Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd.Oct., 1894
(Complete Specification Left, 1st July, 1895-Accepted, 3rd Dec.., 1895
HENRY RICHARDSON of The City Flour Mills in the City of Lichfield Miller
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
'
My invention relates to improvements in automatic weighing machines,
particularly with reference to a balancing mechanism, which may be introduced in
existing machines, more especially to machines referred to in my previous'
Specifications Nos. 1890A1 and 6345º¹.
The object of my invention is to introduce an improved arrangement of the
weighted lever, by which the correct balance of the scale beam, is usually obtained
in an automatic scale, so that without any manipulation of the working gear, the
beam may be disconnected from all parts instrumental in regulating the supply or
delivery of the grain weighed, and shew the correct balance, similar to that of the
ordinary weighbeam.
In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this Specification
Fig. 1. is a front elevation of an automatic weighing machine, shewing the
relative position of the balancing mechanism, to the other parts of the machine.
Fig. 2. is a view of the balancing mechanism extracted from Fig. 1, shewing also
an end view of same.
Fig. 3. is a view of the balancing mechanism, adapted to a weighing machine in
another manner, but.in principle accomplishes similar results.
The improvement which I claim is in the arrangement of the lever S and its
weight S3, and it will be necessary to recapitulate the previous purpose of the said
lever, as used in other machines, to more clearly define its improved application.
In an automatic grain scale at the moment of the completion of the weighing, a
small dribble is in suspension, in the act of falling, after the actual weight of the
counterpoise is counterbalanced by the descending grain, and the equalization of
this overplus is obtained by introducing what is termed a compensating weight
attached to a lever, one end of which rests upon and moves with the beam.
When it is desirable to ascertain whether the machine is weighing correctly, it is
necessary to raise the lever off the pin A' and disconnect those parts of the
mechanism which would interfere with the necessary solitude of the weigh beam at
such times when it is'desirable to ascertain the balance.
My improvement makes the manipulation of the lever and other working parts
unnecessary in order to ascertain the said balance.
The automatic weighing action is generally similar to that described in
Specification No. 6345 and may be briefly described as follows:-
-
1.
In the first position the weight plate C rests upon the stop C, the shutter D is
fully open, and the toggle linkage F F with the levers 'G-G' are raised to the
position shewn by dotted lines the shutter D then falls when the amount to be
weighed is almost completed; and continues to fall until it is arrested against the end
of slot F when the dribble is caused to assist and complete the weighing. The
improvement I bave introduced comes into operation at the time of the dribble, and
I have altered the arrangement of the parts as follows:-The main beam A, still
takes a tilted position instead of a level one, but the subsidiary beam S, takes a
borizontal position, as shewn by the dotted line, passing under the centre. S³ and
over the centre A' where it is connected with the beam, during the interval of
weighing

page_text: It will be seen by referring to Fig. 2, that, the beam Sis purposely made
preponderating, an excess of metal being above the line of centres so that it will
have an increasing movement when it turns this increase of power assists to
overcome the friction of the trigger K, or similar, contrivance, actuating the final
cut off, at the catch G when the beam moves' with 'S to accomplish the final
cut off.
In the course of this operation, the descending beam S comes in contact with and
knocks aside the trigger Kafter which it completes its course by coming in contact
with the stop K: the position of the parts is then as sliewn in Fig. 1; the beam A
has reached a level position, and as all the working parts, which previously influenced
it, have no power to influence it further, but are at rest, and permit it to move
further if it is able, this movement or non movement of the beam, shews whether or
not the beam is light heavy or correct.
.
In Fig. 3 the balance mechanism is shewn in connection with another beam,.,the
point K representing the end of a tumbling. weight, which actuates, the cut off
mechanism, similar to that shewn in Specification 1890A.
'Regulation is obtained by the moveable weight S
וי
Improvements, in, Automatio Grain Weighers.
I HENRY RICHARDSON, of 'The City Flour Mills Lichfield' in the County of
Stafford Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
mannet the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :—
34.
My invention relates to improvements in automatic weighing machines and its
object is to construct a simpler arrangement by which the balance of the scale can
be more readily ascertained than hitherto,
2
+
My invention comprises a compensating lover combined with stop arrangement
to so influence the beam or parts connected thereto, that the correct or incorrect
balance of the scale may be ascertained either when it is empty, with the weights
removed, or loaded with the automatically weighed material to correspond with the
dead' weights.
!
Referring to the accompanying drawings
4.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an automatic, weighing scale, shewing the relative...
position of the compensating lever to the other parts of the machine during the
final weighing operation, the flow of the grain being already partially cut off.
Figure 2. is a side elevation of Fig. 1 shewing the position of the compensating
lever and the beam when the weighing is completed.
i
Figure 3. is a side elevation of an automatic scale shewing the position of the
compensating lever and beam in connection with a tumbling weight...
Figure 4. is a side elevation of Fig. 3. shewing the position of the compensating.
lever and the beam after the tumbling weight has been upset.
Figure 5. is an end view of Fig. 4.
1
Similar characters designate like parts in all figures.
Before describing the construction of the machine made in accordance with my
invention, I wish to recapitulate the purpose of the compensating lever, as used!
un nother inachines, so that its improved application may be more clearly.
understood.
"Taking, for example, an automatic grain scale, there is at the moment of the
completion of the weighing, a small trickle of grain in the act of falling after the
I
¡

page_text: actual weight of the counterpoise on the scale has been counterbalanced by
the descending grain and the equalization of this overweight is obtained by intro-
ducing, what is termed the compensating weight. When however it is desirable to:
ascertain whether or not the beam correctly balances, it is necessary to raise by
hand the compensating lever from the place where. it is in connection with. the
beam, and disconnect those parts of the mechanism which interfere with : the
necessary solitude of the beam, at such times when it is desirable to, ascertain
the said balance.
T
In the construction of the machine or parts of the machine made in accordance
with my invention as shown, in the drawings, I, arrange a weigh beam.A. with a ::
weighing hopper or scoop or funnel B; at one end, and weights in a scale pan or
poise at the other. The weight C is perfectly suspended from the beam A to
balance the weighing hopper, B or similar attachment.
-The weight equals the material to be weighed. Above the weigh hopper B,
1 place a swinging shutter Dor sluice or sluices to control the flow of the grain
passing to be weighed.
The shutter D as shown in Figs. 1 & 2 is opened by the movement of the weigh
beam, through the intermediary of the link D, and is controlled by means of the
linkage F & F and. the trigger K, the shutter D is partly closed, the peg Fis
shown resting at the end of the slot of the link F', the links F & Fare supported,
by means of the link P resting at the point K on the trigger G., This trigger, is
actuated by means of the peg A' on the lever S and when the trigger G³ is released,...
it allows the linkage F&F to fall into the horizontal position" shown in Fig. 2,
and, thus close the shutter D.
.7
means of the catch G', which is released by means of the tum shutter D and
Figs. 3 & 4 show an arrangement whereby the shutter gear is held open by...
tumbling weight G³
which in falling, allows the catch G₁ to no longer engage
permits the shutter, D to close. The tumbling weight is overbalanced when the
beam rises, the projecting pin A' of the beam A coming into contact with it.
The weighing portion thus divested of all outside connections, when it reaches a
horizontal position, will then show by its movement or non-movement whether or
not the balance is correct.
It will be observed therefore that an automatic weigher arranged in this manner,
may be used as an ordinary scale, dead weights being used, and the weighing
portion showing when desired, what is the correctness of each weighing.
The mechanism which cuts off the final supply, is similar in many respects to
that described in Specification No. 1890A of A.D. 1891 and No. 6345 of A.D. 1891
and may be briefly described as follows :—
In Figs. 1 & 3, the beam is shown in a tilted condition and the gate is supported
or held open by means of the trigger or catch K. S is the compensating lever,
one end of which is carried upon the knife edge S³, the other end is supported
upon or connected with the scale at H³. I make the lever S with its weight Ss
what is termed top-heavy, so that in its downward movement it has a tendency to
move with increasing speed, the line of suspension being somewhat above the centre
of gravity. Increased power and momentum is therefore obtained to overcome the
friction of the trigger GB Fig. 1, or the tumbler G³ Fig. 3. The position of the
lever S is horizontal, previous to the final out-off. In Fig. 1 the peg A' connected
with the lever S, draws aside the trigger G³ which holds open the gate supported
at K.
Fig. 2 shows the position of the lever S, when the trigger G has been drawn
aside and the gate allowed to close, it will be observed that the beam or weighing
portion is absolutely free, the lever S which formerly rested upon the scale at H'
now rests upon the stop K, and the beam which has now reached a horizontal
position is free to move, and show whether or not the weighing is correct.
In Fig. 3 the beam A is shown tilted upwards and the lever S is horizontal.
I arrange a peg A' which is connected with the beatn to upset the tumbler G³ which
in the course of its movement also upsets the catch lever G which holds open a
'
:

page_text: gate D, or a sluice contrivance through the intermediary of a catch lever G³ The
lever S is shown resting upon the scale hanger at Hand it accompanies the
movement of the beam until the peg A upsets the tumbler G³, when it comes in
contact with the peg K' and as shown in Fig. 4 the beam reaches its horizontal
position and being able to move freely, shows whether or not the weighing is
correct.
I provide a sliding weight S upon the lever S, by means of which the soale can
he regulated, and the weighings adjusted.
The application of the lever S and the stop K' may be similarly introduced in
automatic weighers, where the cut off is actuated by electricity.
I wish it to be understood that I do not claim the combination of a compensating
lever with a weigh-beam, as this is old,
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In an automatic weighing machine, the extraordinary tip of the beam, to allow
the mechanism which cute off the final supply to the hopper, to be actuated at or
before the time when the beam reaches a horizontal position, in combination with
the compensating lever S, which ceases to have any influence upon the beam
-after the said beam has reached the said horizontal' position, substantially as
-described.
2. In an automatic weighing machine, the combination with the beam A, of'the
compensating lever S, with its regulating weight S3 and 'the stop K' substantially
-as described.
} Dad: ooth 1
T 1005
HENRY RICHARDSON,
Applicant.