Improvements in Weighing Machines.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Aug., 1892-Accepted, 1st Oct., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Weighing Machines.
I, HENRY POOLEY, of Albion Foundry, Manchester Street, Liverpool, in' the
County of Lancaster, Weighing Machine Maker, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to weighing machines in which a steel-yard, bar, or the
like is employed, but more particularly to that type of such machines wherein
two or more standards of weights, codes, or values are presented; and the
main object of my invention is to simplify the construction of machines of this
kind.
According to this invention, the steel-yard or equivalent bar, on or in connection
with which a sliding or moving counterpoise weight (or weights) works, is provided
with one or more series of notches or equivalent provisions, running in an opposite
direction or directions to each other, or directions not parallel with each other,
such for instance as diagonally, or at an inclination to the length of the bar or
bars; whilst the weight is provided with an engaging device which moves over
the surface of said bar or bars and notches or like provisions, and is so adapted
that it may be set to engage with either or any of the series of notches or
equivalents provided on the said bars, and hold said weight in the required
position.
The engaging device may be disposed in a conical seat, and so adapted that, as
it wears, the wear can be taken up without altering its centre in relation to the
weight, the movement of said device being pivotal or axial.
°
The engaging device may be locked in any desired position by a suitable
locking plate or device, and the scale or code not being used, may be adapted
to be covered thereby, or so that only the scale, code or value being used, can
be seen.
For setting the engaging device, suitable stops or stopping devices may be
employed in connection therewith whereby the setting of the stop may be properly
regulated.
The invention is not confined to the particular devices or constructions above
specified, as it may be modified and carried out in different ways and equivalents
used without departing from the controlling spirit or scope thereof.
Dated this 2nd day of November 1891.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Weighing Machines.
I, HENRY POOLEY, of Albion Foundry, Manchester Street, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Weighing Machine Maker, 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 relates to weighing machines in which a steelyard, bar, or the
like is employed, but more particularly to that type of such machines wherein
two or more standards of weights, codes, or values are presented; and the
main object of my invention is to simplify the construction of machines of this
According to this invention, the steelyard or equivalent bar, on or in connection
kind.

page_text: with which a sliding or moving counterpoise weight works, is provided with one
or more series of notches or equivalent provisions, running in an opposite direction
or directions to each other, or directions not parallel with each other, such for
instance as diagonally, or at au inclination to the length of the bar, or bars, whilst
the weight is provided with an engaging device which moves over the surface
of said bar or bars and notches or like provisions, and is so adapted that it may
be set to engage with either or any of the series of notches or equivalents provided
on the, said bars, and hold said weight in the required position,
.
The engaging device may be disposed on. a, conical seat, and. so adapted
that, as it wears, the wear can be taken up without altering its centre in relation
to the weight, the movement of said device being pivotal or axial.
The engaging device may be locked in any desired position by a suitable
locking plate or device, and the scale or code not being used, may be adapted
to be covered thereby, or so that only the scale, code or value being used, can be
seen.
For setting the engaging device, suitable stops, or stopping devices may be
employed in connection therewith whereby the setting of the stop may be properly
regulated.
The improvements in weighing machines according to my invention are illustrated
in the accompanying drawings, which, together with this description thereof, are
sufficient to enable others skilled in the art. to which it belongs to put the same
into practice.
In these drawings
Figure 1 is a side elevatior, Figure 2 is a plan, and Figure 3 a cross section of a
steelyard provided with my improvements.
Figure 4 is a side elevation partly in section, Figure 5 is a plan, and Figure 6
an end view, of a modified construction of engaging device.
Figure 7 is an elevation partly in section, Figure 8, is a plan, and Figure 9 an
end view, of another modified construction of engaging device.
With reference to the figures of the drawings, A designates the steelyard,
having two sets of engaging scales a, b, on its upper edge, corresponding with
the major divisions of weights. B is the sliding counterpoise, which moves on
the steelyard A; and has provided upon. it an engaging tooth C, adapted to
engage with the scales a³, 1, on the upper edge of the steelyard.
It will be seen, particularly by Figure 2 of the drawings, that the scales ab
are arranged on the upper edge of the steelyard. A diagonally; while the engaging
tooth C is so constructed and arranged on the counterpoise B that it may be moved
about, and set to engage with either of the scales a or
The divisions of these scales represent the major divisions of weight of the two
different standards of weight which this particular example of my invention is
designed to be used for; as for instance, one scale may represent tons, and the
other thousand kilogrammes, metric weight; or they may represent other weights
forming the major unit scales.
The indexing scales for the major unit scales, corresponding with the engaging
scales just described, are provided separately from the engaging scale; that is to
say, in this example of my invention, these scales, are provided upon an inclined
scale-plated and are designated a².12, the said plate being either formed on the
steelyard A or suitably fixed thereto. These scales however may be provided on
any other part, or in any other suitable way desired.
The indexing pointer, p, used in connection with the scales a³ ³ is fixed on the
counterpoise B in a convenient position as shewn, and has two fingers or points, one
of which is used in connection with the scale a², and the other in connection with
the scale b². The scales representing the aliquot parts of the major divisions of
weight are also provided on the scale plate d, and are designated a³ ³; and in
connection with them, and sliding on the edge of the scale-plate, a small sliding
weight D is provided, having upon it a pointer p', with two indexing points
corresponding and used in connection with the said two scales a³ ³.

page_text: The different modified construction of parts by which the direction and position
of the engaging tooth C is moved and set, I will now describe:-In the arrange-
ment shewn in Figures 1 to 3 the tooth C is supported in the over-hanging part e
of the weight B by a pin e', and is worked, that is oscillated, to engage with one
or other of the notches in the steelyard A forming the scales a¹ or b¹, by the knob
or handle. On this knob an arm e³ is provided, the end of which, by a suitable
pin or other connection, is connected to a link f, having at its outer end a slot f¹,
through which passed a screwed stud / fixed in the weight B, and upon which a
thumb nut h¹ is provided. The function of the nut ¹ is to grip the link when,
O by the handle e, the engaging tooth C has been turned or adjusted to be used in
connection with one or other of the set of grooves on the upper surface of the
steelyard A forming the scales a¹ and 61; by this means when the engaging tooth
has been adjusted, the adjustment will be set and fixed, and the tooth for the time
being permanently fixed. The link f is also adapted to cover the indication of
5 the scales, such as tons or "thousand kilos," marked in the weight B, for. the
time being not being used.
"
In the modification shewn in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the tooth is set eccentrically
upon a disc et on the lower end of the spindle e¹, and not centrally thereon as in
Figures 1 to 3, whilst in lieu of the fixing device being arranged separately from
the turning handle or knob 63, as in Figures 1 to 3, it is mounted directly above
same, and in connection with it; namely the upper end of the spindle e¹ is screwed
and designated h, and the jamming or fixing nut ¹ screws over the part /, and in
the act of fixing the tooth C, after it has been set or adjusted, the disc et is drawn
up onto the surface of e and gripped or bound. A small thumb lock-nut /³ is
provided above the larger nut , to lock the latter. The proper angle at which
the tooth C is to be set to engage with the one or other of the scale notches a¹
or 6', is ascertained and fixed by a small pin i, fixed in the under side of part e, in
contact with which the disc e comes when turned in one direction or the other.
When the contact is made and further movement of the tooth moving device
stopped, it is known that the correct position of said tooth has been reached. A
plan illustrating the pin i and disc et is shewn in Figure 4*.
In connection with this arrangement a pointer is provided on the actuating
knob near the surface of the weight D, and on the weight, at the points which
the said pointer would stand when the tooth C has been moved to. its proper
inclination or position for use in connection with one or other of the scale a¹ or b¹;
words such as "tons and "thousand kilogrammes," or other words representing
the different standards of weight being used, are provided. By this means confusion
as to which standard of weight is being used is obviated.
In the modification shewn in Figures 7 to 9 the tooth C is mounted and arranged
similarly to that just set forth with reference to Figures 4 to 6, but the means
of fixing it in position, when set, is different, and consist of a stud / having a
milled head, and screws into the part e of the weight B. Its action is, that
when screwed up, its end comes into contact with the spindle e¹ and binds it in
position.
In the drawings which I have just described, I have shewu as an example of the
application of my invention a certain class of steelyard, namely one which more
particularly appertains to weigh bridges and platform weighing machines, but I
wish it to be understood that this example is only one of many possible applica-
tions, and that the invention is susceptible of being used on or in connection with
steelyards of other weighing machines. Also, although I have more particularly
described my invention in connection with two standards of weight, namely avoir-
dupois weight and metric weight, it will be understood that my invention is equally
applicable to other different standards of weight, or codes, or values; and that by
multiplying the scales (the engaging scales or notches having three or more
different inclinations) more than two standards of weight can be employed on a
machine.
Although I prefer to employ as the engaging scale, notches, and as the engaging

page_text: device, a tooth, such as C, I do not confine myself to these means as set forth
with reference to the drawings to perform the functions for which they are
designed, since their equivalents may be used, or the constructions set forth may be
modified in different ways, without departing from the general features of this
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a weighing machine, a steelyard or equivalent bar having on or in connec-
tion with it two or more sets of notches or equivalent provisions running in
opposite directions to each other, or directions not parallel with each other and
forming engaging scales; and a weight sliding on or in connection with said steel-
yard or equivalent bar, and having on or connected with it, an engaging device
adapted to engage with one or other set of said notches or equivalent provisions;
for the purposes set forth.
2. In a weighing machine, a steelyard or equivalent bar having upon its upper
edge two or more sets of grooves or notches (forming scales) running in opposite
directions to each other, or directions not parallel with each other; and a sliding
counterpoise weight working on said steelyard or equivalent bar, and having a tooth
engaging device thereon, adapted to engage with the said notches; substantially as
for the purposes set forth.
3. In a weighing machine, the combination of steelyard A; sliding counter-
poise B engaging tooth C; scales a¹¹; scales a² 63; and pointer p; as set forth
with reference to the drawings.
4. In or for a weighing machine, the engaging devices constructed and adapted
to operate as set forth with reference to and as shewn in the different figures of the
drawings.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.