GB2125175A - Weighbridges - Google Patents

Abstract

A weighbridge comprises a weighing platform in the form of a concrete slab (1) having attached to it metal mounting structures (2) to provide recesses (3) extending, from below, over at least the major part of the depth of the slab for accommodating the upper ends of supporting load measuring units (4), such an arrangement gives a saving in cost over conventional fully steel weighbridges, but with a considerable weight advantage over concrete weighbridges in current use. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFiCATION Weighbridges This invention relates to weighbridges.

Commonly these are formed of steel, such weighbridges being flat-topped and suitable for surface mounting in view of their relatively small depth. Concrete weighbridges are also known and, though heavier, have the advantage of being cheaper to construct than the steel type. There are two main forms of concrete weighbridges at present constructed, one having a flat top, but requiring to be accommodated in a suitably deep pit, and the other being designed for surface mounting but having raised sides, which therefore needs to be mounted by means of ramps.

One object of the invention is to provide a form of flat-topped concrete weighbridge which combines the low cost advantage of concrete over steel, with the degree of flexibility of a flat-topped surface weighbridge, compared with the raised sides concrete weighbridges at present in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a modular form of weighbridge which can be constructed in a variety of sizes.

According to one aspect of the invention a weighbridge comprises a weighing platform in the form of a concrete slab, and metal mounting structures attached to said slab and being shaped to provide recesses extending over at least the major part of the depth of the slab from below and accommodating the upper ends of supporting load measuring units.

The metal mounting structures are conveniently in the form of lengths of steel beam edging secured to the ends of the concrete slab in any suitable manner, and having a said recess at each end, the weighbridge in use then being supported by four strut type load measuring units, hereinafter referred to as load units, located one at each corner of the structure.

The use of concrete as the main slab structure facilitates the fitting of such options as deck heating and induction loop communication.

In addition by making the weighing platform of concrete with metal mounting structures, for example of steel, in which the load units are recessed an appreciable cost saving is achieved over the more conventional fully steel weighbridges of equivalent size, yet with a considerable weight advantage as compared with the concrete weighbridges at present in use.

Moreover the form of construction. in accordance with the invention makes it possible to keep the overall depth of the weighbridge small compared with known concrete structures, thereby enabling it to be accommodated in a relatively shallow pit; at the same time it avoids the use of high raised sides which are present on existing forms of surface mounted concrete weighbridges, and the risk of damage to vehicles by scraping on the sides is therefore eliminated.

Moreover the total width of the weighbridge can be utilised which is clearly not practicable with the raised sides concrete weighbridges at present constructed.

The weighbridge platform structure in accordance with the invention has the further advantage that it lends itself to the construction of a weighbridge of modular form.

According, therefore, to another aspect of the invention, a weighbridge comprises an assembly of a plurality of aligned horizontal concrete slabs each having attached to its ends metal mounting structures providing recesses extending over the major part of the depth of the slab from below, the mounting structure recesses at the two ends of the assembly of slabs, and those associated with at least one of the slabs at the junction of two slabs, accommodating the upper ends of supporting load measuring units, and means being provided for connecting adjacent slabs together whilst permitting a degree of flexing between them.

By utilising slab modules of different standard lengths weighbridges having a variety of different overall lengths can readily be constructed.

Moreover, the use of relatively short modules makes it possible to utilise a simple slab construction with low mould costs, gives flexibility in design, and facilitates the transport of a weighbridge in sections.

The mounting structure recesses are conveniently formed in steel end curbs attached to the ends of the concrete slabs, the recesses having built into them means for joining the slabs to the supporting load units, bump stops and connections for joining the module structures. By this means all the features in the slab modules requiring accurate machining or referencing to one another are contained in a small number of relatively simple structures.

Conveniently the mounting structure recesses are formed at the ends of the end curbs, providing side access to the load units, thereby facilitating servicing, and avoiding the use of removable plates on the top surface, and their attendant problem of fixing screw seizure.

The invention will be further explained by describing, by way of example, with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying schematic drawings, different forms of weighbridge structures in accordance with the invention.

In the drawings Figures 1 and 2 represent a side view and an end view of one form of weighbridge in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, Figures 3 and 4 represent side view of two different modular weighbridge structures in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, and Figure 5 represents an enlarged view of the junction between two weighbridge modules of the structure illustrated in Figure 3 or 4.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, these show the simplest form of the invention comprising a single slab 1 of concrete conveniently pre-cast, pre-stressed and pre-tensioned, and having a length of steel fabricated beam-edging 2 firmly secured to each end in any suitable known manner.

The ends of each length of beam-edging 2 are recessed as at 3 to accommodate the upper ends of respective strut-type load units 4 which are secured to base plates 5 and extend between the base plates and overhanging flange portions 6 having upper surfaces which are approximately level with the upper surface of the concrete slab 1.

The whole assembly may be located in a shallow pit 8 as shown in Figure 1, with its planar top surface level with the surrounding ground.

Upper and lower bumper stops 9, 10 are provided for limiting horizontal movement of the assembly in the longitudinal and transverse directions when in use, and are conveniently adjustable in position by means of shims.

By arranging for the load units 4 to be recessed into the structure, as described, the overall height of the weighbridge can be kept small, for example of the order of 340 mm, thereby avoiding the need for a deep pit to accommodate it. Moreover by eliminating the high raised sides, which are present on existing surface-mounted concrete weighbridges, the risk of damage to vehicles using the weighbridge is effectively avoided.

Another weighbridge is illustrated in Figure 3.

This comprises a slab structure S1 virtually the same as that described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, and a second similarly formed slab structure S2 of the same width fixed to one end to form an extended weighing platform. The second structure S2 has, at its free end, beam-edging 2 identical to that of the weighbridge shown in Figure 1, and similarly provided with a recess 3 at each end for accommodating a load unit 4 and shim adjusted bumper stops 9 as shown. The end of the second structure 52, where it adjoins the first, also carries beam-edging 2 with a similarlyformed recess 3 at each end. In this case, however, the load units are omitted, and each recess carries, as shown more clearly in Figure 5, a longitudinally extending projection 11 having in its lower surface an upper bearing member 12.A further projection 13 similarly extends from the respective recess 3 in the adjoining beam-edging 2 of the first structure S1, and this carries, recessed into its upper surface, a lower bearing member 14 having a convex upper surface on which the upper bearing member 12 rests. In addition, the flange portion 6 of each of the two adjacent beam-edgings 2 carries downwardly projecting lugs 1 5 which are interconnected by bolts 1 6. The inner end of the first structure S1 thus provides a support for the adjacent end of the second structure S2, the form of support and coupling allowing a degree of flexing of the two support structures in use.

Three, four or even more slab structures may similarly be connected to form weighbridges of greater length, one such weighbridge incorporating three slab structures, being illustrated in Figure 4. By utilising different standard lengths of slab structures weighbridges of a variety of overall lengths may be constructed to suit particular applications of the invention. For example the use of two different standard lengths of, say, 5 and 6 metres either individually or in various combinations of two, three or four enable a range of weighbridges of different lengths to be constructed, although other lengths can, of course, alternatively be employed.

By forming a weighbridge from a plurality of relatively short modules in combination the transport of the weighbridge is facilitated, and moreover the moulding costs are significantly reduced.

Claims (8)

1. A weighbridge comprising a weighing platform in the form of a concrete slab, and metal mounting structures attached to said slab and being shaped to provide recesses extending over at least the major part of the depth of the slab from below and accommodating the upper ends of supporting load measuring units.

2. A weighbridge comprises an assembly of a plurality of aligned horizontal concrete slabs each having attached to its ends metal mounting structures providing recesses extending over the major part of the depth of the slab from below, the mounting structure recesses at the two ends of the assembly of slabs, and those associated with at least one of the slabs at the junction of two slabs, accommodating the upper ends of supporting load measuring units, and means being provided for connecting adjacent slabs together whilst permitting a degree of flexing between them.

3. A weighbridge according to either of Claims 1 or 2 wherein the metal mounting structures associated with the or each said slab are in the form of lengths of steel beam edging secured to the ends of the or each slab and having a said recess at each end.

4. A weighbridge according to any preceding Claim wherein the supporting load measuring units are of the strut type.

5. A weighbridge according to Claim 2 wherein the mounting structure recesses are formed in steel curbs attached to the ends of the concrete slabs.

6. A weighbridge according to Claim 5 wherein the recesses have built into them means for joining the slabs to the supporting load units, bump stops and the said means for connecting adjacent slabs.

7. A weighbridge according to Claims 5 or 6 wherein the mounting structure recesses are formed at the ends of the ei:d curbs providing side access to the load units.

8. A weighbridge substantially as shown in and as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the Figures of the accompanying drawings.