US4778018A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method of determining the mass of an article by measuring the shift in the period of harmonic motion
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
•
Filing: 1987-07-13
•
Granted: 1988-10-18
•
Expires: 2007-07-13
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method of determining the mass of an article by the shift of the period of oscillation of a flexibly mounted platform. An article whose mass is to be determined is placed upon the platform. The platform is caused to oscillate and the period of harmonic motion is calibrated. This period is compared against the period of harmonic motion when there is no article upon the platform, and the difference, or shift, in frequency, allows a determination of the mass of the article.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Cordery
- 👤 William G. Hart
- 👤 David W. Hubbard
- 👤 Morton Silverberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/002; G01G19/005; G01G3/00; G01G3/12; G01G3/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A scale comprising: a horizontally extending article supporting means, means for securely holding an article on said article supporting means to provide unity of movement, means for initiating oscillation of said article supporting means, means for measuring the frequency of oscillation of said article supporting means, and means for correlating the mass of an article on said article supporting means with the measured frequency of oscillation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A scale comprising: a horizontally extending article supporting means, means for securely holding an article on said article supporting means to provide unity of movement, means for initiating oscillation of said article supporting means, means for measuring the frequency of oscillation of said article supporting means, and means for correlating the mass of an article on said article supporting means with the measured frequency of oscillation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The scale of claim 1 wherein said means for causing oscillation includes an electromagnet secured to a frame and an armature secured to said article supporting means, said armature being in close proximity to said electromagnet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The scale of claim 2 including means for conveying an article across said article supporting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The scale of claim 3 including means for sensing the presence of an article on the said article supporting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The scale of claim 4 including means for controlling the activities of said conveying means in response to said measuring means and said sensing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
A mass measuring device comprising: a base, a horizontally extending article receiving platform, at least one flexible member providing connection between said base and said article receiving platform, a transducer connected to said flexible member, means for initiating free oscillation of said article receiving platform, means connected to said transducer for measuring the frequency of oscillation of said platform, and means for determining the mass of an article located upon said platform in response to said frequency measuring means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
A mass measuring device comprising: a base, a horizontally extending article receiving platform, at least one flexible member providing connection between said base and said article receiving platform, a transducer connected to said flexible member, means for initiating free oscillation of said article receiving platform, means connected to said transducer for measuring the frequency of oscillation of said platform, and means for determining the mass of an article located upon said platform in response to said frequency measuring means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mass measurement device of claim 6 wherein said means for oscillating said platform includes means for oscillating said platform in the plane of said platform.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The mass measuring device of claim 7 wherein said means for oscillating said platform includes an electromagnet secured to said base and an armature secured to said platform in close approximation to said electromagnet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The mass measuring device of claim 8 including means for conveying an article located upon said platform.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mass measuring device of claim 9 including means for sensing the presence of an article on the said
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The mass measuring device of claim 10 wherein said conveying means includes means for removing an article located upon said platform.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The mass measuring device of claim 11 wherein said means for controlling the activities of said conveying means in response to said frequency determining means and said sensing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mass measuring device of claim 12 including means for securely holding said platform in response to said sensing means sensing no article on said platform.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The mass measuring device of claim 13 wherein said transducer is a piezoelectric device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
81 words
A mass measuring device, comprising: a frame, a base supported by said frame, an article receiving platform, at least one flexible member providing connection between said base and said article receiving platform, a transducer connected to said flexible member, means for oscillating said article receiving platform, means connected to said transducer for measuring the frequency of oscillation of said platform, and means for determining the mass of an article located upon said platform in response to the measured frequency of oscillation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
81 words
A mass measuring device, comprising: a frame, a base supported by said frame, an article receiving platform, at least one flexible member providing connection between said base and said article receiving platform, a transducer connected to said flexible member, means for oscillating said article receiving platform, means connected to said transducer for measuring the frequency of oscillation of said platform, and means for determining the mass of an article located upon said platform in response to the measured frequency of oscillation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The mass measuring device of claim 15 wherein said platform has openings therein and including a plurality of rollers and means supported by said frame for moving rollers into and out of said openings.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The mass measuring device of claim 15 including means for measuring the frequency of the voltage generated in said transducer as a result of the oscillation of said platform.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The mass measuring device of claim 17 wherein said means for causing oscillation includes a electromagnet secured to said frame and an armature secured to said platform in close proximity to said electromagnet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
