Abstract: Oscillating and alternatively locking 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. A reversible motor is used to provide drive to a conveyor for transporting mail pieces onto the tray and for causing oscillation of the tray for purposes of weighing.

Abstract: A weight-operated filling system of rotary type is disclosed which is adapted to detect the weight of a vessel and content thereof by means of Roberval weigher. In such system, the centrifugal force which is applied to the vessel and the content thereof causes a metering error, and accordingly the invention provides a rotation detector which detects the rotation of a rotatable member in which Roberval weigher is mounted. A detection signal from the detector is used to correct for the error to derive a true weight. A filling valve is closed to terminate the filling operation when the true weight reaches a given value.

Abstract: The weighing apparatus according to the invention is for use on a support surface which is subject to vibration. The apparatus includes a base adapted to be positioned on the support surface and having opposing first and second sides. The base is adapted to transmit vibrations from the support surface. A tray holds the product to be weighed and has a center of gravity adjacent the first side of the base. A load cell supports the tray on the base at the first side of the base. Strain gauges connected to the load cell generate a signal indicative of the weight of the tray and any product held thereby. The signal includes oscillating noise corresponding to vibrations transmitted by the base through the load cell to the tray.

Abstract: It is disclosed for a balance with a scale on top based on the principle of the electromagnetic compensation of force with a system carrier fixed to the housing, with a load receiver, with two guide rods which connect the load receiver to the system carrier in a vertically movable direction as parallel guide, whereby the stem carrier, the two guide rods and the load receiver are designed as a one-piece casting, with a translation lever and with a coupling element between load receiver and translation lever, whereby the force from the load receiver corresponding to the mass of the weighed material is transferred via the coupling element to the shorter lever arm of the translation lever and the coil of the electromagnetic compensation of force is fastened to the longer lever arm of the translation lever that the system carrier comprise lateral projections which extend into the area between the guide rod arms.

Abstract: A small mechanical weighing scale capable of weighing relatively light, flat articles such as envelopes. The scale contains a slidable pullout flexible beam that is adapted to hold a thin flat article. The tape will break away in accordance with the weight of a held article as the tape is extended from the housing of the scale.

Abstract: A cantilever arm weighing apparatus comprises two arm portions joined by two linkage members disposed in parallel one above the other. A load cell extends from the arm portion attached to a support structure to the arm portion which receives the weight to be measured. A bearing coacts with the load cell and the arm portion bearing the weight to receive the load from the arm portion and transfer it to the load cell. The linkage members act to nullify the moment effect and minimize losses due to friction. A readout device is attached to the load cell providing a readout of the weight applied to the load cell through the bearing.

Abstract: An electronic balance in which a means for transmitting a force due to a weight loaded on a weighting pan to a weight sensing means is made of one metallic block from which are integratedly cut out a Roberval mechanism, a lever and a connecting portion for connecting the lever to the Roberval mechanism.

Abstract: The invention discloses an electronic balance with a scale on top, a balance scale, a balance scale carrier, two identical guide rods (7,8) which connect in an articulated manner the balance scale carrier and the balance scale in the form of a parallel guide to a system carrier (1/5) fixed to the housing and with at least one corner-load adjustment lever (22') which is connected to the system carrier via a thin area (24) and which carries a support point in the vicinity of this thin area (24) for the end of a guide rod (7) on the system carrier that the corner-load adjustment lever (22') is bent at right angles between the support point of the guide rod (7) and the thin area (24) to the system carrier (1,5) in such a manner that the moving joint (17) of the guide rod (7) and this thin area (24) are at the same height.

Abstract: A flexure assembly is provided for mounting a load-receiving platform to a fixed base, said base having associated therewith a force sensing device for coupling to said platform. The assembly comprises at least one flexure member including a stack of at least two flexible leaves. The stack is rigidly coupled along a first side thereof to said platform, and said stack is rigidly coupled along an opposite side thereof to said base, said stack being inclined from the vertical and being sufficiently rigid to support said platform from said base.

Abstract: A load sensing structure for weighing has a rectangular deck with four flexure members supporting the deck. Each flexure member has attachment portions secured to the deck and oppositely facing attachment portions secured to a fixed platform. U-shaped flexure intermediate portions have parallel legs or beams that are connected to one another by a rigid base of the U, and these legs are also cantilever connected to the attachment portions. Two strain gages on one such leg are so located that these gages must sense tension and compression to indicate weight in the bridge circuit. If both detect tension or both compression no weight indication will occur.

Abstract: The invention provides an electronic appliance wherein a detection output of a sensor means is not influenced by a high frequency component originating in external radio waves. The electronic appliance comprises a conductor member located in a spaced relationship by a predetermined distance from a base which constitutes a body case together with a housing. A by-pass route is provided for by-passing a sensor means near the conductor member to introduce a high frequency component of electric current flow induced in the conductor member to the base. A distributed capacitance forming means is interposed in the by-pass route. Thus, a high frequency component of electric current flow induced in the conductor member is released to the body case via the by-pass route.

Abstract: A toy automobile diagnostic center in which a toy automobile is directed onto a platform where various measurements and tests are performed that simulate measurements and tests that are performed on real automobiles. The tests are performed upon the toy which is located at a single test location and include length and height measurements, weight, wheel rotation and others.

Abstract: A load cell comprises a block with a recess in an upper rectangular surface thereof. A plate overlies the upper surface and is parallel thereto and spaced therefrom by a spacer interconnecting the block and the plate at one end of the plate so the remainder of the plate can deform on application of a load to an upper surface thereof. The position of application can be adjusted along the length of the plate. Damage to the plate is avoided on application of an excessive load by its engagement with the upper surface of the block. The deformation of the plate is measured by an adjustable screw which projects downwardly from an undersurface thereof into the recess which contains a circuit board carrying an optical switch so that the screw gradually interrupts the transmission of light from a light emitting infrared diode to a photo transistor of the optical switch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a weighing element for a weighing apparatus, comprising an elongated plate-shaped ceramic bending element (1) provided with strain-gauge transducers, one end (2) of the bending element being secured to a frame (6) of the weighing element, the free other end being secured to a torque lead-in arm (10), said bending element being supported by the frame and by the arm at a distance a from said one end and said other end, respectively. In order to increase the accuracy of the weighing element it is proposed to make the frame and arm supports (8, 13) resilient in the longitudinal direction of the bending element.

Abstract: A tactile pick includes a base and a lever attached beneath the base by a pivot. A load sensing device including a strain gauge is located between the base and the portion of the lever on one side of the pivot; the portion of the lever on the other side of the pivot is adapted to receive a semiconductor wafer. Rotation of the lever about the pivot induced by the weight of a wafer causes an actuator to depress a flexible member on which a strain gauge is mounted. The output signal of the strain gauge is processed by a controller to provide an output signal which varies monotonically with the magnitude of the weight placed on the wafer receiving portion of the lever. The pick is employed in connection with the wafer transport system which transfers wafers from a cassette to the pick lever.

Abstract: Precision balance including a weighing dish supported by a support member which is guided by means of guide arms in such a way that weighing dish performs essentially a vertical movement during weighing. The spacing between the ends of the guide arms is effected by means of a differential screw which changes the width of a slot formed in the frame of the balance. A V-shaped insert is placed in the slot. The insert has linear contact with the sides of the slot. When the portion of the frame located above the slot is being bent by the differential screw, an exactly defined bending line is ensured.

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 precision balance in which the fastening surface (56) for an upper guide arm (22) is fastened to a housing (42) which, by means of a pair of parallel levers (48,50) is vertically movable along the side wall (24) of the balance (18). The movement is effected by means of an adjusting element which engages in a conical slot (60) defined between the upper movable portion of the housing (42) and a bearing face (64) which is arranged immovable relative to the balance (18).

Abstract: Weighing device mountable between a three-points lifting means of a tractor and a load or apparatus to be weighed, said device having two parallel frames adjacently connected to each other for limited movement, a measuring means being mounted between the frames, the connection between the frames being realized by means of stiff elastically deformable strips such as strips of stainless steel, covered at one or both sides with stiffening plates leaving only a small flexion region or by strips mounted to the upper and lower sides of the frames.

Abstract: An electronic scale and length measurement apparatus including an electric transducer for providing an electrical signal indicative of the weight of an object to be measured and an electronic length measurement transducer for providing an electrical signal indicative of the length of an object to be measured. These signals are processed by an electronic signal processing circuit including a microprocessor and a ROM. The microprocessor derives values indicative of the weight and the length of an object to be measured which are then alternatively displayed on a liquid crystal display. The weight measurement transducer comprises a deflecting beam and a coil which is part of an oscillator circuit. Calibration of the device may be effected by means of a variable position aluminum disc connected to the deflecting beam for varying the apparent inductance of the coil. The length signal is provided by means of a pair of LED's, an apertured tape, and a pair of photocells.

Abstract: A force sensing device comprises a parallelepipedic block, the height of which is larger than its width, and which is provided with an opening in the direction of its width so as to form a parallelogram made deformable by the presence of thinner zones in the direction of its height; flexural deformation sensitive elements are fixed to a substantially horizontal section of the block opposite two of the thinner zones which are of a higher flexibility than the other thinner zones. This allows significantly easier manufacturing of low costs while combining high accuracy of measurement and low sensitivity to eccentric loads.

Abstract: The invention relates to a weighing element for a weighing apparatus, comprising a plate-shaped bending element provided with strain-gauge transducers, one end of the bending element being secured to a frame of the weighing element and the free other end being secured to a resilient force-transmitting arm. In order to increase the accuracy of the weighing element it is proposed to make the bending element of a ceramic material and to support the bending element at a distance from each of said ends by the frame and by the arm, respectively.

Abstract: A mass-measuring and force-measuring device which comprises a frame, a load-bearing component guided at right angles and parallel, a pathless measuring system and means for transmitting the load to the measuring system, which possess a lever which is connected to the frame via a first plate having at least one joint and non-rotatably and non-displaceably mounted on the said lever, and is connected to the load-bearing component via a second non-rotatably and non-displaceably mounted plate having at least two joints.

Abstract: A toggle-type adjustment device is provided for allowing very fine adjustments of the position of at least one flexure mounting in a weighing scale.

Abstract: Means for supporting an article to be weighed, a low range load cell having a high accuracy weighing range and including means for outputting a first signal in response to a weight on the supporting means and a high range load cell having a high load weighing range which is higher than the high accuracy weighing range, the high range load cell including means for outputting a second signal in response to a weight on the supporting means, are provided. Means are also provided for receiving the first and second signals and for outputting a weight signal as a function of one of the first and second signals, the means for receiving including means for outputting the weight signal as a function of the first signal for any weight within the weighing range of the low range load cell, whereby high accuracy weighing is achieved.

Abstract: A weighbridge unit for use in a conveyor weigh scale has a support for part of the conveyor belt, such as a trough or one or more idlers, a bridge carrying the support, and load cells formed by cantilever strain gauge bridge units supporting the ends of the bridge, the electrical outputs of the bridge units being summed to provide a weighbridge output signal. Cantilever arms of the load cell bridge units preferably extend in the direction of movement of the belt.

Abstract: A differential spring mechanism is provided for allowing very fine adjustments of the position of at least one flexure mounting in a weighing scale. Most of the motion of a control device is absorbed by a first relatively weak spring, leaving only a relatively small portion of that motion to be absorbed by a second relatively strong spring to which the flexure mounting is connected.

Abstract: A weight monitor includes a first part for attachment to a pedestal or other support member and a second part for suspending a blood collection bag to be filled by a flow of blood from a donor. A trough shaped spring interconnects the first and second parts and retains the second part in fixed positional relationship to the first part until the bending force imposed upon the spring by the filling blood collection bag exceeds a predetermined value at which point the spring flexes abruptly and the second part becomes positionally reoriented with respect to the first part. A clamp, associated with the fill tube of the blood collection bag, is actuated by the reorientation of the second part to terminate further flow of blood through the fill tube into the blood collection bag.

Abstract: Mass and force meter manufactured from a single block extruded from a profiled bar and comprising several components, with a frame, a load support guided parallelly and vertically by guiding means consisting of at least two flat springs mounted one above the other, a motionless measuring system and at least one transmission member that transmits only part of the weight of the mass or part of the force to be measured to the measuring system, in which at least one component implements at least two functions of the meter.

Abstract: A load cell has a span resistor hole for enclosing a span resistor that is provided on the beam body, so that the span resistor may be free from the influence of environmental factors such as temperature and moisture and thus can be satisfactorily protected. The span resistor hole is located in a deformation-proof portion of the beam body, whereby the span resistor is not exposed to external mechanical force.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus comprising a rotary table disposed inside a heating chamber so as to mount food to be heated, and a motor which rotates the rotary table. The rotary table and the motor are integrally supported in a floating state by a resilient member, thereby allowing the food and the rotary table to vibrate or move vertically. This vertical vibration or movement is measured by employing a detector, and the weight of the food is measured from the output of the detector. The rotary table is provided with a biasing means interlocked with a door for regulating the height of the rotary table or stabilizing the same when the door is opened. In the case where the vibration of the rotary table is particularly detected, the rotary table is forced to vibrate by the action of the biasing means thereby allowing highly accurate measurement of the weight of the food.

