Conveyor weighing scale

Claim 2

A weigh assembly for a conveyor which comprises a weigh device comprising at least two substantially parallel diaphragms secured in overlying and vertically spaced relationship by rigid tubular support means, the diaphragms being substantially rigid in the planes of their extent and having a degree of flexibility in the direction normal to such planes; rigid coupling means located within the confines of said tubular support means, said coupling means extending axially between and being secured to the diaphragms at positions remote from the support means and substantially centrally thereof; a substantially horizontal platform rigidly secured relative tO one of said means and in substantially vertical alignment with that said means, said platform being intended to receive an article to be weighed, said article being locatable in any position over the surface of said platform; a measuring device responsive to relative vertical displacement of, or relative vertical loading on, the one said means relative to the other said means as a result of an article being supported on the platform from which displacement or loading the weight of the article may be determined; and wherein said diaphragms each have an array of radially extending reinforcing means thereon which are circumferentially spaced relative to the axis of the coupling means and provide localized stiffness in the diaphragms radially relative to said axis, each said reinforcing means having an elongated configuration and being located on its respective diaphragm with the larger dimension lying radially relative to said axis over the portion of the diaphragm between said support means and said connecting means, said device being carried by a lift frame which is intended to be mounted with the platform underlying the conveyor, and wherein lift means is provided to raise and lower the lift frame so that the platform of the weigh device when raised can receive thereon articles from the conveyor for weighing purposes.

Claim 3

A conveyor system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the conveyor is of the open centre kind and, as the weigh device is raised, the platform is intended to pass upwardly for weighing purposes through the open centre of the conveyor.

Claim 4

A conveyor system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the conveyor is of the closed centre kind and the platform is shaped to straddle the conveyor whereby, as the weigh device is raised, the platform moves upwardly on both sides of the conveyor to lift from the conveyor an article which overlaps the width of the conveyor.

Claim 5

A conveyor system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lift frame is raised and lowered by pivotal movement thereof and the pivotal connection of said frame is resiliently mounted.

Claim 6

A conveyor system comprising an endless conveyor and a weigh device comprising at least two substantially parallel diaphragms secured in overlying and vertically spaced relationship by rigid tubular support means, the diaphragms being substantially rigid in the planes of their extent and having a degree of flexibility in a direction normal to such planes; rigid coupling means located within the confines of said tubular support means, said coupling means extending axially between and being secured to the diaphragms at positions remote from the support means and substantially centrally thereof; a substantially horizontal platform rigidly secured relative to one of said means in substantially vertical alignment with that said means, said platform being intended to receive an article to be weighed, said article being locatable in any position over the surface of said platform; a measuring device responsive to relative vertical displacement of, or relative vertical loading on, the one said means relative to the other said means as a result of an article being supported on the platform from which displacement or loading the weight of the article may be determined; and wherein said diaphragms each have an array of radially extending reinforcing means thereon which are circumferentially spaced relative to the axis of the coupling means and provide localized stiffness in the diaphragms radially relative to said axis, each said reinforcing means having an elongated configuration and being located on its respective diaphragm with the larger dimension lying radially relative to said axis over the portion of the diaphragm between said support means and said connecting means, said weigh device being carried by a lift frame so that the platform, in a non-weighing condition, underlies the conveyor, and lift means for raising and lowering the lift frame so that, as the lift frame is raised, the weigh device will move to lift an arTicle from the conveyor to transfer the weight of that article on to the platform for weighing purposes.

Claim 7

A conveyor system comprising an endless conveyor and a weigh device comprising at least two substantially parallel diaphragms secured in overlying and vertically spaced relationship by rigid tubular support means, the diaphragms being substantially rigid in the planes of their extent and having a degree of flexibility in a direction normal to such planes; rigid coupling means located within the confines of said tubular support means, said coupling means extending axially between and being secured to the diaphragms at positions remote from the support means and substantially centrally thereof; a substantially horizontal platform rigidly secured relative to one of said means in substantially vertical alignment with that said means, said platform being intended to receive an article to be weighed, said article being locatable in any position over the surface of said platform; a measuring device responsive to relative vertical displacement of, or relative vertical loading on, the one said means relative to the other said means as a result of an article being supported on the platform from which displacement or loading the weight of the article may be determined; and wherein said diaphragms each have an array of radially extending reinforcing means thereon which are circumferentially spaced relative to the axis of the coupling means and provide localized stiffness in the diaphragms radially relative to said axis, each said reinforcing means having an elongated configuration and being located on its respective diaphragm with the larger dimension lying radially relative to said axis over the portion of the diaphragm between said support means and said connecting means, said weigh device being carried by a lift frame so that the platform, in a non-weighing condition, underlies the conveyor, and lift means for raising and lowering the lift frame so that, as the lift frame is raised, the weigh device will move to lift an arTicle from the conveyor to transfer the weight of that article on to the platform for weighing purposes.