Weight activated platform scale
AssigneeMetro Corporation
InventorsCharles E. Maxwell, David R. Gorman, Ronald D. Breding
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pulse count scale includes a change of state detector circuit and an alert circuit which operate together with an electrical interrupter to detect when weight is applied on a scale platform and immediately connect power to a controller for a select interval. These circuits preserve battery power as well as providing simple operation, eliminating the requirement of actuating a separate switch prior to stepping onto the platform.
Claims10
A platform scale comprising:
- a scale base;
- weight sensing apparatus supported on said base including a weight supporting platform movable relative to said base and a weight sensing mechanism responsive to movement of said platform for rotating a shaft;
- a rotary dial connected to said shaft for rotation therewith and including indicia representing rotational position of said dial and thus weight on said platform;
- a first sensor operatively positioned relative to said dial for sensing said indicia;
- an electrically operable control connected to said sensor for determining weight on said platform responsive to sensed position of said dial and including an electronic display means providing a digital readout of such weight on said platform;
- and
- a power circuit providing electrical power to said control from a power source for limited intervals, including a second sensor operatively positioned relative to said dial for sensing movement of said dial and exhibiting a varying electrical condition responsive thereto, and a detecting circuit electrically connected to said second sensor for connecting the power source to said control for a select interval after detecting a variation in the electrical condition of said second sensor.
In a weigh scale including a scale base, weight sensing apparatus supported on said base including a weight supporting platform movable relative to said base and a weight sensing mechanism responsive to movement of said platform for rotating a dial movable an angular amount representing weight on said platform, and a pulse generator generating a series of pulses responsive to movement of said dial, a weight activated electrical display control comprising:
- an electrically operable control connected to said pulse generator for determining weight on said platform responsive to the number of pulses received therefrom and including an electronic display means providing a digital readout of weight on said platform;
- an electrical switch including a contact which changes state in response to any change in weight on said platform sufficient to cause angular movement of said dial an amount so that said pulse generator generates a pulse;
- and
- a power circuit providing electrical power to said electrically operable control from a power source for limited intervals including a detecting circuit electrically connected to said switch for connecting the power source to said electrically operable control for a select interval immediately after detecting a change in state of said switch.
In a weigh scale including a scale base, weight sensing apparatus supported on said base including a weight supporting platform movable relative to said base and a weight sensing mechanism responsive to movement of said platform for rotating a dial movable an angular amount representing weight on said platform, and a pulse generator generating a series of pulses responsive to movement of said dial, a weight activated electrical display control comprising:
- an electrically operable control connected to said pulse generator for determining weight on said platform responsive to the number of pulses received therefrom and including an electronic display means providing a digital readout of weight on said platform;
- an electrical switch including a contact which changes state in response to change in weight on said platform, wherein said dial comprises a conductive disk including a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending tabs about its periphery and said switch contact comprises a conductive wiper disposed in a path of said tabs to define a closed state only in response to one of the tabs contacting said wiper;
- and
- a power circuit providing electrical power to said control from a power source for limited intervals including a detecting circuit electrically connected to said switch for connecting the power source to said control for a select interval immediately after detecting a change in state of said switch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.