Abstract: An apparatus for weighing a softened solid rapidly and precisely, wherein no excessive force is exerted on, and no shock is given to, the load cell. The apparatus has a simplified structure including 1/4 cylindrical weighing containers so that the apparatus is easy to disassemble and clean.The inventive apparatus comprises a load cell for transmitting signals; a pair of weighing containers each having a cross-section of approximately 1/4 of a cylinder, arranged closely, and installed on the load cell rotatably around center axis of rotation; a scraping member installed closely to the inner surface of the weighing containers; and a driving unit, which is not connected to said load cell, for opening and closing the weighing containers by reversely rotating them around their axes. This apparatus for weighing a softened solid discharges the weighed substance as it is scraped from the sides of the containers by the scraping member.

Abstract: In a weighing conveyor, a driving roller includes an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. The outer cylinder is rotatably supported on the inner cylinder. An endless belt is laid over the outer cylinder. An electric motor and a load cell are built in the inner cylinder. The motor drives the outer cylinder through a reduction gear mechanism.

Abstract: A food product slicer comprises a housing having a bilevel profile which includes a raised portion having a first aperture therein and a horizontal planar portion having a second aperture therein; a slicing blade mounted for rotation on a drive shaft extending through the first aperture; a compartment on the bottom side of the housing defined by a wall member; a scale including a platter, mounted on a post extending through the second aperture; a load cell mounted in the compartment and engaging the post extending through the second aperture; and an electronic control for operating the scale and slicer, mounted in the housing outside of the compartment. The platter is located below the slicing blade such that the food product sliced by the slicing blade is deposited on the platter, and the post is mounted to the center of the platter, such that a food product portion deposited on the platter will measure substantially the same weight on each corner of the platter.

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: An apparatus for weighing full yarn packages which are supported on a transport unit which moves along a trackway in the textile plant. The weighing apparatus includes a weighing station which is positioned at a fixed location along the path of travel of the transport unit, and the weighing station temporarily supports the weight of each package on the transport unit and so as to permit the weight of each package to be sensed.

Abstract: A partial weight-bearing scale including a planar weighing surface and a fixed load supporting platform to one side of the weighing surface. The combination enables a user to stand on the support platform with one foot while applying measured pressure to the scale with the other foot. A visual display is provided to indicate the amount of pressure applied to the scale.

Abstract: An improved platform for scales used to weigh parcels and envelopes for shipping has a hoop-shaped wire bail having at both rear end portions thereof a short, laterally inwardly projecting pivot leg. The pivot legs are axially aligned, and are pivotably attached to the platform in a manner permitting the bail to be pivoted upward and rearward from a position in which the plane of the bail lies below the surface of the platform, to an upright position in which envelopes placed on the platform may be leaned rearward against the bail, thus covering less of the platform and improving the viewability of a weight indicator located below the platform. Stop lugs in the platform located rearward of the pivot legs limit rearward motion of the bail to a position in which the plane of the bail is inclined slightly rearward of a plane perpendicular to the platform.

Abstract: A weighing method for a wheel supported load, such as a hospital bed, uses a weighing device having a base with a flat bottom surface, and a track surface for a wheel arranged parallel to the bottom surface. The track surface is supported on an arrangement for sensing weight which includes a pair of cantilever bending beams with strain gages, and one end of the track surface extends beyond the end of the flat bottom surface. To start weighing, the weighing device is first tilted, so the track surface can be wedged between a wheel and the floor. In this position the track surface acts as a ramp for the wheel. The wheel is next rolled up onto the track surface until it is above the front edge of the flat bottom surface. At this point the weighing device will flip over by gravity to rest on the flat bottom surface, and the weighing of the load can be done without risk for force shunting to the floor. A weighing device suitable for use with the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Parallel infrared beams are directed along opposite edges of an electronic scale which has its weighing platform mounted flush with a supermarket check-out counter. In the event that an object being weighed overhangs the scale and contacts the counter, it will break one or more beams. Means are provided for detecting the interruption of a beam and a disable control signal is generated. Normally, an electronic cash register is connected to an output of the scale for computing the price of a weighed object. However, when the disable signal is generated, communication between the scale and the electronic cash register is disabled, thereby preventing computation of an incorrectly weighed object.

