Patent ID: 6417465
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: G01G

Abstract:
A ground-conforming portable truck scale which may be positioned on the ground for weighing a truck and raised therefrom to a transport position, comprising:a first side truss member having a forward end, a rearward end, an upper end, and a lower end; a second side truss member having a forward end, a rearward end, an upper end, and a lower end; said first and second side truss members being horizontally spaced-apart; each of said first and second side truss members having a plurality of spaced-apart openings formed therein along the lengths thereof which receive the ends of cross-beams extending between said first and second side truss members; said cross-beams having upper and lower ends; a center pivot beam, having opposite ends, extending between said first and second side truss members at the approximate center length thereof; said opposite ends of said center pivot beam being pivotally secured, about a horizontal axis, to said first and second side truss members; a front ramp pivotally secured to said forward ends of said first and second side truss members; said front ramp being pivotally secured to said first and second side truss members about a horizontal axis which is transverse to the length of said first and second side truss members; said front ramp also being pivotally secured to said forward ends of said first and second side truss members about a horizontal axis which is parallel to the length of said first and second side truss members; a tow hitch secured to said first ramp for connection to a prime mover when the scale is in its transport position; a rear ramp pivotally secured to said rearward ends of said first and second side truss members; said rear ramp being pivotally secured to said first and second side truss members about a horizontal axis which is transverse to the length of said first and second side truss members; said rear ramp also being pivotally secured to said rearward ends of said first and second side truss members about a horizontal axis which is parallel to the length of said first and second side truss members; a wheel assembly operatively connected to said rear ramp for supporting said rear ramp and said rearward ends of said first and second side truss members above the ground when the scale is in its transport position; a front lift jack assembly for raising said front ramp from a ground-engaging position to a transport position and for lowering said front ramp from its transport position to its ground-engaging position; a rear lift jack assembly for raising said rear ramp from a ground-engaging position to a transport position and for lowering said rear ramp from its transport position to its ground-engaging position; a first weigh cell operatively connected to the forward end of said first side truss member; a second weigh cell operatively connected to the rearward end of said first side truss member; a third weigh cell operatively connected to the forward end of said first side truss member; and a fourth weigh cell operatively connected to the rearward end of said second side truss member; said first, second, third and fourth weigh cells being operatively connected to a means for indicating the weight of the vehicle supported upon said cross-beams.