Equalizer hanger system for on-board weighing
AssigneeStress-Tek, Inc.
InventorsPeter G. Evans, Keith W. Reichow
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The equalizer hanger system includes a torque arm bracket which is secured to the vehicle frame and depends downwardly therefrom. The bracket includes means for receiving one end of a torque arm, the other end thereof being connected to an axle of the vehicle. A beam-type load cell for measuring the force of a vehicle load is bolted to the undersurface of the torque arm bracket, and an equalizer bracket is bolted to the lower surface of the load cell. A conventional equalizer member is mounted to the equalizer bracket, with the equalizer adapted to receive portions of the suspension system for the vehicle.
Claims16
An on-board weighing system for weighing loads on a vehicle, for use with a suspension system on such vehicles with multiple axles, comprising:
- a torque arm bracket which includes a base portion and two opposing side portions which depend downwardly from opposing side edges of the base plate portion, the base plate portion being mounted to the frame of the vehicle, the torque arm bracket including means for receiving a torque arm portion of the suspension, wherein the torque arm extends from a vehicle axle to the torque arm bracket;
- a load cell for measuring vehicle loads, mounted to an underside of the base portion of the torque arm bracket;
- an equalizer support bracket mounted to the load cell;
- and
- an equalizer member mounted to the equalizer support bracket, including means for receiving a portion of the suspension of the vehicle, wherein vertical forces produced by the vehicle load act on the load cell through the equalizer, and do not act on the depending side portions of the torque arm bracket.
A scale-ready load equalizing system for use with a suspension system on such vehicles with multiple axles, comprising:
- a torque arm bracket having a base portion and two opposing side portions which depend downwardly from opposing side edges of the base portion, the base portion being mounted to the frame of the vehicle, the torque arm bracket including means for receiving a torque arm portion of the suspension, the torque arm extending from a vehicle axle to the torque arm bracket;
- a support member mounted to the base portion of the torque arm bracket in such a manner that the support member is readily replaceable by a load cell without disrupting the mounting of the torque arm bracket to the frame;
- an equalizer support bracket mounted to the support member;
- and
- an equalizer member mounted to the equalizer support bracket, including means for receiving a portion of the suspension of the vehicle, the replacement of the support member by a load cell providing a capability for measuring vehicle loads.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.