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US 7,214,892 B2Granted
Scale lever assembly
AssigneeMetro Corporation
InventorSidney W. Williamson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention discloses a weighing scale having a lever assembly which includes a pair of levers. Each lever has first and second pivotal ends and an intermediate region for engaging a weight sensing mechanism. A platform is provided upon the lever assembly. Upon application of an object to the platform, a load is transmitted through the lever assembly to the weight sensing mechanism. The platform may include a top portion and a bottom portion for enclosing the lever assembly. The top and bottom portions of the platform may be secured together. A bearing insert for reducing friction in the lever assembly is provided.
Claims21
A lever for a weighing scale comprising:
- first and second engagement ends, each end engaging a fulcrum of a weighing scale base;
- first and second load receiving portions for receiving a load imparted upon the scale;
- first and second extending portions, each extending away from the first or second engagement ends, respectively, and towards the middle of the lever;
- and
- a hanging portion located between the first and second extending portions for operatively associating with a weight sensing mechanism;
- wherein the lever does not extend directly between the first and second engagement ends.
3 more elements
A weighing scale comprising:
- a scale base for resting upon an underlying support surface, the scale base having at least four fulcrums oriented in an array spaced about a central region of the base;
- a first lever having a first end pivotally cooperating with a first fulcrum of the at least four base fulcrums, an intermediate region extending generally towards the base central region, and a second end pivotally cooperating with a second fulcrum of the at least four base fulcrums, the first and second ends each having a load receiving portion that is spaced apart from the corresponding fulcrum, wherein the first lever does not extend directly between the first and second ends;
- a second lever having a first end pivotally cooperating with a third fulcrum of the at least four base fulcrums, an intermediate region extending generally towards the base central region, and a second end pivotally cooperating with a fourth fulcrum of the at least four base fulcrums, the first and second ends each having a load receiving portion that is spaced apart from the corresponding fulcrum, wherein the second lever does not extend directly between the first and second ends;
- a weight sensing mechanism affixed to the base proximate to the central region, and operatively coupled to the intermediate regions of the first and second levers;
- and
- a scale platform supported upon the load receiving portions of the first and second levers;
- wherein the platform may receive an object thereupon, and the weight of the object is consequently transmitted to the load receiving portions of the first and second levers thereby pivoting each of the first and second levers about the corresponding fulcrums such that the intermediate regions of the first and second levers collectively transmit a load to the weight sensing mechanism, which measures the weight of the object.
4 more elements
A weighing scale comprising:
- a scale base for resting upon an underlying support surface, the scale base having at least two fulcrums;
- at least two levers each having a notch formed therein for pivotally cooperating with one of the at least two base fulcrums, a load receiving portion that is spaced apart from the corresponding fulcrum, and a load transmitting portion;
- a weight sensing mechanism affixed to the base, and operatively coupled to the load transmitting portions of the at least two levers;
- a scale platform supported upon the load receiving portions of the first and second levers;
- and
- at least two bearing inserts each mounted to one of the at least two levers, each bearing insert having a trough disposed within the lever notch for engaging the respective fulcrum and reducing friction therebetween as the corresponding lever pivots, a slot formed in a lengthwise direction at least partially therethrough adjacent to the trough for receiving at least a portion of the corresponding lever therein, and a retaining flange extending to a surface of the lever that is spaced apart from and opposing the respective notch for retaining the bearing insert to the lever;
- wherein the platform may receive an object thereupon, and the weight of the object is consequently transmitted to the load receiving portions of the at least two levers thereby pivoting each of the at least two levers about the corresponding fulcrums such that the load transmitting portions collectively transmit a load to the weight sensing mechanism, which measures the weight of the object.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.