GB2128952A

GB2128952A - Fifth wheel kingpin

Info

Publication number: GB2128952A
Application number: GB08325942A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lothar Jakob
Original assignee: Georg Fischer AG
Current assignee: Georg Fischer AG
Priority date: 1982-10-22
Filing date: 1983-09-28
Publication date: 1984-05-10
Also published as: SE8305393D0; DE3333526A1; CH657817A5; NL8303390A; SE458196B; IT1194426B; IT8323258A0; GB8325942D0; GB2128952B; FR2534868A1; IT8323258A1; FR2534868B1; SE8305393L

Abstract

A kingpin 1 for use with a fifth wheel coupling comprises a kingpin head 3, a securing flange 8 secured to the kingpin head, and an annular shoulder 9 adjoining the kingpin head 3 and arranged to reinforce the securement of the securing flange 8 to the kingpin head 3. The annular shoulder 9 adjoins the kingpin head 3 via an annular arcuate portion 6, and the frusto conical surface of the annular shoulder 9 substantially forms a tangential outward extension from said arcuate portion 6. The surface of a receiving plate 12 is provided with recesses 13 of a sufficient depth as to receive wholly the end 11 of a respective fastener 14. This has the advantage that surface-machining of the receiving plate 12 is no longer required, as is the case with known constructions. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fifth wheel kingpin with a receiving plate for a fifth wheel coupling This invention relates to a kingpin for use with a fifth wheel coupling and comprising a kingpin head, a securing flange secured to the kingpin head, and an annular shoulder adjoining the kingpin head and arranged to reinforce the securement of the securing flange to the kingpin head.

In the case of the known and conventional embodiments of fifth wheel kingpins, by far the majority of which have uniform dimensions, the transitional area from the kingpin head to the securing flange is formed only by a relatively small radius. It has been shown that the transitional area-pin head to securing flange is a danger point, which does not stand up to the load tests required by the relevant authorities and does not therefore meet safety requirements. Moreover, DT-Gbm No. 7421 238 discloses a fifth wheel kingpin, which comprises an encircling single- or multistepped shoulder in the transitional area from the pin head to the securing flange.

The disadvantage of this known construction is, in particular, the expenditure involved in manufacturing, since, if the machining work on the upper step is to be avoided, the multi-stepped design requires an uneconomically large die removal slope for the blank.

The saving on machining for the upper step of the reinforcement shoulder is far less than the increase in machining below this area.

The present invention has been developed primarily, though not exclusively, to provide a fifth wheel kingpin with a receiving plate for a fifth wheel coupling, which is able to withstand the necessary load tests at the endangered points with an adequate safety margin, while at the same time maintaining uniform dimensions in the connecting area for the other coupling elements. An advantage in respect of manufacturing may therefore be obtained by more simple machining than in the known construction.

According to the invention there is provided a kingpin for use with a fifth wheel coupling and comprising: a kingpin head; a securing flange secured to the kingpin head; and an annular shoulder adjoining the kingpin head and arranged to reinforce the securement of the securing flange to the kingpin head; in which the annular shoulder adjoins the kingpin head via an annular arcuate portion, and the surface of the annular shoulder substantially forms a tangential outward extension from said arcuate portion.

One embodiment of kingpin for use with a fifth wheel coupling is shown in the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a fifth wheel kingpin 1 which is intended for use with a fifth wheel coupling, and comprises a lower flange or base 5, a central portion 4, and a kingpin head 3. A securing flange 8 is secured to the kingpin head 3, and a receiving plate 1 2 is secured to the securing flange 8 by means of threaded fasteners e.g.

screws or bolts 14. The bolts 1 4 are evenly distributed throughout the perimeter of the securing flange 8, and one end e.g. the head of each bolt 14 is partly counter sunk in recesses 1 5 formed in the securing flange 8 (and also an annular shoulder 9 referred to in more detail below).

An annular shoulder 9 adjoins the kingpin head 3 and is arranged to reinforce the securement of the securing flange 8 to the kingpin head 3. The annular shoulder 9 has an exposed surface which is frusto conical, and which extends outwardly from the kingpin head 3 to the outer periphery 10 of the securing flange 8. The annular shoulder 9 adjoins the kingpin head 3 via an annular arcuate portion 6, and the frusto conical surface 7 of the annular shoulder 9 substantially forms a tangential outward extension from the annular arcuate portion 6. The arcuate portion 6 has a radius of curvature corresponding approximately to 0.1 times the diameter of the kingpin head 3.

The securing flange 8 serves to releasably secure the fifth wheel coupling to the receiving plate 12. The receiving plate 12, which is mounted over the securing flange 8, has recesses 1 3 formed in its surface which are intended to receive entirely grooved heads 11 of the bolts 14. The depth of the recesses 1 3 is selected to correspond approximately to the height of the respective bolt heads 11 received therein. Once assembly has been completed, this produces an even surface for the receiving plate 12, since the surfaces of the bolt heads 11 lie flush with the surface of the receiving plate. In respect of manufacture, this provides the advantage that the surface of the receiving plate 1 2 does not require machining, even in the bearing region of the bolt heads, which has been necessary up to now with known constructions. Accordingly, the receiving plate is made more stable. Further, increased rigidity is produced, in spite of the fact that the structural height remains constant.

The described embodiment of fifth wheel kingpin with a receiving plate provides the advantage in respect of manufacture, that the tangential annular reinforcement shoulder requires less expensive machining work, and machining on the surface of the receiving plate 12 is no longer required.

