Method and apparatus for indicating a load placed on a load-carrying vehicle platform

• US 3,971,451 A
• Filed: 07/14/1975
• Issued: 07/27/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carl Eric Bertil Norberg
• Original Assignee: Carl Eric Bertil Norberg
• Inventors: Norberg, Carl Eric Bertil
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartary, Joseph W.
• Application Number:
  US05/595,576
• Time in Patent Office: 379 Days
• Field of Search: 177/136, 177/139, 177/141, 177/145, 177/146, 177/1, 214/2
• US Class Current: 177/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/08 for incorporation in vehicles

Abstract

This invention relates to a platform which can be displaced relatively to the frame side members of a load-carrying vehicle and which in the unloaded state is situated at the theoretical center of gravity of the vehicle load. A load placed on the platform results firstly in an increase in pressure in a tipping cylinder disposed at the center of gravity of the vehicle load and secondly a torque about the theoretical center of gravity of the vehicle load if the center of gravity of the load does not lie thereat. A signal proportional to such torque then controls a platform-displacing system to displace the platform towards the theoretical center of gravity of the vehicle load. The pressure rise occurring in the tipping cylinder forms an indication of the weight of the load and can then be noted and recorded.

Claims

1. A method for indicating a load based on a vehicle platform which is supported on a vehicle, comprising:

providing a balancing member (16) on the vehicle and disposed at the theoretical center of gravity of the vehicle load;

relieving at least a portion of the vehicle platforms normal supporting points during load indication by means of said balancing member (16);

providing a first sensing and transmitting means (5,

     6) spaced from said balancing member (16);

relieving the vehicle platforms other normal supporting points during load indication by means of said first sensing and transmitting means (5,

     6);

sensing, by means of said first sensing and transmitting means (5,

     6), a torque about said balancing member (16) caused by application of a load on the vehicle platform (2) and delivering a signal which is a function of said sensed torque; and

displacing said platform (2) and therefore the center of gravity of the load placed thereon, as a function of said signal, towards and so as to substantially coincide with the theoretical center of gravity of the vehicle load on the vehicle platform (2).

2. Apparatus for indicating a load placed on a vehicle platform (2) which is supported on a vehicle, comprising:

a balancing member (16) mounted to the vehicle and disposed at the theoretical center of gravity of the vehicle load and adapted to relieve at least a portion of the vehicle platform'"'"'s normal supporting points during load indication;

a first sensing and transmitting means (5,

     6) spaced from said balancing member (16) and adapted to relieve the vehicle platform'"'"'s other normal supporting points during load indication, said first sensing and transmitting means (5,

     6) sensing a torque about said balancing member (16) caused by application of a load on the vehicle platform (2) and delivering a signal which is a function of said sensed torque; and

a platform-displacing system (4) coupled to said platform (2) and to said first sensing and transmitting means (5,

     6) to displace said platform (2) and therefore the center of gravity of the load placed thereon, towards and so as to substantially coincide with the theoretical center of gravity of the vehicle load responsive to said signal.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said vehicle includes a frame (3) and wherein said balancing member (16) comprises a tipping system (1) disposed between said vehicle platform (2) and frame (3), said tipping system (1) including means for sensing the weight of the load placed on said platform (2).

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said weight sensing means of said tipping system (1) includes a second transmitting means disposed between said tipping system (1) and at least one of the vehicle frame (3) and vehicle platform (2).

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said platform-displacing system comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder arrangement (4), one end of which is articulated to the vehicle frame (3) and the other end of which is articulated to said platform (2).

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the moveable end of said cylinder arrangement (4) is articulated to said platform (2).

7. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said vehicle includes a frame (3) and wherein said platform-displacing system comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder arrangement (4), one end of which is articulated to the vehicle frame (3) and the other end of which is articulated to said platform (2).

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the moveable end of said cylinder arrangement (4) is articulated to said platform (2).

9. Apparatus according to claim 2 comprising a tipping pivot (7) spaced from said balancing member (16) and pivotally coupling said platform (2) on the vehicle, and wherein said first sensing and transmitting means comprises two transmitters (5, 6) coupled to said vehicle tipping pivot (7) for sensing said torque.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said two transmitters (5, 6) are disposed substantially centrally on the top and bottom, respectively, of said vehicle tipping pivot (7).

11. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said tipping system includes a member (8) cooperatively coupled with said platform (2) and a substantially V-shaped stabilizer member (9) whose apex is pivotally mounted to said member (8) and the arms of which are pivotally mounted to said frame (3), said stabilizer member (9) controlling said tipping member (8).

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 comprising a vehicle tipping pivot (7) coupled to said platform (2) via a link (10) articulated to said platform (2) and the tipping pivot (7) for pivotally mounting said platform (2) on the vehicle.

13. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said vehicle tipping pivot (7) is connected to said platform (2) via a link (10) articulated to said platform (2) and said tipping pivot (7).