Improvements in or relating to Spring Balance Computing Scales.
Year: 1897

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Spring Balance Computing Scales.
A communication from DANIEL MYERS, of 69, Clinton Street, in the City of Cleve-
land, County of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, United States of America,
Manufacturer.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
The invention relates to improvements in spring balance computing scales. One
of its objects is to provide a scale with a novel construction and combination of
parts whereby the scale will, on the side which the customer sees, indicate to him
the weight of the article he is buying, and on the other side will indicate to the
salesman or merchant not only the weight, but also the value at the specified rate
per pound. The customer seeing the weight and knowing the rate, may calculate
the value, and to his own satisfaction verify the immediate statement of the value
by the merchant or salesman, obtained by reading the value indications which
show upon his side of the scale. Another object of the invention is to provide a
dial which shall have the maximum capacity for indicating values of any article
placed upon the scale pan, at different rates, which will indicate said values
plainly and in such manner that there is the minimum danger of error in reading
the indications.
The invention consists in the combination of the calculating dial and weight.
indicating dial, with the pointer and face plate, in the arrangement of the figures
on the calculating dial, and in the other parts hereinafter described and definitely
set forth in the claims.
i
In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front view of a spring balance scale containing
the invention, a portion of the face plate being broken away to disclose the
annular columns of figures on the dial; Figure 2 is a rear view of said scale; and
Figure 3 is a vertical central transverse section of the same, these views being on
a smaller scale; Figure 4 is a sectional view of the face plate, on the line 4-4
of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a face view of the working parts of the scale mechan-
ism; such view, for example, as would be obtained by removing the pointer and
face plate C; Figure 6 is a sectional view on line 6-6 of Figure 5; Figure 7 is an
elevation on an enlarged scale of the shock-arresting device between the rotating
pinion and the dial: Figure 8 is a horizontal section of the same, being taken
on the line 8-8 of Figure 7; and Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the
heart-shaped cams used in such shock-arresting mechanism.
Referring to the parts by letters, A represents the scale casing, having two fixed
face plates B and C,. which plates are preferably of circular form. D represents
a transverse shaft which is journalled in the two face plates and projects through
the rear plate C. On its projecting rear end a pointer F is secured; while the

page_text: graduated computing dial E is secured to said shaft inside the casing A and
directly behind the front face plate B.
The front face plate B is provided with suitable sight opening or openings
through which one may see a part of the graduated dial E, behind it. Two of these
sight openings, and b', are shown. They are substantially horizontal and lie
on opposite sides of the scale center.
The dial E is divided into any desired number of concentric circular columns c
and el, in which are placed value indicating figures at different rates,--that is to
say, the inner column contains value indicating figures at the rate of three cents
(or other unit) per pound; the next columin contains value indicating figures at
the rate of four cents, and so on. On the face plate, near the reading edges of the
two sight openings band b, are placed rate indicating figures at the desired rates.
These rates and indicating figures, as shown, are 3, 5; 7, 9,11 and 12 at the
edge of the sight opening ; and 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 13 at the edge of the sight
opening b As many rates will be indicated as there are value columns on the
dial, and each rate figure on the face plate will be placed in line with the value
column which is graduated for that rate. Any unit of value may be selected; that
is to say, the rate figures may represent cents, pennies, shillings, or anything else,
and the value figures on the dial will indicate the same kind of units. And any
unit of weight may be selected, as for example, one pound.
The scale shown is organized to weigh ten pounds for one complete revolution
of the indicating devices, viz., pointer and dial. Each column on dial E, as shown,
is subdivided into as many equal spaces as will equal the product of said ten
(pounds) multiplied by the associated rate indicating figure. For example,--the
value column directly behind the rate figure "3" is divided into thirty equal
spaces; the next column into forty, and so on, the column behind the rate
figure "13" being divided into one hundred and thirty spaces. In the spaces in
each column are placed consecutive figures from 1 upward, wherefore each figure
represents the number of spaces it is removed from the starting or zero point.
Every other column (viz., the columns indicated by e) are to be read through the
sight opening b, and in conjunction with the rate figures adjacent thereto; while
the intermediate columns (indicated by e¹) are to be read through the sight open-
ing The figures in column el are, therefore, necessarily inverted, as compared
with the figures in the columns e. The starting or zero points of all of the
columns e are in a common radial line, which is coincident with the reading (lower)
edge of the sight opening b when the scale is empty, as shown in Figure 1; while
at that time the zero points of all of the columns e¹ are in a common radial line
which is coincident with the reading (upper) edge of the sight opening b¹.
Each of the columns e and e¹ contain, as before stated, figures representing every
value (at the associated rate) from one unit up to the total value of ten pounds at
said rate. The figures are, therefore, necessarily small. To make them more easy
to read through the narrow sight openings (which are only a little wider than
the height of the value figures) a plano-cylindrical magnifying glass M is secured
across each sight opening. These glasses may be held in place by means of metal
strips m, (Figure 4) or by any other suitable means.
In order to make the reading of the indications on the dial as easy as possible,
the sight openings over the columns which show the inverted figures, are covered
or obscured. This desired result may be attained in a variety of ways, for example,
by painting those parts of the under surface of the sight glass M on the right,
which are over the columns e¹; and by similarly painting the under surface of the
opposite sight glass over the columns e. Any opaque paint may be used, but it is
believed that a paint the color of the face plate, generally white, will look the
best. Instead of paint, the metal strips m may be so placed as to entirely cover
the columns containing the inverted figures. Or, instead of cutting the sight open-
ings in the form of one long slot, these openings might be made as a series of short
slots over the proper columns. This last construction would probably be found the
best if magnifying glasses M were not used.

page_text: Near the outer edge of the dial E a circular column e³ may be formed and
divided to indicate weights. And this column may be read through a curved
sight opening 2 in the face plate.
The face plate C at the back of the scale is graduated and marked to indicate
weights; and the position of the pointer F relative to said graduations and marks,
shows the weight of the article upon the scale pan.
9
A frame G is suspended from springs H between the two face plates, and its
end g projects through the bottom of the scale, -the scale pan, (not shown) being
hung from this projecting end. Suitable mechanism intermediate of this frame
and the shaft D is provided, whereby the latter is revolved a distance proportionate
to the weight placed upon the scale pan. The mechanism shown for thus moving
the shaft consists of a sleeve K loosely mounted upon the shaft D; a pinion k which
is carried by said sleeve; a rack bar which is secured to the frame G and engages
with the pinion k, whereby said pinion sleeve is rotated as described; the heart-
shaped cams d which are secured to shaft D; and the spring arms k¹ secured to
the bar K which is secured to the sleeve K, which arms carry pins. These pins
are pressed by the spring against the peripheries of said cams, whereby the shaft D
is compelled to move with or immediately after the sleeve K, an equal distance.
The shaft and pinion always come to rest in the same relative positions, that is to
say, where the points of the pins are in engagement with the cusp-shaped depres-
sions at the head of the heart-shaped cams. For example, a load put into a pan
on the lower end of the frame G draws it down a distance proportionate to its
weight, the springs H being elongated thereby. This movement of the frame
causes a like movement of the rack g, whereby the pinion k is rotated a propor-
tionate distance. If this rotation of the pinion is slow, the pins continue to
engage in the depressions of the cams, and consequently the shaft which carries
the indicating pointer I and dial E, will be revolved with the pinion. But if
the movement of the pinion is rapid, the pins are pulled out of said depressions
and slip along on the peripheries of the cams, the springs being thereby bent
outward, so as to increase their tension.
When the force of the springs k¹, acting to press the pins against the cams,
becomes strong enough to overcome the inertia of the shaft D and the dial E and
pointer F, said shaft is rotated until the pins again enter the depressions in the
cams, when the shaft comes to rest, always, as will be understood, in the same
position relative to the pinion. These cams and spring arms are employed to pre-
vent injurious shock to the indicating devices, due to the sudden starting or stop-
ping of the spring suspended frame G, which sudden starting or stopping might
be due to the sudden loading or unloading of the scale. Any other mechanism
for compelling the shaft to rotate a distance proportionate to the weight upon the
scale pan, may be used, instead of that shown.
The described shock preventing mechanism might be dispensed with, and the
pinion rigidly fixed to the shaft D. Except for this shock preventing device, the
scale, regarded simply as a weighing machine, is of a common type. The pointer
rotates in front of the graduated dial F and indicates weights. The dial E, which
like the pointer is fixed to the shaft, rotates with it, and the outer row of figures
thereon, as seen through the sight opening 2, also indicate the weight of the load.
The value of the load, at any rate indicated on face plate B, is seen through one
of the sight openings b or b₁, in line with the figure indicating the selected rate,
because the dial in its rotation has brought the figures indicating the values of the
load into line with the sight openings.
For example, suppose a piece of meat is put into the scale pan. Its weight,
which we will suppose to be five pounds will, when the scale comes to rest, be indi-
cated by the positions of both the pointer F on one side and the dial E on the
other. Suppose the price of the meat is ten units,--whether pennies, cents or
shillings. The rotation of the dial, due to a five pound load, will bring the fifteenth
value graduation, that is to say, the figure 50, on the dial in the "10" column,

