Back to results
US 2014/0110918 A1Published application
Overload indicator
AssigneeCequent Performance Products, Inc.
InventorRichard W. McCoy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An overload indicator is shown and described. The overload indicator may include a compression ring located between a portion of a hitch and a hitch ball, the compression ring calibrated to withstand up to a selected vertical force limit. The compression ring collapsing or flattening when applied with a force equal to or greater than the selected vertical force limit.
Claims22
1-13. (canceled)
An overload indicator comprising:
- a load cell selectively positioned between a hitch ball and a hitch assembly, wherein the load cell measures a vertical force applied to at least one of the hitch ball and hitch assembly;
- and
- a microcontroller operatively coupled with the load cell, wherein the load cell provides an input signal to the microcontroller indicative of the vertical force measured.
21-23. (canceled)
An overload indicator comprising:
- a load cell adapted to measure a vertical force applied to at least one of a hitch ball and hitch assembly;
- a microcontroller operatively coupled with the load cell, wherein the load cell provides an input signal to the microcontroller indicative of the vertical force measured;
- and
- a warning device in operative communication with the microcontroller, the warning device adapted to indicate when the vertical force measured has exceeded a predetermined amount.
1 more element
An overload indicator comprising:
- a load cell adapted to measure a force applied between a hitch ball and hitch assembly;
- a microcontroller operatively coupled with the load cell, wherein the load cell provides an input signal to the microcontroller indicative of the force measured and the microcontroller provides an output indicating when the force exceeds a predetermined amount.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.