Detection apparatus

• US 20040032323A1
• Filed: 08/08/2002
• Published: 02/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Monroe Truck Equipment Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Monroe Truck Equipment Incorporated
• Inventors: Nommensen, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US10/215,284
• Publication Number:
  US 20040032323A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/440
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/12 having electrical weight-sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/005 Means for preventing overload

Abstract

A detection apparatus is disclosed for detecting an overloaded condition of a truck. The apparatus includes a first arm which has a first and a second end, the first end of the first arm being rigidly secured to a frame of the truck. A portion of a proximity detector is fixedly secured to the second end of the first arm. A second arm has a first and a second extremity, the first extremity of the second arm being connected to a suspension of the truck. A further portion of the proximity detector is fixedly secured to the second extremity of the second arm. The further portion is disposed in a vicinity of the portion such that when the truck is loaded, the portion and further portion move towards each other and so that when the overloaded condition of the truck is reached, the portion and the further portion are disposed adjacent to each other. An electrical circuit is triggered when the portion and the further portion are disposed adjacent to each other. Also, a warning device is electrically connected to the circuit such that when the circuit is triggered, the warning device is actuated.

Claims

1. A detection apparatus for detecting an overloaded condition of a truck, said apparatus comprising:

a first arm having a first and a second end, said first end of said first arm being rigidly secured to a frame of the truck;

a portion of a proximity detector fixedly secured to said second end of said first arm;

a second arm having a first and a second extremity, said first extremity of said second arm being connected to a suspension of the truck;

a further portion of said proximity detector being fixedly secured to said second extremity of said second arm, said further portion being disposed in a vicinity of said portion such that when the truck is loaded, said portion and further portion move towards each other and so that when the overloaded condition of the truck is reached, said portion and said further portion are disposed adjacent to each other;

an electrical circuit triggered when said portion and said further portion are disposed adjacent to each other; and

a warning device electrically connected to said circuit such that when said circuit is triggered, said warning device is actuated.

2. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said first arm includes:

a first section which extend from said first end of said first arm;

a second section which extend from said first section to said second end of said first arm.

3. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein

said first section defines a hole;

said first arm including;

a fastener extending through said hole for fastening said first section to the frame of the truck.

4. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein

said second section supports said portion of said proximity detector.

5. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein

said portion of said proximity detector is welded to said second section.

6. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein

said second section extends angularly from said first section.

7. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said portion of said proximity detector includes:

a peripheral wall which is of circular configuration;

said wall being welded to said second end of said first arm.

8. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein

said wall includes:

a first weld;

a second weld disposed diametrically opposite to said first weld such that said welds secure said portion of said proximity detector to said second end of said first arm.

9. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said second arm includes:

a first member which extend from said first extremity of said second arm;

a second member which extend from said first member to said second extremity of said second arm.

10. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein

said first member defines a bore;

said second arm including;

a fastening device extending through said bore for connecting said first member to the suspension of the truck.

11. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein

said second member supports said further portion of said proximity detector.

12. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein

said further portion of said proximity detector is welded to said second member.

13. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein

said second member extends normal from said first member.

14. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said further portion of said proximity detector includes:

a peripheral casing which is of circular configuration;

said casing being welded to said second extremity of said second arm.

15. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein

said casing includes:

a first welding;

a second welding disposed diametrically opposite to said first welding such that said weldings secure said further portion of said proximity detector to said second extremity of said second arm.

16. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said proximity detector is a magnetic detector.

17. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including:

a saddle bracket secured to said first extremity of said second arm;

said saddle bracket including;

a first part which cooperates with the suspension of the truck;

a second part which is fastened to said first part such that said parts extend around and are clamped to the suspension of the truck.

18. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including:

a first magnetic device disposed within said portion of said proximity detector;

a second magnetic device disposed within said further portion of said proximity detector such that when said portion and said further portion are disposed adjacent to each other, said magnetic devices react relative to each other for triggering said electrical circuit.

19. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said warning device includes:

an audible alarm for deterring a user from overloading the truck.

20. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said warning device includes:

an visual alarm for deterring a user from overloading the truck.

21. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including:

an inhibitor device electrically connected to said electrical circuit such that when said electrical circuit is triggered, said warning device is only electrically connected to said circuit when the truck is parked.

22. A detection apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including:

a third arm having a first and a second end, said first end of said third arm being rigidly secured to the frame of the truck;

a portion of a further proximity detector fixedly secured to said second end of said third arm;

a fourth arm having a first and a second extremity, said first extremity of said fourth arm being connected to the suspension of the truck on an opposite side of the truck so that said proximity detector and further proximity detector are located on a first and a second side respectively of the truck;

a further portion of said further proximity detector being fixedly secured to said second extremity of said fourth arm, said further portion being disposed in a vicinity of said portion such that when the truck is loaded, said portion and further portion move towards each other and so that when the overloaded condition of the truck is reached, said portion and said further portion are disposed adjacent to each other;

said electrical circuit being triggered when said portion and said further portion of said proximity detector are disposed adjacent to each other and when said portion and said further portion of said further proximity detector are disposed adjacent to each other so that said circuit is triggered regardless of a disposition of an overload relative to the sides of the truck.

23. A detection apparatus for detecting an overloaded condition of a truck, said apparatus comprising:

a first arm having a first and a second end, said first end of said first arm being rigidly secured to a frame of the truck;

a portion of a proximity detector fixedly secured to said second end of said first arm;

a second arm having a first and a second extremity, said first extremity of said second arm being connected to a suspension of the truck;

a further portion of said proximity detector being fixedly secured to said second extremity of said second arm, said further portion being disposed in a vicinity of said portion such that when the truck is loaded, said portion and further portion move towards each other and so that when the overloaded condition of the truck is reached, said portion and said further portion are disposed adjacent to each other;

an electrical circuit triggered when said portion and said further portion are disposed adjacent to each other;

an audible warning device electrically connected to said circuit such that when said circuit is triggered, said warning device is actuated; and

said proximity detector being a magnetic detector.

24. A detection apparatus for detecting an overloaded condition of a truck, said apparatus comprising:

a first arm having a first and a second end, said first end of said first arm being rigidly secured to a frame of the truck;

a portion of a proximity detector fixedly secured to said second end of said first arm;

a second arm having a first and a second extremity, said first extremity of said second arm being connected to a suspension of the truck;

a further portion of said proximity detector being fixedly secured to said second extremity of said second arm, said further portion being disposed in a vicinity of said portion such that when the truck is loaded, said portion and further portion move towards each other and so that when the overloaded condition of the truck is reached, said portion and said further portion are disposed adjacent to each other;

an electrical circuit triggered when said portion and said further portion are disposed adjacent to each other;

a warning device electrically connected to said circuit such that when said circuit is triggered, said warning device is actuated;

said first arm including;

a first section which extend from said first end of said first arm;

a second section which extend from said first section to said second end of said first arm;

said first section defines a hole;

said first arm including;

a fastener extending through said hole for fastening said first section to the frame of the truck;

said second section supports said portion of said proximity detector;

said portion of said proximity detector being welded to said second section;

said second section extending angularly from said first section;

said portion of said proximity detector includes;

a peripheral wall which is of circular configuration;

said wall being welded to said second end of said first arm;

said wall including;

a first weld;

a second weld disposed diametrically opposite to said first weld such that said welds secure said portion of said proximity detector to said second end of said first arm;

said second arm includes;

a first member which extend from said first extremity of said second arm;

a second member which extend from said first member to said second extremity of said second arm;

said first member defining a bore;

said second arm including;

a fastening device extending through said bore for connecting said first member to the suspension of the truck;

said second member supporting said further portion of said proximity detector;

said further portion of said proximity detector is welded to said second member;

said second member extends normal from said first member;

said further portion of said proximity detector including;

a peripheral casing which is of circular configuration;

said casing being welded to said second extremity of said second arm;

said casing including;

a first welding;

a second welding disposed diametrically opposite to said first welding such that said weldings secure said further portion of said proximity detector to said second extremity of said second arm.

said proximity detector being a magnetic detector;

said apparatus further including;

a saddle bracket secured to said first extremity of said second arm;

said saddle bracket including;

a first part which cooperates with the suspension of the truck;

a second part which is fastened to said first part such that said parts extend around and are clamped to the suspension of the truck;

a first magnetic device disposed within said portion of said proximity detector;

a second magnetic device disposed within said further portion of said proximity detector such that when said portion and said further portion are disposed adjacent to each other, said magnetic devices react relative to each other for triggering said electrical circuit;

said warning device including;

an audible alarm for deterring a user from overloading the truck;

an inhibitor device electrically connected to said electrical circuit such that when said electrical circuit is triggered, said warning device is only electrically connected to said circuit when the truck is parked;

a third arm having a first and a second end, said first end of said third arm being rigidly secured to the frame of the truck;

a portion of a further proximity detector fixedly secured to said second end of said third arm;

a fourth arm having a first and a second extremity, said first extremity of said fourth arm being connected to the suspension of the truck on an opposite side of the truck so that said proximity detector and further proximity detector are located on a first and a second side respectively of the truck;

a further portion of said further proximity detector being fixedly secured to said second extremity of said fourth arm, said further portion being disposed in a vicinity of said portion such that when the truck is loaded, said portion and further portion move towards each other and so that when the overloaded condition of the truck is reached, said portion and said further portion are disposed adjacent to each other; and

said electrical circuit being triggered when said portion and said further portion of said proximity detector are disposed adjacent to each other and when said portion and said further portion of said further proximity detector are disposed adjacent to each other so that said circuit is triggered regardless of a disposition of an overload relative to the sides of the truck.