Damage resistant bathroom scale construction

Claim 2

In a weighing scale comprising a base, weighing levers fulcrumed thereon, a platform movably supported above said base on said levers, weighing spring means serving to resist deflection of said weighing levers under weiGht applied to the platform, a rotatable weight indicating dial, rack and pinion means movable in response to deflection of said weighing levers and connected to transmit rotation to said dial through an angularity in direct proportion to the weight applied to the platform so as to give an accurate weight indication, and a horizontally reciprocable plate in substantially parallel relationship to said base through which the weighing levers are connected with the weighing spring means and upon which the aforesaid rack rests for reciprocatory motion in each weighing operation, the rack having a lost-motion connection with said plate in a slot provided in the latter longitudinally thereof, the improvement which consists in providing, in combination, a relatively light spring connected with said rack tending normally to return the rack to one end of said slot, and a relatively heavier cushioning spring arranged for abutment by said rack in spaced relation to the return end of said slot, the former spring urging the rack toward the latter spring and the latter spring having no yield in transmitting weight indicating movement to said rack from said plate in the opposite direction in a normal weighing operation.

Claim 3

In a weighing scale comprising a base, weighing levers fulcrumed thereon, a platform movably supported above said base on said levers, weighing spring means serving to resist deflection of said weighing levers under weight applied to the platform, a rotatable weight indicating dial, rack and pinion means movable in response to deflection of said weighing levers and connected to transmit rotation to said dial through an angularity in direct proportion to the weight applied to the platform so as to give an accurate weight indication, and a horizontally reciprocable plate in substantially parallel relationship to said base through which the weighing levers are connected with the weighing spring means and upon which the aforesaid rack rests for reciprocatory motion in each weighing operation, the rack having a lost-motion connection with said plate in a slot provided in the latter longitudinally thereof, the improvement which consists in providing, in combination, a relatively light spring connected with said rack tending normally to return the rack to one end of said slot, and a relatively heavier cushioning spring arranged for abutment by said rack in spaced relation to the return end of said slot, the former spring urging the rack toward the latter spring and the latter spring having no yield in transmitting weight indicating movement to said rack from said plate in the opposite direction in a normal weighing operation, and means for positively limiting rotation of said weight indicating dial but only after more than a full turn in either direction whereby to further protect the rack and pinion from destructive shear load in the event of maltreatment of the scale.

Claim 4

In a weighing scale comprising a base, weighing levers fulcrumed thereon, a platform movably supported above said base on said levers, weighing spring means serving to resist deflection of said weighing levers under weight applied to the platform, a rotatable weight indicating dial, rack and pinion means movable in response to deflection of said weighing levers and connected to transmit rotation to said dial through an angularity in direct proportion to the weight applied to the platform so as to give an accurate weight indication, and a horizontally reciprocable plate in substantially parallel relationship to said base through which the weighing levers are connected with the weighing spring means and upon which the aforesaid rack rests for reciprocatory motion in each weighing operation, the rack having a lost-motion connection with said plate in a slot provided in the latter longitudinally thereof, the improvement which consists in providing, in combination, a relatively light spring connected with said rack tending normally to return the rack to one end of said slot, and a relatively heavier cushioning spring arranged for abutment by said rack in spaced relation to the return end of said slot, the former spring urging the rack toward the latter spring and the latter spring having no yield in transmitting weight indicating movement to said rack from said plate in the opposite direction in a normal weighing operation, and means for positively limiting rotation of said weight indicating dial but only after more than a full turn in either direction whereby to further protect the rack and pinion from destructive shear load in the event of maltreatment of the scale.

Claim 5

In a weighing scale comprising a base, weighing levers fulcrumed thereon, a platform movably supported above said base on said levers weighing spring means serving to resist deflection of said weighing levers under weight applied to the platform, a rotatable weight indicating dial, rack and pinion means movable in response to deflection of said weighing levers and connected to transmit rotation to said dial through an angularity in direct proportion to the weight applied to the platform so as to give an accurate weight indication, and a horizontally reciprocable plate in substantially parallel relationship to said base through which the weighing levers are connected with the weighing spring means and upon which the aforesaid rack rests for reciprocatory motion in each weighing operation, the rack having a lost-motion connection with said plate in a slot provided in the latter longitudinally thereof, the improvement which consists in providing, in combination, a relatively light spring connected with said rack tending normally to return the rack to one end of said slot, and a relatively heavier cushioning spring arranged for abutment by said rack in spaced relation to the return end of said slot, the former spring urging the rack toward the latter spring and the latter spring having no yield in transmitting weight indicating movement to said rack from said plate in the opposite direction in a normal weighing operation, a dial adapter on which said weight indicating dial is mounted, said adapter being fixed to turn with the pinion, a floating rotary elongated stop plate rotatable relative to said pinion, said stop plate having spaced stops on the pivoted end thereof engageable after lost motion in either direction with opposite sides of a stop projection on said dial adapter to account for one portion of the free turning of said dial, said stop plate having a stop on its outer end arranged to strike either side of a fixed stop to account for a second and greater portion of the free turning of said dial.

Claim 6

In a weighing scale comprising a base, weighing levers fulcrumed thereon, a platform movably supported above said base on said levers weighing spring means serving to resist deflection of said weighing levers under weight applied to the platform, a rotatable weight indicating dial, rack and pinion means movable in response to deflection of said weighing levers and connected to transmit rotation to said dial through an angularity in direct proportion to the weight applied to the platform so as to give an accurate weight indication, and a horizontally reciprocable plate in substantially parallel relationship to said base through which the weighing levers are connected with the weighing spring means and upon which the aforesaid rack rests for reciprocatory motion in each weighing operation, the rack having a lost-motion connection with said plate in a slot provided in the latter longitudinally thereof, the improvement which consists in providing, in combination, a relatively light spring connected with said rack tending normally to return the rack to one end of said slot, and a relatively heavier cushioning spring arranged for abutment by said rack in spaced relation to the return end of said slot, the former spring urging the rack toward the latter spring and the latter spring having no yield in transmitting weight indicating movement to said rack from said plate in the opposite direction in a normal weighing operation, a dial adapter on which said weight indicating dial is mounted, said adapter being fixed to turn with the pinion, a floating rotary elongated stop plate rotatable relative to said pinion, said stop plate having spaced stops on the pivoted end thereof engageable after lost motion in either direction with opposite sides of a stop projection on said dial adapter to account for one portion of the free turning of said dial, said stop plate having a stop on its outer end arranged to strike either side of a fixed stop to account for a second and greater portion of the free turning of said dial.

Claim 7

In a weighing scale comprising a base, weighing levers fulcrumed thereon, a platform movably supported above said base on said levers, weighing spring means serving to resist deflection of said weighing levers under weight applied to the platform, a rotatable weight indicating dial, rack and pinion means movable in response to deflection of said weighing levers and connected to transmit rotation to said dial through an angularity in direct proportion to the weight applied to the platform so as to give an accurate weight indication, and a horizontally reciprocable plate in substantially parallel relationship to said base through which the weighing levers are connected with the weighing spring means and upon which the aforesaid rack rests for reciprocatory motion in each weighing operation, the rack having a lost-motion connection with said plate in a slot provided in the latter longitudinally thereof, the improvement which consists in providing, in combination, a relatively light spring connected with said rack tending normally to return the rack to one end of said slot, and means for positively limiting rotation of said weight indicating dial but only after at least a full turn in either direction, this free turning of the dial coupled with the spring restrained lost-motion of the rack protecting the rack and pinion from shear load in the event of maltreatment of the scale.

Claim 8

In a weighing scale comprising a base, weighing levers fulcrumed thereon, a platform movably supported above said base on said levers, weighing spring means serving to resist deflection of said weighing levers under weight applied to the platform, a rotatable weight indicating dial, rack and pinion means movable in response to deflection of said weighing levers and connected to transmit rotation to said dial through an angularity in direct proportion to the weight applied to the platform so as to give an accurate weight indication, and a horizontally reciprocable plate in substantially parallel relationship to said base through which the weighing levers are connected with the weighing spring means and upon which the aforesaid rack rests for reciprocatory motion in each weighing operation, the rack having a lost-motion connection with said plate in a slot provided in the latter longitudinally thereof, the improvement which consists in providing, in combination, a relatively light spring connected with said rack tending normally to return the rack to one end of said slot, and means for positively limiting rotation of said weight indicating dial but only after at least a full turn in either direction, this free turning of the dial coupled with the spring restrained lost-motion of the rack protecting the rack and pinion from shear load in the event of maltreatment of the scale.

Claim 9

In a weighing scale comprising a base, weighing levers fulcrumed thereon, a platform movably supported above said base on said levers, weighing spring means serving to resist deflection of said weighing levers under weight applied to the platform, a rotatable weight indicating dial, rack and pinion means movable in response to deflection of said weighing levers and connected to transmit rotation to said dial through an angularity in direct proportion to the weight applied to the platform so as to give an accurate weight indication, and a horizontally reciprocable plate in substantially parallel relationship to said base through which the weighing levers are connected with the weighing spring means and upon which the aforesaid rack rests for reciprocatory motion in each weighing operation, the rack having a lost-motion connection with said plate in a slot provided in the latter longitudinally thereof, the improvement which consists in providing spring means affording two-way spring cushioning of the rack in its lost-motion relative to the plate while insuring full return of the rack to one end of said slot in each weighing operation.

Claim 10

In a weighing scale comprising a base, weighing levers fulcrumed thereon, a platform movably supported above said base on said levers, weighing spring means serving to resist deflection of said weighing levers under weight applied to the platform, a rotatable weight indicating dial, rack and pinion means movable in response to deflection of said weighing levers and connected to transmit rotation to said dial through an angularity in direct proportion to the weight applied to the platform so as to give an accurate weight indication, and a horizontally reciprocable plate in substantially parallel relationship to said base through which the weighing levers are connected with the weighing spring means and upon which the aforesaid rack rests for reciprocatory motion in each weighing operation, the rack having a lost-motion connection with said plate in a slot provided in the latter longitudinally thereof, the improvement which consists in providing spring means affording two-way spring cushioning of the rack in its lost-motion relative to the plate while insuring full return of the rack to one end of said slot in each weighing operation.

Claim 11

A weighing scale as set forth in claim 5 including means for positively limiting rotation of said weight indicating dial but only after more than a full turn in either direction, whereby to further protect the rack and pinion from destructive shear load in the event of maltreatment of the scale.

Claim 12

A weighing scale as set forth in claim 5 including a dial adapter on which said weight indicating dial is mounted, said adapter being fixed to turn with the pinion, a floating rotary elongated stop plate rotatable relative to said pinion, said stop plate having spAced stops on the pivoted end thereof engageable after lost-motion in either direction with opposite sides of a stop projection on said dial adapter to account for one portion of the free turning of said dial, said stop plate having a stop on its outer end arranged to strike either side of a fixed stop to account for a second and greater portion of the free turning of said dial.

Claim 13

A weighing scale as set forth in claim 5 including means for positively limiting rotation of said weight indicating dial but only after at least a full turn in either direction, this free turning of the dial coupled with the spring restrained lost-motion of the rack protecting the rack and pinion from shear load in the event of maltreatment of the scale.

Claim 14

A weighing scale as set forth in claim 1 wherein the last mentioned spring is an elongated wire spring mounted on said plate and extending transversely relative to the slot in spaced relation to the return end thereof and fixed at one end and guided at its other end for oscillation in substantially parallel relation to said plate.

