Pivotally Interconnected Transmission Levers Patents (Class 177/256)
  • Patent number: 4819750
    Abstract: A bathroom platform scale is disclosed having a reinforced plastic base and platform. The platform is carried by a pair of triangular-shaped actuation levers which directly engage a single transducer, such as a strain gauge, centrally located in the base, to sense the weight on the platform. Such an arrangement allows for a relatively compact scale. The triangular-shaped levers are supported by knife edge bearings which define a fulcrum. An integrally formed tongue extending from an apex from each of the triangular-shaped levers applies the weight distributed on the platform to the transducer. The triangular-shaped actuation levers are also self-aligning, thus facilitating assembly of the scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Sunbeam Corporation
    Inventor: Francesco L. Carnevale
  • Patent number: 4674582
    Abstract: A scale of the platform type includes a base frame, a lever mechanism for force-transmission connected to the base frame, and including a plurality of two-armed levers, a weighing platform supported by the two-armed levers, a measurement transducer disposed within the base frame and adapted for generating signals substantially proportional to a weight placed on the weighing platform, and a movable load-carrying frame surrounding the base frame, and wherein each two-armed lever is pivoted on the base frame. This concept permits attainment of scales of very low height, hardly sensitive to corner loads, namely loads offset from the center of the scale, and which have a high degree of resolution. The scale may be used for precision weighing, and may have a load region e.g. within a range from about 10 kg to about 100 kg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Mettler Instrumente AG
    Inventor: Peter Kunz
  • Patent number: 4609062
    Abstract: A weighing scale of the type utilizing a lever assembly to transfer a load from a weighing platform to a weight indicator by way of a suspension assembly interconnecting a platform load-transmitting beam to a lever of the lever assembly, with a suspension system having a pair of parallel rocker pins extending between the platform and a bearing member resting on a lever load pivot. The rocker pins have top ends which pivotally connect with the platform, and the pins extend downwardly to pivotally contact a pivot bearing member at their lower ends, so that the rocker pins move to accommodate any horizontal movement of the platform and isolate platform movement from the supporting bearing member. The rocker pins move, with respect to the bearing member, when the platform moves horizontally and the suspension assembly is designed so that those pins will abut the bearing member to control platform horizontal motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Colt Industries Operating Corp.
    Inventors: John D. Hale, Herbert L. Stott
  • Patent number: 4521658
    Abstract: Microwave oven scale apparatus for coupling weight from the cavity and for providing a weight corresponding signal. The weight corresponding signal is used by a microcomputer to compute cooking times. Microwave transparent posts insert through holes in the floor of the cavity and support a tray on which the food is positioned. The posts respectively screw down on unitary studs that have legs which straddle a pivot member of the scale. The height of the studs can be adjusted by rotation on the studs. The studs are aligned vertically and horizontally by connection to a frame positioned below the cavity floor. The scale includes two parallel rails that are pivotally supported on their outward edges and have inwardly directed extender arms which couple together at a location where they are supported by a compliant member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Amana Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin D. Wyland, Duaine W. Smith, Louis W. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 4479562
    Abstract: The long levers (3a and 3b) are capable of pivoting at one of their ends on a knife (2a and 2d), and two short levers (4a and 4b) are also capable of pivoting at one of their ends on a knife (2b and 2c). At their other end, the short levers (4a and 4b) are coupled by means of a coupling system (9 and 9a) to the long levers (3a and 3b). The other ends of the long levers (3a and 3b) are engaged at a very short distance one from the other with a force transmitting system (29) which is suspended on the free end of a flat spring (18, 21) provided with gauges (20) for measuring the bending of the spring. The gauges are connected to a read-out system through an electric circuit. The force exerted by the long levers (3a and 3b) is applied on a force transmitting system at a very short distance from the plane of symetry of the flat spring (18, 21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1984
    Assignee: Terraillon
    Inventors: Guy Mairot, Jean P. Aumard
  • Patent number: 4471847
    Abstract: An electronic scale in particular intended to be used as a platform scale. The scale comprises a sensor device having six supporting points which in a plan view form the corners of two triangles. The supporting points situated at the corners of one of the triangles are connected to a base whereas the scale pan is supported at the supporting points at the corners of the second triangle. The sensor device comprises a body which is so connected to the different supporting points that it is subject to a bending moment when the scale pan is loaded. The sensor device is also provided with electrical means for indicating the bending moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Karl R. T. Ljungstrom
  • Patent number: 4462475
    Abstract: A weighing scale is provided in which a horizontally disposed weighing platform contains a weighing scale dial on a side of said platform so that it can be read both from directly above and from the side, and means for transmitting weight response from a weighing mechanism mounted beneath said platform to said dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Continental Scale Corporation
    Inventor: Walter P. Kushmuk
  • Patent number: 4458771
