Importance

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Abstract

A hitch assembly for securing a forward end portion of a semi-trailer carried on a platform such as a railroad flat car includes a support bed having an upper surface for supporting engagement with a bearing surface around a kingpin on the semi-trailer. The depending kingpin of the semi-trailer is seatable within a central aperture formed in the bed and positioned adjacent the intersection of a central longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the trailer when in position on the railroad car. The aperture is defined to include fixed forward and rearward surfaces for direct stopping engagement with an anlarged kingpin tending to move forwardly or rearwardly along the longitudinal axis. A lateral entry/exit slot is provided in the bed between one side of the central aperture and an adjacent outer edge for guiding the kingpin of the semi-trailer into and out of the central aperture of the bed. A latch mechanism is mounted on the support bed for retaining the kingpin in latched engaged condition in the aperture and is movable between a latching positon and an unlatched position permitting the kingpin to be withdrawn laterally out of the slot entry. Inward movement of the kingpin along the slot into the central aperture is permitted even though the latch is in the latching position extending across the slot, but after the kingpin is seated in the central aperture of the bed, the latch is effective to retain the kingpin latched in seated engagement until deliberate unlatching is accomplished.

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First Claim