GB2443844A

GB2443844A - Hand held weighing device

Info

Publication number: GB2443844A
Application number: GB0622712A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Victor Gregory Marshall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-15
Filing date: 2006-11-15
Publication date: 2008-05-21
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-15
Also published as: GB0622712D0; GB2443844B

Abstract

A hand held weighing scale 10 comprises a hook section 4 for supporting a load, a handle section 2 for supporting said hook section 4, a weighing means (12, fig.2) for measuring the load supported by the hook section 4, and a weight indicator 8 for indicating the weight measured by said weighing means 12. The hook section 4 and handle section 2 are movable between an open position in which the hook section 4 is suspended from the handle section 2, and a stowed position, in which at least a portion of the handle section 2 is received within the hook section 4.

Description

HAND HELD WEIGHING SCALE

The present invention relates to a hand held weighing scale, and in particular to a hand held luggage scale.

Hand held weighing scales provide a portable and convenient means of measuring the weight of objects which are easily liftable by hand. A known application of hand held scales is to weigh luggage prior to air travel. Due to increasing pressure on air lines to decrease fuel consumption, as a result of increasing fuel costs and environmental considerations, the weight restrictions applied by the air lines to passenger's luggage are becoming increasingly stringent. Passengers whose luggage exceeds a maximum weight limit are generally required to pay additional charges in line with the extra weight.

Therefore, it is becoming increasingly necessary for air travel passengers to accurately know the weight of their luggage and the contents thereof, to assess whether or not their luggage exceeds this maximum limit when packing their luggage prior to leaving and/or when returning from a journey.

Hand held scales, such as mechanical spring balance scales, or digital scales, are known for use as luggage scales.

Such scales typically comprise a handle, a scale body including the weighing means, and a free hanging metal hook for suspending the load to be weighed. However, due to security restrictions, hooks of this type are deemed unacceptable to be carried within hand luggage. In addition, such hooks can catch and damage clothing, or scratch other items if placed within the suitcase along with other luggage items. Eurthermore, the digital display and electronics included in digital scales are relatively fragile, and susceptible to damage during transit.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved hand held scale, which address the above described problems, and/or which offers improvements generally.

According to the present invention, there is provided a hand held weighing scale, as described in the accompanying claims.

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a hand held weighing scale, comprising a hook section for supporting a load, a handle section for supporting said hook section, a weighing means for measuring the load supported by the hook section; and a weight indicator for indicating the weight measured by said weighing means. The hook section and handle section are movable between an open position in which the hook section is suspended from the handle section, and a stowed position, in which at least a portion of the handle section is received within the hook section. In this way, the hook section functions as a hook in the open position, and a protective housing for the handle section in the stowed position.

The handle section and the hook section may be pivoted and rotatable relative to each other about a pivot point. As such, the handle section and the hook section may be rotatable between said open position and said closed position.

The hook section may comprise a pair of side walls defining a housing for receiving the at least a portion of the handle section.

The hook section may comprise a pair of side walls defining a channel therebetween for receiving the at least a portion of the handle section. The hook section may also further comprises an end wall which interconnects the side walls.

The side walls of the hook section may be configured to define a hook.

The end wall may have an inner surface having a curved profile and the handle section has a peripheral surface having a curved profile, the curved profile of the inner surface of the end wall having a radius equal to, or greater than, the radius of the peripheral surface of the handle section, the pivot point being arranged such that the inner surface of the hook section and the peripheral surface of the handle section are at a distance from the pivot point equal to their respective radii.

The scale may be a digital weighing scale, and the weight measuring means may comprise a load cell. The load cell may be integrated within the handle section.

The handle section may comprise an upper handle section and a lower handle section, the upper and lower handle sections being connected by the load cell. In this way, the load is transferred from the hook section to the upper section of the handle section via the load cell.

Preferably, the upper section and lower section may be pivoted such that they are rotatable relative to each other. The upper handle section and lower handle section may be pivoted such that they are rotatable relative to each other about the longitudinal axis of the handle section.

This enables the handle section to be oriented relative to the hook section to provide a carrying position which is most comfortable for the load being held. The upper and lower handle sections may be pivoted about the load cell.

The weight indicator may be a digital display unit. The digital display unit may be integrated within the handle.

Alternatively, if the scale may be a mechanical scale and the indicator may be a visual indication scale.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following illustrative figures in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hand held scale according to an embodiment of the present invention in the open position; Figure 2 is a side view of the hand held scale of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the scale of Figure 1 in a semi-closed position; Figure 4 is a top view of the hand held scale of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a side view of the hand held scale of Figure 1 in the closed position; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of a hand held scale according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the hand held weighing scale 10 comprises a handle section 2, and a hook section 4. The handle section 2 comprises a body portion 20, and a pivot arm 18. The body portion 20 comprises an inner surface 15, and an outer surface 14. The outer surface 14 has a curved profile, having a radius A. The pivot arm 18 extends from the inner surface 15 of the body portion 20.

The hook section 4 comprises a pair of opposing side walls 17 and 19 interconnected by an outer wall 22, and a third side wall 27. The side walls 17 and 19 define first and second pivot arms 21 and 23 respectively, and support arms 28 and 30, which extend substantially perpendicularly from the pivot arms 21 and 23. The side walls 17 and 19 each comprise an inner edge having a curved profile, defining the hook saddle 16. The outer wall 22 has a curved profile with an inner surface 24 having a radius At The handle section 2 and hook section 4 are pivoted about a pivot point 6, such that both are rotatable relative to each other. A channel 32 is formed in the handle pivot arm 18 for receiving a pivot pin 26. Apertures 34 are formed in the pivot arms 21 and 23 of the hook section 4, for receiving the pivot pin 26. The pivot arm 18 of the handle section 2 is positioned between the side walls 17 and 19 of the hook section 4 such that the channel 32 is aligned with the apertures 34.

Although the apertures 34 are referred to as such, it will be appreciated that the term may also encompass recesses which do not fully extend through the walls 17 and 19. The pivot pin 26 extends through the channel 32 and is rotatably received by the apertures 34 to pivot the handle section 2 and hook section 4 relative to one another.

Alternatively, the hook section 4 and handle section 2 may be pivoted relative to one another about the pivot point 6 by any other suitable means.

In an alternative embodiment, the side walls 17 and 19 may be provided without additional interconnecting side walls 22 and 27. In this embodiment, the side walls 17 and 19 are rigidly connected to the pivot pin 26, such that they are rotationally fixed relative to one another. The rigidity of the side walls 17 and 19 is sufficient to maintain the spacing therebetween.

The pivot arm 18 of the handle section 2 comprises an upper section 7 and a lower section 9. The channel 32 is formed 1. in the lower section 9. The upper section 7 and lower section 9 are connected by a load cell 12, such that when a load is supported by the hook section 4, and the handle section 2 is held by a user, the load is transferred from the hook section 4 to the lower section 9 via the pivot pin 6, and from the lower section 9 to the upper section 7 through the load cell 12.

The load cell 12 may be any suitable load cell commonly known in the art. Specifically, the upper section 7 and lower section 9 are connected by the strain gauge section of the load cell, which may be any component suitable for bearing the load to be carried by the scales 10, the resistance of which alters under load.

The additional electrical components of the load cell are housed within handle section 2. The body section 20 defines a housing for containing the electronic components of the load cell. A digital display 8, is provided in the upper surface 14 of the handle section 2, to provide a visual indication of the weight of the load measured by the load cell.

In an embodiment of the invention, the display 8 has a curved profile such that its flush with the outer face 14 of the handle section 2, or may be recessed into the outer face 14. Alternatively, the digital display 8 is positioned at any suitable location on the handle section 2, such that it is easily visible by the user when holding the handle section 2 to support a load held within the hook section 4.

The load bearing, or strain gauge section of the load cell 12 may also act as a pivot, to enable the upper section 7 and lower section 9 to rotate relative to one another about the longitudinal axis Z of the handle section 2. The upper section 7 of the handle section 2 may be pivoted between the position shown in Figure 1, in which the side face 11 of the handle section 2 is oriented parallel to the direction of rotation of the handle section 2, and the arrangement shown in Figure 5, in which the side face 11 of the handle section 2 is oriented perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the handle section 2. This enables the handle section to be adjusted relative to the hook section 4 to provide a more convenient carrying arrangement depending on the load to be lifted.

The load cell 12 may comprise a universal, or ball joint, to enable the upper section 7 to also pivot about rotational axis X or Y. The handle may be limited to rotation about axis X of +1-200 relative to the vertical axis Z. Alternatively, the upper section 7 may be free to rotate in any direction relative to the lower section 9. To facilitate rotation of about the X or Y axis, a gap may be provided between the upper section 7 and lower section 9.

Alternatively, the base of the upper section 7, or the upper end of the lower section 9 may have a curved surface, such as a spherical surface, to accommodate the relative rotation. Allowing the handle section 2 to rotate about the X or Y axis enables adjustment of the handle section 2 relative to the hook section 4, to accommodate any load which is supported away from the centre of the saddle 6 of the hook section 4, by enabling the longitudinal axis Z of the handle section 2 to align with the load path.

In an alternative arrangement, the pivot arm 18 of the handle section 2 also comprises an intermediate section, and a separate pivot point is provided between the intermediate section and the upper section 7. In this arrangement the upper section 7 rotates relative to the intermediate section, and the intermediate section is rotationally fixed relative to the lower section 9. The load is transferred from the lower section 9 to the intermediate section via the load cell 12.

The hook section 4 comprises an open end 40 at the apex of the supporting arm 28, which has a substantially u-shaped cross section defined by the side walls 17 and 19 and the end wall 22. The side walls 17 and 19, and the end wall 22, of the hook section 4 define a channel 41, the opening to which is the open end 40. The channel 41 has an inner width C, which is determined by the width of the end wall 22. The handle section 2 has width B. The inner width C of the hook section 4 is selected such that it is equal to or greater than the width B of the handle section 2. The length of the support arm 28 is selected such that the length of the inner surface 24 of the end wall 22 lip of the end wall 22 to the inner surface of the side wall 27, is equal to or greater than the length of the outer surface 14 of the handle section 2.

The handle section 2 and hook section 4 are movable between an open position in which the hook section 4 hangs below S and is supported by the handle section 2 to enable a load to be supported for weighing in the saddle 6 of the hook section 4, and a stored position in which the handle section 2 is received within the hook section 4.

Specifically, the handle section 2 and the hook section 4 are pivoted in opposite directions about pivot point 6 until the end wall 38 of the handle section 2 is received by the open end 40 of the channel 41. The handle section 2 is rotated further until the opposite end wall 42 reaches, or passes the open end 40.

The channel 32, and apertures 34, are positioned on the handle section 2 and hook section 4 respectively such that the distance from the pivot point 6 to the outer surface 14 of the handle 2 is a distance A, and the distance from the pivot point 6 to the inner surface 24 of the end wall 22 of the hook section 4 a distance A'. The pivot point is therefore arranged such that the inner surface 24 of the hook section and the outer surface 14 of the handle section 2 are at a distance from the pivot point equal to their respective radii.

Preferably, radius A is substantially equal to radius A', such that in rotation about the pivot point 6, the outer face 14, and inner surface 24, both describe circles of approximately equal radii. In this way, when the handle section 2 is rotated to the stowed position, the outer surface 14 abuts the inner surface 24, optimising space and enabling a compact stowed arrangement to be provided. A tolerance is provided between the outer surface 14 and the inner surface 24 to ensure a smooth sliding fit between the two surfaces.

Figure 3 shows the scales 10 in an intermediate closing position, in which the handle section 2 has been rotated such that the end wall 38 of the handle section 2 has been received by the open section 40 of the handle section 4. In Figure 5, the handle section 2 has been fully rotated to the closed position, such that it is received within the channel 41, and such that the outer surface 14 received completely within the channel.

The hook section 4 thereby forms a protective casing for the body section 2, to protect the digital display 8, and the electrical components contained within the handle section 2 from damage. The scales 10 are also less susceptible to damage in the stored position as they are more compact, and therefore less prone to sheering forces.

The configuration of the hook section 4 provides a hook which may not be considered as a metallic spike or barb. In addition, the arrangement of the hook section using side walls 17 and 19 supported by additional walls 22 and 27, provides sufficient strength for the hook to be manufactured from plastic, whereas the hook arrangements of

the prior art are necessarily formed from metal.

Therefore, the hook of the present invention differs

significantly from the hooks of the prior art.

Specifically, the hook is formed such that it does not present a security risk, and such that it functions as a protective housing for the handle section in the stowed position, and as such provides distinct advantages over the

hooks of the prior art scales.

It will be appreciated that in further embodiments various modifications to the specific arrangements described above and shown in the drawings may be made. For example, while the scale is described as a luggage scale, the present invention may be applied to a hand held weighing scale for any application. In addition, while the scale is described as being a digital scale, the scale may be also be a mechanical weighing scale.

Claims

1. A hand held weighing scale, comprising: a hook section for supporting a load; a handle section for supporting said hook section; weighing means for measuring the load supported by the hook section; and a weight indicator for indicating the weight measured by said weighing means; wherein the hook section and handle section are movable between an open position in which the hook section is suspended from the handle section, and a stowed position, in which at least a portion of the handle section is received within the hook section.

2. The scale of any preceding claim, wherein the hook section comprises a pair of side walls defining a housing for receiving the at least a portion of the handle section.

3. The scale of claim 1 or 2, wherein the handle section and the hook section are both pivoted and are rotatable relative to each other about a pivot point.

4. The scale of claim 3, wherein the handle section and the hook section are rotatable between said open position and said closed position.

5. The scale of claim 3 or 4, wherein the hook section comprises a pair of side walls defining a channel therebetween for receiving the at least a portion of the handle section.

6. The scale of claim 5, wherein the hook section further comprises an end wall which interconnects the side walls.

7. The scale of claim 6, wherein the end wall has an inner surface having a curved profile and the handle section has a peripheral surface having a curved profile, the curved profile of the inner surface of the end wall having a radius equal to, or greater than, the radius of the peripheral surface of the handle section, the pivot point being arranged such that the inner surface of the hook section and the peripheral surface of the handle section are at a distance from the pivot point equal to their respective radii.

8. The scale of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the side walls of the hook section are configured to define a hook.

9. The scale of any preceding claim, wherein the scale is a digital weighing scale.

10. The scale of any preceding claim, wherein said weight measuring means comprises a load cell.

11. The scale of claim 10, wherein the handle section comprises an upper handle section and a lower handle section, said upper and lower handle sections being connected by said load cell.

12. The scale of claim 11, wherein the upper section and lower section are pivoted such that they are rotatable relative to each other.

13. The scale of claim 11 or 12, wherein the upper handle section and lower handle section are pivoted such that they are rotatable relative to each other about the longitudinal axis of the handle section.

14. The scale of claim 13, wherein the upper and lower handle sections are pivoted about the load cell.

15. The scale of any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the load cell is integrated within the handle section.

16. The scale of any preceding claim, wherein the weight indicator is a digital display unit.

17. The scale of claim 16, wherein the digital display unit is integrated within the handle.

18. The scale of any preceding claim in which the hook section is formed from a plastic material.

19. A hand held weighing scale substantially as hereiribefore described with reference to, and/or as shown in any one or more of Figures 1 to 6.