Patent GB-299317-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to combined weighing, calculating and recording apparatus
IPC: G01G23/42
Filed: 1928-10-22
Abstract: 299,317. Kraut, W. Oct. 22, 1927, [Convention date]. Multiplying-apparatus.-In a weighing-machine of the pendulum-weight type used in combination with a machine for calculating and printing the monetary value of the goods weighed, a member the position of which is determined by the load being weighed is utilized for selectively closing one or more of a number of electrical circuits which determine the settings of the number wheels of the calculating machine, the number of these .circuits being such that different appropriate combinations thereof correspond to each of the weight values comprised in the weighing range of the balance. As shown, the weighing machine embodies a known form of mechanism, operated by an external knob, for increasing the weighing capacity beyond the range of the dial c, the mechanism including a contact lever 13 and distributor 14. The indicating pointer 2, mounted on a knife-edge 10, carries three electrical contacts 3, 4, 5, Fig. 3, corresponding to units, tens and hundreds respectively. By depressing a knob 6 bell-crank levers 7, 8 are actuated and the contacts are pressed against rows of electrical contacts on the dial corresponding to the weight graduations. The tens contacts on the dial are of serrated formation to avoid simultaneous engagement of two adjacent contacts. The pointer is held during the contact-making operation by a cone clutch 12 carried by the knob. A selection of electromagnets 15, 16, 17 corresponding to units, tens and hundreds is thus energized. One of a group 18 of electromagnets is also energized according to the position of the contact lever 13 of the capacity-changing mechanism. The electromagnets draw their armatures on to notched setting-wheels carried by the shafts k - - n of weight-indicating wheels. The shafts are connected through friction clutches to coupled sectors 19 - - 22 actuated simultaneously by a handle 24. On rotating the handle the indicator shafts are turned until arrested by the engagement of the attracted armatures with the notches in the setting-wheels, after which slipping of the clutches takes place and the indicating wheels remain set at the correct weight indication. The indicator shafts simultaneously actuate gearing 25<a>, 27, Fig. 7, so as to push out a series of rack-shaped bolts 28 to distances proportional to the magnitude of the digits set on the weight-indicating wheels. The bolts 28 are carried by a carriage 29 slidable in proximity to the calculator drum 32 and to a single-toothed disc co-operating therewith. When the carriage is released by drawing back a handle 30, a spring slides the carriage forward and brings the first protruding bolt 28 against an electrical contact, thus stopping the carriage and starting a motor M. The calculator drum 32, which has previously been set up according to the basic price by means of a bank of keys k, is rotated by the motor and at each rotation the single-toothed disc pushes back the obstructing bolt 28 one step until the bolt liberates the carriage 29, at which point the multiplication in this digit position iscomplete and the carriage is again drawn forward by its spring until arrested by the next pritruding bolt 28, when a similar multiplying operation takes place and so on until the multiplication is complete. By turning a handle a ticket may be printed with the result of the computation. In a modified arrangement wherein the depression of the knob 6, Fig. 3, causes an automatic setting of the weight-indicating wheels, the setting wheels on the shafts of the weight-indicating wheels form part of the circuits of the electromagnets and the selected setting wheels are rotated by a make-and-break arrangement until a gap in the setting wheel opens the circuit and stops further rotation, leaving the indicator wheel correctly set. The printing device may be arranged to print the weight and unit price in addition to the value.