Abstract: A load cell having a self-contained overload protection system for preventing the load cell from being loaded beyond its rated capacity, wherein the load cell includes fixed and movable end constraints in spaced relation, upper and lower flexures between the constraints, a sensing beam coacting with the constraints and flexures and having means for sensing stresses, a cantilever beam extending from one of the end constraints coacting with the cantilever beam to prevent the load cell from exceeding its safe overload range.

Abstract: A constant strain load cell for measuring forces applied to the cell which includes a parallelogram shaped body having fixed and movable end constraints interconnected by upper and lower flexures with flexing areas at the opposite ends of the flexures functioning as sensing beams and on which strain gages are mounted. The flexing areas are formed so that bending stresses caused by applied loads are maintained constant over the flexing areas or regions. The load cell can be easily machined or extruded and the capacity can easily be varied dependent only on the overall size.

Abstract: A supermarket with a central computer (I) and a plurality of check-outs (K) each having a bar-code reader (L) and a register (M) connected to the computer (I) for retrieving computer stored sales data pertinent to source-coded saleable products bearing a bar-code label, also comprises a service counter (C) for sales of `fresh` products whereat a dispenser (D) is provided for issuing bar-code labels having a unique number pre-printed thereon in bar-code form, counter (C) also comprises means (G) connected to computer (I) for determining sales data for each such fresh product (H), reader (F) for identifying the unique number of the pre-printed bar-code label affixed to product (H), reader (F) being connected to computer (I) to thereby address a computer memory location for storage of the fresh product sales data identified by said determining means (G), said fresh product sales data being retrieved from the computer memory location by subsequent operation of the check-out bar-code reader (F) by the pertaining p

Abstract: Weighing apparatus for measuring loads and/or calculating the value of loads which includes a weighing device and an evaluating device. The weighing device is provided with a movement responding to the load being weighed and producing a corresponding electrical measurement signal, while the evaluating device translates the electrical measurement signal into a digital readout and also is capable of calculating the value of the load in accordance with a scheduled value for the load being weighed. An electrical cable connects the evaluating device with the weighing device for the purpose of transmitting electrical signals from the weighing device to the evaluating device. A data storage unit is permanently connected to the weighing device for storing constants that modify the output of the movement to compensate for errors inherent in the movement when it is manufactured.

Abstract: A clamping device for oscillatory or vibratory strings including a massive clamping head gripping one end of a string and secured to the frame or load receiving member by a flexurally and/or torsionally resilient neck which extends into the clamping head such that the clamping point of the string substantially aligns with the connecting area between the neck and the clamping head.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for the reciprocating meat supporting carriage of a meat slicing machine wherein the carriage supports the meat product to be sliced and moves the meat product relative to a power driven knife, and which includes an endless belt trained over longitudinally spaced apart pulleys, thereby defining upper and lower horizontal belt runs extending between the pulleys, a drive member connected along the belt and having a driving lug mounted intermediate the ends thereof, the driving lug slidably engaging a drive slot formed in a driven bar extending from the carriage, the slot extending perpendicular to the direction of movement of the carriage, and the ends of the drive member being connected to the belt such that the path of the driving lug during the time the connected ends of the drive member traverse the pulleys follows a path substantially longer than the path of either connected end of the drive member, whereby the deceleration and acceleration forces of the driving lug are substantially less

Abstract: A device associated with a load cell for protecting against overload conditions, which includes a first bracket assembly connected to the load application portion of the load cell and a second bracket assembly slidably mounted on the first bracket assembly and connected thereto through elements that normally prohibit slidable movement between the bracket assemblies but permit slidable movement therebetween in a given overload situation.

Abstract: A strain gage load cell for measurement of weight or other forces. The load cell includes opposite and relatively massive end constraints, a pair of stabilizer flexures connected between opposite end constraints in a parallelogram type frame, a sensing beam with a first end supported by one of the end constraints, and a load directing flexure between the other end constraint and a second end of the sensing beam. The load directing flexure intersects the midpoint of the sensing beam and causes equal tensile and compressive stresses along a common surface of the beam upon which the strain gages are mounted.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus having an evaluating device connected to the movement for determining the weight value of a load to be weighed from a series of continuously repeated weight measurements which includes a store or memory for the individual results of the weight measurements and a digital indicating device controlled thereby which shows that particular weight value from the measurement series, for which a certain minimum number of the latest consecutive individual results in the measurement series are the same.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus for measuring loads having a movement with one or more vibrating strings where the mechanical elements of the movement are non-adjustable and further including an evaluating device with arithmetic logic units for introducing constants into the evaluating device that can be adjusted during initial calibration of the apparatus to remove errors inherent in the movement.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a liquid crystal cell having transparent front and back walls with transparent electrodes on their facing sides and a liquid crystal material between the walls. The electrodes are segmented into matrix elements according to the cumulative pattern of all characters desired to be displayed or recorded, and are electrically addressable in response to selection circuitry. The front wall is in the form of a fiber-optic plate comprising a plurality of parallel arranged optical fibers. The apparatus is particularly useful to display or record measurement data, such as from a weighing device.