Lightweight narrow-span fifth wheel

Abstract

A semi-tractor including a pair of C-shaped frame rails and having a rail distance therebetween, a fifth wheel hitch having mounting areas therein, mounting brackets located within the mounting areas, and a support assembly supporting the mounting brackets. An outside distance between the mounting areas is shorter than the rail distance.

1 . In a semi-tractor including a pair of C-shaped frame rails extending between a front of the semi-tractor and a rear of the semi-tractor, the frame rails having a rail distance therebetween, wherein the improvement comprises:
 a fifth wheel hitch having mounting areas therein;   mounting brackets located within the mounting areas of the fifth wheel hitch; and   a support assembly supporting the mounting brackets;   the support assembly comprising top L-shaped connectors, bottom connectors and a cross-member assembly connecting the top L-shaped connectors to the bottom connectors, with the top L-shaped connectors abutting side faces of the C-shaped rails and the bottom connectors abutting side faces of the C-shaped rails; and   an outside distance between the mounting areas being shorter than the rail distance.   
   
   
       2 . The semi-tractor of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the top L-shaped connectors are connected to outside faces of the C-shaped rails.   
   
   
       3 . The semi-tractor of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the bottom connectors are connected to inside faces of the C-shaped rails.   
   
   
       4 . The semi-tractor of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the bottom connectors are connected to inside faces of the C-shaped rails.   
   
   
       5 . The semi-tractor of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cross-member assembly includes a top plate connected to the mounting brackets and the top L-shaped connectors and a bottom panel connected to the bottom connectors.   
   
   
       6 . The semi-tractor of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the bottom connectors are C-shaped.   
   
   
       7 . The semi-tractor of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the mounting brackets are connected to the cross-member assembly.   
   
   
       8 . The semi-tractor of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the mounting brackets are longitudinally adjustable along the support assembly in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the C-shaped frame rails.   
   
   
       9 . The semi-tractor of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the top L-shaped connectors are connected to the side faces of the C-shaped rails.   
   
   
       10 . The semi-tractor of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the bottom connectors are connected to the side faces of the C-shaped rails.   
   
   
       11 . The semi-tractor of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the bottom connectors are connected to the side faces of the C-shaped rails.   
   
   
       12 . The semi-tractor of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the mounting brackets are separated from each other and not directly connected to each other.   
   
   
       13 . In a semi-tractor including a pair of C-shaped frame rails extending between a front of the semi-tractor and a rear of the semi-tractor, the frame rails having a rail distance therebetween, wherein the improvement comprises:
 a fifth wheel hitch having mounting areas therein;   mounting brackets located within the mounting areas of the fifth wheel hitch; and   a support assembly supporting the mounting brackets;   the support assembly comprising a top plate, side plates abutting inside faces of the C-shaped frame rails and spanning structure extending between the side plates, with the top plate supporting the mounting brackets; and   an outside distance between the mounting areas being shorter than the rail distance.   
   
   
       14 . The semi-tractor of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the support assembly comprises an integral one-piece member.   
   
   
       15 . In a semi-tractor including a pair of C-shaped frame rails extending between a front of the semi-tractor and a rear of the semi-tractor, the frame rails having a rail distance therebetween, wherein the improvement comprises:
 a fifth wheel hitch having mounting areas therein;   mounting brackets located within the mounting areas of the fifth wheel hitch; and   a support assembly supporting the mounting brackets;   the support assembly comprising side connectors connected to an inside surface of the C-shaped frame rails and panels connected to the side connectors, with the panels supporting the mounting brackets; and   an outside distance between the mounting areas being shorter than the rail distance.   
   
   
       16 . The semi-tractor of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the panels abut each other.   
   
   
       17 . The semi-tractor of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the panels are connected to each other.   
   
   
       18 . The semi-tractor of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the side connectors each have a first plate connected to the inside surface of the C-shaped frame rails and a second plate substantially perpendicular to the first plate, with the second plate being substantially horizontal.   
   
   
       19 . The semi-tractor of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the support assembly further includes comprising top L-shaped connectors abutting side faces of the C-shaped rails.   
   
   
       20 . The semi-tractor of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the top L-shaped connectors are connected to outside faces of the C-shaped rails.   
   
   
       21 . The semi-tractor of  claim 20 , wherein:
 the panels comprise a top panel connected to the mounting brackets and the top L-shaped connectors and a bottom panel connected to the side connectors.   
   
   
       22 . The semi-tractor of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the panels comprise a top panel connected to the mounting brackets and a bottom panel connected to the side connectors.   
   
   
       23 . The semi-tractor of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the side connectors are C-shaped.   
   
   
       24 . The semi-tractor of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the mounting brackets are longitudinally adjustable along the panels in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the C-shaped frame rails.   
   
   
       25 . The semi-tractor of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the mounting brackets are separated from each other and not directly connected to each other.