Folding digital scale
View Patent ↗A portable digital scale is foldable for ease of storage and transport. The scale includes a fluid-filled elastomeric bladder and electronic module disposed in a hard-sided case that is opened in use and folded to encase the bladder and electronic module during transport and storage. The electronic module includes a pressure sensor for detecting the fluid pressure in the bladder as a measure of the user's weight, and a user interface and digital display for displaying the weight and/or other parameters requested by the user. Preferably, the electronic module includes a memory device capable of storing multiple weight measurements and a data port for down-loading stored weight data to a personal computer or PDA for tracking weight variation of one or more users over time.
1. A portable digital scale comprising:
first and second hard-sided case halves joined by a flexible living hinge that enables said case halves to be selectively folded together for storage and transport of the scale;
a single foldable fluid-filled elastomeric bladder having first and second portions respectively disposed in the first and second case halves, and a foldable portion intermediate the first and second portions defining at least one fluid channel coupling the first and second portions;
a digital display;
a pressure sensor coupled to said bladder for measuring a fluid pressure therein; and
circuitry for activating said digital display to indicate a weight applied to said bladder based on the fluid pressure measured by said pressure sensor.
2. The portable digital scale of claim 1 , further comprising:
an electronic module disposed in said second case half, said electronic module housing said digital display, said pressure sensor and said circuitry.
3. The portable digital scale of claim 1 , wherein said foldable portion of said bladder is defined by a weld that joins upper and lower layers of said bladder intermediate said first and second portions.
4. The portable digital scale of claim 2 , wherein said second case half includes an inwardly depending flange that engages a margin of said electronic module to retain said electronic module in said second case half.
5. The portable digital scale of claim 2 , wherein said circuitry includes a memory device for storing weight data, and said electronic module includes a data port for downloading the stored weight data to an external device.
6. The portable digital scale of claim 1 , wherein:
a foldable pad covers an outboard face of said bladder; and
said first and second case halves include inwardly depending flanges that engage a margin of said foldable pad to retain said pad and said bladder within said first and second case halves.
7. The portable digital scale of claim 1 , wherein said flexible living hinge is insert molded with said first and second case halves.