Abstract: A digital load cell includes a rocker pin, guided beam torsion ring or other counterforce, a circuit board mounted on the counterforce and an enclosure sealing the circuit board and all but the load bearing surfaces of the counterforce. The circuit board includes an A/D converter and a micrcomputer. Digital communication is provided with the circuit board through a connector mounted on the enclosure. Weight data are corrected digitally. The load cell may be calibrated, characterized, controlled and monitored digitally through the connector from a remote location without physically penetrating the enclosure. One or a number of digital load cells may be connected to a computer or controller to form one or more weighing scales.

Abstract: A digital load cell includes a rocker pin, guided beam, torsion ring or other counterforce, a circuit board mounted on the counterforce and an enclosure sealing the circuit board and all but the load bearing surfaces of the counterforce. The circuit board includes an A/D converter and a microcomputer. Digital communication is provided with the circuit board through a connector mounted on the enclosure. Weight data are corrected digitally. The load cell may be calibrated, characterized, controlled and monitored without physically penetrating the enclosure. One or a number of digital load cells may be connected to a computer or controller to form one or more weighing scales.

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: An improved scale includes a movable platform which is supported by a plurality of force transmitting assemblies. Upon sideways movement of the platform, the force transmitting assemblies and platform interact to align the force transmitting assemblies and to center the platform. In one embodiment of the invention, each force transmitting assembly includes a slider which is movable along a base surface. A rocker pin transmits force between the slider and a load cell beam which is connected with the platform. When the platform is moved sideways relative to the base, the rocker pin is tilted to a maximum offset condition in which horizontally offset vertical force components are applied to the rocker pin. Continued sideways movement of the platform relative to the base results in movement of the slider relative to the base.

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: 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: 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.