Collapsible and portable weight measuring device

Abstract

A weight measuring device includes a top layer including a plurality of first flats and at least one bi-stable spring band. The plurality of first flats are connected to each other via the at least one bi-stable spring band. The weight measuring device further includes a bottom layer including a plurality second flats connected the plurality of first flats. The weight measuring device further includes at least one force sensor interposed between the top layer and the bottom layer. The weight measuring device further includes a processor configured to determine a weight of an object placed on the top layer or the bottom layer based on signals generated from the at least one force sensor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A weight measuring device comprising:
 a plurality of flats;   at least one bi-stable spring band having two generally stable positions including a first stable planar position and a second stable cylindrical position, the plurality of flats connected to each other via the at least one bi-stable spring band, with the plurality of flats following the two generally stable positions of the bi-stable spring band when the bi-stable spring band is in the first stable planar position and the second stable cylindrical position, respectively;   at least one force sensor attached to at least one of the plurality of flats; and,   a processor configured to determine a weight of an object placed on a top surface of the plurality of flats based on signals generated from the at least one force sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The weight measuring device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bi-stable spring band enables the plurality of flats to interchange between two stable shapes. 
     
     
         3 . The weight measuring device of  claim 2 , wherein the two stable shapes are a planar or substantially planar shape and a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         4 . The weight measuring device of  claim 1  further comprising at least one elastic band, wherein the plurality of flats are connected to each other via the at least one elastic band. 
     
     
         5 . The weight measuring device of  claim 4 , wherein at least several of the plurality of flats include at least one inner surface defining at least one cavity, and wherein the at least one elastic band extends through the at least one cavity of the several of the plurality of flats. 
     
     
         6 . The weight measuring device of  claim 1 , wherein at least several of the plurality of flats comprise a top layer and a bottom layer connected to each other via at least one support pillar. 
     
     
         7 . The weight measuring device of  claim 6 , wherein a support pillar is positioned on each end of each of the several of the plurality of flats between the top layer and the bottom layer. 
     
     
         8 . The weight measuring device of  claim 6 , wherein the support pillars are adjustable to define a gap between the top layer and the bottom layer. 
     
     
         9 . The weight measuring device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bi-stable spring band comprises two bi-stable spring bands, and wherein each of the two bi-stable spring bands are positioned proximate each of the opposing ends of the plurality of flats. 
     
     
         10 . The weight measuring device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of flats include at least one inner surface defining at least one cavity, and wherein the at least one bi-stable spring band extends through the at least one cavity of each of the plurality of flats. 
     
     
         11 . The weight measuring device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one force sensor comprises a load cell and a strain gauge coupled to the load cell, each of the at least one force sensors connected to at least one of several of the plurality of flats, and coupled to the processor to determine the weight of the object placed on the top surface of the plurality of flats. 
     
     
         12 . The weight measuring device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one force sensor is positioned closer to one end of one of the plurality of flats than the opposing end of the one of the plurality of flats. 
     
     
         13 . The weight measuring device of  claim 1 , wherein only one or none of the at least one force sensor is mounted on each of the plurality flats. 
     
     
         14 . The weight measuring device of  claim 1 , further comprising an amplifier electrically coupled to the at least one force sensor and the processor, the amplifier configured to amplify the signals and transmit the amplified signals to the processor. 
     
     
         15 . The weight measuring device of  claim 1 , further comprising a display device configured to display the weight of the object. 
     
     
         16 . The weight measuring device of  claim 1 , further comprising a transmitter electrically coupled to the processor, the transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the signals. 
     
     
         17 . The weight measuring device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one power supply electrically coupled to the processor. 
     
     
         18 . The weight measuring device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one input/output port electrically coupled to the processor and configured to electrically couple to an external device via a cord. 
     
     
         19 . The weight measuring device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flats are composed of one of the following materials: wood, polythene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, epoxy resin, melamine, and acrylic. 
     
     
         20 . A weight measuring device comprising:
 a plurality of bars having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first surface for supporting a small child or infant;   at least one bi-stable connector having two generally stable positions including a first generally stable planar position and a second generally stable cylindrical position, the plurality of bars connected to each other via the at least one bi-stable connector, with the plurality of bars following the two generally stable positions of the bi-stable connector when the bi-stable connector is in the first generally stable planar position and the second generally stable cylindrical position, respectively;   at least one force sensor secured proximate the second surface; and,   a processor configured to determine a weight of the small child or infant when located on the first surface based on signals generated from the at least one force sensor.