 56 ), said hitch assembly comprising, a fifth wheel plate ( 20 ), an articulating arm ( 22 ) coupled between said fifth wheel plate ( 20 ) and said frame ( 14 ), said arm ( 22 ) designed and arranged to allow said fifth wheel plate to be raised and lowered, and an actuator ( 24 ) coupled between said fifth wheel plate ( 20 ) and said frame ( 14 ) and designed and arranged to raise and lower said fifth wheel plate ( 20 ).