A MACHINE FOR MEASURING THE AREA OF SKINS AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES, AND ALSO FOR WEIGHING THE SAME
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan-Brown, of the Firm of Brandon and
Morgan-Brown, Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
London, and 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris, for the Invention of "A MACHINE FOR
MEASURING THE AREA OF SKINS AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES, AND ALSO
FOR WEIGHING THE SAME." A communication from abroad by David T.
Winter, of Peabody, in the State of Massachusetts, one of the United States
of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Morgan-Brown at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd October 1878.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue Laffitte,
Paris. A MACHINE FOR MEASURING THE AREA OF SKINS AND OTHER SIMILAR
ARTICLES, AND ALSO FOR WEIGHING THE SAME." [A communication from abroad
by David T. Winter, of Peabody, in the State of Massachusetts, one of the United
States of America.]
The object of this Invention is to furnish an improved and practically successful
machine whereby the superficial or surface measurement of skins and other similar
articles having irregular edges may be speedily ascertained and without needing to
make any hand measurements or any nice arithmetical or geometrical calculations,
and requiring no peculiar skill or mathematical knowledge in using it, and one also
which will give a quicker and more accurate measurement than is usually obtained
of such articles whether attempted by hand or by mechanism, more especially when
there are holes in the body of the same, as is often the case with skins; and which
is also adapted for readily weighing and indicating the weight of skins singly or
by the dozen or otherwise.
The frame of the machine supports a table having a series of holes arranged as
close to each other as possible consistent with preserving the integrity of the table

page_text: and in straight parallel lines and at equal distances from each other. There is
exactly over it an upper table having a corresponding number of smaller holes
_correspondingly arranged. In a full sized machine, supposing the tables to have
each an area of say twenty (20) square feet, I make about two-hundred-and-fifty-six
(256) holes for each square foot, or sixty-four (64) for each one-fourth (1/4) foot
square, making altogether five thousand one hundred and twenty (5,120) holes in
each-of-the-tables-the-smaller boles of-the-upper table being severally directly over
the centres of the larger holes in the under table. In practice an eight (%) of au
inch in diameter is a-good size for the upper-holes, and a half (2) inch diameter
for the under ones, and the distance between the centres of the holes is about three
quarters (34) of an inch. In each of the holes of the upper table I hang a long pin
suspended only by its head or flange, the-shank-of-the-pin-being-enough smaller
than the hole to permit it to be moved up and down freely therein without effort
or friction, the head of course serving to prevent its dropping through. The pins
are all of uniform length and weight and preferably of uniform size, and in practice
I find the machine to work satisfactorily by making them one hundred and twenty-
eight (128) to the pound and two pounds to the square foot, thus employing two
hundred and fifty-six (256) pins to the square foot, and I find three (3) inches a
satisfactory length. The pins may be somewhat pointed or reduced at their tip, if
desired to ensure their entering the larger holes with unerring certainty but prac-
tically have not found this needed, and the holes in the lower table are preferably
countersunk for the same pupose. The holes of the lower table being thus so much
larger than the pins, the pins are permitted to drop freely through them without
any objectionable contact with or obstruction from such table when the latter is
lifted above the plane or level to which their lower ends reach. The lower table is
supported on two (or more) sets of compound levers or lazy tongs, and which may
be provided with grooved friction rollers running on guideways or tracks on the
under side of the table, and the table is lifted when desired by means of a treadle
or lever, it is also preferably provided with friction guide rollers running on vertical
guides on the frame and which devices assist in steadying the table in its move-
ments up and down.
The lower arms or members of the lazy tongs are supported by and turn on a
horizontal bar or shaft extending across the framework, and the ends of this shaft
are supported in sliding blocks which are free to be moved up and down in vertical
guideways; a bar serves as the connection between the centre of the shaft and the
treadle or foot lever, and the pressing down of this treadle thus pulls down the
shaft and the arms of the compound levers or lazy tongs and lifts the table by
elevating and drawing towards each other the upper members of said levers,
which are centred on a fixed bar or shaft extending across the frame.
The shafts lend their aid in giving a true vertical movement to the lower table.
The pendant upper table is hung on four levers, each of which at its inner end is
fulcrumed on a horizontal rod supported by a plate or pendant from a lever which is
centred on a frame or hanger, the outer ends of these four levers being respectively
hung at fixed.points on the hanger, or on. the frame, or on both. This mode of
hanging ensures a horizontal and truc position to the table, whether all, or part, or
any part of the pins be lifted, thus avoiding any tipping of such table by reason of
more pins being lifted at one side or portion than at another. The rear end of the
lever is connected to a rod having at its lower end a pin which operates a vibrating
indicator or pointer, for which is provided a graduated scale.
graduated in both directions from its zero point, the scale in one direction, i.e.,
upwards, from or at one side of zero indicating in a full sized working machine the
area or measurement of a skin, etc., in square feet or in multiples or divisions thercof
to the smallest fraction; and the scale in the other direction or below the zero point
indicating the weight of skins in pounds or fractions of pounds when the apparatus
is used for weighing. The same pointer thus answers for both scales; one of
these scales may be indicated on an arc of a circle of a greater circumference than
the other, and if desired, either or especially the one indicating size may extend
This scale is

page_text: around the greater part of a circle, but usually the indicator for measure would
travel about twice as far for one foot of measurement as it would for one pound of
weight, because two pounds in weight of pins represent, as before-mentioned, a
square foot of superficial measure.
For weighing, the same apparatus is applicable under this mode of construction.
When any number of skins have been measured, each of course singly, one after
the other, they may be taken by the dozen (or in any number) and laid like a
bundle on the upper table and between the hangers, which in a full size working
machine afford ample space for this purpose both at their sides and between them,
and instantly their weight carried down this table and its pins, thus causing the
index or pointer to move to the other side of the zero point of the scale, and this
weight-indicating scale is graduated for pounds and divisions and sub-divisions of
pounds.
Beneath the treadle may be placed any pin or other obstacle to serve as a stop to
its downward motion for the purpose of limiting the rising of the under table, as it
need only be raised enough to ensure the lifting from the upper table of the pins
actuated by the skin.
The practical effect of this stop it will now be seen is three-fold, viz., first, it
prevents the lower table being lifted needlessly high after the pins on which the
skins act have been raised sufficiently to indicate the size of the skin; secondly, it
avoids any risk of the highest points of a crumpled skin being raised enough to
come in contact with the under side of the table, and thus raise it unduly and
compel thereby an incorrect measurement; and thirdly, it saves any useless waste
of power and time on the part of the operator, which is very important in a machine
of this character having so many weights to be lifted, and to relieve which in part,
a counterpoise is introduced.
The machine being in the position as to its working parts the skin to be measured
is placed upon the lower table, and the latter lifted by pressing the foot upon the
treadle, the skin will lift all such pins as rest upon it and no others, hence the
upper table is consequently relieved of the weight of all such lifted pins, and which
weight is then sustained by the lower table, the power of the spring now comes
actively into play and draws down the pointer on the scale a distance precisely
proportionate to the weight of the lifted pins, the area of the skin, whatever may
be its shape or irregularities, determining the number of pins so lifted (say two
hundred and fifty-six) (256) to the squar foot of skin), and the weight of such lifted
pins determining the distance that the pointer moves and which is at once visible
on the scale. The whole action is thus prompt and simple, the result reliable, and
no calculations or reckoning needed.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Morgan-Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
April. 1879.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engi-
neers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue
Laffitte, Paris. "A MACHINE FOR MEASURING THE AREA OF-SKINS-AND-OTHER-
SIMILAR ARTICLES, AND ALSO FOR WEIGHING THE SAME." A communication from
abroad by David T. Winter, of Peabody, in the State of Massachusetts, one of the
United States of America.
The object of this Invention is to furnish an-improved-and-practically-successful
machine, whereby the superficial or surface measurement of skins and other similar
articles having irregular edges may be speedily ascertained, and without needing
to make any hand measurements, or any nice arithmetical or geometrical
calculations, and requiring no peculiar skill or mathematical knowledge in using
it; and one also which will give a quicker and more accurate measurement than is
usually obtained of such articles, whether attempted by hand or by mechanism,
more especially when there are holes in the body of the same, as is often the case
with skins; and which is also adapted for readily weighing and indicating the
weight of skins singly or by the dozen, or otherwise.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine illustrating my Invention; Figure 2,
a side elevation of table and parts beneath it; Figure 3, a cross section in part, the
pins and their holes being somewhat larger; Figure 4 shows the position of the
parts when the table is raised; Figures 5 and 6, modifications of the measuring
scale; Figure 7, a diagram illustrating the action of the surface of the skin upon
the pins; Figure 8, a plan of the curved or circular dial plate; Figure 8ª, an
enlarged view of same; Figure 9, a modified means for hanging the scale lever; and
Figure 10, a pin detached.
A is the frame of the machine; B, an under table having a series of similar
holes C arranged as close to each other as possible, consistent with preserving the
integrity of the table, and in straight parallel lines and at equal distances from cach
other; and D, an upper table having a corresponding number of smaller holes c
correspondingly arranged. In a full sized machine supposing the tables to have
each an area of, say, twenty (20) square feet, I make about two hundred and fifty-
six (256) holes for each square foot, or sixty-four (64) for each one-fourth (1/4)
foot square, making altogether five thousand one hundred and twenty (5120)
holes in each of the tables, the smaller holes of the upper table being severally
directly over the centres of the larger holes in the under table. I find in practice
that an eighth (1/8) of an inch in diameter is a good size for the upper holes, and a
half (2) inch diameter for the under ones; and the distance between the centres
of the holes is about three-quarters ($/) of an inch. In each of the holes of the
upper table I hang a long pin F suspended only by its head or flange f, the shank
of the pin being enough smaller than the hole to permit it to be moved up and down
freely therein without effort or friction, the head of course serving to prevent its
dropping through. The pins are all of uniform length and weight, and preferably
of uniform size; and in practice I find the machine to work satisfactorily by
making them one hundred and twenty-eight (128) to the pound and two pounds
to the square foot, thus employing two hundred and fifty-six (256) pins to the
square foot, and I find three (3) inches a satisfactory length. The pins may be
somewhat pointed or reduced at their tip if desired to ensure their entering the
larger holes with unerring certainty; but practically I have not found this needed,
and the holes in the lower table are preferably countersunk, as shown and for the
same purpose. The holes of the lower table being thus so much larger than the pins,
the pins are permitted to drop freely through them without any objectionable con-
tact with or obstruction from such table when the latter is lifted above the plane or
level to which their lower ends reach. The lower table is supported on two (or

page_text: more) sets of compound levers or lazy tongs G, and which may be provided with
grooved friction rollers h running on guideways or tracks ȧ on the under side of the
table; and the table is lifted when desired by means of a treadle or lever J, it is
also preferably provided with friction guide rollers ke running on vertical guides/
on the frame, and which devices assist in steadying the table in its movements up
and down.
The lower arms or members n of the lazy tongs are supported by and turn on a
horizontal bar or shaft O extending across the framework, and the ends of this
shaft are supported in sliding blocks p, p, which are free to be moved up and down
in vertical guideways q, q; a bar serves as the connection between the centre of
the shaft O and the treadle or foot lever J, and the pressing down of this treadle
thus pulls down the shaft and the arms n of the compound levers or lazy tongs and
lifts the table by elevating and drawing towards each other the upper members 8, 3,
of said levers, which are centred on a fixed bar or shaft t extending across the
frame.
The shafts O and t lend their aid in giving a true vertical movement to the
lower table. The pendant upper table D is hung on four levers d', d², d³, d, each
of which at its inner end is fulcrumed on a horizontal rod d supported by
a plate or pendant do from a lever M, which is centred on a frame or hanger m³,
the outer ends of these four levers being respectively hung as shown at fixed points
on the hanger m' or on the frame, or on both. This mode of hanging ensures a
horizontal and true position to the table D, whether all, or part, or any part of the
pins be lifted, thus avoiding any tipping of such table by reason of more pins being
lifted at one side or portion than at another. The rear end of the lever M is con-
nected to a rod m², having at its lower end a pin which operates a vibrating
indicator or pointer m³, for which is provided a graduated scale, as shown in
Figure 8. This scale is graduated in both directions from its zero point, the scale
in one direction, i. e., upwards from or at one side of zero, indicating in a full-sized
working machine the area or measurement of a skin, etc., in square feet, or in
multiples or divisions thereof to the smaller fraction, and the scale in the other
direction or below the zero point indicating the weight of skins in pounds or
fraction of pounds when the apparatus is used for weighing. The same pointer
thus answers for both scales; one of these scales may be indicated on an arc of a
circle of greater circumference than the other, and if desired either, or especially the
one indicating size, may extend around the greater part of a circle; but usually the
indicator for ineasure would travel about twice as far for one foot of measurement
as it would for one pound of weight because two pounds in weight of pins represent,
as before mentioned, a square foot of superficial ineasure. The rod m is connected
to a coiled spring mo, tending not only to pull down the rear arın of lever M, and
thus to hold the upper table and its pins sufficiently above the lower table (say two
feet) to leave ample room for the introduction of the skin in placing it on the lower
table, but also at the same time leaving the index pointer at the zero point.
The levers d, d², d³, d, should each be notched for a short distance on its upper
edge (as shown) to permit the links or hooks which support the upper table to be
adjusted and held to the proper positions to give the table its proper horizontal
position and to allow for any needed shifting of such links or hooks to adjust the
table in case this position should be disturbed by accident or carelessness; under
ordinary circumstances however, when properly hung in the beginning, the table
will need no further adjustment.
The upper members 8 of the lazy tongs project beyond their fulcrum or axis and
are weighted as shown at s², so as to afford a counterpoise or balance to its opposite
or roller end sufficient to relieve the operator to a great extent in lifting the lower
table; the effect of this counterpoise in practice is that notwithstanding the size
of the working machine and the weight of the devices to be lifted, yet the whole is
operated with great facility and quickness and may be managed by boys or
children, at the same time that the weight or measure may be accurately ascertained
and noted by any person of ordinary capacity and as rapidly as the skins can be

page_text: put on and removed from the table, so that thousands of skins can be measured or
weighted in a day on a single machine.
For weighing, the same apparatus is applicable under this mode of construction.
When any number of skins have been measured, each of course singly, one after the
_other, they may be taken by the dozen (or in any number) and laid like a bundle
on the upper table D and between the hangers m¹, which in a full-sized working
machine afford ample space for this purpose both at their sides and between them,
and instantly-their-weight-carries-down-this-table-and-its-pins, thus causing the
index or pointer to move to the other side of the zero point of the scale, and this
weight-indicating scale is graduated for pounds and divisions and subdivisions of
pounds.
Beneath the treadle may be placed any pin or other obstacle y to serve as a stop
to its downward motion for the purpose of limiting the rising of the under table,
as it need only be raised enough to ensure the lifting from the upper table of the
pins actuated by the skin.
The practical effect of this stop it will now be seen is three fold, viz. :--First, it
prevents the lower table being lifted needlessly high after the pins on which the
skin acts have been raised sufficiently to indicate the size of the skin; secondly, it
avoids any risk of the highest points of a crumpled skin being raised enough to
come in contact with the under side of the table, and thus raise it unduly and
compel thereby an incorrect measurement; and thirdly, it saves any useless waste
of power and time on the part of the operator, which is very important in a
machine of this character, having so many weights to be lifted, and to relieve
which in part I have introduced the counterpoise weights herein-before
mentioned.
In Figure 9 the scale lever M is shown as balanced on a pendant z hung from
the hanger m¹; this pendant having a plate with a sharp or knife-like edge ¹, on
which rests a metal plate 22 secured to the under side of the lever M. The plate 22
should have a slight groove to admit the edge of the edge . In the working
machines I prefer to hang the lever in this manner, as it admits of a more accurate
movement and a nicer indication on the scale.
The machine being in the position as to its working parts, as shown in Figure 1,
and the skin to be measured placed upon the lower. table and the latter lifted by
pressing the foot upon the treadle, the skin will lift all such pins as rest upon it
and no others, hence the upper table is consequently relieved of the weight of all
such lifted pins, and which weight is then sustained by the lower table, the power
of the spring m³ now comes actively into play and draws down the pointer on the
scale a distance precisely proportionate to the weight of the lifted pins, the area of
the skin, whatever may be its shape or irregularities, determining the number of
pins so lifted (say two hundred and fifty-six) (256) to the square foot of skin), and
the weight of such lifted pins determining the distance that the pointer moves and
which is at once visible on the scale. The whole action is thus prompt and simple,
the result reliable, and no calculations or reckoning needed.
It will also be observed that the operator not only avoids the time, trouble, and
ordinary errors of calculations, but that the measurements are not likely to be
incorrect and fluctuating, as is the case in the usual mode of measurement because
of the variable states of physical or mental weariness or nervousness, and that this
Invention will to a great degree do away with the disputes that are constantly
arising between the manufacturer and purchasers owing to alleged erroneous
measurements.
The holes and pins in the machine as before stated should be placed as near
together as practicable, and this is of vital importance as it leaves the least possible
portion of the area of the skin untouched by the pins, and consequently all the
variation from absolute geometric measurement of such area must therefore be
found in small portions only of the outside edges or of the edges of the holes, and
as these variations would be sometimes slightly over and sometimes slightly less
they practically equalize each other. The pins are preferably made long, say about

page_text: three (3) inches, to ensure a lifting of the skin of all the pins within the space of
its area, frequently skins will be a little stiff and uneven, and more or less wavy on
the surface; if the pins were quite short those only would be acted upon which
could come into contact with the higher parts of the skin, and the measurement
indicated in such cases must be very erroneous, but by making them of a length
such as to meet the extremest elevations or undulations of a crumpled skin, so that
all the pins above the skin shall be lifted when the table is raised no pin will fail
to do its duty.
This length of pin has another advantage, that is, it may be materially reduced
in its diameter and be made very much lighter and yet have sufficient weight, and
this reduction in diameter permits them to be placed all the more closely together;
the closer they are the closer the measurements, and the closer they are the more
will they tend to level the uneven skin and thereby make the measurement more
exact, both throughout the surface and also at the edges.
It will now be evident that the lower table may be elevated by other mechanism
than the compound levers or lazy tongs, so long as it be arranged to rise up and
down in or on appropriate steadying guides. In a full-sized machine there are
about two feet clear space between the bottoms of the pins and the top of the lower
table, thus giving ample room for the workman to introduce and remove quickly
the articles to be measured, and the skins can be measured or weighed and removed
as fast as a workman can put them in and out.
In the modifications shown in Figures 5 and 6 the vibrating pointer is omitted,
and the rod m² at its lower end forms a pointer, a straight scale being provided for
it as seen in those Figures; but I prefer the vibrating pointer because of its leverage
which permits its outer tip to describe the arc of a large circle, and thus to admit of
more minute divisions and sub-divisions of the scale.
In a full-sized machine the circular graduated scale would be central, extending
both sides of the upright me, and the height of the machine is such that the operator
readily reads the indicated measurement at a glance, looking under the lower table
just before the same is let down.
By employing a foot treadle both hands of the operator are left free for
manipulating the skins with rapidity. By sustaining the upper table on the
system of equal and equalized levers supported at both ends, perfect certainty of its
horizontal position under all its movements is ensured. By countersinking the holes
of the lower table they are efficient for the admission of the pins at closer proximity
to each other than if not so countersunk.
I am aware that perforated tables and short headed pins have been employed, the
tables having their holes at any considerable distances from each other, and the upper
table being hung from a single central point of suspension; these therefore I do not
claim. I am also aware that it has been attempted to give the skin a downward
movement against the tops of pins upheld by springs and having weights hung to
their lower ends, but which weights and springs preclude the placing of the pins in
close proximity to each other, and also add greatly to the cost and weight of the
machine; such a construction I do not claim.
Having thus fully described my Invention, what I claim as new and desire to
secure by Letters Patent is,-
First. In combination the foot treadle, a stop for limiting its downward move-
ment, and likewise the consequent upward movement of the table, the perforated
lifting table B and its guide rollers, and the adjustable upper table D, the table
being closely perforated, as and for the purposes described.
Second. The lower table B provided with guide tracks or ways i in combination
with the treadle and with the compound levers or lazy tongs 8, 8, n, n, and weights 8²,
substantially as shown and described.
Third. The suspended perforated table D in combination with its supporting
levers d', d², d³, d, suspended rod or axis d, and hangers m', substantially as shown
and described.
Fourth. The combination of the upper table D, its described-system of supporting

page_text: levers, the lever AF, registering index or pointer; and its down-pulling spring m³,
substantially as shown and described.
Fifth. In combination, the system of long thin pins placed closely together as
_described; the table B having the described system of countersunk holes, the
countersinks merging nearly or quite into each other; and the suspended table D
adjustably hung and balanced on the compound system of levers d¹, d², d³, d, as
shown and described.
Sixth. In combination-with-the-table-D-hung-and-balanced-horizontally-as-
described, and with the hangers m¹ a double scale, one for size and one for weight,
and a single indicator for both scales, and whereby without any change or adjust-
ments of the mechanism the skins after being singly measured may be weighed in
lots by the same_machine, and the weights of such lots indicated by the same
pointer or index, substantially as shown and described.
Seventh. The machine described and shown consisting of the following parts in
combination, namely, the under table B, its weighted levers, foot treadle, and stop y;
the upper suspended table D and its hangers m¹ and levers d', d², d³, d, the system
of closely placed long pins, lever M, the single registering index pointer, and the
compound scale, all substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Morgan-Brown, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-nine.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN. (L.S.)