Hitch receiver
A height adjustable hitch receiver is disclosed and described.
1. 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 the hitch engaged with the receiver portion,
wherein the support portion comprises a plurality of bearings to constrain the receiver portion to translational movement.
2. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 1 , wherein the receiver portion comprises a channel to receive the plurality of bearings.
3. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 1 , further comprising a display configured to indicate the magnitude of the force on the hitch.
4. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 3 , wherein the display is associated with the support portion.
5. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 1 , further comprising a transmitter to communicate the magnitude of the force on the hitch to a remote display.
6. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 1 , wherein the load measurement device comprises a load cell.
7. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 6 , 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.
8. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 1 , wherein the receiver portion comprises an extension member to interface with the load measurement device.
9. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 8 , wherein the support member comprises a platform to interface with the load measurement device.
10. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 9 , wherein the extension member extends at least partially about the load measurement device and the platform.
11. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 9 , wherein the extension member and an opening of the receiver portion to receive the hitch are disposed on opposite sides of the platform.
12. 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 the hitch engaged with the receiver portion, wherein the receiver portion comprises an extension member to interface with the load measurement device.
13. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 12 , wherein the support member comprises a platform to interface with the load measurement device.
14. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 13 , wherein the extension member extends at least partially about the load measurement device and the platform.
15. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 13 , wherein the extension member and an opening of the receiver portion to receive the hitch are disposed on opposite sides of the platform.
16. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 12 , wherein the support portion comprises a plurality of bearings to constrain the receiver portion to translational movement.
17. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 16 , wherein the receiver portion comprises a channel to receive the plurality of bearings.
18. 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 the hitch engaged with the receiver portion, 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.
19. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 18 , wherein the support portion comprises a plurality of bearings to constrain the receiver portion to translational movement.
20. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 19 , wherein the receiver portion comprises a channel to receive the plurality of bearings.
21. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 18 , wherein the receiver portion comprises an extension member to interface with the load measurement device.
22. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 21 , wherein the support member comprises a platform to interface with the load measurement device.
23. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 22 , wherein the extension member extends at least partially about the load measurement device and the platform.
24. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 22 , wherein the extension member and an opening of the receiver portion to receive the hitch are disposed on opposite sides of the platform.
25. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 18 , further comprising a display configured to indicate the magnitude of the force on the hitch.
26. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 25 , wherein the display is associated with the support portion.
27. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 18 , further comprising a transmitter to communicate the magnitude of the force on the hitch to a remote display.
28. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 18 , wherein the load measurement device comprises a load cell.
29. The load measuring hitch receiver of claim 28 , 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.