Patent Publication Number: US-2021170819-A1

Title: Weight measuring hitch ball assembly for measuring weight of a trailer supported by a tow vehicle

Description:
PRIORITY DATA 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/828,927, filed Mar. 24, 2020, and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/931,108 filed on Nov. 5, 2019, each of which is incorporated by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/828,927, filed Mar. 24, 2020 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/493,068, filed Apr. 20, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/325,407, filed on Apr. 20, 2016, which is incorporated by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/493,068, filed Apr. 20, 2017 is also a continuation-in-part of PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US16/21266, filed on Mar. 7, 2016, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/639,987 filed on Mar. 5, 2015 and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/249,730 filed on Nov. 2, 2015, each of which is incorporated by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/493,068, filed Apr. 20, 2017 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/639,987 filed on Mar. 5, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/284,273, filed on May 21, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent Application Ser. Nos. 61/826,247, filed on May 22, 2013, 61/928,166, filed on Jan. 16, 2014, 61/948,487, filed on Mar. 5, 2014, and 61/948,456, filed Mar. 5, 2014, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to trailer hitch devices, systems, and associated methods. Accordingly, the present invention involves the mechanical arts field. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When towing a trailer behind a vehicle, one factor that can significantly affect safety is the hitch or tongue weight (i.e., static downward force) that the trailer applies to the hitch of the tow vehicle. If the hitch or tongue of the trailer does not apply enough downward force to the tow vehicle hitch, a dangerous condition called trailer sway could result. If the hitch or tongue of the trailer applies too much downward force to the tow vehicle hitch, then the rear tires of the tow vehicle can be overloaded, thus pushing the rear of the vehicle around and compromising steering and/or braking of the tow vehicle. A generally acceptable tongue weight for a “bumper pull” trailer is somewhere between 9% and 15% of the gross trailer weight (GTW), and a generally acceptable hitch weight for a “bed mount” (e.g., gooseneck) trailer is somewhere between 15% and 25% of the GTW. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Weight measuring hitch ball assemblies are provided. In one embodiment, a weight measuring hitch ball assembly can include a hitch ball having a ball and a lower portion. The assembly can also include a body portion defining a hitch ball opening that slidably receives the lower portion of the hitch ball. The assembly can further include a load measurement device operably associated with the body portion and the hitch ball to determine a magnitude of a force acting on the hitch ball. Additionally, the assembly can include a retention coupling operable with the hitch ball and the body portion to secure the hitch ball to the body portion. The retention coupling can have a retention protrusion and a retention wall defining at least a portion of a retention opening operable to receive at least a portion of the retention protrusion therein. With the retention protrusion extending into the retention opening, the retention wall can provide a mechanical barrier to the retention protrusion that prevents removal of the hitch ball from the hitch ball opening. The retention opening can be configured to facilitate slidable movement of the hitch ball within the hitch ball opening sufficient to determine the magnitude of the force acting on the hitch ball. 
     In other embodiments, there are provided weight measuring hitch ball systems. In still other embodiments, there are provided methods of measuring weight of a trailer supported by a tow vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a trailer hitch system for measuring tongue weight of a trailer, in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic side cross-section view of a weight measuring hitch ball assembly of the trailer hitch system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic side cross-section view of a weight measuring hitch ball assembly in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4A  is a schematic side cross-section view of a weight measuring hitch ball assembly in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4B  is a schematic top cross-section view of the weight measuring hitch ball assembly of  FIG. 4A , in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic side cross-section view of a weight measuring hitch ball assembly in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a weight measuring hitch ball assembly in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic side cross-section detail view of the weight measuring hitch ball assembly of  FIG. 6 , in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8A  is a schematic side cross-section view of a weight measuring hitch ball assembly in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8B  is a schematic top cross-section view of the weight measuring hitch ball assembly of  FIG. 8A , in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Definitions 
     In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set forth below. 
     The singular forms “a,” “an,” and, “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “a little above” or “a little below” the endpoint. 
     In this disclosure, “comprises,” “comprising,” “containing” and “having” and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law and can mean “includes,” “including,” and the like, and are generally interpreted to be open ended terms. The terms “consisting of” or “consists of” are closed terms, and include only the components, structures, steps, or the like specifically listed in conjunction with such terms, as well as that which is in accordance with U.S. Patent law. “Consisting essentially of” or “consists essentially of” have the meaning generally ascribed to them by U.S. Patent law. In particular, such terms are generally closed terms, with the exception of allowing inclusion of additional items, materials, components, steps, or elements, that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics or function of the item(s) used in connection therewith. For example, trace elements present in a composition, but not affecting the composition&#39;s nature or characteristics would be permissible if present under the “consisting essentially of” language, even though not expressly recited in a list of items following such terminology. When using an open ended term, like “comprising” or “including,” it is understood that direct support should also be afforded to “consisting essentially of” language as well as “consisting of” language as if stated explicitly and vice versa. 
     The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Similarly, if a method is described herein as comprising a series of steps, the order of such steps as presented herein is not necessarily the only order in which such steps may be performed, and certain of the stated steps may possibly be omitted and/or certain other steps not described herein may possibly be added to the method. 
     The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as directly or indirectly connected in an electrical or nonelectrical manner. Objects or structures described herein as being “adjacent to” each other may be in physical contact with each other, in close proximity to each other, or in the same general region or area as each other, as appropriate for the context in which the phrase is used. Occurrences of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in one aspect,” herein do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment or aspect. 
     As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “a little above” or “a little below” the endpoint. However, it is to be understood that even when the term “about” is used in the present specification in connection with a specific numerical value, that support for the exact numerical value recited apart from the “about” terminology is also provided. 
     As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, a composition that is “substantially free of” particles would either completely lack particles, or so nearly completely lack particles that the effect would be the same as if it completely lacked particles. In other words, a composition that is “substantially free of” an ingredient or element may still actually contain such item as long as there is no measurable effect thereof. 
     As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. 
     Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 to about 5” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, and from 3-5, etc., as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, individually. This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value as a minimum or a maximum. Furthermore, such an interpretation should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described. 
     The Invention With reference to  FIG. 1 , illustrated is a trailer hitch system  100  for measuring hitch weight (e.g., ball weight, pin weight, or tongue weight) of a trailer, in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. In general, the trailer hitch system  100  can include a weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  (or any other weight measuring hitch ball assembly disclosed herein) associated with a tow vehicle  103 , and a trailer  104  operable to couple to the tow vehicle  103 . A schematic illustration of the weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  can be included in a weight measuring hitch ball system  102 , which can also include an attachment structure  117  operable to be associated with the tow vehicle  103  ( FIG. 1 ) to facilitate coupling the weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  to the tow vehicle  103 . The attachment structure  117  is discussed in more detail below. The weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  can include a hitch ball  107  (e.g., a goose ball, a ball mount, etc.) configured to engage with a coupling device  105  ( FIG. 1 ) of the trailer  104  (e.g., a gooseneck, a tongue, etc.), and a load measurement device  130  ( FIG. 2 ) operable to determine a magnitude of a downward force  151  acting on the hitch ball  107 . 
     Although the trailer hitch system  100  includes what is generally referred to as a “hitch ball” throughout the present disclosure for coupling with a trailer, it should be recognized that the trailer hitch system can include any suitable form of coupling with a trailer, such as a lunette ring and pintle hook. Aspects of the present disclosure that facilitate measuring hitch weight of a trailer as disclosed herein can be incorporated into such coupling arrangements. 
     The weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  can also include a support structure or body portion  160 . The hitch ball  107  can include a ball  138  and a lower portion  162 . The ball  138  can be configured to interface with the coupling device  105  of a trailer (e.g., a trailer tongue, gooseneck, etc.). The ball  138  and the lower portion  162  can be separate and distinct structures coupled to one another (i.e., rigidly and fixedly coupled) or the ball  138  and the lower portion  162  can form a single, monolithic structure. In either case, the hitch ball  107  can be a single structure comprised of multiple component parts or portions that remain in a fixed relationship to one another. 
     The load measurement device  130  can be operably associated with the body portion  160  and the hitch ball  107  to determine a magnitude of the force  151  acting on the hitch ball  107  (e.g., through the trailer interface with the ball  138 ). For example, the body portion  160  can include or define a hitch ball opening or socket  161  to slidably receive the lower portion  162  of the hitch ball  107 . The hitch ball opening  161  can be configured to constrain translational movement of the hitch ball  107  to a single degree of freedom (i.e., parallel to the downward force  151 ), which can facilitate the hitch ball  107  exerting a force on the load measurement device  130 . 
     The load measurement device  130  can comprise any suitable type of load measurement device or mechanism described herein. For example, the load measurement device  130  can comprise a load cell or transducer, such as a strain gage load cell, a mechanical load cell, a hydraulic load cell, and/or a pneumatic load cell, or any other suitable type of force and/or pressure sensor. In some examples, the load measurement device  130  can comprise a force gauge, such as a spring scale. In some embodiments, the load measurement device  130  can include a piston, a hydraulic medium (e.g., a fluid), and a pressure sensor or a load gauge as described in several examples hereinabove and hereinbelow. For instance, as described in other examples disclosed herein, the load measurement device  130  can include a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with a load gauge, and the fluid reservoir can comprise at least one of a hydraulic fluid or a pneumatic fluid. In one aspect, the lower portion of the hitch ball can act against a separate piston, which in turn acts on the fluid in the fluid reservoir as a means to determine the downward force  151  acting on the hitch ball. In another aspect, a bottom  168  of the lower portion  162  of the hitch ball  107  can form a piston operable to act on fluid in the fluid reservoir. In this case, the hitch ball may act directly on the fluid in the fluid reservoir, with no intermediate structures between the hitch ball and the fluid. Thus, the hitch ball  107  may be configured with an integrally formed piston to act on the fluid. In one aspect, the body portion  160  can define various features of the load measurement device  130  in addition to interfacing with and supporting the hitch ball  107 . For example, the body portion  160  can form or define, at least in part, a fluid reservoir of the load measurement device  130 . 
     In addition, the weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  can include a display  140  for displaying or otherwise indicating force or load information obtained by the load measurement device  130 . For example, the display  140  can be configured to indicate the magnitude of the downward force, as determined by the load measurement device  130 . 
     Thus, the display  140  can be an analog and/or digital display of a sensor or load cell (e.g., a pressure gauge) located local to the load measurement device  130  and/or a separate display device distinct from the load measurement device  130  (e.g., a remote display associated with the tow vehicle and/or a mobile electronic device). The display  140  can be wired and/or wirelessly connected to the load measurement device  130 . Thus, in one example, the weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  can include a wireless transmitter  142 , as described herein, to wirelessly transmit force measurements to a remote display  141 . 
     In one aspect, the display  140  can be associated with the body portion  160 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The display  140  can be any suitable type of display, such as an analog or a digital display. The display  140  can be coupled to the load measurement device  130  in any suitable manner such that the display can properly indicate the magnitude of the load on the hitch ball  107 . In one aspect, the display can be mechanically, electrically, hydraulically, and/or pneumatically coupled to the load measurement device  130 . The load measurement device  130  and/or the display  140  can therefore include any suitable mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and/or pneumatic device or mechanism that can facilitate the determination and/or display of the magnitude of the load on the hitch ball  107 . For example, the load measurement device  130  and/or the display  140  can include a processor and/or memory to determine the magnitude of the load on the hitch ball  107 . In one aspect, a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a tablet, can include a processor and/or memory used to determine the magnitude of the load on the hitch ball  107 , such as by executing an application. In another aspect, the display  140  can be calibrated to indicate the magnitude of the load on the hitch ball  107 , based on mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and/or pneumatic input from the load measurement device  130 . In a particular aspect, therefore, the display  140  can be integral with the load measurement device  130  in determining the magnitude of the load on the hitch ball  107 . 
     In some examples, the weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  can include a transmitter  142  such that load data pertaining to the magnitude of the downward force on the hitch ball  107  can be wired or wirelessly transmitted to the display  140 . In one aspect, the transmitter can transmit load data to a location remote from the ball hitch, such as to a remote display  141 . For example, the display  141  can be located inside the vehicle and can receive load data for display to the driver or operator of the vehicle. The transmission of load data can be via vehicle wiring, such as the taillight wiring, which can be utilized to communicate load data via a signal to the interior of the vehicle. In another aspect, a wireless transmission of load data can be accomplished via a Bluetooth connection, a cellular network, LAN, WIFI, an RF signal, an infrared signal, or any other suitable type of wireless network, connection, and/or protocol. In one aspect, the display  141  can comprise a screen of a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a tablet. Thus, the load data can be communicated to any suitable location, in or out of the vehicle. It should therefore be recognized that the display  140 ,  141  can be disposed in any suitable location and can be in communication with the load measurement device  130  via any suitable means. In one aspect, the load measurement device  130 , the display  140 , and/or the transmitter  150 , or any other related item or device, such as a processor, memory, a battery, or a RF receiver, can be located in or on the weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101 . 
     In one aspect, the weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  of  FIG. 2  can be configured to capture the hitch ball  107  to prevent the hitch ball from unwanted separation from the body portion  160 . For example, the assembly  101  can include a retention coupling  167  operable with the hitch ball  107  and the body portion  160  to secure the hitch ball  107  to the body portion  160  while also facilitating slidable movement of the hitch ball  107  within the hitch ball opening  161  sufficient to determine the magnitude of the force  151  acting on the hitch ball  107 . The retention coupling  167  can have a retention protrusion  164   a - b  and a retention wall  165   a - b  defining at least a portion of a retention opening  163   a - b  operable to receive at least a portion of the retention protrusion  164   a - b  therein. The retention wall  165   a - b , the retention opening  163   a - b , and the retention protrusion  164   a - b  are schematically represented in  FIG. 2 . The retention opening  163   a - b  can be associated with the hitch ball  107  (e.g., formed within the lower portion  162  of the hitch ball  107 ) and/or associated with the body portion  160  (e.g., formed within the body portion  160 ). The retention protrusion  164   a - b  can also be associated with the hitch ball  107  (e.g., coupled to the lower portion  162  of the hitch ball  107 ) and/or associated with the body portion  160  (e.g., coupled to the body portion  160 ). In one example, the retention protrusion  164   a - b  can be fastened, affixed, or otherwise associated with the hitch ball  107  (e.g., the lower portion  162 ) and the retention opening  163   a - b  can be formed in the body portion  160  (e.g., a through-hole in a sidewall of the body portion  160 ). With the retention protrusion  164   a - b  extending into the retention opening  163   a - b , the retention wall  165   a - b  can provide a mechanical barrier to the retention protrusion  164   a - b  that prevents removal of the hitch ball  107  from the hitch ball opening  161 . The retention wall  165   a - b  can be of any suitable shape, geometry, or configuration to provide or define a suitable retention opening  163   a - b . In some examples, one or more of the retention openings  163   a - b  can be configured as a recess, a through opening (e.g., a through-hole), a blind opening (e.g., a blind-hole), etc. Similarly, one or more of the retention protrusions  164   a - b  can be of any suitable shape, geometry, or configuration to facilitate extension into at least a portion of a retention opening as disclosed herein. 
     In one example, each of the retention openings  163   a - b  can receive at least one of the retention protrusions  164   a - b  to secure the hitch ball  107  to the body portion  160 . For example, the retention protrusions  164   a - b  can extend into the respective retention openings  163   a - b . The retention openings  163   a - b  and the retention protrusions  164   a - b  can be configured to facilitate movement of the hitch ball  107  against the load measurement device  130  in response to the downward force  151  on the hitch ball. For example, an upper clearance between the retention protrusions  164   a - b  and retention walls  165   a - b  of the retention openings  163   a - b  can be sized equal to or greater than a range of motion of the load measurement device  130  (e.g., maximum deflection or piston travel) in response to a maximum allowable force  151  applied to the hitch ball  107 . This can ensure that the retention protrusions  164   a - b  will not hinder downward movement of the hitch ball  107 , which could interfere with a proper measurement of the downward force  151  on the hitch ball  107 . The shapes and/or sizes of the retention protrusions  164   a - b  and the retention openings  163   a - b  can be of any suitable configuration (e.g., cross-sectional shapes that are circular, oval, elliptical, rectangular, etc.), structure (e.g., a notch, groove, channel, hole, etc.), or dimension. For example, the retention protrusions  164   a - b  can comprise at least one of a pin, a bolt, a screw, a rod, a shaft, a stud, a shoulder bolt, a tab, a flange, or a ball. In addition, the retention openings  163   a - b  and the retention protrusions  164   a - b  can be included in any suitable quantity and in any suitable location or pattern. In one example, the retention protrusions  164   a - b  and the retention openings  163   a - b  can include similar features (e.g., a ball and opening) found in the securing mechanism shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  and described below. 
     In one aspect, one or more of the retention protrusions  164   a - b  can extend into one or more of the retention openings  163   a - b  and one or more ends of the retention protrusions  164   a - b  can terminate within one or more of the retention openings  163   a - b  (e.g., within the lower portion  162  of the hitch ball  107  or within the body portion  160 ). In other words, the retention protrusions  164   a - b  do not extend all the way through the hitch ball  107  (e.g., through the lower portion  162 ) or the body portion  160 , as applicable. In a particular aspect, one or more of the retention openings  163   a - b  can be blind openings or holes (e.g., openings or holes that do not extend all the way through the lower portion  162  of the hitch ball  107  or the body portion  160 ). Thus, one or more of the retention openings  163   a - b  can be blind openings or through openings and the retention protrusions  164   a - b  may not extend all the way through the hitch ball  107  or body portion  160 . 
     In one aspect, the lower portion  162  of the hitch ball  107  and the body portion  160  can have a dimensional relationship that results in a relatively “thin-walled” body portion  160  forming the hitch ball opening  161  and surrounding the lower portion  162  of the hitch ball  107 . Thus, in some examples, an outer dimension  169   a  of the lower portion  162  of the hitch ball  107  can be greater than or equal to 50% of an outer dimension  169   b  of the body portion  160  about the lower portion  162  of the hitch ball  107 . 
     The weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  can be adapted to serve as a hitch ball or ball mount for a variety of different hitch configurations. Variations of the attachment structure  117  are illustrated as attachment structures  117   a - e  in  FIG. 2 . For example, the attachment structure  117   a  can be any typical horizontally-oriented hitch receiver, such as a standard 2½″,  2 ″, or 1¼″ size square hitch receiver for receiving hitch components (e.g., drawbars) for “bumper pull” style hitches. In other examples, an attachment structure  117   b  can be any typical vertically-oriented hitch receiver, such as a square hitch receiver (typically aftermarket) or a round hitch receiver (typically OEM) for receiving bed-mount style hitches (e.g., gooseneck hitches). In one example, the weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  can include a coupling feature  111  operable to couple the hitch ball assembly  101  to an attachment structure  117   c  (e.g., a draw bar) that facilitates coupling the assembly  101  to the tow vehicle  103 . In this case, the attachment structure  117   c  can be configured to interface with an attachment structure  117   d  (e.g., a hitch receiver) attached to a tow vehicle. In another example, the attachment structure  117   e  can be a hitch or hitch portion (e.g., an above-bed attachment structure, such as an above-bed gooseneck hitch system) that attaches to a tow vehicle. In one aspect, the attachment structures  117   a - e  can be a portion of the tow vehicle  103 , such that the assembly  101  is coupled directly to the tow vehicle  103 . The coupling feature  111  can be or include any suitable coupling configuration known in the art, such as a threaded coupling feature (e.g., external threads or internal threads), a shaft, a rod, a hole, a recess, a groove, a pin, or any other feature suitable for coupling the assembly  101  to an attachment structure and/or a tow vehicle and maintaining structural integrity during towing. In one aspect, the coupling feature  111  can extend downward from the body portion  160  below the hitch ball  107 , although any other suitable location and/or orientation of the coupling feature  111  is contemplated. 
     One benefit of the coupling feature  111  is that it enables the weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  to be removably coupled to a given attachment structure  117   a - e  (e.g., a hitch or hitch portion, drawbar, hitch receiver, etc.) that is operable to facilitate coupling the assembly  101  to the tow vehicle  103 . As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, coupling devices of trailers (e.g., goosenecks, trailer tongues, etc.) have a variety of sizes and can require differing hitch ball sizes to securely couple a trailer to a towing vehicle. Some standard hitch ball sizes can include 1⅞″, 2″, 2 5/16″, and 3″ diameters. Thus, an assembly  101  having a suitable ball  138  size can be selected for coupling with a given attachment structure  117   a - e  (e.g., a hitch or hitch portion, drawbar, hitch receiver, etc.) to accommodate a given size/configuration of trailer coupling device. 
     In one example, the body portion  160  can be configured to interface directly with the attachment structure  117   e  associated with a tow vehicle that facilitates coupling the weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  to the tow vehicle. In another example, the weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  can include a hitch portion  110 ,  110 ′ configured to interface with the attachment structure  117   a ,  117   b , respectively, associated with a tow vehicle that facilitates coupling the weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  to the tow vehicle. In one example, the hitch portion  110  extends laterally from the body portion  160  on a lateral side of the hitch ball  107 . In this case, the attachment structure  117   a  can comprise a hitch receiver. The hitch portion  110  can include a hole  112  or other suitable feature to facilitate securing the weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  to the attachment structure  117   a , such as with a pin or threaded fastener through the hole  112  of the assembly  101  and a hole  106  of the attachment structure  117   a . In another example, the hitch portion  110 ′ can be configured to interface with the attachment structure  117   b  associated with a tow vehicle that facilitates coupling the weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  to the tow vehicle. In this example, the hitch portion  110 ′ extends downward from the body portion  160  below the hitch ball  107 . In this case, the attachment structure  117   b  can comprise a goose ball receiver socket mounted on or otherwise associated with a tow vehicle. In the above examples, the hitch portions  110 ,  110 ′ can be permanently attached (e.g., integrally formed) with the body portion  160  or removably coupled to the body portion  160 . 