Claim 15

A weighing scale as set forth in claim 1 wherein the last mentioned spring is an elongated wire spring mounted on said plate and extending transversely relative to the slot in spaced relation to the return end thereof and having a right angle bent portion at one end for pivoting the same relative to said plate and functioning as a torsion bar to spring load the wire spring while the other end is guided for oscillation in substantially parallel relation to said plate.

Claim 16

A weighing scale as set forth in claim 1 wherein the last mentioned spring is an elongated wire spring mounted on said plate and extending transversely relative to the slot in spaced relation to the return end thereof and having a right angle bent portion at one end for pivoting the same relative to said plate and functioning as a torsion bar to spring load the wire spring while the other end is guided for oscillation in substantially parallel relation to said plate, the right angle bent portion having a radius arm thereon which after preloading of the wire spring by angular motion relative to said plate is secured to said plate in preload condition.

Claim 17

A weighing scale as set forth in claim 1 wherein the last mentioned spring is an elongated wire spring mounted on said plate and extending transversely relative to the slot in spaced relation to the return end thereof and having a right angle bent portion at one end for pivoting the same relative to said plate and functioning as a torsion bar to spring load the wire spring while the other end is guided for oscillation in substantially parallel relation to said plate, the right angle bent portion having a radius arm thereon which after preloading of the wire spring by angular motion relative to said plate is secured to said plate in preload condition, the free end of said radius arm having an eye thereon onto which one end of the first named light spring, which is a coiled tension spring, is connected.

Claim 18

In a weighing scale comprising a base, weighing levers fulcrumed thereon, a platform movably supported above said base on said levers, weighing spring means serving to resist deflection of said weighing levers under weight applied to the platform, a rotatable weight indicating dial, rack and pinion means movable in response to deflection of said weighing levers and connected to transmit rotation to said dial through an angularity in direct proportion to the weight applied to the platform so as to give an accurate weight indication, and a horizontally reciprocable plate in substantially parallel relationship to said base through which the weighing levers are connected with the weighing spring means and upon which the aforesaid rack rests for reciprocatory motion in each weighing operation, the rack having a lost-motion connection with said plate in a slot provided in the latter longitudinally thereof, the improvement which consists in providing, in combination, a reLatively light spring connected with said rack tneiding normally to return the rack to one end of said slot, means for positively limiting rotation of said weight indicating dial but only after at least a full turn in either direction, this free turning of the dial coupled with the spring restrained lost-motion of the rack protecting the rack and pinion from shear load in the event of maltreatment of the scale, and another spring means at the end of the slot toward which the relatively light spring acts to return the rack, the second spring means being mainly for cushioning action to prevent damage in the event of violent return of the rack, and having no yield in transmitting weight indicating movement to said rack from said plate in a normal weighing operation.

Claim 19

In a weighing scale comprising a base, weighing levers fulcrumed thereon, a platform movably supported above said base on said levers, weighing spring means serving to resist deflection of said weighing levers under weight applied to the platform, a rotatable weight indicating dial, rack and pinion means movable in response to deflection of said weighing levers and connected to transmit rotation to said dial through an angularity in direct proportion to the weight applied to the platform so as to give an accurate weight indication, and a horizontally reciprocable plate in substantially parallel relationship to said base through which the weighing levers are connected with the weighing spring means and upon which the aforesaid rack rests for reciprocatory motion in each weighing operation, the rack having a lost-motion connection with said plate in a slot provided in the latter longitudinally thereof, the improvement which consists in providing, in combination, a reLatively light spring connected with said rack tneiding normally to return the rack to one end of said slot, means for positively limiting rotation of said weight indicating dial but only after at least a full turn in either direction, this free turning of the dial coupled with the spring restrained lost-motion of the rack protecting the rack and pinion from shear load in the event of maltreatment of the scale, and another spring means at the end of the slot toward which the relatively light spring acts to return the rack, the second spring means being mainly for cushioning action to prevent damage in the event of violent return of the rack, and having no yield in transmitting weight indicating movement to said rack from said plate in a normal weighing operation.