CN117782287A

CN117782287A - Wagon balance with cleanable footprint

Info

Publication number: CN117782287A
Application number: CN202211157208.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·马斯特恩布鲁克; J·拜尔; 惠华强; T·席林
Original assignee: Mettler Toledo LLC
Current assignee: Mettler Toledo International Inc
Priority date: 2022-09-22
Filing date: 2022-09-22
Publication date: 2024-03-29

Abstract

A wagon balance (10) intended for use in environments requiring sanitary cleaning has a load platform (12) supported by a frame (18). A pair of leg assemblies 26 positioned along the sides of the frame anchor the frame to the floor and provide a base from which the frame and load platform can pivot about an axis (a) between an operative position in which an upper surface (14) of the load platform is substantially parallel to the floor and a non-operative position in which the upper surface is obliquely angled relative to the floor. In the non-operational position, the footprint (F) of the wagon balance is accessible for cleaning, and the structural members of the frame and foot assemblies are substantially free of horizontal recessed surfaces that may collect liquids. A locking means is provided for the operative position and the at least one non-operative position.

Description

Wagon balance with cleanable footprint

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This patent application is a provisional application filed according to 35usc 111 (b), and does not require priority.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of weighing, and in particular to floor-based pounds used in processing environments where access to the surface of the wagon balance and its surroundings for cleaning is critical. The weight, geometry, and proximity to the ground of the wagon balance make sanitary cleaning of these devices difficult and unsafe in some cases, especially when access to the under-balance footprint (foot print) is required. The disclosed invention aims to provide a wagon balance whose surface and surrounding environment can be safely and effectively accessed without adversely affecting the ability to accurately and reliably perform weighing tasks.

Background

Many types of heavy-duty pounds are used for industrial weighing. In some cases, the pounds may be portable with casters or similar devices that facilitate moving the pounds to the point of use, but this mobility is typically at the expense of raising the weighing surface. In another case, the portable pound uses a fork-shaped load platform like a pallet jack. Such a pound may be useful, but only when the target load is already on the pallet. As the mass and volume of the target load increases, the footprint area and thickness of the load platform required increases. The load platform needs to be arranged in a structure close to the floor, wherein the structure provides a base for a plurality of load cells on which the load platform is supported. In many such cases, the structure is mounted to the floor for stability. This is a weighing system referred to herein as a wagon balance.

In some industries, the environment in which the wagon balance is used does not require frequent "rinse" or "wipe" cleaning. However, there are many industries where cleaning is paramount. Recent concerns about early surface transmission of coronaviruses have emphasized known concerns about sanitation, decontamination, and avoidance of cross-contamination. For illustrative purposes only, these industries include food processing, pharmaceutical and biological processing.

At least one prior art U.S. patent 5,359,153 is directed to a portable in-situ cleaning industrial wagon balance. However, the approach taken here is to reduce the weight of the load platform. While this may make the load platform lighter, it also reduces the maximum weighing of the pounds.

In addition to cleaning the top and surrounding structures of the load platform, it is also desirable to be able to safely raise the load platform from its horizontal operating position to clean the footprint in which the load platform is installed. It may also be desirable to minimize the amount of surface area that the liquid may collect and provide growth medium for bacteria and the like.

An unmet aim of the prior art is to meet these requirements.

Disclosure of Invention

These objects are achieved by a wagon balance having the inventive concepts embodied therein. Such a wagon balance is configured to allow both the cleaning of the wagon balance and the footprint of the wagon balance on the floor, on which the wagon balance is disposed. The wagon balance includes: a load platform having an upper surface for receiving a load to be weighed; a frame supporting the load platform above a floor; and a pair of leg assemblies, each leg assembly of the pair of leg assemblies being connected to the frame for pivoting the load platform about an axis between an operative position in which the upper surface is substantially parallel to the floor and a non-operative position in which the upper surface is obliquely angled relative to the floor.

In such a wagon balance, the load platform is preferably rectangular, and more preferably square. In such a wagon balance, the load platform is a rectangular parallelepiped, wherein the upper surface typically has a height of about 400in ² To about 5000in ² And the load platform typically weighs about 120 lbs to about 600 lbs.

In many embodiments, the frame includes a front frame member, a rear frame member, and a pair of side frame members, each of the pair of side frame members being attached to the respective front and rear frame members to define a rectangular frame having front, rear, and side edges and four corners. The frame also has a plate at a lower portion of each of the four corners. The load platform is supported on these plates, and the apertures in each plate establish a force transmission with the floor only when the load platform is in the operating position. The front and rear frame members include cylindrical bars and the side frame members include cylindrical bars and vertical plates, thereby minimizing concave horizontal surfaces that allow accumulation of liquid.

In many embodiments, the leg assembly includes: a first leg connected to the frame proximate a rear edge of the frame, thereby establishing an axis for pivoting the frame; a second leg spaced apart from the first leg; and a cylindrical bar offset from the floor and parallel to the side edges of the frame, thereby maintaining the first and second legs in spaced apart relation. Each of the first and second legs is adapted to be anchored to the floor by means for fastening.

In many embodiments, for each of the floor assemblies, the second leg and corresponding side frame member provide an anchor point for applying torque to the frame above the axis.

Many embodiments of the wagon balance further comprise means for locking the load platform in the operative position and in the at least one non-operative position. In such an embodiment, the means for locking may comprise: a spring loaded locking pin disposed in the first leg; and at least two apertures in the respective side frame members, a first one of the apertures being positioned to receive the locking pin when the load platform is in the operative position, and each of the other apertures being positioned to receive the locking pin when the load platform is in one of the at least one non-operative positions.

For each floor assembly, many embodiments may further include a hydraulic cylinder having a first end mounted to the second leg and a second end mounted to the corresponding side frame member. In such an embodiment, the rod/piston of the hydraulic cylinder is in a retracted position when the load platform is in the operational position and in an extended position when the load platform is in the non-operational position. In many embodiments, the body of the hydraulic cylinder is mounted to the second leg.

In an embodiment, substantially all of the surfaces of the frame and leg assemblies are free of recessed horizontal surfaces.

Drawings

The above and other features, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments, in which like features are indicated throughout with like reference numerals, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of an embodiment of a wagon balance having the concepts of the present invention, wherein FIG. 1A illustrates the embodiment in an operational position and FIG. 1B illustrates the embodiment in a raised position;

fig. 2A and 2B are front elevation views of the wagon balance of fig. 1A and 1B, with fig. 2A showing the wagon balance in an operational position and fig. 2B showing the wagon balance in a raised position, with a central portion of the width removed;

fig. 3A and 3B are right side elevation views of a wagon balance, with fig. 3A showing the wagon balance in an operational position and fig. 2B showing the wagon balance in a raised position; and

fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the vertical plate of each side frame member.

Detailed Description

An embodiment of a wagon balance 10 incorporating the inventive concepts is depicted in the perspective views of fig. 1A and 1B. The wagon balance 10 is specifically configured to allow both the wagon balance and the footprint F of the wagon balance on the floor below the wagon balance to be cleaned. In fig. 1A, the footprint is not visible because the wagon balance 10 is shown in an operational state, wherein the load platform 12 of the wagon balance is positioned substantially horizontally for receiving a load to be weighed. In fig. 1B, load platform 12 is in a raised, non-operational state, which provides access to many of the surfaces of wagon balance 10, as well as the floor or base surface upon which the wagon balance is placed (particularly footprint F beneath the load platform). For the purposes of this description, footprint F refers to the portion of the floor that is below load platform 12 when in an operational state.

While load platform 12 is an important aspect of wagon balance 10, it is not depicted other than in fig. 1A and 1B, as it tends to obstruct detailed view of other portions of wagon balance 10. However, classicalThe load platform 12 in the shaped wagon balance 10 will be a rectangular metal plate, preferably a square plate. In a typical embodiment, the upper surface 14 of the load platform 12 will be planar, as seen in FIG. 1A, to facilitate positioning of the load being weighed by the wagon balance 10. Load platform 12 also has a lower surface 16 visible in fig. 1B. The surface area of the upper surface 14 and the weight of the load platform 12 may vary greatly, but the problem addressed by the inventive concept comes into play when the load platform becomes so large or so heavy that it becomes inconvenient or unsafe to move to gain access to the footprint. Based on this, a typical range of surface areas for which the inventive concept will be employed will be about 400in ² To about 5000in ² . If such a load platform 12 is a solid sheet metal, a reasonable weight range will typically be in the range of about 120 lbs to about 600 lbs. When load platform 12 is significantly outside of these ranges, there are alternative solutions for providing cleaning access to wagon balance 10, but the inventive concepts are in no way limited to these surface areas and weight ranges.

Although the following figures will describe the features of the inventive concept in more detail, fig. 1A and 1B clearly illustrate the movement of the load platform 12 as it moves from the operational position of the weighing load (fig. 1A) to the raised non-operational position (fig. 1B) in which the footprint F is accessible for cleaning. The perimeter of the load platform 12 is surrounded by a frame 18 that supports the load platform when the load platform is raised or lowered or in a non-operational position. When in the operating position, the load platform 12 is maintained above the floor, but the load cell is positioned between the load platform and the floor. The movement from the operative position to the inoperative position shown in fig. 1A and 1B is a pivotal movement about an axis established at the rear of the wagon balance 10.

Additional features of the frame 18 visible in fig. 1A and 1B include a front frame member 20, a rear frame member 22, and a pair of side frame members 24.

The wagon balance 10 also has a pair of leg assemblies 26, each of which is connected to the frame 18 for pivoting the load platform 12 about axis a at the rear of the frame. In FIG. 1A, leg assemblies 26 are not very clearly distinguishable from frame 18, but are very clearly visible once load platform 12 is in the raised, non-operative position of FIG. 1B. Each leg assembly 26 includes: a first leg 28 connected to the frame 18 near the rear edge of the frame, thereby establishing an axis a for pivoting the frame; a second leg 30; and a cylindrical rod 32. The first leg 28 and the second leg 30 are spaced apart from one another and are held in this relationship by a cylindrical rod 32. Further, each of the legs 28, 30 is preferably adapted to be anchored to the floor by suitable means for anchoring, such as bolts. When the load platform 10 is in the operational position, the cylindrical bar 32 is offset from the floor and parallel to one of the side frame members 24. By offsetting and making the stem 32 cylindrical, the surface of the stem is accessible for cleaning and little or no liquid can collect due to the lack of a horizontally recessed surface. Minimizing the exposed horizontal concave plane is considered a feature of the inventive concept. Although described as a "rod," the cylindrical rod 32 may be a tubular element and still perform its intended function.

Turning now to fig. 2A and 2B, a front elevation view of wagon balance 10 is shown. Fig. 2A shows wagon balance 10 in an operating position; figure 2B shows the wagon balance in a raised position. A portion of the width is not shown because the central portion of the width lacks any characterizing features. Fig. 3A and 3B are right side elevation views of the wagon balance, with fig. 3A showing the wagon balance 10 in an operational position and fig. 3B showing the wagon balance in a raised position. In the embodiment shown, the wagon balance 10 has side frame members 24 that extend a distance in the front-to-rear dimension that is twice the spacing of the first leg 28 and the second leg 30 in the same direction. As seen in FIG. 3B, this particular embodiment positions the vertical projection of the center of gravity supported by the frame 18 within the front-to-back length of each leg assembly 26. However, a more important feature of each leg assembly 26 is that a firm grip on the floor is provided by the means for anchoring, particularly a strong fastener. This feature balances the additional concern of minimizing the fore and aft length of the foot assembly 26 because it may present a tripping hazard when the wagon balance 10 is in the raised position.

Although shown to some extent in fig. 1B, fig. 2B provides additional insight into the structure of the frame 18 provided by the respective frame members 20, 22, 24. Each side frame member 24 is attached to a respective front frame member 20 and rear frame member 22. The corresponding attachment may preferably be performed by welding. When assembled, the frame 18 surrounds the perimeter of the load platform 12, so that the frame is rectangular, and preferably square, just like the load platform. As seen to some extent in fig. 1B, but as can be better seen in fig. 2B, each of the corners of the frame 18 has a plate 34 intended to receive the weight of the load platform 12. Using techniques known in the art, a load cell (not shown) may be mounted in load platform 12 such that rocker pins (not shown) and receptacles (not shown) may act through apertures 36 in plate 34 to exert strain on the load cell, but only when wagon balance 10 is in the operational position. When the frame 18 is raised, the receiver loses contact with the floor and stops acting on the load cell, but the weight of the load platform remains supported on the plate 34.

The various views depict several features of the pair of side frame members 24. Although the front and rear frame members 20, 22 are depicted as single cylindrical bars, or cylindrical tubes as mentioned, each side frame member 24 includes a plurality of cylindrical bars or tubes, as well as a vertical plate 38. The arrangement of cylindrical rods or tubes is intended to provide a lightweight rigid vertical truss, the structural members of which are easy to clean, and which do not provide a concave horizontal surface that would allow liquid to accumulate.

Vertical enlargement of each side frame member 24 may be achieved through the use of vertical plates 38, as seen not only in fig. 3A and 3B, but also in fig. 4. The vertical plate 38 is an important aspect of providing pivotal movement of the frame 18 relative to the leg assemblies 26. The axis a of pivotal movement is preferably provided by the rear frame member 22 or an extension thereof. Apertures 40 in the first leg of each leg assembly 26 receive the ends of the rear frame member. The vertical plate 38 is shown with a corresponding aperture 42, but an alternative solution is to replace it with a trunnion that protrudes horizontally into the aperture 40 to establish the axis a. In many embodiments of the present inventive concept, at least two additional apertures 44 are provided in the vertical plate 38. A first of these apertures, indicated as 44a in fig. 4, is located vertically above axis a, representing a hole for receiving the locking pin 46 when the load platform is in the operative position. There should be at least one further aperture, indicated as 44b, for receiving the locking pin 46 when the load platform is in at least one raised non-operative position. These orifices 44a, 44b will: positioned along an arc of a circle at a selected radius R with respect to axis a. The locking pin 46 is preferably located in a vertical extension of the first leg and is preferably spring loaded to bias the pin into the aperture 44 as encountered during pivotal movement of the frame 18.

It is highly desirable to apply torque to the frame above axis a when moving the frame 18 between the operative and non-operative positions. It is also desirable to be able to use the same torque device to slow the return from the raised non-operative position to the operative position. The first point 48 for anchoring such means for applying torque is preferably located on the second leg 30. The second point 50 for anchoring is preferably located high on the vertical plate 38. These anchor points 48, 50 may be provided by apertures or protruding pins. In some cases, a base wagon balance 10 will be provided without means for applying torque, which may be determined by the user.

Reference numerals

10. Wagon balance

12. Load platform

14. Upper surface of load platform

16. Lower surface of load platform

18. Frame

20. Front frame member

22. Rear frame member

24. Side frame member

26. Leg assembly

28. First support leg

30. Second support leg

32. Cylindrical rod

34. Corner plate of frame

36. Orifice of angle plate

38. Vertical plate of side frame member

40. Apertures in the first leg for receiving rear frame members or trunnions

42. Apertures through vertical plates or trunnions

First aperture in 44a vertical plate for locking pin

Second aperture in 44b vertical plate for locking pin

46. Locking pin

48. Anchoring point

50. Anchoring point

Aaxis for pivoting load platform and frame

F footprint of wagon balance on floor

Claims

1. A wagon balance (10) configured to allow cleaning of both the wagon balance and a footprint (F) of the wagon balance on a floor on which the wagon balance is disposed, the wagon balance comprising:

a load platform (12) having an upper surface (14) for receiving a load to be weighed;

-a frame (18) supporting the load platform (12) above the floor; and

a pair of leg assemblies (26), each of the pair of leg assemblies being connected to the frame (18) for pivoting the load platform (12) about an axis between an operative position in which the upper surface (14) is substantially parallel to the floor and a non-operative position in which the upper surface is obliquely angled relative to the floor.

2. The wagon balance (10) of claim 1, wherein the load platform (12) is rectangular, and preferably square.

3. The wagon balance (10) of claim 2 wherein the load platform (12) comprises a cuboid, wherein the upper surface (14) has a thickness of about 400 inches ² To about 5000in ² And (2) area ofAnd the load platform weighs about 120 lbs to about 600 lbs.

4. The wagon balance of claim 2, wherein the frame (18) comprises:

a front frame member (20);

a rear frame member (22); and

a pair of side frame members (24), each of the pair of side frame members attached to the respective front and rear frame members (20, 22) to define a rectangular frame having front, rear and side edges and four corners; and

a plate (34) below each of the four corners, the load platform being supported on the plate, the plate aperture (34) establishing force transfer with the floor only when the load platform is in the operational position;

wherein the front and rear frame members (20, 22) comprise cylindrical bars and the side frame members comprise cylindrical bars and vertical plates, thereby minimizing concave horizontal surfaces that allow accumulation of liquid.

5. The wagon balance (10) of claim 4 wherein each of the leg assemblies (26) comprises:

a first leg (28) connected to the frame (18) near a rear edge of the frame (18) to establish an axis for pivoting the frame;

a second leg (30) spaced apart from the first leg (28);

a cylindrical bar (32) offset from the floor and parallel to the side edges of the frame, thereby maintaining the first leg and the second leg in a fixed spaced apart relationship.

6. The wagon balance (10) of claim 5, wherein,

each first leg (28) and second leg (30) is adapted to be anchored to the floor by means for fastening.

7. The wagon balance (10) of claim 5, wherein, for each of the floor assemblies (26):

the second leg (30) and corresponding side frame member (26) provide an anchor point for applying torque to the frame (18) above the axis.

8. The wagon balance of claim 1, further comprising:

means for locking the load platform in the operative position and in at least one non-operative position.

9. The wagon balance of claim 8 wherein the means for locking comprises:

a spring loaded locking pin disposed in the first leg; and

at least two apertures in the respective side frame members, a first one of the apertures being positioned to receive the locking pin when the load platform is in the operative position, and each of the other apertures being positioned to receive the locking pin when the load platform is in one of the at least one non-operative positions.

10. The wagon balance of claim 6 further comprising:

a hydraulic cylinder for each floor assembly, the hydraulic cylinder having a first end mounted to the second leg and a second end mounted to a corresponding side frame member.

11. The wagon balance of claim 9 wherein,

the rod/piston of the hydraulic cylinder is in a retracted position when the load platform is in the operational position and in an extended position when the load platform is in the non-operational position.

12. The wagon balance of claim 9 wherein the body of the hydraulic cylinder is mounted to the second leg.

13. The wagon balance of claim 1 wherein all surfaces of the frame and leg assemblies do not have recessed horizontal surfaces.