Abstract: A 3-point suspension forklift scale adapted for quick and easy attachment/detachment to/from a forklift—without the need for leveling or other pre-operation setup procedures. Further, due to the single lower reaction point of the forklift scale, there is no concern that the initially installed position of the forklift scale will change during use as a result of a loose adjuster, repositioning due to impact, etc. The forklift scale is designed to accurately determine the weight of a load placed on the forks or other lifting elements of the forklift, regardless of the position of the load thereon. Preferably, a forklift scale of the present invention includes a central viewing window that allows an operator see through the forklift scale when operating an associated forklift.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus having a load receiving element and a plurality of load cells directly or indirectly associated with the load receiving element such that when an object to be weighed is placed on the load receiving element, the weight of the object is unevenly applied to the load cells. The weighing apparatus includes load cells of different capacity based on the uneven loading applied thereto.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed scale for use in a weighing scale. A scale of the present invention may include a load receiving plate and a bottom plate, between which is sandwiched a supporting rib structure that preferably includes a plurality of perimeter members that form sealed upright sides of the scale. The supporting rib structure, load receiving plate and bottom plate cooperate to form a substantially rigid and hermetically sealed sandwich structure. The load receiving plate may be joined to the supporting rib structure by perimeter welding or another bonding technique that permits the joining material to be subsequently shaped to form a smooth transition between the load receiving plate and the perimeter members of the scale.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus having a load receiving element and a plurality of load cells directly or indirectly associated with the load receiving element such that when an object to be weighed is placed on the load receiving element, the weight of the object is unevenly applied to the load cells. The weighing apparatus includes load cells of different capacity based on the uneven loading applied thereto.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed scale for use in a weighing scale. A scale of the present invention may include a load receiving plate and a bottom plate, between which is sandwiched a supporting rib structure that preferably includes a plurality of perimeter members that form sealed upright sides of the scale. The supporting rib structure, load receiving plate and bottom plate cooperate to form a substantially rigid and hermetically sealed sandwich structure. The load receiving plate may be joined to the supporting rib structure by perimeter welding or another bonding technique that permits the joining material to be subsequently shaped to form a smooth transition between the load receiving plate and the perimeter members of the scale.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus having a weighing system, a drive system, and a vertical force minimizing system. The weighing system may include a load receiving surface and a plurality of load cells. The drive system produces rotation of the load receiving surface about its vertical axis. The vertical force minimizing system minimizes the amount of vertical force that is applied to the load cells through the drive system, while simultaneously transmitting forces in the transverse direction to provide for rotational movement of the load receiving surface.

Abstract: A 3-point suspension forklift scale adapted for quick and easy attachment/detachment to/from a forklift—without the need for leveling or other pre-operation setup procedures. Further, due to the single lower reaction point of the forklift scale, there is no concern that the initially installed position of the forklift scale will change during use as a result of a loose adjuster, repositioning due to impact, etc. The forklift scale is designed to accurately determine the weight of a load placed on the forks or other lifting elements of the forklift, regardless of the position of the load thereon. Preferably, a forklift scale of the present invention includes a central viewing window that allows an operator see through the forklift scale when operating an associated forklift.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus having a weighing system, a drive system, and a vertical force minimizing system. The weighing system may include a load receiving surface and a plurality of load cells. The drive system produces rotation of the load receiving surface about its vertical axis. The vertical force minimizing system minimizes the amount of vertical force that is applied to the load cells through the drive system, while simultaneously transmitting forces in the transverse direction to provide for rotational movement of the load receiving surface.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus having a weighing system, a drive system, and a vertical force minimizing system is described. The weighing system may include a load receiving surface and a plurality of load cells. The drive system may be any system which may cause the load receiving surface to rotate about its vertical axis. The vertical force minimizing system may be any system which may reduce the amount of vertical force that may be applied to the load cells through the drive system while effectively transmitting necessary forces in the transverse direction to provide rotational motion.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus having a weighing system, a drive system, and a vertical force minimizing system is described. The weighing system may include a load receiving surface and a plurality of load cells. The drive system may be any system which may cause the load receiving surface to rotate about its vertical axis. The vertical force minimizing system may be any system which may reduce the amount of vertical force that may be applied to the load cells through the drive system while effectively transmitting necessary forces in the transverse direction to provide rotational motion.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved apparatus for measuring the weight of an object being carried by a fork lift truck. Accurate weight is obtained by combining the measurements of the tension load(s) exerted by the chain(s) used to lift and support the fork carrying carriage with a measurement of the vertical forces imposed on the carriage by the mast through the carriage guides that are used to contain carriage movement within the mast and support the moment created by the object being weighed. The weight thusly determined can be easily calibrated for both pitch and roll mast angles. The apparatus can be integrated into the mast system of the fork truck without significantly affecting the fork truck's load carrying capacity. Specifically, the scale apparatus does not increase the overturning moment created by the weight of the object as compared with that of the standard non-instrumented carriage.