CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WEIGHING MACHINES USED IN ASCERTAINING WEIGHT
Year: 1835

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CONRAD
GEORGE KUPPLER, of Nuremburg, in the Kingdom of Bavaria, and Professor
at the Polytechnical Institution, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Eleventh day of July, in the sixth year of His reign, did,
for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Conrad George Kuppler, His especial licence, full power, solo privilege and
authority, that I, the said Conrad George Kuppler, my exors, adñiors, and
assigns, or such others, as I, the said Conrad George Kuppler, 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, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WEIGHING MACHINES USED IN ASCERTAINING WEIGHT;"
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, that I, the said Conrad
George Kuppler, 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 two calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as
in and by the same, reference being thereunto bad, will more fully and at large
appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, 1, the said
Conrad George Kuppler, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described
and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon (that is to say): :-
It is evident and can be mathematically proved that every weighing machine
or balance first increases in sensibility as the arms of the levers, compared
with similar ones, are longer; secondly, has more durability, and will maintain
its accuracy longer if the edges rest upon their supports or saddles with their
whole given length, and keep their position under all circumstances.
The weighing machines invented by me consist of two kinds, and each of
them can be made in a variety of ways, paying always due regard to the above-
mentioned principles; for which purpose I arrange in the first kind two levers
P. 9, p, q, in such a manner that the one p, q, lies above the other p², q¹.
Both these levers are united by certain posts v, v', which preserve the equipoise,
and which have the property that they prevent the levers from either touching
or entirely separating from each other, and that as the one moves itself the
other must move at the same time. These posts I will hereafter distinguish
by the name of connecting link, Figure A. By this arrangement the scale a, b,
for the goods Q must be placed upon the short arms of the levers, and the
scalo c, d, for the weights P upon the long arm of the same. It can bo
mathematically proved, that if c, q, c', q', or c, p=c, p³, also is c, v,=c³, v¹;
and as c, qc, q', it is c, q, c, q', c, v, c¹³, v³. For giving to the large
scales of the weighing machines any convenient breadth agreeable to practical
purposes, I construct the above said levers in the following manner:-
Figure B: two iron bars a, b, and c, d, form together a cross, Figure D, which
carry in q, q, and p, p, the edges upon which rest the scales, and in v, v', the
edges for the connecting link. In m, m', is fixed the axis h, h¹, Figure C.
Such levers can be made of cast or wrought iron or other materials. If they
are made of wrought iron they are jointed by n, n, and by that they form
spaces v, v¹, for the edges which are wanted for the connecting link. Figure D
shows the manner in which the above said parts are connected. I call such a
lever a cross lever. The one of the edges for the connecting link has the
direction downwards and the other upwards (as will appear clear in the
description of the connecting link), which must be in a line parallel with
the axis. As two such levers lie above each other, it is clear that two edges
of the connecting link are turned towards each other and the others the
contrary way. Two such levers may be united in three different way

page_text: videlicet, Figure E; they can be placed the one above the other, that the edges.
2. q', are in one vertical direction or level, and also the edges p', q, in another,
or the edges of the one lover may be placed in quite a different vertical direc-
tion to those of the other. The Figures E, G, show clearly these arrango-
ments. Both the levers may also have equal length or not, see Figure H.
The axis c or c¹ of every lever can be placed in 7 or in m, or in c or in m³, or
between both these lines, which directs itself according to the proportion of
the weights to the goods. In all weighing machines known at present the
levers are so arranged that the moving of them is in the same vertical direction
or level, or in vertical levels which have a rectangular direction towards each
other, and the levers upon which the scalo for the goods rests are composed of
several parts. In constructing weighing machines which have a great dis-
proportion in the weights to the goods, say, about one to sixteen or more, the
scales for the goods I let support by four separate levers, which I call carrying
lovers, which are only single bars, and give them such directions that the
moving of them is in four divers vertical levels. This new arrangement
enables me to give any dimensions to the scales for the goods without difficulty,
and the manufacturing of weighing machines constructed upon this principle
is very simple, and the levers in the same can be better adjusted and in much
shorter time than those composed of several heavy parts.
The above construction refers to the second kind of weighing machine I
have invented, Figure 1. This arrangement may be applied in various ways.
If p, p, q, q', are the cross levers, the carrying levers have the position
q, u, q', u, otherwise Figure K. If p, p, q, q', are the cross levers, the carry-
ing levers may have the position as q, u, q', u, finally, Figure L. If p, p, q, q',
are the cross levers, the carrying levers may have the position as p, u, q³, u.
In each of the above-mentioned cases the carrying levers may be of equal
size or not. The Figures E till L show the importance of this entirely new
arrangement, by which it is clearly perceived what a variety of forms may be
produced by these combinations.
DESCRIPTION OF TWO WEIGHING MACHINES.
First kind only with cress levers.-Fig. 1., A, B, C, D, is the case of the
weighing machine, in which the mechanism of it is enclosed; a, b, c, d, is the
scale for the goods; e, f, g, h, the other for the weight; and k, the index,
which shows the equilibrium. Fig. 2 is the same machine after taking away
both the scales and the cover; l, m, n, o, (Fig. 1) shows both the levers
P, p, q, q, and p¹, p', q', q', with their axis r, s, ¹, s, which rest upon supports
u, u, u', u', which are fixed upon the posts y, y³, or in any other manner.

page_text: These levers may be made of cast iron, or wrought iron, or any other metal.
w, w, are cross pieces which carry the balancing weights;,, are other cross
picces, which give the levers more solidity; and p, p, q, q', v, v¹, are tho
edges. Figs. 3 and 4 is the form of the scales, which rest direct upon the
levers; or they rest upon posts, which are supported by the levers, and which
have about the shape as Figure 6-8; the same can be made of cast iron or
other materials. Figure 5 represents in what manner the scales are connected
with the levers. v, v¹, and w, w', is the position of them; p, q, and p', q', their
edges; c, c, the axis; a', a, b, d, d', the scale for the goods; e, f, g, h, the
other for the weights; and t, t, the connecting link. M, M, N, N, (see
Figures 3 and 4,) show the parts of the scales which shove within each other,
for the purpose of effecting the above-mentioned principle. The connecting
link (or bridle), which is seen at t, t, Figure 2, and combines both the lovers,
as represented upon a greater scale in Figures 9-12. a is the one arm of the
upper and 6 of the under lever; likewise c is the other arm of the upper and
d of tho under lever. Between a and b is a stilt e, in which aro placed at
the top and the bottom beds of steel s, 8, constructed as below said, in which
lie two of the edges r, r. Figure 10 is the same stilt without the steel beds.
g, h, Figure 9, is a frame, whose sides are closed at the one end, while the
other is open, and may be drawn together by means of a screw or bolt i. This
frame has two other beds of steel s, s, in which lie two other edges r, r.
Figure 11 is the same frame without the steel beds, and Figure 12 is such a
steel bed. The index which shows the equilibrium can be constructed in this
weighing machine in a variety of forms; one of the best for practical purposes
is the following:-Two showers k and a, Figure 1, are fixed in two posts which
rest upon the levers; (Figure 6 shows by n the end of such a shower, which is
fixed in the part r, s,) and move with them. The showers are placed between
two inclined (45°) planes p, q; the one p of them is quite white, the other q
carries a looking glass x, x. Figure 13, which is a side view of the weighing
machine, shows clearly the situation of both these inclined planes. By this
arrangement the person weighing can see in the glass exactly and without
changing his position when the goods and the weights aro in equilibrium.
Second kind, with cross and carrying levers.-Figure 14: A, B, C, D, E, F,
is the case, in which is enclosed the whole mechanism of the weighing
machine; a, b, c, d, the scale for the goods, (with the shelter r, r,) which rest
upon the carrying levers; and e, f, g, h, is the scale for the weights, which rests
upon the cross levers; o is the index, as above said. Figure 15 is the same
weighing machine when the scales and the cover v, w, x, z, (Figure 14,) aro
taken away. m, n, o, p, are the carrying levers, which lie with the one end in

page_text: supports q, and with the other they hang on the cross levers in Z; x, x, x, x, are
the edges upon which the large scale rests; and y, y, y, y, are the edges upon
which the small scale rests; the axis of the cross levers lie in the supports, as
above said. N, N, are two bars of wood or other materials, which give to the
case sufficient solidity; and Figures 16 and 17 are side views of this weighing
machine, and so clearly represented that they require no description. All
other parts are arranged as already stated. Figure 18 shews how a carrying
lever rests in its support, and how the same hangs on one arm of the cross
lever; the support is constructed, as Figure A shows. On the other end the
lever is carried by a claw p, and another claw 9 hangs on the end of an arm of
the cross lever; both these claws are united by a hook r, or a screw, or in any
other manner convenient for this purpose. If the carrying levers are
arranged as shown in Figure K, the fourth of them must have the same form
as a, b, c, d, e, f, g.
Now, the most important points in the arrangement of both these weighing
machines are the improved supports for the axis and the saddles for the edges.
Figure 19 till 21 is the end of an axis resting in its support. a, b, d, is the
axis; b, d, the edge of it. Figure 22 is the support, made of cast iron or
other materials, which has a deepening g, h, i, k, in which is placed a bed of
steel m, n, the bottom of which has a cylindrical form. The deepening has an
even ground, and the sides of which are so shaped that the bed of steel can be
moved in it a little in two directions. The bed of steel, which is represented
in three different views by M, N, and O, rounded below like a section of a
cylinder s, t, as said above, and has a groove u, u, at the top, in which the
edge lies. By this arrangement the said beds will adjust themselves to the
required position as soon as the lever is placed in them, and all points of the
edges come in contact with the bottom of the groove. The claw A, B,
Figure 22, has on one side a nose, which is cast hard or may be faced with
steel and fixes the right situation of the axis; r, r, are holes for fixing it in
the case. Nevertheless, these claws may be fixed and formed in various ways,
the essential point of them being always the deepening g, h, i, k, Figure 23.
a, b, c, d, is the end of a scale shank or of a post, as above said, (Figures 6
to 8); and a, b, c, d, as seen from below. The deepening g, h, i, k, like
that before mentioned, in which lies a bed of steel like those already described,
and which is represented by the Figures M, N, O; this bed lies upon the
edge v, w, which is fixed in a cross lever), and four of them carry one of the
scales. Figure 24 is a vertical section of the end of a carrying lever which
lies in the support. A is a part of the lever; B, one of the edges in it; C is
the claw; D is the bed of steel; and E, a part of the case upon which the

page_text: claw is fixed. Figure 25 shows the same as a ground view; and Figure 26
shows in three different views the claw, from which is seen that the same bas
two noses 7, 7, between which the edge v, w, lies.
NOTES.
Both kinds of weighing machines which are known at this time are the
English and the French. On the English weighing machine, the scale for the
goods, or as it is called the bridge, a, b, is supported by two levers d, m, d¹, m',
which are united by a hook m, m³, p, which carry the action to the other single
levers, and through this arrangement it is equal on what part of the bridge
the goods are placed. And we see, according to their principle, that the levers
under the bridge are only half as long as the bridge is, and that they are
composed of several parts. These weighing machines would be more sensible
if the levers were as long as the bridge, and the manufacturing of the same
would be more easy if the levers d, d, m, and d¹, d', m³, were not composed of
several parts, particularly if they are heavy.
The French weighing machines are formed by two levers c, d, and e, h, and
the scale for the goods rests in m upon the lever c, d, and hangs in ƒ on the
lever e, h. Likewise the lever e, d, hangs on the other c, h, in c, and as it shall
be indifferently on what part of the scale a, b, the goods lie, we find that must
be f,g=g, h, as the weight P to the goods Q, and f, g=c,g== c,m: c, d. We
perceive from this, that in all cases the arm f, g, of the lever e, h, cannot be
made longer without inconvenience, and if made longer, these weighing
machines require too much room.
The most essential advantages of these improved weighing machines are the
following:-
First, that to the lever may be given the greatest dimensions, and in every
case greater than the dimensions of the scales, and therefore they have more
sensibility than all other weighing machines hitherto known.
Secondly, to the scales any form may be given adapted to practical pur-
poses, and without any difficulty they may be made to run parallel with each
other, or above each other, or they may be placed within each other.
Thirdly, that they can be adapted for shops, that they may be sunk into the
counter, and as the mechanism of them is quite inclosed in a case, they are
secured against all damages, and rendered more durable, and may still be
made transportable with the power of weighing as much as 5000 lbs., at the
same time they can be constructed of such dimensions as to be capable of
weighing 50,000 lbs. if required.
The foregoing explanation will show that the principal points of my

page_text: improvements in the construction of weighing machines and other machines,
used in ascertaining weights, arc, first, in the construction of both the
scales (particularly in the weighing machines with cross levers) where, by
means of prolonged posts or shanks, the same may be shoved within each
other, and by increasing in this manner the length of the levers to the
greatest possible size the sensibility of the machine will consequently bo
proportionally increased. Secondly, the new combination of the levers, repre-
sented by the Fig. E till L, in which the post called the connecting
link (or bridle) is an important one. And, thirdly, the improvement of
the supports which carry the axis, and of the saddles which lio upon the
the edges, as it will add to the durability of the machine, and the same will
maintain its accuracy longer if the edges rest upon their supports and saddles
with their whole given length, and as they are able to adjust themselves they
will keep this position under all circumstances; and this last improvement can
also be applied to all other kinds of weighing machines, and machines used
for ascertaining weights.
In witness whereof, I, the said Conrad George Kuppler, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of September, in the year One
thousand eight hundred and thirty-five.