IES65651B2 - Weighing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A transportable weighing apparatus (10) comprises a mobile chassis (11), a platform (12) mounted on said chassis for supporting a load to be weighed and load detection means (25) having a characteristic indicative of the weight of said load on said platform.

Description

Weighing Apparatus The present invention relates to a weighing apparatus. In particular the invention relates to a transportable weighing apparatus for weighing animals.

According to the present invention there is provided a transportable weighing apparatus comprising a mobile chassis, a platform mounted on said chassis for supporting a load to be weighed and load detection means having a characteristic indicative of the weight of said load on said platform.

Preferably, the chassis has a front end and a rear end, the rear end of the chassis being adapted to allow an animal to be loaded or unloaded onto the platform.

Preferably, the front end of said chassis includes a drawbar connectible to a towing vehicle, said drawbar being mounted on said chassis for movement clear of the front end of the chassis and wherein said chassis is adapted to allow animals to be loaded or unloaded from the platform.

Preferably, the load detection means is mounted under the platform and the chassis includes lifting means movable from an operative position in which the platform is supported by the load detection means to a transport position in which the platform is supported on said lifting means.

Further preferably, said chassis includes locator means cooperative with said load detection means to locate the platform on the chassis.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a weighing apparatus according to the invention in an operative state; Figure 2 is a detailed overhead view of the chassis for the weighing apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the weighing apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the chassis of Figure 2 of the drawings; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the chassis of Figure 4 in an intermediate transport state; and Figure 6 is a side view of the chassis of Figure 4 in a final transport state.

Referring now to the drawings wherein similar numerals have been used to indicate like parts, there is shown a weighing apparatus generally indicated at 10 according to the invention. The weighing apparatus 10 comprises a chassis 11 on which an animal handling crate 12 is mounted. The chassis 11 has a substantially rectangular frame 16 comprising left and right side beams 13 and front and rear transverse beams 14 and 15 respectively, Figure 2. A further side beam 131 runs between the transverse beams 14, 15 parallel to and proximate the left side beam 13. The transverse beams 14, 15 are fixed to the underside of the side beams 13, 13 * with spacers 21 separating the upper surface of the transverse beams 14, 15 from the underside of the side beams 13, 13*. Thus, the upper surfaces of the transverse beams 14 and 15, the inside surface of the right side beam 13 and the opposing surface of side beam 13 * form a channel in which the handling crate 12 can be located.

A pair of parallel spaced apart transverse axles 17 pass under a mid-portion of the frame 16 and extend outside the frame 16. Four wheels 19 are rotatably mounted on the outside of the frame 16 on the respective ends of each axle 17. Each axle 17 is fitted adjacent each of its end to a conventional leaf spring 18 which run parallel to and under each respective side beam 13. Each leaf spring 18 curves upwardly away from either side of a respective axle 17 with its distal ends 20 being fixed to the underside of a side beam 13.

A running board 22 is fitted over the left side beam 13 and side beam 13' running the length of the frame 16 between the transverse beams 14, 15. Wheel arches 30 run along the length of the frame on the outside of each side beam 13.

Referring now to Figure 1, the handling crate 12 has an oblong base platform 23 approximately the same length as the frame and slightly narrower than the distance between the inside surface of the right side beam 13 and the opposing surface of the side beam 13' . The crate 12 has side walls 24 and a front and rear doors 26 pivotally mounted on the side walls 24. This enables an animal to be loaded through one door and unloaded through the opposite door.

A pair of load cells 25 are located under the base platform 23. Each load cell 25 has an elongate rectangular body traversing respective front and rear edges of the platform. Each cell 25 includes a pair of cast iron pads 25' flexibly mounted within each end of the load cell. A cylindrical cavity is formed in each pad 25'. An electronic measurement apparatus (not shown) is housed in a box 31 located over the left wheel arch 30. A hollow conduit 32 projects from under the box 31 and cables (not shown) pass through the conduit 32, under the wheel arch 30, along the frame 16 and into the end of each load cell 25 to electrically connect the measurement apparatus to each load cell. A suitable load cell and measurement apparatus are Models FX-11 and FX-31 respectively manufactured by ALLFLEXtm New Zealand Limited.