     A method of measuring weight of a trailer supported by a tow vehicle can comprise operably coupling a weight measuring hitch ball assembly as disclosed herein (e.g., the weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101 ) to a tow vehicle. The method can also include engaging a coupling device of a trailer with the weight measuring hitch ball assembly. 
     The weight measuring hitch ball assembly  101  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  has been shown and described as a generic representation of such an assembly.  FIGS. 3-8B  include illustrations of various weight measuring hitch ball assemblies that are more specific examples of the generic assembly  101  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Thus, the description of the assembly  101  in  FIGS. 1 and 2  may describe aspects of the various assemblies of  FIGS. 3-8B , as applicable, which may not be described with particular reference to  FIGS. 3-8B . Furthermore, certain specific aspects and features described in one example may be present in another example, although not specifically discussed with reference to that example. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a weight measuring hitch ball assembly  201  in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The weight measuring hitch ball assembly  201  can include a hitch ball  207  configured to engage with a coupling device of the trailer, a load measurement device  230  operable to determine a magnitude of a downward force  251  acting on the hitch ball  207 , and a support structure or body portion  260  in support of the hitch ball  207 . The body portion  260  can include or define a hitch ball opening or socket  261  to slidably receive a lower portion  262  of the hitch ball  207 . The load measurement device  230  can comprise any suitable type of load measurement device or mechanism described herein. 
     In the illustrated example, the load measurement device  230  includes a reservoir  232  having a fluid  233  and a piston  234  disposed therein. In this case, the piston  234  is integrally formed with a hitch ball  207  (e.g., a bottom  268  of a lower end  262  of the hitch ball  207  forms the piston  234 ). The piston  234  can affect a pressure of the fluid  233  as a result of a downward force on the hitch ball  207 . The load measurement device  230  also includes a pressure sensor  236 , or gauge, in fluid communication with the reservoir  232 , such as via a conduit  237 , to indicate a quantity of the downward force acting on the hitch ball  207  based on the pressure of the fluid. The pressure sensor  236  can be calibrated to indicate the force acting on the hitch ball  207 . 
     In one aspect, a display  240  for the pressure sensor or gauge can be included to indicate the magnitude of the load or downward force acting on the hitch ball  207 . Such a display can be located proximate a pressure sensor or included with a gauge. It should be recognized that a pressure sensor, a gauge, or a display can be disposed in any suitable location. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a pressure sensor and associated display  240  can be located at a distance from the body portion  260 . In this case, the pressure sensor can be in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir via the conduit  237  external to the body portion  260 . In one aspect, multiple pressure sensors and/or displays can be utilized to present force information in various directions and/or locations. 
     The assembly  201  can be configured to capture the hitch ball  207  to prevent the hitch ball from unwanted separation from the body portion  260 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the assembly  201  can include a retention coupling  267  that secures the hitch ball  207  to the body portion  260  while also facilitating slidable movement of the hitch ball  207  within a hitch ball opening  261  of the body portion  260  to determine the magnitude of a force acting on the hitch ball  207 . The retention coupling  267  can have a retention protrusion  264   a - b  and a retention wall  265   a - b  defining at least a portion of a retention opening  263   a - b  operable to receive at least a portion of the retention protrusion  264   a - b  therein. The retention wall  265   a - b  can provide a mechanical barrier to the retention protrusion  264   a - b  that prevents removal of the hitch ball  207  from the hitch ball opening  261 . 
     In the illustrated example, one or more of the retention openings  263   a - b  is associated with the hitch ball  207  (e.g., formed within the lower portion  262  of the hitch ball  207 ). In addition, one or more of the retention protrusions  264   a - b  is associated with the body portion  260  (e.g., coupled to the body portion  260 ). As shown in the illustrated example, the retention protrusions  264   a - b  can be threadingly engaged with the body portion. Each of the retention openings  263   a - b  can receive at least one of the retention protrusions  264   a - b  to secure the hitch ball  207  to the body portion  260 . For example, the retention protrusions  264   a - b  can extend into the respective retention openings  263   a - b . The retention openings  263   a - b  and the retention protrusions  264   a - b  can be configured to facilitate movement of the hitch ball  207  against the load measurement device  230  in response to the downward force  251  on the hitch ball. For example, an upper clearance  266  between the retention protrusions  264   a - b  and the retention walls  265   a - b  of the retention openings  263   a - b  can be sized equal to or greater than a range of motion of the load measurement device  230  (e.g., maximum deflection or piston travel) in response to a maximum allowable force  251  applied to the hitch ball  207 . This can ensure that the retention protrusions  264   a - b  will not hinder downward movement of the hitch ball  207 , which could interfere with a proper measurement of the downward force  251  on the hitch ball  207 . The shapes and/or sizes of the retention protrusions  264   a - b  and the retention openings  263   a - b  can be of any suitable configuration (e.g., cross-sectional shapes that are circular, oval, elliptical, rectangular, etc.), structure (e.g., a notch, groove, channel, hole, etc.), or dimension. For example, the retention protrusions  264   a - b  can comprise at least one of a pin, a bolt, a screw, a rod, a shaft, a tab, a flange, or a ball. In addition, the retention openings  263   a - b  and the retention protrusions  264   a - b  can be included in any suitable quantity and in any suitable location or pattern. 
     The retention protrusions  264   a - b  and retention openings  263   a - b  can have any suitable relationship with the associated hitch ball  207  and body portion  260 . In one aspect, as shown in  FIG. 3 , one or more of the retention protrusions  264   a - b  (and/or retention openings  263   a - b ) can be oriented toward a center of the hitch ball  207 . In another aspect, at least two retention protrusions  264   a - b  (and/or retention openings  263   a - b ) can be oriented parallel to one another. In a particular aspect, at least two of the retention protrusions  264   a - b  (and/or retention openings  263   a - b ) can be aligned with one another. 
     In one aspect, ends of the retention protrusions  264   a - b  can terminate within the retention openings  263   a - b  (e.g., within the lower portion  262  of the hitch ball  207 ). In other words, the retention protrusions  264   a - b  do not extend all the way through the hitch ball  207  (e.g., through the lower portion  262 ). In a particular aspect, one or more of the retention openings  263   a - b  can be blind openings or holes (e.g., openings or holes that do not extend all the way through the lower portion  262  of the hitch ball  207 ). Thus, one or more of the retention openings  263   a - b  can be blind openings or through openings and the retention protrusions  264   a - b  may not extend all the way through the hitch ball  207 . 
     Although the retention openings  263   a - b  have been shown and described as being associated with the hitch ball  207  and the retention protrusions  264   a - b  have been shown and described as being associated with the body portion  260 , it should be recognized that retention openings and retention protrusions can be associated with a hitch ball and/or a body portion, in any suitable arrangement or combination, as desired. For example, retention openings can be associated with a body portion, and retention protrusions can be associated with a hitch ball (e.g., coupled to the hitch ball, such as threadingly engaged with the hitch ball). In another example, retention openings and retention protrusions can be associated with both a hitch ball and a body portion. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a weight measuring hitch ball assembly  301  in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The weight measuring hitch ball assembly  301  can include a hitch ball  307  configured to engage with a coupling device of the trailer, a load measurement device  330  operable to determine a magnitude of a downward force acting on the hitch ball  307 , and a support structure or body portion  360  in support of the hitch ball  307 . The body portion  360  can include or define a hitch ball opening or socket  361  to slidably receive a lower portion  362  of the hitch ball  307 . 
     The load measurement device  330  can comprise any suitable type of load measurement device or mechanism described herein. As with the assembly  201  of  FIG. 3  discussed above, in this particular example, the assembly  301  of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  includes a load measurement device  330  with a reservoir  332  having a fluid  333  and a piston  334  integrated with a hitch ball  307  disposed in the reservoir  332 , as shown in  FIG. 4A . In this case, a pressure sensor  336 , or gauge, and associated display  340  are located on, or mounted to, a body portion  360 . 
     The assembly  301  also includes a hitch portion  310  configured to interface with an attachment structure associated with a tow vehicle that facilitates coupling the hitch ball assembly  301  to the tow vehicle. In this example, the hitch portion  310  extends downward from the body portion  360  below a hitch ball  307 . In this case, the hitch portion  310  can include a coupling feature  311  operable to couple the hitch ball assembly  301  to an attachment structure, as described herein (e.g., a draw bar), which facilitates coupling the assembly  301  to a tow vehicle. The coupling feature  311  can be or include any suitable coupling configuration known in the art, such as a threaded coupling feature (e.g., external threads or internal threads), a shaft, a rod, a hole, a recess, a groove, a pin, or any other feature suitable for coupling the assembly  301  to an attachment structure and/or a tow vehicle and maintaining structural integrity during towing. Although the coupling feature  311  is illustrated as extending downward from the body portion  360  below the hitch ball  307 , any other suitable location and/or orientation of the coupling feature  111  is contemplated. 
     The assembly  301  can be configured to capture the hitch ball  307  to prevent the hitch ball from unwanted separation from the body portion  360 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the assembly  301  can include a retention coupling  367  that secures the hitch ball  307  to the body portion  360  while also facilitating slidable movement of the hitch ball  307  within a hitch ball opening  361  of the body portion  360  to determine the magnitude of a force acting on the hitch ball  307 . The retention coupling  367  can have a retention protrusion  364   a - d  and a retention wall  365   a - d  defining at least a portion of a retention opening  363   a - d  operable to receive at least a portion of the retention protrusion  364   a - d  therein. The retention wall  365   a - d  can provide a mechanical barrier to the retention protrusion  364   a - d  that prevents removal of the hitch ball  307  from the hitch ball opening  361 . 
     In the illustrated example, one or more of the retention openings  363   a - d  is associated with the hitch ball  307  (e.g., formed within the lower portion  362  of the hitch ball  307 ). In addition, one or more of the retention protrusions  364   a - d  is associated with the body portion  360  (e.g., coupled to the body portion  360 ). As shown in the illustrated example, the retention protrusions  364   a - d  can be threadingly engaged with the body portion. Each of the retention openings  363   a - d  can receive at least one of the retention protrusions  364   a - d  to secure the hitch ball  307  to the body portion  360 . For example, the retention protrusions  364   a - d  can extend into the respective retention openings  363   a - d . The retention openings  363   a - d  and the retention protrusions  364   a - d  can be configured to facilitate movement of the hitch ball  307  against the load measurement device  330  in response to the downward force on the hitch ball. For example, an upper clearance between the retention protrusions  364   a - d  and the retention walls  365   a - d  of the retention openings  363   a - d  can be sized equal to or greater than a range of motion of the load measurement device  330  (e.g., maximum deflection or piston travel) in response to a maximum allowable force applied to the hitch ball  307 . This can ensure that the retention protrusions  364   a - d  will not hinder downward movement of the hitch ball  307 , which could interfere with a proper measurement of the downward force on the hitch ball  307 . The shapes and/or sizes of the retention protrusions  364   a - d  and the retention openings  363   a - d  can be of any suitable configuration (e.g., cross-sectional shapes that are circular, oval, elliptical, rectangular, etc.), structure (e.g., a notch, groove, channel, hole, etc.), or dimension. For example, the retention protrusions  364   a - d  can comprise at least one of a pin, a bolt, a screw, a rod, a shaft, a tab, a flange, or a ball. In addition, the retention openings  363   a - d  and the retention protrusions  364   a - d  can be included in any suitable quantity and in any suitable location or pattern. 
     The retention protrusions  364   a - d  and retention openings  363   a - d  can have any suitable relationship with the associated hitch ball  307  and body portion  360 . The top cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4B  further illustrates an arrangement of retention openings  363   a - d  and the retention protrusions  364   a - d  that serve to secure the hitch ball  307  to the body portion  360 . In this case, four retention protrusions  364   a - d  extend into four respective retention openings  363   a - d , which are equally spaced about the circumference of the body portion  360  and the hitch ball  307 , although any suitable configuration may be utilized. As further shown in the  FIG. 4B  example, one or more of the retention protrusions  364   a - d  (and/or retention openings  363   a - d ) can be oriented toward a center of the hitch ball  307 . In one aspect, at least two retention protrusions  364   a - b ,  364   c - d  (and/or retention openings  363   a - b ,  363   c - d ) can be oriented parallel to one another. In a particular aspect, at least two of the retention protrusions  364   a - b ,  364   c - d  (and/or retention openings  363   a - b ,  363   c - d ) can be aligned with one another. In yet another aspect, at least two of the retention protrusions  364   a - b  can be oriented perpendicular relative to retention protrusions  364   c - d  (and/or retention openings  363   a - b  relative to retention openings  363   c - d ). In one aspect, a retention opening  363 ′ can extend about an outer periphery of the lower portion  362 . In this case, one or more of the retention protrusions  364   a - d  can extend into the (single) retention opening  363 ′. Such a configuration can enable relative rotation between the hitch ball  307  and the body portion  360 . 
     In one aspect, ends of the retention protrusions  364   a - d  can terminate within the retention openings  363   a - d  (e.g., within the lower portion  362  of the hitch ball  307 ). In other words, the retention protrusions  364   a - d  do not extend all the way through the hitch ball  307  (e.g., through the lower portion  362 ). In a particular aspect, one or more of the retention openings  363   a - d  can be blind openings or holes (e.g., openings or holes that do not extend all the way through the lower portion  362  of the hitch ball  307 ). Thus, one or more of the retention openings  363   a - d  can be blind openings or through openings and the retention protrusions  364   a - d  may not extend all the way through the hitch ball  307 . Although the retention openings  363   a - d  have been shown and described as being associated with the hitch ball  307  and the retention protrusions  364   a - d  have been shown and described as being associated with the body portion  360 , it should be recognized that retention openings and retention protrusions can be associated with a hitch ball and/or a body portion, in any suitable arrangement or combination, as desired. For example, retention openings can be associated with a body portion, and retention protrusions can be associated with a hitch ball (e.g., coupled to the hitch ball, such as threadingly engaged with the hitch ball). In another example, retention openings and retention protrusions can be associated with both a hitch ball and a body portion. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a weight measuring hitch ball assembly  401 , in accordance with another example of the present disclosure. The weight measuring hitch ball assembly  401  can include a hitch ball  407  configured to engage with a coupling device of the trailer, a load measurement device  430  operable to determine a magnitude of a downward force  451  acting on the hitch ball  407 , and a support structure or body portion  460  in support of the hitch ball  407 . The body portion  460  can include or define a hitch ball opening or socket  461  to slidably receive a lower portion  462  of the hitch ball  407 . The assembly  401  also includes a hitch portion  410  for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle, and a ball portion  420 , which can include the hitch ball  407  and the body portion  460 . 
     The load measurement device  430  can comprise any suitable type of load measurement device or mechanism described herein. In the illustrated example, the load measurement device  430  includes a reservoir  432  having a fluid  433  and a piston  434  disposed therein. The piston  434  can affect a pressure of the fluid  433  as a result of the downward load  451  on the hitch ball  407 . The load measurement device  430  also includes a pressure sensor  436 , or gauge, in fluid communication with the reservoir  432 , such as via a conduit  417 , to indicate a quantity of the downward load  451  based on the pressure of the fluid. The pressure sensor  436  can be calibrated to indicate a load acting on the hitch ball  407 . 
     In the present embodiment, the load measurement device  430  is associated with the ball portion  420 . In one aspect, the assembly  401  includes a trailer tongue weight measuring portion  409  that includes the hitch ball  407  and the load measurement device  430 . The hitch ball  407  and the piston  434  are rigidly and mechanically coupled to one another, such that movement of the hitch ball  407  directly causes movement of the piston  434 . Thus, the hitch ball  407  is configured to exert a force on the piston  434 , thereby affecting a pressure of the fluid  433  in response to the downward force  451  on the hitch ball  407 . In other words, the hitch ball  407  can be configured to move as a result of the load and cause the piston  434  to increase pressure of the fluid  433 . 
     The body portion  460  can define various features of the load measurement device  430  and can interface with and support the hitch ball  407 . For example, the body portion  460  can define, at least in part, the reservoir  432  and/or the conduit  417 . As mentioned above, the body portion  460  can also have a hitch ball opening  461  to receive a lower portion  462  of the hitch ball  407  and facilitate the hitch ball  407  exerting a force on the piston  434 . The hitch ball opening  461  can be configured to constrain translational movement of the hitch ball  407  to a single degree of freedom (i.e., parallel to the downward force  451 ), which can facilitate the hitch ball  407  exerting a force on the piston  434 . 
     In one aspect, a display  440  for the pressure sensor or gauge can be included to indicate the magnitude of the load or downward force  451 . Such a display can be located proximate the pressure sensor  436  or included with a gauge. It should be recognized that a display can be disposed in any suitable location and can be in communication with the pressure sensor via any suitable means. For example, the display  440  can be associated with the ball portion  420 . In another example, a transmitter can be included to communicate the magnitude of the downward force  451  on the hitch ball  407  to a remote display. 
     The assembly  401  can be configured to capture the hitch ball  407  to prevent the hitch ball from unwanted separation from the body portion  460 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the assembly  401  can include a retention coupling  467  that secures the hitch ball  407  to the body portion  460  while also facilitating slidable movement of the hitch ball  407  within a hitch ball opening  461  of the body portion  460  to determine the magnitude of a force acting on the hitch ball  407 . The retention coupling  467  can have a retention protrusion  464  and a retention wall  465  defining at least a portion of a retention opening  463  operable to receive at least a portion of the retention protrusion  464  therein. The retention wall  465  can provide a mechanical barrier to the retention protrusion  464  that prevents removal of the hitch ball  407  from the hitch ball opening  461 . 
     In the illustrated example, the retention opening  463  is associated with the hitch ball  407  (e.g., formed within the lower portion  462  of the hitch ball  407 ). In one aspect, the retention protrusion  464  can be associated with the body portion  460  (e.g., coupled to the body portion  460 ). The retention opening  463  can receive the retention protrusion  464  to secure the hitch ball  407  to the body portion  460 . For example, the retention protrusion  464  can extend into the retention opening  463 . The retention opening  463  and the retention protrusion  464  can be configured to facilitate movement of the hitch ball  407  against the load measurement device  430  in response to the downward force  451  on the hitch ball. For example, an upper clearance  466  between the retention protrusion  464  and the retention wall  465  of the retention opening  463  can be sized equal to or greater than a range of motion or extension distance  439  of the load measurement device  430  (e.g., maximum deflection or piston travel) in response to a maximum allowable force  451  applied to the hitch ball  407 . This can ensure that the retention protrusion  464  will not hinder downward movement of the hitch ball  407 , which could interfere with a proper measurement of the downward force  451  on the hitch ball  407 . The shapes and/or sizes of the retention protrusion  464  and the retention opening  463  can be of any suitable configuration (e.g., cross-sectional shapes that are circular, oval, elliptical, rectangular, etc.), structure (e.g., a notch, groove, channel, hole, etc.), or dimension. For example, the retention protrusion  464  can comprise at least one of a pin, a bolt, a screw, a rod, a shaft, a tab, a flange, or a ball. 
     In one aspect, the retention protrusion  464  and retention opening  463  can have any suitable relationship with the associated hitch ball  407  and body portion  460 . In one aspect, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the retention protrusion  464  (and/or retention opening  463 ) can be oriented toward a center of the hitch ball  407 . In addition, the retention opening  463  and the retention protrusion  464  can be in any suitable location. Thus, although the location of the retention opening  463  and the retention protrusion  464  are shown in the figure as being laterally located in a middle portion of the hitch ball  407 , it should be recognized that a retention opening and a retention protrusion can be located at a lateral external surface of the hitch ball  407 , such as proximate a wall of the hitch ball opening  461  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 8A and 8B ). In one aspect, the retention protrusion  464  can be accessible from an exterior of the body portion  460  to facilitate removal of the retention protrusion and, thus, the hitch ball  407 . The hitch ball  407  can therefore be interchanged with another hitch ball having a different diameter ball to properly fit a trailer tongue or to replace a damaged hitch ball. 
     In one aspect, an end of the retention protrusion  464  can terminate within the retention opening  463  (e.g., within the lower portion  462  of the hitch ball  407 ). In other words, the retention protrusion  464  does not extend all the way through the hitch ball  407  (e.g., through the lower portion  462 ). In a particular aspect, the retention opening  463  can be a blind opening or hole (e.g., an opening or hole that does not extend all the way through the lower portion  462  of the hitch ball  407 ). Thus, the retention opening  463  can be a blind opening or a through opening and the retention protrusion  464  may not extend all the way through the hitch ball  407 . 
     Although the retention opening  463  has been shown and described as being associated with the hitch ball  407  and the retention protrusion  464  has been described as being associated with the body portion  460 , it should be recognized that retention opening and retention protrusion can be associated with a hitch ball and/or a body portion, in any suitable arrangement or combination, as desired. For example, a retention opening can be associated with a body portion, and a retention protrusion can be associated with a hitch ball (e.g., coupled to the hitch ball, such as threadingly engaged with the hitch ball). In another example, a retention opening and a retention protrusion can be associated with both a hitch ball and a body portion. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate a weight measuring hitch ball assembly  501 , in accordance with yet another example of the present disclosure. The weight measuring hitch ball assembly  501  can include a hitch ball  507  configured to engage with a coupling device of the trailer, a load measurement device  530  operable to determine a magnitude of a downward force  551  acting on the hitch ball  507 , and a support structure or body portion  560  in support of the hitch ball  507 . The body portion  560  can include or define a hitch ball opening or socket  561  to slidably receive a lower portion  562  of the hitch ball  507 . The assembly  501  also includes a hitch portion  510  for interfacing with an attachment structure (e.g., a hitch receiver) associated with a vehicle, and a ball portion  520 , which can include the hitch ball  507  and the body portion  560 . 
     The load measurement device  530  can comprise any suitable type of load measurement device or mechanism described herein. In the illustrated example, the load measurement device  530  includes a fluid reservoir  532  having a fluid  533 , a piston  534 , and a display  540  to indicate the magnitude of the load or downward force  551  on the hitch ball  507  based on fluid pressure. The ball portion  520  comprises a trailer tongue weight measuring portion  509  that includes the hitch ball  507  and the load measurement device  530 . The present embodiment, however, includes features and structure that facilitate a vertical height adjustment of the ball portion  520 . These features can be used, for example, to position the hitch ball  507  at a suitable height for engaging a trailer when a hitch receiver on the tow vehicle would otherwise be too high. 
     The assembly  501  can include a vertical member  529 , coupled between the hitch portion  510  and the ball portion  520 , configured to allow adjustment of a height of the ball portion  520  with respect to the hitch portion  510  in direction  559 . The hitch ball  510  can therefore include multiple separable components in a height-adjustable device. The height of the ball portion  520  can be adjustable with respect to the hitch portion  510  utilizing a height adjustment mechanism  570 . The height adjustment mechanism  570  can include height adjustment openings  571  in the vertical member  529 . The height adjustment mechanism  570  can also include two or more height adjustment pin openings  572   a ,  572   b  in the ball portion  520 . In addition, the height adjustment mechanism  570  can include two or more height adjustment pins  573   a ,  573   b  removably extendable at least partially through the height adjustment pin openings  572   a ,  572   b  in the ball portion  520  and the height adjustment openings  571  in the vertical member  529 . In one aspect, the height adjustment pins  573   a ,  573   b  can be coupled to one another via a connecting member  574 . The connecting member  574  can therefore facilitate simultaneous insertion or removal of the height adjustment pins  573   a ,  573   b.    
     In use, the height adjustment pins  573   a ,  573   b  can be removed from at least the height adjustment openings  571  in the vertical member  529 , and the ball portion  520  can be moved vertically in direction  559 . Once a desired height of the hitch ball  507  is achieved, the height adjustment pins  573   a ,  573   b  can be inserted into the nearest acceptable adjustment openings  571  through the respective height adjustment pin openings  572   a ,  572   b  to fix the relative position of the ball portion  520  and the vertical member  529  and complete the height adjustment of the hitch ball  507 . 
     As with the assembly  401  discussed above, the ball portion  520  of the assembly  501  can include the body portion  560 , which can define various features of the load measurement device  530  and can interface with and support the hitch ball  507 . In addition, the body portion  560  can be configured to interface with the vertical member  529 . For example, the vertical member  529  and the body portion  560  can be configured with complementary geometries to facilitate a stable engagement of the vertical member  529  and the body portion  560  when coupled to one another via the height adjustment pins  573   a ,  573   b , as discussed above. For example, the vertical member  529  can have an I-shaped cross-section and the body portion  560  (i.e., the ball portion  520 ) can have a C-shaped cross-sectional portion to mate with and engage at least a portion of the I-shaped cross-section of the vertical member  529 . Such an interface configuration can provide torsional stability for mating vertical member  529  and ball portion  520  components of the assembly  501 . In one aspect, the height adjustment pin openings  572   a ,  572   b  can be formed in the body portion  560 . 
     The assembly  501  can be configured to capture the hitch ball  507  to prevent the hitch ball from unwanted separation from the body portion  560  (e.g., capture the hitch ball  507 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the assembly  501  can include a retention coupling  567  that secures the hitch ball  507  to the body portion  560  while also facilitating slidable movement of the hitch ball  507  within a hitch ball opening  561  of the body portion  560  to determine the magnitude of a force acting on the hitch ball  507 . The retention coupling  567  can have a retention protrusion  564  and a retention wall  565  defining at least a portion of a retention opening  563  operable to receive at least a portion of the retention protrusion  564  therein. The retention wall  565  can provide a mechanical barrier to the retention protrusion  564  that prevents removal of the hitch ball  507  from the hitch ball opening  561 . 
     In the illustrated example, the retention opening  563  is associated with the hitch ball  507  (e.g., formed within the lower portion  562  of the hitch ball  507 ). In one aspect, the retention protrusion  564  can be associated with the body portion  560  (e.g., coupled to the body portion  560 ). The retention opening  563  can receive the retention protrusion  564  to secure the hitch ball  507  to the body portion  560 . For example, the retention protrusion  564  can extend into the retention opening  563 . The retention opening  563  and the retention protrusion  564  can be configured to facilitate movement of the hitch ball  507  against the load measurement device  530  in response to the downward force  551  on the hitch ball. For example, an upper clearance  566  between the retention protrusion  564  and the retention wall  565  of the retention opening  563  can be sized equal to or greater than a range of motion or extension distance of the load measurement device  530  (e.g., maximum deflection or piston travel) in response to a maximum allowable force  551  applied to the hitch ball  507 . This can ensure that the retention protrusion  564  will not hinder downward movement of the hitch ball  507 , which could interfere with a proper measurement of the downward force  551  on the hitch ball  507 . The shapes and/or sizes of the retention protrusion  564  and the retention opening  563  can be of any suitable configuration (e.g., cross-sectional shapes that are circular, oval, elliptical, rectangular, etc.), structure (e.g., a notch, groove, channel, hole, etc.), or dimension. For example, the retention protrusion  564  can comprise at least one of a pin, a bolt, a screw, a rod, a shaft, a tab, a flange, or a ball. In one aspect, the retention protrusion  564  and retention opening  563  can have any suitable positional relationship with the associated hitch ball  507  and body portion  560 . 
     In one aspect, an end  568   a  of the retention protrusion  564  can extend through the retention opening  563  (e.g., within the lower portion  562  of the hitch ball  507 ). In other words, the retention protrusion  564  does not terminate within the retention opening  563  but extends all the way through the hitch ball  507  (e.g., through the lower portion  562 ). In this case, the end  568   a  of the retention protrusion  564  can terminate in the body portion  560 . Thus, the retention opening  563  can be a through opening and the retention protrusion  564  may extend all the way through the hitch ball  507  and into the body portion  560  on either side of the hitch ball  507 . 
     Although the retention opening  563  has been shown and described as being associated with the hitch ball  507  and the retention protrusion  564  has been described as being associated with the body portion  560 , it should be recognized that retention opening and retention protrusion can be associated with a hitch ball and/or a body portion, in any suitable arrangement or combination, as desired. For example, a retention opening can be associated with a body portion, and a retention protrusion can be associated with a hitch ball (e.g., coupled to the hitch ball, such as threadingly engaged with the hitch ball). In another example, a retention opening and a retention protrusion can be associated with both a hitch ball and a body portion. 
