US Patent 10124841 Kingpin assembly for semitrailer

The kingpin assembly is securable to a semitrailer for engagement with a fifth wheel coupling of a towing vehicle, the kingpin assembly comprising: a rotation axis, a housing configured to be secured to the semitrailer, the housing having a cavity and an aperture leading to the cavity along the rotation axis, and a kingpin member having a base portion journaled in the cavity and a kingpin portion protruding from the aperture along the rotation axis for engagement with the fifth wheel coupling. In one embodiment, the kingpin member is journaled in the cavity via a polymeric bushing. In one embodiment, the housing is secured to the semitrailer via an assembly frame to which it is fastened with bolts, and a lock ring is used to prevent the heads of the bolts from rotating. In one embodiment, a swiveling plate is secured to the kingpin member.