IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATIC WEIGHT REGISTERING MACHINES
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd June, 1886.
Complete Left, 21st Mar., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 29th Apr., 1887.
I, WILLIAM ERNEST RICHARDSON of Hartfield in the County of Sussex Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATIC
WEIGHT REGISTERING MACHINES to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of a registering machine to be used in conjunction with any
suitable kind of weighing machine or scales for the purpose of registering and adding
together the weights of any number of separate packages weighed thereon. The main
features of the invention are:-—
1st. One or more platforms supported upon springs or weighted levers and upon
which platforms are to be placed, the weights belonging to any suitable kind of
weighing machine.
2nd. Figured dials by which the total weight of the articles is shewn.
3rd. A Lever or Levers by which the machine is worked.
4th. A Lever or Levers by which the amount recorded at each stroke of the
working lever can be regulated.
The above mentioned figured dials are attached to and revolve with spindles to
which are also attached ratchet wheels the number of teeth in which correspond with
the numbers to be registered on the machine-These ratchet wheels are worked by
means of pawls attached to or connected with the working lever of the machine. The
platforms upon which the weights are placed, being supported upon springs, rise and
fall according to the number of weights placed upon them, and are so connected with
the above mentioned ratchet wheels and pawls that the numbers registered at each
movement of the working handle will be regulated by the position of the platforms
and will be in proportion to the number of weights placed upon them-The numbers
recorded on the machine at each movement of the working lever of the machine may
be further regulated by means of a moveable lever with pointer attached-This lever

page_text: and pointer can be adjusted so that the pointer will point to any one of a series of
figures which correspond with the numbers to be recorded upon the machine-This
lever and pointer are so connected with the above mentioned pawls and ratchet wheels
by which the figured dials are moved that on the pointer being set at any particular
figure a corresponding number will be recorded on the machine at each movement of
the working lever.
In using the machine, all the weights belonging to the weighing-machine are
placed upon the platforms of the registering machine-The working lever or handle
is pulled once forward and back each time it is desired to register the weight of any
article, the amount recorded being regulated by the number of weights removed from
the registering machine at the time for actual use on the weighing machine, and also
by the position of the above described regulating-lever which can be set so as to
correspond with the weight of the article being weighed.
TT1eec

page_text: .
Machines.
I, WILLIAM ERNEST RICHARDSON of Hartfield in the County of Sussex, Engineer,
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 consists of a registering machine to be used in conjunction with any
suitable kind of weighing machine or scale, for the purpose of adding together the
weights of any number of separate articles or packages weighed thereon, and shewing
the total weight of such articles or packages.
In using the Invention the total weight of any number of separate articles of
packages is shewn upon figured dials or disks by pulling an operating lever or handle
once forward and back each time it is desired to register any separate weight, the
aimount registered being automatically regulated to agree with the weight of the
article or package by first placing all the detached weights that are intended to be
used with such weighing machine upon platforms or tables attached to and forming
part of the registering machine, and afterwards removing such of these weights as
may be required for that purpose, to balance the article or package being weighed.
These platforms or tables are supported upon springs, or weighted levers, or in any
known manner so that they will be depressed a certain distance by each weight placed
upon them, and the platforms are so connected with the mechanism by which the
figures are shewn that the amount added at each stroke of the operating lever or
handle will be regulated by the vertical position of the platformis or tables at the time,
which position will depend on the amount of weights removed to balance the weighing
imachine in weighing the article or package, and therefore the amount added will
correspond with the weight of such article or package. The amount added at eacli
stroke of the operating lever or handle may also be further regulated by an index
which can be set to point to any one of a series of figures, the said index being so
connected with the mechanism of the machine, that a corresponding amount will be
added each time the machine is operated.
To enable the Invention to be fully understood I will now proceed to describe the
manner in which it can be put into practical effect by reference to the accompanying
drawings. The following is a description of the invention as applied to the purpose
of registering the total weights of articles weighed upon an ordinary platform
weighing machine with which detached weights are used representing hundred-
weights, three detached weights representing quarters, and a moveable weight
representing from one to twenty eight pounds, respectively, but the invention can be
applied to any weighing machine or scales with which detached weights are used, or a
combination of detached and moveable weights.
In the accompanying drawings Figure I is a front elevation of the mechanism by
which the invention is accomplished, Figure II is a side elevation of that part of the
mechanism by which the number of quarters and pounds recorded by each stroke of
the operating lever of the machine, is regulated Figure III is a side elevation of that
:

page_text: part of the mechanism by which the number of hundredweights recorded by each
stroke of the operating lever of the machine is regulated, and also the mechanism by
which the quarters and pounds recorded are carried forward and added to the
hundredweights. Letters of reference indicate the same parts in each Figure when
shewn.
h
a. a. is a section of the box or casing in which the mechanism is contained. At the
right hand end of this box will be seen the operating lever b, attached to a horizontal
spindle c, c, which extends the entire length of the box. Attached to this spindle is a
quadrant d gearing with a pinion.e, so that by pulling the operating lever forward
and back pinion e will be rotated one complete revolution and back. Pinion e
revolves loosely on a horizontal spindle, and has attached to it an arm or lever g
having a pin projecting from its extremity, is a lever carrying a pawl which
engages with the teeth of a ratchet wheel j. Lever i is attached to a tube or sleeve k
fitting loosely on spindle ff. To the opposite end of this tube is fastened an arm 1,
attached to the tube is a coiled spring m, by which the tube is inclined to revolve on
spindle ff, but is prevented from doing so by the pin h, which engages with the end
of lever i, so that when pin his moved round a circle, lever will be caused to follow
it by the spring m, but when the pin is moved in the opposite direction it will force
lever i back and, by means of the pawl, ratchet wheel i will also be forced round.
That part of the lever which comes into contact with pin / must be loosely attached
to lever by two screws one of which passes through a slot, as shewn in Figure II, to
admit of a slight movement of that part of the lever without moving the pawl, so that
it will be possible for pin to travel round a complete circle without moving the pawl.
n², n², n³, n, are four arms attached radially to the end of an inner tube or sleeve o,
passing through an outer tube or sleeve p, and having a crosspicce q, fixed on the
opposite end. This inner tube is fitted loosely on spindle, and is free to revolve
thereon, and is also free to slide end wise. The outer tube is fitted loosely on the inner
tube, and is prevented from revolving with it by a notched plate », rigidly fastened to
the outer tube and working between two guides so as to admit of an end movement
of both tubes together. Immediately above the notched plate will be seen a roller s,
which works on a pin attached to an upright on the top of which is a tablet, on which
are to be placed the weights representing quarters. This table and upright resting on
a spring, will be depressed a certain distance by each weight placed upon the
table, and the strength of the spring must be so proportioned to the weights, that the
roller will be pressed down to one notch lower in plater for each weight placed upon
the table, and by this means the notched plate and the outer and inner tubes will be
moved horizontally the distance of one notch on the plate for each weight placed upon
table t. e is a spring by which the tubes are forced back when the weights are
removed from the table. Projecting from the four radial arms n³, ², ³, 1, are four
pins. These pins are of different lengths, the longest extends into the path of lever 1,
and the remaining pins will be successively brought into the path of lever by placing
the weights on tablet and thus forcing the radial arms nearer to 1. On the top of the
casing of the machine is an index w. This index is connected with the inner tube o
by a vertical spindle, and a pair of mitre wheels one of which moves loosely. on
spindle and has two pins projecting through holes on cross-bar 7. On the top of
the casing immediately beneath the index is a series of figures or numbered
divisions numbering from 0 to 28 and corresponding with the figures or divisions on
the steel-yard of the weighing machine. Opposite each figure or division is a notch
into which a catch attached to the index engages so as to hold the index firmly at any
position in which it may be placed. The index being sufficiently flexible to allow the
catch to be lifted out of the notch and moved to a fresh number when required.
Thus the index being connected, as explained, with tube 9,.to which are attached the
radial arms, the position of the radial arms round spindle ff will always correspond
with the number or division at which the index is placed. It will now be seen that
if the operating lever be pulled forward and back, pin will be carried round one
complete revolution and back, and lever and pawl will be caused to follow it by
means of coiled spring m, until the arm coming into contact with one of the pins

