Integrated aircraft scale and leveling apparatus and methods for use

1. A combination apparatus for weighing an aircraft, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of weight scales, each scale having an upper surface and adapted to be supported by a support surface in a position for receiving landing gear of an aircraft thereon; and

at least one portable riser for supporting one of the scales, each portable riser having an upper surface and being moveable for selected placement on the support surface;

wherein a height of each riser is selected to position an aircraft on the scales in a level attitude while a weight of the aircraft is being supported by the landing gear on the scales; and

wherein the upper surface of each scale is sized to receive the landing gear such that no portion of the landing gear rests on the upper surface of the portable riser while the aircraft is being weighed.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one scale is at least partially recessed in the support surface.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein an upper surface of the recessed scale is flush with the support surface.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the at least one portable riser is flush with the upper surface of the at least one scale supported thereon, the upper surface of the at least one portable riser being sized for supporting the landing gear so that no portion of the landing gear rests on the upper surface of the corresponding scale while the aircraft is not being weighed.

5. A combination weight scale and lifting apparatus, comprising:

a weight scale having an upper surface;

a portable riser for supporting one of the scales, the portable riser being moveable for selective placement on a support surface; and

a lifting device coupled to the portable riser;

wherein the lifting device is adapted for lifting an object to be weighed on the scale, the lifting device being capable of movement between a loading position, in which the object is located below the upper surface of the scale, to a weighing position, in which the object is located in a position generally aligned with the upper surface of the scale, which allows for the object to be moved generally horizontally from the lifting device and onto the upper surface of the scale; and

wherein the upper surface of each scale is sized to receive the landing gear such that no portion of the landing gear rests on the lifting device while the aircraft is being weighed.

6. A combination weight scale and lifting apparatus, comprising:

a weight scale having an upper surface;

a portable riser for supporting one of the scales, the portable riser being moveable for selective placement on a support surface; and

a lifting device coupled to the portable riser;

wherein the lifting device is adapted for lifting an object to be weighed on the scale, the lifting device being capable of movement between a loading position, in which the object is located below the upper surface of the scale, to a weighing position, in which the object is located in a position generally aligned with the upper surface of the scale, which allows for the object to be moved generally horizontally from the lifting device and onto the upper surface of the scale; and

wherein the lifting device is driven between the loading and weighing positions by a gear mechanism.

7. A combination weight scale and lifting apparatus, comprising:

a weight scale having an upper surface;

a portable riser for supporting one of the scales, the portable riser being moveable for selective placement on a support surface; and

a lifting device coupled to the portable riser;

wherein the lifting device is adapted for lifting an object to be weighed on the scale, the lifting device being capable of movement between a loading position, in which the object is located below the upper surface of the scale, to a weighing position, in which the object is located in a position generally aligned with the upper surface of the scale, which allows for the object to be moved generally horizontally from the lifting device and onto the upper surface of the scale; and

wherein the lifting device is driven between the loading and weighing positions by hydraulic pressure means.

8. A combination weight scale and lifting apparatus, comprising:

a weight scale having an upper surface; and

a lifting device adapted for lifting an object to be weighed on the scale, the lifting device being capable of movement between a loading position, in which the object is located below the upper surface of the scale, to a weighing position, in which the object is located in a position generally aligned with the upper surface of the scale, which allows for the object to be moved generally horizontally from the lifting device and onto the upper surface of the scale;

wherein the lifting device is driven between the loading and weighing positions by a roller means; and

wherein the upper surface of each scale is sized to receive the landing gear such that no portion of the landing gear rests on the lifting device while the aircraft is being weighed.

9. A combination weight scale and lifting apparatus, comprising:

a weight scale having an upper surface; and

a lifting device adapted for lifting an object to be weighed on the scale, the lifting device being capable of movement between a loading position, in which the object is located below the upper surface of the scale, to a weighing position, in which the object is located in a position generally aligned with the upper surface of the scale, which allows for the object to be moved generally horizontally from the lifting device and onto the upper surface of the scale;

wherein the lifting device is driven between the loading and weighing positions by scissor jack means.

10. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the lifting device is driven between the loading and weighing positions by lever means.

11. A combination weight scale and lifting apparatus, comprising:

a weight scale having an upper surface;

a lifting device adapted for lifting an object to be weighed on the scale, the lifting device being capable of movement between a loading position, in which the object is located below the upper surface of the scale, to a weighing position, in which the object is located in a position generally aligned with the upper surface of the scale, which allows for the object to be moved generally horizontally from the lifting device and onto the upper surface of the scale; and

a ramp coupled to the lifting device, the ramp having at least two plates that form an angle, a first plate being generally parallel to adjacent the support surface when the lifting device is in the loading position, a second plate being generally parallel to and generally aligned with the upper surface of the scale when the lifting device is in the weighing position.

12. A combination weight scale and lifting apparatus, comprising:

a weight scale having an upper surface;

a lifting device adapted for lifting an object to be weighed on the scale, the lifting device being capable of movement between a loading position, in which the object is located below the upper surface of the scale, to a weighing position, in which the object is located in a position generally aligned with the upper surface of the scale, which allows for the object to be moved generally horizontally from the lifting device and onto the upper surface of the scale; and

a ramp coupled to the lifting device, the ramp having at least two plates that form an angle, a first plate being generally parallel to adjacent the support surface when the lifting device is in the loading position, a second plate being generally parallel to and generally aligned with the upper surface of the scale when the lifting device is in the weighing position;

wherein the ramp rotates between the loading and weighing positions.

13. A combination weight scale and leveling apparatus, comprising:

a weight scale having an upper surface; and

an adjustable portable riser having an upper surface, the riser having a height that is adjustable through height adjusting means, the portable riser being configured for supporting the scale;

wherein each portable riser is moveable for selected placement on a support surface; and

wherein the upper surface of each scale is sized to receive an object to be weighed such that no portion of the object rests on the upper surface of the portable riser while the object is being weighed.

14. A combination weight scale and leveling apparatus, comprising:

a weight scale; and

an adjustable riser, the riser having a height that is adjustable through height adjusting means, the riser supporting the scale above a support surface;

wherein the height adjusting means comprises rollers bearing on opposing angled surfaces.

15. A combination weight scale and leveling apparatus, comprising:

a weight scale; and

an adjustable riser, the riser having a height that is adjustable through height adjusting means, the riser supporting the scale above a support surface;

wherein the height adjusting means comprises at least one rotatable eccentric lobe.

16. A combination weight scale and leveling apparatus, comprising:

a weight scale; and

an adjustable portable riser, the riser having a height that is adjustable through height adjusting means, the portable riser being configured for supporting the scale;

wherein each portable riser is moveable for selected placement on a support surface; and

wherein the height adjusting means comprises at least one airbag.

17. A method for weighing an aircraft, the method comprising:

(a) positioning a plurality of weight scales so that each landing gear of an aircraft will rest on one of the scales when the aircraft is positioned on the scales;

(b) positioning at least one portable riser under at least one of the scales for orienting the aircraft in a level attitude when the aircraft is positioned on the scales; and

(c) positioning an aircraft on the scales and reading the weight measurement from the scales;

wherein the at least one portable riser is configured for supporting the at least one of the scales, the at least one portable riser being moveable for selected placement on a support surface.

18. The method according to claim 17 , step (b) further comprising: adjusting a height of the at least one riser using height adjustment means of the at least one riser.

19. A system for weighing an aircraft having a nose landing gear and a main landing gear, the system comprising:

a first scale for receiving the nose landing gear;

a second scale for receiving the main landing gear; and

a portable riser configured for leveling the aircraft such that a zero attitude level is achieved, the portable riser adapted for carrying the second scale;

wherein the portable riser is moveable for selected placement on a support surface; and

wherein the first and second scales are configured for measuring the weight of the aircraft.

20. The system according to claim 19 , wherein the first scale is at least partially recessed in the support surface.

21. The system according to claim 20 , wherein an upper surface of the first scale is flush with the support surface.

22. A system for weighing an aircraft having a nose landing gear and a main landing gear, the system comprising:

a first scale for receiving the nose landing gear;

a second scale for receiving the main landing gear; and

a portable riser configured for leveling the aircraft such that a zero attitude level is achieved, the portable riser being moveable for selected placement on a support surface;

wherein the first and second scales are configured for measuring the weight of the aircraft; and

wherein the portable riser is configured for carrying the first scale.

23. The system according to claim 19 , wherein the portable riser has a height that is adjustable through height adjusting means.

24. The system according to claim 19 , further comprising:

a lifting device configured for lifting the main landing gear onto the first scale.

25. The system according to claim 24 , wherein the lifting device is coupled to the portable riser.