Patent ID: 9327566
Filing Date: 2016-05-03
CPC Classification: B60D,G01G,G01L

Claim Text:
1. A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer, comprising: a ball portion for interfacing with a ball configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer; a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle; and a load measurement device associated with the hitch portion, wherein the hitch portion is configured to pivot relative to the hitch receiver about a fulcrum in response to a downward force on the ball, the hitch receiver resisting rotation of the hitch portion about the fulcrum thereby inducing a load on the hitch portion, and wherein the load measurement device is configured to determine a magnitude of the downward force on the ball based on the load on the hitch portion; wherein the load measurement device comprises: a reservoir having a fluid and a piston disposed therein, wherein the piston is configured to interface with the hitch receiver and affect a pressure of the fluid as a result of the downward force on the ball; and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the reservoir.