A pair of plates 27 are fixed to the rearward face of the front transverse beam 14, and a corresponding pair of plates 28 are fixed to the forward face of the rear transverse beam 15, Figure 2. A locator pin 29 projects upwardly from each plate 27, 28. The pins 29 on each pair of plates 27, 28 are separated by the same distance as the cavities in the underside of the pads 25*. Thus, the handling crate 12 can be located on the chassis 11 by locating the pins 29 in the cavities.

When a load is applied to the load cell 25, the pads ' flex relative to the cell 25. Transducers (not shown) whose electrical characteristics vary with the flexing of the pads 25' caused by changing loads on the platform 23 are housed inside each cell 25. Changes in the characteristics of the transducers are detected by the measurement apparatus and are translated into indications of the weight of the load on the platform 23 in a conventional manner.

To prevent unnecessary stress on the transducers during transport of the weighing apparatus, means are provided to lift the handling crate 12 relative to the chassis 11, Figure 2. A pair of spaced apart cylindrical bars 38 traverse the frame 16 between the inside of the right side beam 13 and the side beam 13’. The bars 38 are rotatably mounted in respective flanges 39 which project from under each side beam 13, 13'. A link arm 40 projects upwardly from the end of each bar 38 adjacent the right side beam 13. The distal end 41 of each link arm 40 is pivotally connected to a horizontal bar 42. A control lever 43 is pivotally mounted on the right side beam 13 mid-way between the bars 38. The lever 43 projects upwardly and is pivotally connected to the bar 42. It will be seen that by pushing the lever 43 forwards or backwards, the bars 38 rotate synchronously in the same direction.

Cams 44 are formed at the ends of each of the bars 38. When the lever 43 is vertical, each cam 44 projects from the top of the bar 38. Each cam 44 is triangular in cross-section with its forward facing side projecting highest from the bar 38. When the lever 43 is pushed forward, in the direction of the arrow A, each cam 44 is rotated to the side of the bars 38. In this operative position, the handling crate 12 rests through the load cells 25 on the chassis 11. Before transporting the weighing apparatus, the lever 43 is brought back to the vertical position, with the cam 44 causing the handling crate 12 to be lifted by a distance sufficient to release pressure on the load cells 25. Thus, during transport, where vibration of the crate 12 with respect to the chassis 11 takes place, damage to the load cells 25 is minimised.

To facilitate loading of animals into the handling crate 12, a ramp 33 is provided at the rear of the chassis 11. The ramp 33 is pivotally mounted between the ends 35 of the right side beam 13 and the side beam 13*. A pair of posts 34 project upwardly from the respective ends 35 of the side beams 13, 13*. The ramp 33 pivots from an operative position, where it extends downwardly and away from the rear of the chassis until it engages the ground, Figure 3, to a transport position, where it projects substantially vertically from the chassis with the distal end 36 of the ramp lying adjacent the top of the posts 34, Figure 5. Each side adjacent the end 36 of the ramp is provided with one half of a clasp 37 which engages a respective second half of a clasp formed adjacent the top of each post 34 so that the ramp 33 can be secured in the transport position.

A drawbar 45 is provided at the front of the chassis 11. The drawbar 45 comprises a substantially triangular body having two side beams 46 projecting from the front corners of the chassis and joining at an apex 47. The spaced apart ends 50 of the beams 46 are joined by a cross-beam 48, Figure 4. A conventional hitch 49 projects forward from the apex 47 of the drawbar to allow the weighing apparatus to be connected to a towing vehicle.

The left end of the cross-beam 48 is pivotally mounted to the front left corner of the chassis 11. This enables the drawbar 45 to swing clear of the front of the chassis 11. A locating collar 51 is formed on the right end of the cross-beam 48. A locating pin 52 is mounted for movement along its axis on the front right corner of the chassis 11. When the drawbar is pivoted to lie adjacent the front of the chassis, the pin 52 is lifted so that the collar 51 lies under the pin 52, Figure 5. The pin 52 is then dropped into the collar 51 to fix the drawbar in the transport position. As a further precaution a chain 53 is provided linking the front right corner of the chassis 11 to the drawbar 45.

Electrical power for the measurement apparatus and rear lights 70 mounted to the rear of each wheel arch 30, as well as hydraulic fluid for wheel brakes, is supplied from the towing vehicle through lines (not shown) running through the drawbar 45 along the left side beam 46, then inside the front corner of the chassis and along the frame 16 as required.

