A fifth wheel system includes a fifth wheel configured to couple to a kingpin of a towed trailer such that vibrations are generated when the fifth wheel couples to the kingpin. A sensor in operative association with the fifth wheel and configured to sense the vibrations and generates vibration data. A controller receives the vibration data and processes the vibration data to detect a presence or an absence of a predetermined vibration component that occurs when the fifth wheel properly couples to the kingpin. An indicator indicates proper coupling of the fifth wheel to the kingpin when the predetermined vibration component is present.

A modular ride-on is provided that is adjustable based on the needs of the operator. The modular ride-on offers children and young adults with disabilities a higher degree of freedom and comfort over traditional mobility devices—such as wheelchairs. The modular ride-on includes a chassis configured to removably couple a plurality of adjustable modules. The independently adjustable modules include a front-end module, first and second drive modules, a seating module, a harness module, an armrest module, a footrest module, a leg support, module, a body module, and a control module.

A modular ride-on is provided that is adjustable based on the needs of the operator. The modular ride-on offers children and young adults with disabilities a higher degree of freedom and comfort over traditional mobility devices—such as wheelchairs. The modular ride-on includes a chassis configured to removably couple a plurality of adjustable modules. The independently adjustable modules include a front-end module, first and second drive modules, a seating module, a harness module, an armrest module, a footrest module, a leg support, module, a body module, and a control module.

A king pin coupler assembly of a fifth wheel coupling. A coupler plate has a king pin aperture therein. A king pin is positioned to extend axially through the king pin aperture of the coupler plate. The king pin has a first portion with a neck for engaging a fifth wheel of the fifth wheel coupling, the first portion extending to a first side of the coupler plate. The king pin has a second portion on a second side of the coupler plate and welded to the coupler plate. A shielding apparatus is secured to one or both of the king pin and the coupler plate. The shielding apparatus includes a cover sealed to the first side of the coupler plate. The cover extends over the first portion of the king pin to shield the first portion of the king pin during liquid immersion of the king pin coupler assembly.

A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.

A fifth wheel hitch plate arrangement includes a mounting portion configured to be coupled to a vehicle frame, a kingpin throat configured to receive a kingpin of a towed vehicle therein, and a body portion supported by the mounting portion, the body portion including an upper surface configured to abut a mating surface of the towed vehicle, a bottom surface opposite the upper surface, and a plurality of reliefs extending from the upper surface toward the bottom surface, wherein the plurality of reliefs are closed at a bottom end thereof, and wherein the plurality of reliefs are spaced about the upper surface in a repeating pattern.

A sensor device for a monitoring of a coupling state of a coupling element, in particular a coupling bolt, preferably a kingpin, of a trailer, in particular a semitrailer, with a corresponding coupling element of a towing vehicle, in particular a semitrailer tractor, with at least one sensor which is at least configured for a recognition, in particular a detection, of a relative position of the coupling elements with respect to each other, wherein the sensor is realized as an ultra-wideband sensor.

Techniques are described for measuring angle and/or orientation of a rear drivable section (e.g., a trailer unit of a semi-trailer truck) relative to a front drivable section (e.g., a tractor unit of the semi-trailer truck) using an example rotary encoder assembly. The example rotary encoder assembly comprises a base surface; a housing that includes a second end that is connected to the base surface and a first end that is at least partially open and is coupled to a housing cap; and a rotary encoder that is located in the housing in between the base surface and the housing cap, where the rotary encoder includes a rotatable shaft that protrudes from a first hole located in the housing cap, and where a top of the rotatable shaft located away from the rotary encoder is coupled to magnet(s).

Deployable step systems are disclosed for accessing and utilizing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly. The proposed deployable step systems may include various deployment mechanisms that are capable of sliding, pivoting, rotating, swinging, and/or otherwise adjusting for providing ease of access and increased flexibility when stepping up to access the vehicle cargo space. The proposed deployable step systems may provide improved access to the vehicle cargo space irrespective of what position the tailgate assembly is positioned in relative to the vehicle cargo space.

A hitch mount configured to be selectively attached to a vehicle, the vehicle having an under bed hitch mounting system is shown and described. The hitch mount may include at least one transverse member, at least one longitudinal member attached with the at least one transverse member, the at least one longitudinal member including first and second apertures, the first and second apertures of different size, and first and second fastening devices configured to selectively engage the under bed hitch mounting system and the first and second apertures, respectively. The hitch mount may also include first and second biasing members operatively engaged with the first and second fastening, the biasing members applying a load against the under bed hitch mounting system, and first and second handles pivotally and rotatably attached with the first and second fastening devices, the handles having a camming surface configured to engage the first and second biasing members.