Improvements in and connected with Weighing Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Aug., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 30th Apr., 1896-Accepted, 1st Aug., 1996
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Weighing Machines.
I, DARIO BACAS Y MONTERO, of Cuesta de Saint Domingo Madrid in the
Kingdom of Spain, Naval Architect, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in and connected with weighing machines
and especially refers to devices whereby any articles or substance placed on the
scale or platform is automatically weighed, and the weight thereof indicited
without the employment of springs or toothed gearing and means are provided
whereby the respective weights of several separate and consecutive weighing
operations are mechanically added and the total exhibited on a dial all as hereafter
described.
Weighing mechanism according to my invention is composed of a weigh table
supported upon balance levers, the depression of which (upon an article to be
weighed being placed thereon, acts upon a rod in connection with the said levers,
the rod extending upwards and having a band or cord attached, its other end being
wound round and fixed to a horizontal weigh spindle which is revolved by the
motion of the said rod and band. Upon the weigh spindle are fixed two plates at
proper distance apart, and extending at right angles to the axis of the spindle and
these plates are cut or formed with similar curved slots, of somewhat involute
character, extending from the edges of the plates and gradually approaching the
weigh spindle.
In the curved slots of the plates, hereafter termed the revolving directrices, are
located two rollers connected by a spindle, (one roller for each plate, and this
connecting spindle sustains a regulating weight of a gravity to suit the maximum
weight it is intended to weigh at one time on the machine, the weight being
exchanged throughout all the operations of the scale from zero to the maximum
capacity of the apparatus.
The extremities of this connecting spindle are guided in slots formed in a part of
the fixed framework, such slots having an upward direction and thus upon the
turning of the revolving directrices the regulating weight is carried upwards by
reason of the wheels of its spindle travelling in the curved slots of the directrices,
until a balance is obtained, that is, until the regulating weight will no longer be
carried upwards because the gravity of the particular article being weighed is not
sufficient to further revolve the directrices. The curve of the somewhat involute
slots in the directrices should be so formed or shaped that the angles through
which they are turned are proportional to the gravity of the articles being
weighed, and the upwardly rising slots to guide the spindle of the regulating
weight, should be shaped to accord with and suit, the various relative positions of
the curved slots of the directrices, so as to preserve a smooth and even action and
avoid unnecessary vibration of the mechanism.
Upon the outer end of the weigh spindle, is fixed a pointer to indicate upon a
divided dial the extent of the circular motion of the directrices and consequently
the weight of the article upon the weigh table, behind this dial there is a pawl
carrying arm fixed to the weigh shaft, to act upon and turn an independently
revolvable disc or wheel when the weigh spindle rotates in a positive direction,
while the pawls do not act on such wheel when the weigh spindle has a negative or

page_text: return motion, at which time the said wheel remains stationary. This wheel is
provided with teeth or projections which act upon properly arranged numbering or
counting discs, the figures on the latter being visible through apertures formed on
the dial of the machine. I am thus enabled to ascertain at a glance the sum of the
several weighings of the articles or substances that have been weighed upon the
machine, although it should be understood that when not required this recording
mechanism may be dispensed with or be so constructed as to be readily thrown out
of action, also in some cases the pawl carrying arm may be dispensed with and the
addition of the weighing may be effected by connecting the toothed wheel by, say
a screw or pin, directly connected with the index finger, this connection being
removed before such article has been weighed is taken from the weigh table.
It will thus be understood that upon an article being placed upon the weigh
table the levers draw the tension rod down, unwind the band or cord and thereby
revolve the weigh shaft until the resistance between the wheels of the regulating
weight on the curved slots of the directrices is equal to the pull upon the tension
rod when the index finger will indicate the weight of the article being weighed
and the motion of the machine will cease.
Means are provided by which the tension rod may be retained in its highest
position (and the index finger at zero, in order to allow of goods being placed on
the weigh table without disturbing and causing vibration of the indicating
mechanism. Such means may consist of an arm of curved shape mounted upon an
axis passing through the framework of the machine and provided with an operating
bandle by which the curved arm may be turned so as to pass above a projection or
sheath fixed on the tension rod and thereby retain the rod in its highest position,
the curved form of this break arm enables the tension rod to be gradually released
after the weight has been placed upon the weigh table, thus preventing undue
shocks to the mechanism.
Having thus described the essential features of the invention 1 will now
enumerate some examples of construction of several of the parts thereof which I
have found advantageous although I do not limit myself absolutely thereto.
