An Improved Weighing and Price and Value Indicating Apparatus.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 20th May, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Weighing and Price and Value Indicating Apparatus.
I, ALLEN DE VILBISS, Jr., of 737, W. Washington Street, City of Toledo, County
of Lucas, and State of Ohio, U.S.A., a Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to scales and more particularly to that class thereof
employing pendulums; and the object of the same is principally to produce a scale
of this character whose hand or index swings in irregular steps as weight is added
to the pan or platform, over a table mounted on the casing and which gives the
units of weight together with a total price or product of each unit at so much per
pound. Other objects are also attained, such as the simplicity of construction,
the provisions of several adjustments, the adaptability of one scale to heavier or
lighter work, and the like. To this end the invention consists in the construction
embodying the features hereinafter described and claimed whether the exact or any
equivalent form is illustrated in the drawings, wherein
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the scale complete showing a straight-line table.
Figure 2 is a similar elevation with the front of the casing removed. Figure 3 is
a vertical section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a section similar
Figure 2 showing the same mechanism as adapted for use in connection with a
curved-line table. Figures 5 and 6 are front and edge views of a reflector which
I may employ with any form of my scale for throwing light on the table.
Figure is an enlarged side elevation in detail of slightly different means for
adjusting the throw of the index.
Referring to the drawings 1 designates the scale beam mounted on the fulcrum 2
in the usual manner as on a knife-edge; and 3 is the pan or platform connected
by bail or standard 4 with a second pivou or knife-edge 5 in the beam 1. The
whole is arranged in conjunction with a base and casing of any approved pattern
substantially as illustrated but which need not be specifically described herein,
and nothing new is claimed for the parts so far described.
6 is a bracket fast within the casing and having bearings 7 of any suitable
character, and 8 is a poise or pendulum pivoted therein as on knife-edges to the
bearings of said bracket and hanging normally vertical within said casing-its
body carrying a weight 9 of any suitable kind and being adapted to swing outward
through a slot in the casing or housing as shown. The pendulum may be marked
with graduations as best seen in Figures 1 and 2, and when the weight 9 is
adjusted vertically thereon and set opposite the graduation marks it will be clear
that the swinging of the pendulum will require greater or less force.
The numeral 10 designates an arm projecting laterally from the pendulum
adjacent but below its pivot, and 11 is a link or connection of any suitable
character between the inner end of the scale heam 1 and the outer end of the
arm 10.
91 is a hand or index of any suitable material rigidly secured to the poise at or
in line with pivotal point 7. and preferably extending beyond this point and
carrying the counter weight 12. The body of the hand rises within the housing

page_text: and stands across a table 13 marked with totals and with units of weight as at 14,
the whole being protected by glass if desired.
The parts being constructed about as above set forth and standing at rest as seen
in Figure 2, the placing of one pound on the pan will cause the tilting of the
beam 1, and through connection 11 and arm 10, will swing the poise S to the left
one step. Since the index 91 is attached to the poise and projects above its
pivot 7, it will therefore be swung to the right one step. The successive addition
to the pan of other pounds will similarly. move the parts, though. in irregular
steps the reason being that, as the pendulum 8 rises, the arm 10 approaches the
horizontal line of the pivot and gains leverage more rapidly than the pendulum
gains weight. After passing said horizontal line, the arm 10 ioses power while
the pendulum in its continued rise. gains further weight. Hence, through. the
first portion of this operation the length of the steps increases, and through the
latter portion it decreases: so that if the table 13 were curved to conform with
the movement of the index 91 around the center 7, its graduations would neces-
sarily be irregularly spaced. I have found by practical experiment, however, that
if the graduations at 13 are arranged in a perfectly straight line which is a chord
of the are through which any given point on the index moves, the variable distance
between the steps on the arc is just such that the steps on the straight line are uniform
and the graduations if placed adjacent or upon said line will be truly equi-distant
If this is true of one straight line, it is true of another so long as it is a chord
of said are and hence 1 may use several lines to indicate varying prices and
weights. Nor is this rule inoperative if the poise be rendered heavier or lighter
(as by adjusting weight 9 on pendulum S, or block 15 in the slot of arm 16)
although the steps will thereafter be relatively shorter or longer and other lines in
the table will be used; hence, by means of the adjustment described, the range of
action of the scale may be increased or diminished.
