Weigh block assembly

A weigh block assembly, which comprises

• a load plate attached to and supported by a sheave basket assembly, the load plate having a central opening;
• a plurality of electronic compression load cells supported on the load plate and laterally spaced symmetrically around the central opening in the load plate;
• a bearing plate freely supported on top of the load cells without lateral restraint and having a central opening generally coaxial with the central opening of the load plate;
• and
• a shank having at its upper end means extending radially outwardly from the shank and resting on top of the bearing plate, a bearing being interposed between the radially outwardly extending means and the bearing plate to permit free rotation of the shank, the shank extending downwardly through the central openings in the load plate and the bearing plate, the lower end of the shank having means for attaching to a load to be handled and weighed, a clearance being provided between the shank and the inside of the central opening in the load plate to permit unhindered lateral deflection of the shank.

A weigh block assembly, which comprises:

• a generally horizontally extending load plate attached to and supported by a sheave basket assembly, the load plate having a central opening;
• a plurality of compression load cells rigidly mounted on the load plate and horizontally spaced symmetrically around the central opening in the load plate, the load cells being center-loaded bending beam load cells capable of absorbing side loading equal to their full scale load capacity without permanent damage;
• a bearing plate freely supported on top of the load cells without lateral restraint and having a central opening generally coaxial with the central opening in the load plate;
• a collar attached to the bearing plate for engaging the load plate upon failure of the load cells;
• and
• a shank having at its upper end a nut resting on top of the bearing plate, a self-aligning thrust bearing being interposed between the nut and the bearing plate to permit free rotation of the shank, the shank extending downwardly through the central openings in the load plate and the bearing plate, a lower bearing being provided in the central opening in the load plate to absorb excessive horizontal deflection of the shank, a clearance being provided between the shank and the inside of the lower bearing to permit unhindered lateral deflection of the shank, the shank having at its lower end a hook means for attaching to a load to be handled and weighed, the upper portion of the shank connected to the lower portion of the shank by a swivel pin to permit free pivoting of the hook at the lower end of the shank.