Methods and apparatus for a dual reacting, single load sensing element coupled to a hitch receiver

US11607919B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ford Global Technologies, LLC · US

Inventors

• Andrew Niedert · Farmington Hills, US
• Kevin Stanton Giaier · Sylvan Lake, US
• Elliott Pearson · Shelby Charter Township, US
• Anton Rogness · Dearborn, US
• Johannes Gießibl · Obersur, DE
• Chad Reed · Ypsilanti, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 6, 2020
• Grant date: Mar 21, 2023
• Expiry date: Oct 30, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60D1/62
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for a dual reacting, single load sensing element coupled to a hitch receiver are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a hitch configured to be coupled to a vehicle, the hitch including a crossbar, a receiver tube, and a pin housing coupled to the receiver tube. The pin housing includes a first pin including a load sensor, the first pin reacting loads in a first direction and a second direction and a second pin, the second pin reacting loads in the first direction, the first pin and the second pin acting as the only load path between the receiver tube and the crossbar.