Samuel D Martin

US Patent:

7416204, Aug 26, 2008

Filed:

Sep 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/253251

Inventors:

William J. Hicks - Muskegon MI, US
Roger L. Elkins - Rockford MI, US
Steven C. Dupay - Holland MI, US
Mark M. Audo - Muskegon MI, US
Samuel A. Martin - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

SAF-Holland, Inc. - Holland MI

International Classification:

B62D 53/06

US Classification:

280433, 2804381, 280797, 280124128

Abstract:

A short span fifth wheel hitch comprising a hitch plate, at least one back rib, a peripheral flange connected to ends of the back rib, and a main rib extending between the back rib and a portion of the peripheral flange, with the main rib being connected to ends of the peripheral flange. The fifth wheel hitch also includes skirts extending from the hitch plate adjacent the back rib. At least two pairs of mounting ribs are located interior of the peripheral flange and the back rib, each pair of mounting ribs including aligned apertures for accepting a mounting pin therein, whereby a mounting bracket can be inserted into a space between the mounting ribs of each pair of mounting ribs and the mounting pin can be placed through the aligned apertures and the mounting bracket to connect the fifth wheel hitch to a tractor.

US Patent:

20030047907, Mar 13, 2003

Filed:

Sep 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/253276

Inventors:

William Hicks - Muskegon MI, US
Roger Elkins - Rockford MI, US
Steven Dupay - Holland MI, US
Mark Audo - Muskegon MI, US
Samuel Martin - Holland MI, US

International Classification:

B62D053/08

US Classification:

280/438100

Abstract:

An integrated fifth-wheel hitch and axle suspension assembly for mounting on a truck with a pair of spaced apart frame rails comprises a fifth-wheel hitch carriage adapted for mounting a fifth-wheel hitch, a pair of suspension brackets for mounting an axle suspension component and an integrating connector rigidly connecting the fifth-wheel hitch carriage to the suspension brackets at opposite sides of the hitch carriage. The integrating connector, the hitch carriage and the suspension brackets define an elongated opening for slidably receiving the truck frame rails so that the integrated fifth-wheel hitch and axle suspension assembly can slide as a unit onto the truck frame rails. An integrated connection interface includes a plurality of electronic and pneumatic connectors in a connector harness for selectively connecting electronic and pneumatic systems on a truck with electronic and pneumatic components of an integrated fifth-wheel hitch and axle suspension assembly.

US Patent:

20080265545, Oct 30, 2008

Filed:

Jun 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/164746

Inventors:

William J. Hicks - Muskegon MI, US
Roger L. Elkins - Rockford MI, US
Steven C. Dupay - Holland MI, US
Mark M. Audo - Muskegon MI, US
Samuel A. Martin - Holland MI, US

International Classification:

B62D 53/08

US Classification:

2804381

Abstract:

A short span fifth wheel hitch comprising a hitch plate, at least one back rib, a peripheral flange connected to ends of the back rib, and a main rib extending between the back rib and a portion of the peripheral flange, with the main rib being connected to ends of the peripheral flange. The fifth wheel hitch also includes skirts extending from the hitch plate adjacent the back rib. At least two pairs of mounting ribs are located interior of the peripheral flange and the back rib, each pair of mounting ribs including aligned apertures for accepting a mounting pin therein, whereby a mounting bracket can be inserted into a space between the mounting ribs of each pair of mounting ribs and the mounting pin can be placed through the aligned apertures and the mounting bracket to connect the fifth wheel hitch to a tractor.

US Patent:

20100244406, Sep 30, 2010

Filed:

Jun 3, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/793280

Inventors:

William J. Hicks - Muskegon MI, US
Roger L. Elkins - Rockford MI, US
Steven C. Dupay - Holland MI, US
Mark M. Audo - Muskegon MI, US
Samuel A. Martin - Holland MI, US

International Classification:

B62D 53/08

US Classification:

280433

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.

US Patent:

44285957, Jan 31, 1984

Filed:

Mar 1, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/353038

Inventors:

Samuel A. Martin - Holland MI
Fredrick J. Bakker - West Olive MI

Assignee:

Holland Hitch Company - Holland MI

International Classification:

B62D 5310

US Classification:

280435

Abstract:

A fifth wheel hitch includes a kingpin locking mechanism having a pair of pivoting locking jaws which form a socket in which the kingpin is retained. An adjustment device varies the angular position of the closed jaws to vary the side-to-side dimension of the socket, and thereby compensate for side wear in the hitch. A stationary, semicircular bearing is fixedly mounted in the hitch to form a portion of the forward half of the socket, such that pivotal adjustment of the closed jaws also varies the fore-to-aft dimension of the socket, and thereby compensate for end wear in the hitch.

US Patent:

41991680, Apr 22, 1980

Filed:

May 26, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/909615

Inventors:

James H. Bush - Zeeland MI
Samuel A. Martin - Holland MI

Assignee:

Holland Hitch Company - Holland MI

International Classification:

B62D 5308

US Classification:

280439

Abstract:

A support for a tilt stabilizing fifth wheel hitch that connects a truck tractor to a trailer, the fifth wheel plate being on a movable frame having a pair of convex shoes connected by a tie rod and resting on concave bearing plates on a fixed frame, the movable frame being movable on the fixed frame toward either of two opposite extreme positions from an intermediate neutral position. The movable frame is biased away from these extreme positions toward the intermediate position by variable force biasing means, preferably coil compression springs on said tie rod, which apply increasing biasing force with increased movement of the movable frame toward one of said extreme positions, thereby enabling the truck driver to "sense" or "feel" the tilted condition of his trailer relative to his tractor during operation.

US Patent:

D2734672, Apr 17, 1984

Filed:

Dec 17, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/331541

Inventors:

Samuel A. Martin - Holland MI

Assignee:

Holland Hitch Company - Holland MI

US Classification:

D10 64

US Patent:

44430256, Apr 17, 1984

Filed:

Mar 3, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/354240

Inventors:

Samuel A. Martin - Holland MI
Fredrick J. Bakker - West Olive MI
Gerald W. Hungerink - Holland MI
Jack L. Gisinger - Holland MI
James H. Bush - Zeeland MI

Assignee:

Holland Hitch Company - Holland MI

International Classification:

B62D 5308

US Classification:

280407

Abstract:

A fifth wheel assembly for coupling tractor and trailer units includes an improved trunnion bracket, comprising a pair of forged bearing caps having an inverted, U-shaped configuration, with bearing sleeves fixedly mounted therein. In sliding fifth wheel embodiments of the present invention, the bearing caps are mounted on rectangular channels fabricated from two L-shaped channel members with a flat plate attached to the upper edges of the L-shaped channels. An improved plunger is provided for adjustably connecting the trunnioned fifth wheel assembly with a base plate on which slotted racks have been mounted, and comprises a forged, two-prong construction with internal guides which minimizes structural disruption in the channels to provide greater strength. Adjustable stops are mounted on the exterior ends of the plungers, and abut the exterior sides of the racks to accurately maintain the plungers in a locked position. A manual lock release comprises an over-centered lever arm arrangement, which securely retains the plungers in the unlocked position for adjustment.