WO2024208356A1

WO2024208356A1 - Hinged foldable upright rod and commercial weighing instrument comprising same

Info

Publication number: WO2024208356A1
Application number: PCT/CN2024/086371
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kuaidi WAN; Jian Chen
Original assignee: Mettler-Toledo (Changzhou) Measurement Technology Ltd.; Mettler-Toledo (Changzhou) Precision Instruments Ltd.; Mettler-Toledo International Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2023-04-06
Filing date: 2024-04-07
Publication date: 2024-10-10
Also published as: CN118776651A

Abstract

The present invention provides a hinged foldable rod and a commercial weighing instrument comprising same. The hinged foldable rod comprises a first rod (10), a upright rod (20), an cover (30) and a hinge assembly (40). A first end portion (31) of the cover is connected to a first end portion (11) of the first rod. The cover may be sleeved on the hinge assembly. A first end portion (42, 43) of the hinge assembly is connected to the first end portion of the first rod, and a second end portion (45, 46) of the hinge assembly is connected to a first end portion (21) of the second rod. For example when the hinged foldable rod needs to be stored, the first rod can be rotated with respect to the second rod by means of the hinge assembly, wherein the hinge assembly is configured to exert a torque on the first rod, this torque being caused by friction.

Description

HINGED FOLDABLE UPRIGHT ROD AND COMMERCIAL WEIGHING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING SAME

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of commercial weighing instruments, and particularly relates to a hinged foldable upright rod and a commercial weighing instrument comprising same.

Background Art

Commercial weighing instruments mainly include electronic price scales, price label scales, electronic platform scales, etc., which are basic measuring instruments for common people’s shopping. The accuracy of commercial weighing instruments is directly related to the interests of common people.

In particular, the conventional structure of a foldable commercial weighing instrument mainly comprises rods that are essentially upright rods during commercial use of the weighing instrument, a hinge assembly, a cushion block, a hoop and a corrugated tube. A first end of the hinge assembly, this end being an upper end during commercial use of the weighing instrument, is fixed to a first one of the rods, and a second end of the hinge assembly, this end being a lower end during commercial use of the weighing instrument, is connected to another rod by means of the cushion block. The corrugated tube is mounted between the two rods and the hoop fixes the corrugated tube to the rods.

When a user rotates a rod, for example the essentially upright rod, the rod can be steplessly rotated. When the rotation stops, the rod can be stopped at any position.

However, since this structure requires additional connectors, more parts are contained and costs are relatively high. In addition, when the, for example upright, rod is rotated, the corrugated tube is prone to warping. Further, the corrugated tube is prone to hiding dust and is inconvenient for later maintenance.

For example, in the using environment of open-air vegetable markets in Europe, vendors need to carry the scale home after work every day, and need to fold the scale and put it on a vehicle. For ordinary vendors, cost is the first consideration, so it is necessary to use as few parts as possible to achieve the same function. Due to the harsh open-air environment, there will be a lot of dust covering the scale body. In addition, when a service technician performs maintenance, the service technician also wants the parts to be easily disassembled.

In view of this, a hinged foldable rod, in particular a hinged foldable rod that is an upright rod during use at least, and a commercial weighing instrument comprising same in order to overcome the above technical problems.

Summary of the Invention

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a hinged foldable rod, in particular a hinged foldable upright rod, and a commercial weighing instrument comprising same in order to overcome drawbacks of state-of-the-art solutions in which the foldable structure of the commercial weighing instrument adopts a corrugated tube, which is prone to warping, is prone to hiding dust, is inconvenient for later maintenance, and which has costs that are relatively high due to more parts. The hinged foldable rod is used as an essentially upright rod for supporting a vertical position of a device, such as a display, mounted to an upper end of the essentially upright rod. Therefore the hinged foldable rod is sometimes called an “upright rod” in the following. Similarly, rods comprised in the hinged foldable upright rod that are essentially upright rods during use of the hinged foldable upright rod are called “first, second ... upright rod” , in the following.

The present invention solves at least one of the above technical problems by providing a hinged foldable rod that may be considered, as mentioned above, as a hinged foldable upright rod. The hinged foldable rod comprises a first rod (that may be considered, as mentioned above, as a first upright rod) , a second rod (that may be considered, as mentioned above, as a second upright rod) , an cover and a hinge assembly, wherein a first end portion of the cover is connected to a first end portion of the first rod. This first end portion may be considered as a lower end portion of the first (upright) rod.

In embodiments, the cover is a component of the hinged foldable rod that is not essential for the foldability of the hinged foldable rod. In particular, the cover may be considered as a part of the hinged foldable rod that is separate from the hinge assembly and its functionality. Rather, the cover, as its name suggests, may cover the hinge assembly or parts thereof. In an embodiment, the cover is sleeved on the hinge assembly or parts thereof.

In the hinged foldable rod according to the invention, a first end portion of the hinge assembly is connected to the first end portion of the first rod, and a second end portion of the hinge assembly is connected to a first end portion of the second rod. The second end portion of the hinge assembly may be considered as another or the other end portion of the hinge assembly. In particular, the second end portion of the hinge assembly may be another or the other end portion opposite to the first end portion of the hinge assembly. The first end portion of the second rod may be considered as an upper end portion of the second rod. At least the above-mentioned connection of the first end portion of the hinge assembly to the first end portion of the first rod may be a direct connection between the first end portion of the hinge assembly and the first end portion of the first rod, or it may be an indirect connection, for example via the cover, in particular the first end portion of the cover.

The first rod can be rotaded with respect to the second rod by means of the hinge assembly. In other words, the hinge assembly is configured to rotate the first rod relative to the second rod. Further, the hinge assembly is configured to exert a torque on the first rod, said torque being caused by friction. In particular, the torque is a torque that holds the first rod in a position relative to the second rod such that some resistance needs to be overcome to change the position of the first rod with respect to the second rod. In particular, the torque (this resistance) is such that at least one of the following applies:

· The torque caused by friction is higher than a torque on the first rod caused by gravity acting on the first rod and a device, if any, mounted on the first rod, such as a display. In particular, the torque caused by friction is opposite to the torque caused by gravity. In embodiments, this does not only apply when the hinged foldable rod is in commercial use. It may also apply during transportation, storage etc. Therefore, the torque caused by friction may be considered as a holding torque (holding resistance) that prevents rotation of the first rod relative to the second rod in any direction enabled by the hinge assembly.

· The torque caused by friction prevents the first rod to change its position with respect to the second rod due to vibrations acting on and movements of the hinged foldable rod during commercial use, transportation and storage. Again, the torque caused by friction may be considered as a holding torque (holding resistance) that prevents rotation of the first rod relative to the second rod in any direction enabled by the hinge assembly.

In particular, the first rod is rotated with respect to the second rod to bring the hinged foldable rod from a first state to a second state. The first state may be the “in-use” , in particular “in commercial use” , state. Therefore, the first state may be the “upright” state of the hinged foldable rod. The second state may be a rotate, in particular non-upright, state, in particular a storage or transportation state. In particular, when the hinged foldable upright rod needs to be stored, the first upright rod may be rotated by means of the hinge assembly, and the hinge assembly exerts a torque on the first upright rod.

In an embodiment of the hinged foldable rod, the first rod can be rotated with respect to the second rod for bringing the hinged foldable rod from a first state in which a longitudinal axis of the first rod and a longitudinal axis of the second rod are aligned along a vertical axis to a second state in which the longitudinal axis of the first rod is not along the vertical axis. The longitudinal axis of the second rod may still be along the vertical axis. In particular in this embodiment of the hinged foldable rod, the torque on the first rod caused by friction is opposite to a torque on the first rod, and a device optionally mounted thereon, caused by gravity.

In an embodiment of the hinged foldable rod, the hinge assembly comprises a rotation shaft, wherein the first rod can be rotated with respect to the second rod by the first end portion of the hinge assembly being further mounted on the rotation shaft and the second end portion of the hinge assembly being further mounted on the rotation shaft. In particular in this embodiment, the torque on the first rod caused by friction is caused by a clamping force on the first end portion, the clamping force being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rotation shaft.

For example, the first end portion may be mounted on the rotation shaft via a connecting piece, wherein the clamping force acts on the connecting piece.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hinge assembly comprises a rotation shaft, a first rotating member that may be considered as a left rotating member, a second rotating member that may be considered as a right rotating member, a plurality of damping pieces, a first connector that may be considered as a left connector, and a second connector that may be considered as a right connector. One end of the first rotating member and one end of the second rotating member are respectively mounted to two ends of the rotation shaft. The damping pieces are respectively mounted outside to the corresponding leftfirst and second rotating members. One end of the first connector and one end of the second connector are respectively mounted outside to the corresponding damping pieces, and two outer end portions of the rotation shaft are locked by lock members.

Further, another end of the first rotating member, in particular the other end opposite to the above mentioned one end of the first rotating member, and another end of the second rotating member, in particular the other end opposite to the above mentioned one end of the second rotating member, are respectively fixed to the first end portion of the first rod; and another end of the first connector, in particular the other end opposite to the above mentioned one end of the first connector, and another end of the second connector, in particular the other end opposite to the above mentioned one end of the second connector, are respectively connected to the first end portion of the second rod.

In any embodiment comprising a rotation shaft, a protruding connecting column may be provided in the middle of the rotation shaft, and the connecting column may have a diameter larger than that of two end portions of the rotation shaft.

In any embodiment comprising a rotation shaft, one end of the cover may a first mounting portion, and another end of the cover, in particular the other end opposite to this one end, may be an annular first connecting ring, the first connecting ring being sleeved on the rotation shaft.

In particular, two sides of the first mounting portion are aligned with the other end of the first rotating member and the other end of the second rotating member, respectively.

In any embodiment comprising a rotation shaft, the hinge assembly may further comprise a first limiting member, that may be considered as a left limiting member, and a second limiting member, that may be considered as a right limiting member. through which the two ends of the rotation shaft respectively pass. In particular, the first limiting member may have a bore though which an end of the two ends of the rotation shaft passes and the second limiting member may have a bore through which an end of the two ends of the rotation shaft passes. The first limiting member may be located between the corresponding damping piece and the first connector, and the second limiting member may be located between the corresponding damping piece and the second connector.

In particular, each of the first limiting member and the second limiting member may comprise a mounting base and a limiting piece, wherein the two ends of the rotation shaft pass through the mounting bases and the limiting pieces define limiting angles of rotation of the left rotating member and the right rotating member. In particular, the limiting pieces may extend upwardly and outwardly along the mounting bases, in particular upwardly when the hinged foldable rod is in its upright state, and outwardly with respect to the longituindal axis of the rotation shaft.

In an embodiment, the angles of rotation of the first rotating member and the second rotating member are from 0° to 85°.

In any embodiment comprising the rotation shaft according to any embodiment and the first and second limiting members according to any embodiment, either end of the rotation shaft may have a cross-sectional shape that is polygonal, for example triangle, square, rectancle, pentagonal, hexagonal etc. Each of the first limiting member and the second limiting member may then be provided with a through slot with a corresponding polygonal shape, and the two ends of the rotation shaft may be respectively mounted in the corresponding through slots.

In particular, either end of the rotation shaft may be shaped as a flat bar, each of the first limiting member and the second limiting member may be provided with a through slot with a flat shape, and the two ends of the rotation shaft may be respectively mounted in the corresponding through slots.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hinged foldable rod further comprises a first side cover, that may be considered as a left side cover, and a second side cover, that may be considered as a right side cover, wherein the first side cover is fixed to a first side wall of the first end portion of the second rod, and the second side cover is fixed to a second side wall of the first end portion of the second rod. The second side wall may be opposite to the first side wall.

In particular in embodiments comprising side covers, the cover introduced above, in particular the cover to which a first end portion of the first rod is connected, that may be sleeved on the hinge assembly, and that may have the first mounting portion and the annular first connecting ring, may be considered as an upper cover.

In any embodiment comprising the first and second side covers according to any embodiment and the first connecting ring according to any embodiment disclosed, one end of the first side cover may be a first end cover, and another end of the first side cover, in particular the other end opposite to this one end of the first side cover, may be a second mounting portion, the second mounting portion being connected to the second rod. Further, one end of the second side cover may be a second end cover, and another end of the second side cover, in particular the other end opposite to this one end of the second side cover, may be a third mounting portion, the third mounting portion being connected to the second. The first end cover and the second end cover may then have shapes that match the shapes of two ends of the first connecting ring.

Optionally, a first stop may be provided at a connection between the first end cover and the second mounting portion, and a first stop may be provided at a connection between the second end cover and the third mounting portion, whereinsecond stops may be respectively provided at the two ends of the first connecting ring of the cover, and the first stop and the second stop may be correspondingly connected.

The present invention further provides a commercial weighing instrument, characterized in that the commercial weighing instrument comprises a hinged foldable rod according to any embodiment described above.

Several positive improvement effects follow from the present invention.

The hinged foldable rod and the commercial weighing instrument comprising same of the present invention have the following advantages.

First, a hinge assembly with functions of positioning, fixing torque and connection, etc., is used, which has a good integration.

Second, maintenance is facilitated, thereby solving the problem of difficult disassembly and assembly of existing products.

Third, “left” and “right” side cover structures that are identical are used, the hinge assembly is directly connected to the first rod and the second rod without additional connectors, so that the number of parts is greatly reduced, and costs are saved.

Fourth, the hinged foldable rod has relatively few parts, and low costs.

Fifth, the rotation structure of the hinged foldable rod has the advantage of integration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features, properties and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments, and the same features are always indicated by the same reference signs in the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a hinged foldable upright rod according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the hinged foldable upright rod according to the present invention in an operating state.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the hinged foldable upright rod according to the present invention in a rotated state.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the hinged foldable upright rod according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a hinge assembly of the hinged foldable upright rod according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a left side cover of the hinged foldable upright rod according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a first upright rod of the hinged foldable upright rod of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a second upright rod of the hinged foldable upright rod according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of an upper cover of the hinged foldable upright rod according to the present invention.

[List of reference signs]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

To make the above objectives, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and easier to understand, specific implementations of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference signs used in all the accompanying drawings denote identical or similar parts wherever possible.

Furthermore, although the terms used in the present invention are selected from well-known common terms, some of the terms mentioned in the description of the present invention may have been selected by the applicant according to his or her determination, and the detailed meaning thereof is described in the relevant section described herein.

Furthermore, the present invention must be understood, not simply by the actual terms used but also by the meanings encompassed by each term.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the present invention discloses a hinged foldable upright rod comprising a first rod 10, a second rod 20, an cover 30, a hinge assembly 40, a first side cover 50 and a second side cover 60. A first end portion 31 of the cover 30 is connected to a first end portion 11 of the first rod 10, the first side cover 50 is fixed to a first side wall 23 of the first end portion 21 of the second rod 20, and the second side cover 60 is fixed to a second side wall 24 of the first end portion 21 of the second rod 20. The cover 30 is sleeved on the hinge assembly 40, a first portion 42, 43 of the hinge assembly 40 is connected to the first end portion 11 of the first rod 10, and a second end portion 45, 46 of the hinge assembly 40 is connected to a first end portion 21 of the second rod 20. As such, when the hinged foldable upright rod needs to be stored, the first rod 10 can be rotated with respect to the second rod 20 by means of the hinge assembly 40, and the hinge assembly 40 is configured to exert a torque on the first rod 10 caused by friction.

The first rod (10) can be rotated with respect to the second rod (20) for bringing the hinged foldable rod from a first state in which a longitudinal axis (12) of the first rod (10) and a longitudinal axis (22) of the second rod (20) are aligned along a vertical axis to a second state in which the longitudinal axis (12) of the first rod (10) is not along the vertical axis, wherein the torque on the first rod (10) caused by friction is opposite to a torque on the first rod (10) caused by gravity.

Of course, the first side cover 50 and thesecond side cover 60 here may also be removed and not provided, i. e., not as additional independent component structures. For example, the first side cover 50 and the second side cover 60 may be provided as a part of the upper end portion of the second rod 20, located on two sides of the upper end portion of the second rod 20, and integrally formed with the second rod 20.Alternatively, upwardly projecting components are provided on two sides of the upper end portion of the second rod 20, respectively, for assembling the hinge assembly 40 and the cover 30, so that the functions formed thereby are consistent with the above-mentioned left and right side covers.

Preferably, the hinge assembly 40 comprises a rotation shaft 41, a first rotating member 42, a second rotating member 43, a plurality of damping pieces 44, a first connector 45 and a second connector 46. One end of the first rotating member 42 and one end of the second rotating member 43 are respectively mounted to two ends of the rotation shaft 41, the damping pieces 44 are respectively mounted outside to the corresponding left and right rotating members 42 and 43, one end of the first connector 45 and one end of the second connector 46 are respectively mounted outside to the corresponding damping pieces 44, and two outer end portions of the rotation shaft 41 are locked by lock members 49. Here, the lock member may preferably be a lock nut.

Another end of the first rotating member 42 and another end of the second rotating member 43 are respectively fixed to the first end portion 11 of the first rod 10.Another end of the first connector 45 and another end of the second connector 46 are respectively connected to the first end portion 21 of the second rod 20.

A protruding connecting column 411 is preferably provided in the middle of the rotation shaft 41, and the connecting column 411 has a diameter larger than that of two end portions of the rotation shaft 41.

Further, one end of the cover 30 is a first mounting portion 31, and another end of the cover 30 is an annular first connecting ring 32, the first connecting ring 32 being sleeved on the rotation shaft 41. Preferably, two sides of the first mounting portion 31 are aligned with the other end of the left rotating member 42 and the other end of the second rotating member 43, respectively.

When the hinge assembly 40 and the cover 30 are assembled, the hinge assembly 40 is wholly fitted in the first connecting ring 32, that is, the rotation shaft 41 is fitted in the first connecting ring 32. The first rotating member 42 and the second rotating member 43 are respectively aligned and overlapped with the two sides of the first mounting portion 31, and then together connected and fixed to the first end portion 11 of the first rod 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 10, the first rotating member 42 comprises a frame-shaped first connecting structure 421 and a first connecting piece 422 connected one on top of the other, and the second rotating member 43comprises a frame-shaped second connecting structure 431 and a second connecting piece 432 connected one on top of the other. Correspondingly, the first mounting portion 31 of the cover 30 comprises two side portions 311 and an intermediate portion 312 connected to each other, and the intermediate portion 312 is connected between the two side portions 311. The two side portions 311 have shapes that match the shapes of the first connecting structure 421 and the second connecting structure 431, respectively, and surround outside the first connecting structure 421 and the second connecting structure 431. The intermediate portion 312 is a concave arc surface and is located inside the two side portions. When the cover 30 and hinge assembly 40 are mounted together, the intermediate portion 312 is clamped between the first rotating member 42 and the second rotating member 43, so that the cover 30 and the hinge assembly 40 are better matched to form an integral whole.

Preferably, one end of the first side cover 50 may be preferably a first end cover 51, and the other end of the firstt side cover 50 may be preferably a second mounting portion 52. The second mounting portion 52 is connected to the second rod 20. One end of the second side cover 60 may be preferably a second end cover 61, and the other end of the second side cover 60 may be preferably a third mounting portion 62. The third mounting portion 62 is connected to the second rod 20. Also, the first end cover 51 and the second end cover 61 have shapes that match the shapes of two ends of the first connecting ring 32.

A first stop d is provided at a connection between the first end cover 51 and the second mounting portion 52, and a first stop d is provided at a connection between the second end cover 61 and the third mounting portion 62. Correspondingly, second stops e are respectively provided at the two ends of the first connecting ring 32 of the cover 30, and the first stop d and the second stop e are correspondingly connected. Such structure may allow the left and right side covers and the upper cover to be securely connected.

Preferably, the hinge assembly 40 further comprises a first limiting member 47 and a second limiting member 48, through which the two ends of the rotation shaft 41 respectively pass. The first limiting member 47 is located between the corresponding damping piece 44 and the first connector 45, and the second limiting member 48 is located between the corresponding damping piece 44 and the second connector 46.

In particular, each of the first limiting member 47 and the second limiting member 48 comprises a mounting base a and a limiting piece b. The two ends of the rotation shaft 41 pass through the mounting bases a, and the limiting pieces b define limiting angles of rotation of the first rotating member 42 and the second rotating member 43. The angles of rotation of the first rotating member 42 and the second rotating member 43 are adjusted by setting angles between the limiting pieces b and the mounting bases a. For example, in this embodiment, the angles of rotation of the first rotating member 42 and the second rotating member 43 are preferably set from 0° to 85°.

Further preferably, either end of the rotation shaft 41 has a cross-sectional shape that is polygonal, each of the first limiting member 47 and the second limiting member 48 is provided with a through slot c with a corresponding polygonal shape, and the two ends of the rotation shaft 41 are respectively mounted in the corresponding through slots c. Such polygonal structure makes it possible to more securely connect the rotation shaft to the first limiting member and the second limiting member.

In addition, the hinged foldable rod further comprises a front cover 100, a rear cover 200, a front decorative shell 300 and a rear decorative shell 400. The front cover 100 is connected to an upper end portion of the first rod 10 by means of the front decorative shell 300, and the rear cover 200 is connected to the upper end portion of the first rod 10 by means of the rear decorative shell 400. A lock ring 500 is provided between the front decorative shell 300 and the first rod 10, and between the rear decorative shell 400 and the first rod 10. As such, the front cover 100 and the rear cover 200 are interlocked, and the front decorative shell 300 and the rear decorative shell 400 are interlocked, forming an integral whole.

The hinged foldable upright rod is also provided with a base 600 and a cover plate 610. The base 600 and the cover plate 610 are integrated into a whole base, and the second rod 20 is fixed to the base 600 by rivets 620, thereby realizing the structure of the entire hinged foldable upright rod.

According to the above description of the structure, in the hinged foldable upright rod of the present invention, the front cover 100 is connected to the rear cover 200 by screws. The front decorative shell 300 and the rear decorative shell 400 clamp around the first rod 10 by means of two lock rings 500, and are fixed with two screws on the left and right. The hinge assembly 40 is inserted into the upper cover 30, while the first side cover 50 and the second side cover 60 are inserted into the second rod 20. The cover 30 and the hinge assembly 40 that are assembled are both inserted into the first rod 10, and a wire harness 700 is neatly arranged and is be pressed against a side of the side cover (the first side cover 50 or the second side cover 60) .

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the side cover (the first side cover 50 or the second side cover 60) and the cover 30 are respectively provided with the stops, and the side cover (the first side cover 50 or the second side cover 60) and the cover 30 are engaged by male and female stops. The hinge assembly, the side cover, and the upper cover are fixed to each of the first rod 10 and the second rod 20 by means of a plurality of screws on the left and right. The base 600 is provided with a plurality of rivets 620 for screw connection, the base 600 is fixed to the second rod 20 by means of screws, and the cover plate 610 is threaded to the base 600.

Here, the rotation shaft 41 may preferably be milled and flattened on the left and right, each of the first limiting member 47 and the second limiting member 48 is machined with the through slot with a flat position, each of the first rotating member 42 and the second rotating member 43 is machined with a through hole in the middle, and each of the connectors (the first connector 45 and the second connector 46) is machined with a through slot with a flat position and two through holes. The first rotating member 42 and the second rotating member 43 are sleeved on the rotation shaft 41 and are respectively arranged on first and second shaft shoulders of the rotation shaft 41. The damping pieces 44 are sleeved on the rotation shaft 41 and are respectively arranged on the first and second rotating members. The first limiting member 47 and the second limiting member 48 are sleeved on the rotation shaft 41 and are respectively arranged on the damping pieces 44. The first connector 45 and the second connector 46 are sleeved on the rotation shaft 41 and are respectively arranged on the first limiting member 47 and the second limiting member 48. The above parts are locked by the lock members 49 on the left and right.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the hinged foldable upright rod is operating normally, the first rod 10 and the second rod 20 are kept perpendicular to the base. As shown in FIG. 4, when the hinged foldable upright rod needs to be stored, the first rod 10 is rotated. Since upper ends of the first connector 45 and the second connector 46 are fixed to the rotation shaft 41 and lower ends of the first connector and the second connector are fixed to the second rod 20 by means of two via holes, the second rod 20 is kept stationary.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, each of tail ends of the first upright rod 10 and the second rod 20 may be preferably milled in a circular arc and is in clearance fit with the upper cover and the side cover. When the first rotating member 42 and the second rotating member 43 touch the first limiting member 47 and the second limiting member 48, the first rod 10 stops rotating, and the range of the angle of rotation is preferably approximately from 0° to 85°.

The present invention further provides a commercial weighing instrument which comprises a hinged foldable upright rod as described above.

According to the hinged foldable upright rod of the present invention, structures such as side covers (for example, plastic left and right side covers) , a upper cover (for example, a plastic upper cover) , a hinge assembly are used and the plastic upper cover is directly connected to the first rod and the second rod by means of the hinge assembly without additional connectors, so that the number of parts is greatly reduced, and costs are saved.

The structure of the hinged foldable upright rod is easy to maintain, and the main rotation structure is integrated on a hinge. In contrast to the conventional hinge assembly, the hinge assembly is provided with a sheet metal connector, a limiting structure, and a damping piece in addition to providing a torque function. The cover and the first and second side covers are circumferentially limited via the stops, so that the positioning is reliable, and it is easy to clean.

In summary, the hinged foldable upright rod and the commercial weighing instrument comprising same of the present invention have the following advantages.

First, a hinge assembly with functions of positioning, fixed torque and connection, etc., is used, which has a good integration.

Third, first and second side cover structures that are identical are used, the hinge assembly is directly connected to the first rod and the second rod without additional connectors, so that the number of parts is greatly reduced, and costs are saved.

Fourth, the hinged foldable upright rod has relatively few parts, and low costs.

Fifth, the rotation structure of the hinged foldable upright rod has the advantage of integration.

Although specific implementations of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that these are merely examples, and the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. Various alterations or modifications to these implementations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principle and essence of the present invention. However, these alterations and modifications all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

A hinged foldable rod, wherein the hinged foldable rod comprises a first rod (10) , a second rod (20) , a cover (30) and a hinge assembly (40) , wherein a first end portion (31) of the cover (30) is connected to a first end portion (11) of the first rod (10) ;

wherein a first end portion (42, 43) of the hinge assembly (40) is connected to the first end portion (11) of the first rod, and a second end portion (45, 46) of the hinge assembly (40) is connected to a first end portion (21) of the second rod (20) ; and

wherein the first rod (10) can be rotated with respect to the second rod (20) by means of the hinge assembly (40) , wherein the hinge assembly (40) is configured to exert a torque on the first rod (10) caused by friction.
The hinged foldable rod according to claim 1, wherein the cover (30) is sleeved on the hinge assembly (40) .
The hinged foldable rod according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first rod (10) can be rotated with respect to the second rod (20) for bringing the hinged foldable rod from a first state in which a longitudinal axis (12) of the first rod (10) and a longitudinal axis (22) of the second rod (20) are aligned along a vertical axis to a second state in which the longitudinal axis (12) of the first rod (10) is not along the vertical axis, wherein the torque on the first rod (10) caused by friction is opposite to a torque on the first rod (10) caused by gravity.
The hinged foldable rod according to one of claims 1-3, wherein the hinge assembly (40) comprises a rotation shaft (41) , wherein the first rod (10) can be rotated with respect to the second rod (20) by the first end portion (42, 43) of the hinge assembly being mounted on the rotation shaft (41) and the second end portion (45, 46) of the hinge assembly being mounted on the rotation shaft (41) , and wherein the torque on the first rod (10) caused by friction is caused by a clamping force on the first end portion (42, 43) , the clamping force being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rotation shaft (41) .
The hinged foldable rod according to claim 4, wherein the first end portion (42) , 43) is mounted on the rotation shaft (41) via a connecting piece (422, 432) , and wherein the clamping force acts on the connecting piece (422, 432) .
The hinged foldable rod according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the hinge assembly (40) comprises a first rotating member (42) , a second rotating member (43) , a plurality of damping pieces (44) , a first connector (45) and a second connector (46) , wherein one end of the first rotating member (42) and one end of the second rotating member (43) are respectively mounted to two ends of the rotation shaft (41) , the damping pieces (44) are respectively mounted outside to the corresponding first and second rotating members (42, 43) , one end of the first connector (45) and one end of the second connector (46) are respectively mounted outside to the corresponding damping pieces (44) , and two outer end portions of the rotation shaft (41) are locked by lock members (49) ; and

another end of the first rotating member (42) and another end of the second rotating member (43) are respectively fixed to the first end portion (11) of the first rod (10) ; and another end of the first connector (45) and another end of the second connector (46) are respectively connected to the first end portion (21) of the second rod (20) .
The hinged foldable rod according to one of claims 4-6, wherein a protruding connecting column (411) is provided in the middle of the rotation shaft (41) , and the connecting column (411) has a diameter larger than that of two end portions of the rotation shaft (41) .
The hinged foldable rod according to one of claims 4-7, wherein one end of the cover (30) is a first mounting portion (31) , and another end of the cover (30) is an annular first connecting ring (32) , the first connecting ring being sleeved on the rotation shaft (41) .
The hinged foldable rod according to claim 8, wherein two sides of the first mounting portion (31) are aligned with the other end of the first rotating member (42) and the other end of the second rotating member (43) , respectively.
The hinged foldable rod according to one of claims 4-9, wherein the hinge assembly (40) further comprises a first limiting member (47) and a second limiting member (48) , through which the two ends of the rotation shaft (41) respectively pass, wherein the first limiting member (47) is located between the corresponding damping piece (44) and the first connector (45) , and the second limiting member (48) is located between the corresponding damping piece (44) and the second connector (46) .
The hinged foldable rod according to claim 10, wherein each of the first limiting member (47) and the second limiting member (48) comprises a mounting base (a) and a limiting piece (b) , wherein the two ends of the rotation shaft (41) pass through the mounting bases (a) , and the limiting pieces (b) define limiting angles of rotation of the first rotating member (42) and the second rotating member (43) .
The hinged foldable rod according to claim 11, wherein the angles of rotation of the first rotating member (42) and the second rotating member (43) are from 0° to 85°.
The hinged foldable rod according to one of claims 10-12, wherein either end of the rotation shaft (41) has a cross-sectional shape that is polygonal, each of the first limiting member (47) and the second limiting member (48) is provided with a through slot (c) with a corresponding polygonal shape, and the two ends of the rotation shaft (41) are respectively mounted in the corresponding through slots (c) .
The hinged foldable rod according to one of claims 1-13, wherein the hinged foldable rod further comprising a first side cover (50) and a second side cover (60) , wherein the first side cover (50) is fixed to a first side wall (23) of the first end portion (21) of the second rod (20) , and the second side cover (60) is fixed to a second side wall (24) of the first end portion (21) of the second rod (20) .
The hinged foldable rod according to claim 14 when dependent on claim 8, wherein one end of the first side cover (50) is a first end cover (51) , and the other end of the first side cover (50) is a second mounting portion (52) , the second mounting portion (52) being connected to the second rod (20) ;

one end of the second side cover (60) is a second end cover (61) , and the other end of the second side cover (60) is a third mounting portion (62) , the third mounting portion (62) being connected to the second rod (20) ; and

the first end cover (51) and the second end cover (61) have shapes that match the shapes of two ends of the first connecting ring (32) .
The hinged foldable rod according to claim 15wherein a first stop (d) is provided at a connection between the first end cover (51) and the second mounting portion (52) , and a first stop (d) is provided at a connection between the second end cover (61) and the third mounting portion (62) ; and

second stops (e) are respectively provided at the two ends of the first connecting ring (32) of the cover (30) , and the first stop (d) and the second stop (e) are correspondingly connected.
A commercial weighing instrument, characterized in that the commercial weighing instrument comprises a hinged foldable rod according to one of claims 1 to 16.