Abstract: A seat weight sensor incorporates a fluid containing bladder placed in series with the load path in the seat, whereby a load applied to and distributed across the bladder increases the pressure of the fluid therein. The pressure of the fluid is measured by a pressure sensor and is substantially proportional to the magnitude of the applied load, and substantially inversely proportional to the supported area of the bladder. The output signal is substantially linear with respect to weight. Preferably, the amount of fluid in the bladder should be less than the capacity of the bladder when the bladder is unloaded. The seat weight sensor is incorporated into an occupant restraint system for controlling the safety restraint system responsive to the weight of the occupant.

Abstract: A portable weight measuring device including a plurality of flat, flexible generally nonelastic fluid-containing bladders arranged edge to edge and interconnected by flexible tubes for fluid flow between the bladders. Flat, rigid upper and lower support plates, generally similar in size to each bladder, are positioned against each bladder upper and lower surface so that the upper support plates collectively define a flat weight bearing surface and the lower support plates collectively define a flat ground engaging surface which is parallel and spaced from, but on close proximity to, the weight bearing surface by the relatively small thickness of the bladders.

Abstract: A weighing scale of the type comprising a scale is disclosed wherein the weighing scale is table for bearing the thing to be measured; a first hydraulic cylinder disposed below the scale table; a feeler transmitting the pressure applied at the scale table to the first hydraulic cylinder; a second hydraulic cylinder connected to the first hydraulic cylinder by a pipe and disposed at a level below the first hydraulic cylinder to bear the pressure transmitted through the feeler; a probe forced to make a linear displacement corresponding to the amount of the pressure transmitted from the first hydraulic cylinder to said second hydraulic cylinder; and an electronic inductor to detect the range of the linear displacement and convert it into a corresponding digital data for display.

Abstract: An air spring load monitoring system provides a vehicle operator with an on-board visual display of the load distribution imposed on each axle from front to rear of a truck and trailer, and displays differential loads imposed from side to side across each axle as a result of local overloading caused by unequal load distribution. Pneumatic transducers produce analog output signals proportional to the internal air pressure of each air spring as an accurate indicator of payload distribution. Load data is presented by load display groups in which visual display elements are positioned in spaced relation along a scale representative of a predetermined air spring load range. The visual display elements of each group are positioned in side by side relation for visual comparison to each other and to the scale. Each visual display element is representative of a predetermined load range increment.

Abstract: The weighing device comprises at least a force sensor (1,2,3) integrated in a toilet seat (4) resting on the upper edge of the bowl (11); the sensor works with an electronic unit (6) comprising means for formatting the measurement signal that drives a means (8) for displaying the user's weight, said means (8) being placed on an extension (9) of seat (4); the hinge along the XX axis comprises an oblong hole to avoid affecting the measurement.

Abstract: The weighing device for wheel loads has a platform (3) which distributes the load over a plurality of elongated hollow elements (2) disposed parallel with and at equal distances apart from and alongside one another on a baseplate (1). The hollow elements (2) consists of springing material and their cavities (12) are filled with fluid. A connecting line links the cavities (12) to a measuring device which is calibrated in units of weight and measures the volume of fluid displaced from the cavities (12) under load. The cavities (12) in the hollow elements (2) have a split or gap-shaped cross-section, and are substantially parallel with the platform (3). The gap width in the hollow elements (2) is so dimensioned that the inside faces of the hollow elements (2) which define the gap (12) at least partially abut each other when the weighing device is overloaded, prior to the elasticity limit of the hollow elements (2) being reached.

Abstract: A method and system are set forth for determining the force necessary to separate a first and a second mass by using an inflatable member such as an air spring. More specifically, the invention includes a system and method for load leveling of a vehicle. The system and method includes means for determining the weight on each spring by inflating the spring at a substantially constant rate. The pressure of the gas within the air spring is sensed at time intervals and, through a microprocessor or the like, the sensed pressure at the time intervals is assembled into a pressure-time history. From the pressure time history, the pressure is determined at which the chassis begins to lift. The determined pressure is processed to give an indication of the weight of the chassis borne by the air spring. The foregoing procedure is repeated for each air spring so that a gross vehicle weight can be determined as well as the distribution of weight upon each air spring.

Abstract: An air/hydraulic scale for use on a truck or trailer and having frame mounted hydraulic cylinders with piston rods contactible with a vehicle axle. Fluid expelled from the cylinders actuates a load indicating displacement cylinder located adjacent the load cylinders. The piston rod assembly of each cylinder is automatically retracted at the end of a loading operation and prior to road travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a measuring method of a load weight carried by a vehicle wherein the load weight is measured by subtracting the weight of vehicle when the vehicle is empty from the weight of the vehicle when it is loaded, the load weight being supported by suspension cylinders of the vehicle, it is adapted to measure the weight of the vehicle when it is loaded and/or the weight of the vehicle when it is empty by the steps of detecting pressures in all suspension cylinders sequentially during a given period of time while the vehicle is vibrating, calculating the weights applied to all the suspension cylinders based on the detected pressures and the cross-sectional area of the cylinders, and obtaining an average value of the calculated weight at the given period of time.

Abstract: A weighing scale (10) includes a base (12) with a connecting channel (14) disclosed therein. A layer (16) of elastically deformable material is disposed over this channel with longitudinal corrugations (18) disposed therein. Each of these corrugations (18) is formed integral to the layer (16) and has a wall thickness essentially equal thereto. The interior portion of each of the corrugations (18) and the surface of the base (12) form a plurality of deformable volumes (20). The deformable volumes (20) and the connecting channel (14) comprise a common reservoir that is connected to an expanding bellows-type gauge (30). The expanding bellows gauge (30) allows for volumetric displacement of fluid within the deformable volumes (20). A load bearing layer (28) is disposed adjacent the apexes of the corrugations (18) exterior to the deformable volumes (20).

Abstract: A weighing scale (10) includes a base (12) with longitudinal channels (14) milled therein. A layer (20) of elastic deformable material is disposed over these channels with longitudinal rods (22) disposed over the layer (20) and oriented along the longitudinal axis of an associated one of the longitudinal channels (14). A connecting channel (18) connects the longitudinal channels (14) together to form a common reservoir. A load bearing deformable layer (30) is disposed over the rods (22) to distribute weight thereto. The weight is transferred through the rods (22) to the portion of the layer (20) covering each of the channels (14). The channels (14) are filled with a fluid that expands outward from the channels when weight is applied to any of the rods (22), thereby reducing the volume in the channel (14). A gauge (34) having a diaphragm disposed therein measures the volumetric change within the channels (14).

Abstract: A weighing scale (10) includes a base (12) with an array of cylindrical bores (16) disposed therein. A network of interconnecting channels (18) is formed on the lower surface of the base (12) with a cover (20) disposed thereover. A layer of elastically deformable material (22) is disposed on the other side of the base (12) to cover the bores (16). The base (20) and the elastically deformable layer (22) define deformable chambers (24) within the bores (16). A load bearing layer (34) is disposed over the elastically deformable layer (22) and spaced therefrom by spherical members (32) disposed proximate the longitudinal axis of the bores (16). A locating layer (28) positions the spherical members (32) in their proper place. The deformable chambers (24) and the interconnecting channels (18) comprise a common reservoir that is connected to an expanding bellows type gauge (36). The gauge (36) allows for volumetric displacement of fluid within the deformable chambers (24).

Abstract: A portable weighing scale device is disclosed for determining the axle load weight of a vehicle such as a semi-truck, trailer and the like. The weighing scale device includes a platform with tire guide rails and inflatable air bags. An air pressure gauge is connected to the air bags to measure the vehicle axle weight.

Abstract: A hydraulic bellow type scale comprises a scale body, a plurality of hydraulic bellows, a variable capacitor, an integrated circuit and a display unit. By means of the pressure in the hydraulic bellow, the weight of an object on a pan of the scale body is transmitted in terms of force for the variable capacitor to translate into a capacitance signal. The capacitance signal is further calculated by the integrated circuit. The weight and price thus calculated are displayed by the display unit.

Abstract: A vent accumulator for a hydraulic integrator of the type having at least three pistons arranged in end-to-end relationship within an elongated housing. Each piston is adapted to move under hydraulic pressure in a direction away from one longitudinal end of the housing towards the opposite longitudinal end. Each of the pistons, except for the last piston adjacent the opposite end of the housing, is provided with a piston rod operatively connected to the piston next adjacent towards one end of the housing. Each piston is defined as having a first side directed towards one end of the housing and a second side directed towards the opposite end of the housing. Each of the pistons, except for the last two pistons in line, is provided with means for receiving hydraulic fluid under pressure from a load cell on its first side and an air vent communicates on it second side.

Abstract: An improved treadle for use in a compact, portable weighing scale comprising a load-bearing, pressure-developing displacement treadle connected to a volume-reacting, weight-indicating readout means. The treadle contains a first sealed collapsible chamber sealed at one end and communicating with the readout means at the other, and a second, fully sealed collapsible chamber not communicating with the readout means. The second sealed chamber improves the compression characteristics of the collapsible chamber. At least one collapsible chamber is preferably formed from flexible tubing which is reinforced with braiding. A treadle comprising two treadle plates, and a means of compacting same, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus comprises a plurality of weighing apparatus modules, each of which includes an elongated platform structure under which lies an elongated frame structure. A load cell is interposed between a downwardly directed area of the platform structure and an upwardly directed area of the frame structure in the region of one end of both structures. A bracing arrangement, which resists relative horizontal movement of the platform and frame structures but permits relative vertical movement, includes a pair of parallel mechanical linkages, one of which is connected at one end to the platform structure adjacent the load cell and at the other end to the frame at a location spaced away from the load cell. For stability, the other mechanical linkage is connected in reverse fashion, namely, at one end to the frame structure adjacent the load cell and at the other end to the platform structure at a location spaced away from the load cell.

Abstract: Combination hydraulic-pneumatic weighting scale which has a base in which is located multiple load cell units to effect displacement of a quantity of hydraulic fluid. A flexible conduit interconnects the load cells with the gauge. The gauge indicator is moved by an air actuated Bourdon tube and can be calibrated accurately for any specific weight up to 300 pounds. There is sufficient displacement of hydraulic fluid to compress a substantial column of air in the Bourdon tube and cause deflection of the needle. The amount of air compression within the scale gauge causes a sufficiently large deflection in the Bourdon tube to effect a large needle deflection and thus to obtain weight indications over the full range of the scale with great accuracy.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring loads with the use of a plurality of measuring points, for instance in motor vehicles, in which one load-supporting measuring element is placed at each measuring point and contains a resilient material, such as rubber, for taking up lateral forces acting upon the measuring element.

Abstract: A force measuring device comprises at least one gauge element which, at least, in some regions, is conceived as a spring element, the deformation of which changes the volume of liquid contained in a chamber delimited by the gauge element; the spring elements are equal to each other in every respect and so positioned that the spring characteristic is the same for all of them that the deformation remains in the linear domain of the spring characteristic and that the local change of volume of the chamber is proportional to the deformation of the respective spring element.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus comprises a plurality of hydraulic load cells each including a piston, a cylinder, and a flexible diaphragm of fluid impervious material sealed in the cylinder and overlying the piston to form a fluid pressure receiving chamber. The cylinders are interconnected in spaced coaxial relation on a main support frame. The pistons are similarly mounted on a floating frame which comprises a number of threaded rods which permits reciprocal piston movement relative to the cylinder and to the main frame. A force sensitive output signal generator is mounted in the main frame in operative relation to the interconnected pistons to receive forces from them when fluid pressure is received in any of the pressure receiving chambers. The pistons are adjustably clamped to the threaded by nuts so that the piston-cylinder spacing may be changed for calibration purposes.

Abstract: A device for signaling a patient when a predetermined load is placed on the patient's foot comprises a resilient foot pad having a toe end and a heel end and adapted to substantially cover the inner sole of a shoe. A resilient liquid filled tube is mounted within the pad with the tube extending from adjacent the toe end to adjacent the heel end of the pad. A signaling device is controlled by a pressure responsive means in communication with the liquid in the tube for the actuation of the signaling means at a predetermined pressure of said liquid.

Abstract: Platform weighing apparatus combines a foundation frame, a two layer platform, and interposed load cells of highly restricted vertical dimensions. The load cells are interfitted within cut-away portions of the underlayer of the platform, being removably attached to the platform, but floating with respect to the apparatus frame. Centering rings on the floating lower portions of the load cells facilitate set-up of the apparatus. The load cells lie wholly below the planar surface of the platform, facilitating attachment of hook-on ramps to the four sides of assembly to make it equally approachable from all sides. Deflectable bracing means prevent relative sideways motion of the platform and frame while permitting vertical weighing motion of the platform.