Patent US4669748A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4669748A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fifth wheel hitch
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1986-05-19
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Granted: 1987-06-02
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Expires: 2006-05-19
Abstract
Abstract The secured enclosure of the instant invention includes a multi-compartmental enclosure, each compartment having a watertight door. The enclosure includes a powered vent system to provide circulation of air through the enclosure and a hitch receiving well formed in the enclosure for receiving a hitch for attaching a pulled vehicle to the pickup truck frame. The fifth wheel hitch of the invention includes engagement means for engaging a pulling vehicle, a mount for the engagement means, which is shiftable between an extended and retracted position, and an obstruction sensor which is operable to detect an impending impact between the pulling vehicle and the towed vehicle during the hitching process. Warning means are operable with the sensor to alert the operator of the impending impact.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. LeVee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:54
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D53/00; B62D53/04; B62D53/08; B62D53/0807; B62D53/0828
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A fifth wheel hitch for attaching a towed vehicle to a pulling vehicle comprising: pulling vehicle engagement means carried on the towed vehicle for engaging a fifth wheel hitch means mounted on the pulling vehicle; an engagement means mount, shiftable between an extended position and a retracted position; powered adjustable jack means operably mounted on the towed vehicle for adjusting, relative to the pulling vehicle, the height of said engagement means mount; an obstruction sensor operable to detect, as the pulling vehicle and the towed vehicle are closingly moved relative one another, the presence of an obstruction on the pulling vehicle which, with further closing, would impact said engagement means; warning means operable with said sensor to alert the operator of the presence of the obstacle; and towed vehicle level sensing means and leveling circuit means, operable with said powered jack means, to adjust the towed vehicle to a level condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A fifth wheel hitch for attaching a towed vehicle to a pulling vehicle comprising: pulling vehicle engagement means carried on the towed vehicle for engaging a fifth wheel hitch means mounted on the pulling vehicle; an engagement means mount, shiftable between an extended position and a retracted position; powered adjustable jack means operably mounted on the towed vehicle for adjusting, relative to the pulling vehicle, the height of said engagement means mount; an obstruction sensor operable to detect, as the pulling vehicle and the towed vehicle are closingly moved relative one another, the presence of an obstruction on the pulling vehicle which, with further closing, would impact said engagement means; warning means operable with said sensor to alert the operator of the presence of the obstacle; and towed vehicle level sensing means and leveling circuit means, operable with said powered jack means, to adjust the towed vehicle to a level condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The hitch of claim 1 which further includes sensor shifting means, operable with said engagement means mount, to shift said sensor between an operating position and a rest position as said engagement means mount shifts from said retracted position to said extended position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The hitch of claim 2 which further includes a hitch mount, said engagement means mount and said sensor being shiftably attached thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
The hitch of claim 1 wherein said engagement means includes powered activation means therefore; and which further includes a logic circuit operable with said powered activation means, serially, to raise, relative to the pulling vehicle, said engagement means to a predetermined height, to signal the pulling vehicle operator when said engagement means is vertically aligned with the pulling vehicle hitch means, to extend said engagement means mount, and to lock said engagement means to said hitch means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The hitch of claim 1 wherein said engagement means includes a hitch means receiving socket, an engagement sensor to detect the full engagement of said socket and said hitch means, and powered locking means for securing, upon said full engagement, said socket to said hitch means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The hitch of claim said sensor includes a deflectable portion operable to deflect upon impact with an obstruction, said deflectable portion producing a warning signal upon such impact, said warning signal being operable to activate said warning means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
137 words
A fifth wheel hitch for attaching a towed vehicle to a pulling vehicle comprising: pulling vehicle engagement means for engaging a fifth wheel hitch means mounted on the pulling vehicle; an engagement means mount, shiftable between an extended position and a retracted position; an obstruction sensor operable to detect, as the pulling vehicle and the towed vehicle are closingly moved relative one another, the presence of an obstruction on the pulling vehicle which, with further closing, would impact said engagement means; said obstruction sensor including sensor shifting means, operable with said engagement means mount, to shift said sensor between an operating position and a rest position as said engagement means mount shifts from said retracted position to said extended position; and warning means operable with said sensor to alert the operator of the presence of the obstacle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
137 words
A fifth wheel hitch for attaching a towed vehicle to a pulling vehicle comprising: pulling vehicle engagement means for engaging a fifth wheel hitch means mounted on the pulling vehicle; an engagement means mount, shiftable between an extended position and a retracted position; an obstruction sensor operable to detect, as the pulling vehicle and the towed vehicle are closingly moved relative one another, the presence of an obstruction on the pulling vehicle which, with further closing, would impact said engagement means; said obstruction sensor including sensor shifting means, operable with said engagement means mount, to shift said sensor between an operating position and a rest position as said engagement means mount shifts from said retracted position to said extended position; and warning means operable with said sensor to alert the operator of the presence of the obstacle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The hitch of claim 7 which further includes a hitch mount, said engagement means mount and said sensor being shiftably attached thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The hitch of claim 7 which further includes adjustable jack means operably mounted on the towed vehicle for adjusting, relative to the pulling vehicle, the height of said engagement means mount.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The hitch of claim 9 which further includes towed vehicle level sensing means and leveling circuit means, operable with said jack means, to adjust the towed vehicle to a level condition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
The hitch of claim 1 wherein said engagement means includes powered activation means therefore; and which further includes a logic circuit operable with said powered activation means, serially, to raise, relative to the pulling vehicle, said engagement means to a predetermined height, to signal the pulling vehicle operator when said engagement means is vertically aligned with the pulling vehicle hitch means, to extend said engagement means mount, and to lock said engagement means to said hitch means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The hitch of claim 1 wherein said engagement means includes a hitch means receiving socket, an engagement sensor to detect the full engagement of said socket and said hitch means, and powered locking means for securing, upon said full engagement, said socket to said hitch means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The hitch of claim 1 wherein said sensor includes a deflectable portion operable to deflect upon impact with an obstruction, said deflectable portion producing a warning signal upon such impact, said warning signal being operable to activate said warning means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-01 | 1990-12-01 | 1991-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-01 | 1994-12-01 | 1995-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-01 | 1998-12-01 | 1999-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |