Patent GB-424172-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for computing and indicating the cost of a commodity while being weighed
IPC: G01G19/413
Filed: 1934-09-10
Abstract: 424,172. Weighing-apparatus. BOSCO, S., 3, Via Alloro, Palermo, and CARGNELUTTI, M., 35, Corso Dante, Turin, both in Italy. Sept. 10, 1934, No. 25963. Convention date, Sept. 9, 1933. [Class 143] Computing-apparatus.-In an apparatus for computing and indicating the cost of a commodity whilst being weighed on an automatic weighing-scale, the energizing circuit of an operating motor is controlled by a movable member of the weighing-scale through a beam which operates, by means of a rack, a shaft carrying a contact finger movable between two contacts of a reversing switch fixed on a shaft driven by the motor, on which shaft are mounted three contact rings connected respectively with the finger and contacts and cooperating with brushes connected to the motor, so that, when the weighing-scale reaches its balanced position, the finger, owing to inertia, oscillates between the two contacts thus stopping the motor in the position determined by the weight of the commodity on the platform of the weighing - scale. The computing apparatus C, Fig. 1, which stands at the side of the weighing-scale B has a lever 1 projecting beneath the scale platform A so as to rise and fall under the influence of the commodity being weighed. The price per unit-weight is set by sliding handles 37, 47, 57 and is indicated at an opening U. The weight and computed cost are indicated at openings P, T respectively. The movement of the lever 1 rocks a weighted beam 4, Fig. 3, and by means of a rack 6 rotates a shaft 10 carrying a contact finger 18. The rack may be adjusted along the arm of the beam to adapt the apparatus to any selected automatic weighing - machine. The contact finger has slight play between two contacts 20 carried on a shaft 10<a> which is driven by gearing from a motor M. The contact finger and the contacts are connected through three insulated rings 21 and brushes to the terminals of the motor. When the contact finger 18 is moved against one of the contacts 20 by the descent of the scale pan, the motor M is started and rotates the shaft 10<a> until the contact finger ceasing to follow the contact 20, breaks the circuit and stops the motor. If the momentum or the reverse movement of the scale pan brings the second contact 20 into operation the motor is reversed. A gear wheel 23 actuates a counter to indicate the weight at the opening P. The computation of weight by price (giving the cost of the commodity) is effected by means of three sets of cone gear, one on each of three weight shafts 30, 40, 50, Fig. 4, driven by the motor and consequently rotated proportionately to the weight. In Fig. 8 is shown the set of cone gear for the weight shaft 30 of the lowest denomination digits. In setting the price handle for the lowest denomination of the price a gear wheel 33 and an intermediate pinion 35 are slid into mesh with the wheel of the cone gear appropriate for effecting the multiplication, and the drive through these gears, and through similar arrangements of gears for the higher denominations, is passed on additively through a set of differentials to a total cost counter displaced at the opening T. When the weighing-machine is provided with means for doubling &c. the weighing capacity, the operation of such means may result in additional movements being imparted to the weight-indicating and multiplying mechanism to register the total weight and cost. A totalling mechanism may be operated each time a commodity is weighed.