Postal scale with extendable input/output unit
OwnerJoshua D. Kesselmaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A postal type scale, such as an electronic scale, capable of weighing a plurality of different size packages is provided. The scale includes a weighing mechanism in its base, a platform for supporting a package thereon in a weighing relationship, and an extendable input/output unit (e.g., weight display and keypad) removeably attached to the scale and extendable therefrom. The input/output unit includes a weight display, such as an LCD display, and an input device such as a keypad or touchscreen or the like. When attached to the scale, weight display and keypad form a compact unitary design. When extended away from the scale, the display and keypad may be located at a position remote from the scale on any plane.
Claims8
A postal type scale capable of weighing a plurality of different size packages, said scale comprising:
- a weighing mechanism;
- a platform for supporting a package thereon in a weighing relationship with said weighing mechanism, said platform having a periphery and a predetermined size defined by an edge surrounding said periphery of said platform and being capable of supporting said different size packages thereon in said weighing relationship, said platform being capable of receiving a package over said periphery and further being capable of supporting a package having a predetermined size greater than said predetermined size of said platform such that said supported package has an edge which extends horizontally beyond said platform edge;
- a removable faceplate comprising an output and input unit for information associated with said package supported on said platform in said weighing relationship, said faceplate being optionally mounted to said platform and removed from said platform along a range of variable horizontal and vertical spaced relationships in any plane,
- a retractable cord between said platform and said faceplate providing the range of horizontal and vertical spaced relationships, said cord being retractable into a base of said platform when said faceplate is mounted to said platform, and said cord being extendable therefrom in variable horizontal and vertical directions such that said faceplate may remain extended from said platform a distance determined by a user as said user pulls said faceplate allowing the faceplate and platform to be positioned in distinct locations in a variety of horizontal and vertical planes, and wherein the cord has a predetermined elasticity so that when said faceplate is removed into an extended position, the faceplate will remain extended and not be pulled back;
- a pair of mating male and female connectors for mounting said faceplate to said platform in an attached position, wherein the connectors are integrally formed with the base of the platform and a base of the faceplate,
- when the faceplate and platform are in the attached position the faceplate output and the platform are oriented in different directions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.