Abstract: Suitcases with internal load determination devices determine the weight of a suitcase without requiring the user to lift the loaded suitcase. A sensor grid suspended within the interior of the suitcase's bottom is attached to sensors. When a load is placed on the sensor grid, the force exerted by the sensor grid on the sensors is measured and communicated to a CPU. The CPU calculates the weight of the load and displays it to the user on an electronic display. An on/off switch toggles the display between showing the net weight of the load and the gross weight of the loaded suitcase, as well as controlling the flow of electricity from a battery to the CPU, display, and sensors. The suitcase has a handle that extends over the display, feet, wheels, and latches. A method for using the suitcase with internal load determination device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A granular material weighing system intended primarily for weighing gunpowder, but which is not limited to this application. A volumetric powder measure is used to simultaneously dispense a previously weighed batch of granular material into its final container, usually a cartridge case, while also dispensing a volumetrically measured initial batch of material onto a scale. The initial batch is close to but below the desired final weight. A dribbler is used to feed additional granular material until the scale indicates that the desired weight is reached. The powder measure may be a rotary drum or translating bar type, the scale may be a beam balance including a magnetic damping device or an electronic scale, and the dribbler may be any electronic or mechanical dribbler.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic scale for weighing an object is provided. The scale includes display assembly pivotally connected to a handle assembly for viewing the weight of an object at an optimum viewing angle relative to the eyes of the individual. The object to be weighed being supported on a support member having a hook shaped first end adapted to transfer the force of the object supported thereon to a force sensor contained within the handle assembly and transmitting a value to a micro-controller for generating an alphanumeric readout representing the weight of the object for viewing on an electronic display contained within a display assembly.

Abstract: An electronic weighing device includes a lower base plate, an upper load bearing plate, and a load cell coupled to central portions of the upper and lower plates such that the load cell responds to weight on the bearing plate. The upper and lower plates are each notched at a central location, with the notches being offset from each other. The overlapping portions of the notches form a cavity for a central portion of the load cell, The load cell is tapered or reduced in height at opposite ends thereof so that its ends fit between a notched portion of one of the upper and lower plates and a full-thickness portion of the other of the upper and lower plates. The reduced height ends of the load cell are coupled to the upper and lower plates.

Abstract: A combination flight simulating mobile device and scale formed in appearance of a variety of different birds, or like flying creatures, that may be fabricated from steel sheet or like material, readily assembled, and balanced in such manner that when suspended, the weight of the wings (12 and 14) of the bird is used to counterbalance both the body (10) of the bird and the weight of a lightweight object (74), such as an envelope, and provide a measurement of the object's weight and a realistic replication of a creature in flight.

Abstract: A bale weighing device for use with a mobile baler is disclosed. The weighing device comprises a support structure which is attached to the baler and pivotably supports a pivot shaft. Two balance arms are rigidly attached to the pivot shaft and support a bale chute. One of the balance arms has a forward end and a rear end which form an angle in the balance arm. The bale chute is attached to the baler by a double hinge which allows the bale chute to move vertically relative to the baler. When a bale is resting in the bale chute, the forward end of the balance arm moves upward and a pointer indicates the relative weight of the bale on a gauge. An electronic position sensor may also be used to indicate the weight of the bale.

Abstract: A securing system is provided for securing a central, load-supporting, movable platform to a fixed peripheral framework base of a weigh scale, in a torque arm mounting for weigh scales. The securing system includes at least one securing element disposed between the central inner movable load-supporting platform constituted by inner upper and inner lower platforms, between the outer lower frame member and the fixed peripheral mounting frame. Aligned-through holes pass through the central inner lower platform and the outer lower frame member. A dead-end cylindrical bore extends from the upper face of the inner upper platform. A compression spring is seated within such dead-end cylindrical bore. A hole pierces the bottom of the dead-end cylindrical bore. A third aligned through-hole passes through the compression spring. A securing bolt extends concentrically through the three aligned through-holes, and the compression spring and is threadably secured to the mounting frame.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in the mounting means for a weigh scale including a fixed peripheral frame base structure (the "base"), a central, movable, load-supporting platform (the "platform"), and interconnections between the platform with the base to allow limited vertical motion of the platform. The interconnecting means comprises at least four torque-transmitting tubular arms which are mounted and arranged around the perimeter of the platform, with one portion of each torque-transmitting tubular arm being supported with respect to the base, and another portion of each torque-transmitting tubular arm being supported with respect to the platform. The improved mounting includes a butterfly block at each end of each such torque-transmitting tubular arms. The butterfly block includes two parallel upper vertical guideways and two parallel lower vertical guideways.

Abstract: A patient weigh scale comprises a base, an upright support pole mounted to the base, and a cantilever boom pivotally mounted on one end to an upper end of the upright support pole. A bracing arm is pivotally mounted on one end to the upright support pole and removably secured on the other end to the cantilever boom when perpendicular to the upright support pole. A latch is rotatably mounted to the upright support pole for latching the scale to a hospital bed while allowing rotation of the scale relative to the bed about a generally vertical axis. A cross member is pivotally mounted to the other end of the boom for pivoting relative to the boom about a generally vertical axis. A pair of cantilever beam load cells are mounted on either end of the cross member and are oriented transverse to the cross member and have fixed ends mounted to the cross member and free ends.

Abstract: A summing bar suspension scale having a platform for supporting objects to be weighed, a frame, weighing bars, a weighing arm assembly, and a pair of summing bar assemblies. One of the summing bar assemblies is connected to one of the weighing bars and to the weighing arm assembly and the other summing bar assembly is connected to the other weighing bar. Strap assemblies are connected to a platform support assembly, the weighing bars and the frame and summing bar strap assemblies are connected to the summing bar assemblies so that the summing bar assemblies are rotated in response to rotation of the weighing bars by an object being disposed on the platform.

Abstract: An adapting frame for a scale for weighing an individual in a wheelchair. The adapting frame permits the weighing of an individual in a wheelchair by allowing the chassis of the wheelchair to rest entirely upon the frame. The occupied wheelchair is positioned onto the frame through a series of steps in which the wheelchair first engages the frame and is then pivoted entirely onto the adapting frame about the wheelchair chassis. The frame evenly distributes the weight across the scale to obtain an accurate reading.

Abstract: A set point postal scale comprises in a first embodiment thereof a transparent tubular holder having a lower base, a weighing pan having a plunger depending therefrom, a compression spring disposed within the holder, and a set of annular rings. The plunger is slidingly engaged within the holder and is in abutment with the spring which resists downward displacements of the weighing pan. The differently colored rings are slid along the holder to selected positions thereon corresponding to given weights as determined by a set of calibration weights provided with the scale. In a second embodiment thereof, the holder is suspended by a hooked appendage on an upper portion thereof and the weighing pan is replaced by a angled tray depending from a lower end of the spring which now acts in tension within the transparent holder.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus having a plurality of removable ingredient retention and discharge hoppers supported on a frame, each hopper having an integral screw conveyor and each being removable for replacement by another hopper. The screw has a structure to inhibit discharge squirting. Dishcarge of the ingredients is through a sealed connection to a weighing hopper. This weighing hopper has an enclosure housing and is formed of a pair of flexible webs which extend downwardly and are shiftable between a closed retention condition with lower edges adjacent each other and an open discharge condition with the lower edges spaced from each other. These lower edges are secured to the inner edges of underlying pivotal support pans, such pans being pivotal to shift the webs and to engage the webs to invert them for assured full discharge of the contents.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveniently and safely weighing and measuring infants including a cloth bed with a foldable peripheral frame divided into a head section, central body section, and foot section which fold upon each other. A folding head panel is secured to the head portion of the frame to place the infant's head against for measuring length by means of a measuring tape running along the longitudinal axis of the top of bed surface. An extensible end section is provided for larger infants. The bed is detachably suspended by three pairs of cords removably secured to a digital scale for weighing in pounds and grams. Included is separate measuring tape for determining the circumference of the infant's head, torso and other desired measurements.

Abstract: This apparatus includes a wheeled base adapted to roll under a hospital bed, an upright at one end of the base and a T-bar adapted to extend over the hospital bed. Suspended from the T-bar is a frame mounted for limited swinging movement and adapted to engage the side rails of a stretcher. Load cells in the swinging frame measure the weight of a patient on the stretcher, and are connected to indicator means mounted on the upright.

Abstract: Device for weighing vehicles, comprising a floor which has a general rectangular shape and is supported on a base by means of force sensors, characterized in that the floor consists of at least two panels (5), these panels being arranged so as to rest at their ends on at least two cross beams (1, 2, 3) resting at their ends on sensors (7).

Abstract: A low profile platform scale includes a generally rectangular peripheral base support frame formed of channel members with a plurality of load cells mounted adjacent the corners of the base frame and including support arms from which is suspended a load support platform frame that has a generally rectangular configuration confined within the base frame and including arms extending within the channel of the support member and connected to suspend from the load arms of the load cells by flexible suspension cable structures extending through the base frame structure. Adjustment for range of the scale is provided in the form of alternate suspension positions on the load arms of the load cells.

Abstract: A weighing structure using four (4) strain gage-type load cells, which significantly reduces the complexity of existing four (4) load cell weighing structures, is provided. A novel method of constructing and electrically connecting the load cells is provided to mechanically match the output of the individual load cells.

Abstract: A patient weighing apparatus including support elements having two pivotal axes coupling a weight measuring transducer to a cantilever boom and a patient stretcher, thereby assuring that the weight measuring transducer, the points of connection to the boom and the center of gravity of the patient are in a single vertical plane so that off center loading errors are avoided. The support elements include an elongated bending moment type load cell, a swivel bar beneath supporting the stretcher and other pivot structure above, coupling the load cell to the cantilever boom.

Abstract: A weigh block assembly is disclosed which utilizes compression load-measuring means interposed between a lower plate attached to and supported by a supporting housing and an upper plate attached to the load to be carried and weighed. The upper plate is freely supported on top of the load-measuring means without lateral restraint so that horizontal forces are not absorbed and the pure vertical force is sensed by the load-measuring means and the weighing inaccuracies and other undesirable and unpredictable effects caused by horizontal restraints on the upper plate are eliminated.

Abstract: A device for measuring sponges comprising, a measuring device for indicating the weight of an applied object, a retaining device applied to the measuring device for retaining a plurality of wetted sponges, and a determining device associated with the measuring device for determining the total weight of liquid in the retained sponges.

Abstract: A portable and collapsible scale includes a base plate, a weighing unit removably associated with the base plate, and an upper or platform plate removably associated with the weighing unit. A user may stand on the upper plate and view a weight read-out provided by the weighing unit.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of this invention is a heavy duty balance particularly adapted to comparative weight denier tubes produced in synthetic fiber plants. This weighing device includes a locking feature for use during loading and unloading of the tubes, an easy to ready comparative weight indicator, and a finger tip zero adjustment.