Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Feb., 1888
Specification Accepted, 13th Apr., 1888
I, CHARLES ADAM LIEB, of the City of New York, in the County of New York, and
State of New York, in the United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declaro
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 improvements in Automatic Grain Meters, being adapted
also to weighing other materials, and has especial reference to improvements in the
details of construction whereby accuracy, uniformity and reliability of operation are
secured.
The class of grain meters to which my improvements are especially applicable is
that in which an oscillating receiver is suspended from a weighted scale beam. The
receiver having a centrally located partition which divides it into two substantially
equal chambers, each of which has a gate at its lower portion, which gates are opened
and closed automatically by the movement of the receiver. There being also a feeding
hopper provided with an automatic grain cut off valve and a receiving hopper to
receive the weighed grain from the machine and a registering indicator which
automatically registers the amount of grain passed through the machine.
In machines of the class stated the special difficulty heretofore experienced has
been to maintain uniformity of action in the machine, allowing for wear of the parts,
changes in temperature, deposits of dust, and other obstructive agencies which affect
the accuracy of its operation.
Many different devices have heretofore been employed to secure the desired end,
but, so far as I am aware, without very satisfactory results inasmuch as in running
large quantities of grain a considerable variance in the action of the machine has been
noticed, and I have discovered that these variances are principally due to the following
defects to which my improvements are directed.
First: The oscillating receiver and also the scale beam have heretofore been
| fulcrummed on knife edge bearings or else on ordinary pivots or shafts. The knife

page_text: edges being far more sensitive than the pivots, have been more frequently employed.
In both cases difference of temperature have changed, by contraction and expansion
the accuracy of the bearings, causing binding of the parts which in apparatus of this
kind, which depends for its accuracy largely upon the absence of friction, throws it
out of register and by the indefinite multiplication of even small variances result in a
total inaccuracy of large amount. The knife edges morcover speedily wear away, so
that their sensitiveness is lost. If they be made very hard they are apt to chip when
twisted slightly, because of springing of the parts consequent on changes of temperature
and if soft they soon flatten down. Moreover the fine dust of flouring mills gets into
the joints and packs theroin with groat firmness, so much so, that unless frequently
removed the apparatus will sometimes become choked therewith and fail to operate.
Second: Another source of inaccuracy has been the friction between the detents
and the pins, which engage with them used to hold the oscillating receiver in proper
position until the requisite amount of grain has entered it. This friction of course is
the equivalent of added weight on the scale beam and it constantly varios owing to the
presence or absence of dust, dirt, &c., and also to some extent on the temperature,
and theso small variances many times multiplied, as before stated, result in a total
inaccuracy of large amount,
Third: Another source of inaccuracy is the faulty operation of the discharge gates
at the lower end of the receiver chambers. These are usually, at the present, time,
closed by the oscillation of the receiver which presses the open gate closed by its
impact against a roller or its equivalent, attached to some suitable part of the machine,
and to secure smooth and uniform operation, both, of the gatos should bear with the
same and with nicoly adjusted pressure against these rollers, and inasmuch as the
receivers are made by hand and from sheet metal, it is impossible to get them all
alike and of exactly the same dimensions, therefore there has always heretofore been
inaccuracy in the operation of this part of the machine.
Fourth: The stay rods at the foot of the frame which sustains the oscillating
receiver, as heretofore constructed, have been inexact in operation.
My invention pertains to improved devices whereby 1 obviate the foregoing
difficulties.
In the drawings the same reference letters indicate the same parts in all the
figures.
Figure 1. illustrates a side elevation of my improved machine.
Figure 2. illustrates a front elevation of my machine.
Figure 3. illustratos a vertical section taken on the line X X of figure 2. the
weight bearing lever for the inlet valve being broken off.
Figure 4. illustrates a vertical section on the line X'X' of figure 2.
Figure 5. illustrates a top plan view showing the construction and operation of the
pawls which steady the receiver during the filling operation.
Figure 6. illustrates a top plan view showing the construction and operation
of the gate closing rollers and adjacent parts. It is taken on the line X³, X³, of
figure 2.
Figure 7. is an enlarged view of the suspension strips on which the receiver
oscillates.
Figure 8. illustrates a method of applying the suspension strips for the support of
the oscillating bucket.
Figure 9. illustrates a vertical section of a modified construction of the suspension
strips.
--
Figure 10. illustrates a top view of the devices shown in figure 9.
Figure 11. illustrates an alternative construction of the locking pawls which steady
the receiver.
Figures 12 and 13. illustrate still a different construction of the locking mechanism
for retaining the bucket in proper position.
A, is the frame of the apparatus. It is preferably cast all in one piece. B is an
indicator attached to the frame, A. It forms no part of my invention, although used

page_text: The
in connection with the apparatus and may be of any desired construction, and operated
in any desired manner, the power being taken from any suitable moving part of the
apparatus. I show in Figure 3. an ordinary slotted lever, B¹, which is attached to
the shaft of the indicator and engages with a pin B, on the receiver. C, is the
oscillating receiver. D, is a partition running vertically through the receiver
dividing it into two equal compartments. D', "D', are the grain discharge gates
located at the bottom of each compartment, they are hinged at D³, D' to the sides of
the receiver and swing downwardly in opening, and are closed by being alternately
pressed against rollers when the receiver oscillates as hereinafter explained. E, E, are
two suspended rods, connected at top and bottom by a horizontal framing, F, F.
G, G, are tubular pieces, fastened to the suspension rods E, E, they are set in
bushings H, which are bored centrally and through them a continuous rod I, passes
from side to side of the machino passing through a tube J, made half and half in the
partition, D, and in another piece of metal having a half round concavity made in it
which is fastened to the partition. The rod, I, fits this tube loosely and the tubular
piece, G, G, bears against the side of the receiver adjacent to the rod for the purpose
of centering the receiver, their ends are pointed as shown to reduce friction.
receiver oscillates on the rod I, which may turn in the bushings or the rod may be
stationary and the receiver turn on it, depending upon where the least friction occurs.
A set screw, K, fastens the centering tubes G, at such position as may be desired.
L, is the scale beam, it is bifurcated, or in other words, provided with laterally
extending arnis M, M, which extend from each side of the scale beam to somewhat
more than the width of the receiver, and then turn at right angles and in a downwardly
direction as at M², M, part way across the ends of the receiver. N, is the weight on the
scale beam, it is pivoted at N¹, and provided with a set screw N2, which works in a
slot N³, made in a stud on the end of the scale beam, whereby the weight may be
adjusted toward and from the receiver to secure accuracy, thus compensating for
atmospheric influenco, dust, &c. The weight is sustained considerably above the
beam L so that as the beam rises the line of gravity of the weight approaches nearer
and nearer to the fulcrum of the beam. O, is a recessed projection formed on the
frame A and P, is a like projection formed on the upper cross frame of the suspension
rods E, E. Q, and Q, are counterpart projections formed on the short arm M³, of
the scale beam. The projection Q, has an upward presentation and Q, has a
downward presentation. There are, of course, projections corresponding to O, P, Q
and Q, on the other side of the machine. R, R, are thin strips of metal, the ends of
which are fastened in the several projections above recited as shown in Figure 7.
That is to say, the end of the strips of metal are entered between two metallic
pieces, 1, and, 2, and they are riveted or otherwise firmly fastened together clamping
the end of the metal firmly between them. These pieces, 1, and, 2, with the strip in
position are then placed in suitably formed recesses made in the said projections, and
are fastened laterally by set screws, 3.
S, S, are stop pawls, they are pivoted to laterally extending studs S¹, S¹, which are
made on the respective ends of a light casting S³, which is screwed, or otherwise
fastened to the side of the receiver. The free ends of these pawls are respectively
ground on the arc of a circle, the center of which is the pivot on which they turn.
These pawls have each of them a small supplomental projection S³, S³, which forms
an integral part of them and which rests on the upper end of a small pointed set
screw, S, threaded into a small lug on the casting, S³, whereby the pawls, S, are
prevented from dropping lower than allowed by these set screws, they are pointed to
prevent accumulation of dust thereon. T, T, are corresponding pawls which are
pivoted at T, T¹, to a bracket which is fastened to the suspension rod E, they are
supported in a horizontal position by a ledge T2, formed on the samo rod, the adjust-
ment of the parts is such that the oscillations of the receiver will carry the free ends
of each pair of these pawls past each other to such an extent that the uppermost one
will drop down partly across the end of the other and abut against it end to end.
The pawls S, S, being of course the moving ones, the others not oscillating. U, U₂

page_text: are set screws, placed in the ends of a bar, U¹, which is screwed, or otherwise fastened
to the frame, A. These set screws are so adjusted that as the receiver commences to
sink under its load of grain they impinge against the under side of the pawls, S, S,
and tilt them upwardly. V, is an inverted pan shaped piece of sheet metal placed in
the lower or receiving hopper. It is rigidly attached to the ends of vertical rods V¹,
on each side of the machine, which are sustained at their lower ends hy passing
between two pins V2, V3, which are fastened in any suitable manner in the frame, A.
The rods V, are pivoted at the ends of levers V³, which are pivoted to a shaft V*,
extending at each end from the feeding hopper V³.
This shaft has a clapper valve, or its equivalent, attached to it within the hopper V³,
which closes and opens the grain supply passage in the bottom of the hopper. The
levers V, are each provided with a weight Ve, the descent of which is limited by set
screws, V', which pass through flanges, V8, formed on lugs V, of the frame, A.
By the appropriate adjustment of the set screws, V, the extent to which the valve
within the hopper V, will be opened may be determined and thus the maximum
rapidity of inflow of grain to the receiver be controlled.
This is desirable under certain circumstances. W, W, are the gate closing rollers
they turn on little shafts W, attached to the swinging frames W, these frames aro
pivoted at W, to stanchions W, on the lower cross frame of the suspension rods E.
W³, are sot screws, each provided with set nuts W, they pass through threaded
studs W, rigidly attached to the cross frame. By running these set screws in or out
the swinging frames W, which carry the rollers W, are set up nearer to or removed
further from the gates, D¹, thus providing accurate adjustment, whereby exactly the
right pressure may be applied to each of the gates to secure their closing when the
receiver oscillates and this pressure may by the proper adjustment of the rollers, be
made the same on both of the gates. A¹, A', aro thin and very flexible metallic strips,
they are fastened at either end to the main frame, A, as at A³, A2, and at the center
to the lower end of the suspension rods E, as at A³, or to some other suitable part of
the suspension rod frame, at or near the lower part thereof.
The length of these strips is accurately adjusted to the downward motion of the
suspension rods or frame E, so that when in their most elevated position these strips
will be stretched tight, thus holding the suspension rods truly vertical and maintaining
the proper relation between the pawls S, S, and their tripping set screws, U, thus
securing uniformity in the tripping operation.
The operation is as follows:-The weights V, normally elevate the inverted pan
shaped part V, and open the grain inlet valve on the shaft V, the grain runs through
the hopper V, filling that one of the compartments of the receiver which is presented
to it. When sufficient grain has entered this compartment to overcome the counter-
balance weight N, on the scale, beam, then the receiver and its suspension rods E, and
the frame thereof all commence to descend. As soon as this takes place one or the
other of the pawls, S, as the case may be, comes in contact with the upper end of its
tripping set screw U, and the receiver continuing to descend, the pawl S, is tilted
upwardly, usually carrying the free end of the co-acting pawl T, with it, and because
the ends of both of these pawls are rounded in vertical planes on arcs of circles
determined by their respective pivots, there is no jumping or strain as they thus rise.
After the receiver has descended some distance however, the deflection of those
pawls from a straight line becomes such that their meeting ends slip on each other,
and inasmuch as the pawls S, are set, as shown in Figures, 1, and, 2, in such a manner
that their ends do not slide completely past the ends of the co-acting pawls T, but
simply lap the upper half thereof, when the slipping referred to takes place the
pawls, S, invariably are the uppermost ones, the pawls T, dropping down and resting
in a horizontal position on the ledge, T. The instant the pawls slip past one another
as stated, the receiver, under the weight of its own sided load, oscillates on its
pivots, I, and the gate D¹, at the bottom of the loaded compartment, being relieved
from the pressure of its roller, W, opens and discharges its contents upon the inverted
pan shaped piece, V, the rollor, W, on the opposite side of the machine during the

page_text: oscillation of the receiver closes its gate, D¹. The instant the discharged grain strikes
the pan, V, it is depressed, overcoming the weight of the counterbalances V6, and
closes the inlet valve on the shaft, V.
This is done not to control the amount of grain weighed because the weighing is
accomplished before this valve acts, but so that if for any reason the grain cannot be
carried away from the scales, as for instance because of stoppage of the stones in a
grinding mill, or the closing of the gate in the delivery ducts below the lower hopper,
then the grain will back up until finally the pan, V, will at one of its descents bo
buried in the grain and will not rise again, the weight of the superimposed grain
holding it down, thus also holding the valve on the shaft, V, closed until the grain
runs away again, freeing the mechanism and allowing it to operate again.
The sloping upper side of the pan V, always clears it of grain when thero is vacant
space below it, into which the grain can slide.
The moment the discharge grain has slid off from the inverted pan, V. the
weight V, lifts the pan and opens the grain inlet valve on the shaft, V4, the grain
then again commences to flow into the second compartment, the receiver having by
this time been again elevated by the weight, N, and the other pair of pawls S, T,
having assumed their ond to end locking position holding the receiver in its proper
position. The flexible strips R, R', during the movement of the scale beam are flexed
from their normal lines. The power required to so flex these strips will be a constant
quantity and is allowed for in the adjustment of the machine. It will be noticed that
as the beam rises the weight, N, being placed above the beam is carried nearer and
nearer to its fulcrum, thus the power of the weight is reduced in proportion to the
increased force required to knock off or trip the locking pawls and to flex the
sustaining strips, R, R'. In this way rapid oscillation and descent of the receiver is
secured.
In order that the bending of these flexible strips may be always at the media!
horizontal line thereof, between the said projections P, and, Q; and, Q', and, Q,
respectively, on both sides of the machine, I sometimes provide metallic leaves at the
sides of these strips as shown in Figure 9 at a, a, &c. I prefer that these leaves a, a,
should be elastic and have spring temper in order that they may spring or bend with
the strips, R, R', and compel them to bend evenly on both sides of the machine, so
that there will be no twisting of the receiver which tends to break the strips, R, R',
and also effects the accuracy of the weighing. The leaves also act as reinforcers for
the strips, R, R', thus reducing their liability to snap off under the shock of the
vibration of the receiver.
In Figure, 10, 1 show a top or bottom view of those parts, (both top and bottom
presenting the same appearance) and the method of clamping them in the said
recessed projections by means of the screws b, b.
In Figure, 11, I show an alternative construction of the locking pawls, instead of
employing the pointed set screws which determine the downward movement of the
pawls S, S, I provide a longitudinal extension projecting from the upper side of these
pawls and beyond their ends, which, lap upon the top of the coacting pawls T, this
lip always acts to compel the pawls to rest upon a pawl T, thus the pawls, S, are
always the uppermost ones and fouling or jamming of the pawls is prevented.
In Figure, 12, I show an alternative construction of the locking pawls, in it instead
of the pawls T, T, I employ a roller a¹, which turns loosely on a pivot 6', attached
to T, the pawls S, rest against the periphery of this roller on opposite sides thereof
in a line horizontal or practically so with the pivot b', and when the receiver sinks
under its load the pawls S, roll the roller over and they are thus tripped.
It is obvious that this construction is the equivalent of the end to end acting pawls
herein before described, that part of the roller which lies between its axis and periphery
in line with the co-acting pawl S, being in effect the counterpart pawl T, and acts in
conjunction with the pawls S, in the same manner that the pawl, T, does.
It is obvious that the said recessed projections may be so arranged by simply
transposing their relative positions that the flexible strips, R, and, R., will be
subjected. to a stretching instead of a crushing strain, as shown in the drawings.

page_text: Their action is substantially the same in either construction and I do not limit myself
to the specific arrangement shown.
Instead of employing the rod, I, and centering points, G, I sometimes suspend the
receiver also on tlieso flexiblo strips as shown in Figure 8, c, being a part of one of the
suspension rods and d, being the receiver; suitable brackets, e, e, are provided on
the suspension rods and on the sides of the receiver respectively, between which the
flexible strips extend being clamped at its ends by any suitable means, screws, f,f, are
shown in this figure for this purpose.
I do not limit myself to the specific details of construction shown since they may
be somewhat altered and still my improvements be practically employed.
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: The combination of an oscillating receiver provided with a centrally
located partition, pivoted pawls attached to the receiver, their ends respectively.
opposite the pivots being capable of independent motion, counterpart pivoted pawls
attached to the suspension rods of the bucket and stops to determine the movement of
the pawls substantially as set forth.
Second-The combination of an oscillating double chambered receiver, pivoted
pawls attached thereto, counterpart pivotod pawls attached to the suspension rods, the
meeting ends of the pawls being formed on arcs of circles the centers of which
respectively, are the pivots on which they turn, and stops to determine the movement
of the pawls, substantially as set forth.
Third-The combination of an oscillating double chambered receiver hung on a
weighted scale beam and having a downward movement when loaded, pawls attached
to the receiver, set screws or equivalent devices on the frame of the machine which
engage with the pawls on the receiver and tilt them when the receiver sinks, counter
part pivoted pawls attached to the suspension rods of the bucket and stops to
determine the movement of the pawls, substantially as set forth.
Fourth-The combination in a weighing machine of an oscillating receiver,
pivoted pawls attached to the receiver, their ends respectively opposite the pivots being
capable of independent motion, counterpart pivoted pawls attached to the suspension
rods of the receiver, stops to determine the movement of the pawls and a gate
at the bottom of the receiver operated by the oscillation thereof substantially as
set forth.
Fifth-The combination in a weighing machine of an oscillating receiver,
pivoted pawls attached thereto, counterpart pivoted pawls attached to the suspension
rods, the meeting ends of the pawls being formed on arcs of circles, the centers of
which respectively are the pivots on which they turn, and stops to determine the
movement of the pawls, substantially as set forth.
Sixth-The combination of oppositely arranged recessed projections or brackets,
flexible strips of metal extending from one to the other and leaves fastened to the
said projections by the side of the said flexible connecting strip, substantially as set
forth.
Seventh-The combination in a grain scale of swinging lower gates hinged to an 4
oscillating receiver, a suspension frame hung to a weighted scalo beam, rollers which
impinge on the gates and control the position thereof when the receiver is oscillated,
said rollers being pivoted in a movable support attached to tho receiver holding frame
and provided with an adjusting set screw adapted to move the roller support toward
the gate, whereby the rollers may be adjusted to and from the gates, substantially
as described.
Eighth-The combination of an oscillating receiver suspended from a rising
and falling suspension frame which is hung to a scale beam and a flexible strip

page_text: of metal attached to the frame of the machine at both ends, and to the
suspension frame at its central part, and pivoted pawls which control the position
of the receiver and which are tripped by its descent, substantially as set forth.
Ninth The combination of a rising and falling receiver hung to a scale beam,
one or more flexible strips attached to the frame of the machine at both ends and
directly or indirectly to the receiver between the ends, substantially as set forth.
Tenth The combination of an oscillating receiver pivoted pawls attached to the
receiver, pivoted counterpart pawls attached to the suspension rod of the machine
substantially as described, and stops for the pawls which are pivoted to the receiver, and
adjusted to hold their free ends sufficiently above the ends of the pawls attached to the
suspension rod to insure their being the uppermost ones, when the pawls are tripped
by the descent of the receiver and a tripping device placed on the frame which
engages with the pawls on the receiver when it descends, substantially as set
forth.
-
.
Eleventh The combination of a pivoted pan or its equivalent, upon which the
grain is discharged from the receiver, a rod which connects the pan with the shaft of
the inlet valve, a weight which norinally acts to open the valve and to elevate the pan
and a set screw, whereby the extent to which the inlet valve may be opened, will be
determined, substantially as set forth.
Twelfth-The combination of an oscillating receiver supported from a suspension
frame which is hung to a scale beam by flexible metallic strips as described, locking
devices to hold the receiver in its dual positions, which are tripped by the descent
of the receiver and a weight for the scale beam located above the beam, substantially
as set forth.
Thirteenth -The combination of a rising and falling receiver, supported from a
suspension frame, which is hung to a scale beam by metallic strips, a gate at the
lower part of the receiver closed by adjustable rollers, a flexible metallic tie rod or
strip attached to the lower part of the receiver and to the frame of the machine,
and a weight for the scale beam located above the beam, substantially as set
forth.
Fourteenth An automatic grain scale embodying essentially the following
features, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinabove described, to wit:
An oscillating double chambered receiver, attached directly or indirectly to a weighted
scale beam, gates at the lower end of the compartments controlled by adjustablo
rollers and operated by the rising and falling of the receiver, a flexible stay strip
or strip adjusted to centre the receiver when at its uppermost position, locking pawls
which control the position of the receiver during the inflowing of the material to
be weighed, by abutting against each other, end to end. Tripping devices for
disengaging the locking pawls during the descent of the receiver, an adjustable
inlet valve closed by the discharge of the material from the receiver as set forth.
Fifteenth-The combination of an oscillating receiver, supported from a
suspension frame which is hung to a scale beam by a flexible metallic strip or strips,
a gate at the lower part of the receiver, pivoted pawls attached to the suspension
frame, and a weight for the scale beam constructed and arranged so that its
line of gravity approaches the fulcrum as the weight moves, substantially as set
forth.
Sixteenth-The combination of an oscillating receiver hung from a scale beam,
pivoted pawls attached to the receiver, counterpart pivoted pawls which engage end
to end with the pawls attached to the receiver, and a weight for the scale beam,.
constructed and arranged so that its line of gravity approaches the fulcrum as the
weight moves, substantially as set forth.
-
Seventeenth-The combination of an oscillating receiver hung to a weighted
scale beam, flexible strips attached at one end to the beam and at the other to a

page_text: suitable support, pivoted pawls attached to the receiver and counterpart pivoted
pawls attached to the suspension rods of the receiver, substantially as set forth.
Eighteenth-The combination in a weighing machine of a vertically moving
receptacle for the material to be weighed, and a flexible tie rod or strip, attached
directly or indirectly to the said receptacle and to the frame of the machine substantially
as set forth.
Nineteenth-The combination of a weighted scale beam, the weight being sustained
above the fulcrum of the beam directly or indirectly and flexible metallic strips for
sustaining the beam, substantially as set forth.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.