Weight activated platform scale

• US 5,141,065 A
• Filed: 11/14/1990
• Issued: 08/25/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Taylor Precision Products (Lifetime Brands Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Metro SA (Lifetime Brands Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gorman, David R., Breding, Ronald D., Maxwell, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLER JR, GEORGE
• Application Number:
  US07/612,901
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 177/210 R, 177/DIG. 6
• US Class Current: 177/210.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 13/32 involving photoelectric devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/00 Auxiliary devices for weighing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 177/06 Photoelectric

Abstract

A pulse count scale includes a change of state detector circuit and an alert circuit which operate together with an electrical interrupter to detect when weight is applied on a scale platform and immediately connect power to a controller for a select interval. These circuits preserve battery power as well as providing simple operation, eliminating the requirement of actuating a separate switch prior to stepping onto the platform.

Claims

1. A platform scale comprising:

a scale base;

weight sensing apparatus supported on said base including a weight supporting platform movable relative to said base and a weight sensing mechanism responsive to movement of said platform for rotating a shaft;

a rotary dial connected to said shaft for rotation therewith and including indicia representing rotational position of said dial and thus weight on said platform;

a first sensor operatively positioned relative to said dial for sensing said indicia;

an electrically operable control connected to said sensor for determining weight on said platform responsive to sensed position of said dial and including an electronic display means providing a digital readout of such weight on said platform; and

a power circuit providing electrical power to said control from a power source for limited intervals, including a second sensor operatively positioned relative to said dial for sensing movement of said dial and exhibiting a varying electrical condition responsive thereto, and a detecting circuit electrically connected to said second sensor for connecting the power source to said control for a select interval after detecting a variation in the electrical condition of said second sensor.

2. The platform scale of claim 1 wherein said dial comprises a disk including a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots about its periphery and said first sensor comprises an optical sensor for sensing presence or absence of a slot disposed proximate thereof.

3. The platform scale of claim 1 wherein said dial comprises a conductive disk including a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending tabs about its periphery and said second sensor comprises a conductive wiper disposed in a path of said tabs to define a switch providing an closed or open state in response to presence or absence of one of the tabs contacting said wiper.

4. The platform scale of claim 3 wherein said detecting circuit connects the power source to said control immediately upon detecting any change in state of said switch.

5. The platform scale of claim 3 wherein said detecting circuit includes a change of state circuit developing a pulse signal responsive to movement of said dial and an alert circuit driven by said pulse signal for connecting the power source to said control upon receiving a pulse.

6. The platform scale of claim 5 wherein said control generates a feedback signal to said alert circuit for the select interval after connection to the power source, said feedback signal overriding said pulse signal to maintain connection from the power source to said control only for the select interval.

7. In a weigh scale including a scale base, weight sensing apparatus supported on said base including a weight supporting platform movable relative to said base and a weight sensing mechanism responsive to movement of said platform for rotating a dial movable an angular amount representing weight on said platform, and a pulse generator generating a series of pulses responsive to movement of said dial, a weight activated electrical display control comprising:

an electrically operable control connected to said pulse generator for determining weight on said platform responsive to the number of pulses received therefrom and including an electronic display means providing a digital readout of weight on said platform;

an electrical switch including a contact which changes state in response to any change in weight on said platform sufficient to cause angular movement of said dial an amount so that said pulse generator generates a pulse; and

a power circuit providing electrical power to said electrically operable control from a power source for limited intervals including a detecting circuit electrically connected to said switch for connecting the power source to said electrically operable control for a select interval immediately after detecting a change in state of said switch.

8. In a weigh scale including a scale base, weight sensing apparatus supported on said base including a weight supporting platform movable relative to said base and a weight sensing mechanism responsive to movement of said platform for rotating a dial movable an angular amount representing weight on said platform, and a pulse generator generating a series of pulses responsive to movement of said dial, a weight activated electrical display control comprising:

an electrically operable control connected to said pulse generator for determining weight on said platform responsive to the number of pulses received therefrom and including an electronic display means providing a digital readout of weight on said platform;

an electrical switch including a contact which changes state in response to change in weight on said platform, wherein said dial comprises a conductive disk including a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending tabs about its periphery and said switch contact comprises a conductive wiper disposed in a path of said tabs to define a closed state only in response to one of the tabs contacting said wiper; and

a power circuit providing electrical power to said control from a power source for limited intervals including a detecting circuit electrically connected to said switch for connecting the power source to said control for a select interval immediately after detecting a change in state of said switch.

9. The weight activated electrical display control of claim 8 wherein said detecting circuit includes a change of state circuit developing a pulse signal responsive to change of state of said switch and an alert circuit driven by said pulse signal for connecting the power source to said control upon receiving a pulse.

10. The weight activated electrical display control of claim 9 wherein said control generates a feedback signal to said alert circuit for the select interval after connection to the power source, said feedback signal overriding said pulse signal to maintain connection from the power source to said control only for the select interval.