The weigh spindle should be provided with anti friction bearings and such may
consist of a ring of larger internal diameter than the spindle and this ring is
grooved externally and supported by, say, three anti friction wheels mounted on
fixed axis on the framework. Two rings so supported are provided and the spindle
passes through the rings and is carried thereby, or the spindle may in other cases
be carried by segmental stirrups supported upon knife edged bearings so that the
revolution of the spindle (it travelling upon the segment of the stirrup, will rock
the stirrups upon their bearings.
As before stated the weigh table is supported upon balance levers there being
interposed between the lever mechanism and the weigh table cushions of india
rubber and the table for the latter to rest upon and the supports of the knife edged
bearings of the levers also rest upon spheres in order to obtain a well balanced
bearing surface. In some cases the front of the weigh table may be supported
upon sheaves carried upon and near the fulcrum of a balance lever or frame, the
opposite end of which has a segment end to which the tension rod is fixed, inter-
mediate between the fulcrum and the opposite end of the lever is a segmental bar
standing vertically, which is connected to a similar vertical segmental end of a
second balance lever by a metallic band also carrying two sheaves near its fulcrum
to support the rear end of the weigh table. The fulcrums of the levers are swinging
fulcrums carried upon knife edged bearings. Both these levers are properly
counter balanced to support the weigh table.
In the construction I have set out in the commencement of the specification the
revolvable ratchet disc for acting upon the counting mechanism was revolved from
the weigh spindle, such a construction may however be modified by fixing upon the
weigh spindle a friction disc having, say, a rubber or roughened surface and so
mounting the counting disc that it may be given a lateral motion so as to be
brought in contact with the friction disc by a spring and thus turned through the

page_text: same angles as the index finger. In order that the counting disc shall not receive
a reverse motion when the weight is taken off the scale and the index finger is
turned to zero, I provide a lever acting upon the bass of the counting disc whereby
the latter may be disengaged from the friction disc during such return motion.
This lever may be extended to near the axis of the brake or tension bar retaining
handle upon the axis of which a cam is fixed to so act upon the lever as to produce
the required action at proper times.
T1 1005
FREDERIC PRINCE,
Agent for Applicaut.
Improvements in and connected with Weigning Machines.
I, DARIO BACAS Y MONTERO of Madrid, in the Kingdom of Spain, Naval
Architect, 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in and connected with weighing machines
and especially refers to devices whereby any article or substance placed on the
scale or platform is automatically weighed and the weight thereof indicated,
without the employment of springs or toothed gearing, while the index graduation
is uniform, that is to say, the angles passed through by the revolving index finger,
on the graduated circle of a dial, are proportional to the corresponding weights of
the objects being weighed and means are provided whereby the respective weights
of several separate, and consecutive weighing operations, are or may be mechanically
added and the total exhibited, all as hereafter described.
I will now describe my invention applied, by way of example, to a standard
platform weighing machine, having reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, is a front sectional elevation of such a machine.
Fig. 2, Sheet 1, is a transverse section of the same machine.
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5¹, and 5³, Sheet 2, are detailed views drawn to an enlarged
scale of parts of the weighing and counting apparatus.
Fig. 6, Sheet 2, and Figs. 1, and 2, Sheet 3, are respectively cross section,
sectional side elevation, and sectional plan, of the levers supporting the weighing
table.
Weighing mechanism according to my invention, broadly consists of a weigh
table or equivalent, upon which the article to be weighed is placed, and the
depression of this table acts through a rod, or band, extending upwards, wound
round and fixed to, a horizontal weigh spindle, which is revolved by a downward
pull of the band, the spindle being fitted with certain balancing and indicating
mechanism when applied to platform weighing machines as hereafter described.
The weigh table is supported upon a system of levers, connected one with another
by flexible metallic bands, the latter connecting segmental parts of the said levers,
all as hereafter described.
Referring to Sheet 1; the dotted line A, A₁, Fig. 2. indicates the horizontal
axis of the weigh spindle 1, supported and free to turn on certain supports 10,
hereafter described. The weigh spindle 1, has fixed upon it about centrally, a
band wheel 2, upon the periphery of which is fixed one extremity of a flexible
metallic band 5, capable of being wound thereon: the band 5, extends downwards
and is fixed by its lower parts or connections to a rod 12, to the lower extremity of
which is fixed a metallic band 15, connected to a lower rod 16, the lowermost end
of which, is, by a band 58, connected to the weighing levers.
Upon the weigh spindle 1, are fixed two parts 3, (Fig. 2) at proper distance

page_text: apart, and extending at right angles to the axis of the spin lle: these parts 3,
which are fixed on to the axis 1, and hereafter termed revolving directrices, are
each of a
shape in front elevation, as shewn at Fig. 1, Sheet 2, an enlarged side
elevation of the same also being shewn in the same fig. The outer periphery
at a, a, a, of each directrix is grooved to receive a metallic band 51, one end of
which is firmly secured to a part having the smaller radius and the exterior
grooved part a, a, as, is of a suitable curved form of a somewhat involute character,
so that as the spindle 1, is revolved by the action of the pull of the band 5, the
band 51, will be gradually distanced from the axis 1, of the system, proportional to
the gravity of the articles being weighed until a balance is obtained that is, until a
regulating or model weight carried at the lower extremity of the bands 51, will no
longer be carried up because the gravity of the particular article being weighed, is
not sufficient to further revolve the spindle. 1, the weight being weighed acting as
aforesaid to turn the spindle 1, by the band 5. It will thus be noticed that when
the metallic band 5, is unwound by the action of the weight being weighed, off
the wheel 2, the bands 51, are wound upon the directrices. 4, are counter weights,
rounted on the directrices 3, with the object of maintaining them in equilibrium.
The lower ends of the bands 51, of the directrices are attached at their lower
ends 2, and carry a weight 6, called the model weight, and this weight 6, shewn
detached in the side elevation, and in plan Fig. 2, Sheet 2, carries two crutches 7,
which loosely engage with two curved guide rods 8, Fig. 1, and 2, Sheet 1, and
thus when the spindle 1, is rotated in a positive manner by the pull of the weight
band 5, the model weight 6, is drawn up the curved guide rods 8, which retain it in
a proper position relative to the curves of the directrices.
The weight spindle 1, is formed with two coned parts B, at proper distances
apart, one of such parts marked B, being shewn in the side elevation of Figs. 3,
Sheet 2. This coned part B, of the spindle is supported by the segmental
surface b, b₁, b, of a stirrup 10, the upper part of which (Fig. 3, Sheet 2,) has a
knife edge 9, supported by a cup c c, carried in a bracket piece 11, fixed to the
frame of the machine: these stirrups 10, are placed at an angle as shewn and two
such are provided to support the spindle 1, see Fig. 2, Sheet 1, friction being
thereby diminished. At the rear end of the axis 1, is fixed a grooved pulley 21,
Fig. 2, Sheet 1, and Fig. 1, Sheet 2, this grooved pulley 21, has an attached
flexible band 52, carrying a weight p, acting to turn the pulley 21, and consequently
the weight spindle 1, in a direction opposite to that of the weight band 5, serving
the purpose of bringing the spindle 1, always into a proper position for the
commencement of a weighing operation.
The rod 12, forming a lower continuation of the weight baud 5, passes loosely
through a fork or ring ended bracket 14, fixed to the framework, and at a proper
distance below the bracket 14, the rod 12, bas fixed thereon a disc collar 13, these
parts being shewn detached by elevation and plan at Figs. 4. When the spindle 1,
which carries an indicating needle 42, is in its zero position on a graduated dial,
the disc 13, on the rod 12, is in contact with the bracket 14, and the said spindle 1,
and its parts are at rest and will not receive any further or accidental motion in a
negative direction.
To the lower end of the rod 12, is fixed a flexible metallic band 15, hereatter
referred to and this again at its lower end is attached to a rod 16. To the lower
end of the rod 16, is fixed one end of a metallic band 58, the lower end of which is
fixed to the lowermost part of a segmental piece 57, located in the same vertical
plane as the band 58, and forming a part of the weighing levers hereafter
described.
Means are provided whereby the weigh band 5, and connections may be retained
in its highest position and the index finger at zero in order to allow of goods being
placed on the weigh table without disturbing or causing vibration of the indicating
mechanism.
With this object I provide upon the rod 16, forming part of the weigh band
connections, a fixed projection or cross piece 17, carrying two lateral sheaves 18

page_text: and upon an axle 20, carried in bearings 21, on the front of the machine, I fix two
curved arms 19, in the same plane as the sheaves and I provide the shaft 20, with
an exterior operating handle 22, guided in a segment 70. When the two curved
arms 19, act upon the sheaves 18, the latter are thereby supported and can be
raised and retained in their highest position resting upon the curved arms 19,
while the disc 13, touches the bracket piece 14, during the operation of placing
goods upon the weighing table and obviating premature action of the indicating
and weighing mechanism. The arting curves of the arms 19, are made of the form
indicated Fig. 2, Sheet 1, by the letters e, e₁, e, with the object that they shall act
gradually and in a direction opposed to the traction of the weigh connections 16, 58,
while this curved form also enables the weigh connections to be gradually released
in an even manner and without shocks to the mechanism.
It has been before mentioned that the weigh spindle 1, is provided with an index
finger 42, fixed thereon, which by the revolution of spindle 1, is caused to indicate
the weight upon a fixed dial, the graduations upon which are uniform, the angles
through which this index finger passes being proportional to the corresponding
weights of the objects being weighed, but in order to ascertain at a glance the
sum of several weighings of the articles or substances that have been weighed on
the machine, I provide the following mechanism.
Upon the axle 20, of the curved arm 19, is keyed a cam 23, to act upon the lower
end of a lever 26, fixed at its upper end to a rock shaft 24. carried in bearings on
the framework at the back of the dial, and the lever 26, held to the cam 23, by a
spring 27. Upon the rock shaft 24, there are two arms 28, which act against
rollers 28, carried by trigger pieces 29, shewn detached at Fig. 5, in side sectional
elevation and in inverted plan at Fig. 5. These trigger pieces 29, rock upon
axles 30, in box brackets 31, in one upward direction against the action of
springs 33, their motion in a downward direction being limited by stop pieces 32.
These box brackets 31, are fixed to a flanged disc 33¹, which may be caused to
slide horizontally.
This flanged disc and its adjacent parts are shewn detached at Figs. 5, in front
elevation and in sectional side elevation. Referring to these figs. it will be seen
that the flange of the disc 33₁, is formed with teeth 34, which take into grooves r,
in a guide piece 35, fixed to the framework of the machine 36, and through the
centre of this guide piece passes freely the weigh spindle 1; in this manner the
flange disc 331, is prevented from rotating but can be slidden horizontally.
The interior edge of the disc 331, is received within a groove formed in the nave
of a wheel 37, being held in position by a ring 38, fixed thereon. The wheel 37, is
capable of revolving around a sleeve G, projecting from the guide piece 35, and its
position laterally is governed in one direction by pressure of the arms 28, upon the
trigger pieces 281. and in the other direction it is forced forwards by a spring 39.
The front face I, of the wheel 37, is roughened and by the spring 39, can be
brought into contact with a wheel 40, keyed on the weigh spindle 1, and provided
with an india rubber face 41, adjacent to the roughened face I, so that when the
wheel 37, is in contact with the wheel 40, both will rotate with the weigh spindle.
The wheel 37, carries an index finger 421, adjacent to the fixed graduated scale
of the dial and the said wheel 37, is formed with teeth (five in the example shewn)
in front elevation Fig. 5. Sheet 2, and these teeth, when the wheel 37 is in its
forward position, (in contact with the wheel 40, in order to turn with the weigh
shaft 1,) gear with a counting apparatus of any ordinary or approved construction;
that shewn in Fig. 1, Sheet 1, being composed of three decimal multiplying
wheels 43, 44, and 45. By this arrangement of mechanism when the goods to be
weighed are placed upon the machine, the handle 22, of the curved retaining
arms 19, in its raised position the drawing shews it in its middle position, the
handle 22, is then lowered to a sufficient extent to allow the weighing mechanism
to act, the cam 23, thereby allows the lever 26, to be rocked forwards by its
spring 27, the arms 28, thereby forced back and the wheel 37, of the counting
apparatus thrown out of engagement with the wheel 40, as shewn at Fig. 5,

page_text: Sheet 2, and the revolution of the weigh spindle 1, indicates the weight on the
dial by the index 42, while the index finger 42₁, of the adding mechanism remains
stationary.
When the needle 42 of the weigh spindle 1, becomes stationary it indicates the
weight of the object at the time being on the scale. The handle 22, which during
the weighing has been retained in position by a suitable pin or bolt, not shewn in
the drawings, is then released and its rotation continued in a downward direction
allowing of a further motion of the lever 26, by its spring 27, and a corresponding
motion backwards at the arms 28, which are in contact with the rollers 281, Fig. 5¹,
Sheet 2, of the triggers 29. By this further motion of the arms 28, and the partial
rotation of the triggers 29, the said arms 28, spring below and become disengaged
from the latter and the disc 37, Fig. 5, Sheet 2, is carried by its spring into
contact with the wheel 41, on the weigh spindle 1.
The handle 22, is then again raised the goods being still on the platform and the
motion of the weigh spindle will be reversed until the needle 42, once more points
to zero on its graduated scale, while the needle 421, will be rotated an equal angular
distance, and the wheel 37, also rotating, will act upon the adding or counting
mechanism and register on the dials the amount that has been weighed, while upon
the handle 22, reaching its highest or normal position, the arms 28, will again pass
below the triggers 281, and the parts will again be in their initial position. The
merchandise having been weighed is then removed and the successive weighings
are performed in the same manner as before. After each of these weighings
another action of the wheel 37, taking place always in the same direction, and thus
adding the consecutive weighings, their sum being indicated on the dials 43, 44,
and 45. Should it be required to work the apparatus without the accumulating or
adding mechanism the lever 26, is held out of action by the thumb screw 61,
working through the frame 62.
As before stated when a platform weigh table is employed as shewn at Fig. 6,
Sheet 2, and Figs. 1 and 2, Sheet 3, and marked 47, the latter table is supported
upon balance levers the special arrangement of which I will now describe.
The table 47, upon which the articles to be weighed are placed is provided on its
under surface with supports 46, the lower bifurcated forked ends of which rest
upon friction rollers 48, carried upon horizontal axles 49.
These sectors 51, are
The friction wheels 48, carrying the supports 46, situated on the right hand side
at Figs. 1, and 2, Sheet 3, are supported by flexible metallic bands 50, secured to
the axle 49 by their lower ends, while their upper ends pass over sectors 51, the
top ends of the bands being fixed to the top of the sectors.
carried by a lever fiame 51*, swinging on knife edged links 52, carried by
brackets 52*, Fig. 1, Sheet 3, from the fixed framework of the machine. The
before mentioned sectors 51, are struck with a radius on the line J, J 1, while
the end of the lever frame 51*, farthest from the fulcrum 52, is formed with a
sector head 56, (Fig. 1, Sheet 3,) also struck with a radius from the centre
line J, J 1.
The sector head 56, of the lever frame 51*, is connected by a flexible metallic
band 54, Fig. 1, Sheet 3, to an adjacent sector head 55, carried by a lever
frame 55*, fulcrumed in swinging knife edged bearings 521, located on the centre
line J, J. This lever frame 55*, carries segments 511, for supporting by metallic
bands the axis of the friction rollers 48, which bear the left hand supports 46, of
the table, the right hand extended end of the lever frame 55*, is provided with a
sector head 57, as shewn, to which is fixed the weigh band 58, before mentioned
and which through its connections actuates the weigh spindle 1.
The segments 57, 55, and 511, 51₁, are all struck with a radius taken from the
centre line J, J. Fig. 2, Sheet 3, and both of the lever frames 51%, and 55*, are
or may be counter balanced by weights suitably placed. It will thus be seen that
when goods to be weighed are placed upon the weighing table 47, the lever
frame 55*, and 51*, will rock downwards on their swinging fulcrums 52 and 52,,
and the weigh band 58, will have a tendency to be drawn downwards and thereby

page_text: actuate the weigh spindle 1, all in the manner as has been previously fully
explained.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim as my improvements in and connected with weighing machines to be as
follows:
1. The weigh spindle 1, a pulley 2 on the weigh spindle, and flexible and other
connections from the pulley to the scale or platform on which the goods to be
weighed are placed, hearings for the spindle 1, and an index finger in connection
with the said spindle, in combination with the revolving directrices 3, bands from
the directrices to a model weight 6, and curved guides 8, for directing the model
weight, arranged and acting substantially as described.
2. The combination with the parts and mechanism claimed by Claim 1, of the
means whereby the respective weights of several separate weighing operations, are
mechanically added, and the total exhibited, substantially as described.
3. The combination with the weighing mechanism, as previously claimed, of the
curved arms 19, constructed and acting substantially as and for the purposes
described.
4. The combination with the mechanism claimed by Claims 1 and 3, of the
platform 47, the particular arrangement and construction of the supports and
connections of the levers beneath the platform, including the means for carrying
the friction rollers 48, the segments and flexible band connections of the weighing
levers, and the connection of the latter with the weigh spindle 1, substantially as
described.
5. The general arrangement and construction of parts composing my direct and
automatically acting weighing machine, and including the rotating directrices 3,
guides 8 of the model weight, and the controlling arms 19, of the forms shewn, all
constructed and acting, as and for the purposes described and illustrated, with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 30th day of April 1896.
FREDERIC PRINCE,
37 Cursitor Street, London, E.C., Agent for Applicant.