Improvements in Weighing and Weight Printing Machinery and Means for Controlling such Machinery by Coins or Tokens.
Year: 1888

page_text: [Communicated from abroad by the UNITED STATES MACHINE AND INVENTIONS
COMPANY, of New York, in the United States of America, Manufacturers.]
Improvements in Weighing and Weight Printing Machinery and
Means for Controlling such Machinery by Coins or Tokens.
I WILLIAM THOMAS WHITEMAN of No. 7 Staple Inn, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This Invention relates more particularly to machinery whereby a person may
receive a ticket printed with his weight on depositing a proper coin or coins in the
machine and it is designed as an improvement upon or modification of the machines
described in Applications for Patents Nos. 9779 and 9780 dated July 12th 1887; but
the several improvements constituting the said invention may be embodied in any
machine to which they are or may be applicable.
The invention comprises first, certain improvements in the means for supporting
a lever a drum or other rotatory device through which the pressure of the person or
object weighed is conveyed to a counterpoise whose force or counterbalancing effect
increases with the motion of said rotatory device.
A counterpoise of this kind as described in the first of said applications it being
composed of a series of weights which are successively lifted by the rotation of a
drum. There are also other known forms; as example, (1) a spring or springs whose
tension increases as they are retracted (2) a weighted lever arm whose power increases
as the lever arm swings upward or from side to side; (3) one or more weights or
springs combined with a cam in such manner that they act at a greater distance from
the centre as the cam is turned; (4) the converse of the last mentioned when the
power to turn the rotatory device acts at a less distance from the centre as the said
device is turned under the influence of said power and so on.
The improved means are to be combined with any counterpoise of the character
described, but especially with a series of weights.

page_text: The improvements in these means are (a) the combination with the rotatory device
of a double bearing, namely a bearing without sliding friction on which the said
rotatory device may turn through a fraction only of its angular movement and a pivot
bearing whereof one part turns in or on the other, the two bearings being so arranged
that when the limits of the non sliding bearing are reached the rotatory device may
turn on the pivot bearings (b), the formation of a bearing without sliding friction by
means of a fulcrum piece or fulcrum pieces having a bearing surface or surfaces of
convex curvature, and resting upon a level or nearly level stationary bearing surface
or surfaces whereon the said fulcrum piece or pieces may roll back and forth as the
rotatory device is turned in one direction or the other; (c) the formation of the
double bearing by means of a journal or journals which are free to roll upon a
stationary bearing surface or surfaces of limited length and are also capable of
turning as pivots at the ends of said surface or surfaces where its or their traversing
motion is arrested by stops hollowed out or not as may be desired.
When a person steps on the scale or an object is placed thereon, the weight on
the scale turns the rotatory device against the force of the counterpoise let us say
beyond the limits of the non-sliding bearing thus turning it also in or on its pivot
bearing. This mction owing to the action of the acquired momentum, carries the
parts beyond the position of balance, so that as soon as the motion is arrested a
reverse motion takes place under the influence of the counter-poise. During this
reverse motion the rotatory device first turns on the non-sliding bearing and then if
necessary on its pivot bearing, until having been carried a certain distance, less than
before beyond the position of balance, it is again arrested. Vibration back and forth
continues, the movements at each reversal becoming less and less, until the non
sliding bearing suffices to accommodate the motion and finally the parts come to
rest and a balance is secured without friction or practically so.
The invention comprises, secondly, certain improvements in those weight printing
mechanisms which have a moveable form or series of type mounted on a yielding
support or supports so that they can be pushed out independently of the balancing
mechanism whereby the type are adjusted and combined with teeth for holding the
type in printing.
The present improvements in the printing mechanism are (a) the attachments of
the holding teeth to a flexible support or band of soft vulcanized rubber or other
like material on the face of which the series of type are mounted instead of to a rigid
frame carrying such band or to the bodies of separate type each on its own support (b)
certain combinations of inking and guide rollers with the moveable type which can
be pressed out to print and especially with a flexible type band with or without
holding teeth and with or without side flanges.
The invention comprises, thirdly, certain improvements in mechanism for delivering
the cards to be printed with the weight from an upright card box to the weight
printing mechanism which gives the impressions by a horizontal motion or movement
parallel or nearly so of the cards as they lie in the card box.
An arrangement of this kind is described in the Application No. 9780 above
mentioned, the cards being taken successively by a feed roller having teeth which
catch the cards and carry them downward inside a curved case.
The present improvements under this head are (a) the combination with the card box
and the weight printing mechanism of a horizontally reciprocating pusher and a
carved discharge passage extending from the side of the card box opposite the end
of the pusher and curving downward so as to bring the face of the card opposite the
weight printing type, (b) the formation of one side of the curved passage in the
combination mentioned by the periphery of a roller which is free to turn with
the cards as they are advanced by the pusher.
The invention comprises fourthly certain improvements in means for effecting the
control of any suitable weighing machines by the introduction of a coin or coins and
especially of those weighing machines that employ a counterpoise of the kind herein
before specified.
The improvements under this head are :- -(a) the control of the weighing scale by

page_text: a coin motor through the intermediary of a Clock work whose release is effected or
permitted by the introduction of the coin or coins and a detent or lock which when
engaged locks the balancing mechanism, and which is removed by the operation of
the said clockwork, (b) the combination with balancing mechanism, a detent or lock
therefor and printing mechanism having the printing type adjusted by said balancing
mechanism, of a power driven mechanism which operates, first to release or unlock
the balancing mechanism and afterward works the printing mechanism, and a coin
motor which directly or indirectly controls the operation of said power driven
mechanism.
A mechanical power or clockwork is especially intended by power driven
mechanism here and elsewhere in this specification, but other known or suitable powers
may be used and are included.
The invention fifthly comprises certain means whereby in coin controlled weighing
machinery using a mechanical power driven mechanism the introduction of coins is
prevented when the power driven mechanism is run down. These means consist of a
shutter movable to close the coin slot or passage or leave it open according to the
position of said shutter and operating mechanisin having an arm or other appropriate
device at a suitable point in the path of the operating weight or of other suitable
part of the power driven mechanism so that it is struck thereby when the power is
exhausted or nearly so and moves the shutter in the direction to close the coin slot or
passage the said shutter is held back at other times by a spring or other suitable
instrumentality. These means may of course be employed whether the power driven
mechanism effects the release of the scale or the printing and delivery of the tickets
or other object.
The invention further comprises certain constructions, combinations and arrange
ments of parts hereinbefore or hereinafter mentioned.
The levers which underlie the platform in an ordinary platform scale are or may be
connected with the axle of a drum through a flexible steel band wound on the said
axle and the counterpoise and printing form are or may be connected with the drum
by similar bands. The drum is mounted in bearings as before indicated. To
moderate the movement of the balancing mechanism and limit the extent of its
vibration one or more regulating fans are or may be employed. They may be placed
on a suitable moving part and be engaged by a cord fastened at the ends to the
machine frame, or they may be mounted on the machine frame and be engaged by a
traveling belt which is drawn back and forth with the balancing mechanism, or they
may be driven by the drum itself. In the latter case the traversing motion of the
drum is utilised to disengage the fans when the balance is effected. Other forms of
brakes could be used in place of the fans.
The band which supports the printing form is or may be wound on the drum in the
opposite direction to that which supports the counterpoise so that when the latter is
raised the printing form is lowered, and the lower end of the printing form is or may
be connected by a traveling belt with the lower end of the counterpoise supporting
band.
To lock the balancing mechanism until the coin is introduced, a lock or detent is
provided for engaging a locking plate on the side of the drum or rotatory device
before mentioned and is connected with a portion of the clockwork which operates
the weight printing mechanism so as to be withdrawn when said clock work is released
by the coin. Stops or buffers, of say soft rubber are or may be provided on the lock
or detent to lessen the jar, and the locking plate may also be held between pieces of
rubber or yielding material for the like purpose.

page_text: improvements in Weighing and Weight Printing Machinery and
Means for Controlling such Machinery by Coins or Tokens.
i
I, WILLIAM THOMAS WHITEMAN of No. 7 Staple Inn, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN WEIGHING AND WEIGHT PRINTING MACHINERY AND MEANS FOR
CONTROLLING SUCH MACHINERY BY COINS OR TOKENS (a communication to me from
abroad by the United States Machine and Inventions Company, of New York, in the
United States of America, Manufacturers) 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 more particularly to machinery whereby a person may
receive a ticket printed with his weight on depositing a proper coin or coins in
the machine.
It
Such machinery has heretofore been devised and the present invention covers only
certain improvements therein or in the different mechanisms composing the same.
is particularly designed as an improvement upon or modification of the machines
described in my applications for patents Nos. 9779 and 9780 dated July 12, 1887.
The several improvements constituting the present invention may be embodied in
any machine to which they, or any one or more of them, are or may be
applicable.
In the class of weighing machinery before mentioned, it is necessary as in all
weighing machinery to have a balancing mechanism, that is to say, a mechanism for
balancing the person whose weight is to be ascertained, which mechanism includes
a support for such person, a counterpoise, and connections whereby the pressure
due to the weight of the person on said support is conveyed to the counterpoise.
Use has been heretofore made or proposed to be made in weighing machinery of
said class, of balancing mechanism in which said pressure is conveyed, through a
rotatory drum, to a counterpoise whose force or counterbalancing effect increases with
the motion of said drum.
A counterpoise of this kind is described in the first of my said applications, it
being composed of a series or chain of weights which are successively lifted by the
rotation of the drum. There are also other known forms of such counterpoise ; as
for example, first, a spring or springs whose tension increases as they are retracted;
second, a weighted lever arm whose power varies as the lever arm moves vertically
or from side to side, third, one or more weights or springs combined with a rotary
cam in such manner that said weights or springs act at a greater distance from the
centre as the cam is turned; fourth, the converse of the last mentioned, to wit, one
or more weights. or springs combined with a cam when the latter is so arranged that
the weight of the person on the scale or weighing machine acts at a less distance
from the centre as the cam is turned, and so on.

page_text: The present invention consists in the employment in the balancing mechanism of
weighing machinery in connection with any suitable counterpoise of the character
described, (but especially with a chain of weights which are successively lifted) and
à drum, lever or other rotatory device through which the pressure of the person or
object weighed is conveyed to said counterpoise, of the following means for
supporting said drum, lever or other rotatory device; namely, a journal or journals
for the drum, lever or other rotatory device, rolling upon a stationary bearing
surface or surfaces of limited length between stops so as to form a bearing for the
dram, lever or other rotatory device, without sliding friction by the rolling of the
journal or journals on said stationary surface or surfaces, and a pivot bearing therefor
by the journal or journals turning in contact with the said stops. The stops arrest
the traversing motion of the drum, lever or other rotatory device and may be
hollowed out or not as may be desired.
The aforesaid bearing surface or surfaces are of such length that the drum, lever
or other rotatory device turns through a fraction only of its angular movement by the
rolling of the journal or journals and rotates as on a pivot or pivots when the limits
of the non-sliding bearing are reached.
When a person steps on the scale, or an object is placed thereon, the weight on
the scale turns the rotatory device against the force of the counterpoise, let us say,
beyond the limits of the non-sliding bearing, thus turning it also in or on its
pivot-bearing. This motion owing to the action of the acquired momentum, carries
the parts beyond the position of balance, so that as soon as the motion is arrested
a reverse motion takes place under the unfluence of the counterpoise. During this
reverse motion the rotatory device first turns on the non-sliding bearing, and then
if necessary, on its pivot, until having been carried a certain distance (less than
before) beyond the position of balance it is again arrested. Vibration back and
forth continues, the movement at each reversal becoming less and less, until the non-
sliding bearing suffices to accomodate the motion, and finally the parts come to rest
and a balance is secured without friction, or practically so.
In the class of weighing machinery herein first referred to as in all weighing and
weight printing machinery, it is necessary to have some form of type from which to
print the figures or characters indicating the weight, and it is very useful to employ
for this purpose a movable form or series of type mounted on a yielding support or
supports and combined with holding teeth so that the appropriate type can be pushed
out by a printing finger independently of the balancing mechanism (whereby the form
or series is adjusted) and the said form or series can be held from moving during
the printing operation. Printing forms or series of type of this description are set
forth in my before mentioned applications for patents, and as set forth in application
No. 9780, the type are adjusted vertically in front of a horizontally movable printing
finger.
In addition to the new or improved balancing mechanism already indicated, the
present invention consists also in the employment in weighing and weight printing
machinery, in connection with balancing mechanism for adjusting the form or series
of type vertically, and means for taking an impression from the appropriate type on
the form or in the series, by a horizontally movable printing finger, of a printing
form composed of a flexible support or band of soft vulcanized rubber or other like
material, with the series of type on its face and a series of holding teeth on its back.
In the class of weighing machinery first mentioned, as in all weighing and weight
printing machinery which delivers tickets printed with the weight, it is necessary to
have ticket delivery mechanism for supplying the tickets to be printed, for holding
the same opposite the type for printing and for discharging them when printed; and
for this purpose or these purposes use has been made or proposed to be made of a card
box for holding a pile of tickets, which are successively printed and discharged, and
in my before mentioned application No. 9780, an arrangement is described by which
the tickets are taken successively from a card box and presented in propor position
to weight printing mechanism which gives the impression by a horizontal motion or
movement parallel or nearly so of the tickets as they lie in the card box the precise,

page_text: means shown in said application being a feed roller having teeth which catch the
cards and carry them around in a curved case.
"
In addition to the new or improved balancing and weight printing mechanisms
before indicated, the present invention further consists in the employment in con-
nection with a card box, in the ticket delivery mechanism of weighing machinery
whereby the weight of persons is or may be printed on tickets, of a reciprocatory
pusher and a curved discharge passage, formed between a loose roller and a stationary
concave, and extending from the side of said box around in front of the printing type,
said pusher at each reciprocation forcing a ticket from the card box into the curved
passage and advancing the tickets already in said passage.
This arrangement or combination of delivery mechanism is particularly useful
when the weight printing type are adjusted vertically and the impression is given by
a horizontally moving printing finger.
In the class of weighing machinery first mentioned, as in all coin controlled
weighing machinery, it is necessary of course in some way to control the machinery
or a part thereof so that the operation cannot be completed until the proper coin or
coins have been introduced, and among the various modes of control adopted or
proposed, is that of locking the balancing mechanism by a detent, whose removal
cannot be effected until the proper coin or coins has been introduced.
In addition to the new or improved balancing, printing, and ticket delivery
mechanisms already indicated, the present invention consists in the employment in
any suitable coin controlled weighing machinery, having a counterpoise of the
character herein before defined, in connection with a lock or detent for the balancing
mechanism of said machinery, of a coin controlled clockwork, which is temporarily
released on the introduction of a proper coin or coins, and which is connected with
said lock or detent so as to release the balancing mechanism when said clockwork is
temporarily brought into action by the coin or coins. By this clockwork, stored
power is supplied sufficient to insure the release of the balancing mechanism even
when loaded, and it is or may be easily made effective to keep the said mechanism
unlocked while it runs for a suitable time; so that if a person first introduces a coin
he has time to get on the weighing machine before it is again locked.
The devices on which the coin acts have simply to release the clockwork and there-
fore are not affected by the presence of a greater or less load on the weighing
machinery nor by the absence of a load therefrom; and, as the coin having released
the clockwork
may
at once be discharged, the aforesaid devices may be of the
simplest kind. It is also to be observed that the clockwork in addition to releasing
the detent is or may be used for driving other mechanism in the machine for any
desired purpose.
This part of the invention also consists in the employment in coin controlled
weighing machinery which prints the weight on a ticket and delivers the printed
ticket, of coin controlled clockwork in connection with a lock or detent for the
balancing mechanism and with printing and ticket delivery mechanisms, in such a way
that said clock work being temporarily released by the introduction of a coin or coins,
first releases the balancing mechanism, so that it may adjust the printing form or
type of the printing mechanism, and after a suitable interval (for allowing the said
form or type to be adjusted) automatically prints a ticket from said type and delivers
the printed tickets.
The invention further comprises constructions combinations and arrangements of
the parts herein before or hereinafter mentioned.
In the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification;
Figure I. is a front elevation of a coin controlled weighing and weight printing
machine constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. II., a view in vertical
section and rear elevation on a larger scale, certain portions of the machine being
omitted and certain parts broken away; Figs. III. and IV., similar views in vertical
section in planes at right angles to those of Figs. I. and II., in elevation looking in
opposite directions respectively; Fig. V., a detail view in vertical section of a portion
of the printing and ticket delivery mechanism; Fig. VI. a detail view in horizontal

page_text: section of such mechanism; Fig. VII., a detail view in perspective of a portion of
the ticket delivery mechanism; Fig. VIII., a perspective view, partly in vertical
section, of the upper part of the machine; and Fig. 1X. a detail view in vertical
section, showing the coin-operated escapement lever and the parts more immediately
connected therewith. Fig. X. is a view in vertical section and front elevation of a
modified machine also constructed in accordance with the invention and Fig. XI.
a view of the same in vertical section at right angles to that of Fig. X. The same
letters and numbers of reference indicate like parts in all the Figures.
The lever A of an ordinary platform scale is connected by the rod B (see Figs. I.,
II., III., X. and XI.) with the lower end of a steel band B, which is wound on the
axle C of a drum G, so that when the platform is depressed the band is drawn down
and the drum G is turned. This drum G constitutes the rotatory device through
which the pressure of the object weighed is conveyed to the counterpoise I, formed as
shown, of a chain of weights, as described in my aforesaid application for patent
No. 9779, the top weight of the chain being connected through the stirrup E with the
steel band H, whose upper end is fastened to the drum G, so that as the drum G is
turned by the pull on the band B¹ the band H is wound on its periphery and the
weights I lifted in succession until the weight on the scale-platform is balanced. The
double bearing for this rotatory device is formed by the journals 1, which are
upheld by stationary cross pieces D. They rest upon the level bearing
surfaces 2 (see Figs. II., X. and VIII.) between the stops 3, but normally out of
contact therewith.
When the scale platform is depressed and the drum G is turned, the journals 1 rolb
on the surfaces, thus forming a non-sliding bearing until they strike stops 3, whereupon
they turn like ordinary journals or pivots, thus forming a second bearing whereof one
part turns in or on the other, until the increasing force of the counterpoise I arrests
the motion of the drum G. As this will not take place until the parts have passed
the point of balance, the force of the counterpoise will turn the drum in the opposite.
direction, the journals rolling to the stops 3 at the other end of the surfaces 2, when
they again turn or may turn as pivots. Finally the vibration results, simply in
rolling the journals 1 on the surfaces 2, and the balance is secured with the journals 1
out of contact with the stops 3, and consequently, by means of a bearing without
sliding friction.
In order to moderate the movement of the balancing mechanism and limit the
extent of its vibration, one or more regulating fans are or may be employed. In
Figs. I., II. and III., the fan F is placed in the stirrup E, so that the resistance of the
air to the rapid rotation of the fan may moderate the motion of the stirrup and parts
connected. The fan consists of wings 4, fastened to the shaft 5, whose ends are pivoted
in the sides of the stirrup and which in the middle is provided with a pulley 6, for
revolving the fan by engagement with the cord 7. This cord is wrapped once around
the pulley, its upper end is fastened by eye-plate 10 to the top Z of the machine
frame, and its lower end is secured to the stationary post 8, whose base is fastened to
a shelf 9, in the base Z¹ of said frame. When therefore the stirrup E is moved
up or down, the pulley 6 travels along the cord and is rotated thereby. The cord is
left a little slack so that it does not interfere with the equilibrium of the balancing
mechanism, or in other words so that the small vibrations just before equilibrium, take
place without rotating the fan. The weights I are hollow and fit over the post 8. The
bottom weight of the chain is connected with the upper end of a spiral tension
spring 11, whose lower end is fastened to the post, so that if all the weights
should be lifted the tension of the spring will prevent excessive motion and
disarrangement. In Figs. X. and XI. modified arrangements are employed as
explained below.
1
The weights may be placed in a stationary tube 111, to conceal the weights or
counterpoise, except in operation, for the purpose of increasing the interest of the
public in the machine; but the said tube may of course be, and is, in Figs. X.
and XI., omitted.
The printing form or band K. of soft rubber. consists (see Figs. V. and VI.) of the

page_text: .
backing 12, the type 13 on the face thereof, the teeth 14 on the back, opposite the
spaces between the type, and the side flanges 15. It is or may be provided with a
re-enforce 150, or strenghening strip of cloth. It is adjusted by the drum G, on
which is wound the steel band K¹ whose lower end is connected with the upper end
of the printing form or band K (see Figs II. and X.). When the drum G is turned
by the weight on the scale platform, the printing form or band K is lowered in front
of the printing finger 16, and the parts are so adjusted that when a balance is secured
the characters or type 13, which represent the weight on the scale, are opposite said
finger.
The type are inked by the inking roller Q, and the printing form or band K is
guided by the said roller in connection with the guide roller Q. These rollers each have
flanges 17 and 170 respectively, which lie outside the flanges 15, and portions 18 (see
Fig. VI.) of the periphery of the roller Q form bearings for the back of the said
flanges 15. The periphery of the roller Q', between the portions 18, is cut away for
the passage of the teeth 14. The rollers QQ' are journaled in bearing-pieces 19
and 20, respectively which are fastened to the card box P. An additional roller to
guide the band and which may or may not be adapted to ink the type 13 as they
are drawn over it, may be arranged in front of the band K below the printing
finger 16.
The lower end of the printing form or band K is provided with a light weight 21,
(see Figs. II. and V.) to keep it stretched, and said weight is connected through a
spiral tension spring 22, with a flexible cord 23, whose lower end is fastened at the
bottom of the tube 24, which forms a guide for the weight 21. When a person steps
off the scale, the printing form or band K is lifted very rapidly. The spring 22 and
cord 23 gradually arrest the motion thus imparted and prevent the weight 21 from
being thrown out of the tube 24.
In Figs. X. and XI. the lower end of the printing form or band K is connected
through the belt 115 with the lower end of the band H which is connected with the
chain of weights or counterpoise I; and said belt is utilized to rotate the fan F¹
journaled in stationary bearings in the base of the machine and serving to moderate
the motion of the balancing mechanism. The belt 115 is a little slack so as to allow
the small vibrations of the balancing mechanism which precede equilibrium to take
place without rotating the fan F¹. It passes up through the weights 1. It is fastened
at one end to the block 116 Fig. X., on the stirrup E, and at the other end, to the
lower end of the printing form or bank K, whose upper end is connected with the
band K1, fastened in and adapted to wind upon the drum G, so that the belt 115 is
indirectly connected at both ends with the drum G, and is consequently drawn back
and forth by the rotation thereof. It is guided by the pulley 117, mounted on a shaft
under the weights I, and the pulley 118 on the shaft of the fan F¹. The stationary
post 8, inside the counterpoise weights I, is made hollow for the passage through it
of the belt 115.
As a further or as a substitute means of moderating the motion of the balancing
mechanism, without checking the small vibrations which precede equilibrium, a
fan F" on each side of the drum G may be provided. The shaft. 119 of each
fan F is journaled in stationary bearings, and is provided with a pulley or friction
wheel 120), which occupies such relation to the drum G that it is engaged thereby
only when the said drum rolls to one side. When therefore the journals 1 of said
drum are against either of the stops 3, one of the fans F is revolved by the
periphery of the drum engaging the pulley 120, and acts as a brake; but when
the drum G is in an intermediate position, which is the position occupied at
equilibrium, the brakes or fans F" are out of action and do not interfere with the
accuracy of weighing.
The post 8 (see Fig. X.) is fastened at the bottom in the block 121, which is made
vertically adjustable by being held in a stationary socket, 122 (see also Fig. XI.) by
set screws 123. If the block 121 is shifted up or down all the counterpoise weights I
are shifted in like manner independently of the weight on the scale, and the printing
form or band K is shifted in the opposite direction. If therefore when the machinery

page_text: is put together, it should be found that the impression from the type of the form K
should not correspond with a test weight placed on the scale platform, the error
(which would be a few pounds at most) can be corrected by adjusting the block 121
in its socket, 122.
The card box P (see Figs. I., II. and III.) is supported in an upright position by
arms 25 from one of the corner pieces Z", which are made of angle-iron and connect
together the top Z and base Z' of the machine frame. The front 26 of this box is
hinged at 27, Figs. I. and IV., so that it can be swung out for the introduction of
the cards. The piece 28, Fig. V., in connection with the roller S, forms the bottom
of the card box. A curved discharge-passage 29, formed between the periphery
of the roller S and the concave 30, extends from the back of the card box down in
front of the printing finger 16. The concave 30 is provided with an opening 31,
through which the type 13 may be pushed by the printing finger 16, in order to make
an impression on the card in the lower end of the discharge passage 29.
The bottom card is pushed from the card box into the discharge passage 29 by the
reciprocatory pusher R, whose thickness is that of a card. It has depending side
flanges 32, (see Fig. VII.) so that it will be impossible for a card to get under the
pusher. The discharge passage 29 contains several cards which are pushed through,
each by the card behind, when the pusher advances, the roller S rotating with the
card, so that there is but little friction.
The pusher R is fastened to arms 33 Fig. VI., on the front, and the printing
finger 16 to arins 34 on the rear, of the printing lever L, pivoted at 35 to the
card box P, and operated by a crank pin 36, Figs. II., IV. and X., on the shaft 37.
The crank pin 36 works in a slot 380, in the lower end of the printing lever L.
When the lever L is moved forward, the printing finger 16 enters between two of
the teeth 14 and presses the type opposite into contact with the card, and on the
return movement of the said lever L the pusher R forces a new card into the
discharge passage 29 and forces out the printed card. The shaft 37 is geared by a
fast pinion 38, and fast spur wheel 39 to the shaft 40, on which is a loose drum 41,
provided with a ratchet wheel 42, which is engaged by the pawl 43 on the spur
wheel 39, so that the drum 41 can be turned independently of the shaft 40 for
winding.
The weight T Fig. III., which furnishes the power for printing and delivering
the cards or tickets, is suspended in loops of the wire 44, which bas one end fastened
at 45 Figs. III. and XI., to the cross piece 450 in the top Z, runs around the
pulleys 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54 and is wound upon the drum 41. In
Fig. XI. it passes around a guide pulley 133, loose on a shaft 136, which pulley can
slide back and forth on the shaft to distribute the wire evenly on the drum 41.
In Fig. III., the power weight T is guided by ears 55, sliding on stationary rods 56.
The descent of the weight tends to rotate the shafts 27 and 40 in the direction of
the arrows.
The shaft 57 (in Figs. II., III. and IX.) is geared to the shaft 37 by the fast
pinion 58 and the fast spur wheel 59, which are of such relative size that the
shaft 57 makes four revolutions to one of the other, and the escapement lever W,
fulcrumed on the rock-shaft 60 has a tooth 61, which engages a pin 62, on the spur
wheel 63 fast on the shaft 57, and prevents the rotation of the mechanism driven by
the weight T. When the escapement lever W is moved back, the tooth 61 is
removed from the path of the pin 62 and rotation of the mechanism is permitted.
The escapement lever W is so weighted that it tends to swing forward and place
the tooth 61 in the path of the revolving pin 62. The ends of a cross piece 630,
fastened to the lever W, act as stops to limit this forward motion by contact with the
frame 64, by which the various parts of the mechanism driven by the weight T
are supported. After the escapement lever W has been moved back it would.
free, arrest the rotation of the mechanism as soon as the shaft 57 and pin 62 had
completed 'one revolution. To prevent this, three pins, €5, are placed on the spur
wheel 9, and the escapement lever W has an angular projection 66, Figs. II.
and III., in the path of said, pins, so that the escapement lever W is moved back by
B
left

page_text: the successive pins 65, and prevented from engaging the pin 62 until the shaft 37
has completed a revolution, and a ticket or card has been printed and
delivered.
The fan U regulates the rotation of the power driven mechanism, it being driven
by the spur wheel 63 through the pinion 67, Figs. II. and III., and spur wheel 68,
Figs. II. and IV., fast on the shaft 69 and the pinion 70 on the fan shaft 71.
In Figs. X. and XI., the pin 62 rotates with the shaft 37 and the fan U is driven
through a shaft 128 connected by suitable gearing (not shown) with the said fan, and
by two gears 130 and 131, with the shaft 37.
The coin to release the power driven mechanism is directed against the lower end
of the escapement lever W by the coin spout X, Figs. I., III., and XI., and after
acting on said lever W the coin falls into the upper compartment of the coin-holder M.
The spout X may be supported by a bracket 72, fastened to the frame 64. At its
lower end it is provided with narrow flanges 73, so as to support a proper coin by the
edges and allow small coin to drop through. An inclined strip 74, fastened or formed
by a continuation of the front of the spout X, conducts any small coin into the coin-
holder below the escapement lever W.
The coin-holder M is a compartment wheel mounted on a horizontal axis in the
frame 64 and driven from the shaft 40 through the gears 75, 76 and 77, Fig. IV.
In Fig. X. it is driven by gear 150. It makes a quarter turn forward at each
revolution of the shaft 37 so that the coin after releasing the power driven mechanism,
is carried over to the front of the holder, where it remains exposed until the
mechanism is again operated. The frame 64 and the mechanism carried thereby
are supported on top of the money box 78, which is upheld by the shelf 9 of the
base Z and receives the coins as they are discharged by the coin-holder M. This
coin-holder may be omitted.
As so far described the machine would operate to balance the weight of a person
who should step on the scale platform without the introduction of a coin but would
not deliver a ticket printed with the weight until a coin was introduced. It could
be used in this form, but as it may sometimes be desired to_lock_the_balancing
mechanism until a coin is introduced, the lock or detent N (see Figs. II., IV., VIII.
and X.) is provided. This is mounted on a stud 79, screwed into the bracket 80,
and is acted upon by a spiral tension spring 81, to hold it in engagement. The
spring 81 is connected at one end with a pin 82, on the side of the lock or detent,
and at the other end with the pin 83, on the bracket 80. The pin 82 acts as a stop
by contact with the top of the bracket. The lock or detent N engages a locking
plate 84, on the side of the drum G. It is withdrawn by a pull on the cord or
wire 85, which is connected with an operating lever arm 86, on the lock or detent.
The lower end of the cord or wire is, in Fig. IV., connected with the lever 87, which
is moved by the finger 88, rotating with the shaft 37, so as to pull on the cord 85
and unlock the scale. The tail of lever 87, by engaging the pin 871 on the frame 64,
limits the forward motion of the said lever. In Fig. XI., the said wire 85 is
connected with a lever 151, which is moved by a cam plate 152 rotating with the
shaft 37, and acting on the pin 153 in the end of the lever 151 in such manner as
to pull on the cord or wire 85 and unlock the balancing mechanism.
When a person steps off the scale, the drum G flies back and the locking plate 8+
is engaged by detent or lock N. To diminish the jar at such times, and also when
the drum G is turned to the full extent, soft rubber buffers 89 and 90 are provided
on the lock or detent in the path of the locking plate 84, and pieces of soft rubber 91
are placed between the edges of said plate and the adjacent walls of its holder 92.
The buffers 89 and 90 are formed in one piece with a connecting strip 93, and they
are fastened to the lock or detent by a trough-shaped piece 94, which embraces the
rubber and a portion of the detent, and is fastened to the latter by screws.
holder 92 of the locking plate 84 is fastened by its flanges to the drum G. A piece
of rubber 163, is also placed on top of the lever A to act as a buffer.
The
The standard of the machine is inclosed on all sides. There is a slot 98, in the
front for the introduction of coins, and an opening 99, for the delivery of the printed

page_text: cards, which slide down the incline 100, Figs IV. and V., onto the shelf 101 outside
the machine.
In order to close the coin slot 98 when the power driven mechanism is run down,
the movable shutter J, Figs. I. and II., is provided. It is arranged in proximity to
the said slot 98, and is mounted on the lever arm 167 (see Fig. Fig. III) of a rock-
shaft 168, journaled in bearings on the shelf 9, so that the motion of said rock-shaft
in one direction or the other turns the shutter across the slot or withdraws it. A
torsion spring 169, on the rod 168 normally holds the shutter to one side, as shown.
A rod 174, connected at its upper end with an operating arm 173, of the shaft 168,
has its lower end arranged in the path of the power weight T, so as to be struck by
the weight T when the latter is near the end if its fall, and the rock-shaft 168 is
then turned to place the shutter across the slot and prevent the further introduction
of coins until the weight is re-wound.
When a person desires to ascertain his weight by this machine, he steps upon the
platform. Since the drum G is locked by the detent N (if this be used) no movement
of the machinery takes place. A proper coin is then introduced into the machine
through the slot 98. It falls through the coin spout ✗, is directed against the
escapement lever W, releases the mechanism driven by the weight T, and falls into
the coin-holder M. The rotation of the said mochanism first causes the finger 88 or
cam plate 152 on the shaft 37 to move back the lever 87 or 151, and thus to pull
on the cord 85, turn the detent N, and release the drum G, which immediately
commences to revolve under the pressure conveyed from the scale platform through
the lever A, rod B, and band B¹, and to wind up the band H, lifting the counter-
poise weights, and lowering the printing form or band K in front of the printing
finger 16. After some vibration, as before explained, the balance is secured without
friction. The parts are so adjusted that a reasonable time is allowed for this to take
place before the power driven mechanism, which continues to revolve, has, by the
action of the crank pin 36 on the printing lever L, brought up the printing finger 16
into position to press against the printing form or band K. After such time,
however, the printing finger 16 enters between two of the teeth 14 and pushes the
type 13 opposite said finger, through the opening 31, against the card in the
discharge passage 29. This prints the weight from said type which have been inked
by contact with the ink roller Q. During the advance of the printing finger 16 the
pusher R has been removed from under the pile of cards in the box P, which cards
drop down, bringing the bottom card in front of the pusher R. After the printing
has been effected, the crank pin 36 moves back the printing lever L, and the
pusher R acting against the edge of the bottom card or ticket, forces it edgewise into
the passage 29, rotating the roller S and discharging the newly printed card, which
falls upon the incline 100 and slides out of the machine onto the shelf 101, to be
received by the person weighing. The power driven mechanism after one revolution
of the shaft 37, is automatically arrested by the escapement lever W engaging the
pin 62, and so remains until another coin is introduced. When the person steps off
the scale, the weights I descend, the drum G is revolved until the locking plate 84
is engaged by the detent or lock N, which holds it stationary until the said detent
is disengaged by the power driven mechanism on the introduction of another proper
coin. This reverse revolution of the drum G of course winds up the bands B₁ and K',
ready for a new operation. The coin remains exposed to view in the coin-holder M
until the next operation of the machine, when it is discharged into the money
box 78.
If the detent N be not used, the balancing mechanism is operated as soon as the
person steps on the platform and the coin releases the clockwork which then proceeds
print and deliver the ticket.
to
do not herein claim broadly by itself balancing mechanism provided with a
counterpoise whose counterbalancing effect increases progressively with the motion, and
with a drum, lever or other rotatory device through which the pressure is conveyed to
said counterpoise, nor the employment broadly of such balancing mechanism to adjust
a printing form or series of type; nor do I claim broadly by itself a weighing and

page_text: weight printing machine, nor the employment broadly in such machinery of mechanism
comprising card box for holding a pile of tickets and means for printing the
weight on tickets supplied from said card box and afterward delivering the printed
tickets; nor do I claim broadly, moderating by one or more fans the motion of
balancing mechanism having a counterpoise whose counterbalancing effect increases
progressively with the motion, nor the employment broadly of such fans in weighing
and weight printing machinery; nor do I claim broadly the locking by coin freed
contrivances, of balancing mechanism or weight printing and ticket delivery
mechanism; nor do I claim the subject matter of my applications for paten:s
Nos. 9779, 9780, or 9781 dated July 12, 1887, but :—
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
1. In the balancing mechanism of weighing machinery, the employment, in con-
nection or combination with a counterpoise composed of a chain of successively lifted
weights or otherwise of such construction that its counterbalancing effect increases
progressively with the notion, and a drum or other rotatory device through which
the pressure is conveyed to said counterpoise, of a journal or journals for the said
drum or other rotatory device, rolling between stops upon a stationary bearing
surface or surfaces of limited length and turning in contact with said stops,
substantially as described.
2. In weighing and weight printing machinery, the employment of a printing
form composed of a flexible support or band with the series of type on its face and a
series of holding teeth on its back, in connection or combination with balancing
mechanism for adjusting the said form vertically, and means for taking an impression
from the appropriate type on said form by a horizontally moving printing finger,
substantially as described.
3. In weighing machinery whereby the weight of persons is or may be printed on
tickets automatically supplied from a card box, the employment, in connection
with such a card box, of a reciprocatory pusher, and a curved discharge *passage
formed between a loose roller and a stationary concave, substantially as described.
4. In coin controlled weighing machinery having the counterpoise of the balancing
mechanism composed of a chain of successively lifted weights, or otherwise of such
construction that its counterbalancing effect increases progressively with the motion,
the employment in connection or combination with a lock or detent for such
balancing mechanism, of a coin controlled clockwork connected with said lock
or detent so as to release the balancing mechanism when said clock-work is
temporarily brought into operation on the introduction of an appropriate coin or
coins, with or without also driving other mechanism for any purpose, substantially
as described.
5. In coin controlled weighing machinery which prints the weight on tickets and
delivers the tickets, the employment of coin-controlled clockwork, in connection with
a lock or detent for the balancing mechanism of said machinery, and with ticket
printing and delivery mechanisms, in such a way that said clockwork, being temporarily
brought into operation on the introduction of an appropriate coin or coins, first unlocks
the balancing mechanism and after an interval automatically prints and delivers a
ticket, substantially as described.
6. In weighing machinery, the combination with balancing mechanism whose
counterpoise is composed of a chain of successively lifted weights or is otherwise
of such construction that its counter-balancing effect increases progressively with
the motion, of one or more regulating fans so arranged and connected with said
balancing mechanism as to be rotated thereby when the latter makes a considerable
excursion and not when it makes the short vibrations which precede equilibrium,
substantially as described.
7. In weighing machinery, the combination with the support for the person or
object weighed, and the counterpoise composed of a chain of successively lifted

page_text: weights or otherwise of such construction that its counterbalancing effect increases
progressively with the motion, of a drum provided with a journal or journals rolling
on a stationary bearing surface or surfaces between stops and turning in contact with
said stops, and the flexible bands wound on the periphery of said drum and its axle
and connected with said counterpoise and the said support respectively, substantially
as described.
8. In weighing and weight printing machinery the combination with the support
for the person or object weighed, the counterpoise composed of a chain of
successively lifted weights or otherwise of such construction that its counter-
balancing effect increases progressively with the motion, and the printing form
composed of a flexible band with a series of type on its face, of the drum
provided with a journal or journals rolling on a stationary bearing surface
or surfaces between stops, and the bands connecting the drum and its axle with
the said support, counterpoise and printing form respectively, substantially as
described.
9. In weighing and weight printing machinery the construction, combination and
arrangement of the parts of the ticket printing and delivery mechanisms substantially
as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described with reference thereto, with
or without a coin controlled clockwork for effecting the printing and delivery of the
tickets, as set forth.
10. In weighing machinery, the construction, combination and arrangement of the
lock or detent for the balancing mechanism substantially as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings and described with reference thereto, with or without a coin
controlled clockwork for releasing said lock or detent, as set forth.
11. In weighing and weight printing machinery, the construction, combination and
arrangement of the balancing and type adjusting means, composed of the support for
the person or object weighed, the rotatory drum having its axle connected by a band
with said support, the chain of successively lifted weights and the printing form con-
nected with the said drum by bands wound thereon in opposite directions, and the belt
connecting the bottom of the printing form with the lower end of the band for lifting
the said weights substantially as described with reference to Figs. X. and XI. of the
accompanying drawings.
12. The construction, combination and arrangement of the parts of the new or
improved weighing, weight printing and ticket delivery machine illustrated in the
accompanying drawings and described with reference thereto, in each of the forms"
illustrated, with or without one or more of the following, to wit, the detent or lock
for the balancing mechanism, the means for moderating the motion of the balancing
mechanism without materially checking the small vibrations which precede equilibrium,
the coin controlled clockwork, the coin-holder for exposing the coins, and the movable
shutter to the coin slot, all substantially as set forth.
Dated this Twenty-second day of December 1888.