WEIGHING SCALE FOR FORKLIFT

• US 20120175169A1
• Filed: 07/29/2010
• Published: 07/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seng Siong Siaw
• Original Assignee: Seng Siong Siaw
• Inventors: Siaw, Seng Siong
• Granted Patent: US 9,046,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 177/136
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 17/003 for fork-lift trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/20 Means for actuating or controlling masts, platforms, or forks power take-off from vehicle transmissions, combined with vehicle propulsion systems B60K
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/083 lift truck scale

Abstract

A weighing scale for forklift and the like (10) for measuring weight of loads at the time they are lifted. The weighing scale comprises a stationary first member (12) and a movable second member (48) interconnected in a vertical parallel spaced apart relationship. The first member is mountable on fork carriage and the second member is connectable to fork thereto. There is a load cell (28) in the first member that works cooperatively with a means (60) in the second member to register any vertical displacements thereof and translate the registered data into weight lifted by the fork.

Claims

1. A weighing scale for forklift and the like (10) to be installed between the fork carriage and fork thereto for weighing loads as they are lifted comprises;

a stationary first member (12) mountable on the fork carriage,

a movable second member (48) connectable to the fork,

a pair of substantially identical linkage elements (36, 46) each interconnecting said first member (12) and second member (48) at separate positions thereof such that said first member and second member are disposed in vertically parallel spaced apart relationship wherein each linkage element has a general four sided configuration comprising a pair of parallel opposed shafts (38) connected respectively at their respective axially terminal ends by a pair of link arms (40) so that each linkage element has one shaft installed on said first member and another shaft installed on said second member in order that said second member moves in a single vertical plane about said stationary first member with low frictional forces,

a load cell (28) installed on said first member and being accessible by said second member, and

a means (60) incorporated in said second member (48) adapted to work cooperatively with said load cell (28) to register any vertical movement thereto and transform the registered data into weight of the load being lifted by the fork.

2. Weighing scale for forklift and the like according to claim 1 wherein said first member (12) includes a pair of laterally aligned upper slots (32) each provided with recessed rolling-element bearing (34) to which first shaft of first linkage element is rotatably supported and said second member (48) includes a pair of laterally aligned upper slots each provided with recessed rolling-element bearing to which second shaft of the first linkage element is rotatably supported and wherein said first member (12) includes a pair of laterally aligned lower slots each provided with recessed rolling-element bearing to which first shaft of second linkage element is rotatably supported and said second member includes a pair of laterally aligned lower slots each provided with recessed rolling-element bearing to which second shaft of the second linkage element is rotatably supported.

3. Weighing scale for forklift and the like according to claim 2 wherein said rolling-element bearing (34) is roller bearing.

4. Weighing scale for forklift and the like according to claim 1 wherein said linkage elements (36, 46) have axially terminal ends of their shafts which are disposed on the same side being connected by a reinforced cross bar (44) respectively.

5. Weighing scale for forklift and the like according to claim 1 wherein said first member (12) is an elongate structure of substantially uniform U-shaped cross section along the length thereof having a top plate (14), bottom plate (16) and two vertical side plates (20) which extend forwardly.

6. Weighing scale for forklift and the like according to claim 5 wherein said second member (48) is an elongate structure having a top plate (50), bottom plate (52) and two vertical side plates (54).

7. Weighing scale for forklift and the like according to claim 6 wherein said load cell (30) is located between the first member (12) and the second member (48) and is surrounded by the various top plates, bottom plates and side plates of said first member and said second member.

8. Weighing scale for forklift and the like according to claim 1 wherein said first member (12) includes a support (18) in the form of bracket having edges firmly secured to the inner sides of the vertical side plates (20) thereof for mounting said load cell (28) thereon.

9. Weighing scale for forklift and the like according to claim 7 wherein said load cell (28) protrudes slightly out of the profile of said first member.

10. Weighing scale for forklift and the like according to claim 1 wherein said means (60) is in the form of a bar resting on top of said load cell (28) via a force focusing device (30) when there is no load being lifted by the fork thereto.