     In one aspect, the retention protrusion  564  can be accessible from an exterior of the body portion  560  to facilitate removal of the retention protrusion and, thus, the hitch ball  507 . The hitch ball  507  can therefore be interchanged with another hitch ball having a different diameter ball to properly fit a trailer tongue or to replace a damaged hitch ball. As mentioned above, the body portion  560  can be configured to interface with the vertical member  529 , which is attached to or otherwise associated with the hitch portion  510 . Thus, the body portion  560  can be removably coupled to the vertical member  529  and the hitch portion  510 . In one aspect, when the body portion  560  and the hitch portion  510  are coupled to one another (e.g., via the vertical member  529 ), the retention protrusion  564  can be hidden from view. On the other hand, when the body portion  560  and the hitch portion  510  are separated from one another (e.g., the body portion  560  is removed from the vertical member  529 ), the retention protrusion  564  can be exposed to facilitate removal from the retention opening  563 . For example, the retention protrusion  564  can be oriented with an end  568   b  of the pin proximate the vertical member  529 , such that the retention protrusion is hidden from view when the ball portion  520  is coupled to the vertical member. This can provide a “clean” look for the assembly  501  that is aesthetically pleasing compared to an “exposed” pin. The retention protrusion  564  can be accessible upon separating the ball portion  520  from the vertical member  529 . A ring  569  or other suitable grasping feature can facilitate removal of the pin  564  from the ball portion (i.e., the body portion  560 ) to replace or interchange the hitch ball  507 . 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate a weight measuring hitch ball assembly  601  in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The weight measuring hitch ball assembly  601  can include a hitch ball  607  configured to engage with a coupling device of the trailer, a load measurement device  630  operable to determine a magnitude of a downward force acting on the hitch ball  607 , and a support structure or body portion  660  in support of the hitch ball  607 . The body portion  660  can include or define a hitch ball opening or socket  661  to slidably receive a lower portion  662  of the hitch ball  607 . The load measurement device  630  can comprise any suitable type of load measurement device or mechanism described herein. In one aspect, a display  640  for the load measurement device  630  can be included to indicate the magnitude of the load or downward force acting on the hitch ball  607 . The display  640  can be of any suitable type or configuration disclosed herein and can be disposed in any suitable location. The assembly  601  can be adapted to couple or interface with any suitable attachment structure, as disclosed herein, to facilitate coupling the weight measuring hitch ball assembly  601  to a tow vehicle. 
     The assembly  601  can be configured to capture the hitch ball  607  to prevent the hitch ball from unwanted separation from the body portion  660 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the assembly  601  can include a retention coupling  667  that secures the hitch ball  607  to the body portion  660  while also facilitating slidable movement of the hitch ball  607  within a hitch ball opening  661  of the body portion  660  to determine the magnitude of a force acting on the hitch ball  607 . The retention coupling  667  can have a retention protrusion  664   a - b  and a retention wall  665   a - b  defining at least a portion of a retention opening  663   a - b  operable to receive at least a portion of the retention protrusion  664   a - b  therein. The retention wall  665   a - b  can provide a mechanical barrier to the retention protrusion  664   a - b  that prevents removal of the hitch ball  607  from the hitch ball opening  661 . 
     In the illustrated example, one or more of the retention openings  663   a - b  is associated with the hitch ball  607  (e.g., formed within the lower portion  662  of the hitch ball  607 ). In addition, one or more of the retention protrusions  664   a - b  is associated with the body portion  660  (e.g., coupled to the body portion  660 ). The retention protrusions  664   a - b  can be threadingly engaged with the body portion, press-fit into the body portion  660 , welded to body portion  660 , etc. Each of the retention openings  663   a - b  can receive at least one of the retention protrusions  664   a - b  to secure the hitch ball  607  to the body portion  660 . For example, the retention protrusions  664   a - b  can extend into the respective retention openings  663   a - b . The retention openings  663   a - b  and the retention protrusions  664   a - b  can be configured to facilitate movement of the hitch ball  607  against the load measurement device  630  in response to the downward force on the hitch ball. For example, an upper clearance between the retention protrusions  664   a - b  and the retention walls  665   a - b  of the retention openings  663   a - b  can be sized equal to or greater than a range of motion of the load measurement device  630  (e.g., maximum movement of the hitch ball  607 ) in response to a maximum allowable force applied to the hitch ball  607 . This can ensure that the retention protrusions  664   a - b  will not hinder downward movement of the hitch ball  607 , which could interfere with a proper measurement of the downward force on the hitch ball  607 . The shapes and/or sizes of the retention protrusions  664   a - b  and the retention openings  663   a - b  can be of any suitable configuration (e.g., cross-sectional shapes that are circular, oval, elliptical, rectangular, etc.), structure (e.g., a notch, groove, channel, hole, etc.), or dimension. For example, the retention protrusions  664   a - b  can comprise at least one of a pin, a bolt, a screw, a rod, a shaft, a tab, a flange, or a ball. In addition, the retention openings  663   a - b  and the retention protrusions  664   a - b  can be included in any suitable quantity and in any suitable location or pattern. 
     The retention protrusions  664   a - b  and retention openings  663   a - b  can have any suitable relationship with the associated hitch ball  607  and body portion  660 . In one aspect, as shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , at least two of the retention protrusions  664   a - b  (and/or retention openings  663   a - b ) can be oriented parallel to one another. In another aspect, one or more of the retention protrusions  664   a - b  (and/or retention openings  663   a - b ) can be oriented tangential to an outer periphery of the lower portion. In this case, the retention openings  663   a - b  can be open on at least one end and a lateral side. In one aspect, as shown in the illustrated example, ends  668   a - b  of the retention protrusions  664   a - b  can extend all the way through the hitch ball  607  (e.g., through the retention openings  663   a - b  and the lower portion  662 ) and terminate within the body portion  660 . In one aspect, as illustrated in  FIG. 8B , a retention opening  663 ′ can extend about an outer periphery of the lower portion  662 . In this case, one or more tangentially located and oriented retention protrusions  664   a - d  can extend into the (single) retention opening  663 ′. Such a configuration can enable relative rotation between the hitch ball  607  and the body portion  660 . 
     In one aspect, ends of the retention protrusions  664   a - b  can terminate within the retention openings  663   a - b  (e.g., within the lower portion  662  of the hitch ball  607 ). In other words, the retention protrusions  664   a - b  do not extend all the way through the hitch ball  607  (e.g., through the lower portion  662 ). In a particular aspect, one or more of the retention openings  663   a - b  can be blind openings or holes (e.g., openings or holes that do not extend all the way through the lower portion  662  of the hitch ball  607 ). Thus, one or more of the retention openings  663   a - b  can be blind openings or through openings and the retention protrusions  664   a - b  may not extend all the way through the hitch ball  607 . 
     Although the retention openings  663   a - b  have been shown and described as being associated with the hitch ball  607  and the retention protrusions  664   a - b  have been shown and described as being associated with the body portion  660 , it should be recognized that retention openings and retention protrusions can be associated with a hitch ball and/or a body portion, in any suitable arrangement or combination, as desired. For example, retention openings can be associated with a body portion, and retention protrusions can be associated with a hitch ball (e.g., coupled to the hitch ball, such as threadingly engaged with the hitch ball). In another example, retention openings and retention protrusions can be associated with both a hitch ball and a body portion. 
     Of course, it is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present invention has been described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.