To facilitate unloading of animals from the handling crate 12, a ramp 54 is provided at the front of the chassis 11. The ramp 54 is pivotally mounted between the front ends of the right side beam 13 and the side beam 13' in a similar manner to the rear ramp 33. A pair of posts 55 project upwardly from the respective front ends of the side beams 13, 131. When the drawbar is clear of the front of the chassis, the ramp 54 can pivot from an operative position, where it extends downwardly and away from the front of the chassis until it engages the ground, Figure 4, to a transport position, where it projects substantially vertically from the chassis with the distal end 56 of the ramp lying adjacent the top of the posts 55. The drawbar 45 can then be pivoted back adjacent the chassis 11, Figure 5. Each side adjacent the end 56 of the ramp is provided with one half of a clasp 57 which engages a respective second half of the clasp formed adjacent the top of each post 55 so that the ramp 54 can be secured in the transport position. .

The weighing apparatus according to the invention can be used to weigh animals such as cattle etc., which can render quite a significant load on the chassis 11.

To stabilise the chassis 11 during operation of the apparatus 10, particularly when animals are being loaded and unloaded, stabilising posts are provided at each corner of the chassis 11.

At each rear corner of the chassis 11, a post 58 is mounted within a collar 59 formed on the outside of each respective beam 13, Figure 4. A hole (not shown) is formed in opposite sides of the collar 59, and a series of holes (not shown) are formed along the length of each post 50. A pin 60 is pushed through the collar 59 and the post 58 to lock the post in a required position. To fix the chassis 11 in a final transport state, Figure 6, each post 58 is pushed upwardly so that it lies clear of the ground, and the pins 60 are used to hold the posts in position. In the operative state the posts 58 are lowered to engage the ground, Figure 4, and the pins 60 are used to fix the posts 58 in position..

At each front corner of the chassis, a post 61 is mounted adjacent the outside of each respective beam 13. Each post 61 is rotatably mounted on a respective axle 62 which projects outwardly from a respective side beam 13. This enables each post 61 to pivot around an arc B from a horizontal transport position. Figure 6, to a vertical operative position, Figure 4. Each post includes two telescopic sections 61', 61” slidable relative to one another under the control of a crank handle (not shown) which is fitted over a rotatable spigot 63 projecting from the top of the section 61*.

The posts 61 can thus be extended to lift the chassis 11 and the wheels 19 from the ground after the rear posts 58 are lowered to engage the ground. This stabilises the chassis 11 by fixing its position relative to the ground.

Thus, to move the weighing apparatus from the final transport position, Figure 6, to the operative position, Figure 4, the rear posts 58 are first lowered and locked into position; the front posts 61 are pivoted into the vertical position and extended to lift the wheels 19 from the ground; the drawbar 45 is released and pivoted away from the front of the chassis; the front and rear ramps 54, 33 are unclasped and lowered into contact with the ground; and the lever 43 is pushed forward so that the handling crate 12 rests through the load cells 25 on the chassis 11. The procedure is then reversed when moving from the operative to the transport position.

For added safety, guide rails 64 are fitted to either side of the front and rear ramps 54, 33 after the ramps are in their operative positions. Alternatively, the rails 64 can comprise a plurality of linked arms connected between the ramps 54, 33 and their respective posts 55 and 34, so that when the ramps rotate between the operative and transport positions the rails are automatically deployed and retracted.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:

1. A transportable weighing apparatus comprising a mobile chassis, a platform mounted on said chassis for supporting a load to be weighed and load detection means having a characteristic indicative of the weight of said load on said platform.

2. A weighing apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the chassis has a front end and a rear end, the rear end of the chassis being adapted to allow an animal to be loaded or unloaded onto the platform.

3. A weighing apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein the front end of said chassis includes a drawbar connectible to a towing vehicle, said drawbar being mounted on said chassis for movement clear of the front end of the chassis and wherein said chassis is adapted to allow animals to be loaded or unloaded from the platform.

4. A weighing apparatus according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the load detection means is mounted under the platform and the chassis includes lifting means movable from an operative position in which the platform is supported by the load detection means to a transport position in which the platform is supported on said lifting means.

5. A weighing apparatus according to any previous claim wherein said chassis includes locator means cooperative with said load detection means to locate the platform on the chassis.