Portable collapsible scale

• US 8,017,877 B1
• Filed: 02/02/2009
• Issued: 09/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cohen M. Richard
• Original Assignee: Cohen M. Richard
• Inventors: Cohen, M. Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson; Randy W
• Application Number:
  US12/364,099
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 177126-127, 177/238
• US Class Current: 177/126
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/44 for weighing persons
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/58 combined with handles of suit-cases or trunks
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 21/22 Weigh pans or other weighing receptacles; Weighing platforms

Abstract

A portable scale having a collapsed and an extended condition is provided by a pair of rigid beams, each generally elongated with opposing longitudinal ends. A weight sensor is provided proximal each opposing longitudinal end of each beam of the pair. Processing and outputting circuitry is supported by a first beam of the pair, the processing and outputting circuitry being electrically connected with each weight sensor in each of the first beam and second. One or more flexible connectors mechanically and electrically connect together the pair of rigid beams in side by side parallel orientation in a collapsed condition of the scale and in an extended condition of the scale. The flexible connectors are the only permanent physical and operable, mechanical and electrical connections between the pair of rigid beams in the extended condition of the scale.

Claims

1. A portable collapsible scale having a collapsed condition and an extended condition comprising:

a pair of rigid beams, each of the pair of rigid beams being generally elongated with opposing longitudinal ends;

a weight sensor proximal each opposing longitudinal end of each of the pair of rigid beams;

processing and outputting circuitry supported by a first beam of the pair of rigid beams, the processing and outputting circuitry being electrically connected with each weight sensor in the first beam and with each weight sensor in a second, remaining beam of the pair of rigid beams; and

one or more flexible connectors mechanically and electrically connecting together the pair of rigid beams in side by side parallel orientation in the collapsed condition of the scale and in the extended condition of the scale and being the only connections of the scale between the pair of rigid beams in the extended condition of the scale, wherein each of the one or more flexible connectors is mounted on a reel for extension and retraction as the scale is extended and collapsed.

2. The portable collapsible scale of claim 1 wherein at least one of the flexible connectors is a flexible tape connector providing an electrical connection between at least one of the weight sensors in the second beam and the processing and outputting circuitry in the first beam.

3. The portable collapsible scale of claim 2 wherein the flexible tape connector is metal and one electrical connection is through the metal of the flexible tape.

4. The portable collapsible scale of claim 3 further comprising a separate electrical connection between the pair of beams on an outer surface of the flexible tape connector.

5. The portable collapsible scale of claim 2 wherein at least one electrical connection between the pair of beams is carried on an outer surface of the flexible tape connector.

12. The portable collapsible scale of claim 1 in combination with a platform removably attachable to the scale so as to sit on top of the scale.

15. The portable collapsible scale of claim 1 in combination with a platform releasably attachable to the scale so as to sit on top of the scale.

18. The portable collapsible scale of claim 1 wherein the processing and outputting circuitry comprises circuitry operably coupled with each of the weight sensors and with a weight output device selected from a visual display and a speaker.

6. A portable collapsible scale having a collapsed condition and an extended condition comprising:

a pair of rigid beams, each of the pair of rigid beams being generally elongated with opposing longitudinal ends;

a weight sensor proximal each opposing longitudinal end of each of the pair of rigid beams;

processing and outputting circuitry supported by a first beam of the pair of rigid beams, the processing and outputting circuitry being electrically connected with each weight sensor in the first beam and with each weight sensor in a second, remaining beam of the pair of rigid beams; and

one or more flexible connectors mechanically and electrically connecting together the pair of rigid beams in side by side parallel orientation in the collapsed condition of the scale and in the extended condition of the scale and being the only connections of the scale between the pair of rigid beams in the extended condition of the scale;

wherein each of the pair of rigid beams is formed by at least first and second telescopic sections, each of the first and second telescopic sections forming one of the opposing longitudinal ends of the respective beam and each of the first and second telescopic sections supporting one of the weight sensors.

13. The portable collapsible scale of claim 6 in combination with a platform removably attachable to the scale so as to sit on top of the scale.

16. The portable collapsible scale of claim 6 in combination with a platform releasably attachable to the scale so as to sit on top of the scale.

19. The portable collapsible scale of claim 6 wherein the processing and outputting circuitry comprises circuitry operably coupled with each of the weight sensors and with a weight output device selected from a visual display and a speaker.

7. A portable collapsible scale having a collapsed condition and an extended condition comprising:

a pair of rigid beams, each of the pair of rigid beams being generally elongated with opposing longitudinal ends;

a weight sensor at each opposing longitudinal end of each of the pair of rigid beams;

processing and outputting circuitry supported by a first beam of the pair of rigid beams, the processing and outputting circuitry being electrically connected with each weight sensor in the first beam and with each weight sensor in a second, remaining beam of the pair of rigid beams; and

one or more flexible tape connectors connecting together the pair of rigid beams in side by side parallel orientation in the collapsed condition of the scale and in the extended condition of the scale;

wherein each of the pair of rigid beams is formed by at least first and second telescopic sections, each of the first and second telescopic sections forming one of the opposing longitudinal ends of the respective beam and each of the first and second telescopic sections supporting one of the weight sensors.

8. The portable collapsible scale of claim 7 wherein the flexible tape connector is metal and one electrical connection is through the metal of the flexible tape.

9. The portable collapsible scale of claim 8 further comprising a separate electrical connection between the pair of beams on an outer surface of the flexible tape connector.

10. The portable collapsible scale of claim 7 wherein an electrical connection between the pair of beams is carried on an outer surface of the flexible tape connector.

11. The portable scale of claim 7 wherein an electrical connection between the pair of beams is carried on an outer surface of the flexible tape connector.

14. The portable collapsible scale of claim 7 in combination with a platform removably attachable to the scale so as to sit on top of the scale.

17. The portable collapsible scale of claim 7 in combination with a platform releasably attachable to the scale so as to sit on top of the scale.

20. The portable collapsible scale of claim 7 wherein the processing and outputting circuitry comprises control circuitry operably coupled with each of the weight sensors and with a weight output device selected from a visual display and a speaker.