Weighing scales – Structural installation – Vehicle
Patent
1997-06-26
1999-07-13
Gibson, Randy W.
Weighing scales
Structural installation
Vehicle
177139, G01G 1908
Patent
active
059229985
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a scale for weighing loads, and especially to a scale built into a fork-lift vehicle.
A large percentage of shipping in the world today is carried out using pallets, which are usually made of wood or metal. The load is placed on the pallet and the pallet is then transferred to a desired mode of transportation using various types of pallet carriers or fork-lift devices usually having one or two tines which are inserted under the pallets. These fork-lift vehicles can be equipped with a built-in scale for weighing the loads on the pallets prior to being transported. Such scales operate using a weighing platform mounted on load cells, which measure the vertical forces applied to them. The load cells are usually placed within recesses formed in the upper surfaces of the tines so that the tines retain a low profile and can be easily inserted under the pallet.
Some types of pallet carriers are equipped with wheels or other types of supports under the forward section of the tines. In other types of pallet carriers however, the tines are supported on or hung from a vertical framework or mast and have no support under their forward sections. As the carriers must lift heavy loads, the tines must be rigidly built in order not to permanently bend or break under the strain of the load. In the event that it is desired to install a weighing scale in the tines, the recesses formed in the tines to hold the load cells will detract from the weight capacity of the tines, since the amount of material in the tine is reduced. Furthermore, the deflection of the tine under the strain of the load can distort the accuracy of the weighing, due to the tilting of the load cells in relation to the vertical direction of the force of the load. There is thus a need for a pallet carrier which is capable of weighing loads, yet whose tines are minimally deflected by the weight of the load.
OBJECT AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a weighing scale for weighing loads on pallet carriers, and particularly in fork-lift vehicles.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a weighing scale whose load cells are placed in recesses in the tines of the pallet carrier so as not to increase the effective height of the tines.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a weighing scale which does not detract from the load capacity of the pallet carrier, and which minimizes the deflection of the tines under the influence of the load.
It is another object of the invention to provide a pallet carrier containing a weighing scale having the above advantages.
In accordance with this invention there is thus provided a scale for weighing a load comprising: a beam having two ends, one end being unsupported, the beam being fixed to a substantially unbending rigid member so that the beam is not deflected by a force exerted on it at the intersection of the beam with the rigid member, the rigid member being positioned proximate to an opposite end of the beam; a weighing platform positioned above the beam for supporting the load; a plurality of load cells positioned between the beam and the weighing platform for measuring the weight of the load, each of the load cells comprising contact points including a first contact point being in contact with the beam and a second contact point being in contact with the weighing platform; the contact points comprising an anchoring means for fixedly anchoring the load cell and a load bearing element for bearing the load; whereas the first contact point of at least one of the load cells is in contact with the portion of the beam including the intersection, the opposite end and the interval between them.
The scale of the invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art scales by positioning a contact point of at least one of the load cells, which is in contact with the tine, at a location of zero moment on the tine, or at a location which creates an opposite moment in the tine. By so
REFERENCES:
patent: 3059710 (1962-10-01), Pien
Friedman Mark M.
Gibson Randy W.
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