Abstract: Disclosed herein is a display apparatus. The display apparatus includes a housing, a display configured to protrude out from the housing along a vertical axis, a lifting device configured to raise and to lower the display along the vertical axis with respect to the housing, and a position sensor disposed inside the housing and configured to sense a distance in which an upper portion of the display is moved along the vertical axis. The position sensor includes a first position sensor and a second position sensor spaced apart along a horizontal axis. The first position sensor and the second position sensor simultaneously sense a distance by which the display is raised.

Abstract: A weighing sensor is provided for an electronic balance. A weighing unit of the weighing sensor has a load-receiving portion, a fixing portion, and parallel guiding members that connect the load-receiving and fixing portions A lever, with a first end connected to the load-receiving portion, is located between the parallel guiding members and the fixing portion. A lower portion of a photoelectric position limiting block is connected to the fixing portion, and an upper portion thereof has a limiting structure. A tail end portion of a second end of the lever is disposed in the limiting structure, limiting its deviation. The photoelectric position limiting block has a photoelectric position sensor and a stop structure for limiting deviation of the tail end portion.

Abstract: A scale includes a stationary bracket, a movable bracket, a linear displacement sensor and a plurality of the resilient mechanisms. The movable bracket is disposed opposite to the stationary bracket. The linear displacement sensor is disposed between the stationary bracket and the movable bracket. The resilient mechanisms are disposed between the stationary bracket and the movable bracket. Each resilient mechanism includes a limiting shaft, a sleeve movably sleeved on the limiting shaft and a resilient member received in the sleeve. The limiting shaft is fixed to one of the stationary bracket or the movable bracket, and the sleeve is fixed to the other. The resilient member is elastically deformed by resisting a free end of the limiting shaft. The linear displacement sensor registers a displacement of the movable bracket.

Abstract: A transport system that reduces the amount of oscillation of the weighing platform thereby weighing mail pieces faster. A take-away nip of the weighing module is formed by a pivot arm having a roller mounted thereon and a drive roller mounted in the weighing platform. The take-away nip feeds mail pieces from the weighing platform to the subsequent module of the mailing machine. The pivot arm has a biasing mechanism with a force that results in less impact force between the pivot arm roller and drive roller when the trailing edge of each mail piece passes through the take-away nip, resulting in less vibration of the weighing platform as mail pieces exit the weighing platform. The reduction in vibration results quicker settling of the weighing platform during weighing of subsequent mail piece, allowing for faster weighing of the mail pieces, which increases the throughput of the mailing machine.

Abstract: A water resistant scale damper has a damper sleeve with an interior passage, an open top, and an open bottom. A piston is received in and axially slidable along the interior passage and has a top surface, an underside, and a piston rod extending from the underside toward the open bottom. A top cap is fitted over the open top of the sleeve and an air chamber is created between the top cap and the top surface of the piston. An air passage is formed through the top cap to permit air to enter and exit the air chamber. A portion of the top cap can create an elongate, non-linear air channel between the air passage and a port remote from the air passage and formed through the top cap. A bottom cap can also be fitted over the open bottom of the sleeve. The bottom cap has an annular flange that extends radially inward from a skirt of the bottom cap. The flange is funnel-shaped so as to direct liquid from beneath the underside of the piston toward a central opening in the flange.

Abstract: This load cell attachment structure includes a male screw which is formed on a load sensing part of the load cell, a nut which attaches the load cell to the attachment plate by engaging with the male screw, and a wave washer which is disposed between the attachment plate and the nut.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously producing constant weight portions of semi-solid matter, such as bread dough, from a large mass through a dividing mechanism whereby variations in the weight of each portion are minimized by providing a signal proportional to the weight of a dough portion, or group of dough portions in order to automatically adjust the rate at which dough is fed to the dividing mechanism.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for weighing and labeling packages of goods are provided. Each package is supplied to an electronic scale that is connected to an electronic analyzer that contains a computer. The load carrying mechanism of the scale is embodied as a conveyor belt, the speed of which is greater during supply and withdrawal than during a weighing process. Labeling of a package is effected on the conveyor belt after conclusion of the weighing process. Disruptions of the scale, caused by vibrations resulting from conveying and labeling packages, are eliminated on the one hand by a sufficiently high dead weight of the load carrying mechanism and on the other hand by a low-pass filter that is disposed in the electronic analyzer.

Abstract: A weighing system for material suspended from a rail or trolley. The system includes a transition track between the regular track and the weighing track to avoid oscillation of pressure on the weighing track which causes difficulty in rapidly arriving at a proper weight. The transition track is biassed away from the weighing track so as not to cause a false weight reading. It also includes a novel trolley moving mechanism for moving the trolley as it passes over the weighing mechanism.

Abstract: A weighing vibratory apparatus and method. In one embodiment, an infeed vibratory conveyor element feeds a bulk product to a weighing vibratory conveyor element. In another embodiment, bulk product is fed directly to a weighing vibratory conveyor element and flow rate is determined by measuring the loss of weight therefrom. The weighing vibratory conveyor element includes a weight measuring apparatus that weighs the product at the same time that the product is being dispensed through vibrations. The weight measuring apparatus may be coupled to the vibratory conveyor element through damping mechanisms. An electrical signal output of the weight measuring apparatus may be low-pass filtered to provide an improved signal for feeding to a controller for controlling the flow rate.

Abstract: An overload protection device for a precision balance includes a measuring cell having a short travel distance, a parallel guide unit connected to a load receiving unit, and an auxiliary parallel guide unit whose guide members are connected to the load receiving unit, on the one hand, and to a weighing dish carrier member, on the other hand, wherein the guide members of the auxiliary parallel guide unit are pretensioned by at least one spring and form a rigid unit with the load receiving unit within the loading range of the balance. The auxiliary parallel guide unit includes an upper guide member and a lower guide member, wherein the two ends of the guide members of the auxiliary parallel guide unit on the side of the weighing dish are connected to each other by at least one guide bolt fastened to the upper guide member and the lower guide member. The guide bolt extends with play through a support plate which is fixedly connected to the load receiving unit of the measuring cell.

Abstract: A precision balance of the type having a short-stroke measuring system includes a load receptor connected to the measuring system by means of a hanger. The load receptor has the shape of a yoke and extends around the hanger. The yoke-shaped load receptor rests on the ends of two arms of a receiving element, wherein the arms are attached to the bottom of the hanger and elastically prestressed to press against the hanger. The yoke-shaped load receptor is held at the upper part of the hanger in a manner allowing guided sideways movement of the load receptor.

Abstract: An electronic scale is disclosed which has multiple overload protection features for protecting the load cell and a weight distribution plate from excessive strain due to vertical overload on the scale or from twisting resulting from an article being placed thereon which exceeds the load capacity of the scale, or from excessive forces due to mishandling of the scale. A first overload protection is in the form of a boss molded into the base of the scale on which the free end of the load cell abuts if an excessive load is placed on the platter of the scale. A second overload protection is in the form of a peripheral depending flange on the platter which abuts a peripheral portion of the a top cover to prevent excessive strain on the load cell and a weight distribution plate from excessive loading or mishandling of the scale.

Abstract: In an inertial mass measurement instrument, an active force compensator compensates for inertial forces transmitted by an oscillating elastic element to a primary support of the instrument. The compensator applies equal and opposite compensating forces to the primary support along an effective line of action of the oscillating element. Application of the compensating forces result in a substantially zero net acceleration of the primary support and avoids measurement inaccuracies attributable to changes in properties of secondary support elements.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a merchandise damping and protecting cover for the platforms of weighing scales. In some embodiments of my invention the scale platform cover includes a core comprised of one or more bodies of resilient foam material, contained in a rugged, tear-resistant envelope, and adhesive members for adhering the envelope to a platform of a weighing scale. In some embodiments of my invention the scale platform cover is provided with a shallow pocket in its upper face such that a rim is defined around the outer edge of the scale platform cover which prevents small items of merchandise from rolling off the scale platform cover.

Abstract: A vibration attenuation device serves to damp in a two-stage manner with a non-linear spring characteristic a pair of relatively movable components, such as the weighing pan and the weighing pan carrier of a scale. First and second stage resilient compressible means extend different distances from one side of a base member for successive activation by the components as they are displaced together, thereby to produce a vibration behavior that approximates the inherent frequency of the weighing scale.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a merchandise damping and protecting cover for the platforms of weighing scales. In some embodiments of my invention the scale platform cover includes a core comprised of one or more bodies of resilient foam material, contained in a rugged, tear-resistant envelope, and adhesive members for adhering the envelope to a platform of a weighing scale. In some embodiments of my invention the scale platform cover is provided with a shallow pocket in its upper face such that a rim is defined around the outer edge of the scale platform cover which prevents small items of merchandise from rolling off the scale platform cover.

Abstract: A damping mechanism is disclosed for use with a displacement measuring device, such as a load cell of the type immersed in a motion damping liquid contained within a housing. The mechanism includes a shear plate adjustably supported by the housing within the damping liquid for movement towards and away from a facing surface of the load cell, which is supported for movement within a plane disposed parallel to the shear plate, for purposes of controlling the thickness of the layer of damping liquid disposed there-between. The thickness of the layer determines the damping characteristics of the mechanism.

Abstract: A load-sensing body for weighing machines and the like, comprising two circular plates (1, 2) and an intermediate space (15) communicating with a pressure-sensing member, an O ring-type seal being arranged between the plate circumferences, and one plate being provided with at least two open grooves (11, 12) in the opposing plate sides, the grooves being arranged at a slight radial distance from one another and facilitating axial displacement of a central plate portion disposed inside the grooves upon axial compression of the plates.Elastically yieldable portions are arranged in the load-sensing body to act between the body and loading and/or load-receiving elements for the purpose of allowing initial compression of the plates to prevent for an initial compression of the seal and subsequently allow direct load transmission to the load-sensing body.

Abstract: A weighing scale capable of weighing articles in a rapid and accurate fashion. The tray of the scale is supported by at least one spring and becomes vertically displaced in proportion to the weight of an article placed thereon. A voice coil is used to bias the tray to its original position, and the weight of the article is determined by measuring the current in the voice coil.

Abstract: In order to reduce the coupling-in of high-frequency electromagnetic interference into the measuring system of electric balances with scale on top and with a metallic balance scale and a metallic housing, a pin (7) which establishes the connection between the balance scale (2) and the load receiver (5) of the measuring system comprises an insulating layer on its surface which is bridged by a resistor (6) located on the pin (7).

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: There is disclosed a machine for transporting and weighing or checkweighing articles passing in succession thereon at high speeds, such as for use in conjunction with a rapid article feeding and take-away conveyor system or the like and with weight-signal transmitting/converting/calculating printout devices for visual display and price labeling operations or the like. The machine includes a stationary machine base and a vertically flexible weight-measuring means supported by said base. A rigid cage-like structure encompasses and is supported by said weight-measuring means, and an article conveying device and a power supply means therefor is carried by said cage-like structure and comprises in combination therewith the minusculely vertically shifting tare weight component of the machine.

Abstract: A packaging machine useful for packaging fluidized dry, divided, solid material into containers such as valve bags is provided with an isolator section for isolating forces generated in the flow path of the material from a filling and weighing section. The flow path includes a filling spout that extends into the container through a valve formed therein and is sealed in the valve by an inflatable sleeve on the filling spout, the sleeve being so constructed that only that portion that enters the valve is permitted to expand.

Abstract: A transducer system for a weighing scale having a flexure mode crystal resonator includes a parallelogram linkage for supporting the load platform of the scale, a mounting structure for mounting the crystal resonator between two pivotally connected mounting arms, and a coupling assembly for coupling force from the parallelogram linkage to one arm of the mounting structure.

Abstract: A weighing system includes a weighing pan connected to a rigid armature by a mechanical filter constraining the armature to motion along a reference axis with respect to a housing and damping out transient forces along this axis resulting from the placement of objects on the pan. The mechanical filter includes spring and damping elements that provide a low-pass filter, that is, one that efficiently and quickly eliminates high frequency oscillations. In one form, the mechanical filter couples the pan to the armature. Because of this connection, friction in the mechanical filter does not result in frictional errors in the weighing measurement. In another form, a mechanical linkage couples the armature to the housing. A force transducer, comprising a pair of complementary opposed surfaces having a mutual separation which is related to the force across the transducer, is coupled between the armature and the housing.

Abstract: Weighing apparatus is disclosed of the short-stroke vibratory string type including a housing (3, 5) in which is arranged a load cell device including a stationary member (1) and a vertically movable load receiving member (2), characterized by the provision of a vertically collapsible overload protection device (F) arranged within the housing around the stationary load cell member for connecting a weighing platform or pan (6) arranged above the housing with the movable load receiver member. The overload protection device includes a horizontal open rectangular frame having relatively vertically movable upper (7) and lower (8) frame sections, stop lugs (23) being provided on the housing for limiting the extent of downward travel of the upper frame member. A snap spring arrangement (14, 18) is provided for biasing the upper and lower frame members vertically apart.

Abstract: A rain rate meter for delineating short-term variations in rain rate having a housing which encloses an electronic balance sensitive to approximately 0.01 grams. The top of the housing is open and has a funnel-shaped element located therein for receiving rainfall. An outlet port is centrally located at the bottom of the funnel-shaped element and a dispersing means is positioned adjacent the outlet port for substantially eliminating the adverse effects of the downward momentum of the rain water flowing from the outlet port prior to being collected by a container which rests upon the balance in the housing. A transfer mechanism is situated in the container in order to gently deposit the flowing rain water into the container. Measurements of collected rainfall weight are made over a preselected period of time by the electronic balance in order to accurately ascertain rain rate.

Abstract: A scale has a load receiving member and a force receiving member coupled to the load receiving member by flat springs. The force receiving member transmits the force to be measured to a measuring cell. A hydraulic damper is connected in the force transmission path between the load receiver and the force receiver rather than between the force receiver and the frame of the scale as is current practice. The effects of viscous friction in the damper on the accuracy of the scale are thereby eliminated. The container holding the hydraulic fluid of the damper is sealed by a simple packing ring. Overload protection for the measuring cell is provided by a preloaded spring which is connected in series with the damper in the force transmission path.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved weighing apparatus for fork lifts comprising a weigh bridge supported at each end thereof by load cells. The weigh bridge and load cells are built into the fork so that the overall height of the fork is kept to a minimum.

Abstract: Electronic weigher apparatus is disclosed which utilizes a plate situated below the weighing scale and above a load receiver which is part of an electronic weight measuring system. The plate is shaped in such a way that thermal air currents generated by the electronic apparatus are carried through a low air resistance path from the interior to the exterior of the weigher casing while a high resistance airflow path prevents air currents from being carried upward from the electronic apparatus to the weighing scale. A collar encircling the scale prevents external air currents from disturbing it during the loading operation.

Abstract: A weighing system includes a weighing pan connected to a rigid armature by a linkage in a manner constraining the armature to motion along a reference axis with respect to the housing. Another linkage couples the armature to a housing. A low friction damper is coupled between the weighing pan and the housing to damp the relative motion of the force input member and the housing. A force transducer, comprising a pair of complimentary opposed surfaces having a mutual separation which is related to the force across the transducer, is coupled between the armature and the housing. Coupled to the transducer is a position sensor which generates a signal representative of the separation between the complimentary opposed surfaces of the transducer.

Abstract: The pneumatic feeding device for a container balance includes a stationary feeding conduit for the loose material arranged above the container and directed substantially perpendicularly through an adjustable coupling piece into the interior of the container. To compensate for reaction forces resulting from the pneumatic operation of the feeding device, there is provided a pneumatic pressure compensator acting from the outside on the container in counter direction to the reaction forces.

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: An overload protection device for a top pan precision scale having a weighing pan support and a support plate carried by a load support mounted for limited movement and connected to an indicator, includes a spring engaged between the weighing pan support and the support plate whereby the weighing pan support is resiliently coupled to the load support, and a plurality of overlapping elements carried by the weighing pan support and extending beyond the outer peripheral edge of the support plate in close proximity thereto so that the weighing pan support and support plate are held in assembled relationship against the bias of the spring by the overlapping elements at the outer peripheral edge of the support plate, whereby upon eccentric loading of the scale, the pivot point of the weighing pan support is extended to the side of the weighing pan support opposite the load, and the lever translation thus effected results in a lower load on the load support than the highest available load.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus, particularly a portable apparatus for weighing vehicles, comprising a resilient body formed of an elastomeric material in which is formed a closed cavity containing a liquid, said cavity being connected by a conduit to an indicator for indicating changes in volume of the cavity when the body suffers changes due to compression forces applied thereto by the member being weighed, said body having a resilient metal plate fixed to an upper surface thereof, a resilient metal load support plate mounted on the plate and a further resilient metal plate embedded in the body and spaced below the plate and to which reaction forces are applied during weighing.

Abstract: A single weighing pan of a top-loading balance is mounted on a vertically movable carrier spindle which transmits the weight of the pan and of a load thereon to an electromechanical transducer. Shock damage to the transducer is prevented by two superposed, star-shaped leaf springs connecting the pan to the spindle and jointly with the spindle, constituting a parallelogram linkage which prevents tilting of the pan under an eccentric load.

Abstract: A balance relatively insensitive to vibration of its support has a weighing pan mounted on a pan carrier which is one of the two normally vertical members of a parallelogram linkage, the other members being the stationary balance casing and two links hingedly interposed between the pan carrier and the casing. A solenoid assembly opposes displacement of the pan carrier under the weight of a load on the pan. The pan carrier is hingedly coupled to one arm of a lever fulcrumed on the balance casing whose other arm carries a counterweight in such a manner that inertial forces acting on the pan carrier and counterweight respectively during vibratory motion of the casing oppose each other.

Abstract: The invention concerns a weighing apparatus for weighing in rapid sequence a series of small weights particularly for use in the packaging industry. The apparatus incorporates a float which is resiliently suspended for vertical movement but held against transverse or torsional movement. The float cooperates with measuring means operative to give an electrical output signal.

Abstract: A single-pan precision balance in which the forces of gravity acting on the weighing pan and the object to be weighed are transmitted to an electromechanical transducer by an upright spindle is equipped with a star-shaped leaf spring whose center is mounted on the spindle and whose arms engage the periphery of the weighing pan to prevent damage to the transducer by shock loads applied to the pan. Cooperating abutments on the pan and the supporting structure of the balance prevent excessive deformation of the spring.

Abstract: A weighing system for material suspended from a rail or trolley. The system includes a transition track between the regular track and the weighing track to avoid oscillation of pressure on the weighing track which causes difficulty in rapidly arriving at a proper weight. The transition track is biassed away from the weighing track so as not to cause a false weight reading. It also includes a novel trolley moving mechanism for moving the trolley as it passes over the weighing mechanism.

Abstract: This load cell attachment structure includes a male screw which is formed on a load sensing part of the load cell, a nut which attaches the load cell to the attachment plate by engaging with the male screw, and a wave washer which is disposed between the attachment plate and the nut.