Kitchen or household weighing balance

Abstract

A kitchen weighing balance has a scale carrier, rotatably adjustable about a vertical axis, which provides a dial face having therein a plurality of graduated scales for co-acting with an angularly movable weight indicator pointer visible through a transparent window. At least some of the graduated scales are grouped in radially spaced relationship in different angular segments of the dial face and are calibrated in weight equivalent calorie units or standard bulk volume units for different pre-selected groups of foodstuffs, and they can be selectively brought into co-acting relationship with the pointer, throughout the operative range of pointer deflection, by positional adjustment of the scale carrier. The scale carrier is a circular ring mounted on a circular base frame of the balance casing which protrudes radially with respect to an upstanding central tubular portion enclosing the weighing mechanism. A transparent circular cover member overlying the base frame provides the window and is spaced from the base frame by a circumferential gap giving access to the scale carrier for digital manipulation. The weighing mechanism includes a parallel motion leaf spring unit which co-acts with an intermediate lever member pivoted about a horizontal axis and having laterally directed integral gear teeth which mesh directly with a gear pinion driving the pointer about a vertical axis, the lever member being carried by a pre-set displaceable mounting block.