Weighing scales – With weigher loading or unloading means – Hoist
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-10
2001-10-16
Gibson, Randy W. (Department: 2859)
Weighing scales
With weigher loading or unloading means
Hoist
C177S184000, C073S862560
Reexamination Certificate
active
06303882
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved load cell apparatus and method. In particular, this invention relates to a load cell apparatus and method for use in harsh industrial environments.
The art of load cells is well developed. The use of load cells to assist in determining the weight of objects placed upon or supported by load cells greatly assists users in the weighing process. A difficulty arises when load cells are used in harsh industrial environments where the sensitive load cells of the prior art are overwhelmed. For example, to date, the use of load cells in the scrap metal industry is essentially non-existent. The reason for this is that both the machines used in the environment, i.e. grappling crane or a magnetic lift, and the materials being lifted i.e. huge pieces of scrap metal, place extraordinary strain on the delicate load cell mechanism.
A drawback to the load cell systems known in the art is that they are not sufficiently robust to be used in extreme environments. Thus, there is a need in the art for providing a load cell apparatus and method which is capable of use in the harshest environment. It, therefore, is an object of this invention to provide an improved load cell apparatus and method capable of withstanding extreme forces of impact and lift and still provide accurate load measurements.
SHORT STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the load cell system of the present invention includes a frame to which an upper compliance assembly is connected. A load cell is connected to the upper compliance assembly and a lower compliance assembly is connected to the load cell. In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower compliance assemblies include a first base, a compression pad, a rebound pad, a load plate located between the rebound and the compression pad, and a second base connected to the rebound pad or the compression pad. In a further embodiment, the load cell includes a load cell yoke connected to the upper assembly and an upper and lower loading saddle connected to the load cell. In a further embodiment, an overload limit is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the overload limit includes a fixed overload limit and a moving overload limit. In a further embodiment, a rotation preventor is provided and in a still further embodiment a data transfer device is provided for providing data to the load cell and for receiving data from the load cell.
A corresponding load cell method for use in a weighing system is set forth hereafter and claimed.
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Stephens Thomas W.
Zrudsky Donald R.
Cranium Corporation
Gibson Randy W.
Shaffer & Culbertson LLP
Shaffer Jr. J. Nevin
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