Abstract: Portions of a product are obtained from a supply of the product and are weighed and distributed by an apparatus having a plurality of picking units, a computer and a distribution device. Each picking unit provides for gripping and removing a portion of a product from a supply of the product, for weighing and recording the weight of the removed, gripped portion, and for feeding the recorded weight of the removed, gripped portion to the computer. The computer, which is preprogrammed for a predetermined total weight and to combine a plurality of recorded weights to give a total weight substantially equal to the preprogrammed weight and to actuate release of a combination of portions from the picking units, computes the recorded weights to combine the recorded weights to give a total weight of a combination of a plurality of the portions substantially equal to the preprogrammed weight and then actuates release of the combination of portions which give the total weight for distribution.

Abstract: A method for measuring the weight of a suspended load, such as the bucket of a dragline, is disclosed. The method incorporates visual observations by a person such as a test engineer, or the operator of the dragline. During a dig cycle, once the steady state operation of the hoist is achieved, sampling of parameters such as hoist motor armature and field currents, and hoist and drag rope lengths, is performed. Using the calculated values of the force applied to the load and the geometry determined by the various rope lengths, the weight of the suspended load is calculated for each sample in the dig cycle. The calculated weight data may be accepted or rejected based upon the presence of dynamic factors observed by the test engineer or operator, or evident in the data. Calibration of certain values, such as the hoist efficiency, may take place on-site, rather than relying on theoretical or modeled values.

Abstract: A tension bar especially a lifting bar, connects the lower steering arm of a three-point attaching device to the associated force arm of a tractor. The lifting arm is connected to the force arm and lower steering arm through attaching ends. A tension axis extends through the attaching ends of the lifting bar. The lift bar 5, in the direction transverse to the tension axis 12, is divided into an upper bar part 9 and a lower bar part 10. The upper bar part 9 and the lower bar part 10 are connected to one another by a bending beam 11, which is arranged outside the tension axis 12. The upper bar part 9 and the lower bar part 10 are separated from one another by a gap 13 which extends transversely to the tension axis 12 and to the bending beam 11. At the end of the transverse tension axis 12 facing away from the bending beam 11 a connecting element 15 is provided which is anchored both to the upper bar part 9 and to the lower bar part 10. The connecting element 15 limits the change in the width of the gap.

Abstract: A cargo hook having fore and aft trunnions mounted in fore and aft bearings supported on frame members of a helicopter or the like, is provided with strain gauges secured in a bore in the aft trunnion for measuring shear strain on the trunnion by a load supported by the cargo hook. Additional strain gauges are secured in the aft trunnion bore for measuring axial and Poisson forces on the trunnion as the axis through the fore and aft trunnions varies from horizontal. The strain gauges are included in an electric circuit of a Wheatstone bridge and an indicator which converts the electric signals from the strain gauges to a readout of units of load weight. The strain gauges which measure axial and Poisson forces are connected in the electric circuit to compensate for the deviation from horizontal of the axis through the fore and aft trunnions, to provide an accurate readout of load weight applied to the cargo hook.

Abstract: A coupling device comprises a non-magnetic female part (1) comprising an aperture ending in a coupling surface of the part and a magnet (7) accommodated in a recess in an offset position with respect to the coupling aperture; and a male part (3) comprising a portion with a circular section (11) made of a ferromagnetic material, the diameter of which is higher than the smallest size of the aperture, and intended to be drawn by the magnet against the coupling surface while being centered in the aperture. This device can be used in an apparatus for suspending any of several objects to a support.

Abstract: Lift weighing arrangements in which arms to lift supports carry strain gauges.

Abstract: The invention weighs an elevator car independently of variations in load distribution within the car and variations in the tension distribution in rods and ropes from which the car is suspended. This is accomplished by means of a top hitch plate, a middle hitch plate, and a bottom hitch plate, which are arranged such that the bottom hitch plate has a pivot 16 mounted on it with the middle hitch plate being mounted on the pivot 16 and a load cell and a support being mounted on the middle hitch plate 17 outboard of the rods from which the car 2 is supported. The top hitch plate is connected to a crosshead at its upper surface. The load cell and support bear against the top hitch plate when there is tension in the rods from the weight of the car 2.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a load limiting device for elevating devices that are installed in homes to facilitate the transport of people or goods. The object of this invention is to provide a load limiting device for home elevators which will prevent the operation of the elevator when the load is too great. The device utilizes an improved resilient compressible member which surrounds an elevator lifting cable and is also positioned between a cable anchoring device and a portion of an actuating arm that is coupled to a limit switch.

Abstract: A scale having a weight determining element having means to support the elements and means for engaging and suspending a load so that the weight of the load is measured, digital data storage within the weight determining element, a beam sensor in the weight determining element and a beam transmitter operable by a user to signal the weight determining element for temporarily recording a measured weight, a data storage device external of and separate from the weight determining element interconnectable with the weight determining element so that, upon command, the data stored in the weight determining element is transmitted to the data sotrage for use in a printer or for further data processing.

Abstract: An elevator car is mounted on a frame by means of four pendulum rods suspended from the frame and attached to the floor of the car, one rod being disposed at each corner of the car. Load-weighing transducer assemblies are mounted on two diagonally opposed suspension rods to sense the weight of the car, and thereby monitor the number of persons on the elevator. A fixed capacity transducer can be used with a variety of different size and weight cars through the use of a pivot arm mounting assembly for the transducer.

Abstract: This apparatus includes a wheeled base adapted to roll under a hospital bed, an upright at one end of the base and a T-bar adapted to extend over the hospital bed. Suspended from the T-bar is a frame mounted for limited swinging movement and adapted to engage the side rails of a stretcher. Load cells in the swinging frame measure the weight of a patient on the stretcher, and are connected to indicator means mounted on the upright.

Abstract: A thimble (10) for the eye (4) of a rope (2) is provided with a sleeve (40) which receives the pin (32) of a shackle (30) and a bar (42) which attaches this sleeve to the inside wall of the thimble. The load in this beam is measured and recorded by means of a mechanical strain recording device (50) in which a scribe (56) on an arm (54) marks on a recording surface (52).

Abstract: A plurality of flexible expandable containers for storing articles of any shape is provided, each having an attachment portion for suspending the containers from two parallelly spaced horizontal members of a supporting frame. Suspended adjacent containers may be varied in length to save space so that more containers may be accommodated on each frame, and frames may be mounted in storage or file cabinet drawers. Mechanisms are provided for opening and closing storage drawers selectively; for lifting one or more containers at a time either selectively or progressively; for weighing each group of lifted containers at once but individually and separately; for calculating the number of alike articles stored in each container from the gross weight measured and the container tare weight previously obtained; and for processing, storing and delivering or displaying the inventory information thus acquired.

Abstract: A livestock weighing apparatus including a weighing cage suspended inside an outer support structure. A cantilevered weight transfer tube is mounted to the outer support structure and this weight transfer tube has two arms, one at each end thereof, from which the weighing cage is suspended. An electronic weighing scale is attached to one of the arms attached to the weight transfer tube. The weight of the animal on the platform is concentrated at the point at which the scale is attached to the weight transfer tube.

Abstract: An emptying utility for containers, in particular for emptying garbage containers into the collecting tank of a garbage truck, is equipped with a weighing device which determines during the uninterrupted progress of the emptying operation, in one or two time clock windows, the weight of the filled container moving upwardly and, possibly, the weight of the emptied container moving downwardly. Towards this end there is provided a force transducer at that element of the pour-in utility which is connected to the fixed support of the utility, either directly or via an intermediate member. Display and/or registering instruments of the utility contain a control and computing unit which is capable of selecting predetermined measured values, for use in evaluation, from all those measured values which are constantly being supplied by the force transducer during the entire, uninterrupted course of the emptying operation.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system for use at a pipe manufacturing facility includes a computer and memory; a storage/retrieval crane operable in a storage yard; a plurality of containers, each being capable of containing material for storage and a load crane for at least one of loading or unloading respective containers. The computer is on-site proximate the storage yard and includes means for monitoring and controlling the storage/retrieval crane and load crane, means for monitoring and storing in memory information of container positions in the storage yard and means for coordinating operation of the storage/retrieval crane and load crane. The crane stores and retrieves containers in the yard in a three dimensional array, can carry containers on the crane feet, and may deliver or retrieve containers relative to load/unload stations including a load crane. At such stations pipe is transferred between containers and the load crane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the quantity of material delivered per cycle by a shovel loader having a bucket (22) that is moved between loaded and unloading positions. During the movement of the bucket in either direction between said positions, determinations are made of the location of the bucket with respect to two spaced points (27) and (17) on the structure (15) supporting the bucket. At the same time determinations are made as to the strain at a particular location in the support structure (15), that strain being related to total weight of the bucket and its contents. The bucket position determinations and the strain determinations are each provided as inputs to a processor programmed to calculate therefrom the weight of the bucket and contents, when loaded and unloaded, to thereby provide the weight of material delivered.

Abstract: Containers such as liquefied gas cylinders are weighed in situ using a balance comprising a pneumatic actuator connected between a support temporarily installed above a container to be weighed and the container itself. Gas pressure is applied to the actuator to lift the container off the surface on which it is standing, and the pressure required to hold it off that surface is measured to indicate the weight of the container. A limiting valve is associated with the actuator so as to limit pressure therein to that required to lift the container.

Abstract: A power shovel for surface mining operations is equipped with a Suspended Load Measuring (SLM) system. The SLM system determines the net weight of the material in the shovel bucket by sensing the electrical parameters of the drive motors. A microprocessor inputs the drive motor electrical parameters and processes them according to the known geometry of the power shovel. To meet the requisite accuracy of .+-.2% for a load measuring system to be effective, the SLM system utilizes a dynamic model which accounts for both conservative and nonconservative dynamic effects prevalent in power shovel operation. Correction are included for the conservative effects of the rotational inertia of the drive motors and reduction gear train, the stretch of the cables, and the inertia of the bucket. Non-conservative losses due to friction, gear loss and motor inefficiency are also compensated for.

Abstract: A weighing tool and method for determining the weight of ice contained within each of a plurality of ice baskets received within corresponding compartments of a lattice frame, as employed with nuclear power generators. A cylinder body includes lug support frames and corresponding lugs movable to retracted positions for inserting the weighing tool within the upper end of an ice basket, and to extended positions for being engaging in the ice basket and securing the tool thereto. A piston movable in sliding relationship within the body and defining upper and lower compartment therein is secured through a piston rod to a support bar which rests on the lattice frame and spans the compartment. Hydraulic fluid under controlled, increasing pressure is introduced into the upper compartment, driving the cylinder body upwardly relatively to the stationary piston so as to raise the ice basket. The pressure necessary to lift the ice basket provides a measure of the total weight of the ice basket.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus includes a plurality of measuring hoppers combined, and measuring means for measuring product to be measured accommodated in the respective measuring hoppers to select a set of a plurality of measured values equal or near to a set weight so as to permit the product of the selected measured values to be exhausted from the hoppers. This invention is intended to improve such a measuring apparatus, particularly a span adjusting mechanism provided at each of a plurality of the measuring hopper by raising or lowering all reference weights at one time. Moreover, the measuring apparatus according to the invention is capable of correcting zero points of the measuring means, while the product to be measured is accommodated in the measuring hoppers and is able to adjust a span which is a ratio of weight to output count of the measuring means in good timing in connection with the hopper selecting operation.

Abstract: Holding device for food in particular intended for use together with a load sensing cell in packing machines for food. The food is weighed before it is included in a package so that the price tag can be placed on a film (lid) already before this is sealed over the food. The holding device includes a suction means (1) and round this arranged contact pins (4). The contact pins are axially adjustable so that when the holding device is brought to contact with the food these adjust to the shape of the food. When or before a vacuum is fed to the suction means (1) a cylinder shaped rubber membrane (8) act on pistons (5) radially arranged that press against the contact pins (4) locking these from a movement. In this manner the food is firmly and ridgedly held, which in turn is necessary for the weighing of the product and secondly for enabling the replaceing of this without problems in identically the same position as it was removed from the bottom part of the package.

Abstract: A load cell mass comparator wherein a pressure compensated load cell is connected at its upper end to a floating plate through a self-aligning coupling, such as, a universal joint assembly. The floating plate is slidably mounted on a plurality of guide rods extending between fixed upper and lower plates. A spring assembly and shock absorber are mounted between the upper fixed plate and floating plate. The lower end of the load cell is connected to the mass to be calibrated through a universal joint, thrust bearing, and spherical load stop bearing. The construction and arrangement of the components in the load cell mass comparator provides an instrument employed heretofore in a laboratory environment to a commercial environment where masses in the range of 1 to 10,000 pounds can be compared and calibrated.

Abstract: A weighing system has a load-bearing member attached to and supported by support means. A plurality of center-loaded type load cells are fixed on the load bearing member. A plurality of load rods are provided, each load rod extending across one of the load cells. Each load rod has a centering recess therein. A load supporting member is supported on the load rods. The load supporting member is capable of lateral movement with respect to the load bearing member. The centering recess of the load rod tends to urge the load supporting member to its original position. The weighing system is disclosed for use in a sheave block weighing assembly. The weighing system provides a self-centering arrangement which permits lateral movement without the necessity of movable load cells and without the use of check rods or flexure plates which could result in weighing inaccuracies.

Abstract: A dynamometer, used to measure the tension on, speed of, and direction of movement of a hoist rope on a crane, includes a frame comprising three spaced apart blocks coupled to one another by pairs of thin flexible resilient portions. Two pulleys are mounted to the outermost blocks while an offset pulley, coupled to a tension monitoring load cell, is mounted to the central block and presses against the rope. One pulley has three permanent magnets imbedded about its periphery, two being axially spaced across from one another and the third being spaced radially 180.degree. from the others. Sensors mounted to the frame are positioned to sense the passing of the magnets to provide rope speed and direction of travel information in digital form. Tension information from the load cell and speed and direction information from the sensors are supplied to a microprocessor for processing.

Abstract: A novel weighing system for cable hoist sheave systems is provided which utilizes a plurality of shear type load cells arranged in a stable 3-point configuration which is capable of supporting side loadings without destroying the vertical reading. Uneven distribution of the material does not affect the stability of the system and an accurate weight of the load is determined.

Abstract: A device is described for determining the weight of objects being moved or loaded either individually or cumulatively. The device of the invention is particularly adapted for use with loaders such as the knuckle boom loader used for moving logs, poles and beams. An advantage of the invention is that it can be employed in conjunction with current models of loaders without requiring extensive modification of the loader device and can quickly and easily be removed when not needed. In one embodiment of the invention, heel means are provided for assisting in the moving and simultaneous weighing of large irregularly shaped objects such as logs and poles.

Abstract: The present patient weighing scale provides an automatic display of the patient's weight in digital form. For this purpose, a stretcher is secured to a cantilever boom through supporting means including two beam type transducers, for example double bending beam transducers, responsive to vertical forces and located in the respective ends of a tubular crossbar. The tubular crossbar is one element in a chain of supporting elements between trhe stretcher and the cantilever boom. The supporting elements include preferably pivots or bearings arranged so that the forces resulting from the weight of the patient extend in parallel to the direction of gravity whereby the transducer measuring axis always coincides with the direction of the gravity vector independently of the boom angle.

Abstract: An assembly (10) for use with several like units in weighing the mass of a loaded cargo pallet supported by its trunnions (12) has a bridge frame (20) for positioning the assembly on a transportation frame carrying the pallet while straddling one trunnion of the pallet and its trunnion lock, and a cradle assembly (60) for incrementally raising the trunnion. The mass at the trunnion is carried as a static loading by a slidable bracket (40) mounted upon the bridge frame for supporting the cradle assembly. The bracket (40) applies the static loading to an electrical load cell (80) symmetrically positioned between the bridge frame (20) and the bracket (40). The static loading compresses the load cell, causing a slight deformation and a potential difference at load cell terminals (86) which is proportional in amplitude to the mass of the pallet at the trunnion.

Abstract: An electronic transmitter element intended for use in connection with a lifting device in order to generate an electric signal corresponding to the load being handled. The transmitter element comprises a tensile link (1) to which strain gauges are fixedly attached, said tensile link being exerted to tensile stress corresponding to the load handled by the lifting device in order to generate an electric signal corresponding to said load. At least one safety link (3) is disposed in parallel with the tensile link, preferably two safety links on each side of the tensile link and is designed to absorb greater loads than the tensile link. In normal operation the tensile link will absorb the entire load acting on the transmitter element. However, the safety link will take over at least a portion of the load acting on the tensile link if the latter is ruptured or abnormally elongated.

Abstract: A mechanism for stacking and weighing sheets fed from a semi-continuous sheet cutter. The mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder operatively connected to a stacking table so that as sheets are deposited onto the stacking table, the table is lowered by indexing the hydraulic cylinder. This continues until a full stack of sheets, having a predetermined number of sheets determined by weight, by height of the stack or by sheet count has been stacked on the table. The hydraulic cylinder comprises a hydraulic fluid reservoir, an electrically driven hydraulic pump, a four-way, three position hydraulic spool valve, a hydraulic cylinder and back pressure safety valve. A load cell connected between the hydraulic cylinder and the rest of the mechanism is connected to a scale device which will weigh the stack of sheets.

Abstract: A patient weighing apparatus including support elements having two pivotal axes coupling a weight measuring transducer to a cantilever boom and a patient stretcher, thereby assuring that the weight measuring transducer, the points of connection to the boom and the center of gravity of the patient are in a single vertical plane so that off center loading errors are avoided. The support elements include an elongated bending moment type load cell, a swivel bar beneath supporting the stretcher and other pivot structure above, coupling the load cell to the cantilever boom.

Abstract: A sheave basket weighing system is disclosed for use in a material handling apparatus. The weighing system comprises a sheave basket with three bending beam load cells fixed on the sheave basket to provide a three-point support system. One of the load cells is preferably positioned intermediate to the other two load cells. A ladle hanger assembly is supported on top of the load cells. The weighing system provides a stable three-point support which can withstand side loading without the necessity of movable load cells and without the use of check rods, which could result in weighing inaccuracies.

Abstract: A vertical soak tank wherein a downwardly moving compact bed of solids is contacted with liquid which floods the bed, includes mechanical components to level the solids and assure that they are maintained in a first-in first-out basis by an incoming materials distributor having inverted cones and rotating levelling rods and bars. The tank has a unique seal between a rotating bottom disc and the side walls, as well as improved means for access to the internal components. The tank also has a weighing system utilizing an external load cell to weigh the solids independently of the liquid in the tank.

Abstract: A novel weighing system for ladle handling apparatus. The system utilizes a plurality of fixed and movable load cells arranged in a stable 3-point configuration and a means for maintaining the load cells in accurate position between a sheave basket and ladle hanger to prevent misalignment and inaccuracy. Uneven distribution of the material does not affect the stability of the system and an accurate weight of the ladle is determined.

Abstract: A weigh block assembly is disclosed which utilizes compression load-measuring means interposed between a lower plate attached to and supported by a supporting housing and an upper plate attached to the load to be carried and weighed. The upper plate is freely supported on top of the load-measuring means without lateral restraint so that horizontal forces are not absorbed and the pure vertical force is sensed by the load-measuring means and the weighing inaccuracies and other undesirable and unpredictable effects caused by horizontal restraints on the upper plate are eliminated.

Abstract: A load weighing system for a fork lift truck uses load cell transducers to measure the compressive forces exerted between a supporting chain or chains which support(s) the load forks and an anchorage point for the chain(s).

Abstract: A signalling device operatively coupled between the side arm or lifting boom of a pipe layer and the frame thereof in a predetermined fixed position such that movement of the signalling device relative to the fixed position, which occurs in response to the operational load, is directly related to the critical or rolling load for any lateral position of the side arm or lifting boom.

Abstract: An improved veterinary examination table is provided which includes means for determining the weight of the animal being examined. In order to facilitate the examination of animals of varying weights, the height of the table may be varied through the use of a hydraulic actuator. A horizontal examination platform is vertically movable within a frame having vertical support members. A scale is interposed between the examination platform and the frame in a manner to support the entire weight of the platform when the examination platform is moved to its lowermost position to thereby allow the weight of an animal to be determined. Elevation of the examination platform automatically deactivates the scale.

Abstract: The hoisting device has means for weighing the load and is particularly compact, simple and reliable. For this purpose a pivotal arm to which a hook is connected is adapted in such manner as to define a cylinder, a piston and a chamber filled with an incompressible fluid. This chamber is connected to a pressure gauge which displays information representing the pressure prevailing in the chamber, which pressure is proportional to the load suspended from the hook.

Abstract: The invention refers to a load test apparatus for hoisting units by means of strain gages, where the test data affect the transmission of a hoisting unit motor. That is, a load test cell is positioned between the fixed support for the hoisting unit and the hoisting cable. The cell is mounted with an upper bolt connecting it to the fixed support and a lower bolt connecting it to the fixed support and the hoisting cable. In the area between the two bolts the flat cell is of restricted cross section and test gages are mounted here to monitor tensile forces in the cell according to the load. The gages are connected, in turn, through a bridging circuit incorporating resistances to the hoist drive. Because of the simplicity and size of the test structure, it can be manufactured economically by simple mass production techniques.

Abstract: Weighing equipment for weighing a load which is included in a mechanical system with a natural frequency of oscillation which depends on the size of the load, for example in a crane, includes a transducer influenced by the load and which delivers a signal corresponding to the weight of the load. The equipment includes a tunable band exclusion filter connected to the transducer for filtering the signal, in which the signal influences the tuning of the filter so that its anti-resonance frequency follows said natural frequency of the oscillation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hook device with which safe handling operation can be assured. This device is constructed such that, as any load heavier than the predetermined weight is applied thereto, an eccentric shaft carrying a pulley for suspension thereof is rotated, and thereby an appropriate load indicating means is actuated. By use of the hook device according to this invention, a signal indicates to an operator that a load more than the predetermined level has been applied.

Abstract: A load indicator is connected between a load line and a load handling member such as a hook. The indicator includes a hollow cylindrical housing, a plunger assembly including a transverse head slidably mounted in the housing, a pilot rod integral with the head and extending to a location outside the housing, means connecting a first end of the housing opposite the plunger rod and means connecting the plunger rod to the load line and to the load handling member, and a compression spring in the housing urging the plunger head toward the first end of the housing. The wall of the housing has several sight openings therethrough. A sight band of contrasting color is fixed to move with the plunger assembly inside the housing and to be visible through the sight openings.

Abstract: Weighing of each control rod and at least the moving portion of the control rod drive mechanism is carried out in continuous operation by means of an assembly comprising at least one strain gage mounted in a circuit for measuring the electrical resistance of the gage according to the change in length which is a function of the weight being measured.

Abstract: A scaling device for weighing load applied on an elevator car floor to prevent overloading operated by detecting the amount of deformation of rubber insulators mounted under the car floor.Load detecting beams are provided under the car floor to detect the deformation of the rubber insulators, and each end of the load detecting beams is loosely jointed to an opposite side of the car floor.When the rubber insulators deform by the load applied on the floor, the load detecting means subside in conformity to the deformation of the rubber insulators and a load detecting switch mounted below the car floor is switched on by the subsidence of the load detecting beams as the load exceeds the rated load, thereby to stop the operation of the car.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for delivering a measured amount of material to a receiving area includes a dispensing bucket on a carriage assembly that is pivoted about a horizontal axis on the free end of a vehicle-supported boom adapted to scoop up the material from a supply. The bucket has a central, restricted discharge opening with a controlled movable closure and further has an auger that gradually moves controlled amounts of the material out through the discharge opening for the controlled dispensing of the material from the bucket over a limited area. The carriage assembly has a carriage body on which the bucket is mounted so that the bucket is moved up and down relative to a carriage frame to further position the bucket relative to the end of the boom and achieve greater bucket heights above the end of the boom.

Abstract: A load-weighing device for indicating the weight of a load is provided for attachment to the load-carrying member of a lifting device. The load-weighing device includes a frame connected to the load-carrying member and a bearing block mounted in the frame for rotation relative to the load-carrying member. A clearance space is provided between the lower surface of the bearing block and the frame which is eliminated upon the application of a load. A bearing member is also mounted in the frame and includes a cylindrically-shaped lower surface which is arranged to abut a cylindrically-shaped upper surface of the bearing block. The bearing member is provided with a recess for receiving a pressure-sensitive member so that when a load is lifted by the load-carrying member, the force of the load is transferred to the pressure-sensitive member which operates to provide a load-measuring value to a receiver.

Abstract: A hoist for lifting and weighing a disabled person comprises a chassis supporting an upstanding column from which a lifting arm projects. The arm can be raised and lowered by means of elevating mechanism associated with the column, and a patient to be lifted, transported and/or weighed can be supported by a patient support member fitted at the end of the arm remote from the column. Weighing means fitted at the top of the column are responsive during weighing to the weight of the arm, including the supported load, at the column.

Abstract: An improved veterinary examination table is provided which includes means for determining the weight of the animal being examined. In order to facilitate the examination of animals of varying weights, the height of the table may be varied through the use of a hydraulic actuator. A horizontal examination platform is vertically movable within a frame having vertical support members. A scale is interposed between the examination platform and the frame in a manner to support the entire weight of the platform when the examination platform is moved to its lowermost position to thereby allow the weight of an animal to be determined. Elevation of the examination platform automatically deactivates the scale.