Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-04
2001-10-16
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
C296S035300, C239S661000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302423
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to trucks in general and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for modifying a truck with a fifth wheel.
2. Description of Related Art
As is commonly known, a tractor trailer is an articulated truck having a powered tractor or truck pivotably connected to a trailer for holding goods. The truck includes a chassis supported on front and rear wheels respectively mounted to a front axle and one or two rear axles. A cab for housing a driver is mounted on the chassis, as is a large diesel engine for powering the truck. Typically, a lockable latching mechanism called a “fifth wheel” is mounted to the chassis so as to be positioned above the rear wheels. The fifth wheel usually includes a large top plate pivotably connected to a base plate secured to the chassis. The top plate is generally horseshoe-shaped and includes a center slot or throat for receiving a downwardly-extending kingpin of a trailer.
Due to the heavy loads they must pull, trucks are large and expensive pieces' of equipment. Since a truck represent a large capital investment, it is desirable to use a truck in as efficient a manner as possible. The efficiency with which a truck can be utilized, however, is currently limited because a truck is typically used only to pull a trailer due to the presence of the fifth wheel.
Based on the foregoing it would be desirable to provide a method and apparatus for more efficiently using a truck with a fifth wheel. The present invention is directed to such a method and apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It therefore would be desirable, and is an advantage of the present invention, to provide a mounting structure for supporting a device above a fifth wheel on a chassis of a truck. The mounting structure includes a pair of spaced-apart brackets. Each of the brackets includes a pair of mounting plates secured to opposing end portions of a girder or I-beam. The mounting plates each have an attachment portion extending at a substantially right angle from the girder. The attachment portion is adapted for mounting to opposing side walls of the chassis. The girders each have a height at least as high as the fifth wheel. A pair of bars are also provided. Each of the bars has an end portion secured to the girder of one of the brackets and an opposing end portion secured to the girder of the other one of the brackets. The bars are secured to the brackets such that the brackets and the bars form a frame adapted to extend around and above the fifth wheel.
Also provided in accordance with the present invention is a truck having a cab mounted to a chassis. A fifth wheel is mounted to the chassis, rearward of the cab. A mounting structure is secured to the chassis. The mounting structure has an upper surface disposed at least as high as the top of the fifth wheel, and a pair of brackets are disposed on opposing sides of the fifth wheel. A device is at least partially supported on the upper surface of the mounting structure, above the fifth wheel.
Also provided in accordance with the present invention is a method of modifying a truck having a chassis with a fifth wheel mounted thereto. In accordance with the method, a mounting structure is provided having an upper surface and a pair of brackets. A device to be carried by the truck is also provided. The mounting structure is secured to the chassis of the truck such that the fifth wheel is disposed between the brackets and the upper surface is disposed at least as high as the top of the fifth wheel. The device is placed on the mounting structure such that the device is at least partially supported on the upper surface of the mounting structure, above the fifth wheel.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4078818 (1978-03-01), Donnelly
patent: 4456414 (1984-06-01), Williams
patent: 4662670 (1987-05-01), Kemner
patent: 4702510 (1987-10-01), Davis
patent: 4767063 (1988-08-01), Wall et al.
patent: 4969690 (1990-11-01), Smith
patent: 5765849 (1998-06-01), Moulton et al.
patent: 5785485 (1998-07-01), Hall
patent: 6036428 (2000-03-01), Kooima
patent: 4222627 (1993-05-01), None
Johnson Brian L.
Rankin, Hill Porter & Clark LLP
Yeagley Daniel
LandOfFree
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