Improvements in Weighing Apparatus for Attachment to Carts and other Vehicles.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 19 h Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 19th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 15th Nov., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Weighing Apparatus for Attachment to Carts and
other Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM BEILBY AVERY, of the firm of W. & T. Avery, Weighing Machine
Manufacturers of 12 Digbeth, Birmingham in the County of Warwick, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to weighing apparatus suitable for attachment to carts or
other vehicles for conveying goods of which the weight is required & it consists in
the mode of arrangement of the weighing apparatus attaching it to a suitable part of
the vehicle & in the mode of suspending the cart body containing the material to be
weighed such as coals &c. so that the weight may be suitably suspended upon knife
edges & accurately connected to the steelyard when weighing is to be done; while
at the same time the firmness of connection between the cart body and the shafts or
axle is not interfered with. The power of tipping the body of the cart also to
discharge goods such as coals is also retained without interference In carrying our
invention into effect we mount upon one of the shafts or upon a portion of the frame-
work attached to the shafts, & resting upon the cart axle, a steelyard which may be of
any usual construction. We so arrange the cast body that it can be suspended from
or supported upon a system of levers & knife edges similar to those carrying the
platform of an ordinary platform weighing machine, when it is required to weigh & a
transfer lever connects to one end of the steelyard in such manner that when a hand
lever is moved into proper position the system of levers convey the proper proportion
of the load comprised in the weight of the cart body & its contents to the end of the
steelyard & so a weighing can be effected.
In one system of carrying the cart body wo mount it upon a strong frame & attach
under it four strong projecting brackets terminating in suitable planes. We
construct the cart framework from which springs the shafts, & to which is bolted the
cart axle to carry four brackets having knife edges, & we sling from these four knife
edges two double ended levers also with knife edges & connected together by link &
knife edges at the centre. A projection from one of these lovers by suitable link
& knife edges connects to the transfer lever which acts in turn upon the steelyard.
One end of this transfer lever projects under the shaft to connect to one end of
the steelyard, if the steelyard be mounted upon the shaft, or to the front portion of the
framework connected to the shafts, if the steelyard is mounted in that position. The
other extremity passes under the body of the cart & is supported by the end of a
hand lever in such manner that when the hand lever is in one position the cart body
rests solidly upon the shaft frame & is secured thereto by suitable quadrants, pins,
bolts or latches, while in the other position which must not be attempted until the
securing pins bolts or latches are undone, the body with its contents swings freely
upon the levers & knife edges we have described, & the required proportion of its
weight is transmitted to the steelyard as detormined by the proportion in which we
arrange the relative centres of the levers.
We may use any known type of steelyard in this weighing cart but we prefer to
construct it of a self-registering type & we arrange a light & a heavy poise so that
the light poise is carried with & contained in the heavy one & is moved along a scale
marked upon it. In this manner there are no loose weights & an accurate weighing
is readily obtained. The weight is registered upon a ticket by stamping in a manner
already well known.
In order to get the steelyard fairly level notwithstanding inequality of ground upon
which the cart may be standing, we arrange an adjustable prop under a shaft or

page_text: shafts preferably of metal & provided with an adjusting screw so that the shafts may
be raised or lowered to suit the ground.
By arranging the cart body independently of the shaft or axle frame we are
enabled to freely suspend it when required as we have described & also to tip it to
discharge its contents without interference from the weighing apparatus.
When the weighing apparatus is out of use the body is securely fastened to the
frame & the knife edges & levers have no appreciable strain or wear upon them.
Dated this 18th day of December 1889.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Weighing Apparatus for Attachment to Carts and
other Vehicles.
1, WILLIAM BEILBY AVERY of the firm of W. & T. Avery, Weighing Machine
Manufacturers of 12 Digbeth Birmingham in the County of Warwick, 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:-
My invention relates to weighing apparatus suitable for attachment to carts or
other vehicles for conveying goods of which the net weight is required, and it consists
in the mode of arrangement of the weighing apparatus, attaching it to a suitable
part of the vehicle, and in the mode of suspending the cart body containing the
material to be weighed such as coals &c. so that the weight may be suitably
suspended upon knife edges, levers &c., and accurately connected to the steelyard
when weighing is to be done, while at the same time the firmness of connection
between the cart body and the shafts or axle is not interfered with when the
weighing mechanism is not in use. The power of tipping the body of the cart to
discharge goods such as coals is also retained without interference. In carrying my
invention into effect I mount upon one of the shafts or upon a portion of the
framework attached to the shafts and resting upon the cart axle, a stoolyard which
may be of any usual construction. I so arrange the cart body that it can be
susponded from or supported upon a system of levers and knife edges similar to those
carrying the platform of an ordinary platform weighing machine when it is required
to weigh, and a transfer lever connects to one end of the steelyard in such manner
that when a hand lever is moved into proper position the system of levers convey the
proper proportion of the load comprised in the weight of the cart body and its
contents to the end of the steelyard and so weighing can be effected.
In one system of carrying the cart body I mount it upon a strong frame and
attach under it four strong projecting brackets terminating in suitable bearings. 1
construct the cart framework from which springs the shafts and to which is bolted
the cart axle to carry four brackets having knife edges and I sling from these four
knife edges two double ended lovers also with knife edges and connected together by
link and knife edges at the centre. A projection from one of these levers by suitable
link and knife edges connects to the transfer lever which acts in turn upon the
steelyard. One ond of this transfer lever projects under the shaft to connect to one
end of the steelyard, if the steelyard be mounted upon the shaft; or to the front
portion of the framework connected to the shafts, if the stoelyard is mounted in that
position. The other extremity passes under the body of the cart and is supported by
the end of a hand lever in such manner that when the hand lever is in one position
the cart body rests solidly upon the shaft frame and is secured thereto by suitable
quadrants, pins, bolts or latches, while in the other position, which must not be
attempted until the securing pins bolts or latches are undone, the body with its
contents swings freely upon the levers and knife edges we have described and the
required proportion of its weight is transmitted to the steelyard as determined by the
proportions in which we arrange the relative centres of the levers.

page_text: We may use any known type of steelyard in this weighing cart but we prefer to
construct it of a self registering type and we arrange a light and a heavy poise so
that the light poise is carried with and contained in the heavy one and is moved
along a scale marked upon it. In this manner there are no loose weights and an
accurate weighing is readily obtained. The weight is registered upon a ticket by
stamping in a manner already well known.
In order to get the steelyard fairly level notwithstanding inequality of ground
upon which the cart may be standing. I arrange an adjustable prop under a shaft or
shafts preferably of metal and provided with an adjusting screw so that the shafts
may be raised or lowered to suit the ground. By arranging the cart body inde-
pendently of the shaft or axle frame I am enabled to freely suspend it when required
as I have described, and also to tip it to discharge its contents without interference
from the weighing apparatus. When the weighing apparatus is out of use the body
is securely fastened to the frame and the knife edges and levers have no appreciable
strain or wear upon them.
Referring to the four sheets of drawings accompanying.
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 illustrate one mode of applying my invention to a cart while
Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, & 12, show an application to a waggon.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a cart showing the position of the steelyard and
transfer lever.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the steelyard in which its connection to the
transfer lever is seen.
Figure 3 is a plan showing the weighing levers, together with the transfer lever, in
which plan the body of the cart is supposed to be removed.
Figure 4 is a transverse section to illustrate the action of the weighing levers and
the suspending and relieving gear.
Figure 5 is an elevation on a larger scale, of the inner end of the transfer lever
showing the mode of suspending and relieving it.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of a waggon to which my invention is applied, in which
the steelyard is shown mounted at the side, and the transfer lever together with its
connection to the steelyard, and the main lever is illustrated.
Figure 7 is a plan with the body of the waggon removed.
Figure 8 is a transverse section through the waggon showing the action of the
weighing levers together with the gear for suspending and relieving.
Figures 9 and 10 are elevations of knife edges and shackles used throughout the
machine when the knife edges are in the same plane.
•
Figure 11 is a side elevation of the waggon steelyard on a larger scale, showing
the mode of releasing the steelyard and transfer lever when the weighing mechanism
is not in use.
Figure 12 is a plan of the same part.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 illustrating the weighing cart ; in Figure 1
the cart body A is shown suspended upon the knife edges, and it accordingly
swings clear of the cart framework B; a proportion of its weight reaches the
transfer lever C, and is conveyed thence by an ordinary system of linkage and knife
edges, to the steelyard D, shown in end elevation at Figure 1, and in front
elevation on a larger scale at Figure 2. In this case I have arranged the steel-
yard to act across the front of the cart. In Figure 3 I have shown a plan of
the system of levers and gear for suspending and relieving the cart body and in
Figure 4 a transverse section. The lower part of the cart body frame has attached
to it, four strong brackets E of which two are shown in Figure 4 which brackets
carry bearings B. The bearings E' rest upon four knife edges F, F1, F2, F³, in
levers G, G, G. The lever G is double, as shown in Figure 3, and the two halves are
connected by the cross pieces G³ by riveting or otherwise. The cross pieces terminate
in the part G which carries a knife edge G to connect by shackle and bearings
with the knife edge C of the transfer lever. The transfer lever by this connec-
tion supports the lever G swinging from the knife edges H, H, and the transfer
lever is in its turn supported at the inner end by the knife edges H³, H³, shown

page_text: on a larger scale at Figure 5. The knife edge H³ is carried by a sliding piece I
suitably guided at the top and bottom, and the transfer lever is swung from it,
by a suitable shackle and bearings. The levers G' and G' are supported by the
knife edges K K' and connect to the two halves of the lever G by the knife
edges L and shackles and bearings. The knife edges H, H', and K, K', are
swung from four cranks or levers M, M', M³, M³, by shackles, and the sliding
piece I (Fig. 5) carrying the inner end of the transfer lever is attached by a
fifth crank or lever M*. The five cranks or levers are keyed or otherwise fastened
to the two shafts N, N'; the cranks M, M on the shaft N, and M², M³. M*,
on Ni
The shafts N and N₁ are carried in suitable bearings such as O, O', 0³,
which are bolted to the cart framework B, and at the ends of the shafts are keyed
toothed segments P, P'; these segments gear into bevel pinions QQ' carried on the
cross shaft R which likewise works in bearings R', R². The hand lever S serves to
actuate the shaft. A crank R³ is also carried by the shaft R in the position seen in
Figure 3. The action of the apparatus is as follows :-
manner.
0%
As shown in the transverse section Figure 4 the relieving and suspending lever S is
so placed that the cranks M, M M M M are in their upper position, and so the cart
body frame A is raised clear of the cart framework B. The weight of the cart body,
and its contents is therefore taken by the weighing apparatus I have described, and the
weight is indicated on the steelyard in front by the combined light and heavy poises
in the usual and well known manner. When the weighing is completed, the hand
lever S is again moved, and it partially rotates the cross shaft R, and so moves the
pinions and Q, which gear into the toothed segments P, P¹, and in this manner
the shafts N, N', simultaneously revolve through a portion of the circle, and lower
the levers M, M', M², M³, M. This allows the ends of the weighing levers G, G³, G²,
to fall upon adjustable screw stops with conical points as T, T (Fig. 4). The conical
points enter corresponding cavities in the levers. The weighing apparatus is thus
relieved of the weight of the cart A, and the body and body frame A is lowered on
the framework B where it is securely fastened by pins and bolts in any well known
Screw stops similar to T, T, are arranged to receive the outer ends of the
levers G, G¹, G, and supports are placed to hold the shackles passing between the
knife edges L. The lever M Figs. 3 & 5 drops the inner end of the transfer
lever on a screw stop simultaneously with the actions I have described, and at the
same time the lever R³ on the cross shaft R raises the outer end of the transfer
lever C. By the action of the various parts, one movement of the hand lever S
is caused to suspend the cart body with its contents freely on the weighing
apparatus, while the reverse movement relieves the weighing apparatus of all strain,
deposits the cart body upon the lower framework, and places the weighing levers on
stops, while allowing the various bearings and shackles to be suspended clear of their
respective knife edges. In this manner when the cart is in transit, all the knife edges
and bearings are kept out of contact with each other, and the wear which would
otherwise be occasioned by the constant rubbing of the knife edges, and bearings due
to the shaking of the cart, is entirely avoided. The various knife edges and bearings
are only allowed to be in contact when actual weighing is to be performed. The
whole apparatus is thus kept continuously in a state of efficiency, and is always capable
of accurate weighing.
The apparatus hereinbefore described may be applied with slight modifications to
vehicles other than carts; the essential features however remain the same. Figs. 6, 7,
& 8, illustrate an application of my invention to a waggon, and in theso drawings I
have used the same letters as in the case of the cart, to indicate similar parts. In the
plan Figure 7 with the waggon body A removed, the various levers and knife edges
are exactly similar to those shown in Figure 3 and comprise weighing levers,
shafts N, N', with their attached cranks M M', M³, M³, toothed segments P, P',
pinions QQ, and cross shaft R with hand lever S. In this case however the main lever
projection G* is carried out from under the waggon and the transfer lever C runs
parallel with the waggon body but outside of it. The steelyard is also placed parallel
with the waggon body outside of it, and immediately above the transfer lever. The

page_text: nife edges, bearings and shackle connections of the main lever projection & with
he transfer lever is clearly seen in Figures 6, 7 & 8. The transverse section
Figure 8 very clearly shows the arrangement of the weighing levers suspending the
waggon body, and the connection to the transfer lever and the steelyard. Figures 9
& 10 show an example of the shackle and bearings used in different parts of the
weighing apparatus. The hand lever S is used precisely as in the case of the cart,
and relieves the weighing apparatus of the load of the body, and its contents by
placing it on the waggon frame, or suspends it on the levers as required, for weighing.
The various stops to hold the levers and shackles when the weighing apparatus is
relieved, are the same as in Figure 3, so far as relates to the levers under the cart ;
but the transfer lever and the steelyard at the side of the cart, are supported when
not weighing by a different system of gear which is shown on a larger scale at
Figures 11 & 12. The hand lever S in actuating the cross shaft R. to relieve the
weighing apparatus of the load upon it, rotates also the cam U which is keyed
on the shaft R in the direction indicated by the arrow. This depresses one end
of the lever U₁ and so raises the other end to which is attached a piece U³. The
piece U on rising, first lifts the end G' of the main lever G, so that its knife
edge G is lifted clear of their bearing in the shackle, which serves to connect it
with the transfer lever C by means of the knife edge (, the shackle V is next lifted
off the knife edge C, and lastly the transfer lever C is also lifted by the piece U*
which thus holds that end of the lever and the shackle in such manner that the
knife edges are held clear of their bearings. The act of lifting the lever C also
lifts the knife edge H from its bearing. Simultaneously with this action a crank
or lever W on the shaft R raises the end W₁ of the lever Wand so depresses
the end W. The end Ws connects to the sliding piece W which is suitably
guided. This piece carries the bearings upon which the steelyard knife edges a
work, and when it is lowered the steelyard is also lowered to rest on adjustable
stops such as b while at the same time the shackle c is lifted from its knife edges
In this manner
and the end d of the transfer lever is lowered on the stop e.
the simple movement of the lever S either relieves the weighing apparatus and
supports all levers, shackles, knife edges, and bearings in such manner that there
is no contact between the knife edges, and the bearings when the apparatus is not
in action for weighing, or by the reverse movement of S the body of the cart is
supported on the weighing apparatus, and so it can be weighed.
In both waggons and carts the weighing apparatus arranged as I have indicated
allows free movement of the cart or waggon body for the usual operations of
tipping or discharging.
In Figure 1, I have shown adjustable supports at f' which by means of the screw nut g
serve to level the cart when weighing. To allow this to be performed accurately
I attach to the side of the cart a pendulum h which indicates by the point į
opposing the fixed point k the position in which the cart is quite level; a catch /
I do not level the cart however in
holds the pendulum firmly when not in use.
many cases, as I find the variation with considerable change in the inclination of
the shafts so small as to be practically unimportant.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
(1) The combination of a cart, waggon, or other vehicle with weighing apparatus
consisting of the levers, knife edges, and other parts commonly used in platform
weighing machines, together with relieving gear to enable the vehicle body to be
supported freely on the bearings and knife edges or to be placed firmly on the
framework of the vehicle in order to allow the vehicle and its contents to be
weighed when desired, substantially as, and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
(2) The combination of a cart, waggon, or other vehicle with weighing apparatus,
5 which apparatus is put in, or out of action, by shafts such as N N having cranks

page_text: or levers such as M M M² M³ suspending the weighing levers, and operated by
a lever such as S substantially as, and for the purposes herein before described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
(3) The combination of a carl, waggon, or other vehicle with weighing apparatus
which is put in or out of action by means of a cross shaft such as R with pinions such
as QQ toothed segments as P P and shafts N N' together with cranks or levers such
us M M M² M³ substantially as, and for the purposes hereinbefore described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
(4) In cart, or vehicle, weighing attachments, causing the relieving gear to bring
into action supports to hold the levers and keep the knife edges, and their bearings
out of contact with each other when the weighing apparatus is not in action, sub-
stantially as, and for the purposes herein before described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
(5) In cart or vehicle weighing attachments the combination of parts hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, with special reference to
Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, whereby a cart, or waggon body is supported freely on weighing
apparatus or firmly fixed to the cart, or waggon body whereby the lovers, steelyard
knife edges, and bearings are held and prevented from wearing by contact, when not
required for weighing.
(6) The combination of cart and weighing apparatus hereinbefore described
and illustrated with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 of the accompanying
drawings.
(7) The combination of waggon and weighing apparatus hereinbefore described and
illustrated with reference to Figs. 6, 7 & 8 of the accompanying drawings.
(8) The supporting gear shown in Figs. 11 and 12 for supporting and relieving
the transfer lover C and the steelyard D, together with their respective knife
edges, and bearings, substantially as, and for the purposes herein before described.
(9) The use of an adjustable support or supports as ƒ for levelling a cart for
weighing.
Dated this 10th J
MARKS & CLERK,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for Applicant.