US3857093A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle load measuring using a shock absorber and variable resistor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-08-17
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1993-08-17
Abstract
Abstract The present invention comprises a method and means for measuring the load applied to a given axle of a vehicle, the vehicle having a frame and spring means yieldably supporting the frame with respect to the axle. The device comprises an elongated upper member attached to the frame and an elongated lower member attached to the axle. The upper and lower members are telescopically mounted with respect to one another for telescopic movement therebetween. A variable resistor is mounted to the upper and lower members for sensing the relative movement therebetween, and a gauge is associated with the resistor for visibly registering a plurality of readings corresponding to the various positions of the upper and lower members with respect to one another. The method of the present invention comprises attaching the opposite ends of a shock absorber to the frame and axle respectively, and measuring the amount of telescopic displacement of the shock absorber in response to various loads on the frame.
Inventors
- 👤 D Green
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/08; G01G19/12; B; B60; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/02; B60G17/04; B60G17/0408; G01G23/00; G01G23/18; G01G23/36; B60G2202/00; B60G2202/20; B60G2204/00; B60G2204/10; B60G2204/11; B60G2204/112; B60G2400/00; B60G2400/60; B60G2600/00; B60G2600/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A device for measuring the load applied to a given axle of a vehicle, said vehicle having a frame and spring means yieldably supporting said frame with respect to said axle, said device comprising in combination, a shock absorber having an elongated upper member having means for attachment thereof to said frame, an elongated lower member having means thereon for attachment of said lower member to said axle, means for movably connecting said upper and lower members whereby movement of said frame with respect to said axle causes said upper and lower members to move, a variable resistor adjustably attached to said lower member, said resistor having a vertically movable sensor thereon for varying the resistance of said resistor, said sensor being responsive to relative movement of said upper member of said shock absorber with respect to said lower member of said shock absorber, and a gauge associated with said resistor for registering the variance in resistance as said sensor moves responsive to movement of said upper and lower shock absorber members.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
A device for measuring the load applied to a given axle of a vehicle, said vehicle having a frame and spring means yieldably supporting said frame with respect to said axle, said device comprising in combination, a shock absorber having an elongated upper member having means for attachment thereof to said frame, an elongated lower member having means thereon for attachment of said lower member to said axle, means for movably connecting said upper and lower members whereby movement of said frame with respect to said axle causes said upper and lower members to move, a variable resistor adjustably attached to said lower member, said resistor having a vertically movable sensor thereon for varying the resistance of said resistor, said sensor being responsive to relative movement of said upper member of said shock absorber with respect to said lower member of said shock absorber, and a gauge associated with said resistor for registering the variance in resistance as said sensor moves responsive to movement of said upper and lower shock absorber members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said variable resistor is adjustably and rigidly attached to said lower member of said shock absorber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said sensor engages said upper member of said shock absorber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said gauge is a meter electrically connected to said variable resistor for registering the variance in resistance of said resistor as said sensor moves responsive to relative movement of said upper member of said shock absorber with respect to said lower member of said shock absorber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said meter includes graphing means thereon for graphing the resistance changes of said resistor over a period of time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein a protective casing surrounds said variable resistor and is attached to said shock absorber.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for measuring the load applied to a given axle of a vehicle, said method comprising, attaching the opposite telescopically collapsible ends of a shock absorber to the frame and axle respectfully of said vehicle; placing two moving parts of a variable resistor in movable engagement with said opposite telescopically collapsible ends of said shock absorber, each of said movable parts being responsive to movement of one of said telescopic ends of said shock absorber, sensing the amount of telescopic displacement of said shock absorber in response to various loads on said frame by measuring the changes in resistance of said resistor, and placing meter means in an electrical circuit with said resistor, said meter means reflecting changes in resistance as said variable resistor is moved, said meter means being calibrated to provide weight indications for the load applied to said Axle.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for measuring the load applied to a given axle of a vehicle, said method comprising, attaching the opposite telescopically collapsible ends of a shock absorber to the frame and axle respectfully of said vehicle; placing two moving parts of a variable resistor in movable engagement with said opposite telescopically collapsible ends of said shock absorber, each of said movable parts being responsive to movement of one of said telescopic ends of said shock absorber, sensing the amount of telescopic displacement of said shock absorber in response to various loads on said frame by measuring the changes in resistance of said resistor, and placing meter means in an electrical circuit with said resistor, said meter means reflecting changes in resistance as said variable resistor is moved, said meter means being calibrated to provide weight indications for the load applied to said Axle.
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) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |