Patent GB-190409851-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Cheese Cutters.
Inventor: SUTHERLAND STEPHEN MANCHESTER
Filed: 1904-04-29
Granted: 1904-09-29
Abstract: 9851. Sutherland, S. M. April 29. Indicating and registering mechanism; value-indicating apparatus.-Relates to a cheese cutter combined with mechanism for indicating the weight of the section being cut and the value of the same at different prices per lb., the apparatus being capable of adjustment for cheeses of different sizes. The cheese having been placed in position upon the table A, Figs. 1 and 2, the knife B is forced downwards to make a radial incision, and is then withdrawn. The table is next rotated by means of a handle E, thereby causing movement of an inclined cam-plate C<6>, which through interv e n i n g mechanism moves an index finger J<5>, having graduations which denote various prices (in cents) of cheese per lb., over a dial-plate J<1>, Fig. 6, the divisions J<3> of which indicate the weights of cheese being cut while the numbers J<4> give the values (in cents) of the same. When the finger has arrived opposite the required weight or value, the knife is again depressed and the section of cheese cut off. The handle E, working in a wide slot in the supporting-rim C, Fig. 3, and having a pin E<2> adapted to enter one of a number of holes E' on the bottom of the table, is pivoted upon a pin C<15>, attached to the table, and is forced by a spring E<4> against the top of the said slot. The rim C, radial arms F' from which are secured to a sleeve F on the pin C<15>, is formed with a recess C<1> in which travels a ring segment C<2> on rollers, the segment being provided with a projection C' to which is secured the inclined curved cam-plate C<6> adjustably mounted on a bridge C<8> on the segment by means of slots C'‹ and screws C<7>. The segment C<2> is attached at its ends to a plate C" pivoted on the pin C<15> by means of bent arms C" passing through slots at the bottom of the recess C', and is maintained normally at the end of its path by a spiral spring G which is secured to one of the arms F<1>, passes over a pulley G<2>, and is connected with an arm C<11>. In order to communicate the rotary movement of the cheese table to the segment C<2>, a vertical plate D, Fig. 5, on the latter supports in bearings a shaft D' having a screw-threaded end D<4> for engaging a thumb-screw D<5> whereby the shaft may be adjusted longitudinally. A finger D', which is adapted to bear against the surface of the cheese where it has been last cut for the purpose of driving the cam strip, is secured to the head of the shaft, which is slotted to receive one end of a pivoted spring-controlled finger-piece D<9> ; on depression of this latter, the finger D<7> is free to turn into a vertical position. The indicating-apparatus, Figs. 6 and 7, supported on a base-plate J and enclosed within a suitable case N, has a dial-plate J<1> arranged in a frame J<2>. The index-finger J<5> is secured to a pin on which is mounted a pinion gearing with a toothed sector K<5> secured to a pin K<6>, at the back of which is fixed a plate having an undercut recess in which slides a block K" having mounted thereon a roller K<13>, which rolls upon the top of the camplate C<6> and by its upward movement rotates the hand J<5> over the dial-plate. In order to adjust the indicator for different sizes of cheeses, the distance of the roller K<13> from the fulcrum K<6> is varied by moving a pointer M<10> over a scale, the divisions M<12> of which indicate the total weights of cheeses being cut. A square aperture at the end of the pointer M<10> registers with the squared extremity of a shaft M<8>, the upturned end M<7> of which is connected by a pin M<6> with a forked link M<5> mounted upon a shaft M<4>, which in turn communicates by a link M with the block K<11>. The graduations on the dial-plate J<1> are arranged so that the correct reading is taken at the left-hand edge of the index-finger. In operating the cutter, the inclination of the indicator cam C<6> is adjusted at one end, and, by loosening the thumb-nut M", the pointer M<10> is set at its proper division. After the knife has been lowered into the cheese and withdrawn, the finger D<7> is inserted into the radial cut thus obtained, the table being then turned as described above.