1. A kingpin for use with a fifth wheel

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Fifth wheel kingpin with a receiving plate for a fifth wheel coupling This invention relates to a kingpin for use with a fifth wheel coupling and comprising a kingpin head, a securing flange secured to the kingpin head, and an annular shoulder adjoining the kingpin head and arranged to reinforce the securement of the securing flange to the kingpin head. In the case of the known and conventional embodiments of fifth wheel kingpins, by far the majority of which have uniform dimensions, the transitional area from the kingpin head to the securing flange is formed only by a relatively small radius. It has been shown that the transitional area-pin head to securing flange is a danger point, which does not stand up to the load tests required by the relevant authorities and does not therefore meet safety requirements. Moreover, DT-Gbm No. 7421 238 discloses a fifth wheel kingpin, which comprises an encircling single- or multistepped shoulder in the transitional area from the pin head to the securing flange. The disadvantage of this known construction is, in particular, the expenditure involved in manufacturing, since, if the machining work on the upper step is to be avoided, the multi-stepped design requires an uneconomically large die removal slope for the blank. The saving on machining for the upper step of the reinforcement shoulder is far less than the increase in machining below this area. The present invention has been developed primarily, though not exclusively, to provide a fifth wheel kingpin with a receiving plate for a fifth wheel coupling, which is able to withstand the necessary load tests at the endangered points with an adequate safety margin, while at the same time maintaining uniform dimensions in the connecting area for the other coupling elements. An advantage in respect of manufacturing may therefore be obtained by more simple machining than in the known construction. According to the invention there is provided a kingpin for use with a fifth wheel coupling and comprising: a kingpin head; a securing flange secured to the kingpin head; and an annular shoulder adjoining the kingpin head and arranged to reinforce the securement of the securing flange to the kingpin head; in which the annular shoulder adjoins the kingpin head via an annular arcuate portion, and the surface of the annular shoulder substantially forms a tangential outward extension from said arcuate portion. One embodiment of kingpin for use with a fifth wheel coupling is shown in the accompanying drawing. Referring to the drawing, there is shown a fifth wheel kingpin 1 which is intended for use with a fifth wheel coupling, and comprises a lower flange or base 5, a central portion 4, and a kingpin head 3. A securing flange 8 is secured to the kingpin head 3, and a receiving plate 1 2 is secured to the securing flange 8 by means of threaded fasteners e.g. screws or bolts 14. The bolts 1 4 are evenly distributed throughout the perimeter of the securing flange 8, and one end e.g. the head of each bolt 14 is partly counter sunk in recesses 1 5 formed in the securing flange 8 (and also an annular shoulder 9 referred to in more detail below). An annular shoulder 9 adjoins the kingpin head 3 and is arranged to reinforce the securement of the securing flange 8 to the kingpin head 3. The annular shoulder 9 has an exposed surface which is frusto conical, and which extends outwardly from the kingpin head 3 to the outer periphery 10 of the securing flange 8. The annular shoulder 9 adjoins the kingpin head 3 via an annular arcuate portion 6, and the frusto conical surface 7 of the annular shoulder 9 substantially forms a tangential outward extension from the annular arcuate portion 6. The arcuate portion 6 has a radius of curvature corresponding approximately to 0.1 times the diameter of the kingpin head 3. The securing flange 8 serves to releasably secure the fifth wheel coupling to the receiving plate 12. The receiving plate 12, which is mounted over the securing flange 8, has recesses 1 3 formed in its surface which are intended to receive entirely grooved heads 11 of the bolts 14. The depth of the recesses 1 3 is selected to correspond approximately to the height of the respective bolt heads 11 received therein. Once assembly has been completed, this produces an even surface for the receiving plate 12, since the surfaces of the bolt heads 11 lie flush with the surface of the receiving plate.In respect of manufacture, this provides the advantage that the surface of the receiving plate 1 2 does not require machining, even in the bearing region of the bolt heads, which has been necessary up to now with known constructions. Accordingly, the receiving plate is made more stable. Further, increased rigidity is produced, in spite of the fact that the structural height remains constant. The described embodiment of fifth wheel kingpin with a receiving plate provides the advantage in respect of manufacture, that the tangential annular reinforcement shoulder requires less expensive machining work, and machining on the surface of the receiving plate 12 is no longer required. CLAIMS

1. A kingpin for use with a fifth wheel coupling and comprising: a kingpin head; a securing flange secured to the kingpin head; and an annular shoulder adjoining the kingpin head and arranged to reinforce the securement of the securing flange to the kingpin head; in which the annular shoulder adjoins the kingpin head via an annular arcuate portion, and the surface of the annular shoulder substantially forms a tangential outward extension from said arcuate portion.

2. A kingpin according to claim 1, in which the surface of the annular shoulder is a frusto conical surface which extends up to the outer periphery of the securing flange.

3. A kingpin according to claim 1 or 2 and including a receiving plate for a fifth wheel coupling which is secured to the securing flange by threaded fasteners, in which the receiving plate has recesses formed therein to receive the fasteners, each recess being of sufficient depth to receive the entirety of an end of a respective fastener.

4. A kingpin according to claim 3, in which the securing flange has counter sunk recesses arranged at least partially to receive an opposite end of a respective fastener.

5. A kingpin according to claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

6. A fifth wheel coupling including a kingpin according to any one of the preceding claims.