Plural Counterweight Pickup Patents (Class 177/248)
  • Patent number: 7348502
    Abstract: A platform balance includes a first frame support and a second frame support movable relative to the first frame support. At least one counter balance assembly is provided to support the static weight of the first frames support and elements connected thereto. The counterbalance assembly includes a beam and a pivot assembly allowing the beam to pivot. A weight is selectively positionable on the beam. A compliant assembly is supported by the beam on a portion thereof on a side of the pivot assembly opposite the weight. The compliant assembly supports the first frame support. The compliant assembly includes a second pivot assembly and a planar motion assembly coupled to the second pivot assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Meyer, Ian T. Kunsch, Christopher P. Zupancich, Bradley C. Litz
  • Patent number: 4470473
    Abstract: A weighing device is disclosed which comprises a frame, a pan element for supporting a load to be weighed, a channel member connected to the pan for retaining a plurality of weight elements in a vertically movable manner, a motor supported within the frame, a shaft member operatively connected to and extending from the motor and a plurality of vertically movable support members having top end portions adapted to receive and lift one of the weight elements. Two arms are secured to the shaft member and each extends in a direction toward the support members. In one embodiment of the present invention, each support member includes a cam track therein and each of the arms include a cam follower adapted to ride in the cam track. In another embodiment, each support member includes a cam follower extending therefrom and each of the arms include a cam track adapted to receive the cam follower such that the follower can ride in the cam track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Walter E. Miller
  • Patent number: 4470474
    Abstract: A weighing device is disclosed which comprises a frame, a pan element for supporting a load to be weighed, a channel member connected to the pan for retaining a plurality of weight elements in a vertically movable manner, a motor supported within the frame, a shaft member operatively connected to and extending from the motor and a plurality of support members having top end portions adapted to receive and lift one of the weight elements. Two arms are secured to the shaft member and each extends in a direction toward the support members. A switch is provided for energizing the motor when the pan is depressed by a load. The motor turns the shaft member and guides each of the arms alternately into contact with successive support members in a step-by-step manner and thereby lift a corresponding number of the weights substantially equal to the weight of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Walter E. Miller
  • Patent number: 4470472
    Abstract: A weighing device is disclosed which comprises a frame, a pan element for supporting a load to be weighed, channel members connected to the pan for retaining a plurality of weight elements in a vertically movable manner, a motor supported within the frame, a shaft member operatively connected to and extending from the motor and a plurality of support members each adapted to receive and lift one of the weight elements. Included are circular concentric cam tracks rotating with the shaft member, each of the tracks being positioned under a plurality of the support members. A switch is provided for energizing the motor when the pan is depressed by a load. The motor turns the shaft member and guides the concentric cam tracks alternately into contact with successive support members in a step-by-step manner and thereby lift a corresponding number of the weights substantially equal to the weight of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Walter E. Miller
  • Patent number: 4417632
    Abstract: For the automatic weighing of a beam balance with electromagnetic force compensation, substitution control weights and digital recording are used. An indicator signals the position of balance beam to a microcomputer. The load compensation is carried out with a limited number of variable electromagnetic compensation forces of constant amplitude, which are produced by means of a corresponding number of discrete constant currents. The currents are graded according to decreasing powers of a numerical system of a suitable basis; as a rule, just like decimally organized figures according to units and powers of ten of these units. Starting out from upper to lower decades, a count is made in each decade as to how many compensation units are needed in order to overcompensate the load. For this purpose, a decision is made merely in the case of every compensation step--without determining precisely the rest position of the balance beam--as to whether the load applied is larger or smaller than the compensation force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1983
    Assignee: Battelle Institut e.V.
    Inventor: Peter Lohberg
  • Patent number: 4153124
    Abstract: An electromagnetically compensating beam balance has a balance housing, a am and a fixed counterweight. Weight changing means, which change the weighing range (scale) by substitution, are provided on the load receiving side. A parallel guidance system is provided. Rods which accept only horizontal forces are coupled between a load carrier and the housing. Vertical flexure elements, which accept vertical forces, are coupled between the beam and the load carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Assignee: Sartorius-Werke GmbH (und vorm. Gottinger Prazisionswaagenfabrik GmbH)
    Inventors: Erich Knothe, Christoph Berg, Franz J. Melcher
  • Patent number: 4106580
    Abstract: This force measuring apparatus includes a balance beam, means for applying a force representative of a load to be weighed to the balance beam, and means for applying counterweights in preselected steps to the balance beam. A signal is picked up from the position of the beam and is used to actuate a display indicating the weight of the load. The balance beam moves within a limited range of positions. Whenever it approaches one end of its limited range, a maximum or minimum signal is produced and controls a motor to drive the counterweight means to apply counterweights to the beam or to remove counterweights, as required to restore the balance beam to its limited range of positions. The display is concurrently reset to compensate for the change in the counterweight, so that the display accurately indicates the weight of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: Brookline Instrument Company
    Inventors: James J. DeMasters, Victor J. Musante
  • Patent number: 4084651
    Abstract: A weighing apparatus has a closed chamber of variable volume adapted to receive a load. An upright tube has an upper end open to the atmosphere and a lower end connected via a conduit to the chamber for fluid communication therebetween. This conduit has a first section of relatively small diameter connected between the upper end of a large-diameter reservoir and a second narrow-diameter section connecting the lower end of the reservoir with the lower end of the tube. A first liquid of relatively light density completely fills the chamber, the first section of the tube, and the upper portion of the reservoir. A second liquid of relatively heavy density completely fills the second section of the conduit, the rest of the reservoir, and a portion of the tube. Thus compression of the closed chamber will move the surface level of the second relatively heavy liquid upwardly in the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1978
    Inventor: Jean Henri Lagneau
  • Patent number: 4043414
    Abstract: In a weighing scale in which compensating weights may be attached to or removed from a weighing pan assembly to adjust the combined mass of the assembly, of an object on the weighing pan that is to be weighed, and of the attached compensating weights within range of an indicating device, the adjusting arrangement includes a carrier on which guides defining respective paths of longitudinal sliding movement for the elongated compensating means, and a stop limits the sliding movement of each weight in a fixed, lowermost position, the paths being inclined relative to the horizontal at a preferred angle of 10.degree. - 20.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1977
    Assignee: Mettler Instrumente AG
    Inventor: Andreas Stutz