Fifth wheel king-pin latching device for tractor-trailers

Claim 1

IN A FIFTH WHEEL ARRANGEMENT, IN COMBINATION: (A) A FIFTH WHEEL MEMBER FORMED WITH AN ELONGATED RECESS, SAID RECESS HAVING AN INNER END PORTION; (B) A KING PIN MEMBER MOVABLE IN SAID RECESS TOWARD AND AWAY FROM AN OPERATING POSITION IN SAID INNER END PORTION; (C) A LATCH MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID FIFTH WHEEL MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM A LOCKING POSITION IN WHICH SAID LATCH MEMBER RETAINS SAID KING PIN MEMBER IN SAID OPERATING POSITION THEREOF; (D) A LOCKING PIN MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID PLATE MEMBER FOR ROTATION ABOUT AN AXIS TRANSVERSE OF THE DIRECTION OF ELONGATION OF SAID RECESS, AND FOR AXIAL MOVEMENT; AND (E) ECCENTRIC MEANS ON SAID LOCKING PIN MEMBER, SAID ECCENTRIC MEANS BEING ALIGNABLE WITH SAID LATCH MEMBER BY SAID AXIAL MOVEMENT OF SAID LOCKING MEMBER, AND ENGAGED WITH THE ALIGNED LATCH MEMBER FOR URGING THE SAME TOWARD SAID LOCKING POSITION THEREOF WHEN SAID LOCKING PIN MEMBER IS ROTATED ABOUT SAID AXIS IN A PREDETERMINED DIRECTION.