PORTABLE SCALE HAVING GUIDE MECHANISM OF SLOTTED RAIL AND CAPTIVE TROLLEY

• US 20100018783A1
• Filed: 07/24/2008
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donald Glenn Thompson
• Original Assignee: Donald Glenn Thompson
• Inventors: Thompson, Donald Glenn
• Granted Patent: US 7,645,949 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 177/126
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/14 for weighing suspended loads G01G3/00 takes precedence; incorporation of weighing devices in cranes B66C1/40, B66C13/16
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/18 having electrical weight-sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/58 combined with handles of suit-cases or trunks
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 21/28 Frames, Housings

Abstract

A portable digital scale is disclosed, having retractable and stowable handles and weighing hook, as well as a weight display that may be viewed from directly above the scale.

Claims

1. A portable scale comprising:

(a) a housing having a top end and a bottom end;

(b) two spring-loaded handles retractable into and extendable from said housing;

(c) a weighing hook retractable into and extendable from the bottom end of said housing;

(d) a guide mechanism comprising a slotted rail and a captive trolley connected to said weighing hook for dropping said weighing hook into an extended position away from the bottom end of said housing;

(e) a lock/release mechanism for

(i) locking said handles into extended positions away from said housing;

(ii) locking said handles and said weighing hook into retracted positions within said housing; and

(iii) releasing said handles and said weighing hook from retracted positions within said housing;

(f) a switch in said housing for operating said lock/release mechanism;

(g) a weight sensor in said housing operatively connected to said weighing hook;

(h) an LED display in the top end of said housing and in electronic communication with said weight sensor; and

(i) an on/off switch in electronic communication with said weight sensor and said LED display.

2. The scale of claim 1 wherein each of said handles being S-shaped.

3. The scale of claim 1 wherein said scale partially made in one color.

4. The scale of claim 1 wherein said scale entirely made in one color.

5. The scale of claim 1 further comprising electrical circuitry permitting said LED display to display weight in pounds or kilograms.

6. The scale of claim 5 further comprising electrical circuitry permitting said LED display to display weight in a first background color and to display a predetermined maximum weight in a second background color when said predetermined maximum weight is met or exceeded.

7. The scale of claim 6 further comprising electrical circuitry permitting said predetermined maximum weight to be adjusted.

8. The scale of claim 6 further comprising electrical circuitry permitting said scale to calculate and subtract the tare weight of a container.

9. The scale of claim 1 including an on/off switch in electronic communication with said weight sensor and said LED display.

10. The scale of claim 9 further comprising at least one battery for an electrical power source for providing power to the circuitry in said luggage scale.

11. The scale of claim 2 further comprising elastomeric sleeves on said handles.

12. The scale of claim 11 wherein said housing partially made in one color.

13. The scale of claim 9 wherein said housing entirely made in one color.

14. The scale of claim 6 wherein said handles partially made in one color.

15. The scale of claim 8 wherein said handles entirely made in one color.

16. The scale of claim 5 wherein said weighing hook partially made in one color.

17. The scale of claim 10 wherein said weighing hook entirely made in one color.

18. The scale of claim 9 wherein said on/off switch partially made in one color.

19. The scale of claim 9 wherein said on/off switch entirely made in one color.

20. The scale of claim 1 wherein said scale made in at least one color.