Importance

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Abstract

A novel internally pivoted torque arm mounting device for weigh-in-motion or for static weigh scales is provided herein. It includes at least four internally pivoted torque-transmitting tubular arms arranged around the perimeter of the fixed bed for the load-supporting platform. One portion of each of the torque-transmitting tubular arms is supported with respect to a fixed peripheral frame base structure of the fixed bed, and another portion of each of the torque-transmitting tubular arms is supported in guideways with respect to a central load-supporting platform of the fixed bed. The improved mounting for the torque arm includes a pair of spaced-apart, vertically disposed inner and outer guideways extending along chords of the end of the torque-transmitting tubular arms. A horizontally-extending, hardened wear surface intersects the guideways, to divide each inner and outer guideway into an upper and a lower guideway. Four support shoes are provided, namely an inner upper and an inner lower support shoe as well as an outer upper and an outer lower support shoe. Each such shoe except for only one of the inner shoes has a broad arcuate support surface and each has a narrow arcuate support surface. Each of the four shoes is disposed in an associated guideway and the narrow arcuate support surface bears against the hardened wear surface. The broad arcuate support surfaces bear against respective upper and lower wear plate portions of the central load-supporting platform and of the outer fixed frame. The broad flat support surface is secured with respect to either an upper or a lower surface of the outer fixed frame. For a given weight, the torque on the torque tube member is thus reduced by a significant amount, i.e., about seventy-five percent or more. This significantly reduces its weight, its cost of production and its cost of operation.

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First Claim