WEIGHT SENSING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORKLIFTS
First Claim
1. A weight sensing apparatus for a lifting device, the weight sensing apparatus comprising:
- at least one lifting chain attached to a load-engaging device at a first end and a frame at a second end, the load-engaging device being movable with respect to the frame when a lifting force is applied via the at least one lifting chain;
at least one force translating arm fixedly attached to a sensor shaft at a first end and rotatably attached to the at least one lifting chain at a second end, the second end of the at least one force translating arm being attached to the at least one lifting chain between the first and second ends of the at least one lifting chain; and
a torque sensor mounted on the sensor shaft that is configured to measure a torque applied to the sensor bar by the at least one force translating arm when the lifting force is applied to the at least one force translating arm by the at least one lifting chain.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A weight sensing apparatus for a lifting device is disclosed that comprises at least one lifting chain attached to a load-engaging device at a first end and a frame at a second end, the load-engaging device being movable with respect to the frame when a lifting force is applied via the at least one lifting chain, at least one force translating arm fixedly attached to a sensor shaft at a first end and rotatably attached to the at least one lifting chain at a second end, the second end of the at least one force translating arm being attached to the at least one lifting chain between the first and second ends of the at least one lifting chain, and a torque sensor mounted on the sensor shaft that is configured to measure torque applied to the sensor bar by the at least one force translating arm when the lifting force is applied to the at least one force translating arm by the at least one lifting chain.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A weight sensing apparatus for a lifting device, the weight sensing apparatus comprising:
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at least one lifting chain attached to a load-engaging device at a first end and a frame at a second end, the load-engaging device being movable with respect to the frame when a lifting force is applied via the at least one lifting chain; at least one force translating arm fixedly attached to a sensor shaft at a first end and rotatably attached to the at least one lifting chain at a second end, the second end of the at least one force translating arm being attached to the at least one lifting chain between the first and second ends of the at least one lifting chain; and a torque sensor mounted on the sensor shaft that is configured to measure a torque applied to the sensor bar by the at least one force translating arm when the lifting force is applied to the at least one force translating arm by the at least one lifting chain. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for sensing weight with a lifting device, the method comprising the steps of:
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attaching at least one lifting chain to a load-engaging device at a first end; attaching the at least one lifting chain to a frame at a second end, the load-engaging device being movable with respect to the frame when a lifting force is applied via the at least one lifting chain; fixedly attaching at least one force translating arm to a sensor shaft at a first end; rotatably attaching the at least one force translating arm to the at least one lifting chain at a second end, the second end of the at least one force translating arm being attached to the at least one lifting chain between the first and second ends of the at least one lifting chain; and mounting a torque sensor on the sensor shaft, the torque sensor being configured to measure a torque applied to the sensor bar by the at least one force translating arm. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification