Abstract: A scale assembly has a platform which is connected with load sensing means which provide an output indicative of the magnitude of a load. The platform has an upper portion which includes a body of concrete and a lower portion formed of metal. The upper and lower portions are interconnected to prevent relative movement therebetween upon the application of a load to the platform. The platform is supported at locations spaced longitudinally thereof. The platform has a neutral plane which is disposed in the lower portion of the platform so that the body of concrete is stressed only in compression and the lower portion of the platform is stressed primarily in tension when the platform receives a load to be weighed between the support locations.

Abstract: A scale assembly includes a plurality of force measuring transducers which are connected with an improved platform. The platform has an upper portion which withstands compressive stresses and a lower portion which withstands tensile stresses during the weighing of a load. The upper portion of the platform includes a body of concrete having a corrugated lower major side and a flat upper major side which receives a load to be weighed. The lower portion of the platform includes a metal structure having a plurality of elongated ribs which are disposed in abutting engagement with the corrugated lower major side of the body of concrete. The ribs are connected with a bottom plate which cooperates with the ribs to form elongated cavities. At least a major portion of each of the cavities is disposed within the spatial envelope of the body of concrete to minimize the mass of the concrete.

Abstract: Weighing apparatus including plural load cells. The load cells have parallel-connected inputs and outputs. The paralleled load cells are connected to a voltage measuring instrument through intrinsic safety barriers. The internal resistances of the load cell are selected such that excitation current limitations imposed by the intrinsic safety barriers are not exceeded and that the load cell output voltage variation accompanying a one grad change in the weight applied to the apparatus is great enough to be measurable by the instrument.

Abstract: A track scale weighs a load on a track. The scale comprises a live rail for supporting the load to be weighed. A pair of load cells spaced longitudinally of the live rail support the live rail. The load cells have sensing means for sensing shear stresses and providing a signal indicative of the load supported by said load cells. Each of the load cells have a projecting portion extending transverse to the live rail and supporting the live rail. A bearing is interposed between the projecting portion of each load cell and said live rail. The bearing is constructed to allow for movement of the live rail relative to the load cells.

Abstract: An improved weighing apparatus includes a plurality of platforms disposed in a linear array. Each of the platforms has a pair of longitudinally extending support sections located adjacent to opposite edges of the platform. A plurality of beams and a deck plate extend between the support sections to provide a rigid platform which can withstand relatively heavy loads without excessive deflection. Cantilevered support arms project outwardly from the support sections of one of the platforms into the support sections of the next adjacent platform to partially support the next adjacent platform. The support arms have free end portions which are loaded by the next platform. A load responsive unit is associated with each of the support arms. Each load responsive unit includes a cantilevered load arm having a fixed end portion which is connected with a fixed end portion of a support arm and a free end portion which is deflectable toward the support arm under the influence of a load.

Abstract: An improved weighing apparatus includes a load receiving platform which is supported by a plurality of load cells. Each of the load cells has a downwardly facing recess in which a floating pin is received. The pin has a relatively large base which engages a floor or support surface and an upwardly projecting mounting section which extends into the recess in the load cell. The pin has an arcuate upper surface which enables tilting movement to occur between the pin and the load cell to compensate for uneven floors. In order to compensate for shifting movement of the platform relative to the floor due to thermal expansion and other causes, the base of the floating pin is movable along the floor. The mounting section of the pin is held in the recess in the load cell by a retainer plate which is fixedly connected with the load cell.

Abstract: A portable low profile floor-mounted weighing device including a ramp to gain access to the weighing platform. The weight is sensed by a shear beam load cell that is attached to a vertical frame part by at least one fastener transverse to the direction of application of the load and transverse to the direction of the resisting force.