CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN WEIGHING APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO CRANES OR OTHER ELEVATING MACHINES, WHEREBY THE WEIGHT OF GOODS MAY BE ASCERTAINED WHILE IN A STATE OF SUSPENSION
Year: 1843

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
GOODACRE, of Ullesthorpe, in the County of Leicester, Gentleman, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-sixth day of January, in the sixth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Robert Goodacre, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and autho-
rity that I, the said Robert Goodacre, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Robert Goodacre, my exors, admors, or assigns, should
at any time 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 England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-
Tweed, and in the Islands of Gersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and
also in all Her said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN WEIGHING APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO CRANES OR OTHER
ELEVATING MACHINES, WHEREBY THE WEIGHT OF GOODS MAY BE ASCERTAINED WHILE
IN A STATE OF SUSPENSION;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a
proviso that I, the said Robert Goodacre, shall cause a particular description
of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within
six calendar mouths next and immediately after the date of the said in part
recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had,
will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Robert Goodacre, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon
(that is to say)-
My Invention relates to certain arrangements of apparatus, combined with
cranes and other elevating machines, whereby the weight of goods may be
ascertained when suspended from such cranes or other elevating machines; and
I would here state, that in the Specification of my former Patent, bearing date
at Westminster, the Twenty-second day of March, One thousand eight hundred
and forty-one, I did describe the Invention to consist in combining weighing
machinery with cranes or other elevating machines, in order to weigh the goods
raised or lowered by such machinery, when suspended from a crane or other
elevating machinery. And my present Invention has for its object the improve-
ments of the machinery, combined with cranes or other elevating machines
therein described. And, in order that these improvements may be fully under-
stood, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed, in the various
figures of which the same letters of reference are used to indicate similar parts
wherever they occur.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 represents so much of a crane as will enable me to describe the
apparatus combined therewith for weighing the goods raised or lowered
thereby. a is a lever, moving on centers 6, resting in cups c, as is well
understood in constructing weighing machines; these cups or bearings c, are
carried by the gib of the crane; d is a grappling iron which moves on centres
at either side of the lever a, the lower part of the grappling iron consisting of
a fork, which embracing the chain, when permitted so to do, by the weight at
the end of the cord d being raised, will sustain the weight of the goods sus-
pended to the chain e, and bring such weight to act on the lever a, the chain e
being lowered a short distance, so as to allow the weight to be borne by the
grappling iron; fis a lever having an adjusting weight f¹, such lever f moving
on centres supported by cups on either side, as is shown at g. The lever f is
connected with the lever a by means of the connecting rod h, as is shown, the
connecting rod being forked at either end, so as to be on either side of the
levers a and f; by this arrangement of parts the lever a and parts connected
therewith are kept in a state of balance, and the weight of any goods sus-
pended to the chain e is ascertained by means of weights placed in the scale
pan i, suspended by the rod j to the lever a, the weights being proportioned to

page_text: the leverage of the lever a on the left-hand side of the fulcrum, in respect to the
length beyond the fulcrum towards the right hand, as is well understood; or if
split weights be used the scale pan may be dispensed with, the weights placed
on the rod j, which should be provided with a stop at its lower end to receive
the lower weight placed thereon. I would remark, that the construction of
crane used may differ from the one in outline shown at Figure 1, and such is
the case in each of the instances hereafter given, my Invention not relating to
the construction of cranes, but to the means of combining apparatus therewith
for weighing the goods raised or lowered thereby.
I will now describe the second part of my Invention, which is shown at
Figure 2: e is the chain by which the goods are raised and lowered by the
crane; a is the lever to which the grappling iron d is connected, which is
similar to that before described. And I would here state that the instrument
for taking and holding the chain e in order to suspend the goods to the lever a
may be varied; a is the lever moving on centres in cups c; this lever is similar
to that described in the Specification of my former Patent; k is a connecting
rod which connects the lever a with the lever 1, which lover is also similar to
that described in my former Specification, the centres at being in action
when weighing the heavier weights, and the centres in cups at * being for
weighing goods which may be raised of a light weight compared with the lever
a, and parts connected therewith, all which is similar to that before described
in my former Specification; and the only novelty in the arrangement shown in
this Figure is the application of the lever m, which carries cups m' at the right
hand, and to receive the centres at either side of the right hand end of the
lever a, by which arrangement one grappling iron d only is required, both for
heavy and light bodies, and consequently the grappling iron may be suspended
directly over the raising chain e; n is a rod attached to the lever m, and has a
series of holes at its lower end, by which it is fixed to a suitable stud, when
the lever m is drawn down in order to bring the cup m¹ to receive and support
the centres me of the lever a.
I will now describe the third part of my Invention, which is shewn at
Figure 3. a is the lever with which the chain e of the crane is brought in
connection by means of the grappling iron d, as shewn, or by other suitable
apparatus, the centres of the lever a and cups which support them being near
the end of the lever a, thus changing the order of lever used; in other respects
the lever a is substantially the same as that described in my former Patent; o
is a connecting link which connects the lever a with the lever p, the centres of
which move in cups as is shewn; q is a connecting rod which connects the
P with the lever r, which has its centres at 1, as is shown; thus, lever r
lever

page_text: has two scales with sliding weights, the one for indicating lbs., and the other
cwts.; and the rod s is to suspend weights on, in order to extend the power of
the machine, as is well understood in constructing weighing machines; t is an
adjusting weight in order to counterbalance the varying lengths of raising
chain which may be suspending below the grappling iron d.
I will now describe the fourth part of my Invention, which is shown at
Figure 4.
a is a lever moving on centres in cups similar to that before
described, having a grappling iron to connect it when desired with the chain
e; the lever a is connected with the lever t, which moves on centres in cups at
t', as is shewn, to which is suspended a scale pan by the rod v, into which
weights are placed, which in this case will be imperial weights. The levers a
and are counterbalanced by means of the lever u, as is shown, it having an
adjusting weight u', to bring the parts into a state of equilibrium previous to
weighing, as above described; and u is a scale pan to be used in case the lever
u be used for ascertaining the weight of goods suspended to the chain c, in
place of the scale pan and weights put therein, and ³, u, are sliding weights
for ascertaining the intermediate weights, as is well understood in the
manufacture of weighing machines.
I will now describe the fifth part of my Invention, which is shewn at Figure
5. a is the lever with the necessary grappling iron to hold it connection with
the chaine when desired; w is a connecting rod which connects the lever a
with the levers & and y, the lever a being for counterbalancing the lever a and
parts connected therewith, such lever moving on centres as shewn and
suspended from the gib of the crane, as is clearly shewn in the Drawing; the
lever y being for the purpose of ascertaining the weight of bodies suspended by
the raising chain.
I will now describe the sixth part of my Invention, which is shewn at Figure
6. This part of my Invention has for its object the ascertaining the weight of
goods suspended to the chain e of a crane in different rooms in the same
buildings; a is the lever which moves on the centres at its further end as shown,
The lever a is
there being a suitable grappling iron attached thereto.
connected to the lever by means of a coupling swivel, which allows of
inovement with the crane; A is a connecting rod which has slots in it, and
cups or bearings at B, C, D, E, so as readily to apply a stilyard lever F, at either
of those places; and the same being adjusted to counterbalance the lever a and
parts connected therewith, before the weight of goods is brought to act on the
lever a, the weight of the goods will readily be ascertained at either place, the
stilyard lever being only applied at the place where it is desired to ascertain the
weight of the goods.

page_text: I will now describe the seventh part of my Invention, which is shewn at
Figure 7. In this instance a lever a is used, of equal lengths on either side
of the centres or fulcrum, and the same is connected with a grappling iron to
connect one end with the chain e; and the weight of goods suspended to the
chain e is ascertained by means of weights placed in the scale-pan, as will readily
be understood on examining the Drawing now under description. I would
here remark, that I have not thought it necessary to enter into any description
of the cranes or machines shewn for elevating weights, and have only shewn so
much of a crane as will be found sufficient in understanding the combination
therewith of the particular arrangements of parts for ascertaining the weights;
and the construction of the cranes shewn may be varied, or the parts may be
combined with other elevating machinery, in like manner to that described
in respect to the cranes shewn; and I claim such applications of the arrange-
ments when so combined with other elevating machinery.
I will now describe the eighth part of my Invention, which is shewn at
Figure 8 and Figure 9, in each of which Figures the lever a is also used as the
jib of the crane; and in Fig. 8 the weight of goods suspended to the chain
e is ascertained by means of the scale-pan acting on the lever G, which is in
connection with the lever a, by means of the connecting rod H, as is shewn;
and in Figure 9 the weight of the goods suspended to the chain e is ascer-
tained by the stilyard lever I, which is connected to the lever a by means of
the connecting rod L, as shown.
I will now describe the ninth part of my Invention, which relates to appa-
ratus for elevating and weighing trucks or other carriages containing articles
required to be weighed. Figure 10 shews a front view, in elevation, of machi-
nery arranged according to this part of my Invention; and Figure 11 is a side
elevation thereof. J, J, are four uprights, or posts, the two front and two
back posts or uprights being connected together by beams K, as are shewn. L
is a forked lever, shown separately in plan on a smaller scale at Fig. 12; this
lever has two pairs of centres, on which it moves, and by which it is supported
in cups at M, M, such cups being suspended from the beams K, as will
readily be understood on examining the Drawing now under description from the
two pairs of centres N, N. On lever L are suspended the two beams O, O, from
the ends of which hang four chains, which at the proper time are connected to
the four corners of the platform P, on which the truck or other carriage con-
taining goods or matters to be weighed is run; this platform P has four wheels
by which it can be moved when desired; but ordinarily it will retain its position,
as shewn in the Drawing, as the blocks or beams on which the wheels of the plat-
form P rest have the grooves in which the wheels move inclined at both ends,

page_text: as is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 10. At the end of the lever L is attached
the connecting rod Q, which connects the lever L with the stilyard lever R,
as is shewn; and by the means of the weight S, the lever L and parts con-
nected therewith are put in a state of counterbalance, and the sliding weight
Twill, by the scale on the lever R, indicate the weight placed on the platform
P, and the scale-pan V is to receive weights in order to extend the range
which the apparatus will weigh, as is well understood in the construction of
weighing machines. The platform P is raised in the following manner :-U, U,
are grooved blocks or bars on which the wheels of the platform P are supported;
these blocks or bars are raised by means of the cords or chains W, W, which
passing over the pullies X, X, are made fast respectively to the drums Y, Y,
on the axes or shaft Y, Y, as will be readily traced on examining the Drawings
now under description, and motion is communicated to such shafts or axes by
means of the rope or chain Z, which is wound round the drum Z several
times, and is made fast thereto; and this rope or chain Z is moved by horse or
other power, by which motion is communicated to the axis Z to which the
drum is affixed. On the axis Z is affixed a pinion which takes into and
drives the cog wheel Z³, affixed on the axis Z', on which is affixed a bevelled cog
wheel which takes into and drives another bevelled cog wheel affixed on one of
the axes Y¹ the other axis Y' having motion communicated to it by a cord
affixed to the pullies or drums Y2, and on the uprights or posts are four ratchets
into which the catches 1, 2, 3, 4, take as the weight is elevated, and prevent it
descending till the catches are removed.
Another improvement upon the weighing apparatus described in my former
Specification, consists in using two sets of centres or fulcrums 6 to the lever a,
one finer than the other, as is shewn at Fig. 2*, by which arrangement when the
grappling iron d' is connected to the raising chain, for the purpose of weighing
light goods, the finer centres b¹ will be brought to bear upon their cups, and
thus will greater accuracy of weighing be obtained.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I would wish it to be understood that I do not claim any of
the parts separately, nor do I confine myself to the precise details shewn,
provided the peculiar character of either part of my Invention be retained, and,
in place of weights, springs may be used for ascertaining the weight of goods.
But what I claim is, first, the application of the lever f, in combination with
the lever a, together with the use of a scale-pan or rod j, to receive the weights,
as above described in respect to Fig. 1.
Secondly, I claim the application of the lever m to the weighing lever a, in
combination with a crane, as above described in respect to Fig. 2.

page_text: Thirdly, I claim the application of the lever p with the lever a, when in
combination with a crane, and combining therewith the lever r, as above
described in respect to Figure 3.
Fourthly, I claim the application of the levert and parts connected therewith
with the lever a, when combined with a crane, as described in respect to
Figure 4.
Fifthly, I claim the application of the levers x and y to a lever a, when
combined with a crane, as above described in respect to Figure 5.
Sixthly, I claim the mode of arranging apparatus in connection with a lever
a, when in combination with a crane, in order to ascertain the weight of goods
suspended to the chain e, in any one of several places, as above described in
respect to Fig. 6.
Seventhly, I claim the mode of applying the scale beam to a crane or other
chain e, for elevating weights, as described in respect to Figure 7.
Eighthly, I claim the mode of constructing cranes or machines for weighing
goods or weights elevated or lowered thereby, by making the jibs thereof part
of the weighing apparatus, as described in respect to Figures 8 and 9.
Ninthly, I claim the mode of arranging weighing apparatus, in combination
with elevating machinery, as described in respect to Figures 10, 11, and 12; and,
Tenthly, I claim the application of two sets of centres to the lever a, as
described in respect to Figure 2*.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Goodacre, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-three.
Enrolled the Twenty-sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-three.

page_text: These Figures show another description
of grappling iron consisting of a rod
with a ring at its lower end which carries
hinged catches for the purpose of supporting
the raising chain at the time of weighing
goods. The catches are moved clear of the
chain by a lever and cord and the catches
are caused to move together by cog wheels
7