The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 18, 2024
Filed:
Dec. 12, 2022
Ford Global Technologies, Llc, Dearborn, MI (US);
Kevin Stanton Giaier, Sylvan Lake, MI (US);
Bryce Reinert, Frankenmuth, MI (US);
Andrew Niedert, New Hudson, MI (US);
Joshua Norwood, Detroit, MI (US);
Jorge Rivas, Novi, MI (US);
Peter Kowalow, Windsor, CA;
Rebecca Giaier, Sylvan Lake, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a load-sensing hitch utilizing a system of strain gauges. An example apparatus includes a receiver tube, a side member, a crossbar coupled to the receiver tube and the side member, the cross including a support including a first end, a second end and a mid-portion located between the first end and the second end, the mid-portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first end or the cross-sectional area of the second end and a strain gauge disposed within the mid-portion.