Abstract: Metal detector (1) including an oscillator (10) generates an RF field in the vicinity of the head (2). Two reference signals (13, 14) are generated, one signal (14) being in phase with the oscillator (10) and the other signal (13) being shifted from the oscillator signal by 90.degree.. The signal (8,9) from the receive coils (6,7) is amplified and quadrature demodulated into two signal channels, each channel giving the orthogonal component of the original signal (8,9). The signals of each channel are digitized and read by a microprocessor (37) that controls the amplitude of the balance signals (43, 49). One signal (43) is in phase with the oscillator signal (11) and the second signal (49) is shifted 90.degree. from the oscillator signal (11). Signals (43,49) return to detection circuitry (6,7), maintaining balance on each channel. By monitoring the magnitude of the phase shifted and unshifted signals (49,43), the microprocessor (37) determines the characteristics of the product.

Abstract: A load sensing assembly adapted to measure the weight of loads which act with both vertical and horizontal direction force components by resolving such force components solely into a vertical downward force component representative of the weight of the load is disclosed. This assembly comprises a first support member having a generally inclined leg portion fixedly mounted against movement, a second support member moveably mounted with respect to the first support member having a load support portion for supporting the load to be measured, a third member for interconnecting the first and second support members toward first ends thereof formed of elastically deformable material capable of transmitting only tensile force and no other types of force and a fourth member interconnecting the first and second support members toward the opposite ends thereof also formed of elastically deformable material capable of transmitting only tensile force and no other types of force.