Hitch receiver

Abstract

A height adjustable hitch receiver is disclosed and described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.