CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN WEIGHING MACHINES AND IN TURNTABLES TO BE USED ON OR IN CONNEXION WITH RAILWAYS, AND IN WEIGHING MACHINES TO BE USED IN OTHER SITUATIONS
Year: 1843

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, SAMUEL
ELLIS, of Salford, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Twenty-second day of June, One thousand eight hundred and
forty-three, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Samuel Ellis, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, Her special license,
full power, sole priviledge and authority, that I, the said Samuel Ellis, my
exors, alors, and assigns, or such other persons as I or they should
appoint or agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within that part of Her said Majesty's United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Her Dominion of
Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN WEIGHING MACHINES AND IN TURNTABLES TO BE USED ON OR IN
CONNEXION WITH RAILWAYS, AND IN WEIGHING MACHINES TO BE USED IN OTHER
SITUATIONS," in such manner as I, the said Samuel Ellis, my exors, admors, or
assigns, should deem expedient; in which said Letters Patent is contained
a proviso obliging me, the said Samuel Ellis, within the space of six calendar
months to be computed from the date of the said Letters Patent, to cause to
be inscribed by writing under my hand and seal, in Her said Majesty's High
Court of Chancery, a particular description of the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed and carried into effect,

page_text: Drawing No. 1 represents my improvements in weighing machines to be
used on or in connexion with railways, and having therefore a circular revolv-
ing platform, which serves the twofold purpose of a weighing machine and
railway turntable.
Figure 1 is a general vertical section, shewing the platform frame A, with
its rails B fixed down to the platform frame by the screw bolts C. The plat-
form frame A is firmly fixed on the arms D of the vertical pillar E, by the
screw bolts F. The pillar E is circular, and when the platform A is raised,
and in the act of weighing as here represented, it rests entirely on the pivot G
in the shoe H. The shoe H is suspended by the wrought-iron side rods I, I,
from the long lever J on the fulcrum pins K, K. The long lover J has its
main fulcrum pins L, L, resting on the projecting brackets M, which are cast
on the hollow circular pillar E¹, which is firmly fixed to the main bearing
frame N by the flanches O, O. The main bearing frame N is represented in
Figure 5 as having four arms, supported at their outer ends on the circular
retaining wall P. On the extreme ends of the arms of the bearing frame is
fixed a circular curb or stationary resting bed Q, which is also supported all
around by the retaining wall P. When the machine is not in the act of
weighing, or being used as a turntable, the long lever J is lowered down to the
position shewn by the dotted lines R, by which means the weight of the
pillar E and platform A is removed from the shoe H, and rests firmly

page_text: all round the outer rim S of the platform A, on the circular curb or stationary
resting bed Q, and also at the centre, on the main bearing frame N on the
circular collar T. The means by which the platform is kept level when
moving up and down in the act of weighing, and to have little or no friction, is
by the pillar E being kept in a vertical position by the upper circular collar T
and the lower circular collar U. These collars T and U are kept correctly,
the centre of the one over the centre of the other, by the adjusting screws V
and V, and the wrought-iron connecting bars W, W. These connecting bars
are hinged to the adjusting screws V and V₁ at the outer ends, and to the
collars T and U at the inner ends. When the platform is down the centre
of the hinges at the collars T and U will be a little below the level of the
centre of the hinges at the adjusting screws V and V; when the platform is
raised the small distance required in weighing the level of the centres of the
hinges at the collars T and U will be a little above the centres of the hinges
at the adjusting screws V and V', thus allowing the collars T and U to move
up and down freely with the pillar E, there being no friction except the very
little that may be in the small circular motion of the hinges of the connecting
bars W, W. The upper adjusting screws V pass through strong projections Y,
cast on the arms of the fixed bearing frame N, and the lower adjusting
screws Vi
pass through the turned ends of the arms of the frame Z, which is
firmly fixed to the lower end of the hollow pillar E¹.
Figure 2 shews an inverted half plan of the platform frame A, and also of
the pillar E, with its arms D, fixed by the screw bolts F to the platform A.
Figure 3 is one quarter plan of the upper side of the platform frame A and
pillar E, with its arms D.
Figure 4 is a quarter plan of the finished platform A with its rails B, fixed
by the screw bolts C, and the floor plates also fixed.
Figure 5 is a plan shewing the retaining walls P, main bearing frame N,
with the projections Y, adjusting screws V, connecting bars W, collar T,
section of the pillar E, and one half of the curb or resting bed Q.
Figure 6 shews an inverted plan of the frame Z, with the adjusting
screws V', connecting bars W, collar V, pivot G.
Figure 7 is a plan on the red line *, *, in Figure 1, shewing the forked
lever J, fulcrum pins K and L, bracket M, and sections of the pillars E
and E'.
Figure 8 is an elevation on the red line O, O, in Figure 1, shewing the
retaining wall P, main bearing frame N, hollow pillar E', with its brackets M,
section of the forked lever J, fulcrum pins K and L, suspending rods I, 1,
shoe H, pivot G, and collar U.

page_text: Figure 9, in connection with Figure 1, is a steelyard and weights,
constructed and adjusted in the usual way.
N.B. Though Drawing No. 1 represents a weighing machine with a
circular platform applicable to railways as a turntable, it will be clearly under-
stood that where the platform is not required to turn round, or to be used on
or in connexion with railways, the platform may be rectangular, octangular, or
any other figure, and may be used in any situation as a weighing machine.
By this arrangement it will be seen that if the weights are taken off the steel-
yard, so that the long arm of the forked lever J is not acted upon, the weight
of the platform will bring it down to rest firmly and steadily on the curb or
resting bed Q; and when in this position the loaded trucks to be weighed are
to be rolled on to it, or lowered down upon it, as the case may be, and no
strain can possibly occur, the platform there having a firm bearing all round
its outer circumference. When the load to be weighed is thus properly
adjusted on the platform, the lever J may be raised to the position shewn by
the Drawing by pressing on the steelyard, and while the platform is thus
balanced on the pivot G the weights may be applied, the weight of the load
ascertained, and, before the weights are removed, the platform may be turned
round on its pivot G to range with any required line of rails on the railway,
and again let down firmly on its resting bed Q, thus answering the double
purpose of weighing machine and turntable.
Drawing No. 11 represents my improvements in railway turntables, which
are only to be used as such, and not as weighing machines.
Figure 1 is a general vertical section, shewing the platform or turntable
top A, the vertical pillar E, the pivot G, the shoe H, the suspending rods I, I,
the long lever J, fulcrum pins K and L, bracket M, hollow pillar E', main
bearing frame N, retaining walls P, and the circular curb or resting bed Q;
all similar to the like parts so lettered and described in Drawing No. 1,
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7, excepting that in Figure 7, in the Drawing
No. 11, the lever J is shewn prolonged for a balance weight g to counter-
balance the weight of the table and its pillar.
In Drawing No. 11 the long lever J is represented as being raised up or
lowered down by a windlass, of which Figures 10 and 11 are sections,
Figures 12 and 13 elevations, fitted with a ratchet wheel a, catch pall b, and
indicator c, to shew when the turntable is up or down. The turntable is here
represented as raised and kept up by the catch pall b, in which state the plat-
form is always at liberty to turn round; but when the catch pall bis
disengaged the long lever J will be lowered down to the position shewn by the
dotted lines a, a, and the platform will rest all round on its outer edge and at

page_text: the centre, and will be as firm for all practicable purposes as any part of the
permanent railway.
N.B. Though the long lever J is here represented as being raised up or
lowered down by a windlass, it will be clearly understood that it may be raised
up or lowered down by a second lever, as shown by the steelyard in Drawing
No. 1, or by a screw, or other suitable mechanical means; and though I have
here shewn the outer edge of my platforms when on the resting bed supported
in its whole extent, yet it is evident that an equal steadiness might be obtained
by allowing it to be supported at given points of the circle only, my object
being to do away with friction_rollers, and to make the platform a fixture at
all times, except when in the act of weighing or of turning. When the turn-
table is required to be of a great diameter, and to carry great weights, such as
locomotive engines, I introduce the suspending rods h, h, represented in
Figure 1, Drawing No. 2. Those rods h, h, are fixed at the lower ends to the
projections n, n, cast on the lower end of the hollow pillar E', and they pass
through the bosses 1, r, cast on the extreme ends of the arms of the main
bearing frame N, where they are screwed up and adjusted by the screw
nuts p, p; when these rods h, h, are used, the arms of the nain bearing frame N
are placed in such a position that the rods h, h, may not interfere with the
large forked lever J.
Now whereas it is only necessary further to add, that when I apply my said
improvements to weighing machines not to be used on or in connection with
railways, I omit the rails on the surface of the platform; and in cases where
the revolution of the platform is not an object I make the platform of any
convenient shape other than round, in which case it is not necessary to have
the pivot or pillar round, as will be evident to all persons of ordinary skill in
such matters.
Having now decribed the nature of my said improvements, and the manner
in which the same are to be performed, I hereby claim as my Invention,―
First, the long forked lever J, applied to raising the platform from its
stationary bearing on to its turning pivot.
Secondly, the hinged guide and adjusting rods, by which the pillar of the
platform is preserved in its central position without bearing against the sides of
its socket, the friction of which would interfere with the accuracy of the
machine as a weighing machine.
Thirdly, the shoe II, suspended from the lever J, which supports the pivot G
when the lever J is acted upon.
Fourthly, the tension support rods h, h, as here applied to steady the
socket E', also the main bearing frame N, N, the outer pillar jacket or

page_text: socket E', and the suspension of the shoe H, in certain cases, from the said
jacket.
And lastly, I claim generally the doing away with friction rollers for the
support of the outer edge of the platform, and the allowing of the said edge, when
the platform is not required to be in motion, to rest firmly and steadily on a fixed
stationary bed or bearing, and, when required to be put in motion, the raising
of the said platform by a lever or levers, and the lifting of it on to a central
bearing point or pivot, connected with a steelyard or other weighing apparatus
when required to be used as a weighing machine, and ready to be turned round
when required to be used as a turntable, as herein-before described; thus, for
the first time, combining a weighing machine with a turntable for railway
purposes.
And such my Invention being, to the best of my knowledge and belief,
entirely new and never before used within that part of Her said Majesty's
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Der Domi-
nion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, I do hereby declare this to
be my Specification of the same; and that I do verily believe this my said
Specification doth comply in all respects, fully and without reserve or disguise,
with the proviso in the said herein-before in part recited Letters Patent
contained; wherefore I hereby claim to maintain exclusive right and privilege
to my said Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Ellis, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-three.

page_text: Attorney General, testified by his fiat and signature, to enter with the Clerk of
the Patents of England, pursuant to the Statute in that behalf made and
provided, a Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Samuel Ellis, do hereby disclaim all
those parts of my said Invention which have reference to weighing machines
in other situations than on or in connexion with railways (that is to
say) :-
In my said Letters Patent, in that part thereof which is commonly called
the title of the said Invention, and in the introductory part of the said Specifi-
cation where the said title is recited, I do disclaim and erase the words, "and
in weighing machines to be used in other situations." And in the paragraph
of the said Specification to which the letters N.B. are prefixed, and near the
end of the description of the Drawings No. 1, I do disclaim and erase tho
following words:" N.B. Though Drawing No. 1 represents a weighing
"machine with a circular platform applicable to railways as a turntable, it
* will be clearly understood that where the platform is not required to turn
round, or to be used on or in connexion with railways, the platform may be
rectangular, octangular, or any other figure, and may be used in any situa-
"tion as a weighing machine." And at the conclusion of the said Specification
I disclaim and erase the following paragraph, immediately before the claiming
clause: "Now whereas it is only necessary further to add, that when I apply
66
"
my said improvements to weighing machines not to be used on or in con-
"nexion with railways, I omit the rails on the surface of the platform; and in
"cases where the revolution of the platform is not an object I make the
platform of any convenient shape other than round, in which case it is not
necessary to have the pivot or pillar round, as will be evident to all persons
"of ordinary skill in such matters."
"
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Ellis, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.
SAMUEL (L.S.) ELLIS.
E
1
1.
T

page_text: his said Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alterations in the London Gazette, and
in the Times, Morning Chronicle, and Manchester and Salford Advertiser and
Chronicle newspapers,
newspapers, and such advertizements have been duly made in the said
London Gazette, and in the said Times, Morning Chronicle, and Manchester
and Salford Advertizer and Chronicle newspapers, and no objection having
been made to the said application, I have accordingly granted leave to the said
Samuel Ellis to file his said Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alterations, pur-
suant to the Statute passed in the 5th and 6th years of the reign of His late
Majesty, entitled "An Act to amend the Law touching Letters Patent for
Inventions"
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-seventh day of March,
in the year of our Lord 1847, the aforesaid Samuel Ellis came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Disclaimer afore-
said, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above
written. And also the Disclaimer aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the First day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and forty-seven.