Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Jan., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 11th Feb., 1887.
I, JULIUS ETIENNE PITRAT, residing at Gallipolis, in the County of Gallia, and
State of Ohio, in the United States of America, gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to weighing and price scales and has for its object to furnish a
more direct and positive means for coupling together ordinary weighing beams with
certain devices known as price scales, whereby the joint action and scope of cach is
increased without detriment to either when used separately. It consists in the novel
features more fully hereinafter set forth and claimed and shown in the annexed
drawings in which
Figure, 1, is side view of the upper portion of an ordinary platform scale having
my improvement in position.
Figure, 2, is a section on the line, X-X, of figure, 1.
Figure, 3, is a plan view of the price scales.
Figure, 4, is a plan view of the sub-base over which the price scales move.
To illustrate the application of my improvement, the upper portion of an ordinary
platform scale is shown, in which, A, is the standard, B, the overhanging arm, C, the
beam; D, the beam support or fulcrum; E, rod connecting the beam with the platform
in the usual manner, by means of a link, F.
In carrying out my invention it has been found expedient to extend the beam, C, to
the left of its fulcrum forming a supplemental beam, C, which is graduated to corre-
spond with the graduations on the right hand branch, C, which graduations on each
beam number from the fulcrum, D, and for convenience are indicated decimally from
10, to, 100. The supplemental beam, C², may form an integral part of the beam, C, in
which case it will be an extension or it may be separate and attached thereto.
A threaded rod, G, attached to the beam and projecting to the right hand side of its
fulcrum is provided with an internally threaded weight,, adjustably secured thereon
to preserve a perfect equilibrium between the two branches of the beam. A second
rod, H, flattened and longer than rod, G, or forming an extension thereof projects
from the beam and extending nearly parallel therewith is threaded on its upper and
lower edge to receive a counterpoise, h, correspondingly threaded on its interior. The

page_text: rod, H, is graduated from 1, to, 100, on its flattened side similar to the graduations
on the beams, C, C, for a purpose presently to be made known.
Threaded rod, I, is journalled lengthwise of the branch, C, of the beam and is
located preferably beneath the beam and mounted at each end in offsets, c. The rod
is rotated on its bearings by means of a crank, i, on its outer end. A nut or carrier, J,
mounted on the rod, I, has projections j, extending up alongside the sides of the beam
to give greater steadiness thereto in its movements over the rod. That part of the
nut between the projections bears on the underside of the beam and relieves the rod, I,
from any strain due to the upward pull on the carrier in the operation of the device,
Arms,, extending laterally from each side of the nut or carrier support the rod, K
which latter is divided or opened forming branches, K', which extend on each side of
the carriage and have eyes, K, to receive the said arm. The lower end of the rod is
bifurcated and weighted to give greater steadiness thereto in its movements and check
undue oscillations in the plane of its direction or travel. The upper end of the rod, K,
telescopes with a connection, L, having a knife edge hook, 1, on its upper end. The
connection, L, is preferably tubular and the end of the rod, K, is adjustably held therein
by means of a set screw, . A pointer 2, extending from the carrier travels in close
proximity to the graduations on the beam, C', as a means to indicate the proper
adjustment of the carrier to the beam. A guide or sub-base, M, secured to the top of
the arm of the platform scales projects over the left branch or beam, C, and supports
a price scale, N, consisting of a beam having right and left branches N1, N2, respec-
tively. This price scale may be of any approved form but that shown is the preferred
form as it is better adapted for use with my improvements.
Figure, 3, shows a plan view of such scale and no claim is made to anything shown
therein as forming a part of the present invention.
The base, O, of the price scales is provided with tongues, o, near each edge to enter
corresponding grooves, m, in the sub-base, M, by which it is guided in its movement
and prevented from lateral displacement.
To facilitate the movement of the price scale over the sub-base the latter is provided
with a rack, M³, which is engaged by a pinion, p, keyed to a shaft, P, journaled in the
base, M.
This shaft is rotated by means of a crank, pl, on its outer end. The price scales may
be moved to the right and left by rotating the shaft, P, either to the right or left as
will be readily understood. The edge of the sub-base is provided with a dovetail
groove, m³, in which is seated a slide, m², and a pointer, m³, extending from the base
of the price scales overhanging the slide to facilitate the adjustment of said scales
relative to the sub-base. The branches, C, C; of the main beam, the rod, H, branching
therefrom; the bottom of the groove, m', in the edge of the sub-base, the slide, m²
seated therein and the arms of the price scales should be graduated alike as shown for
convenience, facility, and efficiency in the use of the device.
:
In practice when the two sets of scales are in readiness for use the hooked end of
the connection, L, rest on the upper edge of the left beam of the price scale, and the
bob-weight, n, and the weight carrier, n, on the right branch, N, may be adjusted or
supplied with additional weights, respectively as the occasion may require.
In case it is desired to use the weighing scales, alone, the bob-weight, a, may be
transferred from the right to left branch which will depress the latter and disengage
the link,, therefrom, which will permit free use of the weighing scales.
Another way would be to loosen the set screw 1, thus permitting the rod, K, K
to move freely without imparting any motion to the price scales.
These arrangements just described will permit the free use of each set of scales
separately as is manifest.
When it is desired to use both scales connectedly for the purpose of ascertaining
the value of an article proceed as follows: Having placed the substance on the plat-
form cause the weighing beam, C, to go down and stay down by moving the bob-
weight, Q, toward the outer end, if this be not sufficient place enough weight upon the
depending carrier, R, to do it or the beam may be depressed in any manner so as to
cause a corresponding elevation of the left branch or extension, C, which will lift the

page_text: rate.
hook,, off the left branch, N¹, of the price scales and permit the scales to be moved
to the right or left till the proper point on the left branch thereof is directly beneath
the hook which when lowered will fall into the desired notch thus representing the
In order that the price scales may be properly adjusted the parts are so disposed
that the zero end of the slide, m³, is at a point on the sub-base corresponding with
the rate, and the pointer or index, m³, of the base is on a point on the slide" corre-
sponding with the price.
The price scales being adjusted to the proper position of the book,, of the coupling
bar, being in engagement with the desired notch of its left branch the scales are in
readiness for computing the value of articles of different weights placed on the plat-
form scales provided the weight is uniform by adjusting the bob-weight, N, on the
right branch and if it be not sufficient to depress the same, supply additional weights
to the carrier, ², till said arm is depressed.
The sum of the value represented by such weight, or weights and that indicated by
the bob-weight will indicate the true value of the article. For example suppose the
article to be wheat weighing, 120, pounds, as indicated by the figures at the end of the
rod, E, worth, 90, cents per bushel of, 60, pounds. The carrier should be adjusted to,
60, of the left branch or extension C', of the weighing beam, this being the rate;
next the zero end of the slide is adjusted to come opposite, 60, on the bottom of the
groove in the sub-base, then the price scales are adjusted till the pointer, m³, corre-
sponds with the price which is, 90. When these adjustments are made the hook, /,
will drop into the notch represented by, 90; the bob-weight, n, being insufficient to
overbalance the load an additional weight, n², representing, $1.00- in value is
supplied to the carrier the point at which the bob-weight causes a depression of the
right branch, N of the price scales, being, 80, which added to the, $1.00 will give,
$1.80-as the value. In ascertaining the value of quantities on the decimal scale,
rated at, 100, place the carrier at, 100, and adjust the other parts correspondingly. If
per bushel of, 60, 32, or any other number of pounds, proceed as above described.
When the carrier is adjusted to the desired position, the counterpoise, h, may be
correspondingly adjusted on the threaded rod, H, in order to effect a perfect
equilibrium between the two branches of the main beam. Thus when the carrier is
adjusted to, 60, the weight, h, is correspondingly adjusted to, 60, on the rod, H, as
clearly indicated if figure, 1. During the operation of computing the value the bob-
weight, Q, must be at zero and the depending carrier, R, must be free of all
weights.
While I have shown and described the connection which is interposed between the
main and price scales as adjustably connected at each end with the respective scale,
its is evident that said connection may be fixed relative to cach as when the rate and
price remain the same or it may be fixed at one end only and relatively adjustable at
the opposite end accordingly as the rate or price fluctuates. The construction shown
and described is preferred as it admits of a more general adaptation of the scales.
Although I have described the scales for use in values current in the United States
of America it is obvious that the scale beam may be graduated to indicate the values
current in any other country.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination with the main beam of an ordinary weighing scale, a supple-
mental beam extending in an opposite direction and an arm or rod branching from the
beam near its fulcrum and extended in the direction of the main beam, said beams or
arms being similarly graduated, of a carrier mounted upon a supplemental arm and
adjustable longitudinally thereon, and a counterpoise upon the arm for preserving an
equilibrium of the main and supplemental beams at any adjustment of the carrier,
substantially as set forth.
2. The combination of the main beam, a supplemental beam extending in an
opposite direction thereto, an arm branching from the beam near its fulcrum and
extending in the direction of the main beam, a price scale having right and left

page_text: branches each arranged to extend in the direction of the beams respectively, said beams,
arm, and branches of the price scale being similarly graduated, a carrier movable
along the supplemental beam, a bar supported by said carrier and adapted to engage
with the price scales, and a counterpoise adjustably mounted upon the arms to counter-
balance the carrier and bar at any adjustment, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination of the main beau, and extension forming a supplemental beam,
a rod or arm branching from the main beam, near its fulcrum and extending in the
direction thereof, the price scales, arranged as described, a carrier mounted on the
supplemental beam and movable longitudinally thereon, an adjustable telescoping con-
nection supported by said carrier and adapted to be engaged with the price scale, and
a counterpoise adjustably mounted upon the arm to balance the main and supple-
mental beams at any point of adjustment of the carrier, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
4. The combination of the weighing scales and a set of price scales movable to and
fro relative thereto with an adjustable or telescopic connection interposed between the
two substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5. The combination of the main beam of the weighing scales having an extension,
the price scales movable to and fro in the plane of the beam and substantially parallel
therewith a carrier movable along the extension, a telescoping connection supported
by the carrier and in engagement with the price scales, and a counterbalance movable
along a rod connected with the main beam to neutralize the weight of the carrier and
its connections at any point of adjustment on the extension, substantially as
described.
6. The combination with the overhanging arm and weighing beam of the weighing
scales, a sub-base secured thereto and graduated to correspond with the graduations
of the weighing beams, a corresponding graduated movable slide, and the price scales
mounted on said sub-base and movable thereon in a parallel plane, said movement of
the scales being regulated by the graduations on the sub-base, and the movable slide,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. The combination of the weighing beam the graduated sub-base, a graduated
movable slide price scales mounted on and movable to and fro over the sub-base, and
a movable connection interposed between the beam and price scales, substantially as
described.
8, The combination of the weighing beam and price scales of a carrier held against
the underside of the beam and having projections extending up on each side thereof
and provided with arms branching laterally therefrom, and a connection interposed
between the price scales and beam and supported on the arms of the carrier, substan-
tially as set forth.
9. The combination of the main and supplemental beams, the threaded rod journaled
lengthwise of the supplemental beam, a carrier supported on said rod and adjusted
thereby, price scales movable relative to the beams, a connection interposed between
the price and weighing scales and supported by the carrier and movable therewith,
substantially as set forth and a counterpoise for said connection and its carrier
adjustably connected with the main beam, substantially as set forth.
JULIUS ETIENNE PITRAT. .
By Jensen & Son,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Patent Agents.