Load-holder Transmission Mechanism Patents (Class 177/187)
  • Patent number: 11867553
    Abstract: A mobile weighing apparatus includes a base tubing, a column extending from the base tubing, a handle extending from the column, a plurality of wheels, a weighing platform, and a plurality of load cells coupled to or between the base tubing and the weighing platform. The weighting platform may be suspended from the load cells, such as with wire rope bolts, such that a force applied to the column does not affect weighment of an object on the weighing platform. The apparatus may include a kingpin-less swivel rear wheel, a rear wheel brake to preclude rotation of the rear wheel about an axle of the rear wheel, and an actuator to actuate the rear brake when the rear wheel is in any position over a 360-degree range. The wheels may be positioned adjacent respective corners of a triangularly shaped base tubing, and the apparatus may further include a clinometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: BUCKEYE SCALE, LLC
    Inventor: Steven Edward Smith
  • Patent number: 11307078
    Abstract: A device and method for detection of an overload on a scale which operates by the principle of electromagnetic force compensation The device and method employing, in addition to the measurement voltage arising across a measurement resistor of the scale, an auxiliary voltage that is different from the measurement voltage. The auxiliary voltage being tapped at the input to the compensation coil of the scale or at the output of the compensation coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Wipotec GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Schulzki, Jan Gottfriedsen
  • Patent number: 8907232
    Abstract: A platform scale is provided including a plurality of component force damping devices. The platform scale for weighing an object by supporting a support member that supports the object by a plurality of load detection units includes at least four component force damping devices, each comprising a plurality of needle bearings disposed in parallel and a pair of opposed plates for sandwiching the the needle bearings, so that the pair of plates make a relative movement in a direction of the arrangement of the needle bearings. The four component force damping devices are in contact with the support member at four locations that form a rectangle. Directions of the relative movement of any two component force damping devices located at the same side of the rectangle are different, while directions of the relative movement of any two component force damping devices at diagonal locations of the rectangle are identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Shinko Denshi Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazufumi Naito, Hiroshi Suzawa
  • Patent number: 8383965
    Abstract: A top-pan balance having a pan, a weighing system, and an overload safety mechanism. The load cell (4) of the weighing system is connected to fixed points (1) on a housing of the weighing system by an upper connecting rod (2) and a lower connecting rod (3) as a parallel guide so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The pan is attached to a pan support (8/9) for securing against overload, the support being connected to the load cell through an auxiliary parallel guide (15/16) and through a biased spring element (17/18), whereby the pan is quasi rigidly coupled to the load cell in the permissible weighing range, but is only resiliently coupled to the load cell when the permissible weighing range is exceeded. At least one limit stop is fixed to the housing and limits the elastic deflection of the pan and the pan support in case of overload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sartorius Weighing Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Detlev Erben, Helga Covic, Jochen Doerner
  • Patent number: 8242388
    Abstract: A scale includes a stationary bracket, a movable bracket, a linear displacement sensor and a plurality of the resilient mechanisms. The movable bracket is disposed opposite to the stationary bracket. The linear displacement sensor is disposed between the stationary bracket and the movable bracket. The resilient mechanisms are disposed between the stationary bracket and the movable bracket. Each resilient mechanism includes a limiting shaft, a sleeve movably sleeved on the limiting shaft and a resilient member received in the sleeve. The limiting shaft is fixed to one of the stationary bracket or the movable bracket, and the sleeve is fixed to the other. The resilient member is elastically deformed by resisting a free end of the limiting shaft. The linear displacement sensor registers a displacement of the movable bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-Jin Song
  • Publication number: 20120085586
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a platform scale including a plurality of component force damping devices assembled therein for making high precision weighing. The platform scale for weighing an object to be weighed by supporting a support member that supports the object to be weighed by a plurality of load detection units 301,302 includes at least four component force damping devices 321˜324, each comprising an arrangement of a plurality of needle bearings disposed in parallel and a pair of opposed plates for sandwiching the arrangement of the needle bearings 63 so that the pair of plates make a relative movement in a direction of the arrangement of the needle bearings. The four component force damping devices 321˜324 are in contact with the support member at four locations that form a rectangle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: SHINKO DENSHI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazufumi Naito, Hiroshi Suzawa
  • Patent number: 7956297
    Abstract: A water resistant scale damper has a damper sleeve with an interior passage, an open top, and an open bottom. A piston is received in and axially slidable along the interior passage and has a top surface, an underside, and a piston rod extending from the underside toward the open bottom. A top cap is fitted over the open top of the sleeve and an air chamber is created between the top cap and the top surface of the piston. An air passage is formed through the top cap to permit air to enter and exit the air chamber. A portion of the top cap can create an elongate, non-linear air channel between the air passage and a port remote from the air passage and formed through the top cap. A bottom cap can also be fitted over the open bottom of the sleeve. The bottom cap has an annular flange that extends radially inward from a skirt of the bottom cap. The flange is funnel-shaped so as to direct liquid from beneath the underside of the piston toward a central opening in the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael P. Dawson, Mark A. Stultz, Joseph Ramos
  • Patent number: 7829801
    Abstract: The scale may include a base supportable on a surface, a measuring mechanism supported by the base and operable to measure a characteristic of an object, the measuring mechanism including a measuring platform on which the object is supportable, and an indicator supported by the housing, the indicator being operable to provide feedback to a user relating to a measured characteristic of the object. In some aspects, the scale may include a housing supported by the base, the housing cooperating with the base to cover at least a portion of the measuring mechanism, and a connecting assembly operable to removably connect the housing to the base. In some aspects, the scale may include a resistance device coupled to at least one of the indicator and the measuring mechanism and operable to resist oscillation of the indicator at least one of during a measurement and after a measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul D. Nizzere, Matthew H. Lawler, Carla DeYoung, Chris Kulujian, Morad Ghassemian, Theron Kotze, Timothy A. Bearint
  • Publication number: 20090139776
    Abstract: The scale may include a base supportable on a surface, a measuring mechanism supported by the base and operable to measure a characteristic of an object, the measuring mechanism including a measuring platform on which the object is supportable, and an indicator supported by the housing, the indicator being operable to provide feedback to a user relating to a measured characteristic of the object. In some aspects, the scale may include a housing supported by the base, the housing cooperating with the base to cover at least a portion of the measuring mechanism, and a connecting assembly operable to removably connect the housing to the base. In some aspects, the scale may include a resistance device coupled to at least one of the indicator and the measuring mechanism and operable to resist oscillation of the indicator at least one of during a measurement and after a measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Paul D. Nizzere, Matthew H. Lawler, Carla De Young, Chris Kulujian, Morad Ghassemian, Theron Kotze, Timothy A. Bearint
  • Patent number: 7373846
    Abstract: This load cell attachment structure includes a male screw which is formed on a load sensing part of the load cell, a nut which attaches the load cell to the attachment plate by engaging with the male screw, and a wave washer which is disposed between the attachment plate and the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Furukawa, Naotaka Kumakiri, Mikihito Kojima, Masashi Yoshifuku, Tatsuya Yamazaki, Toyohiko Shindo, Harutomi Nishide, Shigeru Endo, Kenji Sato
  • Patent number: 7317167
    Abstract: A weighing module 1 has a force-transmitting linkage 13 arranged between the load-receiving portion 3 of the weighing cell 2 and the load receiver 5, with an overload protection device that precisely maintains its position being an integral part of the force-transmitting linkage 13. By means of a positioning element 7, 107, 207, the load receiver 5 is positioned without play relative to the load-receiving portion 3 in the plane that extends orthogonal to the load direction, and the load receiver 5 is also guided in the load direction without play. When forces in excess of the pre-tension force of the elastic element 8 act on the load receiver 5, the latter has the capability of being displaced in the load direction and to tip in all directions that are orthogonal to the load direction. The housing part 18 serves to delimit at least the range of linear downward deflection as well the tipping movement of the load receiver 5 when the load receiver 5 is exposed to transverse forces and to overloads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Hans-Rudolf Burkhard, Andreas Metzger, Peter Schilling
  • Patent number: 7057119
    Abstract: A device and method for weighing eggs. The egg weighing apparatus includes a movable stem that supports an egg weighing platform. The stem is attached to a measuring device that is electronically and mechanically driven for precise measurement of an egg. The present invention uses a damper or alternatively, uses a tuned dynamic vibration absorber to yield precise measurement of an egg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Michigan Scientific Corp.
    Inventors: Hugh W. Larsen, Douglas A. Kane, Robert J. Washnock
  • Patent number: 7012198
    Abstract: A balance includes a weighing cell with a vertically movable load receiver, a weighing pan to receive a weighing load, and a support element to couple the weighing pan to the vertically movable load receiver of the weighing cell. A cantilever arm with a seat for at least one calibration weight is solidly connected to the support element. The balance has a coupling arrangement that constrains the support element with low-friction mobility to the load receiver at three points forming a triangle in a plane that extends orthogonal to the symmetry plane of the weighing cell, wherein the triangle is symmetric to the symmetry plane of the weighing cell. Under the coupling arrangement, the support element is solidly supported on the load receiver in the direction in which the weighing load is acting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Beat Lüdi, Eduard Fringeli, Paul Lüchinger
  • Patent number: 6958453
    Abstract: A weighing pan carrier (47) for a balance with a weighing pan and with a weighing cell that includes a load-receiving portion (11) and a stationary portion (12) has an overload protection device against excessive vertically directed forces that is releasably engaged with the weighing pan carrier. The weighing pan carrier (47) is fastened to the load-receiving portion (11) of the weighing cell and has on the other hand a fixed connection to the weighing pan. The weighing pan carrier (47) has a torque safety feature, which is integrated in the overload protection device and provides protection against excessive forces acting tangentially on the weighing pan and/or on the weighing pan carrier (47) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the weighing load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Rudolph Burkhard
  • Patent number: 6633008
    Abstract: The electronic load cell is for measuring force using a force sensor within and has reduced susceptibility to shock or impact in the direction of its measurement vector. The load cell device includes a load cell structure formed of a suitable solid and including vertically spaced apart, generally parallel horizontal elements integrally formed with longitudinally spaced apart, generally parallel vertical elements with flexible members. Flexures interconnect each horizontal element with the vertical elements. A force sensor is connected between the horizontal element connecting the two flexures on the first side of the parallelogram and a spring connected to the second parallel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Weigh-Tronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Johnson
  • Patent number: 6555765
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately determining the weight of the contents of a vessel at selected time intervals. The apparatus of the invention can be quickly and easily installed on an existing structure without requiring substantial modification to the structure. More particularly, in one form of the invention, the apparatus embodies small and inexpensive transducers that are conveniently mounted above the flanges that support the vessel legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Alan Paine
  • Patent number: 6501032
    Abstract: A support device for a weighing cell is mounted on one or more support posts resting on support springs that are connected to a stationary chassis and are pre-tensioned with an upward force. In case of a downward-directed shock, the support springs will yield to the inertial shock force and allow the weighing cell to move downward. The support posts can lift off from their resting places on the support springs, but are constrained by guide members to a limited range of upward vertical movement. A balance equipped with the support device has a low profile height and protects the weighing cell from downward- as well as upward-directed shocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Eduard Fringeli, Siegfried Zeiss
  • Patent number: 6399901
    Abstract: A weight filler 6 is provided which allows a bottle 16 to be conveyed while gripping its neck 16a. Load cell 58 is mounted around the outer periphery of a revolving body 54 in order to detect a vertical load. A horizontal rod or load applicator 64 projects radially outward from the load cell 58. A gripper 50 which grips the bottle 16 under the resilience of tension springs 82 is mounted on the free end 64a of the rod 64. As the bottle 16 is urged into the gripper 50 in a direction opposite from the direction in which, the rod 64 projects, the gripper 50 is once opened against the tension springs 82 and then closed to grip the neck 16a of the bottle 16. A filling nozzle 52 is disposed above the bottle 16 which is gripped by the gripper 50, and fills the bottle 16 with liquid. During the filling operation, the load cell 58 detects a load applied, thus allowing a filling of a given amount in accordance with the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Shibuya Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukinobu Nishino, Tatsuhiro Nakada, Toshiaki Naka
  • Patent number: 6373002
    Abstract: A damper for a weighing device including a cavity 4 in which a plate 12 can move, which plate is designed for being connected to a weight measuring device 2. The cavity 4 is closed tightly by a flexible membrane 14 and is partly filled with an oil, while leaving a volume of air or of a gas between the top 14a of the oil and the membrane 14, the plate 12 being totally immersed in the oil. The lower surface of the plate 12 and the bottom of the cavity 4 have shapes which are not planar and which are not parallel to each other, thus preventing the formation of a thin film of oil between them. The peripheral surface of the plate 12 and of the peripheral wall of the cavity 4 define therebetween a first constriction 15 of which the transverse section is constant whatever the position of the plate 12 in the cavity 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: S.C.A.I.M.E.S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Aumard, Jean-Claude Navarro
  • Patent number: 5880410
    Abstract: A load cell for weighing purposes which incorporates viscous damping inside a chamber in the body of the load cell. Specifically, symmetrical load cells have a central member which is where the load or weight is applied. This member is deflected under load as is common to all load cells, creating a distance change between said member and the static or fixed part of the load cell and in which the fixed part is used for mounting on a base holding the load cell. A round cavity or a cylinder space built into the static part accepts a piston which in turn is rigidly connected to the deflected part. Thus, upon loading, the piston has a slight movement relative to the cylinder. If a viscous fluid is then placed in the cavity such that the piston is immersed in it, a viscous damping will be achieved; its intensity depending on the fluid's viscosity, the geometry of the piston and cylinder, and on the load cell characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Tedea Huntleigh International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Eli Neuman
  • Patent number: 5866855
    Abstract: A general purpose belt scale for measuring the weight of material being transported on a conveyor belt includes a pair of load beams, each having a load cell in combination with a force and torque isolator mechanism that isolates the load cell from disturbance forces and torques that would increase the measurement errors. Absence of a crossbar enables the two independent load beams to fit a wide variety of belt widths. Selection of the capacity of the load cells after the weighing application has been determined completes the general applicability of the belt scale for both belt width and load weighing requirements. An alternative embodiment of a selectable mounting location for the load cell within each load beam allows the weight capacity of the belt scale to be varied without changing the load cell's weight capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Engineering Services and Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Chester L. Nachtigal
  • Patent number: 5859390
    Abstract: A scale mounting apparatus is provided for coupling a fixed support frame to a movable weigh frame. The apparatus includes a load cell having a first end rigidly coupled to the support frame and a second, movable end, a mounting bracket coupled to the weigh frame, an elastomeric mounting block, and a fastener for coupling the mounting block and the mounting bracket to the second movable end of the load cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Stafford, William E. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 5747747
    Abstract: There is provided a conveyor system having a conveyor belt for continuously transporting materials from a feed hopper to an end feed mechanism and a means for continuously weighing the bulk material as they pass over the weigh span of the conveyor belt. The conveyor system comprises a continuous conveyor belt disposed about a pair of pulleys for transporting a material from a feed hopper to a feed mechanism, at least one pair of support rollers, and a weigh assembly having a weigh roller means for continuously determining the weight of materials within the weigh span of the conveyor belt. The support rollers are positioned under the upper portion of the conveyor belt and spaced apart to define the boundaries of the weigh span. Moreover, the support rollers are disposed on opposite sides of the weigh roller wherein the pitch between each support roller and the weigh roller are identical and wherein the support rollers and the weigh roller are on the same horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventors: Peter B. Cadou, John C. Homer, III, Kevin A. Alexeff
  • Patent number: 5721398
    Abstract: An overload protection device for a precision balance includes a measuring cell having a short travel distance, a parallel guide unit connected to a load receiving unit, and an auxiliary parallel guide unit whose guide members are connected to the load receiving unit, on the one hand, and to a weighing dish carrier member, on the other hand, wherein the guide members of the auxiliary parallel guide unit are pretensioned by at least one spring and form a rigid unit with the load receiving unit within the loading range of the balance. The auxiliary parallel guide unit includes an upper guide member and a lower guide member, wherein the two ends of the guide members of the auxiliary parallel guide unit on the side of the weighing dish are connected to each other by at least one guide bolt fastened to the upper guide member and the lower guide member. The guide bolt extends with play through a support plate which is fixedly connected to the load receiving unit of the measuring cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Franz Balsen, Hans-Rudolf Burkhard, Ferdinand Schneider
  • Patent number: 5604334
    Abstract: A precision balance of the type having a short-stroke measuring system includes a load receptor connected to the measuring system by means of a hanger. The load receptor has the shape of a yoke and extends around the hanger. The yoke-shaped load receptor rests on the ends of two arms of a receiving element, wherein the arms are attached to the bottom of the hanger and elastically prestressed to press against the hanger. The yoke-shaped load receptor is held at the upper part of the hanger in a manner allowing guided sideways movement of the load receptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Luchinger, Beat Ludi
  • Patent number: 5600104
    Abstract: A load cell having a measurement beam and a pivotal support for either coupling a load to the beam or supporting opposite ends of the beam. In one embodiment, opposite ends of a beam are secured to the upper surface of a frame, and the load is applied to the upper surface of the beam at its mid-point through a load applying member and a sphere positioned between the load applying member and the beam. Bolts positioned symmetrically about the sphere pass loosely through the load applying member and are threaded into the beam. The bolts maintain the sphere in contact with the load applying member and beam while allowing relative angular movement between the beam and the load applying member. In another embodiment of load cell, opposite ends of a beam are supported on a frame through respective, generally spherical members, and the load is applied to the center of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Structural Instrumentation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry L. McCauley, William J. Moon
  • Patent number: 5521334
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald C. Freeman
  • Patent number: 5232062
    Abstract: The present invention is a viscous damping apparatus for damping mechanical shocks discharged on an object. It comprises a container having an inner chamber which has a flat bottom surface, a damping member having a flat lower surface, and means for suspending the damping member such that its flat lower surface is positioned parallel and very close to the flat bottom surface of the inner chamber of the container. The space between the flat lower surface of the damping member and the flat bottom surface of the inner chamber of the container is very narrow and is filled with a body of viscous fluid. When the damping member vibrates and causes its flat lower surface to move toward the flat bottom surface of the inner chamber of the container, the viscous fluid is compressed, which in turn creates an extremely strong resistance force on the damping member that effectively damps the vibration of the damping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Tadea Limited
    Inventor: Eli Neuman
  • Patent number: 5232061
    Abstract: A vibration attenuation device serves to damp in a two-stage manner with a non-linear spring characteristic a pair of relatively movable components, such as the weighing pan and the weighing pan carrier of a scale. First and second stage resilient compressible means extend different distances from one side of a base member for successive activation by the components as they are displaced together, thereby to produce a vibration behavior that approximates the inherent frequency of the weighing scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Christiaan Neeleman
  • Patent number: 5191948
    Abstract: The support arm (29) for the load-receiving pan (28) of an electronic weighing apparatus (2) is resiliently suspended from the vertically arranged load receiving member (15), thereby to isolate the load receiving member from deleterious forces applied to the weighing pan. To this end, one end of the support arm is suspended by a pair of parallel spaced leaf springs (31,33) from the lower end of the load receiving member. Opposed portions at the upper ends of the leaf springs contain relatively outwardly projecting horizontal U-shaped loop portions (43), thereby to afford resilient displacement of the arm in various directions relative to the load receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Mottler - Toledo AG
    Inventor: Ernst Strickler
  • Patent number: 5141064
    Abstract: A damping mechanism is disclosed for use with a displacement measuring device, such as a load cell of the type immersed in a motion damping liquid contained within a housing. The mechanism includes a shear plate adjustably supported by the housing within the damping liquid for movement towards and away from a facing surface of the load cell, which is supported for movement within a plane disposed parallel to the shear plate, for purposes of controlling the thickness of the layer of damping liquid disposed there-between. The thickness of the layer determines the damping characteristics of the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Hi-Speed Checkweigher Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Willemsen, John E. Uber, Steven Del Rosso
  • Patent number: 4947947
    Abstract: An improved measuring device for measuring the unit weight of sliver as it passes through a trumpet includes a trumpet gauge plate for supporting the trumpet and a vibration compensating element mounted on the plate. A plurality of strain gauges for detecting deflections are mounted on front and rear surfaces of a central portion of the plate adjacent a lower portion and the compensating element. The plate is mounted on support means, illustrated as a pair of spring supports, which allow the trumpet to move in response to an overload to eliminate damage to the plate, particularly its central portion where the strain gauges are mounted and to return to its normal position after the overload is gone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Myrick-White, Inc.
    Inventor: Homer S. White
  • Patent number: 4899840
    Abstract: A weighing apparatus for a vehicle having tines in which a ramp is mounted on each tine in front of and in spaced relation to a weighing load bearing plate. The ramp and the confronting weighing load bearing plate are not mechanically joined. Below each weighing load bearing plate are load cells for emitting changes in signals representative of the weight of a load on the weighing load bearing plates. As the load advances toward the weighing load bearing plates, the ramps attenuate excessive forces and shock resulting from the load advancing onto the weighing load bearing plates. As a consequence thereof, the load cells are not subject to the excessive shocks or forces of an advancing load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Inventor: Jacques C. Boubille
  • Patent number: 4881607
    Abstract: A platform scale with a load platform (7) for receiving articles to be weighed, wherein the load is transmitted to a force sensor by force-transmitting arms (5), and is supported at each of its four corners by a respective single-piece force-transmitting member (2) via a respective load-bearing column (8). Force-transmitting member (2) comprises a fixedly disposed anchoring member (22), a load-bearing member (12) guided for parallel movement with respect to the anchoring member (22) by link members (10, 17), and a lever member (14) suspended between anchoring member (22) and load-bearing member (12) by two thin strips (13, 15) whereby the fulcrum of the lever member is formed by a thin strip (13), and lever member (14) transmits a torque, corresponding to the load, to force-transmitting arm (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: August Sauter GmbH
    Inventor: Konrad Backu
  • Patent number: 4848495
    Abstract: A hydraulic damper for an apparatus for measuring weight or force. The apparatus includes a base frame and an elastic load cell attached to the base frame, the elastic load cell having a movable part which vibrates relative to the base frame. The damper comprises pair of spaced support members fixed ot each other and to one of the base frame and movable part, a partition member fixed to the other of the base frame and movable part and positioned between the support members, a pair of flexible wall members extending between the partition member and the support members to form a pair of sealed chambers on opposite sides of the partition member, a narrow passage interconnecting the chambers, and liquid contained in the chambers whereby movement of the movable part of the load cell effects relative movement between the partition member and the support members to force liquid to flow between the chambers via the narrow passage thereby to damp the movement of the movable part of the load cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Yamato Scale Company, Limited of Akashi, Japan
    Inventor: Junichi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 4815548
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Yamato Scale Company, Limited
    Inventors: Shinichi Inoue, Junichi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 4778017
