AU2004100314A4

AU2004100314A4 - Gas Bottle Weighing Scales

Info

Publication number: AU2004100314A4
Application number: AU2004100314A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Robert J Baade; Mark G Kelleher
Original assignee: Baade Robert John
Current assignee: Baade Robert John
Priority date: 2004-04-27
Filing date: 2004-04-27
Publication date: 2004-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2012-04-27
Also published as: AU2004100314B4

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT IMPROVED GAS BOTTLE WEIGHING SCALES Lodged by Mark G Kelleher and Robert J Baade The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 19 Australia 2 7 APR 2004 IMPROVED GAS BOTTLE WEIGHING SCALES,, This invention relates to an easy method of measuring the quantity of gas in a gas bottle.

The usual method is to shake the bottle and guess the quantity remaining. Often these predictions are incorrect and can cause inconvenience when the gas unexpectedly runs out.

There are a few simple gas measuring devices available on the market. They have been found to be impractical and unreliable and as a consequence have had poor marketing success.

These devices include; *A plastic strip which is adhered to the outside of the bottle. The gas level is indicated in colour when boiling water is poured onto it.

A gauge fitted to the gas line with a red and green zone which is too small to accurately predict gas levels. The cost of approximately $A40 also disadvantages its marketing opportunity.

With existing weighing devices it is necessary to deduct the weight of the bottle from the combined weight of bottle and gas.

This problem is overcome with the present invention where the weight of the gas in the bottle can be read directly from the gauge.

Mnother advantage is the slide collar which can be used to read the gas weight after the gas bottle is removed The design of the invention is simple, it is reliable, has a limited number of parts and low manufacturing costs.

An obvious marketing target for the invention is domestic gas barbeques. The invention is small and light in weight. It can be used continuously to hang the gas bottle, or alternatively use intermittingly to check the gas weight.

The invention can also be used for weighing other objects by not utilising the sliding sleeve.

The invention can be manufactured in different sizes to accommodate a range of gas bottle weights.

All certified gas bottles have the tare weight engraved near the lifting handle. The invention exploits the use of this information.

I

2 The gas bottle weighing scales in accordance with the invention comprises banging scales with a sliding sleeve which is fixed into position to allow direct reading of the gas weight in the bottle.

The invention maybe made from metal, mouldered plastic or other suitable material.

The weight graduation scale is in kilograms and pounds.

To assist the understanding of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings of the gas bottle weighing scales.

In the drawings: FIG I is a three dimensional view of the gas bottle weighing scales showing two sides. The opposite sides of the invention are of the same configuration. This figure shows the invention recording a weight of approximately 0.8 kg on the graduations scale.

FIG 2 shows the inside configurations of the invention without the gas bottle.

FIG 3 again shows the inside configuration of the invention with maximum loading.

The basic components of the gas bottle weighing scales consist of two box sections, cylindrical handle grips, a tension spring and the gas bottle holder.

The inside box section 1 is connected to the outside box section 2 by the spring 3.

The spring is connected to the top of the outside box section. The bottom end of the spring is connected to the plate 4 moulded as part of the inside box section. The inside box section slides smoothly in contact with the inner surface of the outside box section. The two protruding gas level pointers 5 are moulded as part of the inner box section and are located on opposite sides to each other. The pointers are guided by the aperture 12 in the outside box section. The lower edge of the pointer is the line used for reading the graduations. Also moulded to the inner box section is the gas bottle holder 6. The gas bottle holder fits into the gas bottle handle. The lifting handle grip 7 is moulded to the outer box section. The invention maybe hung-up using the swivelled hanging connector 10. The graduation on the outer box section are lightly embossed in kg and lbs. Alternatively these embossed numbers may be placed on the outside of the opposite side of the outer box section to obviate any confusion with the numerals on the sliding sleeve 9.

To operate the invention it is first necessary to move the sliding sleeve to the position where the zero graduation, situated in line with the top edge of the sleeve, corresponds with the graduations on the outside box section representing the tare weight of the gas bottle to be weighed. The sliding sleeve is then locked into position.

When the gas bottle is lifted by the gas bottle weighing scales the bottom line indicator on the two gas level pointers 5 will read the weight of the gas using the sliding sleeve. The numerals on the sliding sleeve will be more pronounced then those embossed on the outer box section 2. Preferably the embossed numerals should only be on the opposite outside face of outer box section. The top of the sliding sleeve can then be used to lock it in at the graduation representing the tare weight of the gas bottle. With this configuration the sliding sleeve numerals would be the only ones visible on the side the gas bottle is lifted. This configuration obviates any possible confusion between the two sets of numerals. When lifting the gas bottle using the handle only it may be difficult for the person to read the graduations. To assist in this regard the person weighing the gas bottle may move the sliding collar 11, with the other hand up under each pointer. When the gas bottle is removed the sliding collar remains in position and it is possible to read the graduations using the top edge of the collar. Alternatively the sliding ring could be placed again at the underside of the pointers before the gas bottle is lifted. By lifting the gas bottle, pointers push the sliding ring down and it remains in the place when the bottle is removed. With this arrangement the sliding ring needs to be loose enough to fit on the sleeve so as not to restrict the pointer movement. There is a slight outward corrugation at the bottom four edges of the sliding sleeve to prevent the sliding collar from being dislodged from the sliding sleeve.

Claims

1. A gas bottle gauge in accordance with this invention comprises hanging scales with a sliding sleeve which is fixed into position to allow the direct reading of the gas weight in the bottle.

2. A gas bottle gauge as claimed in claim I wherein the lower end of the spring attachment allows a minimum length for the overall configuration of the inner and outer box sections.

3. A gas bottle gauge according to any claims 1 and 2 wherein a sliding collar is moved and remains in position to record the weight of gas remaining in the gas bottle.

4. A gas bottle gauge wherein the configuration of the gas bottle holder fits into the gas bottle handle and fixes the bottle in a position that prevents its movement. A gas bottle gauge substantially as herein before described with reference to figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawings which can be used for direct weighing of the object or alternatively by using the sliding sleeve to measure the (net) gas capacity weight. zo fiil Mark G Kelleher J Baade 19 April 2004