Patent ID: 7196276
Filing Date: 2007-03-27
Classification: G01G

Abstract:
1. A scale mechanism for mounting on a delivery truck for carrying supplies of loose material to be dispensed therefrom, said truck having a delivery chute through which said loose material is dispensed, said delivery chute being selectively controlled by a movable delivery gate, comprising: a frame apparatus for supporting the scale mechanism, said frame apparatus being movable from an elevated transport position mounted on said delivery truck to an operative position spaced vertically below said elevated transport position; a hopper pivotally supported by at least two supports pivotally mounted on the frame apparatus and being selectively positionable to receive loose material from said delivery chute, said hopper having a discharge opening through which the contents of the hopper can be discharged selectively; weigh cells connected to said supports to be disposed between the frame apparatus and the hopper so as to weigh the hopper and the contents thereof; a discharge gate movably mounted on said hopper to selectively open and close said discharge opening; and a computer system operatively connected to said weigh cells to record the weight of material within the hopper registered thereby, said computer system also being operable to control the movement of said discharge gate and said delivery gate to control the dispensing and discharge of loose material into and out of said hopper.