Scale

#The invention relates to a scale having a base plate, a load plate, and at least one weighing cell acting between the base plate and load plate.

#All scales, including bathroom scales, kitchen scales and industrial scales, as a rule essentially comprise a load plate which is provided on a base plate or base frame with one or more weighing cells interposed between the load plate and the base plate or base frame. The weighing cells are joined together via an evaluation unit, which provides a visible weighing result via a display.

#A disadvantage of conventional scales is that the weighing cells are retained on the base plate or base frame or in a housing via fastening elements. This structure substantially determines the height of the scale. In addition, also contributing to the height of the scale are feet for the scale to stand on, which are mounted on the base plate or the base frame.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a scale according to one embodiment of the present invention with a weighing cell disposed between a base plate and a load plate;

#FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a scale according to another embodiment of the present invention with a weighing cell disposed above a load plate;

#FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1;

#Several exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings.

#According-to one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a weighing cell 3 (or a plurality of weighing cells) are disposed between a base plate 1 and a load plate 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the weighing cell 3 is embodied as a double bending beam weighing cell having a lower steering arm 4 and an upper steering arm 5 which form lower bending points 6, 7 and upper bending points 8, 9. Strain gauges are applied to the bending points and are in communication, via an evaluation unit 10, with a display unit 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the weighing cell 3, behind the bending points 6-9, is provided with respective force introduction means 12, 12′ in a symmetrical manner. A first fastening plate 13 connected to the base plate 1 is mounted on one of the force introduction means 12 on one side of the weighing cell 3, and a second fastening plate 14 connected to the load plate 2 is mounted on the other of the force introduction means 12′ on the other side of the weighing cell 3.

#In particular, it is noted that in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the base plate 1 and load plate 2 are embodied as plates extending in a planar fashion, and the weighing cell 3 (or plurality of weighing cells) is joined directly by non-positive engagement to the base plate 1 and load plate 2 via the first and second fastening plates 13 and 14. And by embodying the base plate 1 and the load plate 2 as plates that extend in planar fashion, with the at least one weighing cell 3 secured directly thereto, the mechanical components can be reduced to a minimum. In addition, by embodying the base plate 1 as a planar plate, an advantage is obtained in that feet for the scale to stand on are no longer needed.