page_text: behind the sight opening b, in line with the rate figure 10, where it may be read,
as the value of the five pounds at 10 cents per pound.
Under the conditions stated, the indicated value at three cents per pound will
be fifteen cents, which will be seen through sight opening 6 in line with figure 3
on the face plate B. And at the same time, other figures on dial E will be seen
through the sight openings as follows; through sight opening b will be seen 25 in
line with the rate figure 5; 35 in line with the rate figure 7; 45 in line with
the rate figure 9, etc.
Through sight opening b¹, 20 will be seen in line with rate figure 4; 30 in line
with rate figure 6; 40 in line with rate figure 8, etc.
Whatever be the weight of an article, its value may be seen through the sight
openings band 6₁ at the various indicated rates per unit of weight; this result
being due to the described arrangement on dial E of the value indicating figures.
In use, the scale is suspended in such manner that the rear face plate C will be
turned toward the customer, while the face plate B will be turned toward the mer-
chant. A weight placed upon the scale pan rotates the shaft proportionately,
carrying with it the pointer F and the dial E. The pointer when it stops, points
to that weight graduation c upon face plate C, which shows the customer the weight
of the article. The dial E will then show to the merchant through the sight
opening bor b' in the face plate B in line with the proper weight indicating figure
thereon, the value of said article. The merchant will also see the weight through
the sight opening b².
The merchant may, as soon as the shaft becomes still, read the weight and value
of the article, while the customer reading the weight on the rear side of the scale
may, knowing the rate, verify by calculation the merchant's statement as to the
value.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of the said invention,
as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, & in what manner the same
is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:
1. In a spring balance computing scale, the combination of the scale case, its
fixed rear face plate graduated to indicate weights, its fixed front face plate having
sight openings 6 b₁ and rate indicating figures along the reading edge of the said
sight openings, the transverse shaft projecting through the rear face plate, a
pointer secured to said projecting end of the shaft, and a computing dial secured
to the shaft behind the front face plate, and having a plurality of annular columns
respectively graduated to indicate values at various rates, and mechanism for actu-
ating said shaft, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
2. In a spring balance computing scale, the combination of the scale case, its
fixed rear face plate graduated to indicate weights, its fixed front plate having
sight openings 6 b', along the edge of which rate indicating figures are placed, and
the sight opening 62, the transverse shaft journalled in said face plates and pro-
jecting through the rear face plate, a pointer secured to said projecting end of the
shaft, a computing dial secured to the shaft behind the front face plate, having
one annular column graduated to indicate weights, and a plurality of annular
columns respectively graduated to indicate values at the different rates shown
by said rate indicating figures, a spring supported frame, and mechanism inter-
mediate of the frame and shaft, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
3. In a spring balance computing scale, the combination of the scale case, its
fixed rear plate graduated to indicate weights, its fixed front plate having narrow
substantially radial sight openings b, b, along the edge of which rate indicating
figures are placed, and the arc-shaped sight opening 2, the transverse shaft jour-
nalled in said face plates and projecting through the rear face plate, a pointer
secured to said projecting end of the shaft outside of said rear face plate, a com-
puting dial secured to the shaft behind the front face plate and invisible except
at the said sight openings, having one annular column graduated to indicate
weights, and a plurality of annular columns respectively graduated to indicate

page_text: values at the different rates shown by said rate indicating figures, the width of the
sight opening bor b¹ being such as to disclose substantially but one radial row of
figures in said annular columns, a spring supported frame, and mechanism inter-
mediate of the 'frame and shaft, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
4. In a computing scale, the combination of a face plate having sight openings
on opposite sides of the center, and rate indicating figures adjacent to said sight
openings, with a rotatable dial divided into circular columns, each of which is
divided by one set of radial lines into as many equal spaces as will equal the pro-
duct of the associated rate figure multiplied by the number of pounds which will
cause one complete revolution of the dial, each of said spaces containing a figure
indicating the number of spaces it is removed from the zero point, the figures in
alternate columns having their zero points on opposite sides of the center of the
dial, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
5. In a computing, scale, the combination of a rotatable dial having annular
columns which contain value indicating figures, the figures in alternate rows
being inverted, with a face plate having sight openings on both sides of the center,
and means for hiding on both sides of the center the columns which contain the
figures which appear upside down, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
6. In a computing scale, the combination of a rotatable dial having annular
columns containing value indicating figures, with a fixed face plate having a long
narrow sight opening the edges of which are bent outward, and a plano-cylindrical
magnifying glass which projects through said sight opening, and has its edges
behind the outwardly bent edges of the sight opening, and retaining strips secured
to the rear side of said face plate which hold the glass in place, substantially as
and-for the purpose specified.
Dated this 25th day of August 1807
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.,