83 words
The mass measuring device of claim 18 wherein said platform has a plurality of openings therein and including means for conveying an article located upon said platform, said conveying means including first rollers supported by said frame and receivable within said platform openings, means for driving at least one of said first rollers and a plurality of second rollers, each of said second rollers being in registration with one of said first rollers, said platform being substantially intermediate said first and second rollers.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mass measuring device of claim 19 wherein said second rollers have a width greater than the width of said openings in said platform.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The mass measuring device of claim 20 including means for urging said second rollers into contact with said platform to securely hold an article located on said platform to said platform.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mass measuring device of claim 19 including means for sensing the presence of an article on the said platform.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mass measuring device of claim 22 including means for controlling the activities of said conveying means in response to said frequency measuring means and said sensing means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The mass measuring device of claim 23 including means for moving said first rollers into and out of said platform openings.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mass measuring device of claim 15 wherein said means for said frame supporting said base includes resilient isolators.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The mass measuring device of claim 25 wherein said resilient isolators are springs.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
108 words
A mass measuring device, comprising: a frame, a base resiliently supported by said frame, a generally horizontally extending article receiving platform having openings therein, a plurality of flexible members providing connection between said base and said article receiving platform, a transducer connected to one of said flexible members, means for sensing the presence of an article located upon said platform, means for causing said article receiving platform to oscillate, a plurality of first rollers movably supported by said frame for movement into and out of said platform openings, means for moving said first rollers into and out of said platform openings, and means for rotating said first rollers.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
108 words
A mass measuring device, comprising: a frame, a base resiliently supported by said frame, a generally horizontally extending article receiving platform having openings therein, a plurality of flexible members providing connection between said base and said article receiving platform, a transducer connected to one of said flexible members, means for sensing the presence of an article located upon said platform, means for causing said article receiving platform to oscillate, a plurality of first rollers movably supported by said frame for movement into and out of said platform openings, means for moving said first rollers into and out of said platform openings, and means for rotating said first rollers.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The mass measuring device of claim 27 including means for measuring the frequency of the voltage generated in said transducer as a result of the oscillation of said platform.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The mass measuring device of claim wherein said means for causing oscillation includes an electromagnet secured to said frame and an armature secured to said platform in close proximity to said electromagnet.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
42 words
The mass measuring device of claim 29 including a plurality of second rollers supported by said platform, each of said second rollers being in registration with one of said first rollers, said platform being generally located intermediate said first and second rollers.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mass measuring device of claim 30 wherein said second rollers have a width greater than the width of said openings in said platform and including means for urging said second rollers into contact with said platform.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mass measuring device of claim 31 including means for controlling the rotation of said first rollers in response to said sensing means and for controlling said roller moving means in response to said frequency measuring means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a weighing device, the combination comprising: a frame, a base yieldably supported by said frame, a generally horizontally extending article receiving platform, at least one yieldable member providing connection between said base and said article receiving platform, first locking means for locking said platform to said base, second locking means for locking said frame to said base, means for unlocking said first and second locking means and, means for initiating oscillation of said platform.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a weighing device, the combination comprising: a frame, a base yieldably supported by said frame, a generally horizontally extending article receiving platform, at least one yieldable member providing connection between said base and said article receiving platform, first locking means for locking said platform to said base, second locking means for locking said frame to said base, means for unlocking said first and second locking means and, means for initiating oscillation of said platform.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
51 words
The weighing device of claim 33 wherein said first locking means includes rubber buttons supported by said base and engageable by said platform and said second locking means includes at least one pad supported by said base and at least one solenoid supported by said frame and engageable with said pad.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
92 words
A method or determining the mass of an article, the steps comprising: supporting a platform with flexible members, placing a transducer on one of the flexible members, oscillating the platform, measuring the output of the transducer, placing an article upon the platform, oscillating the platform, measuring the output of the transducer with the article on the platform, comparing the output of the transducer without an article on the platform against the output of the transducer with the article on the platform, and determining the mass of the article based upon said comparison.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
92 words
A method or determining the mass of an article, the steps comprising: supporting a platform with flexible members, placing a transducer on one of the flexible members, oscillating the platform, measuring the output of the transducer, placing an article upon the platform, oscillating the platform, measuring the output of the transducer with the article on the platform, comparing the output of the transducer without an article on the platform against the output of the transducer with the article on the platform, and determining the mass of the article based upon said comparison.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
87 words
The method of claim 35 including placing a piezoelectric transducer on one of the flexible members, passing the voltage output by the transducer during oscillations of the platform through a zero crossing detector, measuring the frequency of zero crossings, comparing the frequency of the zero crossings without an article on the platform against the frequency of the zero crossings with an article on the platform, and determining the mass of the article based upon the comparison of the frequencies with and without an article on the platform.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
87 words
The method of claim 35 wherein the steps of determining the mass of the article is in accordance with the formula: M.sub.E =C.sub.1 (T.sup.2 -T.sub.0.sup.2)+C.sub.2 (T.sup.2 -T.sub.0.sup.2).sup.2, wherein M E is the article mass, T 0 is the period of oscillation with no article, T is the period with the article present, C 1 and C 2 are constants which depend on the mass of the base, the mass of the platform, the spring constants of the isolation springs and the spring constant of the flexure springs.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of determining the mass of an article, the steps comprising: placing an article upon a platform, securely holding the article on the platform, initiating free oscillation of the platform, measuring the frequency of the oscillation of the platform, and determining the mass of the article based upon the frequency of oscillation.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of determining the mass of an article, the steps comprising: placing an article upon a platform, securely holding the article on the platform, initiating free oscillation of the platform, measuring the frequency of the oscillation of the platform, and determining the mass of the article based upon the frequency of oscillation.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the steps of determining the mass of the article is in accordance with the formula: M.sub.E =C.sub.1 (T.sup.2 -T.sub.0.sup.2)+C.sub.2 (T.sup.2 -T.sub.0.sup.2).sup.2, where M E is the article mass, T 0 is the period of oscillation with no article, T is the period with the article present, C 1 and C 2 are constants that are derived empirically, from calibration procedures.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of determining the mass of an article, the steps comprising: placing an article upon a platform, initiating free oscillation of the platform, generating a signal corresponding to the oscillation of the platform, filtering the generated signal to eliminate the effects of external vibration, measuring the frequency of the filtered signal, and determining the mass of the article based upon the frequency of the filtered signal.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of determining the mass of an article, the steps comprising: placing an article upon a platform, initiating free oscillation of the platform, generating a signal corresponding to the oscillation of the platform, filtering the generated signal to eliminate the effects of external vibration, measuring the frequency of the filtered signal, and determining the mass of the article based upon the frequency of the filtered signal.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a weighing scale, the combination comprising: a frame, a base resiliently supported by said frame, a horizontally extending platform, at least one member providing connection between said base and said platform, a cage vertically movable located below said platform, means for moving said cage into first and second locations, said cage being in engagement with said platform when in said first location and out of engagement with said platform when in said second location.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a weighing scale, the combination comprising: a frame, a base resiliently supported by said frame, a horizontally extending platform, at least one member providing connection between said base and said platform, a cage vertically movable located below said platform, means for moving said cage into first and second locations, said cage being in engagement with said platform when in said first location and out of engagement with said platform when in said second location.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
26 words
The weighing scale of claim 41 wherein said means for moving said cage is a solenoid supported by said frame and in engagement with said cage.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
The weighing-scale of claim 42 wherein said platform has openings therein and said cage rotatably supports rollers that are receivable within said openings when said cage is in said second location.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
24 words
The weighing scale of claim 43 wherein said cage has resilient buttons that engage said platform when said cage is in said first location.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
76 words
A scale comprising: a horizontally extending article supporting means, means for securely holding an article on said article supporting means to provide unity of movement, means for initiating oscillation of said article supporting means at an acceleration greater than the acceleration due to gravity, means for measuring the frequency of oscillation of said article supporting means, and means for correlating the mass of an article on said article supporting means with the measured frequency of oscillation.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
76 words
A scale comprising: a horizontally extending article supporting means, means for securely holding an article on said article supporting means to provide unity of movement, means for initiating oscillation of said article supporting means at an acceleration greater than the acceleration due to gravity, means for measuring the frequency of oscillation of said article supporting means, and means for correlating the mass of an article on said article supporting means with the measured frequency of oscillation.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
35 words
The scale of claim 45 wherein said means for causing oscillation includes an electromagnet secured to a frame and an armature secured to said article supporting means, said armature being inclosed proximity to said electromagnet.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
16 words
The scale of claim 46 including means for conveying an article across said article supporting means.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
20 words
The scale of claim 47 including means for sensing the presence of an article on the said article supporting means.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
25 words
The scale of claim 48 including means for controlling the activities of said conveying means in response to said measuring means and said sensing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3612198A
Cited
US3555886A
Cited
US3926271A
Cited
US4050530A
Cited
US4158395A
Cited
US4185709A
Cited
US4405024A
Cited
US4429574A
Cited
US4418774A
Cited
US4497386A
Cited
US4623030A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-10-18 | 1992-04-18 | 1992-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-18 | 1996-04-18 | 1996-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-18 | 2000-04-18 | 2000-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |