HITCH RECEIVER
A height adjustable hitch receiver is disclosed and described.
1 . A height adjustable hitch receiver, comprising:
a mounting portion configured to couple to a vehicle;
a linkage mechanism extending from the mounting portion;
a receiver portion supported by the linkage mechanism and configured to receive a hitch; and
an actuator configured to move the linkage mechanism from a first position to a second position,
wherein the linkage mechanism is configured such that the receiver portion moves vertically relative to the mounting portion while maintaining an orientation of the receiver portion.
2 . The height adjustable hitch receiver of claim 1 , wherein the linkage mechanism comprises a plurality of linkage mechanisms.
3 . The height adjustable hitch receiver of claim 2 , further comprising a transverse support coupled to the plurality of linkage mechanisms, wherein the receiver portion is supported by the transverse support.
4 . The height adjustable hitch receiver of claim 2 , wherein the actuator comprises a plurality of actuators, such that at least one actuator is associated with each of the linkage mechanisms.
5 . The height adjustable hitch receiver of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a linear actuator, a rotary actuator, or a combination thereof.
6 . The height adjustable hitch receiver of claim 5 , wherein the linear actuator comprises a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or a combination thereof.
7 . The height adjustable hitch receiver of claim 5 , wherein the linear actuator is coupled to the mounting portion and the linkage mechanism.
8 . The height adjustable hitch receiver of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises an inflatable bladder.
9 . The height adjustable hitch receiver of claim 8 , further comprising a shock absorber to minimize movement of the receiver portion during transit.
10 . The height adjustable hitch receiver of claim 1 , wherein the linkage mechanism comprises a four-bar linkage mechanism.
11 . A load measuring hitch receiver, comprising:
a support portion;
a receiver portion configured to receive a hitch, wherein the receiver portion is supported by the support portion and constrained to translational movement by the support portion; and
a load measurement device disposed between the support portion and the receiver portion to measure a force in a direction of the translational movement, wherein a magnitude of the force measured by the load measurement device is substantially equal to a magnitude of a downward force on a hitch engaged with the receiver portion.
12 . The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 11 , wherein the support portion comprises a plurality of bearings to constrain the receiver portion to translational movement.
13 . The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 12 , wherein the receiver portion comprises a channel to receive the plurality of bearings.
14 . The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 11 , wherein the receiver portion comprises an extension member to interface with the load measurement device.
15 . The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 14 , wherein the support member comprises a platform to interface with the load measurement device.
16 . The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 15 , wherein the extension member extends at least partially about the load measurement device and the platform.
17 . The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 15 , wherein the extension member and an opening of the receiver portion to receive the hitch are disposed on opposite sides of the platform.
18 . The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 11 , further comprising a display configured to indicate the magnitude of the force on the hitch.
19 . The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 18 , wherein the display is associated with the support portion.
20 . The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 11 , further comprising a transmitter to communicate the magnitude of the force on the hitch to a remote display.
21 . The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 11 , wherein the load measurement device comprises a load cell.
22 . The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 21 , wherein the load cell comprises a strain gage load cell, a mechanical load cell, a hydraulic load cell, a pneumatic load cell, or a combination thereof.
23 . The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 11 , wherein the load measurement device comprises:
a reservoir having a fluid and a piston disposed therein, wherein the piston is configured to affect a pressure of the fluid as a result of the force in the direction of the translational movement; and
a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the reservoir.
24 . A method of measuring a weight on a hitch, comprising:
obtaining a load measuring hitch receiver having
a support portion,
a receiver portion configured to receive a hitch, wherein the receiver portion is supported by the support portion and constrained to translational movement by the support portion, and
a load measurement device disposed between the support portion and the receiver portion to measure a force in a direction of the translational movement, wherein a magnitude of the force measured by the load measurement device is substantially equal to a magnitude of a downward force on a hitch engaged with the receiver portion;
engaging a hitch with the receiver portion;
disposing a load on the hitch; and
observing the magnitude of the downward force on a display.