WO1991002952A1

WO1991002952A1 - Letter weighing device

Info

Publication number: WO1991002952A1
Application number: PCT/GB1990/001316
Authority: WO
Inventors: Barry Stanton Waltho
Original assignee: Barry Stanton Waltho
Priority date: 1989-08-23
Filing date: 1990-08-23
Publication date: 1991-03-07
Also published as: GB2237650A; GB9018521D0; GB8919157D0; AU6350990A

Abstract

A letter weighing device comprising an elongate member defining a substantially planar surface on one side and at least one projection extending longitudinally to the member on the side facing away from said one side. The member supports a clip (4-6) at one end for enabling a letter (14) to be secured to the member so as to be suspended therebeneath when the member is positioned with the said one side uppermost. At least one projection defining recesses (7-12) extends perpendicular to the length of the member and adapted to be supported on elongate fulcrum devices (13). The recesses (7-12) are spaced apart along the length of the member whereby the member may be supported with the said one side uppermost on a fulcrum member positioned beneath any one of the recesses to provide an indication of the weight of a letter secured in the said clip.

Description

LETTER WEIGHING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a letter weighing device.

It is well known to provide a letter weighing device in the form cf a lever tc one end of which a letter secured, the weight of the letter being determined by positioning the lever on a fulcrum such that the lever is in equilibrium in a substantially horizontal position. The position of the fulcrum along t he length of the lever is then a measure of the weight of the letter. Generally in known devices there are predetermined fulcrum points each of which corresponds to a predetermined weight of letter to be supported by the lever. The weight of any one letter is then determined as being greater or less than a particular weight corresponding to one fulcrum point. This is perfectly adequate to determine the weight cf letters for the purposes of postage rates as it is substantially uniform practice for postal charges to be assessed at rates corresponding to particular ranges of weights. Thus fulcrum points are provided for each of the weights corresponding to a weight at which the postal rate increases from a first to a second rate.

One example of the known letter weighing devices is described in U.S. Patent Specification No. 1201063. This illustrates a combined ruler and postal scale in the form of a ruler which is substantially planar and incorporates a member which can be extended out of the plane of the ruler to define a fulcrum. A letter can be clipped to one end of the ruler so as to project vertically above the plane of the ruler when it is positioned on a fiat surface, for example the top of a table. The fulcrum is moved longitudinally relative to the ruler until a point of equilibrium is reached. A scale along the track which can be followed by the fulcrum is then read to determine the weight of the letter. This known device does however present various problems. Firstly, the structure is relatively complicated and therefore manufacturing costs are relatively high. Furthermore, the weighing device is unstable as the letter has to be supported above the lever when it is placed upon a flat surface.

Another known letter weighing device is described in U.S. Patent Specification No. 2507073. This device is in the form of a generally planar ruler incorporating various other devices such as protractors. In contrast to the device described in U.S. Patent Specification No. 1201063, this device is used when weighing letters with its plane substantially vertical. Apertures are provided in the ruler in which fulcrum devices, e.g. pencils can be inserted. Letters are clipped beneath the ruler when being weighed and thus the device is not unstable. However, it is necessary to form in the ruler a relatively large number of apertures if a reasonable range of letter weights can be assessed. Furthermore, the device cannot be used for example at the edge of a table but must be held in mid air in use. In addition, no means are provided for introducing counter weights to the device to extend the maximum range of letter weights which can be assessed.

A still further example cf known letter weighing devices is described in U.S. Patent Specification No. 2612365. This arrangement is similar to that described in U.S. Patent No. 2507073 in that it is generally planar and in use is positioned in a substantially vertical plane. Rather than providing apertures in which fulcrum devices such as pencils can be inserted however the device incorporates integral pivoting members in the form of pins which are freely rotatable in apertures in the device and can be held by the user when the device is gripping a letter. This arrangement avoids the need for the user to provide a fulcrum member such as a pencil but the resultant structure is relatively complex. Furthermore it must again be used in mid air and cannot be positioned for example on the edge of a table.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved letter weighing device.

According to the present invention, there is provided a letter weighing device comprising an elongate member defining a substantially planar surface on one side and at least one projection extending longitudinally relative to the member on the ^■ side facing away from said one side, the member supporting a clip at one end for enabling a letter to be secured to the member so as to be suspended therebeneath when the member is positioned with the said one side uppermost, said at least one projection defining recesses extending perpendicular to the length of the member and adapted to be supported on elongate fulcrum devices, and the recesses being spaced apart along the length of the member whereby the member may be supported with the said one side uppermost on a fulcrum member positioned beneath any one of the recesses to provide an indication ci the weight of a letter secured in the said clip.

Preferably, the recesses are defined in a pair of ribs extending along the length of the member, each recess being formed by a pair of aligned slots in the ribs. A conventional ruler scale may be defined along the length of the member so that when positioned with the said one side lowermost it can be used in an entirely conventional manner as a ruler and as a measuring device. A counter weight may be provided to increase the weight of the member at the end remote from the said clip, thereby increasing the range of letter weight which can be assessed. Preferably the counter weight is in the form of a separable body which can be snap-fitted between the said ribs.

The clip may be in the form of a pair of resilient limbs which may be pushed apart to receive a letter therebetween, the resilience of the limbs securing the letter to the member. One limb may be rigid and integral with the generality of the ruler. A second limb may by of resilient material such as rubber. Alternatively, a more secure connection between the member and a letter may be achieved by providing a cam member in the clip which can be rotated to a position in which it jams a letter therewithin. For example, the clip can be defined by a pair of resilient members tapering ^'towards each other to define a slot through which a letter may be inserted. An eccentric cam can be provided within the space defined by the two limbs and connected to a lever arm which can be rotated to a first position in which a letter can be inserted between the limbs and a second position in which the cam forces the letter against one of the limbs and prevents the letter falling therefrom.

The member may conveniently be printed with information relevant to the appropriate postal rates and destination- associated with particular recess positions along its length.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a counter weight of the type incorporated in the embodiment of Figure 1:

Figure 3 illustrates postal information which may be printed on one side of the embodiment of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a side view of a modified embodiment of the present invention in use, this embodiment incorporating a cam locking mechanism for securing a letter to the device;

Figure 5 illustrates an alternative clip configuration; and

Figure 6 illustrates a further clip arrangement incorporating integrally moulded components onto which a gripping member is mounted.

Referring to Figure 1, the illustrated device comprises an elongate member in the general form of a ruler defining a pair of parallel spaced apart ribs 1, 2 between which a recess is defined. A counter weight 3 is a snap-fit between the ribs 1 and 2. The side of the ruler remote from the counter weight 3 is substantially planar and the edges of the ruler may bear suitable scales (not shown) in a manner entirely equivalent to a conventional ruler.

One end of the ruler supports a clip defined by first and second resilient limbs 4, 5. The ends of the limbs define jaws 6 into which a letter may be inserted. The ribs also define six recesses in the form of aligned pairs of slots 7 to 12. Each of these pairs of slots is intended to receive a fulcrum member such as a pencil when the device is being used to weigh letters.

The illustrated device may be used as a simple ruler. If it is inverted from the position shown Figure 1 so that the ribs 1 and 2 are lower most, it can also be used to weigh a letter secured in the clip slot 6. When being so used, a fulcrum member is positioned so as to extend perpendicular to the length of the ruler, this being the orientation of each of the pairs of slots 7 to 12. If when the fulcrum member is located in slots 12 the end of the ruler supporting the counter weight 3 is lowermost then the letter must be lighter than the weight corresponding to the position of the slots 12. Thus for any particular letter the ruler can be positioned on a fulcrum member in an appropriate pair of slots until a point of equilibrium is reached or passed. If the ruler is in perfect equilibrium, that is perfectly horizontal, then the weight of the letter is substantially equal to the weight corresponding to the position of the slots which engage the fulcrum member. If the point of equilibrium is passed between any two pairs of slots then the weight is within the range indicated by those pairs cf slots. In the illustrated case which is intended for use with current U.K. postal rates, the position of the slot 7 corresponds to a letter weight of 20 grams, the position of the slots 12 corresponds to a letter weight of 250 grams, and the positions of the slots 8 to 11 correspond to letter weights between 20 grams and 250 grams. Thus by appropriately positioning the slots any desired range of letter weight can be accurately assessed.

Figure 2 is a simple perspective view of a counter weight 3 of the type incorporated in the device of Figure 1. The counter weight may be fabricated from a relatively dense material, for example resin incorporating a high density filler. Thus a relatively wide range of letter weights can be weighed using a lightweight ruler fabricated from plastics of the sort used in conventional rulers and a simple to form counter weight which can be snapped into engagement with the ruler.

Figure 3 illustrates information which can be printed on the side of the ruler remote from the recesses. In the case illustrated in Figure 1, only six different recess positions are provided. For the letter rates indicated in Figure 3 to be accurately assessed, it would simply be necessary to provide eleven recesses. The information shown in Figure 3 could be aligned with the position of the recesses on the ruler, that is the 10 gramme position corresponding to a first recess, the 20 gramme position to a second recess, and so on. Comprehensive information regarding postal rates can thus be provided to the user in a form which is immediately readable from the side of the ruler which is uppermost when it is being used to weigh a letter.

Referring now to Figure 4, this shows a modified embodiment in which the clip used to secure a letter incorporates a cam locking device. The reference numerals shown in Figure 4 correspond where appropriate to those shown in Figure 1. The device illustrated in Figure 4 is shown supported on a fulcrum member 13, for example a pen, and is shown supporting a letter 14. The letter is retained within the clip by a cam 15 which is secured to a lever 16. If the lever were to be positioned substantially parallel to the length of the ruler the cam would provide no obstruction to the insertion of a letter into the clip. Once a letter has been so inserted however rotation of the cam by manipulation of the lever 16 to the position shown in Figure 4 causes the cam 15 to jam the letter against the side 4 of the clip thereby preventing its removal. Thus the cam member provides a simple and easy to manufacture device for enabling relatively large letters of for example 250 grams weight to be secured in the clip.

Thus the present invention provides a relatively easy to manufacture device for weighing letters. In addition, it corresponds in form to a conventional ruler and therefore can be used to perform two functions. One of these functions is generally required in any office and therefore the provision of the extra feature of enabling weighing of letters can be achieved in a convenient form without requiring a separate device. The device is structured such that it in no way prevents its easy use as a conventional ruler. One of its sides is flat and can therefore sit comfortably on a desk or table, the then uppermost face carrying the traditional measuring scales for example imperial and metric along its two ruling edges.

The side of the device which is lowermost when it is being used as a ruler can carry relevant postal rate information. As this side corresponds to the normally blank side of a conventional ruler the provision of this extra information does not reduce in any way the utility of the device as a ruler.

In the illustrated embodiments the recesses which provide the fulcrum locators are defined by aligned notches in pair of raised ribs. The same effect could be achieved by using a single raised spine of a width sufficient to provide stability when positioned on an elongate fulcrum such as a pen. It is probable however that manufacturing will be facilitated by the adoption of a double rib structure as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The body of the device may itself carry advertising material such as company logos but will preferably not do so, such information being printed rather on the counter weight. Thus a standard main body could be provided and "customized" by supplying appropriately printed counter weights. The dimensions of the device may correspond precisely to those of a conventional ruler, for example 12 inches or 300 millimetres in length. If so the length of the clip transverse to the ruler should be limited to the maximum width of the ruler. On the other hand however a longer clip could be provided projecting beyond the two edges of the ruler but if so it would be preferable to extend the length of the ruler to leave the conventional 12 inch or 300 millimetre long ruling edges. Thus the present invention comprises in one device one or two straight edges for ruling, one or two length measuring scales each associated with a respective straight edge, a flat underside so that the ruler can conveniently be used on a flat surface, and the facility to weigh letters by the simple expedient of inverting the ruler from its normal position and placing it on an appropriate fulcrum member. The described device can easily cope with weighing letters of up to for example 250 grams in weight. By the provision of an appropriately heavy counter weight greater weights could however be accommodated although it might be necessary to provide an alternative fixing mechanism for such packages to the device. Such a fixing mechanism could be a hook or a .pin with an enlarged head secured to the clip for example.

Depending upon the detailed design of the clip, it might be possible to mould the clip as an integral part of the device, but for most clip designs it is probable that it would be more economic to simply secure the clip to the remainder of the device using an appropriate adhesive. This approach would enable the major components of the device to be manufactured using a simple two piece mould.

Examples of alternative clip configurations are shown in Figures 5 and 6, the methods used to form the illustrated clips being described below.

In Figure 5, limb 4 of the clip extends perpendicular to the length of the device. This enables a letter secured in the clip and pressed flat against the limb 4 to extend vertically when the device is horizontal without any flexing of the letter occurring. The limb 4 could be integrally moulded, whereas limb 5 could be a separately formed member secured in position by adhesive. In Figure i. the limb 4 extends perpendicular to the device as in the case cf Figure 5. The limb cf the clip is formed by an integrally moulded post 15 onto which a resilient member 15 is pushed and secured eitner by a friction engagement or a suitable adhesive. The advantage of the arrangement of Figure 6 is that the limb 4 and post 15 can be easily integrally moulded, the member 16 can be formed from a material of appropriate resilience and the precise location of the member^ 16 is determined by the position of the post 15.

When located in the position shown in Figure 1 the clip is extending vertically upwards so that it can serve a further purpose in that sheets carrying messages which it is desired to display prominently can be inserted in the clip and thereby supported on for example a desk.

If an embodiment is produced incorporating twc ribs as illustrated in Figure 1 the space between them which is not occupied by the counter weight could receive a further device, for example a pen. Thus a presentation pack could be provided incorporating a pen. The pen could also carry advertising material in exactly the same manner as discussed above with regard to the counter weight. It would not be possible to misuse the device with such a pen inserted between the two ribs as the pen would project above the upper edges cf the two ribs.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A letter weighing device comprising an elongate member defining a substantially planar surface on one side and at least one projection extending longitudinally relative to the member on the side facing away from said one side, the member supporting a clip at one end for enabling a letter to be secured to the member so as to be suspended therebeneath when the member is positioned with the said one side uppermost, said at least one projection defining recesses extending perpendicular to the length of the member and adapted to be supported on elongate fulcrum devices, and the recesses being spaced apart along the length of the member whereby the member may be supported with the said one side uppermost on a fulcrum member positioned beneath any one of the recesses to provide an indication of the weight of a letter secured in the said clip.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the recesses are defined in a pair of ribs extending along the length of. the member, each recess being formed by a pair of aligned slots in the ribs.

3. A device according to claims 1 or 2, wherein a ruler scale is defined along the length of the member so that when positioned with the said one side lowermost it can be used as a ruler.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein a counter weight is provided to increase the weight of the member a: the end remote from the said clip.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the counter weight is in the form of a separable body which can be snap-fitted between the said ribs.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the clip is in the form of a pair of resilient limbs which may be pushed apart to receive a letter therebetween, the resilience of the limbs .securing the letter to the member.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein one limb is integrally moulded with the member and the other limb is a separately formed component of resilient material mounted on the member.

5. A device according to claim 6. wherein a cam member is positioned in the clip, the cam member being rctatable to a position in which it jams a letter therewithin.

- . A device according to claim S. comprising an eccentric cam provided within the space defined by the two limbs and connected to a lever arm which can be rotated to a first position in which a letter can be inserted between the limbs and a second position in which the cam forces the letter against one of the limbs and prevents the letter falling therefrom.

10. A letter weighing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, Figure 4. Figure 5 or Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.