are equally spaced from pivot 35 in the embodiment shown the structure is so arranged that rod 50 is capable of being raised and lowered a vertical distance of 0 5 inch steel yard hook 41 will move through a vertical distance of approximately 0 2 inch because of this arrangement it is possible to practice the invention so as to provide a working range with or without passing through the null point of the transformer the apparatus is sensitive to a weight of 10 grams the leverage ratio in the platform is 10 1 the apparatus in the form shown is primarily intended for use in weighing babies and for this purpose the maximum weight limit is usually taken to be 40 pounds the linear variable transformer 51 can be a standard piece of equipment for example a differential transformer with a six volt d c input and a 1 8 volt d c output where it is desired to use the apparatus on an alternating current circuit the usual rectifiers and voltage reducers can be employed referring to fig6 the read out unit 9 which comprises a digital volt meter of a conventional type is connected to a source of 115 volt 50 60 cycle a c current through conductors 82 and 83 and an off on switch 84 the a c current is also connected through conductors 85 and 86 to a rectifier unit 87 in which the electrical output is converted to a 15 volt d c current which passes through conductors.