US3955636A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Weighing apparatus for truck and vehicle loads
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-02-07
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Granted: 1976-05-11
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Expires: 1995-02-07
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for providing an indication of the weight of a load on a vehicle or on any part of the vehicle comprises a sensing operable between a moving part and a stationary part of the vehicle and sensing the distance between the stationary part and the moving part, a transducer unit converting any alteration of the said distance detected by the sensing means into a proportional electric property and an electrical gauge receiving the output from said transducer unit characterized in that the sensing means includes a sensor arm having two rigid end portions joined by a length of resilient material in a turn-buckle effect, with a rigid end portion being adapted to be connected between the moving part and the stationary part of the vehicle in such a manner as to detect any change in the alteration of the aforesaid distance.
Inventors
- 👤 Malcolm Anthony Askew
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/08; G01G19/12; B; B60; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/015; B60G17/019; G01G23/00; G01G23/18; G01G23/36; G01G23/361; B60G2200/00; B60G2200/30; B60G2204/00; B60G2204/10; B60G2204/11; B60G2204/40; B60G2204/421; B60G2204/422; B60G2400/00; B60G2400/25; B60G2400/252; B60G2400/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for providing an indication of the weight of a load on a vehicle or on any part of the vehicle comprising a sensing means operable between a moving part and a stationary part of the vehicle and sensing the distance between the stationary part and the moving part, a transducer unit converting any alteration of the said distance detected by the sensing means into a proportional electric property and an electrical gauge receiving the output from said transducer unit characterised in that the sensing means includes a sensor arm having two rigid end portions joined by a longitudinally incompressible and laterally flexible expansion spring in a turnbuckle effect, with the rigid end portions being adapted to be connected between the moving part and the stationary part of the vehicle in such a manner as to detect any alteration of the aforesaid distance.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for providing an indication of the weight of a load on a vehicle or on any part of the vehicle comprising a sensing means operable between a moving part and a stationary part of the vehicle and sensing the distance between the stationary part and the moving part, a transducer unit converting any alteration of the said distance detected by the sensing means into a proportional electric property and an electrical gauge receiving the output from said transducer unit characterised in that the sensing means includes a sensor arm having two rigid end portions joined by a longitudinally incompressible and laterally flexible expansion spring in a turnbuckle effect, with the rigid end portions being adapted to be connected between the moving part and the stationary part of the vehicle in such a manner as to detect any alteration of the aforesaid distance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensor arm is operable on a spindle in the transducer means such that alteration of the distance between the stationary and movable part of the vehicle is converted by the sensor arm into rotational movement of the spindle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein buffering means are provided to restrict movement of the sensor arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein one of the rigid end portions is bent in such a direction that on the sensor arm striking a buffer the direction of the force on the sensor arm assists in buckling of the expansion spring in a resilient manner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of the rigid end portions of the sensor arm is connected through a toggle arm to a spindle in the transducer means, with the other rigid arm portion pivotably connected to one part of the vehicle being either the moving part or stationary part and the transducer means connected to the other part such that alteration of the distance between the stationary and moveable part of the vehicle is converted by the sensor arm through the toggle arm into rotational movement of the spindle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein one end of the toggle arm is pivotally attached to the rigid end portion of the sensor arm with the other end of the toggle arm being rigidly attached to the spindle rotatably mounted in the transducer means and where a buffering means is provided to prevent the toggle arm rotating more than a desired angle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the pivotal attachments are elbow joints.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the rigid end portion attached to the toggle arm is curved in a rigid manner towards the spindle such that the direction of the force on the sensor arm when the toggle arm strikes the buffering means assists the spring joining the rigid end portions to buckle in a resilient manner.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein spring guides are provided at each end of the expansion spring to maintain the expansion spring in constant alignment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-05-11 | 1979-11-10 | 1980-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-11 | 1983-11-10 | 1984-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-11 | 1987-11-10 | 1988-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |