Abstract: A toy balancing scale used to teach children the proper relationship between the number of objects and/or the value of numbers, has a base having an upstanding support and pivoted on the support is a horizontal balance bar. At each end of the balance bar is a small peg on which objects can be attached.On the backside of the balance bar is a housing having essentially a "spade-like" shape. The distance within the housing from the top of the spade to the bottom of the stem of the spade is longer than the distance from the top of the spade to the side projections. Mounted on the support is a sliding member having a peg which projects normal to the surface of the sliding member. The member slides vertically in the support and the peg fits in the spade-like housing. When the peg is at the top of the housing the balance bar is held in a locked position about the peg. A clanger and bell mechanism is activated by the sliding member when the member is free to travel this greater distance. If, however, i.e.

Abstract: A low-cost rugged beam balance weighing scale with an automatically aligning point contact support mechanism. The beam balance is supported centrally of a base and a pair of balance pans are each supported on opposite ends of the beam, with all supports employing a tapered male member terminating in a rounded point and a female member having a recess for receiving the rounded point of the male member. The radius of curvature of the central region of the recess is greater than the radius of curvature of the mating rounded point to ensure point contact support therebetween.Automatic alignment is provided by providing a loose fit between a coupling portion of either the male or the female member and a corresponding mounting aperture in an appropriate support region of the base, beam or balance pan, the aperture being oval and oriented with the maximum inner dimension normal to the longitudinal axis of the beam balance. Several alternate equivalent arrangements are shown for the point contact support elements.

Abstract: A balance beam type scale which is particularly adapted for educational purposes, i.e. for use by grammar school children. The components of the scale are easily assembled. Also, the scale is so constructed and arranged as to permit the weighing of a solid article, granulated materials or a liquid. Although the scale is ruggedly constructed for use by children, it includes features which have heretofore only been found in more expensive scales, for example a check lever.