    Abstract: An improved corner post mount for pivoting the levers of a platform-type scale. An upright member is molded integrally with the base at each corner thereof, and defines an upwardly facing opening to receive a flat insert. The upright has spaced tapered ledges which seat the edges of the insert that converge toward the bottom of the insert. The body of the insert is captured between a flat surface defined on the upright, which seats flushly against the insert, and an upright edge defined by a rib formed integrally with the base. The body of the insert has an extension which closely surrounds the upper edge of the upright. Preferably, an upwardly facing notch receives the extension. The insert, which is preferably metal, is implanted within the opening of the upright and frictionally kept captive within the base, which is preferably fabricated from a lightweight material, such as ABS plastic, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Tricolor Corporation
    Inventors: Stan B. Hanssen, Padraic Neary
  • Patent number: 4457385
    Abstract: A platform type weighing scale having four platform suspensions mounting a scale platform on a base, a bendable load sensing beam supported by a pair of spaced beam suspensions on the base, first and second transfer means respectively interconnecting first and second pairs of said platform suspensions to each other and to sensing beam at first and second points spaced along the beam to preselected distance from the first and second beam suspensions respectively to apply first and second forces to the sensing beam in a direction transverse thereto that are respectively correlative with the sum of the loads applied to the first and second pairs of platform suspensions, and electrical transducer means for sensing the sum of the moments produced in the sensing beam by the first and second forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Assignee: The Brearly Company
    Inventor: Mike A. Provi
  • Patent number: 4456085
    Abstract: A weighing scale of the household type includes a base, a platform vertically positioned above the base, and a force transmitting means therebetween. The force transmitting means includes relative large surface area planar bearing surfaces on the base and platform for mating contact with bearing surfaces on levers for transmitting force to a weight sensing means. The bearing arrangement permits substantial misalignments of scale components since the planar bearing surfaces do not establish the moment arms of the force transmitting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert L. Boyles
  • Patent number: 4452326
    Abstract: A corner bearing assembly for a platform scale of the bathroom variety in which a formed sheet metal bearing has a knife edge to rest on a scale lever and a point or line contact with the cover platform with looseness sufficient to allow the bearing assembly to pivot enough during use to retain proper contact with both cover and scale levers. The bearing assembly is provided with a hanger connection to the cover capable of hand-assembly into a loose generally proper position so that upon physical assembly of the cover onto the base the bearing assemblies in all four corners of the scale automatically seat themselves properly both as to the cover and the scale levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Tricolor Corporation
    Inventors: Stan B. Hanssen, James R. Hanssen
  • Patent number: 4449597
    Abstract: A flexure weighing system comprising a split-beam assembly consisting of two beams centrally connected by a flexure linkage system. The split-beam assembly is also connected to a frame and to mounting studs which connect the outer, load-bearing ends of the beams to a weighing platform. One of the beams is connected to a weight sensor which produces an electrical signal indicative of the movement of the beam to which it is connected and therefore of the weight on the weighing platform which causes that movement. Preferably, flexures are used at all the key pivot points in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: Acrison, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald J. Ricciardi, Otto J. Rudolph
  • Patent number: 4405025
    Abstract: An electronic weighing apparatus of induction type comprises a weighing member adapted to be moved according to the weight of a load to be measured, a variable inductance element consisting of a coil and a magnetic core which is movable relatively to the coil through the coil, a connecting member for connecting the weighing member with one of the coil and the magnetic core of the inductance element so that the one can be moved with respect to the other according to the movement of the weighing member and thus the inductance of the inductance element can be changed proportionally to the movement of the weighing member, a sensor oscillator including the variable inductance element as one of its oscillating parameters for generating a series of pulses having a characteristic representative of the inductance of the variable inductance element, a converting circuit for converting the characteristic of the output pulses from the sensor oscillator into a weight signal indicative of the weight of the load, and a disp
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: Tanita Corporation
    Inventors: Shuichi Yanagita, Tsutomu Miyoshi, Masashi Miyane
  • Patent number: 4381826
    Abstract: A single unit made of a light metal or alloy preferably in a diecast process is shaped to constitute the frame, the levers, and hinged bearings of a platform scale. Even the measuring element can be integrated into this one-piece unit. The resultant scale has a very low profile and is particularly suitable for mass manufacture for applications not requiring excessive resolution as, for example, post office scales or scales for home use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1983
    Assignee: Mettler Instrumente AG
    Inventor: Walter E. Kupper
  • Patent number: 4359099
    Abstract: A cart for weighing small animals with the cart having a torsional undercarriage mechanism that directs the weight of an animal in a weighing pen through a single tension support member wherein the elastic deformation of the single tension support member is measured with an electrical resistance strain gauge mounted on the tension support member and a conventional digital strain gauge read-out device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Inventor: William Henslin
  • Patent number: 4315554
    Abstract: A scale includes an arm system movable about and fixedly secured to a fulcrum. An output detector is coupled adjacent to one end of the arm system. A load structure is utilized to position an item thereon which is to be weighed by the scale. A strain sensor is fixedly connected adjacent the other end of the arm system and the load structure. The strain sensor and fulcrum are formed of resilient material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1982
    Inventor: Glenn E. Williamson
  • Patent number: 4285413
    Abstract: The invention relates to a load receiver comprising an upper plate 10 and lower plate 11, and a weighing mechanism located between them.The weighing mechanism is made of two half-beams 12 and 13 supported on pieces 128 and 138 hinged on one side with respect to the upper plate 10 and on the other side with respect to the lower plate 11. Connected at their center by an elastic strip 14 having a constriction 140, these beams receive a flection related to the load. This flection is transferred by arms 15 and 16 to electrodes 151 and 161 forming a capacitor. By measuring the capacity of the capacitor, the weight of the load is obtained. The invention is of use notably for flat bathroom scales.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Assignee: Testut-Aequitas
    Inventors: Gilbert V. Dauge, Jacques F. Langlais
  • Patent number: 4281730
    Abstract: An under bed scale which is comprised of a support frame, a load frame mounted on the support frame for receiving a load and for moving vertically relative to the support frame upon receiving the load, a pair of beam arms connected to the load frame to pivot about a respective horizontal axis in response to movement of the load frame, springs mounted on the support frame and secured to each beam arm to proportionally restrain movement of the beam arm relative to the support frame and a pair of means mounted on the support frame for emitting a signal corresponding to the displacement of each respective beam arm relative to the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventors: Burt L. Swersey, Peter Fried
  • Patent number: 4261430
    Abstract: A flat weighbridge has a load platform supported by either two one-armed or two two-armed levers arranged at least partly beneath the load platform, wherein one lever is bifurcated to define two spread apart sides and each of the sides bears a supporting device for the load platform, while the other lever bears only one supporting device for the load platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Assignee: Sartorius GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Knothe, Christoph Berg, Franz J. Melcher, Dieter Blawert
  • Patent number: 4189018
    Abstract: A platform weighing scale having a transducer with a movable element to translate weight responsive platform motion into a weight responsive electrical signal and in which the platform is movably supported relative a scale base by one or more pulley and tape motion linkages which also actuate the transducer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Inventor: Frans Brouwer
  • Patent number: 4173263
    Abstract: A digital platform scale having a base and movable cover thereon with a lever system in the base converting vertical movement to horizontal lever movement, spring means connected to the base and lever to counter-balance the lever movement and a differential transformer connected to the lever system and to an electrical digital readout to display weight, an improvement is provided that disposes the spring horizontally in the base and connected to the lever system at its point of maximum movement. A differential transformer is interposed as part of the connection between the spring and the lever system and axially aligned with the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1979
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Frederick T. Meeks
  • Patent number: 4148371
    Abstract: An improved load cell scale which comprises a load supporting frame pivotally carried upon levers which bear upon a load cell on the frame and, are in turn, pivoted upon fulcrum pins. All pivot pins are journaled in oversized bores formed in the levers so as to rock the pins with a slight rolling motion in the bores under load-induced pivotal action, rather than with rotation about the pin axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Inventor: David P. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4050532
    Abstract: A platform type weighing scale including a base and a scale platform and first and second pairs of platform suspensions for mounting the platform on the base at the four corners of a generally rectangular pattern, an elongated load sensing beam supported at spaced points therealong on the base, and first and second transfer means respectively interconnecting the first and second pairs of platform suspensions to the beam at a common point intermediate the spaced beam suspension points to apply a bending load to the beam correlative with the sum of the loads applied to the first and second pairs of platform suspensions, and electrical strain gauge means mounted on the load sensing beam for producing an electrical signal correlative with the bending stress produced in the beam as an indication of the total weight applied to the scale platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Assignee: The Brearley Company
    Inventors: Mike A. Provi, S. Robert Guinter
  • Patent number: 4039035
    Abstract: A weighing balance comprises an anti-shock device arranged in the mechanical linkage between an object receiving plate and a rack and pinion driving an indicating member, to protect the teeth of the rack and pinion when the receiving plate is abruptly loaded or unloaded. The anti-shock device consists of a transmission lever articulated on the rack and held by a spring to transmit translational movement of the receiving plate in normal use, said spring giving way to allow pivoting of the transmission lever in the case of an abnormal shock on the receiving plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1977
    Assignee: Terraillon
    Inventor: Paul Terraillon
  • Patent number: 4030559
    Abstract: A portable weighing scale of reduced size is adapted to permit the weighing of a person while standing with one foot on the platform of the scale, the weight being manifested by an indicator dial which is latched in weight-indicating position and which maintains the weight indication after the person being weighed has stepped off of the platform. A linkage which permits a degree of lost motion is interposed between the platform and the indicator dial, so that the platform can return to its normal position while the indicator dial remains in weight-indicating position, where it remains until reset to its zero position by operation of a latch release. The scale is stable and does not tend to tip over, even when a person's weight is concentrated at one corner of the platform. A one-piece base incorporates, at fixed positions, a plurality of knife edges, formed integrally with the base, which supports the levers and beams making up the linkage between the platform and the indicator dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Inventors: Leonard A. Fish, Robert L. Moore