Fifth wheel hitch connection system

Abstract

A connection system for a fifth wheel hitch assembly or other vehicle accessory includes a plurality of interlocking flanges are received in corresponding ports. Additionally, a plurality of fasteners are used in combination with friction bushings. This overall combination creates a synergistic effect that enables the connection of high load components along a single shear facing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for attaching a fifth wheel hitch to a mounting system positioned on a towing vehicle, the system comprising:
 a first fastener cooperating with a first flanged aperture on a vertical facing of the mounting system and wherein the first flanged aperture is received by a corresponding first aperture in a component facing of the hitch;   a second fastener cooperating with a pair of second apertures on the component facing and the vertical facing;   a third fastener cooperating with a pair of third apertures on the component facing and the vertical facing;   wherein the first, second, and third fasteners each have a longitudinal axis and the longitudinal axes of the first, second, and third fasteners are all aligned in a parallel orientation; and   wherein the first flanged aperture and the second aperture on the vertical facing are positioned along a substantially horizontal line and the third aperture is above the horizontal line.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener has a distal, threaded end received in a threaded portion of the first flanged aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the second and third fasteners has distal, threaded ends received in a threaded portion of the second and/or one of the third aperture 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the distal, threaded end of the first fastener is disposed opposite to the distal, threaded end of the at least one of the second and third fasteners. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the third aperture is centered between the first and second flanged apertures. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5 , further comprising at least one friction member provided proximate to each or all of the first, second, and third fasteners. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one friction member provided proximate to each or all of the first, second, and third fasteners. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein a first of the pair of second apertures includes a second flange and a second of the pair of second apertures receives the second flange. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein a first of the pair of third apertures includes a third flange and a second of the pair of third apertures receives the third flange. 
     
     
         10 . A system for connecting vehicle components along a single shear surface, the system comprising:
 a leg assembly attachable to a component facing by way of an interlocking flange having a port receiving a flanged aperture and wherein the flanged aperture receives a fastener.   
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the interlocking flange includes a friction member fitted around the flanged aperture. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein a distal end of the fastener has threads which engage corresponding threads positioned with the flanged aperture. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the port is an through-aperture or a recess. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of interlocking flanges. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein there are three interlocking flanges and where one of the interlocking flanges is positioned vertically offset at a midpoint between two horizontally aligned interlocking flanges. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein a series of ports are provided at different elevations along the single shear surface so that the flanged aperture may be received by any one of the series of ports in order to adjust an elevation of the connected vehicle component. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein a series of paired ports are provided at different elevations along the single shear surface so that each flanged aperture may be received by any one of the series of paired ports in order to adjust an elevation of the connected vehicle component.