Tension Rods

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200 nylon snare/drum kit washers, for tension rod BLACK
200 nylon snare/drum kit washers, for tension rod BLACK
US $29.22
100 nylon snare/drum kit washers, for tension rod/screw
100 nylon snare/drum kit washers, for tension rod/screw
US $18.16
12 NICE 1960'S  2
12 NICE 1960'S 2" NICKEL LUDWIG SNARE TENSION RODS
US $19.99
NEW - Gibraltar 1-3/8
NEW - Gibraltar 1-3/8" Tension Rods (6) With Washers, #SC-4J
US $6.79
NEW - Gibraltar 1-5/8
NEW - Gibraltar 1-5/8" Tension Rods (6) With Washers, #SC-4C
US $6.79
Set of 12 Sonor Tension Rods and claws, Force series, All in Great Condition.
Set of 12 Sonor Tension Rods and claws, Force series, All in Great Condition.
US $18.50
Set of 6 used Free Floating Tension Rods and Claws, double ends, 12'' long rods
Set of 6 used Free Floating Tension Rods and Claws, double ends, 12'' long rods
US $.99
Vintage bass drum tension T-rods
Vintage bass drum tension T-rods
US $5.00
 VINTAGE PREMIER DRUM SNARE DRUM TENSION RODS (8) CHROME VERY GOOD CONDITION!!
VINTAGE PREMIER DRUM SNARE DRUM TENSION RODS (8) CHROME VERY GOOD CONDITION!!
US $19.95
Pearl set of 16 bass drum drum tension rods! Parts
Pearl set of 16 bass drum drum tension rods! Parts
US $15.00
3 Vintage 1930's Ludwig Bass Drum Tension Rods With Claws16
3 Vintage 1930's Ludwig Bass Drum Tension Rods With Claws16"
US $.99
Logan Percussion Nylon Tension Rod Washers, 100pk,Black
Logan Percussion Nylon Tension Rod Washers, 100pk,Black
US $9.99
NEW Yamaha 125mm Tension Rods & Washers (2), #PTR-125
NEW Yamaha 125mm Tension Rods & Washers (2), #PTR-125
US $8.99
 Tension Rods 4
Tension Rods 4" Cannon Percussion 12 pack
US $11.95
New Gibraltar Bass Drum Tension Rod 6mm. 4-Pack SC-BDTR/L
New Gibraltar Bass Drum Tension Rod 6mm. 4-Pack SC-BDTR/L
US $11.99
New Gibraltar Bass Drum Tension Rod 7/32
New Gibraltar Bass Drum Tension Rod 7/32" 4-Pack SC-BDTR/S
US $11.99
Pearl Drum Key Old Style for Tom or Snare Drum Tension Rods
Pearl Drum Key Old Style for Tom or Snare Drum Tension Rods
US $6.99
Vintage 1960'S Premier Drum Tom Parts & Hoop,Tension Rods,Badge,Head,Shell...
Vintage 1960'S Premier Drum Tom Parts & Hoop,Tension Rods,Badge,Head,Shell...
US $10.05
GRETSCH PARTS: 60s GRETSCH 2-5/8
GRETSCH PARTS: 60s GRETSCH 2-5/8" TENSION RODS for DRUM SET x 6! LOT #J227
US $29.95
70s GRETSCH 2
70s GRETSCH 2" TENSION RODS x6 SNARE DRUM TOM #A9
US $34.95
RARE PREMIER 1-15/16
RARE PREMIER 1-15/16" SNARE DRUM TENSION RODS LOT #482A
US $49.00
70s GRETSCH 2
70s GRETSCH 2" TENSION RODS x6 SNARE DRUM TOM #A10
US $34.95
70s GRETSCH 2
70s GRETSCH 2" TENSION RODS x8 SNARE DRUM TOM #1025
US $32.50
PARTS: 1960s/1970s SLINGERLAND 1-7/8
PARTS: 1960s/1970s SLINGERLAND 1-7/8" TENSION RODS x 8 for SNARE DRUM LOT #J229
US $34.95
VINTAGE GRETSCH FLOOR TOM TENSION RODS LOT #701
VINTAGE GRETSCH FLOOR TOM TENSION RODS LOT #701
US $39.00
1960's GRETSCH SNARE or TOM TENSION RODS 8 COUNT
1960's GRETSCH SNARE or TOM TENSION RODS 8 COUNT
US $32.50
70s GRETSCH 2
70s GRETSCH 2" TENSION RODS x8 SNARE DRUM TOM #1024
US $34.95
1960's/1970's GRETSCH 2
1960's/1970's GRETSCH 2" TENSION RODS for SNARE DRUM or TOM 8 COUNT LOT#L40
US $34.95
PARTS: 60's / 70's SLINGERLAND 1-7/8
PARTS: 60's / 70's SLINGERLAND 1-7/8" TENSION RODS x 8 for SNARE DRUM LOT #J231
US $29.95
VINTAGE GRETSCH FLOOR TOM TENSION RODS LOT #702
VINTAGE GRETSCH FLOOR TOM TENSION RODS LOT #702
US $39.00
RARE!!! 1950's GRETSCH SNARE DRUM TENSION RODS SET OF 16! LOT #J228
RARE!!! 1950's GRETSCH SNARE DRUM TENSION RODS SET OF 16! LOT #J228
US $79.00
Six 12
Six 12" tension rods for a drum
US $22.00
60s ROGERS 1 - 15/16
60s ROGERS 1 - 15/16" DYNASONIC SNARE TENSION RODS #596
US $36.95
TAMA - 8 TENSION RODS - Snare Drum Hoop & Rim Screw Project Parts
TAMA - 8 TENSION RODS - Snare Drum Hoop & Rim Screw Project Parts
US $14.98
VINTAGE 1960's GRETSCH 2
VINTAGE 1960's GRETSCH 2" TENSION RODS x 6 for SNARE DRUM & DRUM SET LOT# K369
US $26.95
SET OF 6! 1960's GRETSCH 2
SET OF 6! 1960's GRETSCH 2" TENSION RODS for SNARE DRUM & DRUM SET LOT# K370
US $26.95
10 VINTAGE BASS DRUM CLAWS AND TENSION RODS
10 VINTAGE BASS DRUM CLAWS AND TENSION RODS
US $29.99
Vintage Antique Marching Snare Drum Parts - Leg rest, tension rods, etc.
Vintage Antique Marching Snare Drum Parts - Leg rest, tension rods, etc.
US $20.00
Gibraltar Tension Rod Cymbal Mount
Gibraltar Tension Rod Cymbal Mount
US $29.99
Gibraltar Jaw Percussion Tension Rod Mount
Gibraltar Jaw Percussion Tension Rod Mount
US $29.99
Gibraltar Tension Rod Percussion Mount
Gibraltar Tension Rod Percussion Mount
US $29.99
set of 16 die cast chrome claws / clamps and tension rods, new
set of 16 die cast chrome claws / clamps and tension rods, new
US $55.00
 VINTAGE TAMA SUPERSTAR 4 1/2
VINTAGE TAMA SUPERSTAR 4 1/2" BASS DRUM TENSION T-RODS SCREWS & CLAWS!
US $6.95
 VINTAGE TAMA SUPERSTAR 5
VINTAGE TAMA SUPERSTAR 5" BASS DRUM TENSION T-RODS SCREWS & CLAWS!
US $6.95
New Cannon UPNW Nylon Tension Rod Washers
New Cannon UPNW Nylon Tension Rod Washers
US $9.95
Tama Tension Rods 2
Tama Tension Rods 2" Starclassic Superstar Artstar Chrome Finish Qty 16 VGC
US $21.99
10 Vintage Slingerland Bass Drum Tension Rods and Claws Nickel Cloud Badge
10 Vintage Slingerland Bass Drum Tension Rods and Claws Nickel Cloud Badge
US $45.56
Tension Rods~2 Pack~Standard Thread~2
Tension Rods~2 Pack~Standard Thread~2" Long With Washers~NEW
US $1.75
1 - 2
1 - 2" Drum Set Tension Rod
US $2.75
Gibraltar Metal Tension Rod Washers for Drums (12) Pack - SC-11
Gibraltar Metal Tension Rod Washers for Drums (12) Pack - SC-11
US $4.90
Logan Percussion Nylon Tension Rod Washers, 100pk
Logan Percussion Nylon Tension Rod Washers, 100pk
US $9.99
1970s SLINGERLAND 2-1/8 TENSION RODS x8 for SNARE, TOM SET LOT #K566
1970s SLINGERLAND 2-1/8 TENSION RODS x8 for SNARE, TOM SET LOT #K566
US $34.95
RARE 40s WFL Pre- Ludwig 2.75
RARE 40s WFL Pre- Ludwig 2.75" TENSION RODS for FLOOR TOM & DRUM SET LOT #T170
US $49.00
Lugs Tension Rods Washers - Lot of of 20 Lugs - Chrome 1
Lugs Tension Rods Washers - Lot of of 20 Lugs - Chrome 1" hole spacing
US $59.99
2 VINTAGE FIBES BASS TENSION RODS & CLAWS 60s 70s
2 VINTAGE FIBES BASS TENSION RODS & CLAWS 60s 70s
US $21.95
EXC/MINT 60s/70s VINTAGE SLINGERLAND DRUM 2
EXC/MINT 60s/70s VINTAGE SLINGERLAND DRUM 2" TENSION ROD T-RODS multiples avail.
US $4.94
16 Vintage Rogers Drum Co Tension Rods 1.5
16 Vintage Rogers Drum Co Tension Rods 1.5" Dynasonic Powertone Early 1960 s B&B
US $32.00
Vtg 1970 LUDWIG 12X8 TOM LUGS TENSION RODS AND MUFFLER
Vtg 1970 LUDWIG 12X8 TOM LUGS TENSION RODS AND MUFFLER
US $60.00
Vtg 1970 LUDWIG FLOOR TOM LUGS TENSION RODS AND MUFFLER
Vtg 1970 LUDWIG FLOOR TOM LUGS TENSION RODS AND MUFFLER
US $60.00
1960's LUDWIG 3.25
1960's LUDWIG 3.25" FLOOR TOM TENSION RODS x 8 for DRUM SET LOT #J860
US $39.95
60s/70s SLINGERLAND SNARE DRUM TENSION RODS LOT #131
60s/70s SLINGERLAND SNARE DRUM TENSION RODS LOT #131
US $32.50
60s GRETSCH 2
60s GRETSCH 2" TENSION RODS LOT #116
US $34.95
60s GRETSCH TENSION RODS SNARE DRUM TOM LOT #123
60s GRETSCH TENSION RODS SNARE DRUM TOM LOT #123
US $34.95
60s GRETSCH 2
60s GRETSCH 2" SNARE DRUM TENSION RODS 4157 4160 LOT303
US $34.95
10 Slingerland Vintage 70s Bass Drum Tension Rods and Claws
10 Slingerland Vintage 70s Bass Drum Tension Rods and Claws
US $52.99
Vintage Slingerland Snare Drum Tension Rods & Claws Qty 4
Vintage Slingerland Snare Drum Tension Rods & Claws Qty 4
US $29.95
New Ludwig 2 5/16 Keyrod Tension-Rods P3023AP
New Ludwig 2 5/16 Keyrod Tension-Rods P3023AP
US $8.95
LUDWIG - 10 SUPRAPHONIC 1 5/8
LUDWIG - 10 SUPRAPHONIC 1 5/8" TENSION RODS - Snare Drum Screw Parts
US $32.98
Cannon Chrome Bass Drum Tension T-Rods Bag of 10 NEW
Cannon Chrome Bass Drum Tension T-Rods Bag of 10 NEW
US $34.99
 16 VINTAGE LUDWIG 2.25
16 VINTAGE LUDWIG 2.25" FLOOR TOM TENSION RODS-VERY NICE!
US $3.00
 16 VINTAGE LUDWIG 1 7/8
16 VINTAGE LUDWIG 1 7/8" FLOOR TOM TENSION RODS-VERY NICE!!
US $3.00
 10 VINTAGE LUDWIG 1 7/8
10 VINTAGE LUDWIG 1 7/8" FLOOR TOM TENSION RODS-VERY NICE!!
US $3.00
 8 VINTAGE LUDWIG BASS DRUM TENSION RODS&CLAWS in VERY GOOD CONDITION!
8 VINTAGE LUDWIG BASS DRUM TENSION RODS&CLAWS in VERY GOOD CONDITION!
US $15.50
40s SLINGERLAND RADIOKING TENSION RODS #439
40s SLINGERLAND RADIOKING TENSION RODS #439
US $49.00
1960's/1970's GRETSCH TENSION RODS x 5 for DRUM SET! LOT #K327
1960's/1970's GRETSCH TENSION RODS x 5 for DRUM SET! LOT #K327
US $26.95
1960's SLINGERLAND 2-3/8
1960's SLINGERLAND 2-3/8" TENSION RODS X 6 for TOM FLOOR & DRUM SET LOT #K727
US $29.00
GRETSCH PARTS: 1960's GRETSCH 3-1/8
GRETSCH PARTS: 1960's GRETSCH 3-1/8" LONG TENSION RODS x 8 LOT #J107
US $45.00
SET OF 5! 1960's/1970's GRETSCH TENSION RODS for DRUM SET! LOT #K326
SET OF 5! 1960's/1970's GRETSCH TENSION RODS for DRUM SET! LOT #K326
US $26.95
1970's SLINGERLAND 2-3/8
1970's SLINGERLAND 2-3/8" TENSION RODS X 8 for TOM FLOOR & DRUM SET LOT #K751
US $39.00
1970's SLINGERLAND 2
1970's SLINGERLAND 2" TENSION RODS x 8 for TOM SNARE & DRUM SET LOT# K398
US $32.50
1960's GEORGE WAY PRE- CAMCO 2-3/4
1960's GEORGE WAY PRE- CAMCO 2-3/4" TENSION RODS x 2 for DRUM SET LOT# K402
US $14.95
1960's GEORGE WAY PRE- CAMCO 2-3/4
1960's GEORGE WAY PRE- CAMCO 2-3/4" TENSION RODS x 8 for DRUM SET LOT# K401
US $39.00
VINTAGE ROGERS USA 2-5/8
VINTAGE ROGERS USA 2-5/8" FLOOR TOM TENSION RODS FOR DRUM SET LOT #T93
US $34.95
1960's LUDWIG 2-5/16
1960's LUDWIG 2-5/16" TENSION RODS FOR TOM & DRUM SET LOT #T92
US $29.95
60s ROGERS FLOOR TOM 8 COUNT TENSION RODS LOT #988
60s ROGERS FLOOR TOM 8 COUNT TENSION RODS LOT #988
US $34.95
VINTAGE ROGERS USA 2-5/8
VINTAGE ROGERS USA 2-5/8" FLOOR TOM TENSION RODS FOR DRUM SET LOT #T94
US $34.95
MATCHED SET of EIGHT! 2
MATCHED SET of EIGHT! 2" TENSION RODS for SNARE DRUM TOM and DRUM SET LOT #K752
US $16.95
VINTAGE ROGERS 1-15/16
VINTAGE ROGERS 1-15/16" TENSION RODS FOR SNARE DRUM TOM & SET LOT #T69
US $39.00

Tension Rods

Weight hopper installation with a tension load cell

1. A Weight hopper installation comprising:

a rigidly supported frame including a load beam extending substantially horizontally at a first elevation;

a Weight hopper having a variable weight and a center of gravity situated laterally adjacent to the frame, said hopper including a substantially planar front wall oriented transversely to the load beam and having a width dimension and a height dimension;

means for supporting substantially all the weight of the Weight hopper through a load cell interposed between the frame and the weight hopper, said means for supporting the weight of the hopper including a vertically oriented rod having upper and lower portions, one of said rod portions being attached to the support beam and the other of said rod portions being attached to bracket means mounted on the Weight hopper front wall, such that said attached portions of the rod are at elevations above and below the hopper center of gravity, whereby the weight of the hopper and its contents is borne substantially entirely by the rod and said load cell; and

restraint means in the form of semi-flexible strips connected laterally between the frame and the hopper, for preventing horizontal movement of the Weight hopper while permitting vertical movement of the hopper.

The Weight hopper installation (10) includes a rigid support frame (14) and a hopper (16) having a center of gravity (42) situated laterally adjacent to the frame. Substantially all the weight of the hopper is supported through a load cell (54) carried by a rod (50) between the frame and the hopper, preferably in tension. Restraint members (62, 64, 74) are connected laterally between the frame and the Weight hopper, for preventing horizontal movement of the hopper while permitting vertical movement of the hopper.

2. Wherein the hopper extends vertically from a first elevation higher than the frame to a second elevation lower than the frame.

3. Wherein the load cell is at substantially the same vertical elevation as the hopper center of gravity.

4. Wherein the restraint means includes only two upper restraint members above the means for supporting the Weight hopper and only one lower restraint member below the means for supporting the hopper.

5. The Weight hopper of claim 1 wherein the restraint means are in the form of composite plastic strips.

6. Wherein said rod upper portion is attached to the support beam above the hopper center of gravity, and said rod lower portion is attached to said bracket means below the weight hopper center of gravity, for rigidly connecting the Weight hopper front wall to said rod lower portion, whereby the weight of the hopper and its contents is borne substantially entirely by the rod in tension; and the restraint means includes,

first and second, semi-flexible lateral restraint members, each connected between the support frame and the hopper front wall in spaced apart relation along said horizontal dimension above the load cell; and a third semi-flexible lateral restraint member connected between the support frame and the hopper front wall below the load cell control system or weighing controller.(China Longxin's weighing controllers can make the hopper scales work stability and security.)

7. The Weight hopper of claim 6, wherein the restraint means are in the form of flexible composite plastic strips.

8. A Weight hopper installation comprising:

a rigid girder;

a support frame rigidly connected to the girder and including a load beam extending substantially horizontally from the girder at a first elevation;

a hopper situated in spaced relation adjacent the support beam, said hopper having a center of gravity and a front wall oriented transversely to the load beam, the front wall extending horizontally with a width dimension and extending vertically with a height dimension from above said first elevation to a second elevation below said first elevation;

a vertically oriented tension rod having upper and lower portions, the upper portion being attached to the support beam above the Weight hopper center of gravity, and the lower portion of the rod extending below said center of gravity;

means for rigidly connecting the hopper front wall to said second portion of the rod, whereby the weight of the weight hopper and its contents is borne substantially entirely by the rod in tension;

first and second semi-flexible lateral restraint members, each connected in spaced apart relation between the support frame and the hopper front wall above the hopper center of gravity and substantially in parallel with the load beam and;

a third semi-flexible lateral restraint member connected between the support frame and the hopper front wall below the hopper center of gravity.

9. The Weighing Weight hopper installation of claim 8, wherein the lateral restraint members are in the form of composite plastic strips.

10. The Weight hopper installation of claim 8, wherein

the girder extends horizontally, and

the support frame includes,

a column rigidly attached to and extending vertically from the girder,

said load beam, which is rigidly attached to and extends horizontally from the column toward the hopper front wall,

a brace member rigidly attached to one of the column or load beam and extending horizontally on either side of the load beam in parallel with the front wall, and to which said first and second lateral restraint members are attached, and

means for attaching the third third lateral restrain member to said column.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to Weight hoppers, such as those used for metering a flowable solid such as feed or the like.

Conventionally, where a dry product is metered through a hopper or vessel by weight subtraction, a load cell system is utilised with the hopper. This configuration provides a positive means for metering the product, which can be set to alarm in the event of material bridging or clogging in the feeder. Although conventional Weight hoppers perform their intended function satisfactorily, the support system for the hopper is typically relatively complex in order to properly cooperate with multiple load cells. This often encumbers free access to the top of the weigh hopper. In addition, the need for lateral support often encumbers at least two or three sides of the Weight hopper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a simple yet effective Weight hopper system using a single, low-cost load cell .

It is another object that the load cell and hopper support structure encumber only one side of the hopper.

A Weight hopper installation according to the invention, includes a rigidly supported saddle frame, a hopper situated laterally adjacent to the frame, and means, such as a rod member, for supporting substantially all the weight of the hopper through a load cell interposed between the frame and the hopper. To maintain static equilibrium of the Weight hopper, three horizontal lateral restraints, preferably constructed of semi-flexible composite plastic, extend between the frame and the hopper. The semi-flexible restraints hold the hopper in steady position, yet do not remove the vertical load from the rod and load cell.

Preferably, the rod member extends vertically, and is subjected to vertical loading whether the hopper is empty or contains dry product. Only minimal twisting moments develop about the axis perpendicular to the planes along which the lateral restraints extend from the frame to attachments at the hopper. The lateral restraints are able to carry small moments about this axis, which eliminates the need to install restraints on more than one side of the hopper.

This simple weigh system is virtually maintenance free, unaffected by dirt and contamination, and low in cost, because there are no bearings or machined surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a Weight hopper installation in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the installation shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view of the front of the hopper, taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1-3 show a Weight hopper installation 10 in a mill or plant, consisting of the basic components of a girder 12 or the like, which would typically be a part of the building structure, a support frame 14 welded or otherwise rigidly attached to the girder 12, and a hopper assembly 16, supported by the frame 14 and, indirectly, by the girder 12.

The hopper assembly 16 can have a variety of shapes that do not induce large twisting moments on the supports. The hopper 16 preferably includes a body portion 18 into which dry product is deposited, and a feeder portion 38 which is integral with, or rigidly secured to, bottom of the body portion 18 via interengaged flanges 34, 36.

The body portion 18 includes a substantially vertical front wall 20, opposed, parallel side walls 30 extending perpendicularly from the front wall 20, and an oblique back wall 22. The upper portion of the body 18 can include a substantially rectangular box 24 defining an inlet opening, which may be covered by a screen member 26 hinged to the front of the box 24 or wall at 28.

The lower end or bottom of the body portion 18 defines another opening 32 leading to the feed portion 38, which contains a feeder screw or feed valve 40, as is well known in the art. For purposes of the present invention, Weight hopper portions 18 and 38 can be considered a unitary, rigid body having a center of gravity 42. The hopper 16 is preferably symetric about a line of symmetry 43 extending between the front wall 20 and back wall 22.

The support frame 14 is interposed between the girder 12 and the hopper 16. Preferably, the support frame, or saddle, includes a column 44 extending vertically from the horizontal girder 12, for a distance that is preferably less than the full vertical dimension of the hopper 16. A support beam 45 extends horizontally from column 44 at a first elevation, perpendicularly to the front wall 20 of the hopper, and preferably along an extension of the line of symmetry 43 of the hopper, when viewed from above as shown in FIG. 2. The support beam 45 is rigidly connected to colum 44 in any manner, such as by first brace 46.

A cross brace member 47 is rigidly attached to either the column 44 or load beam 45, and extends horizontally in parallel with the front wall 20 of the Weight hopper, on either side of the load beam 45. Preferably the length of the cross brace member 47 is substantially equal to the width dimension of the hopper front wall 20 as seen in FIG. 2, and situated above load beam 45. A bracket 48 or other attachment means, for purposes to be described below, is provided at the lower end of column 44. In general, the cross brace member 47 is located at an elevation approximately the same as that of the upper end of the hopper 16, and the bracket 48 is situated at an elevation below the center of gravity 42 of the hopper, near the lower extent thereof.