In the construction shown in Figure 4 I employ the same parts with the
following exception: Around the pivot 7 of the hand 91 is here provided a
disk 96 wherein is located the knife-edge 10 of the link 11; and opposite said
knife-edge there here projects radially from the disk a screw 17 carrying an
adjustable counter-poise 18 to off-set the weight of the link 11 by reason of the
fact that it stands always opposite the knife-edge 10 and hence increases and
decreases in weight as the length increases and decreases. . In this view also the
counter-poise 12 is shown in the form of a nut adjustable on the screw 19 projecting
from the disk opposite the hand 91-its function being also to counter-balance the
weight of said hand.... The hand in this case is provided in its body with a series
of openings 92 inscribed herein opposite thereto with the numerals "6"5"
4" 3" etc., although it will be clear that a hand inscribed in any proper manner
and cooperating with the contiguous parts will answer equally as well. It will be
obvious that the marked portion of the hand moves through the arc of a circle,
and in the present instance I provide a graduated table 13 supported by the frame
work of the machine adjacent said portion of the hand and properly marked to
indicate the total cost of the article being weighed this cost being the product of
the number of units 14 (pounds) indicated on the table, multiplied by the price
per pound as indicated on the hand or index. It will be obvious that fractions of
a pound or fractions of a cent per pound can be indicated in the same way, as well
as the totals thereof.
In said Figure 4 also, the number 20 designates an auxiliary or tare beam
connected and moving in unison with the main scale beam 1, and on this auxiliary
beam is mounted a weight 21 adapted to be moved to counter balance or offset
the weight of the crock or receptacle for containing the matter being weighed.
Said auxiliary beam preferably extends past the fulcrum 2 in order to give a
larger space for each unit of weight, and to this end it is marked with graduations
as shown.
In Figures 5 and 6, the number 30 designates a (preferably glass) mirror or
reflector having a stem 31 carrying a ball 32 mounted in a socket between arms 33

page_text: on a bracket 34, which arms are adapted to be adjusted toward each other and hence
clamped upon the ball 32 by means of a screw 35 or other suitable device-thus
forming a ball and socket joint capable of permitting the adjustment of the mirror
or reflector to any angle. This is for the purpose of throwing the light-which
usually comes from the front only-also onto the rear of the table herein described,
in order that both the buyer and the seller may observe clearly what is indicated by
my improved computing scale.
The number 40 designates an upright cylinder containing mercury, oil, or other
Huid agent sufficiently dense to impede movement therethrough, and 41 is a piston
rod led from any part such as the scale beam 1 and having a piston 42 necessarily
moving in the fluid agent within said cylinder-by which means vibration
of the scale beam and hence of its connected parts 15 impeded
or prevented. The liquid brake just described is herein shown for
venience only in Figure 4; but it will be obvious that this detail, as well as the
other details just described, may be used to equal advantage in connection with
other forms of computing scales, and I therefore reserve the right to employ them
elsewhere than as herein specifically shown.
con-
The
If the details above described are used in connection with the scale as shown
in Figure 4, its operation is as follows: The machine being properly set up
and adjusted, and the reflector-if used-being set to the desired angle, let us
suppose that a one-pound crock is placed on the table 3 in which it is desired
to weigh three pounds of lard at 6 cents per pound. The seller first adjusts
the counter-balance weight 21 to 1" on the tare-beam 20 or to any point
where it will offset the weight of the crock-the proper point being indicated
by the balance of the scale at which time the index 91 will stand as seen.
lard is then placed in the crock, the table 3 and beam 1 descend, and through the
link 11 the disk 96 is turned on its center 7, thereby causing the index 91 to move
over the table 13 until "3" in the units line 14 is reached. Meanwhile the
piston 42 in the cylinder 40 descends within the fluid and prevents undesirable
vibrations of the index. Opposite the uppermost opening 92 here shown in the
index is marked the figure "6" indicating that price per pound, and my table is
so arranged that when the index stands to indicate "3" units the operator may
read through this opening the product of three times six, or eighteen, which is the
total cost of the merchandise being sold.
