Weighing scales – With weigher loading or unloading means – Hand manipulatable weigher
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-03
2001-05-22
Gibson, Randy W. (Department: 2859)
Weighing scales
With weigher loading or unloading means
Hand manipulatable weigher
C177S025130, C177S211000, C033S366110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236001
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to scoops with weighing capacity. Scoops generally have attached handles. In this case, a weighing device such as a load cell incorporating a strain gauge connects the handle to the scoop supporting the scoop proper, and a display scale is built into the handle. The weighing device is calibrated so that when the scoop is empty it registers zero, and registers the specific weight of material in the scoop.
Although the invention is described and referred to specifically as it relates to specific devices, structures and methods for scoops with handles incorporating display scales, it will be understood that the principles of this invention are equally applicable to similar devices, structures and methods for material containing and handling and accordingly, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to such devices, structures and methods for material containing and handling.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Generally scoops are used to transfer bulk material from a storage or holding container to a traditional weighing scale, where the bulk material is poured out to be weighed. Often a specific approximate or exact amount is required, and achieved by hit and miss methods. It is of practical advantage and convenience to know the amount in the scoop before pouring.
PRIOR ART
Scoops and the like are ancient. Applicant is not aware of prior art scoops incorporating means to indicate content weight.
It is a principal object of the invention to provide a scoop having weighing capacity. It is a further principal object of the invention to provide a scoop having weighing capacity and a display scale. It is a further principal object to provide a level indicator for the scoop. Other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In one broad aspect the invention is directed to a scoop attached to a handle. The handle comprises load cell means with strain gauge means. The load cell means is mounted in the handle and bears the scoop. Preferably the handle has a projecting neck extending toward the scoop covering the load cell. The strain gauge is operatively associated with CPU means, which is operatively associated with readout display means, whereby a weight in the scoop is converted to a display number on the readout display means. Preferably the scoop is manufactured from PVC (polyvinylchloride), especially preferred is flex PVC. PVC is approved by both the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration, of the United States) for use with food and agricultural products. The scoop is not restricted to these materials, conventional light metals including alloys, a wide range of conventional plastics, ceramics, and wood may be used. Typically there is a control switch assembly operatively associated with the CPU means, and similarly there are indicator/annunciator lights operatively associated with the CPU means. The control switch assembly has a plurality of switches, typically one switch each for ON/ZERO, OFF, ACCUMULATE, HOLD and UNITS. The ON/ZERO switch actuates the CPU means on first actuation, and setting the display number to zero on second and subsequent actuations. The OFF switch deactivates the CPU means. The ACCUMULATE switch actuates the readout display when a second or subsequent weight is placed in the scoop displaying the summed weights as a display number on the readout display. The HOLD switch HOLD switch actuates the readout display to display the previous display number. The UNITS switch changes the units of weight of the display number, from metric to avoirdupois, or from avoirdupois to metric. Typically the indicator/annunciator lights comprise ZERO, HOLD, and UNITS lights. The ZERO light is lit when the display number on the readout display is zero, but not otherwise. The HOLD light is lit when the readout display shows the previous display number, but not otherwise. One UNIT light is lit when the display number indicates metric units, but not otherwise. The other UNIT light is lit when the display number indicates avoirdupois units, but not otherwise. A level indictor is preferably operatively associated with the CPU means. The level indicator actuates a level registering means, which registers level when the means is horizontal or at an angle to the horizontal less than or equal to a predetermined angle, and does not register level when the means is at an angle to the horizontal greater than the predetermined angle. An indicator/annunciator light is operatively associated with the level registering means. The light is lit when the level registering means registers level, and off otherwise.
In a second broad aspect the invention is directed to a level indicator comprising a conducting base being part of a electric circuit, and forming a sector of a generally spherical surface. The base has a conducting surface, which is typically metal, conveniently the entire base is a metal plate or sheet. A sidewall circumvent the sector extends inward toward the center of the spherical surface. The sidewall has a circumferential conducting element spaced apart from and above the conducting base. This conducting element is part of the electric circuit and generally level when the indicator is level. A round conductor typically a ball bearing rests and is rollable on the conducting base. The ball bearing is in the middle of the conducting base when the base is level, and touches the conducting element in the sidewall when resting against the sidewall, whereby the electric circuit is closed. The electric circuit when open allows an indicator/annunciator light to light and when closed switches it off. The spherical surface preferably subtends an angle of between about 8 and 12° at the center of the spherical surface, allowing the indicator to tilt up to half the angle before the ball contacts the sidewall. The level indicator may have a transparent insulating top wall above and touching the sidewall spaced apart from and opposed to the conducting base. Preferably a scoop having an attached handle, incorporates the level indicator which is associated with the handle. Preferably the scoop has load cell means with strain gauge means, said load cell means being mounted in said handle and bearing said scoop. The level indicator may be mounted directly on the load cell, or more preferably on a neck attached or integral with the handle. When present the neck projects toward the scoop covering the load cell. The strain gauge is operatively associated with CPU means, which is operatively associated with readout display means, whereby a weight in the scoop is converted to a display number on the readout display means. Typically there is a control switch assembly operatively associated with the CPU means, and similarly there are indicator/annunciator lights operatively associated with the CPU means. The control switch assembly has a plurality of switches, typically one switch each for ON/ZERO, OFF, ACCUMULATE, HOLD and UNITS. The ON/ZERO switch actuates the CPU means on first actuation, and setting the display number to zero on second and subsequent actuations. The OFF switch deactivates the CPU means. The ACCUMULATE switch actuates the readout display when a second or subsequent weight is placed in the scoop displaying the summed weights as a display number on the readout display. The HOLD switch actuates the readout display to display the previous display number. When HOLD and ACCUMULATE switches are combined the first actuation actuates the readout display to display the previous display number, while the second actuation displays summed weights when a second or subsequent weight is placed in the scoop. The UNITS switch changes the units of weight of the display number, from metric to avoirdupois, or from avoirdupois to metric. Typically the indicator/annunciator lights comprise ZERO, HOLD, and UNITS lights. The ZERO light is lit when the display number on the readout display is zero, but not otherwise. The HOL
Bailey Robert W. B.
Gibson Randy W.
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