CPC B60D 1/465 (2013.01) [B60D 1/06 (2013.01); B60D 1/246 (2013.01); B60D 1/248 (2013.01); B60D 1/485 (2013.01); B60D 1/62 (2013.01); G01L 5/101 (2013.01); G01L 7/166 (2013.01); G01L 19/10 (2013.01); G01G 19/10 (2013.01); G01G 19/12 (2013.01); G01L 7/163 (2013.01)] | 23 Claims |
1. A height adjustable hitch receiver, comprising:
a mounting portion configured to couple the height adjustable hitch receiver to a towing 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 operable to move the linkage mechanism from a first position to a second position to adjust a distance between the receiver portion and the mounting portion;
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; and further comprising:
a support portion coupled to the linkage mechanism and configured to support the receiver portion and constrain the receiver portion to translational movement; and
a load measurement device disposed between the support portion and the receiver portion operable to measure a force in a direction of the translational movement, wherein a magnitude of the force measured by the load measurement device substantially equals a magnitude of a downward force on a hitch engaging the receiver portion.
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