Abstract: Multiple methods of constructing weighing platforms using variable moment load cells are disclosed. Variable moment load cells require only a single strain gage and typically four (4) are used on a weighing platform. The output of the four (4) load cells are matched by mechanically varying the bending strain detected by the strain gages.A method of constructing a load cell to weigh suspended hoppers with a minimum of vertical space is also disclosed.

Abstract: A load detecting mechanism is provided comprisinga vertical link extending in the vertical direction in which a load to be detected is exerted;first and second leaf spring members each having a first end portion connected to an upper end of the vertical link and extending horizontally in different first and second directions, respectively;third and fourth leaf spring members each having a first end portion connected to a lower end of the vertical link and extending horizontally and parallel to said first and second directions, respectively;a rigid block member having at least first, second and third end portions extending vertically and formed integrally with each other, the first end portion of said rigid block member being adjacent the vertical link, second end portions of the first and third leaf spring members being secured to the upper and lower ends of the second end portion of said rigid block member, respectively, to form a first parllelogram link mechanism, and second end portions of the second and f

Abstract: Load cells incorporating one or more gaged beams as the load sensing elements are compensated for off-center loading in the longitudinal and/or lateral directions. The load cell may also include one or more flexure arms extending parallel to the beam. The relative position of the gages and the neutral axis of the beam is made such that the gages produce a correctible response to off-set loading by positioning the gages and/or physically altering the beam. Preferably, conventional or special strain gages are mounted upon the beam(s) to produce a correctible response by the gages by rotating and/or displacing them with respect to the longitudinal axis of the beam. Resistors are then connected to certain of the strain gages to compensate for off-center loading. The strain gages are advantageously placed all on one side of a beam but may be placed on opposite sides thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing the load on a platform without error caused by variations in the location of the load on the platform, including an integral sensor block comprising a double cantilever beam having one end attached to a fixed support and the opposite end supporting the platform. The beam is divided into upper and lower portions, each portion having two flexures spaced apart along the length of the beam portion. The flexures on the lower beam portion are spaced apart by a distance greater than the distance between the flexures in the upper beam portion. Strain gage resistance elements are bonded to the outer surface of the upper portion at the flexure.

Abstract: A mass-measuring and force-measuring device which comprises a frame, a load-bearing component, means for guiding the load-bearing component at right angles and parallel, and a measuring system, which means consist of two rigid plates connected to one another by means of two horizontal parallel connecting elements arranged one on top of the other, wherein one of these plates is connected to the load-bearing component, and the other plate is connected to the frame, each by means of a swivel joint and a retaining rod.

Abstract: In a parallel rod guide for electronic balances having a measured value sensor, typically corner load adjustments are made by adjusting the parallelism of the two rods and such adjustments are normally sufficient. However, this can eliminate only linearly load-dependent corner load errors. In order to eliminate corner load errors which are non-linearly dependent on the load, the present invention provides an adjustment assembly which varies the resilience of the fastening points on the system carrier side of at least one rod to horizontal forces. The adjustment assembly may comprise, a screw/nut connection whose position can be varied vertically therewith, varying the effective length of a resilient intermediate part.

Abstract: A load cell includes base and load receiving members connected together by a pair of parallel flexures to form a parallelogram configuration. One of the flexures has at least one strain gage secured thereon, along with a cantilevered stop member positioned between the base and load receiving members. The stop member is suspended between the ends of a pair of adjustable set screws threadably mounted in the base and load receiving members to provide for an overload and underload protection of the load cell. Additional adjustable set screws are strategically placed in the load cell to further provide for the selective adjustment and redistribution of stresses sensed by the strain gage whereby the same electrical signal will be produced independent of the location of a load along a longitudinal axis of the load cell or a second axis perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: An improvement in a multi-range load cell weighing instrument of the type which has a plurality of load cells including a high weighing load cell positioned adjacent a base and a low weighing load cell positioned adjacent a tray. In the improved weighing instrument according to the invention, the load cells are located such that the center lines along the length thereof substantially coincide with the center line of the tray. Accordingly, if a partial load condition is entered wherein a load is put aside relative to the tray, a force acting to twist the load cells is weakened, resulting in reduction of the frequency of causing flickering of indication.

Abstract: A strain gauge scale is disclosed comprising a platform having two weighing discs, each disc being connected with the platform by means of three load cells, each of which has a multiple component strain gauge associated therewith.