In the construction shown in detail in Figure 7, the pendulum 8 and weight 9
thereon, the scale beam, and the index are the same, but 16 designates an arm pro-
jecting rigidly from the disk 96 at angles to the index, and slotted for the reception
of the block 15 which later is movable alongside graduations marked on the
arm 16.
The block is connected by a link 11 with the scale beam 1, and it is
obvious that when this block is adjusted in the slot of the arm the index 91 will
have a different degree of movement over the table 13. The latter is composed
of several lines of figures indicating the number of pounds and fractions thereof,
and the total cost at so much per pound as indicated by the line on the index, and
to this extent the device is a computing scale adapted to show readily the cost of the
merchandise bought.
In this construction in the use of the modification illustrated in Figure 7, the
operation of the whole is the same, and will continue to be the same as long as
the block 15 remains at a proper point within the slotted arm 16. Even supposing
it to be desired that this scale shall weigh from 5 to 25 pounds, and give proper
totals, it will be clear that by substituting another and properly-marked sheet
containing a table having the higher figures; and adjusting the block 15 nearer the
center, the operation of the entire machine will be the same. But this construction
possesses another advantage, which is that without changing the table 13 and by
using either the same index or one without figures thereon, the adjustment of the
block within the slotted arm and opposite the graduations on the latter to indicate
different prices per pound, will vary the throw or movement of the index and
.1
:.

page_text: Lence will carry the same to different totals; by which means I am enabled to
compute (and to vary the limit of computation) through the adjustment.of the
block, instead of by reading different lines on the table. However, it will be clear
that this latter adjustment may be employed in connection with the same table,
index, and mechanism, which produces the other adjustment and change of totals.
Thus it will be seen that I have produced a computing scale which (aside from the
details preferably used in connection therewith) shows on its table at a glance the
weight and total price, and has various means for permitting its adjustment to
different prices per pound. In Figures 1, 2, and this is done by a change of
weight on the poise 8: in Figure 4 it is done by reading the total through different
openings 92 in the hand, and herein the weight may also be adjustable if desired:
and in Figure 7 it is done by a change of leverage which is effected by adjusting
the block 15 in the slotted arm 16 where again the weight may be adjusted, and
where also the hand might move over any desired form of tabic. With respect to
the latter, it will be understood that the graduations and figures must be marked
with due regard to whether the table is straight or curved for the reasons
explained above. I do not limit myself to the precise details of construction of
the whole, nor must I necessary employ therein the several details above explained;
and considerable change in the specific construction of parts may be made without
departing from the essential principles of my invention.
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 :-
1. In a scale, the combination with the beam, the pan carried thereby, the
pendulum, a lateral arm thereon adjacent its pivot, the connections between said
beam and arm for moving the outer end of the arm past the pivot of the pendulum
and causing the swinging of the latter in irregular steps as weight is added to the
pan of means for adjusting the degree of movement in the steps of the pendulum.
an index moved by the pendulum, and a table over which the index passes, sub-
stantially as described.
2. In a scale, the combination with the beam, the pan carried thereby, the
poise, and connections between the beam and poise for causing the swinging of
the latter in irregular steps as weight is added to the pan of an index secured
to the poise and projecting from the pivot thereof, and a straight table having
regularly spaced graduations over which the index moves substantially as
described.
3. In a scale, the combination with the beam, the pan carried thereby, the
poise having a lateral arm adjacent its pivot, and connections between said beam
and arm for moving the outer end of the arm past the pivot of the poise and
causing the swinging of the latter in irregular steps as weight is added to the pan :
of an index connected and turning with the poise around the pivot thereof, and a
straight table having regularly spaced graduations over which the index moves,
substantially as described.
4. In a scale, the combination with the beam, the pan carried thereby, the
pendulum, a weight adjustable on the pendulum. and connections between the
beam and pendulum for causing the swinging of the latter; of an index rigidly
secured to the pendulum and projecting from the pivot thereof, and a straight-line
computing table having a plurality of rows of graduations over which said index
moves, substantially as described.
