Abstract: The instant invention is concerned with providing safeguards that prevent damage to weighing scale in the case of an overload applied to the side edges of the scale platform. In addition, the invention prevents damage to the weighing mechanism of the scale due to torquing when one attempts to lift the scale by the platform.

Abstract: This invention relates to locking mechanism for a weighing scale capable of weighing flat articles at a high rate and with a high degree of accuracy. The locking mechanism of the instant invention is applicable to a vibrating tray type scale which requires a mechanism for stabilizing the base of the scale during periods when articles are being conveyed onto and off the tray of the scale. An electromagnetic locking mechanism has been conceived that provides advantageous for a vibrating tray scale. These advantages are simple construction, low cost, self compensating and zero force requirement. With a such locking mechanism, the vibrating tray scale functions more accurately and rapidly.

Abstract: The invention weighs an elevator car independently of variations in load distribution within the car and variations in the tension distribution in rods and ropes from which the car is suspended. This is accomplished by means of a top hitch plate, a middle hitch plate, and a bottom hitch plate, which are arranged such that the bottom hitch plate has a pivot 16 mounted on it with the middle hitch plate being mounted on the pivot 16 and a load cell and a support being mounted on the middle hitch plate 17 outboard of the rods from which the car 2 is supported. The top hitch plate is connected to a crosshead at its upper surface. The load cell and support bear against the top hitch plate when there is tension in the rods from the weight of the car 2.

Abstract: A load cell supporting member includes a central portion formed to receive a load cell and to protect a load cell from overloading. A plurality of arms extends radially from the central portion. The supporting member is a single, integral piece of said material.A weighing scale includes a first supporting member, a load cell supported by the first supporting member. The scale also includes a second supporting member, that is identical to the first and supported by the load cell and is identical to the first supporting member. The second supporting member supports a scale platform.Another weighing scale includes three identical supporting members and two load cells. A first supporting member supports a first load cell. The first load cell supports a second supporting member, which supports a second load cell. The second load cell supports a third supporting member. The third supporting member supports a scale platform.

Abstract: A load cell weighing apparatus (1) includes a base (7) and a load plate (11) and a load cell (9) mounted between the two. The base (7) includes four load arrestors (17) capable of precise adjustment. Each load arrestor (17) has a pin support (18) with three vertical holes (19) of different depths and a pin (21) which is placed in one of the holes (19). The load arrestors (17) prevent damage to the load cell (9) by limiting vertical movement of the load plate (11) with respect to the base (9). The amount of relative movement is easily and quickly adjusted by simply repositioning the pins from holes of one depth to holes of another depth.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of determining the mass of an article by the shift of the period of oscillation of a flexibly mounted tray. An article whose mass is to be determined is placed upon the tray which is caused to oscillate and the period of harmonic motion is calibrated. This period is compared against the period of harmonic motion when there is no article upon the tray, and the difference, or shift, in frequency, allows a determination of the mass of the article. The tray is supported by a plurality of flexible members having parallelogram configuration that eliminates bending stresses.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery system that includes a refrigerant storage container, means for withdrawing refrigerant from a refrigeration system to be serviced and feeding such refrigerant to the container for storage, and a scale supporting the container for sensing impending overfill of the container. The scale includes a beam horizontally rigidly cantilevered from a base. A switch is positioned adjacent to the cantilever-remote end of the beam, and is responsive to deflection of the beam to indicate impending overfill of the container and prevent or terminate operation of the refrigerant recovery system.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for securing the tray of a scale during the transporting of flat articles, such as envelopes, onto and across the tray of the scale. When a flat has been placed in a position for weighing, the conveying mechanism is put into an inoperative mode and causes the locking mechanism to release the tray. After the article is weighed, the conveying mechanism is placed into the operating mode and acts upon the locking mechanism to cause it to once more secure the tray.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of determining the mass of an article by the shift of the period of oscillation of a flexibly mounted platform. An article whose mass is to be determined is placed upon the platform. The platform is caused to oscillate and the period of harmonic motion is calibrated. This period is compared against the period of harmonic motion when there is no article upon the platform, and the difference, or shift, in frequency, allows a determination of the mass of the article.

Abstract: A load cell weighing apparatus includes a load cell having one end secured to a base, a receiving member secured to the other end of the load cell, and a load supporting member movable with respect to the base and receiving member, wherein a load to be weighed is applied to the load supporting member. Springs are provided between the load supporting member and receiving member for transmitting the load applied to the load supporting member to the receiving member, and a stopper cooperates with the base to define the full stroke of movement of the load supporting member.

Abstract: A mechanism for detecting a load including a load shaft connected to a pan receiving rod and extending vertically, a first arm plate having integrally formed arms whose one ends are connected to each other, a second arm plate having integrally formed arms whose one ends are connected to each other, and a vertical link connected between the one ends of the arms of first and second arm plates, the other ends of the arms of first and second arm plates being connected to the load shaft and to a fixed member. When a load is applied to the load shaft, the load shaft is moved linearly in the vertical direction without being affected by a force exerted to the load shaft in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A scale having a base, a single point load cell and a platform is disclosed. The platform is fixed to the load cell at a single point by an overload protection structure which is substantially rigid under normal loads but which collapses under excessive torsion loads so that the platform may pivot and transfer the load to one or more downstops spaced around the periphery of the platform. A central downstop structure for protecting the load cell from excessive axial loads is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus in a scale for protecting the load cell in a scale from overloads and shock loads is disclosed. A movable element has an inclined projection which projects under the load cell to limit the deflection under load. The clearance is adjusted by placing a predetermined load on the scale then sliding the movable element forward until the inclined projection just touches the load cell. When the weight is removed the appropriate clearance is automatically established. In one embodiment of the disclosed invention the load cell is provided with opposed elongated members and the movable element has a pair of inclined projections projecting under the elongated members to provide downstop protection and a second opposed pair of inclined projections projecting above the elongated elements to provide upstop protection. A load cell assembly having a predetermined overall stiffness and a mounting plate for reducing the apparent stiffness of the load cell to that predetermined level are also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable and compactible scale includes a flexible, compactible bladder providing an interior chamber in which a non-compressible fluid (e.g., hydraulic liquid) is retained. The bladder includes a top wall adapted to support the load to be weighed and spaced-apart support members extend downward from the top wall and terminate short of the bottom wall under no-load conditions. A plurality of spaced-apart, flexible, substantially non-stretchable tendon means optionally can be provided within the chamber to bridge the opposed top and bottom walls of the bladder and thereby impede outward bulging of the top wall during a weighing operation without inhibiting compressive deflection of the bladder.

Abstract: A load sensor for a concrete conveyor having a tremie which sounds a signal and releases the tremie in case the tremie becomes overloaded. The device has a U-shaped deflection yoke between the tremie and the conveyor which deflects under the weight of the tremie to close switches and actuate the appropriate safety device. All parts are protected from concrete to insure proper functioning.

Abstract: Conventional transducer beams, and in particular platform load cells, can be simply and economically protected from accidental damage that may be incurred during handling and shipping. Safety screws, preferably of high strength plastic, are inserted in threaded holes that are drilled through the transducer beam so that the screws take up substantial portions of accidental loads, thereby protecting the fragile sensing sections of the transducer beam. The safety screws are to be left in place until the units are incorporated into respective platform type scales and the scales are installed for their ultimate use.

Abstract: Weighing apparatus of the short-stroke type is disclosed including a resilient parallel guidance arrangement (3) connecting a load-receiving member (2) for vertical movement relative to a console member (1), characterized by the provision of a pivotally movable lever (14) connected between the console and load-receiving members and including a resilient arm (18) for transmitting to the measuring device--for example, a vibratory string (23)--a force corresponding with the load applied to the load-receiving member. A stop device (20) is provided for limiting the extent of pivotal movement of the lever, the force introduced into the parallel guidance arrangement being only a fraction of the load to be measured, whereby the deleterious influences disturbing the measurement force are eliminated, whereby a relatively simple and inexpensive parallel guidance arrangement of less expensive materials may be achieved.

Abstract: A weighing cell which is protected against overloading due to mechanical shock and delayed weight readout due to vibration. The weighing cell, which has a platform, a self-contained base and a load cell operatively connected therebetween, includes, in one embodiment, a plurality of posts connected to the base and separated from the platform by a gap to protect against overload forces applied to the non-axial region of the platform. Feet on the base of the weighing cell have an energy absorbing material thereon and are placed outboard of the load cell to provide quick damping of vibrations caused when a load is placed on the platform. The load cell is spaced at a partial gap from the base and platform to protect it from overload forces applied to the axial region of the platform.

Abstract: Weighing apparatus utilizing a load cell wherein overload protection is provided that is external to the load cell. The weighing platform is attached to the load receiving surface of the load cell by a number of outwardly extending arms. Two sets of stops are provided adjacent the load cell and one set is provided at the periphery of the weighing platform.

Abstract: A low profile scale utilizes four strain gage-based sensing beams which are isolated from mechanically or thermally-induced distortions on the weighing platform by means of interposed elastic elements. The platform is capable of moving upwardly relative to the sensing elements without transmitting any load thereto. The platform cooperates with a floating lower enclosure system to essentially seal the mechanism so that it is splash proof and washable as required for use in the food industry. Adjustable overload stops channel excess forces around the sensing beams to protect them from damage.

Abstract: A weigh scale includes a flexure beam disposed between a platform and the base. Load transmitting devices operate to deflect the beam as a function of the load placed on the platform. Overload protection is provided for the beam to restrict the amount of beam deflection to maintain it within its elastic limits to thereby prevent yielding of the beam.

Abstract: A weigh scale includes a flexure beam disposed between a platform and the base. Load transmitting devices operate to deflect the beam as a function of the load placed on the platform. Overload protection is provided for the beam to restrict the amount of beam deflection to maintain it within its elastic limits to thereby prevent yielding of the beam.

Abstract: A weigh scale has a load receiving deck. Load cells support the deck during weighing. A frame, below the load receiving deck carries the load cells. There are housings formed on the deck or the frame. A retractable extension on the other of the deck and the frame is positioned to extend into each housing to prevent, when the extensions are engaged in the housing, relative lateral movement of the deck and the first frame.

Abstract: A strain gage load cell scale is provided with overload protection that is external to the load cell and which compensates for off-center loading of the weighing platform. The weighing platform is attached to the load receiving surface of the load cell by a number of outwardly extending arms. Two sets of stops are provided under the weighing platform with different spacing therefrom to provide the external overload protection.

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 problem that is often encountered under uneven terrain conditions with on-board load weighing systems for vehicles, such as logging trucks, having a frame member and a load support member to which a load which is to be measured is applied, is that structural failures occur in the load cell assemblies included in the on-board load weighing system. The cause of these structural failures is traced to rotation of the load cell assemblies resulting in undue tensive forces in the load cells thereof. Various restraining devices are discussed for limiting the upward deflection of an upper, load concentrating portion of the load cell to maintain the tensive forces within acceptable levels.

Abstract: The damping arrangement includes a cylinder with various diameters in order to first attain a slow movement of the piston through the restricted position and to cause it to move faster through the enlarged portion. Such movement controls the lowering speed of the platform onto the knife edges and the slower movement is present until the platform comes into contact with the knife edges thereby preventing a damage of the knife edges.