Abstract: A load plate is rigidly supported by a central pedestal strain gaged for bending about a central axis. In one embodiment, the pedestal is mounted to the center of a yoke bar supported by two legs strain gaged for comprehensive loads only the sum of which is indicative of the magnitude of the plate load. The legs are supported by base webs strain gaged for bending about a central axis orthogonal to the axis of pedestal bending. The output of the bending strain gages enables determination of the coordinates of the load location on the plate from the central axis axes.In a second embodiment, the pedestal is supported by a block rigidly attached to the end of a cantilevered member extending at right angles from the pedestal. The cantilever member is strain gaged at two longitudinal stations for reading the differential of the bending strain to thereby determine the shear loading, or plate tactile load.

Abstract: A device for measuring force, which is preferably applicable to a weighing device, is provided, wherein two cantilever arms are arranged substantially in parallel and generally in a vertical plane, an elastic member is coupled between the free ends of the both arms so as to be subjected to tension or compression when a force to be measured is applied to the free end of the either arm, the elastic member forms a part of mechano-electric transducer which produces an electric signal whose feature has a theoretical relationship with the applied force, and the device further includes an arithmetic unit for calculating the force in accordance with this relationship.

Abstract: A mass meter of the type of conventional weighing scale having an elastic cantilever mechanism provided with a weighing cradle, and a mechanoelectric transducer for sensing a strain of the cantilever to produce a weight indicative signal, which further includes, for cancelling the effect of gravity, a reference weight accompanied with its loading and unloading means, and an arithmetic unit for processing the weight data obtained in both reference weight loaded and unloaded states to calculate the mass of an article on the weighing cradle.

Abstract: A shift-error adjuster is incorporated into a substantially parallelogram guiding frame or flexure of a platform load cell to permit adjustment of the flexure to compensate for off-center loading of a scale incorporating the platform load cell. First and second vertically oriented end sections are interconnected by upper and lower deflection sections to form the parallelogram flexure. First and second reduced thickness bending portions are formed into the upper end of one of the end sections to define first and second axes which are perpendicular to one another. Vertically oriented adjusting screws are associated with each of the reduced thickness bending portions to effect bending of the end section about the first and second axes to thereby adjust the vertical spacing between the interconnections of that end section and the upper and lower deflection sections.

Abstract: A scale plate with one or more load cell structures formed integrally therewith. Each load cell includes a flexure beam with strain sensing means mounted thereon and a fixed end merging with the plate. A support member has a free end and another end that is fixed to and merges with the other end of the beam. The load is applied between the plate and the support member. The support member permits the point of load application to be selected for improved output response of the load cell. A second flexure beam may be provided to counter any torsion effects on the first mentioned beam. The beam and support member are formed by cutting slots in the scale plate.

Abstract: A weight scale in particular a bath room scale contains strain gauges. To make the scale of simple design while being reliable and precise a single bar has at its ends a load receiving plate and support base. At least two strain gauges are fastened to the bar and are sensitive to bending of the bar. At least one another strain gauge is fastened to the bar, this being sensitive to twisting of the bar.

Abstract: A load cell having a flexure connector that provides connection between the load beam of the load cell and the sensing beam. The structure has a low profile and provides an adjusting feature that compensates for the variations in resistance of the load cell strain gages.

Abstract: The invention of this application relates to a weighing machine in which a weighing member such as a weighing saucer or hopper holding or accommodating the materials to be weighed is provided on one side of a load cell through a support, and the load cell is supported on the other side thereof on a frame directly or indirectly through an elastic body for absorbing vibrations. The weighing machine is basically constructed so that the load cell is supported on the other side thereof on the frame through a strain generator for allowing damping in the fixed direction and, at the same time, through an anti-vibration damper for improving a damping characteristic, whereby vibrations of the load cell is damped promptly.

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 load cell assembly having a predetermined overall stiffness and a mounting plate for reducing the apparent stiffness of the load cell assembly to that predetermined level are disclosed. A load cell is mounted on a base by a mounting plate so that the load cell is fixed with respect to mechanical ground yet is free to deflect under load. The overall stiffness of the assembly is reduced to a predetermined stiffness by selecting the resiliency of the mounting plate in accordance with the stiffness of the load cell. The resilience of the load cell may be determined by either undercutting the mounting plate or by proper selection of materials. An apparatus for protecting the scale from overloads and shock loads is also disclosed.