Patent US4501160A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4501160A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Force transducer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-03-31
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Granted: 1985-02-26
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Expires: 2003-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A transducer adapted for load cell applications comprises a base having a load receiving member connected thereto by at least one and preferably two flexure springs to permit the member to flex relative to the base. A sensing beam, having one or more strain gauges secured thereon, is mounted in cantilevered relationship on the base and has a free end positioned adjacent to the member for engagement therewith to sense the load imposed on the member to produce a variable electrical output signal in response to the magnitude of the load. An adjustment is preferably provided to selectively adjust a point whereat a sensing tip mounted on the member engages the sensing beam whereby the output signal can be selectively adjusted to vary the weight capacity of the transducer.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael K. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L1/00; G01L1/20; G01L1/22; G01L1/2206; G01L1/2243; G01G; G01G3/00; G01G3/12; G01G3/14; G01G3/1402; G01G3/1412
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A transducer comprising a base, a load receiving member adapted to have a load imposed thereon, a sensing tip on said member, flexure means for mounting said member in substantial isolated and floating relationship on said base to permit independent flexing movements of said member relative to said base, said flexure means comprising a pair of leaf springs connected between said base and said member to form a parallelogram arrangement therewith and wherein said base has a reduced body portion and said member has a pair of extension overlying said body portion, each of said leaf springs being releasably interconnected between said base and a respective one of said extensions, sensing means, including a flat cantilever spring having a first end mounted in cantilevered relationship on said base and having a free second end positioned adjacent to said member for directly engaging said sensing tip in point contact to sense the load imposed on said member, for producing a variable electrical output signal in response to the magnitude of said load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A transducer comprising a base, a load receiving member adapted to have a load imposed thereon, a sensing tip on said member, flexure means for mounting said member in substantial isolated and floating relationship on said base to permit independent flexing movements of said member relative to said base, said flexure means comprising a pair of leaf springs connected between said base and said member to form a parallelogram arrangement therewith and wherein said base has a reduced body portion and said member has a pair of extension overlying said body portion, each of said leaf springs being releasably interconnected between said base and a respective one of said extensions, sensing means, including a flat cantilever spring having a first end mounted in cantilevered relationship on said base and having a free second end positioned adjacent to said member for directly engaging said sensing tip in point contact to sense the load imposed on said member, for producing a variable electrical output signal in response to the magnitude of said load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The transducer of claim 1 further comprising output adjustment means for selectively adjusting the point whereat said sensing tip engages said cantilever spring to selectively adjust said output signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The transducer of claim 2 wherein said output adjustment means comprises means adjustably mounted on said member for selectively adjusting the position of said sensing tip relative to a longitudinal axis of said cantilever spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The transducer of claim 3 wherein said output adjustment means further comprises a set screw threadably mounted in said member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The transducer of claim 4 wherein said set screw has said sensing tip mounted on an end thereof and is threadably mounted on said member for adjustment in the direction of said longitudinal axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The transducer of claim 4 wherein said output adjustment means further comprises a plurality of threaded apertures formed in said member and wherein said set screw is threadably mounted in one of said apertures.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The transducer of claim 2 further comprising dead load adjustment means for selectively adjusting said sensing tip axially and perpendicular relative to said cantilever spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The transducer of claim 7 wherein said output adjustment means comprises a set screw and said dead load adjustment means comprises said set screw threadably mounted in said member for axial adjustment thereon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The transducer of claim 1 further comprising overload adjustment means mounted on each of said extensions for delimiting movements of said member relative to said base.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The transducer of claim 1 wherein said sensing means further comprises strain gauge means secured on said cantilever spring for producing said variable electrical output signal in response to the magnitude of said load.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The transducer of claim 10 further comprising notch means formed in said cantilever spring adjacent to the first end thereof for inducing bending of said cantilever spring thereat, said strain gauge means secured on said cantilever spring adjacent to said notch means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transducer of claim 1 wherein said cantilever spring is mounted on an upper side of said base.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transducer of claim 12 wherein said cantilever spring is mounted on a lower side of said base.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The transducer of claim 1 wherein the base of said transducer is secured in upstanding relationship on a stationary base and a weighing platter secured on said member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
146 words
A transducer comprising a base, an independent load receiving member, a sensing tip on said member, at least one thin spring connected between said base and said member to permit independent flexing movement of said member relative to said base, a sensing beam having a first end attached in cantilevered relationship on said base and a free second end thereof positioned adjacent to said sensing tip to be deflected thereby in response to the imposition of a load on said member, at least one strain gauge secured on said beam for producing a variable electrical signal in response to the magnitude of said load, and output adjustment means for selectively adjusting a point whereat said sensing tip engages said sensing beam along its longitudinal axis whereby said output singal can be selectively adjusted, said output adjustment means comprising a set screw threadably mounted on said member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
146 words
A transducer comprising a base, an independent load receiving member, a sensing tip on said member, at least one thin spring connected between said base and said member to permit independent flexing movement of said member relative to said base, a sensing beam having a first end attached in cantilevered relationship on said base and a free second end thereof positioned adjacent to said sensing tip to be deflected thereby in response to the imposition of a load on said member, at least one strain gauge secured on said beam for producing a variable electrical signal in response to the magnitude of said load, and output adjustment means for selectively adjusting a point whereat said sensing tip engages said sensing beam along its longitudinal axis whereby said output singal can be selectively adjusted, said output adjustment means comprising a set screw threadably mounted on said member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The transducer of claim 15 wherein a pair of upper and lower leaf springs are connected between said base and said member to form a parallelogram arrangement therewith and wherein said sensing beam is positioned on an outer side of one of said springs.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The transducer of claim 16 wherein said sensing beam is attached to an upper side of said base and is positioned on an outer side of said upper leaf spring.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The transducer of claim 16 wherein said sensing beam is attached to lower side of said base and is positioned on an outer side of said lower leaf spring.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
The transducer of claim 16 wherein said base has a reduced body portion and said member has a pair of extensions overlying said body portion, each of said leaf springs being releasably interconnected between said base and a respective one of said extensions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The transducer of claim 19 further comprising overload adjustment means mounted on each of said extensions for delimiting movements of said member relative to said base.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
The transducer of claim 15 wherein said sensing beam comprises a thin cantilever spring and further comprising notch means formed in said cantilever spring adjacent to the point whereat said cantilever spring is connected to said base for inducing bending of said cantilever spring thereat, said strain gauge secured on said cantilever spring adjacent to said notch means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The transducer of claim 15 wherein said set screw has said sensing tip mounted thereon and is threadably mounted on said member for adjusting said sensing tip longitudinally relative to the longitudinal axis of said cantilever spring.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
The transducer of claim 15 wherein said output adjustment means further comprises a plurality of threaded apertures formed in said member and wherein said set screw is threadably mounted in one of said apertures, said sensing tip formed on an end of said set screw.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The transducer of claim 15 further comprising dead load adjustment means for selectively adjusting said sensing tip axially and perpendicular relative to said sensing beam.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The transducer of claim 24 wherein said output adjustment means comprises a set screw and said dead load adjustment means comprises said set screw threadably mounted in said member for axial adjustment thereon.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
113 words
A transducer comprising a base, a load receiving member positioned adjacent to a lateral end of said base and adapted to have a load imposed thereon, a pair of spaced and parallel flexure spring means connected between said base and said member for permitting independent flexing movements of said member relative to said base, sensing beam means mounted in said transducer exteriorly of and adjacent to one of said flexure spring means for deflection in response to the imposition of a load on said load receiving member, and at least one strain gauge secured on said sensing beam means for producing a variable output signal in response to the magnitude of said load.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
113 words
A transducer comprising a base, a load receiving member positioned adjacent to a lateral end of said base and adapted to have a load imposed thereon, a pair of spaced and parallel flexure spring means connected between said base and said member for permitting independent flexing movements of said member relative to said base, sensing beam means mounted in said transducer exteriorly of and adjacent to one of said flexure spring means for deflection in response to the imposition of a load on said load receiving member, and at least one strain gauge secured on said sensing beam means for producing a variable output signal in response to the magnitude of said load.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transducer of claim 26 wherein said sensing beam means comprises a flat spring connected to said base.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-02-26 | 1988-08-27 | 1989-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-02-26 | 1992-08-27 | 1993-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-02-26 | 1996-08-27 | 1997-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |