AU2004100314B4 - Gas Bottle Weighing Scales - Google Patents

Description

S IMPROVED GAS BOTTLE WEIGHING SCALES c-I This invention relates to an easy method of measuring the weight of gas in a gas o 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.

.4 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 o marketing success.

These devices include: o 0 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 A$40 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 weight gauge on a slidable sleeve.

The design of the invention is simple, it is reliable, has a limited number of components 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 used intermittently to check the gas weight.

The invention can also be used for weighing other objects by not utilizing the slidable 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 newr the lifting handle. The invention exploits the use of this information.

The gas bottle weighing scales consist of either sliding inner and outer box sections, or inner and outer sliding cylinders. These inner and outer sliding components are joined at each end by a helical spring. The outer surface of the invention has a marked weight scale, a slidable sleeve is mounted on this outer surface which is positioned relative to the tare weight of the gas bottle. The slidable sleeve has a second slot which matches the first slot on this outer surface. The slidable sleeve carries a second weight scale down this second slot so that the weight in the gas bottle 0 ocan be read off the second scale when the gas bottle is hung from the hook.

'The invention may be made from metal, moulded plastic or other suitable material.

To assist with understanding of the invention, reference will now be made to the n accompanying drawings of the gas bottle weighing scales. For the purpose of description, the weighing scales are illustrated with sliding box sections.

In the drawings: oFIG 1: is a three dimensional view of the gas bottle weighing scales showing two o sides. This figure shows the invention recording a weight of approximately 0.8 kg on the graduations scale.

0 SFIG 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 inside box section 1 is connected to the outside box section 2 by the helical spring 3. The spring is connected to the top of the outside box section 2. The bottom end of the spring is connected near to the base of the inside box section. The inside box section slides smoothly in contact with the inner surface of the outside box section, the gas level pointer 5 is moulded as part of the inner box section 1. The pointer 5 is guided by the slot 12 in the outside box section 2. The gas bottle is hung from the hook 6. The invention may be hung up using a swivelled hanging connector 10 or held using a handle 7.

To operate the invention, it is first necessary to move the slidable sleeve 9 to the position where the zero graduation, shown in line with the top edge of the sleeve, corresponds with the graduations on the outside box section 2, representing the tare weight of the gas bottle to be weighed. The slidable sleeve 9 is then locked into position.

When the gas bottle is lifted by the gas bottle weighing scales, the gas in the bottle can be read off the slidable sleeve 9. When lifting the gas bottle using the handle only 7, 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 the 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.

There is a slight outward corrugation at the bottom four edges of the slidable sleeve 9 to prevent the sliding collar 11 from being dislodged from the slidable sleeve 9.

Claims (1)

1. 2. A gas bottle gauge substantially as herein before described with reference to figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawings. Mark G Kelleher Rn ade 14 December 2004