Carrier assembly for movably supporting a fifth wheel assembly

Abstract

A slide rail for mounting on a frame member of a tractor for supporting a fifth wheel assembly movably thereon. The slide rail includes a vertical attachment leg configured for securing the slide rail to a vertically extending wall of the frame member and a horizontal first leg joined directly to and extending from the attachment leg. A channel member having a slide channel is integrated with the first leg and configured to being positioned above a horizontal top wall of the frame member when the attachment leg is secured to the vertically extending wall of the frame rail. A rack containing a plurality of teeth may be included on the channel member. A pair of slide rails may be mounted to the frame members of a tractor and a pair of stop assemblies may be adjustably movably mounted across the ends of the slide rails.

1 . A slide rail for mounting on a frame member of a tractor for supporting a fifth wheel assembly movably thereon, said slide rail comprising: 
 a vertical attachment leg, said attachment leg configured for securing said slide rail to a vertically extending wall of the frame member;    a horizontal first leg, said first leg being joined directly to and extending from said attachment leg;    a channel member having a slide channel, said channel member being integrated with said first leg and configured to being positioned above the horizontal top wall of the frame member when said attachment leg is secured to the vertically extending wall of the frame rail; and    a rack containing a plurality of teeth, said rack being included on said channel member.    
   
   
       2 . The slide rail of  claim 1 , wherein said attachment leg and said first leg are formed from a unitary metallic material.  
   
   
       3 . The slide rail of  claim 1 , wherein said channel member includes a second leg, and wherein said second leg at least partially defines said slide channel.  
   
   
       4 . The slide rail of  claim 3 , wherein said second leg is spaced apart from said first leg, and wherein said first and second legs are joined by a base, said slide channel being defined by said first leg, said second leg, and said base.  
   
   
       5 . The slide rail of  claim 4 , wherein said first leg and said base are formed from a unitary metallic material.  
   
   
       6 . The slide rail of  claim 5 , wherein said first leg, said second leg, and said base are formed from a unitary metallic material.  
   
   
       7 . The slide rail of  claim 4 , wherein said first leg, said second leg, and said base have generally U-shaped cross-sectional profile.  
   
   
       8 . The slide rail of  claim 1 , wherein said slide channel is at least partially defined by said first leg.  
   
   
       9 . The slide rail of  claim 1 , wherein said rack is included on said channel member opposite the opening direction of said slide channel.  
   
   
       10 . The slide rail of  claim 9 , wherein the opening direction of said slide channel is directed outboard of the tractor when said attachment leg is secured to the vertically extending wall of the frame rail.  
   
   
       11 . The slide rail of  claim 1 , wherein said rack is separately formed and fixedly secured to said channel member.  
   
   
       12 . A slide rail for mounting on a frame member of a tractor for supporting a fifth wheel assembly movably thereon, said slide rail comprising: 
 a slide rail member, said slide rail member including a vertical attachment leg and a horizontal first leg, said attachment leg adapted for securing said slide rail to a vertically extending wall of the frame member with said first leg being joined directly to and extending from said attachment leg such that said first leg and said attachment leg form a right angle;    a slide channel, said slide channel being positioned above the horizontal top wall of the frame member when said attachment leg is secured to the vertically extending wall of the frame rail with said slide channel being at least partially defined by said first leg; and    a rack containing a plurality of teeth, said rack being located adjacent said slide channel.    
   
   
       13 . The slide rail of  claim 12 , wherein said attachment leg and said first leg of said slide rail member are formed from a unitary metallic material.  
   
   
       14 . The slide rail of  claim 13 , further comprising a channel member, said channel member including said slide channel.  
   
   
       15 . The slide rail of  claim 14 , wherein said channel member includes a second leg, said second leg being spaced apart from said first leg, and wherein said second leg at least partially defines said slide channel.  
   
   
       16 . The slide rail of  claim 15 , wherein said channel member includes a base, and wherein said first and second legs are joined to said base.  
   
   
       17 . The slide rail of  claim 16 , wherein said first leg and said base are formed from a unitary metallic material.  
   
   
       18 . The slide rail of  claim 14 , wherein said rack is attached to said channel member opposite the opening direction of said slide channel.  
   
   
       19 . The slide rail of  claim 14 , wherein said channel member defines a U-shaped member.  
   
   
       20 . A carrier assembly for movably supporting a fifth wheel assembly on a pair of spaced frame members of a tractor, said assembly comprising: 
 a pair of spaced apart slide rails, said slide rails being joined by a pair of end stop members with each said slide rail including; 
 a slide rail member, said slide rail member including a vertical attachment leg and a horizontal first leg, said first leg being joined directly to and extending from said attachment leg;  
 a channel member having a slide channel, said channel member being arranged on said first leg with said slide channel being at least partially defined by said slide rail member; and  
 a rack containing a plurality of teeth, said rack being arranged on said channel member opposite the opening direction of said slide channel;  
   each said slide rail being configured for securing to a separate one of the spaced frame members of the tractor with said attachment legs being configured for securing said slide rails to the vertically extending walls of the frame members such that said channel members are positioned above the horizontal top walls of the frame members.    
   
   
       21 . The carrier assembly of  claim 18 , wherein said attachment legs and said first legs of each said slide rail are formed from a unitary metallic material.  
   
   
       22 . The carrier assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the opening direction of said slide channels are directed outboard of the tractor when said attachment legs are secured to the vertically extending walls of the frame rails.  
   
   
       23 . The carrier assembly of  claim 20 , wherein said end stop members are adjustable in length such that said slide rails are adapted to be selectively spaced apart.  
   
   
       24 . The carrier assembly of  claim 20 , wherein each said end stop member is directly joined to said first leg of each said slide rail.