5. In a scale, the combination with a beam, the pan carried thereby, the
pendulum, a weight adjustable on the latter, and graduations thereon for setting
the weight to regulate the degree of movement of the pendulum of connections
between the beam and pendulum for causing the swinging of the latter, an index
mounted on the pendulum, and a straight-line computing table having regularly
spaced graduations over which said index moves, substantially as described.
6. In a computing scale, the combination with the main beam hung on a

page_text: fulcrum, the pan carried thereby, a pendulum connected with said beam, a
computing table, and an index operated by the beam and moving over said table;
of a supplemental or tare beam moving with the main beam and extending past
its fulcrum, graduations thereon reading also past said fulcrum, and a tare weight,
all as and for the purpose set forth.
7. In a computing scale, the combination with the frame work, a computing
table supported thereby, an index moving over said table, the pan, and connections.
between said pan and index; of a bracket on said frame work, a reflector, and
adjustable connections between them, as and for the purpose set forth.
8. In a scale, the combination with the frame work having a computing table,
an index moving over the latter, the pan, and connections between said pan and
index; of a bracket carried by the frame work and having arms approximated by
a screw, a ball between the arms, and a reflector having a stem attached to said
ball, as and for the purpose set forth.
9. In a computing scale, the combination with the beam and pan, a pendulum,
a table, an index moving over the table, and connections between the parts; of a
cylinder containing a liquid, a piston therein, and a rod connecting one of the
moving parts with said piston, as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.
10. In a computing scale, the combination with the beam and pan, a pivoted
disk, a pendulum hanging rigidly therefrom, a table, and an index projecting
from the disk and moving over said table; of a knife-edge in the disk, a link
connecting it with the beam, a screw projecting radially from the disk opposite
said knife-edge, and a weight adjustable on the screw to counterbalance the link,
substantially as described.
11. In a computing scale, the combination with the beam and pan, a pivoted
disk, a pendulum hanging rigidly therefrom, a table, and an index projecting
from the disk and moving over said table; of connections between the table and
disk for turning the latter, a screw projecting radially from said disk opposite the
index, and a weight adjustable on the screw to counterbalance the index, sub-
stantially as described.
12. In a scale, the combination with the beam and pan, the pivoted disk, a
pendulum hanging rigidly therefrom, a table, an index projecting from the disk
and moving over the table, and connections between the beam and disk for turning
the latter of screws projecting radially from the disk diametrically opposite the
points where the index projects and the said connections are attached thereto, and
independent weights adjustable on said screws to respectively counterbalance the
weights of the index and of the connections, all substantially as described.
13. In a computing scale, the combination with the beam and pan. a pendulum
swung by the movements of the beam, and a multi-lined table; of an index moved
by the pendulum over said table, as and for the purpose set forth.
14. In a computing scale, the combination with the beam and pan, a pendulum
swung by the movements of the former, and a multi-lined table; of an index moved
by the pendulum and having several price-per-pound figures coacting with the
different lines on the table to designate the line thereof which indicates the total,
substantially as described.
15. In a computing scale, the combination with the pan, the beam, the pendulum
swung by the movements of the latter, and a table having several lines of totals;
of an index moved by the pendulum, and adjustable connections between the.beam
and the index, as and for the purpose set forth.
16. In a computing scale, the combination with the pan, the beam, a pendulum
swung by the movements of the latter, and a table having several lines of totals;
of an index moved by the pendulum, and adjustable connections between the scale
beam and index, the same consisting of a slotted arm projecting rigidly from
the index and marked with graduations, a block movable in the slot thereof, and
a link connecting the block with said beam, as and for the purpose set forth.
17. In a scale, the combination with the beam and pan, the casing having a table,
and a hand pivoted therein and moving over the table, of a slotted arm projecting

page_text: rigidly over the pivot of the hand, a block adjustable in the slot thereof, a link
connecting the block with the scale beam and a weighted pendulum depending
from said pivot, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 10th day of February 1899, at Toledo, in the County of Lucas and
State of Ohio, and signed in the presence of:
STEPHEN A. FOSTER.