Material handling device and weighing apparatus usable therewith
First Claim
1. A weighing apparatus structured for use with a material handling device of a type that includes a lift mechanism and that further includes a protuberant platform which is structured to receive a load thereupon, the weighing apparatus comprising:
- a first support structured to be situated on the lift mechanism;
a second support upon which the platform is structured to be situated;
a load cell apparatus connected between the first support and the second support and comprising a load cell;
a pair of connection apparatuses disposed between the first and second supports;
each connection apparatus of the pair of connection apparatuses comprising an inboard support, an outboard support, and a number of engagement structures situated generally between the inboard support and the outboard support and being movable with respect to at least one of the inboard support and the outboard support and thereby enabling at least one of the inboard support and the outboard support to move in a movement direction with respect to the other of the inboard support and the outboard support, at least a portion of the inboard support being situated generally between at least a portion of the outboard support and the other connection apparatus of the pair of connection apparatuses;
the inboard supports being together mounted to one of the first support and the second support;
the outboard supports being together mounted to the other of the first support and the second support; and
the pair of connection apparatuses permitting translational movement of the second support in the movement direction with respect to the first support that is sufficient to permit the first and second supports to engage the load cell and to thereby cause the load cell to output a signal that is representative of the load, the pair of connection apparatuses being further structured to resist movement of the second support with respect to the first support in any direction other than translational movement in the movement direction.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A weighing apparatus is usable in conjunction with a device such as a forklift and includes a front plate upon which a set of forks are placed, a rear plate that is mounted to a lift mechanism of the forklift, a pair of connection apparatuses that are situated between the front and rear plates, and a load cell apparatus that extends between the front and rear plates. Each connection apparatus includes an inboard rail and an outboard rail between which a number of rollable engagement structures are generally situated. The front plate is movable along a movement direction while being resisted from moving in any direction other than the movement direction. The connection apparatuses are configured to avoid binding between the inboard and outboard rails and enable the load cell apparatus to accurately provide an output that is representative of the weight of a load situated on the forks.
16 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A weighing apparatus structured for use with a material handling device of a type that includes a lift mechanism and that further includes a protuberant platform which is structured to receive a load thereupon, the weighing apparatus comprising:
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a first support structured to be situated on the lift mechanism; a second support upon which the platform is structured to be situated; a load cell apparatus connected between the first support and the second support and comprising a load cell; a pair of connection apparatuses disposed between the first and second supports; each connection apparatus of the pair of connection apparatuses comprising an inboard support, an outboard support, and a number of engagement structures situated generally between the inboard support and the outboard support and being movable with respect to at least one of the inboard support and the outboard support and thereby enabling at least one of the inboard support and the outboard support to move in a movement direction with respect to the other of the inboard support and the outboard support, at least a portion of the inboard support being situated generally between at least a portion of the outboard support and the other connection apparatus of the pair of connection apparatuses; the inboard supports being together mounted to one of the first support and the second support; the outboard supports being together mounted to the other of the first support and the second support; and the pair of connection apparatuses permitting translational movement of the second support in the movement direction with respect to the first support that is sufficient to permit the first and second supports to engage the load cell and to thereby cause the load cell to output a signal that is representative of the load, the pair of connection apparatuses being further structured to resist movement of the second support with respect to the first support in any direction other than translational movement in the movement direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification