Patent ID: 6242820
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: B60R,G01G

Abstract:
Apparatus for sensing the weight of an object and providing a digital representation of a weight range within which the sensed weight falls, said apparatus comprising:a plurality of groups of two-position switches, each switch normally assuming a first position in which such switch provides a first output signal indicative of the first position, each switch of a first one of said groups being responsive to a force of at least a first predetermined amount to assume a second position in which such switch provides a second output signal indicative of the second position, each switch of a second one of said groups being responsive to a force of a second predetermined amount, different from the first predetermined amount, to assume the second position in which such switch provide a second output signal indicative of the second position, the first position for each group representing a first weight range for such group, and the second position for each group representing a second weight range for such group, causing each group of switches to provide the first output signal to indicate a first weight range uniquely associated with the first group of switches and to provide the second output signal to indicate a second weight range uniquely associated with the second group of switches;a support surface overlying said switches, for supporting an object to be weighed;a decoding circuit for monitoring the output signal from each of said two-position switches to provide a digital representation of the weight range within which the weight of the object falls.