US3621928A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Weighing scales of force-balancing type
Assignee: ROLAMITE Inc
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Filing: 1970-08-13
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Granted: 1971-11-23
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Expires: 1990-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A weighing scale having a platform that moves relative to the base with a movable pointer indicating the weight of an object placed on the platform. A base member and a platform member have opposed cylindrical surfaces which are arranged in parallel relation and are spaced apart from each other by an interposed rolling member. A thin flexible band supports the base member and the platform member for vertical swinging movement relative to the base member. A movable roller is positioned between the opposed cylindrical surfaces and rolls along the surfaces in response to movement of the platform member relative to the base member. A counterweight or counterforce that is attached to the roller applies a countertorque that progressively increases the resistance to displacement of the platform member. A pointer or indicator which is proportionally driven for the torque applied to the roller indicates the weight of the object on the platform when the counterweight or counterforce is balanced. The indicator may be directly attached to the roller or may be driven by intermediate means (mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc.) by which the indicated position will be proportional to the applied weight.
Inventors
- 👤 Carleton W Sprague
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:25
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G21/00; G01G21/24; G01G21/243; G01G1/00; G01G1/18; G01G1/24; G01G1/243; G01G1/246
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
Weighing apparatus comprising: base means having a cylindrical surface, load-bearing means having a cylindrical surface, supporting means maintaining said surfaces in parallel spaced relation for swinging movement of said load-bearing means relative to said base means without rotation of said surfaces relative to each other about their respective central axes, a thin flexible baNd extending along each of said surfaces and being arranged in a loop, a roller in said loop, said roller having a larger diameter than the minimum radial distance separating said surfaces, and resisting means for applying progressively increasing resistance to rotation of said roller in response to relative motion between said roller, whereby, the application of a load on said bearing means causes said roller to rotate to an extent that is proportional to said load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
Weighing apparatus comprising: base means having a cylindrical surface, load-bearing means having a cylindrical surface, supporting means maintaining said surfaces in parallel spaced relation for swinging movement of said load-bearing means relative to said base means without rotation of said surfaces relative to each other about their respective central axes, a thin flexible baNd extending along each of said surfaces and being arranged in a loop, a roller in said loop, said roller having a larger diameter than the minimum radial distance separating said surfaces, and resisting means for applying progressively increasing resistance to rotation of said roller in response to relative motion between said roller, whereby, the application of a load on said bearing means causes said roller to rotate to an extent that is proportional to said load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The weighing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said resisting means includes a counterweight spaced from said roller and arm means connecting said counterweight with said roller means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
Weighing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said supporting means includes a first thin flexible support band extending tangentially between the cylindrical surface of the base means and the cylindrical surface of the load-bearing means and a second thin flexible support band extending tangentially between said base means surface and said load-bearing means surface on the diametrically opposite side of said cylindrical surfaces from said first band, and said supporting means including means for preventing longitudinal movement between said support bands and said cylindrical surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Weighing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said bands comprising said supporting means and said band engaging said roller being integral with each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
140 words
Weighing apparatus comprising a pair of support elements each having at least a semicylindrical surface, the central axes of said surfaces being spaced apart laterally and said surfaces being in opposed relation to each other, flexible band means extending between said elements, said band means including a pair of band lengths on opposite sides of a plane intersecting said central axes, said band lengths being superimposed on said surfaces, means preventing longitudinal slippage between said band lengths and said surfaces, a roller interposed between said surfaces and having its central axis parallel to the central axes of said surfaces, means for transmitting rotary motion between said roller and said surfaces, and means for resisting rotation of said roller in proportion to relative motion between said surfaces, whereby said roller counterbalances a force applied by a load on said support elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
140 words
Weighing apparatus comprising a pair of support elements each having at least a semicylindrical surface, the central axes of said surfaces being spaced apart laterally and said surfaces being in opposed relation to each other, flexible band means extending between said elements, said band means including a pair of band lengths on opposite sides of a plane intersecting said central axes, said band lengths being superimposed on said surfaces, means preventing longitudinal slippage between said band lengths and said surfaces, a roller interposed between said surfaces and having its central axis parallel to the central axes of said surfaces, means for transmitting rotary motion between said roller and said surfaces, and means for resisting rotation of said roller in proportion to relative motion between said surfaces, whereby said roller counterbalances a force applied by a load on said support elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Weighing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said cylindrical surfaces of said support elements have substantially the same diameter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
Weighing apparatus according to claim 5 including a thin flexible band extending along said roller and along the adjacent surfaces of said support elements, said band being arranged in a loop with said roller being positioned within said loop, whereby said band transmits motion between said surfaces and said roller without slippage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
Weighing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said resisting means includes a counterweight spaced from said roller and arm means connecting said counterweight with said roller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
Weighing apparatus according to claim 5 including a base on one of said support elements and a platform on the other of said elements, said platform being substantially parallel to said base throughout the range of measurement by the apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
Weighing apparatus according to claim 5 including indicating means on said roller responsive to motion of said roller.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
Weighing apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said indicating means includes pointer means on said roller extending radially from the central axis of the roller, and said apparatus includes scale means cooperating with said pointer means to indicate angular rotation of said roller, whereby the pointer means indicates weight measured by said apparatus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-22 | 1975-05-24 | 1975-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-22 | 1979-05-24 | 1979-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-22 | 1983-05-24 | 1983-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |