Self-leveling scale

Abstract

A weighing scale for measuring the weight of an object is disclosed. The weighing scale includes a base portion, a platform extending along a plane above the base portion to support the object, and at least one peg extending below the platform along an axis that is adjustable from a first position perpendicular to the plane to a second position not perpendicular to the plane.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A weighing scale for measuring the weight of an object, comprising:
 a base portion;   a platform extending along a plane above the base portion to support the object; and   a peg having an upper portion, which peg extends below the platform along an axis that is adjustable from a first position perpendicular to the plane to a second position not perpendicular to the plane.   
     
     
         2 . The weighing scale of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor disposed at the upper portion of the peg to sense a force between the peg and the platform. 
     
     
         3 . The weighing scale of  claim 1 , further comprising a compliant member disposed at the upper portion of the peg to adjustably retain the peg in the base portion. 
     
     
         4 . The weighing scale of  claim 3 , wherein the compliant member is a flexible disk. 
     
     
         5 . The weighing scale of  claim 1 , further comprising a second peg extending below the platform along a second axis that is adjustable from a first position perpendicular to the plane to a second position not perpendicular to the plane. 
     
     
         6 . A weighing scale for measuring the weight of an object, comprising:
 a base portion;   a platform extending along a first plane above the base portion to support the object;   a first peg having an upper portion, which first peg extends below the platform and defines a first axis; and   a second peg having an upper portion, which second peg extends below the platform and defines a second axis, wherein at least one of the first peg and the second peg is adjustable to a position whereby the first axis is not parallel with the second axis.   
     
     
         7 . The weighing scale of  claim 6 , further comprising a first sensor disposed at the upper portion of the first peg to sense a force between the first peg and the platform. 
     
     
         8 . The weighing scale of  claim 6 , further comprising a second sensor disposed at the upper portion of the second peg to sense a force between the second peg and the platform. 
     
     
         9 . The weighing scale of  claim 6 , further comprising a first compliant member disposed at the upper portion of the first peg to adjustably retain the first peg in the base portion. 
     
     
         10 . The weighing scale of  claim 6 , further comprising a second compliant member disposed at the upper portion of the second peg to adjustably retain the second peg in the base portion. 
     
     
         11 . The weighing scale of  claim 6 , further comprising a third peg extending below the platform and defining a third axis, wherein the third peg is adjustable to a position whereby the third axis is not parallel with at least one of the first axis and the second axis. 
     
     
         12 . The weighing scale of  claim 11 , further comprising a fourth peg extending below the platform and defining a fourth axis, wherein the fourth peg is adjustable to a position whereby the fourth axis is not parallel with at least one of the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis. 
     
     
         13 . A weighing scale for measuring the weight of an object, comprising:
 an upper portion having a top surface configured to support the object; and   a base portion comprising a first peg and a second peg, wherein the first peg includes an upper portion and a first bottom surface, which first bottom surface is moveable to align with a first support surface and the second peg includes an upper portion and a second bottom surface, which second bottom surface is moveable to align with a second support surface nonparallel to the first support surface.   
     
     
         14 . The weighing scale of  claim 13 , further comprising a first sensor disposed at the upper portion of the first peg to sense a force between the first peg and the top surface. 
     
     
         15 . The weighing scale of  claim 13 , further comprising a second sensor disposed at the upper portion of the second peg to sense a force between the second peg and the top surface. 
     
     
         16 . The weighing scale of  claim 13 , further comprising a first compliant member disposed at the upper portion of the first peg to adjustably retain the first peg in the base portion. 
     
     
         17 . The weighing scale of  claim 13 , further comprising a second compliant member disposed at the upper portion of the second peg to adjustably retain the second peg in the base portion. 
     
     
         18 . The weighing scale of  claim 13 , wherein the base portion further comprises a third peg having a third bottom surface that is moveable to align with a third support surface nonparallel to at least one of the first support surface and the second support surface. 
     
     
         19 . The weighing scale of  claim 18 , wherein the base portion further comprises a fourth peg having a fourth bottom surface that is moveable to align with a fourth support surface nonparallel to at least one of the first support surface, the second support surface, and the third support surface.