A platform scale

Abstract: A platform 1 for a platform scale such a personal weighing scale, comprising a plurality of spaced apart bearings 2 depending from the platform 1 and each including a plurality of bearing elements 3 adapted to bear on a substrate, in this case the interior surface (in use) of a base 12 of the assembled scale.

Description: The invention relates to a platform for a platform scale, particularly such a scale as used for personal weighing. Personal weighing scales are often formed with a platform supported over a base, with a mechanism therebetween which can respond to a weight applied to the platform as the platform moves towards the base under applied load. The mechanism is calibrated to give a readout of the weight applied. In order to provide sensitivity in the mechanism, the platform is generally required to be light, strong and yet poised on bearings which enable it to deflect smoothly, so providing a positive action. Known scales do not provide such an action. Examples of prior art scales can be found in WO-A1-90-8945 and WO-A1-85-3771. It is accordingly an object of the invention to seek to mitigate this disadvantage. According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a platform for a platform scale, comprising a plurality of spaced apart bearings depending from the platform, each bearing including a plurality of bearing elements adapted to bear on a substrate, the bearings being integral with the platform, characterised by the platform being of sheet metal and by each bearing being folded therefrom. There may be two bearings. The bearings may be situated at opposite sides of the platform substantially equidistant from adjacent boundary edges of the platform. The bearings may be positioned at a respective corner of the platform, where the platform is substantially rectangular in plan. The bearing elements may comprise spaced feet of the respective bearings. The feet may be angled at an angle of about 30° to the centre of the bearing. The bearings may be secured to the platform by a curved fold line, preferably an arcuate fold line. The bearings may each include a bracing device. The bracing device may comprise a gusset formed in the material of the bearing, preferably of a triangular shape in plan. The gusset may be at a major surface of the platform. The platform may include retainer means for receiving a bearing of the substrate. The retainer means may comprise spaced apart tongues. There may be two tongues one of which may have at least a part which may be angled towards the other. Furthermore, there may be dimple means adjacent the tongue means. This provides for a seating for a bearing of the substrate whilst providing strength in the platform. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a platform scale, including a base, and a platform as hereinbefore defined. A platform for a platform scale such as a personal weighing scale is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a plan view from the interior of a platform according to the invention; Fig.2 is a transverse sectional view of the platform of Fig.1; Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C, are respectively plan, elevational and sectional views of a bearing of the platform of Figs. 1 and 2; Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C are respectively plan, elevational and sectional views of retainer means of the platform of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig.5 is a transverse sectional view of the platform of Figs. 1 and 2, taken through the bearing and retaining means; Fig. 6 is a plan view of a base of a platform scale for use with a platform of Figs. 1 - 5; and Figs. 7a to 7c are respective plan, end and side elevational views of a corner stand of the platform scale according to the invention. Referring to the drawings, there is shown a platform 1 for a platform scale such as a personal weighing scale, comprising a plurality of spaced apart bearings 2 depending from the platform 1 and each including a plurality of bearing elements 3 adapted to bear on a substrate, in this case the interior surface (in use) of a base 12 of the assembled scale. The platform is made of sheet metal and the bearings 2 of which there are two, are situated at opposite sides thereof, with a viewing aperture 4 for a dial or digital readout or LED therebetween, the bearings 2 being equidistant from adjacent boundary edges of the platform and positioned at a respective corner of the platform and angled thereacross, the platform being of substantially rectangular shape in plan. The bearings 2 are each turned or folded out of the material of the platform along an arcuate fold line 5 and each have a bracing device comprising an indent or guest 6 of triangular configuration at the underside (in use) of the platform, the apex of the triangle having an angle of 90°. Each bearing is generally planar and terminates in the bearing elements 3 which are in the form of spaced feet at the base of legs 7 of the respective elements, the legs being inclined respectively at substantially 30° to the centre line of the bearing 2. At the opposite end of the platform from the bearings 2 are aligned retainer means in the form of spaced apart tongues 8, 9 one of which has an end part 10 angled toward the other tongue 9; there is dimple means 11 between each pair of tongues, the dimples providing a seating for a bearing of the base and providing strength in the platform. The tongue means 8, 9 act to retain bearings in the form of corner stands 13 of the base 12 so that the base 12 and platform 1 in the assembled scale are joined together for relative movement in the vertical (as considered in use) plane so as to activate the operating mechanism such as a lever system (not shown) for responding to the weight of a person standing on the platform 1, and for indicating the weight through a viewing window in the platform. The weight sensing and operating mechanism does not form part of the invention. The base, however, has an upstanding wall 14 which at the corners has slots or notches 15 cut out thereof to provide mounting positions for planar levers of the mechanism, mounted on the edge. The corner stand 13 has a bearing 16 of knife-edge form for balancing a lever of the system, a base 17 for steadying the corner stand and lateral wings 18 which bear on the base 14 to provide stability.

Claims: A platform for a platform scale, comprising a plurality of spaced apart bearings (2) depending from the platform (1), each bearing (2) including a plurality of bearing elements (3) adapted to bear on a substrate, the bearings (2) being integral with the platform (1) characterised by the platform (1) being of sheet metal and by each bearing (2) being folded therefrom. A platform according to Claim 1, characterised by there being two bearings (2) situated at opposite sides of the platform (1), substantially equidistant from adjacent boundary edges of the platform. A platform according to Claim 2. characterised by the bearings (2) being positioned at a respective corner of the platform (1). A platform according to any preceding claim, characterised by bearing elements (3) of each bearing (2). A platform according to Claim 4, characterised by the bearing (2) being folded out of the metal of the platform along an arcuate fold line (5). A platform according to Claim 5, characterised by a bracing device (6) at the underside of the platform (1). A platform according to Claim 6, characterised by the bracing device (6) being of substantially triangular configuration. A platform according to any of Claims 4 to 7, characterised by the bearing elements (3) comprising spaced feet at the base of legs (7) of the respective elements. A platform according to Claim 8, characterised by retainer means (8, 9, 10) of the platform opposite the bearings (2). A platform according to Claim 9, characterised by a retainer tongue means (8) with a part (10) angled towards a tongue means (9). A platform according to Claim 10, charactensed by dimple means (11) between the tongue means (8, 9). A platform scale, including a base, and characterised by a platform (1) according to any preceding claim mounted on the base.

Inventors: STEPHENS BRIAN, STEPHENS, BRIAN
Applicants: HANSON IND LTD, HANSON INDUSTRIES LIMITED
Application year: 1993
Main classification: G01G19
IPC codes: G01G21, G01G19