Patent Description:
A number of types of heavy-duty scales are used in industrial weighing. In some situations, the scale can be a portable scale, having casters or similar means that facilitates moving the scale to a point of use, but this mobility generally comes at the price of raising the weighing surface. In another situation, a portable scale uses a forked load platform in the nature of a pallet jack. Such a scale may be useful, but only when the target load is already on a pallet. As the mass and volume of the target load increases, the required load platform increases in both footprint area and in thickness. The load platform needs to be arranged in a structure proximate to a floor, with the structure providing a base for the plurality of load cells on which the load platform bears. In many of these situations, the structure is mounted to the floor for stability. This is the weighing system referred to in this application as a floor scale.

In some industries, the environment in which the floor scale is used does not require frequent "wash down" or "wipe down" cleaning. However, there are a number of industries where cleanliness is paramount. Recent concerns with surface transmission during the early days of the coronavirus accentuated the known concerns about sanitation, decontamination and avoidance of cross contamination. For purpose of illustration only, such industries include food processing, pharma and bio processing.

At least one piece of prior art, <CIT>, is directed at a portable, clean-in-place industrial floor scale. However, the approach taken there is to reduce the weight of the load platform. While this may make the load platform lighter, it also reduces the maximum capacity of the scale.

Besides cleaning the top of the load platform and the surrounding structure, there is a need to be able to safely raise the load platform from its horizontal operating position to clean the footprint on which it is mounted. <CIT> discloses a scale comprising a weighing platform and a lifting device configured to pivot the scale with little effort and with reduced twisting from an operating position into a cleaning position. It may also be necessary to minimize the amount of surface where liquids may pool and present a growth medium for bacteria and the like. A further floor scale is disclosed in <CIT>.

It is an unmet object of the prior art to meet these requirements.

These objects are met by a floor scale having the inventive concept embodied therein. Such a floor scale is configured to allow cleaning of both the floor scale and a footprint of the floor scale on a floor on which the floor scale is arranged. The floor scale comprises a load platform having an upper surface for receiving a load to be weighed, a frame supporting the load platform above the floor and a pair of foot assemblies, each of which is connected to the frame for pivoting the load platform about an axis between an operative position in which the upper surface is substantially parallel to the floor and a non-operative position in which the upper surface is angled obliquely relative to the floor.

In such a floor scale, the load platform is preferably rectangular, and, more preferably, square. In such a floor scale, the load platform may comprise or be a rectangular solid wherein the upper surface typically has an area of from about <NUM> to about <NUM> in<NUM> and the load platform typically weighs from about <NUM> to about <NUM> lb.

The frame comprises a rear frame member and a pair of side frame members. Each side frame member of the pair of side frame members is attached to opposite ends of the rear frame member. The rear frame member comprises a bar, in particular a cylindrical bar having a first end and a second end. Then, a first side frame member of the pair of side frame members is attached to the first end of the bar, and a second side frame member of the pair of side frame members is attached to the second end of the bar. The rear frame member forms a rear edge of the frame and the pair of side frame members form side edges, in particular opposite side edges, of the frame. The side frame members may be according to any embodiment disclosed below. In particular, the side frame members comprise at least one bar and at least one vertical plate according to any embodiment disclosed below. In particular, the vertical plate may comprise the at least two apertures positioned to receive a locking pin.

The frame comprises further a front frame member, wherein each side frame member of the pair of side frame members is attached to the respective front and rear frame members to define a rectangular frame having front, rear and side edges and four corners. The frame also has a plate, at a lower portion of each of the four corners. The load platform bears upon these plates In many embodiments, these plates are with an aperture in each establishing a force communication with the floor only when the load platform is in the operative position. Also the front member comprises a bar, in particular a cylindrical bar. and the side frame members comprise bars, in particular cylindrical bars, and vertical plates, Accumulation of liquids can be minimized by the front and rear frame members comprising bars, in particular cylindrical bars, and the side frame members comprising bars, in particular cylindrical bars, and vertical plates.

