Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-26
2001-11-27
Rice, Kenneth R. (Department: 2167)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
C280S504000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322093
ABSTRACT:
DESCRIPTION
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to a fifth wheel assembly for coupling an over-the-road truck tractor to a semi-trailer, and more particularly to an improved double shear kingpin attachment means for anchoring a kingpin to a trailer beraing plate.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventionally, truck tractors have been coupled to a semi-trailer by a coupling device commonly referred to as a “fifth wheel”. Accordingly, the truck tractor has a “fifth wheel” comprising a substantially round flat plate positioned in a substantially horizontal plane to form a tractor bearing surface. The semi-trailer includes a kingpin extending downwardly to locate and seat with the locking mechanism in the fifth wheel of the tractor. The trailer further includes a trailer bearing surface to match the tractor bearing surface. Once coupled, the tractor and trailer can pivot about the kingpin to permit the truck and trailer to articulate when turning. Because the tractor bearing plate necessarily bears a large portion of the trailer weight, much friction between the two bearing surfaces is developed. This friction adversely affects vehicle handling, increases tire wear, fatigues the driver, impairs safety and causes premature wear and damage to the truck and trailer chassis and their related components.
To reduce this friction, a lubricant such as grease has been placed between the truck tractor and semi-trailer upper coupler assembly. However, it is difficult to maintain a satisfactory layer of grease between the two bearing surfaces, thus requiring the grease to be often replenished. In addition, grease is environmentally unfriendly and very messy, attracts dirt and falls from the tractor to the road surface, thus becoming a hazard to vehicles. Further, as the grease dissipates, the handling and performance characteristics of the truck tractor and semi-trailer deteriorate such that oversteer is experienced creating an unsafe condition.
To eliminate the need for a layer of grease, ball and roller bearings have been utilized to permit the tractor bearing surface itself to rotate. However such coupling devices are relatively complex, expensive, heavy, difficult to maintain and commercially unacceptable.
Additionally, when pulling an empty trailer, especially one of today's lightweight aluminum trailers, the trailer bearing surface tends to bounce on the tractor bearing surface. This vibration is transmitted into the tractor cab, further adding to the fatigue and discomfort of the driver. Likewise, metal fatigue to the truck tractor and semi-trailer increases.
The friction also leads to wear on the kingpin. While other components of the trailer bearing are lubricated, the kingpin experiences wear from the pulling and turning by the tractor. The kingpin is often difficult to replace because it is welded in place or bolts which hold the kingpin in place are difficult or impossible to reach.
Furthermore, pulling, turning, and changing directions exert a great deal of force on the trailer bearing. Under the force of the loaded trailer and the tractor, the trailer bearing will often fail. This could lead to lost loads and accidents.
Most methods of producing the trailer bearing plate consist of a series of plates and attachments methods such as welds, bolts, or rivets. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 2,665,177 to Schaefer is directed toward a trailer bearing. The trailer bearing comprises a lubricant retainer. The kingpin is riveted to an upper plate. U.S. Pat. No. 2,958,541 to Bär describes a replaceable kingpin mounting. The mounting comprises a pair of plates and a plurality of bolts. One plate has an opening for accepting the kingpin. The second plate has a recess for accepting the kingpin. The plates are welded together, and the bolts hold the kingpin to the second plate. U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,281 to Poirier is directed to a trailer bearing comprising a rotatable kingpin. The kingpin is mounted within a housing to allow rotation.
The present invention is provided to solve the problems stated herein as well as other problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, a novel trailer plate assembly for semi-trailers has been developed for a truck tractor fifth wheel. The trailer bearing plate assembly includes a housing adapted to be securely attach to an underside of a trailer. The trailer bearing plate assembly further includes a plurality of spaced reinforcement beams. The reinforcement beams extend between a first pair of opposing end walls. Each reinforcement beam is attached at either end to the first pair of opposing end walls and an upper surface of an upper coupling plate portion of the housing.
A pair of spaced longitudinal supports extend between the reinforcement beams. The longitudinal supports are fixedly attached at their ends to the reinforcement beams and along their length to the upper coupling plate. In combination, the arrangement of the longitudinal supports and the reinforcement beams form a sub-housing for receiving a double shear plane attachment means for connecting a kingpin to the housing.
The double shear attachment means comprises a back plate, an intermediate, receiver, or reinforcement plate, and a plurality of pins working in combination with the upper coupling plate and the kingpin to fixedly secure the kingpin within the sub-housing.
A conventional kingpin passes through an opening in the upper coupling plate. The kingpin includes a flanged portion positioned against the upper surface of the upper coupling plate. The flanged portion includes a plurality of radial bolt holes. The upper coupling plate has an equal number of countersunk locking holes. When positioned correctly, the radial bolt holes of the flange are aligned with the countersunk locking holes the upper coupling plate.
The receiver plate is positioned within the sub-housing in communication with the upper surface of the upper coupling plate. The receiver plate includes a portal for receiving the flanged portion of the kingpin. The receiver plate further includes a plurality of first threaded pin receivers.
The back plate is positioned within the sub-housing in communication with the receiver plate. The back plate includes a plurality of radial apertures. When positioned properly, the radial apertures are aligned with the radial bolt holes of the flange and the countersunk locking holes of the upper coupling plate. A set of countersunk head bolts of sufficient length to pass through the countersunk locking holes in the upper coupling plate, the radial bolt holes in the flange, and radial apertures of the back plate along with a corresponding number of nuts anchor the back plate with the kingpin and the upper coupling plate.
The back plate also includes a plurality of second threaded pin receivers. The second threaded pin receivers are aligned with the first threaded pin receivers of the receiver plate. Threaded bolts fixedly attach the back plate to the receiver plate.
The present invention may be retro-fitted to any existing semi-trailer or provided as an original equipment feature. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
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Athans George C.
Athans Leonidas C.
Cuff Michael
Direct Dimensions Inc.
Rice Kenneth R.
Wallenstein & Wagner Ltd.
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