US3718792A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Overload indicator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-12
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Granted: 1973-02-27
•
Expires: 1992-05-12
Abstract
Abstract An overload indicator for a cargo handling vehicle, such as a truck, trailer, or the like, having a chassis mounting a cargo receiver and supported on wheel axles by springs which yield under the cargo weight with resultant lowering of the chassis toward the axles. The indicator has two separate parts to be attached to one axle and the chassis, respectively, in such a way that the chassis part lowers into contact with the axle part to actuate an overload signal upon loading of the vehicle to a predetermined cargo weight. The indicator is adjustable to vary the cargo weight at which the overload signal is actuated and is designated to avoid damage to the indicator in the event of deflection of the vehicle springs beyond the point at which the chassis part initially engages the axle part due to continued loading of the vehicle or bouncing of the vehicle chassis and axle in travel.
Inventors
- 👤 J Stagner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:26
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
An overload indicator for a vehicle having a chassis mountIng a cargo receiver, an axle, and springs supporting said chassis on said axle, whereby loading of said receiver with cargo lowers said chassis toward said axle, said indicator comprising: first and second indicator parts including mounting means for attaching said parts to the vehicle chassis and cargo receiver, respectively, in positions such that said first part lowers with said chassis toward said second part when said cargo receiver is loaded, all of said parts including further an overload signal control switch, and the other part including further a resiliently yieldable arm having one end attached to the mounting means of the latter part and its other end adapted for contact with said switch to actuate said switch upon relative movement of said parts toward one another under the weight of cargo in said cargo receiver, said arm being yieldably biased in the direction of said switch, whereby said arm may yield in the opposite direction upon continued relative movement of said parts toward one another following initial contact of said arm with said switch, and stop means limiting movement of said arm toward said switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
An overload indicator for a vehicle having a chassis mountIng a cargo receiver, an axle, and springs supporting said chassis on said axle, whereby loading of said receiver with cargo lowers said chassis toward said axle, said indicator comprising: first and second indicator parts including mounting means for attaching said parts to the vehicle chassis and cargo receiver, respectively, in positions such that said first part lowers with said chassis toward said second part when said cargo receiver is loaded, all of said parts including further an overload signal control switch, and the other part including further a resiliently yieldable arm having one end attached to the mounting means of the latter part and its other end adapted for contact with said switch to actuate said switch upon relative movement of said parts toward one another under the weight of cargo in said cargo receiver, said arm being yieldably biased in the direction of said switch, whereby said arm may yield in the opposite direction upon continued relative movement of said parts toward one another following initial contact of said arm with said switch, and stop means limiting movement of said arm toward said switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An overload indicator according to claim 1 wherein: said stop means is adjustable to adjust the limiting position to which said arm is biased in said direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
An overload indicator according to claim 2 wherein: said stop means comprises a second arm rigid on the mounting means of said other part and extending longitudinally of said yieldable arm, and an adjustable stop member carried by said second arm and engagable by said yieldable arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
An overload indicator according to claim 1 wherein: said yieldable arm comprises a rigid arm member, a hinge attaching said arm member at its one end to the mounting means of said other part for swinging of the other end of said arm member toward and away from said switch, and a spring urging said arm member toward said switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An overload indicator according to claim 4 wherein: said stop means is adjustable to adjust the limiting position to which said arm member is biased in said direction by said spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
An overload indicator according to claim 5 wherein: said stop means comprises a second arm rigid on the mounting means of said other part and extending longitudinally of said arm member, and an adjustable stop member carried by said second arm and engagable by said arm member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
189 words
In combination: a vehicle having a chassis mounting a cargo receiver, an axle, and springs supporting said chassis on said axle, whereby loading of said receiver with cargo lowers said chassis toward said axle, first and second indicator parts including mounting means attaching said parts to the vehicle chassis and cargo receiver, respectively, in positions such that said first part lowers with said chassis toward said second part when said cargo receiver is loaded, one of said parts including further an overload signal control switch, and the other part including further a resiliently yieldable arm having one end attached to the mounting means of the latter part and its other end adapted for contact with said switch to actuate said switch upon relative movement of said parts toward one another under the weight of cargo in said cargo receiver, said arm being yieldably biased in the direction of said switch, whereby said arm may yield in the opposite direction upon continued relative movement of said parts toward one another following initial contact of said arm with said switch, and stop means limiting movement of said arm toward said switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
189 words
In combination: a vehicle having a chassis mounting a cargo receiver, an axle, and springs supporting said chassis on said axle, whereby loading of said receiver with cargo lowers said chassis toward said axle, first and second indicator parts including mounting means attaching said parts to the vehicle chassis and cargo receiver, respectively, in positions such that said first part lowers with said chassis toward said second part when said cargo receiver is loaded, one of said parts including further an overload signal control switch, and the other part including further a resiliently yieldable arm having one end attached to the mounting means of the latter part and its other end adapted for contact with said switch to actuate said switch upon relative movement of said parts toward one another under the weight of cargo in said cargo receiver, said arm being yieldably biased in the direction of said switch, whereby said arm may yield in the opposite direction upon continued relative movement of said parts toward one another following initial contact of said arm with said switch, and stop means limiting movement of said arm toward said switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination according to claim 7 wherein: said stop means is adjustable to adjust the limiting position to which said arm is biased in said direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination according to claim 8 wherein: said stop means comprises a second arm rigid on the mounting means of said other part and extending longitudinally of said yieldable arm, and an adjustable stop member carried by said secOnd arm and engagable said yieldable arm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
The combination according to claim 7 wherein: said yieldable arm comprises a rigid arm member, a hinge attaching said arm member at its one end to the mounting means of said other part for swinging of the other end of said arm member toward and away from said switch, and a spring urging said arm member toward said switch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination according to claim 10 wherein: said stop means is adjustable to adjust the limiting position to which said arm member is biased in said direction by said spring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination according to claim 11 wherein: said stop means comprises a second arm rigid on the mounting means of said other part and extending longitudinally of said arm member, and an adjustable stop member carried by said second arm and engagable by said arm member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
93 words
The combination according to claim 12 wherein: said vehicle chassis includes longitudinal frame members extending over the ends of said axle, said first indicator part is mounted over and attached to the center of said axle, the mounting means of said second indicator part comprises a bracket attached to one frame member over said axle, and said arm member and second arm of said second indicator part extending from said bracket generally parallel to and toward the center of said axle with said other end of said arm member located over said switch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2769967A
Cited
US3531776A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-27 | 1976-08-28 | 1977-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-27 | 1980-08-28 | 1981-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-27 | 1984-08-28 | 1985-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |