Abstract: A hospital bed includes a support frame which is supported on the bed by four load cells and which in turn supports a mattress having a patient thereon. A method and apparatus of detecting patient exit from the bed involve extraction from the weight measured by each load cell of the portion of the measured weight corresponding to the weight of the patient, use of this extracted weight information to calculate a center of gravity of the patient with respect to the frame, a determination of whether the calculated center of gravity is within a predetermined region, and generation of an alarm if the center of gravity is outside the region.

Abstract: To generate an alert signal indicating that an unauthorized subject is in a first region within seven feet of a passageway, a radio transmitter is worn by the subject and received by a receiver at the passageway. A second signal is generated upon satisfaction of a second condition, such as an open door at the passageway, which second signal indicates the likelihood of the subject passing through the passageway. A first display indicates if the first signal is present and a second signal if the second condition occurs.

Abstract: The invention comprises a force measuring system for the dynamic determination especially of axle loads, speed, vehicle wheelbase and gross weight. The force measuring system is laid permanently in the roadway. It is of modular assembly, consisting of the amplifier (11), sensor (12) and terminal module (13). The individual modules may be coupled tightly by plug-and-socket connections, welding flanges or glued flanges. The sensor module (12) consists of a hollow section (1), in which piezo-elements (4) are fitted under elastic preload. The piezo-elements (4) are accommodated in the hollow section (1) at intervals of typically 5 to 10 cm, and they may be connected all together with only one electrically conductive foil (5) to the signal processing facility (19), or groupwise or even singly. According to this subdivision the road width can be sectioned as desired, in order to obtain a road loading diagram for instance.

Abstract: A sound-giving tread mat has a bag-like tread mat, a foam rubber sheet interposed in the tread mat, one or more buzzers partly adhered on the inner surface of the lower layer of the tread mat, and a sound-giving electric unit to give out sounds. The buzzer(s) is electrically connected with the sound-giving unit placed on a corner surface of the tread mat or somewhere inside a door in a house. When the tread mat is treaded on with a shoe of a visitor, the buzzer(s) can be vibrated by the compressed air in the tread mat to give out an electric signal, and then the sound-giving electric unit amplifies the electric signal coming from the buzzer(s) and gives out sounds.

Abstract: A piezoelectric resilient arm contacts a projected object and establishes a reference relative to sensitivity means and differential detector means including feedback coupled amplifier means which operates in cooperation with a balanced square wave generator means for producing a switched output upon detecting motion. An alarm signal is produced which has a duration related to the rate of change of movement of the piezoelectric resilient arm. Programmable delay means appropriately enables an annunciator and/or wireless communication link to a system controller.

Abstract: An improved orthopedic weight monitor for detecting weight bearing forces on a lower extremity for orthopedic purposes, comprising in combination: flexible pad shaped for conforming to the bottom of a foot for placement inside of a shoe, cast or splint, the pad having a heel portion positionable beneath the heal of a user; sensor encased within the heel portion of the pad to be located beneath the heel of the user, the sensor comprising a thin, rigid rectangular plate having a foil strain gage coupled therebeneath; electronic module remotely positioned from the sensor to receive signals from the foil sensor; and electrical line extending to exterior of the flexible pad between the foil stain gage and the electronic module.

Abstract: Movement or removal of a display object placed on a base is detected by a switch mechanism for closing an electrical circuit, having an elongated plunger and a device for maintaining the throw length of the switch mechanism substantially constant and independent of the distance the plunger is depressed upon setting of the alarm. Detection of extremely short plunger travel is enabled without special adjustments in the plunger length. A "tilt" switch may be added for added sensitivity. A plurality of bases, each with its own switch, may be grouped with a single signalling device to provide an alarm system. Portions of the circuitry may be grouped in modular form for introduction into the base housing.

Abstract: A traffic counting cord has a plurality of sections designed to be identical in physical characteristics, set-up procedures, durability and performance as a road tube. Each section has a portion with conductive upper and lower members and a portion with non-conductive upper and lower members. The upper and lower members are separated by resilient, non-conductive material. Embedded within the members are a plurality of wires insulated with nylon or other material and at least one non-insulated wire which is in contact with the conductive member. A count occurs when traffic impacting the cord causes the upper and lower members of a section to make contact. Individual counts for each lane can be obtained by cross-wiring the sections, so that the uninsulated conductors of each section are routed to a counter through insulated conductors or wires of the other sections. Any even or odd number of lanes, typically four, six, or eight lanes can be accomodated, although there is no theoretical limit.

Abstract: A weight alarm device for a trash container having a body with a top surface resiliently connected to a bottom surface, a switch attached to the body and responsive to relative movement between the top surface and the bottom surface, and an alarm electrically connected to the switch for producing a humanly perceivable signal when the relative movement between the top surface and the bottom surface exceeds a predetermined amount. The body has a shape adapted for receipt within the trash container. The top surface and the bottom surface have overlapping sides extending around the periphery of the surfaces. A coil spring is interposed between the top and bottom surfaces. The switch is a contact switch which is movable between a first position and an alarm sounding second position. An abutment member is connected to the bottom surface so as to contact the contact switch upon a movement of the top surface beyond a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An indicating system for a washing device having has at least one rack for holding articles during the washing of same and a door for gaining access to the articles. The indicating system includes a detector for sensing whether or not the rack holds articles and logic circuits responsive to the detector and to the operating state of the washer for providing an indication that the articles have been cleaned when a predetermined operating state is detected and for providing an indication that any articles in the washer are not clean after the detector senses that the articles in the rack were removed from the at least one rack.

Abstract: An apparatus for counting used medical cloths and measuring the quantity of liquid absorbed therein is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a hollow passage way for passing the medical cloths therethrough, an entrance portion for guiding the medical cloths to the passage, a pass detection sensor arranged in the passage for sensing the medical cloths, a weight sensor disposed at the bottom of the passage for sensing weight of dropped medical cloths, and a control unit for operating the output signals of the pass detection sensor and the weight sensor to output the number of dropped medical cloths and the weight of liquid absorbed therein. The control unit comprises a judging element for judging whether counting condition is normal or not according to the TSR of output signals of the sensors. The apparatus further comprises an alarm element for producing alarm signals when the judging element judges the condition abnormal.

Abstract: A floor mat includes a housing for containing a power supply, speech module and speaker. A grid-like switching mechanism is closed upon a person stepping on the mat so as to provide an energizing current flow to the speech module. The speech module includes circuitry for recording and playing back a selected message. A slidable or releasable panel in the housing allows for selectable user access to the speech module. The housing precludes weather deterioration of the elements therein and cooperates with the switching mechanism so as to provide a user-selectable message to a person stepping on the mat. The mat/housing configuration allows alternative switching mechanisms to be used in connection with replaceable speech modules.

Abstract: An alarm apparatus for detecting the removal of a handgun from a plate where the handgun is kept for quick accessibility. Embedded sensors detect the force exerted by the handgun on the plate. A handgun is placed on the plate and upper and lower threshold controls are adjusted to create a window encompassing the force exerted by the handgun. An alarm sounds if the force on the plate exceeds the window.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing intrusion into a predefined perimeter comprises means for producing a coherent pulsed light, which is injected into an optical sensing fiber having a first predetermined length and positioned along the predefined perimeter. A backscattered light in response to receiving the coherent light pulses is produced and coupled into an optical receiving fiber. The backscattered light is detected by a photodetector and a signal indicative of the backscattered light is produced. An intrusion is detectable from the produced signal as indicated by a change in the backscattered light. To increase the sensitivity of the apparatus, a reference fiber and an interferometer may also be employed.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the position of a patient relative to a bed signals whether the patient is in the middle of the bed, to the left or right of center, at the left or right edge of the bed, attempting to lift himself from the bed, or completely out of the bed.

Abstract: An improved inflatable passenger side air bag safety device for motor vehicles for detecting the presence or absence of a passenger positioned on or in front of a particular passenger vehicle seat. The safety device comprises a control unit for the intelligent triggering of the propellant charge for the air bag when a triggering event is detected, such as an impending collision, and the presence of a passenger is also detected. The control unit receives signals from a pair of switches, electrically connected in parallel to one another, including a first seat switch for detecting the presence or absence of a sitting passenger and a second foot switch for detecting the presence or absence of a standing, kneeling, or sitting passenger in the region in front of the vehicle seat. In the preferred embodiment both switches are flat, contact type switches, each having a broad surface area and are activated when subjected to the weight of a passenger from above.

Abstract: An object to be protected is placed on a compressible pad having upper and lower conductive plates, separated by a compressible dielectric. A sensing device is connected to the upper and lower plates to sense a first capacitance when the upper plate is compressed by presence of the object, and a change in capacitance when the object is removed so as to permit the dielectric layer to expand and change the capacitance. There is a time delay circuitry and other circuitry to alleviate the possibility of false alarms.

Abstract: A bed covering device provides monitoring signals responsive to movement and urination of a person lying upon a bed. The device is constructed of a fitted bedsheet having a perimeter adapted to embrace a mattress, a waterproof sheet disposed above the fitted bedsheet, moisture detectors disposed upon the upper surface of the waterproof sheet, and pressure sensors disposed upon the lower surface of the waterproof sheet. The moisture and pressure sensors generate electrical signals that can be used for monitoring or alerting purposes.

Abstract: A bed signalling apparatus signals a caregiver an out of bed condition and a bottoming condition of a patient. Signalling of patient location within a bed is also provided. The bed signalling apparatus includes a fluid supplying member connected to at least one resilient member to supply fluid under pressure thereto, such fluid flowing from an inlet of the resilient member to an outlet of the resilient member. At least one switching member is connected between the resilient member and the fluid supplying member for controlling at least one indicating member attached to the switching member in response to changes in pressure within the resilient member.

Abstract: A microbend-sensitive optical fiber is embedded in a thin pliable padding and laid under an area to be protected. An amplitude-modulated optical light beam is launched into one end of the fiber. The light beam is recovered from the other end of the optical fiber. The angular phase shift between the launched light beam and the recovered light beam is continuously measured and sampled at desired sample intervals. A change in the measured phase shift between any two sequential sample intervals is indicative of the presence of an intruding entity. The magnitude of the phase shift is a function of the mass of the entity. The pattern of repetitive phase shift differences as a function of time provides an estimate of the dynamic characteristics of the intruding entity.

Abstract: An illuminated, press-at-any-point switching device which can be actuated by the application of or the removal of pressure at substantially any point along one surface of the switching device.

Abstract: A system used for monitoring the flow and speed of traffic has a strip member (1) comprising electrical contacts (3, 7) on distinct layers (2, 6) separated by a dielectric spacer layer (4), such that, when a vehicle drives over the strip, the weight of the vehicle on the strip closes the contact through holes (5) in the dielectric spacer to cause a monitoring and/or timing means to be activated and subsequently deactivated. The monitoring and/or timing means is programmable to distinguish vehicle types and between a plurality of vehicles passing over the strip at the same time.

Abstract: A sensor post has a hollow interior and a semi-rigid surface which flexes in response to an applied force. Sensor bars are mounted to the semi-rigid surface in a cantilevered fashion, and include an intermediate electrically insulated section located inside the interior of the sensor post. The sensor element mounting means is rigidly mounted to a portion of the sensor post which remains essentially stationary during an intrusive event. Sensing elements are made of a flexible semi-conductive sensing material, whose resistance increases when the material is stretched, and are mounted so as to straddle an electrically insulated section of the sensor bars. A signal analysis means detects an increase in the resistance of the sensing elements and generates an alarm.

Abstract: In an apparatus for indicating the load on trucks, particularly the weight of the useful load which has been picked up by garbage collecting, which trucks have a frame which is movable relative to the axles and is supported on the axles by springs, a device is provided which detects the distance between the frame of the truck and the axle or axles. The device is arranged to produce a signal when the distance has been reduced to an extent which corresponds to the weight of the highest permissible useful load.

Abstract: A window alarm system includes a plurality of small, self-contained units strategically located on the window. The units are either spring-controlled or transducer-controlled, and are set to activate an alarm upon the application of a predetermined amount of pressure thereto.

Abstract: A peak pressure sensor, for insertion between a body support pad or the like and an anatomical portion supported thereon, has a envelope, pliable electrically conductive sheets on opposite inner surfaces of the envelope, conductors for connecting each sheet to an alarm circuit, and a fluid pressurizing the envelope to a predetermined internal pressure so as to normally hold apart the conductive sheets. The sheets are movable into electrical contact by sufficient pressure applied locally to any relatively small portion of a sensing area on the exterior of the envelope, thereby to detect a peak pressure on the anatomical portion in excess of the internal envelope pressure.

Abstract: A safety cushion provides a mattress for cushioning the fall of a child, and an alarm for alerting an adult of such a fall; and specifically includes an air mattress and an alarm in circuit connection with a pressure-responsive switch disposed within the air mattress.

Abstract: What has been disclosed is a golf bag alarm system which actuates an alarm when a thief attempts to remove the golf bag without authorization. In a weight sensitive embodiment of the invention, even the attempt to remove a golf club from the bag will cause the alarm to be sounded. A second embodiment of the invention, sensitive to movement of the bag, will actuate an alarm when the bag is moved from its nominal resting position. The alarm system is portable and may be housed within the golf bag itself or within an associated golf cart. The battery which powers the golf cart may be utilized as the power source for the alarm system carried by the golf cart.

Abstract: A stability monitoring and alarm system for a motor vehicle (e.g., a truck or a tractor trailer) provides an early warning to the driver of unsafe or potentially unsafe conditions. Front wheel desynchronization and rear load distribution are each monitored, and an alarm is generated if either the front wheels become desynchronized or the load is unevenly distributed in the rear of the vehicle. Various filtering and averaging techniques avoid false alarms and increase reliability and sensitivity. Thresholding of the front wheel desynchronization comparison is based on a model which takes turning lateral G force for particular speeds into account so that an alarm based on front wheel descynchronization is not generated because of taking turns too rapidly. Rather, such alarm is generated by monitoring shifting rear load distribution --a better and more accurate measure of vehicle stability. The resulting indications provided by an easy to read user interface warn the driver of a variety of conditions (e.g.

Abstract: A device for detecting intrusion for security or inventory control purposes includes a mat having loosely superposed metallic foil sheets separated by a sheet of paper or plastic foil dielectric to form a capacitor, and circuitry connected to provide a voltage differential to the capacitor and to detect a change in capacitance caused by weight applied to or removed from the mat. The circuit includes a voltage regulator to regulate the applied voltage differential, a unity gain amplifier to isolate the mat capacitor from change signal amplifier circuitry, a comparator to compare the amplified change signal with user settable thresholds, and a one-shot multivibrator for initiating an alarm signal pulse when one of the thresholds is exceeded. The sheets are preferably aluminum foil backed with plastic film and, in one form, are wrapped one around the other.

Abstract: An annunciation system for a wireless weighing system. The weighing system includes control keys for selecting and displaying the weights from a plurality of remote weighing pads, each having a separate through the air communications channel. The weighing system further provides a mode for storing a zero value for each pad. In the preferred embodiment, the annuniciation system comprises a plurality of LED combinations where each combination is located proximately to a corresponding pad select key which indicates a particular communications channel. Each LED combination has a plurality of states including off, green, red and amber which indicates a condition of the corresponding communications channel. Additionally, each LED combination can indicate a condition of a corresponding communications channel by being off, on steady, or blinking.

Abstract: Two wheatstone bridge circuits, each having detectors in the form of strain gages in the arms thereof, are connected to carry out detection of entry into the perimeter of the detection area such as the main deck of a boat. Each of the wheatstone bridge circuits has a strain gage mounted on the underside of the main deck or therein in a corresponding one of four areas of the perimeter being secured so that two strain gages of the system carry out intruder detection by imbalance of the corresponding bridges when an intruder enters an area. Each bridge circuit has an amplifier connected to receive the corresponding bridge circuit output and an AND logic circuit voltage output controls activating triggering of a monitor circuit when both bridge circuits are imbalanced. Each amplifier is adjustable so that individual bridge circuit sensitivity is possible to compensate for environmental and operating conditions on the main deck of a vessel or boat.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sensing element, comprising bringing a first body in the form of an oil-free cross-linked matrix of flexible elastomeric material, the matrix containing electrically conductive particles, into contact with a second body of flexible elastomeric material that is electrically insulating and that contains an oil compatible with the elastomeric material of the first body, and allowing oil to migrate from the second to the first body so as to cause swelling of the first body, the migration continuing until a state of oil phase equalisation between the two bodies is reached.

Abstract: Permanent magnetic retaining device to move, affix or carry ferromagnetic parts or load with electronic switching of the magnetic flux to release the carried load includes a central iron core enclosed by a pair of magnet blocks secured by iron shoes, laterally joined to reinforcing plates and terminated by lateral poles with one or more compensator coils being disposed on the central core, with a sliding cover above the former, moving on a pair of guide pins surrounded by mechanical force gauges, the cover being centrally provided with a lifter eyelet. An electronic control circuit is incorporated externally in one of the side walls of a rectangular enveloping overcover wherein, at the opposite side thereof, a sensor of the electronic circuit is incorporated, to be operated manually and/or by remote control.

Abstract: The treadle assembly of the present invention comprises one or more lightweight flexible circuits completely sealed within an envelope of resilient elastomeric material. This treadle is thus more resistant to water, wear, road salt, and other environmental factors than conventional treadle assemblies.

Abstract: A crib rail safety monitor alerts a child's attendant to the potential injurious situation when a child is located within a crib and the crib side rail is in the down or lowered position. Preferably, a flashing light will first alert the attendant to the condition without awakening the child. If, however, the attendant leaves the vicinity of the child's crib, with the child within the crib and the crib side rail lowered, then an audible alarm is activated. The crib rail position indicator can be an ordinary magnetic reed switch, the mechanism to indicate the presence of a child within the crib can be a weight sensor and the attendant's presence or absence can be performed by an ultrasonic motion detector or an infrared temperature sensor. Timers can be electrically interconnected with the components to ensure the child's safety while, at the same time, allowing the attendant the opportunity, before the audible alarm is activated, to remember to raise the crib rail prior to leaving the vicinity of the crib.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system for altering a nurse if a hospital patient gets out of bed at night. The system has a detecting means such as an infrared motion detector for installation on a wall of a hospital room, an activating means responsive to an alert signal from the detecting means to activate a nurse call system, and a signal carrying means to carry the alert signal from the detecting means to the activating means. The signal carrying means comprises a radio transmitter disposed adjacent the detecting means to transmit the alert signal and a receiver to receive the transmitted signal and apply it to the activating means.

Abstract: This invention discloses a truck with a hand-operatable bed of which the front side under surface is provided with a pair of front wheels and of which the rear side under surface is supported by a hydraulic cylinder, for lifting or lowering the bed, mounted on a pair of rear wheels by means of bearings, which is characterized by being further provided with an overload-sensing device and an alarm-raising device to be put into operation according to the sensing of the overload-sensing device. Because operators can be told about an overload immediately by the devices, they do not have to keep a plunge pump working without being aware of an overload applied on the cylinder as did before. What is more, as they can realize whether the cause of not feeding oil to the cylinder has come from troubles in pressure lines or an overload, they can take measures against the cause at their earliest possible, with the result that the safety and the operatability in handling the truck are improved greatly.

Abstract: A door mat alarm is set forth including a flexible mat and encapsulated pressure switches positioned in a matrix throughout the mat whereupon compression of the flexible mat relays pressure to the switches and activates a remotely positioned transmitter to actuate an alarm. A modification of the instant invention includes a transmitter encapsulated adjacent a forward edge of the mat to relay a signal to a remote receiver portably carried by an individual.

Abstract: A high sensitivity door edge switch including an openwork or perforate spacer for extension along a door edge, flexible conductors on opposite sides of the spacer in spaced apart confronting relation through the spacer perforations, and a resiliently compressible deflection element in facing relation with the spacer, the deflection element being elastically deformable into the spacer perforations to flex the conductive elements into engagement with each other upon low unit pressure applied to the deflection element, even over a large extent.

Abstract: A carpet mat switch system is provided in which a person when stepping on a mat structure will electrically activate a lamp, burglar alarm, program talking clock or any other appliance connected thereto. A manual override is also provided to either turn off an actuating unit in the mat structure or manually operate a switch therein without stepping on the mat structure.

Abstract: An alarm system uses an area sensor having a piezoelectric film sensitive to changes in pressure. A piezoelectric film with electrodes deposited on opposite surfaces of the film converts changes in mechanical pressure to electrical signals. A signal processor detects the electrical signals and generates an output signal in response. The electrodes could comprise single metalized sheets deposited on each surface. Alternatively, an array or pattern of individually operative electrodes could be provided. An array or pattern of electrodes enables the signal processor to determine the location, motion, and direction of motion of a force generating pressure changes on the piezoelectric film. The alarm system may include a threshold detector sensitive to the magnitude of pressure changes so that an output signal will not be generated unless the pressure change is sufficiently great. This invention is suitable as a floor covering for detecting an intruder walking over its surface.

Abstract: An impact detection apparatus (10) includes a device that utilizes multiple sensor elements (11) to determine whether or not a ball lands in or out on a tennis court (12). The sensor positions (13-134) are adjacent to the various boundary lines of the tennis court (12). The sensor elements (11) are layered devices which, when compressed, generate an electrical impulse. The impulse is then analyzed through various signal processing means so that an impact caused a sensor (11) to be compressed may be characterized as being a ball, a footstep, or some other object. In this way, near-simultaneous impacts of a ball and a footstep can be distinguished. If the impact is characterized as a ball that has landed out, a control console (206) will give a visual and/or audible signal so that players, and officials if present, are informed that the ball was out.

Abstract: A vehicle height sensor includes a switching circuit which is turned on and off in accordance with a vehicle height. When a drive signal is outputted to the vehicle height sensor, the vehicle height sensor is activated. A connector is connected to an output side of the switching circuit. A digital vehicle height data signal is transmitted from the switching circuit via the connector. A preset signal is outputted from the vehicle height sensor to the connector when a check signal is generated. The preset signal represents preset check data. A data receives the preset signal via the connector and reads the check data from the preset signal. The read check data is compared with a predetermined reference data. The connector is judged to be wrong when the read check data differs from the reference data.

Abstract: A conformal electrical sensor switch for determining the presence or absence of weight, such as a person in a bed, comprises flexible, parallel sensing strips positioned to make contact when pressure is applied. Sensing strip circuits are held apart by a separator strip until pressure is applied and thus closing a latch which provides signal output through snap connectors which are affixed to the sensing strips and which extend beyond the sealed flexible cover of the sensor switch. The flexible cover serves to secure the sensing strips and connectors in a facing relationship. The connectors are designed to permit easy attachment to a variety of signal processing/monitoring devices.

Abstract: A vehicle sensing device comprises an electrically insulating elongate carrier (1) with two electrical conductors (2,3) extending longitudinally of the carrier and spaced apart transversely of the carrier so that there is no direct contact between the conductors. A strip (14) of elastomeric material overlies both conductors and is in contact therewith in areas distributed along substantially the whole of their length. The strip (4) being such that in the absence of a given level of applied pressure the strip forms a barrier of high electrical resistance between the conductors, and that in the presence of applied pressure above the given level in any region of the strip, that region of the strip forms an electrically conductive path between the conductors. The carrier, conductors and strip are wholly encapsulated in a jacket of water-resistance and abrasion-resistance elastomeric material.

Abstract: A ski beeper which is an electronic device to assist a skier in locating skis buried beneath snow as a result of becoming detached from ski boots. The ski beeper is mounted to the ski in a position where the ski boot depresses an activator button on the device. In the event the ski boot releases from the binding and ski, the spring loaded activator button raises and in turn causes the beeper to become activated thus alerting the skier of the position of the ski. Alternatively, the ski beeper may be integrated into the heel plate of a ski brake with the beeper device becoming activated as the ski brake lifts away from the ski.

Abstract: The anti-theft product rack continuously monitors the weight of the rack including individual product units. When a weight deviation is detected, it is characterized as either a disturbance or as the removal of one or more product units. An alarm is sounded if the rack is continuously disturbed for a programmable number of continuous weight sensing cycles, or if a programmable number of disturbances occur during a programmable period of time. In addition, an alarm is sounded if the number of product units detected as being removed at one time exceeds a programmable limit. Finally, if the number of detected product units removed exceeds a programmable number during a programmable period of time, an alarm is sounded. The product display rack presents no physical barriers to product removal and requires no intervention of sales personnel for product removal.

Abstract: A correlogram is initially prepared which represents a relation between the gross volume of all tries and the maximum gross weight of a motor vehicle. The maximum gross weight of the vehicle is one of important factors for determining a charge for a vehicle to be run on the toll road. In the method of this invention the outer diameter and rim diameter of the respective wheels of the vehicle are found through the processing of the side profile image of the vehicle as obtained by a TV camera. According to this invention the total volume of all the tires is calculated from the outer diameter, rim diameter, width and total number of the wheels. In this way, the maximum gross weight of the vehicle is calculated based on the correlogram.

Abstract: A road vehicle has a transducer which provides an output signal representing movement of an axle relative to a chassis of the vehicle. The output signal is compared with a reference signal to produce an indicator signal which is applied to means for indicating the axle load numerically and for providing a visual indication when the maximum prescribed axle load is exceeded. For initial calibration, the reference signal is temporarily substituted for the output signal and the numerical display is adjusted to display in selected units the prescribed maximum load. The output signal is then restored and the vehicle is loaded to subject the axle to the prescribed maximum load. While this load is maintained, the reference signal is varied until the numerical indication of the prescribed maximum load is restored.