Abstract: A vessel holding device is composed of a sheet metal strip which is bent to form a polygon. The resulting side wall members are provided with bores or recesses for holding the vessels, such as, test tubes or syringe cylinders in a predetermined manner. The vessel holding device can be used standing on one of the side wall members or on the upper or lower edges of the device.

Abstract: The portable deck truck scale includes a deck structure which has a plurality of "V"-shaped support ribs extending between a bottom plate and an upper deck. The support ribs are configured to provide increased strength at the side portions of the deck structure, and the upper deck is either a metal plate or a concrete slab. If a metal plate forms the upper deck, the central portion is reinforced by spaced strips positioned over the side portions of the deck. When the deck is concrete, it has a thickness within the range of from 2 to 4 inches. This is achieved by adding silica fume and steel fibers to the concrete mix. The deck structure is supported on a load cell beam having a flat upper surface which supports the flat surface of a load button. An opposed radiused surface of the load button supports the flat end surface of a rocker pin which engages the deck structure.

Abstract: A vehicle weighing device is described which is comprised of an elongated monolithic concrete slab containing a plurality of lateral supports. Each of the lateral supports is comprised of a pair of substantially vertically arranged end plates having their lower portions positioned contiguous to a plurality of crossbars which supply tension between the plates. Preferably the crossbars are connected to the plates. A zone of compressed concrete is positioned between the upper portions of the end plates. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the lateral supports may be considered to be a composite having a crossbar lower portion and a compressed concrete upper portion.

Abstract: A scale assembly includes a plurality of force measuring transducers which are connected with an improved platform. The platform has an upper portion which withstands compressive stresses and a lower portion which withstands tensile stresses during the weighing of a load. The upper portion of the platform includes a body of concrete having a corrugated lower major side and a flat upper major side which receives a load to be weighed. The lower portion of the platform includes a metal structure having a plurality of elongated ribs which are disposed in abutting engagement with the corrugated lower major side of the body of concrete. The ribs are connected with a bottom plate which cooperates with the ribs to form elongated cavities. At least a major portion of each of the cavities is disposed within the spatial envelope of the body of concrete to minimize the mass of the concrete.

Abstract: A hopper for an automatic weighing apparatus has a link mechanism for opening and closing a hopper gate and an attachment mechanism for attaching a hopper body to the automatic weighing apparatus. The link mechanism includes a drive link pivotably mounted on a bracket, a follower link angularly movable in unison with the gate, and an intermediate link interconnected between the movable ends of the drive and follower links. When the gate is closed, the drive and intermediate links are aligned along a substantially straight line to prevent the weight of articles in the hopper from opening the gate.

Abstract: A gauge for assessing the content of releasable gas in a bottle of compressed or liquified gas, which gauge serves to determine the force required to cause the bottle to pivot about a point on its lower periphery, the weight of the content being assessed from the magnitude of said force. The gauge has a platform pivoted about a horizontal edge on a frame and is spring-urged upwardly so as to be suitable for positioning under the lower rim of a gas bottle at a point on the periphery thereof. This causes the bottle to pivot about a diametrically-opposed point on the bottle rim periphery, provided the spring exerts a sufficient force. The platform is connected to a pointer to cause the pointer to sweep across a scale provided on a part of the frame, dependent upon the movement of the platform.

