Plurality of scales that communicate with each other and indicate which scale has the lightest load attached thereto

• US 8,921,716 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2012
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scott W. Saulters
• Original Assignee: Scott W. Saulters
• Inventors: Saulters, Scott W., Maxfield, John, Collins, Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W
• Application Number:
  US13/342,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20130168161A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 177/131, 177/148, 177/149, 177/199, 177/200, 177/25.13
• US Class Current: 177/25.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/60 combined with fishing equipment, e.g. with fishing rods
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3735 using a digital network
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/42 electrically operated

Abstract

The present invention is a weighing scale and system of weighing scales used to weigh a group of loads and determine which load is the lightest so it can be culled from the group. The weighing scales are most useful for use in fishing tournaments to ensure an angler has possession of the maximum total weight of fish possible.

Claims

1. A weighing system comprising:

a plurality of weighing scales, wherein each weighing scale comprises a weight sensor that measures the weight of a load attached thereto, further wherein each weighing scale comprises an indicator light that alerts a user of said plurality of weighing scales when the load attached thereto is lower in weight than every other load attached to every other weighing scale in use by said user, wherein each weighing scale communicates wirelessly with every other weighing scale in use by said user, determines which weighing scale in use is attached to the load having the lowest weight, and alerting the user when the load attached thereto is lower in weight than all other loads.

2. The weighing system of claim 1 wherein each said weighing scale comprises a display screen.

3. The weighing system of claim 1 wherein said weighing scales are capable of communicating with an electronic device.

4. The weighing system of claim 3 wherein said electronic device is chosen from the group consisting of a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a digital display device, a computer, a depth finder, and a fish finder.

5. A weighing scale comprising a gripping surface, an attachment member capable of receiving a load, and a weight sensor capable of measuring a weight for said load, wherein said weighing scale is buoyant in water, communicates wirelessly with other weighing scales currently in use by a user, and alerts said user when a load attached thereto is lower in weight than all loads attached to said other weighing scales.

6. The weighing scale of claim 5 further comprising a display screen.

7. The weighing scale of claim 5 further comprising an indicator light.

8. The weighing scale of claim 5 further comprising a battery.

9. The weighing scale of claim 8 further comprising a rechargeable battery.

10. The weighing scale of claim 5 wherein said weighing scale is substantially water tight.

11. The weighing scale of claim 5 wherein said weight sensor comprises a piezoelectric pressure sensor mechanically connected to a weight sensor plate and electrically connected to a processing unit, wherein said piezoelectric pressure sensor sends a resistance value signal to said processing unit in response to said load, and wherein said processing unit compares said resistance value to a look-up table to determine said weight.