    Abstract: A weighing scale having a shock-absorbing platform support. The scale comprises a scale platform seated on a platform saddle, a scale base, a load-cell transducer having first and second body portions separated from one another, and a platform shock-mount. The platform shock-mount includes a Y-shaped transducer-support frame formed with three arms each having an extremity extended from a central frame junction with the scale platform saddle being fixed to the first transducer body portion and the second transducer body portion being fixed to the central frame junction, a preloaded spring assembly carried on the base and having a spring resiliently supporting each arm extremity of the Y-frame on the base, and a set of adjustable platform motion-limit stop screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Pelouze Scale Company
    Inventor: Charles Liang
  • Patent number: 4726435
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Assignee: Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tohru Kitagawa, Sadao Ohyoshi, Yasuhiro Ushijima
  • Patent number: 4724914
    Abstract: A weigh scale comprising a platform, a base, a transducer coupled to the platform, and a shock-absorbing compound spring having two serially-connected sections. One spring section flexes most favorably in a vertical direction and the other section in a horizontal direction. The compound spring moveably supports the transducer on the base so that shock forces applied to the platform from different directions are absorbed by the spring to prevent permanent distortion of the transducer and the resulting erroneous weight readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Pelouze Scale Company
    Inventor: Charles Liang
  • Patent number: 4696181
    Abstract: A suspension system (11) for effectively decoupling an oscillating element microbalance (10) from its environment employs longitudinally extending suspension members axially aligned with an instantaneous center of rotation (S) of the microbalance. In a preferred embodiment, the microbalance includes a tapered elongate elastic element (12) having an elliptical cross section and the suspending members comprise a torsion bar arrangement (20, 22) oriented parallel to the major axis (HD) of the elliptical cross section. The suspension system minimizes vibrational losses from the microbalance while at the same time rendering environmental noise ineffectual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Rupprecht & Patashnick Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Georg Rupprecht, David R. Hassel
  • Patent number: 4669558
    Abstract: To support the load bed of a scale on the load lever, the invention provides load uprights each having a relatively rigid central section and elastic load-bearing end sections. The end sections are inserted in cup-shaped support seats on the load bed and the load lever respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: August Sauter GmbH
    Inventors: Konrad Backu, Adolf Ast, Herbert Mogg
  • Patent number: 4646859
    Abstract: A scale comprising a stationary frame assembly, platform means arranged to move vertically upon receipt of some material thereon and at least one movable beam assembly, each movable beam assembly being coupled to the stationary frame assembly by a force sensing means which resists downward movement of the platform. The platform is coupled to the beam assemblies that are movable, and each movable beam assembly has a section for supporting a displacement sensing means thereon. Most preferably the displacement sensing means is an electronic sensing means adapted to move substantially horizontally for detecting movement of the movable beam assemblies that is transmitted through the platform means when the material is placed on said platform means, and said electronic sensing means produces a signal indicative of the weight of said material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Malvern Scale Company
    Inventor: James M. Stuart
  • Patent number: 4638875
    Abstract: A fiber blending system includes a number of feeders which dump fibers onto a conveyor. Each feeder includes a weigh pan into which fibers are fed. The weigh pan is pivotally mounted to the feeder and counterbalanced. Also connected to the weigh pan is a single load cell which monitors the weight of fibers in the pan. The load cell is connected to the weigh pan by a single wire about which vibration damping is disposed. Once a set weight of fibers has collected in the pan, feeding stops until a dump command is given related to the position of the conveyor. When the conveyor is in the appropriate position, all feeders then dump fibers at their respective set weights. The blending system is controllled by a programmable controller which monitors for three malfunctions. If fibers fail to dump after a dump command is given, if an excessive time occurs during which the pans are filling without reaching the set weight and when a predetermined number of heavy dumps occur, an alarm is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Fiber Controls Corp.
    Inventor: William R. Murray
  • Patent number: 4611677
    Abstract: Electronic weighing scale having a load bridge with torsion bars for transmitting a load from a platform to a load cell. The torsion bars flex torsionally to protect the load cell from overloading and shock loading. The platform rests loosely on the load bridge and is freely displaceable to protect the load cell from side loading or other impacts on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: National Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: George T. Yu
  • Patent number: 4593778
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Ishida Koki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Satoshi Konishi, Kazumi Kitagawa, Michito Utsunomiya
  • Patent number: 4580645
    Abstract: A weigh scale apparatus in which forces caused by the applied load are transformed into moments of opposite sense and applied to opposite ends of a substantially rigid beam. Bending deflection of the beam is measured by centrally disposed strain gauge resistors to produce an electrical signal quantity proportional to the applied load. The conversion of applied load to moments of opposite sense is accomplished by a pair of spaced parallel pivot members which are suspended between the load receiving pan and the base such that the pivots tend to rotate in opposite directions. The beam is mechanically connected between the pivots such that it is subjected to the bending moment over substantially its entire length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: GSE, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph S. Shoberg
  • Patent number: 4566505
    Abstract: A packaging machine useful for packaging fluidized dry, divided, solid material into containers such as valve bags is provided with an isolator section for isolating forces generated in the flow path of the material from a filling and weighing section. The flow path includes a filling spout that extends into the container through a valve formed therein and is sealed in the valve by an inflatable sleeve on the filling spout, the sleeve being so constructed that only that portion that enters the valve is permitted to expand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: St. Regis Corporation
    Inventors: Walter Ruf, Robert G. Kelley
  • Patent number: 4566548
    Abstract: In an analytical balance with a pan and a four-bar mechanism which keeps the balance pan parallel horizontally during its vertical travel, the one vertical side of which is held fast to the housing, the other vertical side of which, in the form of a coupling piece, carries an extension which receives the pan, and both horizontal sides of which are connected in an articulated manner by an upper and a lower rod to the vertical sides, whereby the four-bar mechanism is loaded by the restoring force of a load converter, the extension (16) which receives the pan (17) is L-shaped, the horizontal L-shank (pan arm) (16") carries the pan (17) rigidly connected to its free end and the vertical L-shank (bearing arm) (16') is mounted on the bar (18'") of a U-shaped arm bearing (18) which projects above and below over the vertically movable end (9) of the four-bar mechanism (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) with its two horizontal U-shanks (18, 18") in the rod planes and is rigidly fastened to it in two vertically superposed bearings (118')
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Sartorius GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Sodler, Erich Knothe, Gunther Maaz, Joachim Madge
  • Patent number: 4496014
    Abstract: Weighing apparatus is disclosed of the short-stroke vibratory string type including a housing (3, 5) in which is arranged a load cell device including a stationary member (1) and a vertically movable load receiving member (2), characterized by the provision of a vertically collapsible overload protection device (F) arranged within the housing around the stationary load cell member for connecting a weighing platform or pan (6) arranged above the housing with the movable load receiver member. The overload protection device includes a horizontal open rectangular frame having relatively vertically movable upper (7) and lower (8) frame sections, stop lugs (23) being provided on the housing for limiting the extent of downward travel of the upper frame member. A snap spring arrangement (14, 18) is provided for biasing the upper and lower frame members vertically apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: Mottler Instrumente AB
    Inventor: Ernst Willi
  • Patent number: RE43989
    Abstract: This load cell attachment structure includes a male screw which is formed on a load sensing part of the load cell, a nut which attaches the load cell to the attachment plate by engaging with the male screw, and a wave washer which is disposed between the attachment plate and the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Furukawa, Naotaka Kumakiri, Mikihito Kojima, Masashi Yoshifuku, Tatsuya Yamazaki, Toyohiko Shindo, Harutomi Nishide, Shigeru Endo, Kenji Sato