GB2076977A

GB2076977A - Weighbridges

Info

Publication number: GB2076977A
Application number: GB8016166A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: DODWELL TIMOTHY CHARLES
Current assignee: DODWELL TIMOTHY CHARLES
Priority date: 1980-05-15
Filing date: 1980-05-15
Publication date: 1981-12-09

Abstract

A weighbridge comprises two parallel I-section beams 10 with concrete slabs 11 fitted into the inwardly facing recesses of said beams to constitute a platform for supporting the load to be weighed. Shear-beam type load cells are located within the outwardly facing recesses of said beams and are supported by base plates located beneath the beams in such a manner that the weight of the load of the platform is transmitted to the base plates via the load cells which are linked to a display unit. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to weighbridges This invention relates to weighbridges and its principal object is to provide a form of weigh bridge that can be used on any flat adequate supporting surface, thus avoiding the necessity of excavating a pit. Such a weighbridge would be particularly useful on farms for weighing crops, bulk deliveries of feed, fertilisers and other materials.

According to the invention, a weighbridge consists of two parallel I-section beams, concrete slabs fitted at their ends into the inwardly facing recesses of said beams to constitute a platform for supporting the load to be weighed, and sheer-beam type load cells located within the outwardly facing recesses of said beams and supported by base plates located beneath said beams in such manner that the weight of a load on said platform is transmitted to said base plates via said load cells which are linked to a display unit.

Said display unit may conveniently consist of a 4-digit unit of the gas discharge, light-emitting diode, or liquid crystal diode type.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each load cell is supported at its centre by a pillar which is secured to the base plate and extends through an aperture in the lower flange of the beam, the ends of the load cell being contacted by the upper arms of inverted L-shaped plates secured within the outer recesses of the beams.

According to another embodiment each load cell is supported at one end by a pillar which is secured to the base plate and extends through an aperture in the lower flange of the beam, the other end of the load cell being secured to the upper flange of the beam.

It will be understood that in each of the above embodiments, four load cells are employed, one at each end of each beam.

According to yet another embodiment suitable for weighing long loads, such as articulated lorries, the weighbridge comprises two or more sections each consisting of I-section beams and concrete slabs as above described, the adjacent ends of said sections being formed so as to bear upon the centre of a load cell which is supported at its ends on support bars secured to the base plate and extending through an aperture in the lower flanges of the beams.

In this embodiment, six or more load cells are employed located at the free ends of the beams and at the junctions between the beams.

The above three embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the first embodiment, Figure 3 illustrates the second embodiment, and Figure 4 illustrates the intermediate load cell arrangement of the third embodiment.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, the weighbridge comprises a pair of parallel I-section beams 10 and a number of concrete slabs 11 secured at their ends in the inwardly facing recesses of the beams so as to constitute a platform for the load to be weighed.

Load cells 12 oftheshear-beam type are located within the outer recesses of the beams 10 and are supported by pillars 13 which are secured to base plates 14 and extend through apertures 15 in the lower flanges 16 of the beams. The pillars 13 are formed with heads 17 which engage recesses 18 in the load cells 12. At their ends, the load cells 12 are engaged by the upper arms of inverted L-shaped plates 19 secured between the upper and lower flanges of the beams. Electrical connections 20 are made between the load cells and a suitable display unit as above described. The load cell arrangements are located and sealed within casings 21 so as to protect them from the weather.

Referring now to Figure 3 which illustrates a cantilever-like arrangement of the load cell, the load cells 12 are supported at one end by pillars 22 secured to the base plates 14 and extending through apertures 23 in the lower flanges of the beams, the other ends of the load cells being bolted to the upper flanges of the beams.

In each of the above embodiments, four load cells are employed, one at each end of each of the beams.

Figure 4 illustrates the load cell arrangement of a weighbridge suitable for weighing long loads such as articulated lorries. The weighbridge consists of two or more sections each consisting of I-section beams 10 and concrete slabs 11 as hereinbefore described. The outer lower flanges of the adjacent end portions of the beams are cut away as indicated at 24to accommodate a load cell 12 which is supported on the base plate 14 by means of support bars 25 which engage notches 26 in the load cells. Horizontal plates 27 are secured at different levels within the outer recesses of the beams 10 so as to present overlapping portions 28 which are connected together by a stud 29 having a head 30 which engages a recess 31 in the load cell.

It will be appreciated that in this embodiment, at least six load cells are employed, one at each free end of the beams and one at each beam junction.

Aweighbridge according to the present invention may be installed on any flat supporting surface and the height of the weighbridge is kept to a minimum by the arrangement above described in which the slabs constituting the load platform and the load cells are located within the recesses of the I-section beams.

In installing the weighbridge, the weighbridge is built first and then ramps are cast taking their alingment and height from the bridge surface.

A weigh bridge according to the invention has the further advantage that it can easily be dismantled and removed for erection on a different site.

1. A weighbridge comprising two parallel I-section beams, concrete slabs fitted at their ends into the inwardly facing recesses of said beams to constitute a platform for supporting the load to be weighed, and sheer-beam type load cells located

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to weighbridges This invention relates to weighbridges and its principal object is to provide a form of weigh bridge that can be used on any flat adequate supporting surface, thus avoiding the necessity of excavating a pit. Such a weighbridge would be particularly useful on farms for weighing crops, bulk deliveries of feed, fertilisers and other materials. According to the invention, a weighbridge consists of two parallel I-section beams, concrete slabs fitted at their ends into the inwardly facing recesses of said beams to constitute a platform for supporting the load to be weighed, and sheer-beam type load cells located within the outwardly facing recesses of said beams and supported by base plates located beneath said beams in such manner that the weight of a load on said platform is transmitted to said base plates via said load cells which are linked to a display unit. Said display unit may conveniently consist of a 4-digit unit of the gas discharge, light-emitting diode, or liquid crystal diode type. According to one embodiment of the invention, each load cell is supported at its centre by a pillar which is secured to the base plate and extends through an aperture in the lower flange of the beam, the ends of the load cell being contacted by the upper arms of inverted L-shaped plates secured within the outer recesses of the beams. According to another embodiment each load cell is supported at one end by a pillar which is secured to the base plate and extends through an aperture in the lower flange of the beam, the other end of the load cell being secured to the upper flange of the beam. It will be understood that in each of the above embodiments, four load cells are employed, one at each end of each beam. According to yet another embodiment suitable for weighing long loads, such as articulated lorries, the weighbridge comprises two or more sections each consisting of I-section beams and concrete slabs as above described, the adjacent ends of said sections being formed so as to bear upon the centre of a load cell which is supported at its ends on support bars secured to the base plate and extending through an aperture in the lower flanges of the beams. In this embodiment, six or more load cells are employed located at the free ends of the beams and at the junctions between the beams. The above three embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the first embodiment, Figure 3 illustrates the second embodiment, and Figure 4 illustrates the intermediate load cell arrangement of the third embodiment. Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, the weighbridge comprises a pair of parallel I-section beams 10 and a number of concrete slabs 11 secured at their ends in the inwardly facing recesses of the beams so as to constitute a platform for the load to be weighed. Load cells 12 oftheshear-beam type are located within the outer recesses of the beams 10 and are supported by pillars 13 which are secured to base plates 14 and extend through apertures 15 in the lower flanges 16 of the beams. The pillars 13 are formed with heads 17 which engage recesses 18 in the load cells 12. At their ends, the load cells 12 are engaged by the upper arms of inverted L-shaped plates 19 secured between the upper and lower flanges of the beams. Electrical connections 20 are made between the load cells and a suitable display unit as above described. The load cell arrangements are located and sealed within casings 21 so as to protect them from the weather. Referring now to Figure 3 which illustrates a cantilever-like arrangement of the load cell, the load cells 12 are supported at one end by pillars 22 secured to the base plates 14 and extending through apertures 23 in the lower flanges of the beams, the other ends of the load cells being bolted to the upper flanges of the beams. In each of the above embodiments, four load cells are employed, one at each end of each of the beams. Figure 4 illustrates the load cell arrangement of a weighbridge suitable for weighing long loads such as articulated lorries. The weighbridge consists of two or more sections each consisting of I-section beams 10 and concrete slabs 11 as hereinbefore described. The outer lower flanges of the adjacent end portions of the beams are cut away as indicated at 24to accommodate a load cell 12 which is supported on the base plate 14 by means of support bars 25 which engage notches 26 in the load cells. Horizontal plates 27 are secured at different levels within the outer recesses of the beams 10 so as to present overlapping portions 28 which are connected together by a stud 29 having a head 30 which engages a recess 31 in the load cell. It will be appreciated that in this embodiment, at least six load cells are employed, one at each free end of the beams and one at each beam junction. Aweighbridge according to the present invention may be installed on any flat supporting surface and the height of the weighbridge is kept to a minimum by the arrangement above described in which the slabs constituting the load platform and the load cells are located within the recesses of the I-section beams. In installing the weighbridge, the weighbridge is built first and then ramps are cast taking their alingment and height from the bridge surface. A weigh bridge according to the invention has the further advantage that it can easily be dismantled and removed for erection on a different site. CLAIMS

1. A weighbridge comprising two parallel I-section beams, concrete slabs fitted at their ends into the inwardly facing recesses of said beams to constitute a platform for supporting the load to be weighed, and sheer-beam type load cells located within the outwardly facing recesses of said beams and supported by base plates located beneath said beams in such manner that the weight of a load on said platform is transmitted to said base plates via said load cells which are linked to a display unit.

2. A weighbridge as claimed in claim 1 wherein said display unit consists of a 4-digit unit of the gas discharge light emitting diode, or liquid crystal diode type.

3. A weighbridge as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each load cell is supported at its centre by a pillar which is secured to the base plate and extends through an aperture in the lower flange of the beam, the ends of the load cell being contacted by the upper arms of inverted L-shaped plates secured within the outer recesses of the beams:

4. A weighbridge as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each load cell is supported at one end by a pillar which is secured to the base plate and extends through an aperture in the lower flange of the beam, the other end of the load cell being secured to the upper flange of the beam.

5. A weighbridge as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein four load cells are employed, one at each end of each beam.

6. A weighbridge suitable for weighing long loads, such as articulated lorries, wherein the weighbridge comprises two or more sections of weighbridge as claimed in any preceding claim, the adjacent ends of said sections being formed so as to bear upon the centre of a load cell which is supported at its ends on support bars secured to the base plate and extending through an aperture in the lower flange of the beams.

7. A weighbridge as claimed in claim 6 wherein six or more load cells are employed located at the free ends of the beams and at the junctions between the beams.

8. A weighbridge substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.