Automatic truck measuring system and process
First Claim
1. An automatic truck measuring system, comprising:
- a truck-supporting platform having elongated sides, at least one inclined entrance ramp for access of a truck and a scale for determining the actual gross weight of said truck, said ramp containing a vehicle detector loop;
an identification badge input reader and scanner for reading a driver identification card of the truck driver and a product identification card selected by said truck driver to indicate the product the driver wants loaded in his truck;
optical sensing and detection means comprising photoelectric cells mounted to said sides of said platform at a sufficient height to sense and detect the position and number of axles or outside tires of said truck and the wheelbase length of said truck between its front and rear axles;
a central processing unit comprising a computer operatively connected to said scale, said identification badge input reader and scanner, and said optical sensing and detection means for determining the maximum allowable loaded weight of said truck under state law and regulations based upon said number of axles or outside tires of said truck and its wheelbase length and for comparing said maximum allowable loaded weight with said actual gross weight of said truck; and
printing means operatively connected to said central processing unit for printing and dispensing a bill of lading if said actual gross weight is less than said maximum allowable loaded weight, said bill of lading containing and indicating said actual gross weight, the name of said truck driver, the type of product loaded into said truck, the specific gravity of said product, and said maximum allowable loaded weight.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-operating automatic control system and process is provided to automatically measure the gross weight, load, and length of trucks, such as at refineries, truck terminals, and depots. A central processing unit compares the truck'"'"'s weight and length with state highway regulations and activates a laser printer or another printer to print a bill of lading when the measured weight is within legal limits. The system and process can also have various safety and weight indicators as well as a regulated control dispenser coupled to the central processing unit to automatically and remotely dispense authorized legal amounts of the load of material, such as gasoline or oil, into the trucks.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An automatic truck measuring system, comprising:
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a truck-supporting platform having elongated sides, at least one inclined entrance ramp for access of a truck and a scale for determining the actual gross weight of said truck, said ramp containing a vehicle detector loop; an identification badge input reader and scanner for reading a driver identification card of the truck driver and a product identification card selected by said truck driver to indicate the product the driver wants loaded in his truck; optical sensing and detection means comprising photoelectric cells mounted to said sides of said platform at a sufficient height to sense and detect the position and number of axles or outside tires of said truck and the wheelbase length of said truck between its front and rear axles; a central processing unit comprising a computer operatively connected to said scale, said identification badge input reader and scanner, and said optical sensing and detection means for determining the maximum allowable loaded weight of said truck under state law and regulations based upon said number of axles or outside tires of said truck and its wheelbase length and for comparing said maximum allowable loaded weight with said actual gross weight of said truck; and printing means operatively connected to said central processing unit for printing and dispensing a bill of lading if said actual gross weight is less than said maximum allowable loaded weight, said bill of lading containing and indicating said actual gross weight, the name of said truck driver, the type of product loaded into said truck, the specific gravity of said product, and said maximum allowable loaded weight. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An automatic truck measuring process, comprising the steps of:
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(a) optically sensing the wheelbase length of a truck between its front and rear axles with photoelectric cells; (b) automatically determining the maximum allowable loaded weight of said truck under state law and regulations with a central processing unit based upon said optically sensed wheelbase length of said truck; (c) weighing said truck; (d) electronically comparing the weight of said truck in step (c) with said maximum allowable loaded weight of said truck in step (b); and (e) printing a bill of lading if said weight of said truck is less than said maximum allowable weight. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification