US 12,084,129 B2
Fifth wheel hitch isolation system
Richard W. McCoy, Granger, IN (US); and Eric J. Stanifer, Mishawaka, IN (US)
Assigned to HOPKINS GLOBAL AMERICAS INC., Plymouth, MI (US)
Filed by HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC., Plymouth, MI (US)
Filed on Jan. 23, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/100,020.
Application 18/100,020 is a continuation of application No. 16/879,907, filed on May 21, 2020, granted, now 11,560,187.
Application 16/879,907 is a continuation of application No. 15/456,626, filed on Mar. 13, 2017, granted, now 10,661,846, issued on May 26, 2020.
Application 15/456,626 is a continuation of application No. 13/190,878, filed on Jul. 26, 2011, granted, now 9,592,863, issued on Mar. 14, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/367,695, filed on Jul. 26, 2010.
Prior Publication US 2023/0406423 A1, Dec. 21, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B62D 53/08 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 53/0885 (2013.01) [B62D 53/08 (2013.01); B62D 53/0807 (2013.01); B62D 53/0842 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fifth wheel hitch comprising:
a pair of support frames selectively attachable to load bed of a towing vehicle;
a cross-member positioned between the pair of support frames;
a beam rotationally secured with said cross-member;
a skid plate rotationally secured to said beam, wherein said skid plate rotates about a transverse axis; and
a dampener engaged with said beam, wherein said dampener dampens radial displacement of said skid plate along 360 degrees of said transverse axis while allowing free rotation of said skid plate about said transverse axis;
a cross-member isolator engaged with said beam about a second axis, wherein said dampener dampens longitudinal displacement of said beam generally along said second axis;
a fastener extending through at least a portion of and securing together said beam and cross-member; and
a tube surrounding at least a portion of said fastener within said beam.