Near the free, or cantilevered end of the support beam 45, a rigid rod having an upper portion 50a and a lower portion 50b extends vertically adjacent the front wall 20 of the hopper controller. The upper portion 50a of the rod is secured, as at 52, to the support beam 45, and the lower portion 50b is rigidly secured to the Weight hopper 16 through an attachment at 58 to a bracket 56 which is, in turn, welded or otherwise formed as a integral part of the hopper.

A weighing load cell 54 is interposed between the upper and lower portions 50a, 50b, of the rod, for generating an output signal comensurate with the tension load. This tension arises from the arrangement whereby substantially the entire weight of the hopper 16 and its contents, is borne by the rod 50 and associated cell 54. In the illustrated embodiment, this load is a tension load, and the cell is a tension load cell. A suitable low cost cell is available commercially as the S type model TC-5-500 from Eagle Micro Systems, Chester Springs, Pa.

As can be more clearly seen in FIG. 2, the line of symetry 43 of the hopper, if extended horizontally, passes through either the load cell or the upper or lower rod portions 50a, 50b. Moreover, it may also be appreciated that, as viewed in FIG. 1, the attachment of tension rod 50 to the support beam 45, is above the hopper center of gravity 42, and the attachment of tension rod 50 to the Weight hopper 16 via 56, is below the hopper center of gravity. The distance between attachment points 52 and 58 should extend sufficiently in the vertical direction, to span the variable location of the hopper center of gravity 42 resulting from empty to fully load conditions. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2, the center of gravity 42 remains generally on the axis of symetry 43, although it may move slightly along that line as viewed in FIG. 2 between the empty and full condition of the hopper. Since the hopper assembly center of gravity is close to the geometric center relative to the vertical support point 52, the loading, unloading, and other forces acting on the hopper during operation, produce only minimal twisting moments about a vertical axis 80 which passes through the center of gravity 42.

In a significant feature of the present invention, lateral constraint of the Weight hopper 16 can be accomplished from only one side, preferably the front wall 20, thereby minimizing encumberances on three sides of the hopper. Moreover, with the present invention, both the load support and the lateral support interact with the front wall of the hopper, within the vertical dimensions defined by the top and bottom of the hopper, thereby unencumbering the space above the hopper.

This is accomplished by providing first and second, semi-flexible restraining members 62, 64, connected at 66, 70 to the brace member 47, and at 68, 72 to the front wall 20 of the hopper respectively, so as to extend in parallel on either side of the support beam 45. Preferably, the restraint members 62, 64 are connected to the hopper, at the widest dimension as viewed in FIG. 2. Similarly, a third, semi-flexible restraining member 74 extends between bracket 48 at connection 76, to the front of hopper 16, for example at a connection 78 to the front wall 20 or to the feeder portion 38 of the hopper.

In general, the first and second, or upper, restraining members 62, 64 are at elevations above the center of gravity 42 of the Weight hopper, preferably above the support point 52 of the tension rod 50. The lower restraining member 74, is preferably situated below the center of gravity 42, and under the attachment point 58 of the support rod 50 to the hopper.

The restraint members 62, 64 and 74 have sufficient flexibility to hold the hopper in position against rotation or horizontal displacement, without removing the vertical load from the tension load cell or weight transmitter or other transmitters. This is an important consideration for accurate, precise metering of the dry product. Preferably, the restraining members are formed from strips or ribbons of flexible composite plastic, such as available commercially under the name, Scotch Ply. As used herein, the term "semi-flexible" means that the material is capable of carrying high tension loads, and at least moderate compression loads, without flexure, but is relatively elastic in response to bending loads.

It should be appreciated that, although a tension rod and tension load cell embodiment have been disclosed, the principle of the present invention can also be implemented using a compression rod and compression load cell. In such embodiment, the upper load beam 45 would be below the center of gravity, and the attachment point such as 58 to the Weight hopper would be above the center of gravity 42.

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Tension Rods
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