page_text: projecting from radial arms n', n², n³, n³, the lever and pawl will thereby be prevented
from revolving and will remain stationary, until pin in returning forces lever and.
pawl back to their original position, moving with them ratchet wheel j. The
distance moved by the ratchet wheel will be regulated by the position of radial.
arms n', n², n³, n', and will correspond with the number at which index w is set at the
time. The distance moved by the ratchet wheel will also depend upon the number of
weights upon tablet at the time. If weights representing three quarters are upon
the table the arm will be stopped by the pin in arm n', but if one weight be removed
for use on the weighing machine the radial arms will be moved slightly away from
arm, thus allowing it to pass on to the next pin and so ratchet wheel will be moved
one quarter of a circle more by the return movement than otherwise, and each
succeeding weight removed from tablet will allow arm to pass another pin, thus
adding one quarter of a circle of movement of ratchet wheel for each weight
removed from table t. The holes in cross bar q through which pass the pins in the
mitre wheel must be larger than the pins so as to allow the arm to travel round a
complete circle when required. Ratchet wheel j is fastened to spindle ff, to which is
also fastened a disky, on the edge of which are marked numbers representing quarters
and pounds advancing by pounds from 0 to 3 quarters 27 pounds, by which the
quarters and.pounds recorded are shewn through an opening in the casing at 2, which
allows only one row of figures to be seen at once. Ratchet wheel j must contain one
hundred and twelve teeth to correspond with these numbers so that on moving ratchet
wheel one tooth a different number is exposed.
A, indicates a platform or table on which are to be placed the weights representing
hundredweights; this table is supported by an upright resting on a spring B. Fixed
to this upright is a pin working in a slot in a lever projecting from a guard
plate C. E is a lever and pawl by which a ratchet wheel D can be operated, this
lever is connected by a connecting rod with a lever attached to spindle c, c, so as to
move therewith. The guard plate C extends slightly beyond the teeth of the ratchet
wheel D and prevents the pawl engaging therewith until the pawl is moved sufficient
to drop over the corner of guard plate at F, into the teeth of the ratchet wheel which
will then be moved the rest of the distance travelled by the pawl. The strength of the
spring B must be so proportioned to the weights placed upon table A that when.
all the weights intended to be used are placed thereon, guardplate C will be moved
round on spindle ff, so as to prevent the pawl from engaging with any teeth in
ratchet wheel D, but on removing one weight for use on weighing machine, table A
will rise and guard plate C will be moved sufficiently to allow the pawl to catch one
tooth of ratchet wheel D, and so on for each weight removed from table A the. guard
plate will expose one more tooth of ratchet wheel D, and thus the ratchet wheel will.
be moved one more teeth each time the operating lever bis pulled forward and back,
for each weight removed from table A at the time. Ratchet wheel D is attached to a
sleeve or tube fitting loosely on spindle, and is free to revolve thereon. To this
tube is also attached a disk G, on the edge of which are marked consecutive numbers
from 0 up to any convenient number, by means of which the number of hundred-
weights recorded on the machine is seen through an opening in the casing at, by
which only one number can be seen at once. These numbers must correspond with
the teeth in ratchet wheel D so that on moving the ratchet wheel one tooth a different
number will be exposed. H is a cam firmly attached to spindle ff, I is a lever
attached to a short spindle J, projecting from this lever is a pin which is held against
the cam by a spring. At the opposite end of spindle J is a lever and pawl K. The
pawl engages with the teeth of ratchet wheel D, so that each revolution of the cam
will allow lever I to be forced forward by the spring and thereby move ratchet
wheel D one tooth. By this means when the quarters and pounds recorded by disk
amount to one hundredweight, they will be added to the hundredweights recorded by
disk G for disk y being fast on the same spindle as cam H ratchet wheel D will be
moved one tooth by each revolution of disk y, and each such revolution records one
hundred and twelve pounds. At the opposito end of the spindle f,f, is a disk L fitted
loosely on the spindle so that it can be revolved by means of a ratchet wheel M
y

page_text: attached to it, and a lever and pawl N. The end of this lever is held by a spring |
- against a cam on spindle c, c, so that the ratchet wheel will be moved one tooth cachi
time handle is pulled forward and back thus recording the number of times the
machine has been used, by means of consecutive numbers marked on the edge of
disk L, and seen one row at a time through an opening in the casing at O which
numbers must correspond with the teeth of ratchet wheel M. P, and R, are
milled heads by which the disks can be set at zero when required.
The machine is used as follows:-having placed all the weights representing
hundredweights that are intended to be used, and to which the mechanism is adapted,
upon table A, and weights representing three quarters upon table t, and set the disks
at zero, the machine will be ready for use. Now weigh the article or package upon
the weighing machine, with which this machine is to be used, taking such weights as
are required for that purpose from tables A and then set index t at the number
corresponding with that at which the moveable weight of the weighing machine has
been placed in weighing the article, then pull the operating handle b once forward
and back, this will record the amount of the weights removed from the tables and also
the position of index w and as these represent the weight of the article weighed, the
numbers shewn on the disks will indicate the weight of the article, the hundredweights
being shewn on disk G and the quarters and pounds upon disk y, and each succeeding
weight recorded will be added to that previously recorded, so that the aggregate
weights of any number of articles up to the capacity of the machine will be shewn.
The capacity of the machine may be indefinitely extended by connecting an extra
figured disk with disk G so that each revolution of disk G will move the extra disk
and expose a fresh number in the same manner that one revolution of disk y moves
disk G, and any number of extra disks may be added. Instead of connecting the
radial arms an², n³, n', with an index they may be connected directly with "the
moveable weight of the weighing machine so that their position will be regulated by
the position of the moveable weight upon the steel yard. In adapting the invention
to other descriptions of weighing machines the number of radial arms n¹,.n², n³, n³,
must correspond with the number of small weights on table t, that go to make one of
the larger weights on table A, and if no fractional detached weights are used table t
and the mechanism connected therewith will not be required, and only one radial arm
with projecting pin will be required.
*. Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :—
First. A weight registering machine for the purpose of registering the weight of
articles or packages weighed upon a weighing machine, the said registering machine
being so constructed that the amount registered by each movement of an operating
lever or handle, may be automatically regulated by first placing all the weights
intended to be used with such weighing machine, upon the registering machine, from
whence such of these weights as are required for that purpose may be removal to
balance the article or package being weighed, the weight registered being auto-
matically made to correspond with the weights removed and therefore with the weight
of the article or package substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Second. The combination of the mechanism whereby the amount registered upon
such registering machine is made to correspond with the weight of articles or.
packages weighed upon a weighing machine substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
´Dated this 17th day of March 1887