Importance

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Abstract

A fifth wheel includes a coupling plate formed with an insertion slot for receiving a trailer king pin. The insertion slot is provided with a central aperture sized to receive the king pin and formed with a counterbored step. A non-metallic wear ring is fitted within the aperture and is retained against axial displacement with an arcuate metal holding plate mounted within the counterbored step, and partially overlapping the wear ring. The wear ring includes an outer contour wall and an inner contour wall. The outer contour wall and the inner surface of the aperture share a common center of curvature, which center of curvature is eccentric relative to the axis of rotation of the king pin mounted therein such that any rotational force resulting from the rotation of the king pin translates linearly into the wear ring. Additionally, the inner contour of the wear ring has a center of curvature axially aligned with the axis of rotation of the king pin to reduce the frictional engagement between the wear ring and the king pin. Additionally, a pair of slip pads are positioned within recesses formed on the top surface of the coupling plate. Each recess is somewhat larger than the slip pads to provide for thermal expansion, but remains relatively close in size to the slip pads to prevent lateral displacement thereof. In order to reduce fracture as a result of the king pin contacting the slip pads, the slip pads do not extend downwardly over the inclined surface of the coupling plate.

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First Claim