Abstract: A multi-stage weighing apparatus having a primary force reducing torsion-bar assembly and a secondary force reducing means. The combination of the primary and secondary force reducers enabling the scale to measure the weight of very heavy objects while having relatively small overall dimensions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a platform balance with a weighing scale, with at least two levers (2) which are mounted via spring joints (3) on support points (5) fixed to the housing, with a force summation part (6) which is guided in parallel by an upper and lower guide rod (7) and with coupling elements (4) which connect the longer lever arm of the levers (2) to the force summation part (6) that the shorter lever arm of each lever (2) is connected by a coupling element (13) to a load receiver (14), that each load receiver (14) is guided in parallel by an upper and a lower guide rod (15) and that the weighing scale (18) is supported on the load receivers (14). As a result thereof, deformations of the weighing scale or of its carrier construction can no longer affect the levers (2) and their lever arm ratio. In an advantageous embodiment the parallel guide of a load receiver (14) and the support points ( 5) of the associated lever (2) form a component which can be derived e.g.