In many embodiments and independent of the concrete realization of the frame, the foot assemblies, in particular each of the foot assemblies, comprise a first foot, connected to the frame near the rear edge of the frame, establishing the axis for pivoting the frame, a second foot, spaced apart from the first foot, and a bar, in particular a cylindrical bar, offset from the floor and aligned along the side edge (the corresponding side edge, as the case may be) of the frame, in particular if the load platform is in the operative position, holding the first foot and second foot in spaced-apart relationship. The bar may be parallel to the side edge, in particular in embodiments of the floor scale comprising a rectangular frame that may be given by the relative arrangement of a front frame member, a rear frame member and a pair of side frame members, as disclosed above.

In an embodiment, each first foot and second foot is adapted to be anchored to the floor by a means for fastening.

Independent of the concrete realization of the embodiment of the floor scale comprising foot assemblies with a first foot, a second foot and a bar, for each of the foot assemblies, the second foot and the corresponding side frame member may provide anchor points for applying torque to the frame above the axis.

The floor scale according to any embodiment disclosed may further comprise a means for locking the load platform in the operative position and in at least one non-operative position.

In embodiments of the floor scale comprising a pair of foot assemblies with a first foot and a frame with a pair of side frame members, the means for locking may comprise a spring-loaded locking pin arranged in the first foot; and at least two apertures in the corresponding side frame member, the first of the apertures positioned to receive the locking pin when the load platform is in the operative position and each of the further apertures positioned to receive the locking pin when the load platform is in one of the at least one non-operative positions.

The floor scale according to any embodiment disclosed may further comprise means for applying torque to the frame above the axis. The means may be a hydraulic cylinder in many embodiments. In particular in embodiments of the floor scale comprising a pair of foot assemblies with a first foot, a second foot and a bar, and a frame with a pair of side frame members, the floor scale may further comprise, for each foot assembly, a hydraulic cylinder having a first end mounted to the second foot and a second end mounted to the corresponding side frame member. A cylinder body of the hydraulic cylinder may then be mounted to the second foot. In embodiments comprising a hydraulic cylinder, a rod/piston of the hydraulic cylinder is in a retracted position when the load platform is in the operative position and in an extended position when the load platform is in the non-operative position.

In the floor scale according to any embodiment disclosed, all surfaces of the frame and foot assemblies may be substantially devoid of concave horizontal surfaces.

The above and other features, properties and advantages of the present invention will become clearer based on the description below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments, and the same features are always indicated by the same reference numerals in the figures, in which:.

An embodiment of a floor scale <NUM> incorporating the inventive concept is depicted in perspective views in <FIG> and <FIG>. The floor scale <NUM> is particularly configured to allow the cleaning of both the floor scale and a footprint F of the floor scale on the floor beneath floor scale. In <FIG>, the footprint is not visible, as the floor scale <NUM> is shown in an operative condition, in which a load platform <NUM> of the floor scale is positioned substantially horizontally for receiving a load to be weighed. In <FIG>, the load platform <NUM> is in a raised non-operative condition that provides access to many of the surfaces of the floor scale <NUM>, as well as to the floor or base surface on which the floor scale is placed, particularly the footprint F beneath the load platform. For purposes of this specification, the footprint F refers to the portion of the floor that is beneath the load platform <NUM> when in the operative condition.

The load platform <NUM> is a vital aspect of the floor scale <NUM>, depicted in all views, but not readily apparent in some of the views. The load platform <NUM> in a typical floor scale <NUM> will be a rectangular metal plate, preferably a square plate. In a typical embodiment, an upper surface <NUM> of the load platform <NUM> will be planar, as seen in <FIG>, to facilitate positioning of a load being weighed by the floor scale <NUM>. Load platform <NUM> also has a lower surface <NUM>, visible in <FIG>. The surface area of the upper surface <NUM> and the weight of the load platform <NUM> can widely vary, but the issues being solved by the inventive concept come into play when the load platform becomes so large or so heavy that moving it to obtain access to the footprint becomes unwieldy or unsafe. Based on that, a typical range for the surface area where the inventive concept would be employed would be from about <NUM> in<NUM> to about <NUM> in<NUM>. If such a load platform <NUM> is a solid metal plate, a reasonable weight range would then be typically in the range of from about <NUM> to about <NUM> lb. Alternate solutions exist for providing cleaning access to a floor scale <NUM> when the load platform <NUM> is significantly outside those ranges, although the inventive concept is by no means limited to the surface area and weight ranges.

Although subsequent figures will describe the features of the inventive concept in more detail, <FIG> and <FIG> clearly demonstrate the movement of the load platform <NUM> as it is moved from the operative position of weighing a load (<FIG>) to a raised, non-operative position (<FIG>) in which the footprint F is accessible for cleaning. A periphery of the load platform <NUM> is surrounded by a frame <NUM> that supports the load platform when the load platform is being raised or lowered or is in the non-operative position. When in the operative position, the load platform <NUM> is maintained above the floor, but load cells are interposed between the load platform and the floor. The movement from the operative position to the non-operative position, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, is a pivoting movement about an axis A established at a rear portion of the floor scale <NUM>.

Additional features of the frame <NUM> that are visible in <FIG> and <FIG> include a front frame member <NUM>, a rear frame member <NUM> and a pair of side frame members <NUM>.

The floor scale <NUM> also has a pair of foot assemblies <NUM>, each of which is connected to the frame <NUM> for pivoting the load platform <NUM> about an axis A at a rear portion of the frame. The foot assemblies <NUM> are not very distinguishable from the frame <NUM> in <FIG>, but they are quite clearly seen once the load platform <NUM> is in the raised, non-operative position of <FIG>. Each foot assembly <NUM> comprises a first foot <NUM>, connected to the frame <NUM> near the rear edge of the frame, establishing the axis A for pivoting the frame, a second foot <NUM>, and a cylindrical bar <NUM>. The first foot <NUM> and the second foot <NUM> are spaced apart from each other and held in that relationship by the cylindrical bar <NUM>. Further, each of the feet <NUM>, <NUM> are preferably adapted to be anchored to the floor by an appropriate means for anchoring, such as a threaded bolt. The cylindrical bar <NUM> is offset from the floor and is parallel to one of the side frame members <NUM> when the load platform <NUM> is in the operative position. By offsetting the bar <NUM> and making it cylindrical, the surfaces of it are accessible for cleaning and by having no horizontal concave surfaces, there is little or no ability for liquids to pool. Minimizing exposed horizontal concave surfaces is considered a feature of the inventive concept. Although described as a "bar," cylindrical bar <NUM> can be a tubular element and still perform its intended function.

Moving now to <FIG> and <FIG>, front elevation views of the floor scale <NUM> are shown. <FIG> shows the floor scale <NUM> in the operative position; <FIG> shows the floor scale in the raised position. Because a central portion of the width lacks any characterizing features, a portion of the width is not shown. <FIG> and <FIG> are right-side elevation views of the floor scale, with <FIG> showing the floor scale <NUM> in the operative position and <FIG> showing the floor scale in the raised position. In the embodiment presented, floor scale <NUM> has side frame members <NUM> that extend in the front-to-rear dimension more than twice the separation of the first foot <NUM> from the second foot <NUM> in the same direction. As seen in <FIG>, this particular embodiment will position a vertical projection of the center of mass borne by the frame <NUM> within the front-to-rear length of each foot assembly <NUM>. However, a more important characteristic of each foot assembly <NUM> is providing a secure purchase of the floor through a means for anchoring, especially a robust fastener. This characteristic is balanced with the additional concern in minimizing the front-to-rear length of the foot assembly <NUM>, as it can present a tripping hazard when the floor scale <NUM> is in the raised position.

Although shown to some extent in <FIG>, <FIG> provides additional insight to the structure of the frame <NUM> provided by the respective frame members <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Each side frame member <NUM> is attached to the respective front and rear frame members <NUM>, <NUM>. The respective attachments may be preferred to be made by welding. When assembled, the frame <NUM> surrounds a periphery of the load platform <NUM>, so the frame is rectangular, and preferably square, just as at the load platform is. As seen to a certain extent in <FIG>, but even better in <FIG>, each of the corners of the frame <NUM> has a plate <NUM> intended for receiving the weight of the load platform <NUM>. Using known technology in the art, a load cell (not shown) may be mounted in the load platform <NUM> so that a rocker pin (not shown) and receiver (not shown) can act through an aperture <NUM> in the plate <NUM> to impose strain on the load cell, but only when the floor scale <NUM> is in the operative position. As the frame <NUM> is raised, the receiver loses its contact with the floor and ceases to act on the load cell, although the weight of the load platform still bears upon the plate <NUM>.

The various views depict several features of the pair of side frame members <NUM>. Whereas the front and rear frame members <NUM>, <NUM> are depicted as single cylindrical bars, or, as noted, cylindrical tubes, each side frame member <NUM> comprises a plurality of cylindrical bars or tubes, as well as a vertical plate <NUM>. The arrangement of the cylindrical bars or tubes is intended at providing a rigid vertical truss having a light weight, with structural members that are easily cleaned and which do not provide concave horizontal surfaces that would allow liquids to accumulate.

A vertical enlargement of each side frame member <NUM> may be achieved with the use of a vertical plate <NUM>, as seen not only in <FIG> and <FIG>, but also in <FIG>. The vertical plate <NUM> is an important aspect of providing the pivoting movement of the frame <NUM> relative to the foot assemblies <NUM>. The axis A for the pivoting movement is preferably provided by the rear frame member <NUM> or an extension thereof. An aperture <NUM> in the first foot of each foot assembly <NUM> receives an end of the rear frame member <NUM>. Vertical plate <NUM> is shown as having a corresponding aperture <NUM>, although an alternative solution would be to substitute a trunnion that protrudes horizontally into aperture <NUM> to establish the axis A. In many embodiments of the inventive concept, at least two further apertures <NUM> are provided in the vertical plate <NUM>. A first of these, denominated 44a in <FIG>, is vertically above axis A, represents a hole for receiving a locking pin <NUM> when the load platform is in the operative position. There should be at least one further aperture, denominated 44b, for receiving the locking pin <NUM> when the load platform is in at least one raised non-operative position. These apertures 44a, 44b will be; located along an arc at a selected radius R from the axis A. A locking pin <NUM> would preferably be located in a vertical extension of the first foot <NUM> and would preferably be spring-loaded to bias the pin into the apertures <NUM> as encountered during the pivoting movement of the frame <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A floor scale (<NUM>), configured to allow cleaning of both the floor scale and a footprint (F) of the floor scale on a floor on which the floor scale is arranged, comprising:
a load platform (<NUM>) having an upper surface (<NUM>) for receiving a load to be weighed;
a frame (<NUM>) supporting the load platform (<NUM>) above the floor; and
a pair of foot assemblies (<NUM>), each of which is connected to the frame (<NUM>) for pivoting the load platform (<NUM>) about an axis (A) between an operative position in which the upper surface (<NUM>) is substantially parallel to the floor and a non-operative position in which the upper surface is angled obliquely relative to the floor,
wherein the frame (<NUM>) comprises:
a rear frame member (<NUM>);
a pair of side frame members (<NUM>), each of which is attached to opposite ends of the rear frame member, wherein the rear frame member (<NUM>) forms a rear edge of the frame and the pair of side frame members (<NUM>) form side edges of the frame;
a front frame member (<NUM>), wherein each side frame member of the pair of side frame members (<NUM>) is attached to the respective front and rear frame members (<NUM>, <NUM>) to define a rectangular frame having front, rear and side edges and four corners;
characterized in that:
the front and rear frame members (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprise bars and the side frame members (<NUM>) comprise bars and vertical plates (<NUM>); and in that
the frame (<NUM>) comprises a plate (<NUM>), at a lower portion of each of the four corners, upon which the load platform (<NUM>) bears.