Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Albrecht, W. P..
Built-in safety mechanism for tractor-trailer "fifth-wheel" coupling keeps rig together in case kingpin failure. Modified coupling utilizes all standard components, such as two wear plates, kingpin, and kingpin latch. It is modified by adding semicircular lip to top wear plate, matching semicircular slot to bottom wear plate, and two latching stop mechanisms.
An improved fifth wheel for a tractor trailer rig, characterized by a first subassembly including a wear plate was developed and modified to be mounted on a downwardly facing surface of a trailer. A king pin projected normally therefrom, and a second subassembly is adapted to be pivotally mounted on an upwardly facing surface of a tractor. The king pin is brought into contiguous relation with the first sub assembly. A receiver for capturing the king pin is included along with a safety means responsive to a failure of the king pin or its latching mechanism for joining the first subassembly with the second subassembly.