Weighing apparatus for weighing the contents of a refuse container and method
First Claim
1. A weighing apparatus for determining a weight of a load while the load is in motion, comprising:
- (a) a stationary support;
(b) a lifter having pivot means for pivotally lifting and lowering the load through a range of simultaneous horizontal and vertical motion during the lifting and lowering motions;
(c) weight sensing means cooperating with said stationary support and said lifter for sensing only a vertical component of the weight applied to said stationary support independent of a position of a center of mass of the load as the load is lifted in continuous, non-interrupted motion;
(d) computing means operatively connected to said weight sensing means for receiving and processing weight information sensed by said weight sensing means and outputting data representative of the weight of the load.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A weighing apparatus for determining the weight of a load while the load is in vertical motion, comprising a stationary support, a lifter for lifting and lowering the load thorough a range of vertical motion, and at least three elongate weigh beams secured to the stationary support and the lifter by respective opposite ends thereof and rigidly spacing the lifter horizontally from the stationary support. The weigh beams sense the weight of the load continuously while the load is in motion. A computer is operatively connected to the weigh beams for receiving and processing weight information sensed by the weigh beams and outputting data representative of the weight of the load. A first weight is sensed representing the container and refuse contained in the container. A second weight is sensing after the container has been emptied and subtracted from the first weight to derive a net weight representing the weight of the emptied refuse. The lifter includes a reader for reading data from an identity tag carried by refuse containers to be emptied.
108 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A weighing apparatus for determining a weight of a load while the load is in motion, comprising:
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(a) a stationary support; (b) a lifter having pivot means for pivotally lifting and lowering the load through a range of simultaneous horizontal and vertical motion during the lifting and lowering motions; (c) weight sensing means cooperating with said stationary support and said lifter for sensing only a vertical component of the weight applied to said stationary support independent of a position of a center of mass of the load as the load is lifted in continuous, non-interrupted motion; (d) computing means operatively connected to said weight sensing means for receiving and processing weight information sensed by said weight sensing means and outputting data representative of the weight of the load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for determining a weight of a load while the load is in vertical motion, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing weight sensing means cooperating with a stationary support and a lifter and for sensing only a vertical component of the weight of the load continuously while the load is in uninterrupted motion; (b) pivotally lifting and lowering the load thorough a range of simultaneous horizontal and vertical motion; (c) sensing the weight of the load independent of a position of a center of mass of the load; and (d) receiving and processing weight information sensed by said weight sensing means and outputting data representative of the weight of the load. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification