US3743041A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transducer beam assembly
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-09-22
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Granted: 1973-07-03
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Expires: 1992-09-22
Abstract
Abstract For use on a vehicle which includes an axle and a spring, a load-measuring transducer assembly comprising first and second support members secured to the spring and the axle of a vehicle, respectively, in vertically spaced apart relationship, and an elongated beam having opposite ends disposed horizontally therebetween. A first fulcrum means is provided for pivotably, compressibly supporting the beam at the ends thereof in spaced apart relationship to the first member. A second fulcrum means for applying a flexing force to the beam in proportion to the load on the axle pivotably and compressibly supports the beam inwardly of the ends thereof in spaced apart relationship to the second support member. First and second coupling means pivotably couple the ends of the beam to the first member and the beam to the second member adjacent the second fulcrum means, respectively. A strain measuring means for measuring the flexing strain of the beam is mounted thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 J Videon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/08; G01G19/12; B; B60; B60G; B60G2200/00; B60G2200/30; B60G2200/31; B60G2204/00; B60G2204/40; B60G2204/43; B60G2204/4306
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
For use on a vehicle which includes an axle and a spring, a load-measuring transducer assembly comprising first and second support members secured to the spring and the axle, respectively, of such a vehicle in vertically spaced apart relationship, an elongated beam having opposite ends, first fulcrum means for pivotably and compressibly supporting said beam at said ends thereof in spaced apart relationship adjacent opposite ends of said first member, second fulcrum means pivotably and compressibly supporting said beam inwardly of said ends and in spaced apart relationship adjacent opposite end of said second support member for applying a bending force to said beam in proportion to the load on said axle, first coupling means for coupling said beam ends to said first member for pivotal movement about a first axis extending laterally of said beam through said first fulcrum means, second coupling means for coupling said beam to said second member for pivotal movement about an axis extending laterally of said beam through said second fulcrum means, and means coupled to said beam for measuring the strain thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
For use on a vehicle which includes an axle and a spring, a load-measuring transducer assembly comprising first and second support members secured to the spring and the axle, respectively, of such a vehicle in vertically spaced apart relationship, an elongated beam having opposite ends, first fulcrum means for pivotably and compressibly supporting said beam at said ends thereof in spaced apart relationship adjacent opposite ends of said first member, second fulcrum means pivotably and compressibly supporting said beam inwardly of said ends and in spaced apart relationship adjacent opposite end of said second support member for applying a bending force to said beam in proportion to the load on said axle, first coupling means for coupling said beam ends to said first member for pivotal movement about a first axis extending laterally of said beam through said first fulcrum means, second coupling means for coupling said beam to said second member for pivotal movement about an axis extending laterally of said beam through said second fulcrum means, and means coupled to said beam for measuring the strain thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
144 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first fulcrum means includes a first pair of elongated pins of part-cylindrical cross-section and a recess extending laterally of said beam adjacent each of said ends, each of said first pair of pins being partially received in and slidably engaging a respective one of said recesses, said second fulcrum means including a second pair of elongated pins of part-cylindrical cross-section and a second pair of recesses in said beam, said second recesses extending parallel to said first recesses and being disposed inwardly thereof by a predetermined dimension, each of said second pair of pins being partially received in and slidably engaging a respective one of said second pair of recesses, the surfaces of said first and second fulcrum pins opposite said recesses abuttingly engaging the lower and upper surfaces, respectively, of said first and second support members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein said pins each have a flat surface disposed diametrically opposite said recesses, said first and second support members including recesses therein disposed in vertical alignment with said first and second recesses, respectively, and complementary to that portion of the surface of said pins including said flat surface, said first and second pins being partially received in respective ones of said recesses with the flat surfaces thereof in abutting engagement with said first and second support members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
125 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first coupling means includes a pair of sockets in said beam disposed in alignment with each of said first axes, a plurality of first coupling members each including a socket-engaging portion, each said portion being pivotally received in a respective one of said sockets, each said first coupling member being fixedly secured to said first support member, said second coupling mEans including a pair of sockets in said beam disposed in alignment with each of said second axes, a plurality of second coupling members each including a socket-engaging portion, each of said last mentioned portions pivotally engaging a respective one of said last mentioned sockets, each said second coupling member being fixedly secured to said second support member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
173 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein said first sockets are hemispherical recesses in the surface of said beam distal said first member, there being a hole communicating between each of said hemispherical recesses and the surface of said beam proximal to said first member, each said coupling member being elongated and including a shaft portion and a head portion, said head portion having a hemispherical surface proximal to said shaft portion and complementary to said hemispherical recess, said second sockets each including a hemispherical recess in the surface of said beam distal said second member, there being other holes communicating between each of said second hemispherical recesses and the surface of said beam proximal said second member, said second coupling members being elongated and including a shaft portion and a head portion, said head portion having a hemispherical surface proximal to said shaft portion and complementary to said second hemispherical recess, said shaft portions extending through said last mentioned holes and being fixedly secured at the distal ends thereof to said second member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein all of said holes and said shaft portions are cylindrical, said holes having a diameter greater than the diameter of said shaft portions, whereby, when said beam pivots about said sockets, said shaft portions move freely within said holes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
The assembly of claim 6 wherein said first support member includes a rigid base plate and a pair of side walls fixedly secured thereto and extending vertically upwardly therefrom in parallel, spaced-apart relationship, the lateral spacing of said walls being dimensioned to engageably receive said spring therebetween, and means for clamping said first spring to said support member, said base plate and said beam extending generally horizontally in parallel, spaced-apart relationship.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The assembly of claim 7 wherein said second support member includes an upper and a lower member, said first and second members each having an arcuate recess formed therein adjacent the centers thereof, said axle being engageably received between said first and second members within said arcuate recesses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
141 words
The assembly of claim 8 wherein said first and second coupling members are elongated, the ends thereof distal said hemispherical portions being threaded, said first coupling members extending vertically upwardly through said first mentioned cylindrical holes, said first support member including a threaded hole adjacent each corner thereof in vertical registry with said first mentioned cylindrical holes, said threaded ends of said first coupling members being threadingly engaged therewith, said second coupling members being received vertically downwardly through said other holes, said first and second members having a cylindrical hole adjacent each corner thereof in vertical registry with said other cylindrical holes, said second coupling members being slidably received therethrough, the distal ends of said second coupling members being threaded, a nut threadingly received on the end of each of said other cylindrical members, whereby, said axle is clampingly engaged therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assembly of claim 9 wherein there are two of said first coupling elements and two of said second coupling elements adjacent each end of said beam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The assembly of claim 10 wherein said transducer means includes resistance strain gauges mounted on said beam and further comprising means coupled to said strain gauges for generating an electrical signal proportional to the change in resistance of said strain gauges.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |