Improvements in the Construction of Weighing Machines.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left. 20th July. 1889-Accepted, 31st Aug., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Weighing Machines.
We JOHN GREENWOOD and THOMAS GREENWOOD both of Barrow Street Salford in
the County of Lancaster. Weighing Machine Makers do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
The principal object of this invention is to construct a double weighing machine,
which can be used either as an ordinary balanced scale or as a lever weighing machine,
but parts of our invention are also applicable to single acting weighing machines as
hereinafter described.
In the first place we make use of a double box, at either side or end of which is a
system of levers, stool and platform each suitably mounted in the said box as an
ordinary platform weighing machine and between these two platforms we mount a
beam pivotted at the centre and connected at either end of the aforesaid levers
(preferably the long lever').
One of these platforms hereafter referred to as "No. 1. platform" is constructed
to carry the load to be weighed and the other hereafter referred to as "No. 2 plat-
form" to carry the weights, the lever of No. 2 platform is so connected to this beam
that it can be readily disconnected therefrom (preferably in the manner hereafter
described).
Between these two platforms and above the before named beam we mount the pillar
of an ordinary steelyard weighing machine (or other equivalent apparatus) in such a
position that the connecting rod thereof can be attached to the long lever of No. 1.
platform. The steelyard can be lowered (when not required) in the usual manner to
relieve it from the weight of No. 1. platform.
Instead of hanging the constant weight or balance from the end of the steelyard by
means of a single central rod we use two or more rods connected to the edge thereof
so that ordinary standard (i.e. not slotted) weights can be placed on the said balance
weight if required and we balance the steelyard so that one pound so applied will
exactly counterbalance one hundred weight on the platform, and thus the Government
stamped weights can be used both for the steelyard and for the scale. This can also
be applied to ordinary steelyards.
In order to disconnect platform No. 2. from the beam when using our apparatus as
a lever weighing machine, we hang the long lever thereof to the beam by a hook and
we fix a vertical rack to the said lever. This rack gears with a pinion on a shaft pro-
vided with a winch. handle outside the box so that the pinion can be turned or partly
turned to raise the lever from its hook so that the beam can move sufficiently to
act in conjunction with No. 1 platform and the steelyard or equivalent apparatus.
A suitable catch is applied (by preference to the above named handle) to hold plat-
form No. 2. out of action.
When using our machine as an ordinary balanced scale, the long lever of platform
No. 2 is lowered by releasing the handle and returning it to its original position and
the steelyard or other apparatus is disconnected from the beam.
We prefer to use two fingers or pointers extending upwards one attached to one
end of each of the said levers and cranked so as to approach each other in order to.
indicate when the two platforms are exactly and equally balanced.
It will be evident that this method of connecting two balanced platforms to a beam
can be used without the alternative apparatus and will form a very superior scale
especially for weighing large loads as it is firmer and more steady in action than the
large beam scales hitherto employed.
Dated this 19th day of October 1888.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Weighing Machines.
We JOHN GREENWOOD and THOMAS GREENWOOD both of Barrow Street Salford in
the County of Lancaster Weighing Machine Makers do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The principal object of this invention is to construct a double weighing machine
which can be used either as an ordinary balanced scale, or as a lever weighing
machine but parts of our invention are also applicable to single-acting machines as
hereinafter described.
The nature of our invention and the manner in which the same is to be performed
or carried into practical effect will be readily understood on reference to the sheet of
drawings hereunto annexed and the following explanation thereof.
Fig. 1. on the drawings is an elevation shown partly in section of a double acting
weighing machine constructed according to our invention, and Fig. 2. is a plan view
of the same with the platforms removed.
In the first place we make use of a double box a at either side or end of which is a
separate system of levers stools c, c' and platforms d and d¹ each suitably mounted
in the said. box a as an ordinary platform weighing machine and between the two
platforms & and d we mount a beam e pivoted at the centre and connected at either
end to one of the aforesaid systems of levers 6, b' preferably to the "long lever "
thereof as shown.
One of the platforms (say d for example) is constructed to carry the load to be
weighed and the other d¹ to carry the weights, and the lever of the latter is so con-
nected to the beam e that it can readily be disconnected (preferably in the manner
hereinafter described).
Between the two platforms & and d¹ we mount the pillar f of an ordinary steelyard
weighing machine (or other equivalent apparatus) in such a position that the con-
necting rod g thereof can be attached to the long lever of the platform d.
The steelyard can be lowered (when not required) in the usual manner to relieve
it from the weight of the platform d.
Instead of making the steelyard in the ordinary way and then balancing the same
by reducing or adding to the counterpoise as is usual we balance the steelyard in the
first instance in such a way that one pound or other standard weight will counter-
balance one hundred weight or other desired multiple of itself and thus Government
stamped weights can be employed for both the steelyard and the scale, and instead of
hanging the constant weight or balance i from the end of the steelyard by means of
a single central rod we use two or more rods or a forked rod & connected.to the
edge thereof so that ordinary standard (that is not slotted) weights can be placed
upon the said balance weight i required.
The above can also be applied to ordinary steelyard machines.
In order to disconnect the platform d¹ from the beam e when using our apparatus
as a lever weighing machine we hang the long lever thereof to the beam e by a
hook and we fix a vertical rack m to the said lever b'.
This rack m gears with a pinion n on a shaft o provided with a winch handle p
outside the box a so that the pinion can be turned or partly turned to raise the
lever from its hook / so that the beam e can move sufficiently to act in conjunction
with the platform d and the steelyard / or equivalent apparatus.
A suitable catch g is applied (by preference to the winch handle p) to the plat-
form when out of action.
When we desire to use our machine as an ordinary balanced scale the long
lever of the platform d' is lowered by releasing the said handle p and returning
it to its original position, and the steelyard (or other apparatus) is disconnected
from the long lever of the platform d by means of the hand lever r.
We prefer to use two fingers or pointers s extending upwards one attached to the

page_text: end of each of the levers 6 and 6' and cranked inwards so as to approach each other
in order to indicate when the two platforms d and d' are exactly balanced and for
adjusting this balance we fit the lever b' with a screwed rod t and movable weight u.
It will be evident without further illustration that this method of connecting two
balanced platforms to a beam can be used without the alternative apparatus and will
forin a very superior scale (especially for weighing large loads) as it is firmer and
more steady in action than the large beam scales hitherto employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is,
First. The construction of a double weighing machine which can be used either as
an ordinary balanced scale or as a lover weighing machine by the combination of two
balanced platforms with a beam in connection with a steelyard (or equivalent
apparatus) and means for connecting and disconnecting the same substantially as
hereinboforo described and illustrated by the drawings hereunto annexed.
Secondly. We claim the construction of a single acting weighing machine by the
combination with a beam of two platforms balanced substantially as hereinbefore
described without the steelyard or other equivalent.
Thirdly. We claim the combination with a steelyard of a permanent weight hung
from two or more rods (or a forked rod) leaving sufficient space for ordinary stamped
government weights to be supported thereon substantially as shown and described.
Fourthly. Balancing the steelyard in such a way that one standard weight will
counterbalance another weight which is a multiple of itself, so that Government
stamped weights can be employed.
1000
Dated this 19th day of July 1609.
JULY ICOS
GEORGE DAVIES,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agent for the Applicants.