Abstract: An improved weighing apparatus includes a plurality of platforms disposed in a linear array. Each of the platforms has a pair of longitudinally extending support sections located adjacent to opposite edges of the platform. A plurality of beams and a deck plate extend between the support sections to provide a rigid platform which can withstand relatively heavy loads without excessive deflection. Cantilevered support arms project outwardly from the support sections of one of the platforms into the support sections of the next adjacent platform to partially support the next adjacent platform. The support arms have free end portions which are loaded by the next platform. A load responsive unit is associated with each of the support arms. Each load responsive unit includes a cantilevered load arm having a fixed end portion which is connected with a fixed end portion of a support arm and a free end portion which is deflectable toward the support arm under the influence of a load.

Abstract: An improved weighing apparatus includes a load receiving platform which is supported by a plurality of load cells. Each of the load cells has a downwardly facing recess in which a floating pin is received. The pin has a relatively large base which engages a floor or support surface and an upwardly projecting mounting section which extends into the recess in the load cell. The pin has an arcuate upper surface which enables tilting movement to occur between the pin and the load cell to compensate for uneven floors. In order to compensate for shifting movement of the platform relative to the floor due to thermal expansion and other causes, the base of the floating pin is movable along the floor. The mounting section of the pin is held in the recess in the load cell by a retainer plate which is fixedly connected with the load cell.

Abstract: The invention concerns a conveyor type scale with a stand. A carrier attached to the stand and a conveyor belt rests on the carrier. A mechanism for measuring a load is provided. A transmitting means places the carrier in operational contact with the load-measuring mechanism. The carrier includes two tables, which are connected to each other. A first link mechanism connects the two tables to one another and a second link mechanism connects each table to the stand.

Abstract: A balance beam type scale which is particularly adapted for educational purposes, i.e. for use by grammar school children. The components of the scale are easily assembled. Also, the scale is so constructed and arranged as to permit the weighing of a solid article, granulated materials or a liquid. Although the scale is ruggedly constructed for use by children, it includes features which have heretofore only been found in more expensive scales, for example a check lever.

Abstract: A scale which has a frame that is freely movable about the floor defined by a base having forward and aft ends and a pair of spaced-apart upright posts connected to the base and disposed adjacent the aft end thereof. The weighing mechanism includes a carriage that is vertically movable along the posts and which has a pair of horizontal, forwardly projecting arms that support a weigh-board in its horizontal position. The weigh-board is pivotally attached to one of the arms and means is provided for releasably locking the weigh-board in its upright storage position. A guardrail is rigidly secured to the frame and positioned immediately forward of the carriage so that the scale, with the weigh-board in its horizontal position, can be pushed over a hospital bed for transferring a patient onto or from the weigh-board while preventing any contact between any portion of the weighing mechanism and the bed to prevent inaccurate weight measurements.

Abstract: Weighing equipment for weighing stationary objects, such as containers, load platforms and the like, includes a base and a plurality of supports containing pressure sensitive load cells and each formed of an upper supporting part which is attached to the object and a lower support part which rests on the base. The two support parts of each support are formed of two portions of a spherical bearing having upper and lower bearing surfaces. One of the supports is a rigid support which permits no relative horizontal movement, another of the supports permits movement in one direction only and the other two supports permit movement in both directions.

Abstract: A platform weighing scale having a load receiving platform structure positioned over and resting on a multiplicity of load cells and having a load cell-removing aperture in registry with each load cell whereby each load cell is upwardly removable through its associated load cell removal aperture.

Abstract: A platform weighing scale in which a reinforced load cell-supported platform structure has a framelike reinforcement cooperating with a load-receiving deck or platform to define a torsion box frame which resists load-induced deflection of the platform between spaced apart load cell support points.FIELD OF INVENTIONThis invention relates to platform weighing scales and is particularly concerned with platform structures which are especially suitably for low profile type platform scales.BACKGROUNDLow profile platform scales for weighing relatively heavy loads are characterized by having a relatively small overall height as measured from the floor or other scale-support surface to the top of the load-receiving platform or deck. Scales of this type are especially suitable for weighing loads which are carted by such vehicles as tote bins, push carts, dollies, fork lift trucks and other usually relatively small motor vehicles.