Tractor load weighing device
First Claim
1. A device for monitoring a load in a container being towed or carried by a tractor or other vehicle, the device comprisingat least one strain gauge to provide a signal indicative of the load at a position remote from the device and a level indicator adapted to give a signal indicative of the angular orientation of the device relative to the horizontal, wherein said at least one strain gauge and said level indicator are incorporated together in a tension link securable as a single unit to the container as part of a support mechanism for the container, such that the tension in said single unit link is dependent on the weight of the load in the container, the signal provided by said strain gauge being indicative of the tension in said single-unit tension link and said level indicator being mounted in said single-unit tension link so as to be rotatable relative thereto about a horizontal axis, to set an orientation for calibration of the device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for monitoring a load in a container (16) being towed or carried by a tractor or other vehicle. The device comprises a top link (30) connecting a part (28) of the container to a tool frame (26) or the like of a tractor or other towing vehicle. The tension in the link is dependent on the weight of the load in the container, and a load cell (36) comprising an array of strain gauges is provided to measure the tension in the link and provide an indication of the tension at a position remote from the link, for example in a tractor cab.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A device for monitoring a load in a container being towed or carried by a tractor or other vehicle, the device comprising
at least one strain gauge to provide a signal indicative of the load at a position remote from the device and a level indicator adapted to give a signal indicative of the angular orientation of the device relative to the horizontal, wherein said at least one strain gauge and said level indicator are incorporated together in a tension link securable as a single unit to the container as part of a support mechanism for the container, such that the tension in said single unit link is dependent on the weight of the load in the container, the signal provided by said strain gauge being indicative of the tension in said single-unit tension link and said level indicator being mounted in said single-unit tension link so as to be rotatable relative thereto about a horizontal axis, to set an orientation for calibration of the device.
Specification