An Improved Apparatus for Indicating the Weight of a Given Length, or the Length of a Given Weight, of Textile Fabric.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Dec., 1895
Complete Specification Left. 30th Sept., 1896-Accepted, 12th Dec., 1896
4
An Improved Apparatus for Indicating the Weight of a Given
Length, or the Length of a Given Weight, of Textile Fabric.
I MARK HORATIO TOMKINS, of 9 Fenchurch Street, in the City of London,
Manufacturer's Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to a new and useful apparatus especially intended for use
by manufacturers and dealers in textile fabrics.
At the present time and for many years past, it has been the custom of
manufacturers of textile fabrics to indicate on the end of the piece, bolt or cut of
fabric, the number of yards contained in it, as for instance on one corner of the
fabric may appear the figures 47%, which reads that the piece contains 47 and
two fourths yards. This is an instance only, taken from the print cloth trade:
the intent of that trade is to produce pieces or cuts containing 50 yards, but
through shrinkage and other causes, it frequently falls short of or exceeds the
same somewhat.
In order to determine the quality of goods, that is to say, its weight per yard, in
other words whether it be a closely woven fabric, thick fabric or a loosely woven
thin fabric, recourse has been had to a method, known more particularly in the
print cloth and cotton-weavers trade as "the yard-weight system." The
inexactness of the method of determining the yard-weight of. textile fabrics by
averaging the bale, has proved so unsatisfactory that a demand has arisen for some
means of determining with more certainty the yard weight of each particular
piece, bolt or cut of goods, and the necessity for so doing has become so great in
certain industries that the custom has arisen of putting each separate piece of
fabric upon a scale and then by a laborious and time taking process, figuring out
the yard weight of each piece. This process adds considerably to expense of
marketing the goods in Jarge factories where the out-put is frequently hundreds of
thousands of pieces annually.
Referring now to the subject matter of my present invention: it comprises,
generally speaking, a machine or apparatus, provided with a platform similar to
the platform of an ordinary scale, adapted to receive a piece, bolt or cut of cloth
or a number of such pieces, as desired, also a balance beam and indicating drum:
the beam and the drum being connected together by certain mechanical appliances,
so that upon the beam, the weight of the piece can be instantly ascertained, and
upon the drum the yard-weight: that is to say, the number of running yards or
fractions of a yard to the pound, which is known to the trade as the yard weight
of the goods. It will be observed, however, that this term is a complete misnomer.
To say that a piece of goods runs 7.75 yards to the pound, does not give the weight
per yard, to ascertain that weight a mathematical problem has to be worked out,
which would frequently be a complicated one: nevertheless this so called yard
weight in the trade vocabulary is what is wanted, because manufacturers and
dealers wish to know the proportion in yards to the pound, since the raw material,
to wit, the cotton, is bought by the pound, and my apparatus will fulfil this desire.
of the trade equally well whether the scale beam, as will be hereafter explained,
be marked with indications giving the weight of the goods or not. I prefer to add

page_text: such indications, as a matter of convenience, because thereby the weight can be
ascertained, without extra trouble, and it may sometimes be useful.
Moreover my invention is applicable to the old method employed of determining
the quality or standard of woollen or certain other manufactures, wherein the
weight of the goods in ounces or fractions of ounces is determined by the yard, all
that is necessary being to modify the indications upon ny drum indices, which
will be hereafter explained, to adapt the apparatus to the registration of that
information, instead of the more modern yard weight-number of yards to the
pound.
The mechanism constituting my apparatus or machine is as follows, reference
being had to the drawings accompanying this application in which,
Fig. 1 illustrates a front elevation of the apparatus, Fig. 2. a side elevation,
Fig. 3 a longitudinal partially sectional view of the drum scale beam and the
interior parts of the mechanism, some shewn in full lines and some in sectional
lines,
Fig. 4 illustrates a diagrammatical view of a segment of the face of the drum,
illustrated as flattened out.
A is the platform of what may be an ordinary platform scale. B is the box of
the scale within which the usual weighing levers etc. are enclosed.. C is the
standard of the scale, D is a brace extending from standard upon which the scale
beam, drum, etc. are supported. F is the connecting rod, which transmits the
weight from the platform to the beam; it is bifurcated, at its upper end and there
connects with the frame of the apparatus. H are the usual knife edges, which
fulcrum upon the bifurcated upper end I of the standard D. The knife edges are
made integral with a hub J. K is a fixed tube which is entered into the forward
end of the hub J, (see Fig. 3) and its outer end passes through a longitudinally
slotted or ring-like arrest L, supported upon a rod M, as usual in such apparatus.
The tube K has a straight slot N (see Fig. 2) running substantially its entire
length, and preferably on its under side to prevent the entrance of dust. O is
another tube which passes longitudinally through the tube K, likewise through the
hub J and through the drum, hereinafter to be explained, and is rigidly fastened
within a hub P (see Figs. 1 and 3). This tube O has a spiral slot cut in it,
longitudinally, the pitch of which near to the drum is somewhat high, but which
lowers as it approaches the outer end of the tube. Q is a plug in the end of the
tube K and R is a similar plug in the end of the tube O. S is a centering screw,
which is threaded in the plug Q, the conical point of which enters the hollow
centre in the plug R for the purpose of centering and preventing end motion on the
part of the tube O, and the mechanism connected with it. T is a rod which
extends longitudinally through the tube O, and which is threaded as indicated in
Fig. 3 with a screw of quick pitch, throughout that portion of it, over which the
pee (hereinafter to be explained) travels; on the forward end of the rod T
there is a fixed collar U which is located between the plug R and the retaining
collar Y, which is fixed to the tube O, so that the front end of the tube T will be
accurately centred, and retained in position, and yet adapted to rotation on a
longitudinal axis; the other end of the rod T passes through a hole made in the
hub P which it fits with reasonable closeness, and a small hand wheel Y is fixed
on the end thereof. The periphery of the hand wheel is marked with divisions
indicating pounds and fractions of pounds, and a little stationary index finger Z
adjacent to the periphery of this wheel, acts as an index for it.
Referring now more particularly to the drum, a is a centrally bored and flanged
disc, which is fastened by screws as indicated to the hub P, b is one of the drum
heads fastened to the disc a, the periphery of which is rolled free, as shewn at c,
partly to give a finish and partly to protect the edge of the cylindrical portion of
the drum, which revolves beneath it, and to prevent entrance of dust etc.
d is a
cylindrical portion of the drum, which may be made of brass or other suitable
metal, and upon which the curved and gradually diverging lines which form the
main iudex of the apparatus are produced, as hereinafter described.
e is the other

page_text: head of the drum. It is of the same size as the head b, and may be made of the
same material, and it is rigidly fastened to another centrally bored disc f which is
fixed by a key g to the tube O. is a rod or spindle which passes through the
head e and the disc f, and is provided with a thumb-nut on the outside of the
drum, whereby it may be turned: it is threaded near its point and it passes
through a threaded hole in an adjustable balance weight; enclosed within the
drum. is another spindle, not threaded, which passes through a non-threaded
hole in the bottom of the weight, so as to retain it in proper position, to enable the
upper spindle h, when turned to rotate the weight backwards and forwards within
the drum, as may be necessary for the purposes of adjustment. I is still another
centrally bored disc of metal, which is keyed by key m to the rod O and to it is
attached a diaphragm plate n which projects radially and bears against the
cylindrical portion of the drum. o is a spring one end of which is fastened to the
fixed hub P and the other or free end is fastened to the diaphragm n. p is a nut
internally threaded to correspond to the quick pitch threads on the rod T. 7 is a
pee adapted to slide along the surface of the exterior tube K. is a pin which
passes through the lower portion of the pee, likewise through the straight slot in
the underside of the tube K, also through the curved slot in the interior tube O,
and is rigidly threaded into the nut p. An eye, s is preferably made upon the
lower end of this pin, upon which a pendant of any desired weight may be hung.
u is a frame extending upwards from a standard C, the upper end of which is a
hand rest v, upon which the wrist of the operator may rest whilst securing the
proper adjustment of the balance, by means of the hand wheel Y.
Referring now to the indices upon the drum, a¹ a¹ (see Fig. 2) are two arms,
extending upwards from the main frame G, and across their outer ends extends an
index plate 6, the edge of which is made in the form of a series of properly spaced
points or indices c¹ c' etc. The periphery of the drum (see Fig. 4) is provided with
three circumferential, flat and tape like surfaces, d', e', f, upon which numerals are
placed, as shewn in the said figure, and the surface of the drum, between these
tubular indices is provided with curved and gradually divergent lines.
Dated this Thirty-first day of December 1895.
BROWNE & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.
An Improved Apparatus for Indicating the Weight of a Given
Length, or the Length of a Given Weight, of Textile Fabric.
I MARK HORATIO TOMKINS of 9 Fenchurch Street, in the City of London,
Manufacturer's Agent, 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:-
My invention relates to new and useful apparatus especially intended for use
by manufacturers and dealers in textile fabrics.
At the present time and for many years past it has been the custom by manu-
facturers of textile fabrics to indicate on the end of the piece, bolt or cut of
fabric, the number of yards contained in it, as for instance, on one corner of the
fabric may appear the figures "47" which reads that the piece contains forty-
seven and two fourths yards. This for instance is only taken from the print
cloth trade; the intent of that trade is to produce pieces or cuts containing fifty
yards, but through shrinkage and other causes it frequently falls short or exceeds
that amount somewhat.

page_text: In order to determine the quality of the goods, that is to say, its weight per
yard, in other words, whether it be a closely woven, thick fabric, or a loosely
woven thinner fabric, recourse has been had to a method known more particularly
in the print cloth and cotton weavers trades as "the yard weight" system; the
exactness of the method of determining the yard weight of textile fabrics by
averaging the bale, as suggested in recent years proved so unsatisfactory that a
demand has arisen for some means of determining with more certainty the yard
weight of each particular piece, bolt or cut of goods, and the necessity for so
doing has become so great in certain industries that the custom has arisen of
putting each separate piece of fabric on a scale and then by a laborious and time-
taking process, figuring out the yard weight of each piece. This process adds
considerably to the expense of marketing the goods in large factories where the
output is frequently hundreds of thousands of pieces annually.
With reference to my present invention; it comprises, generally speaking, a
machine or apparatus provided with a platform similar to the platform of an
ordinarily scale, adapted to receive a piece, bolt or cut of cloth or a number of
such pieces, as desired. Also a balance beam and indicating drum-the beam and
the drum being connected together by certain mechanical appliances, so that upon
the beam, the weight of the piece can be instantly ascertained, and upon the
drum the "yard weight"; that is to say, the number of running yards or fractions
of a yard to the pound, which is known to the trade as the "yard weight
" of the
goods. It will be observed, however, that this term is a complete misnomer, to
say that a piece of goods runs 7-75 yards per pound, does not give the weight
per yard, to ascertain that weight a mathematical problem has to be worked out,
which would frequently be a complicated one. Nevertheless this so called weight
yard in the trade vocabulary is what is wanted, because manufacturers and dealers
wish to know the proportion in yards to the pound since the raw material, to wit,
cotton, is bought by the pound, and my apparatus will fulfil this desire of the
trade equally well whether the scale beam, as will be hereafter described, be
marked with indications giving the weight of the goods or not. I prefer to add
such indications as a matter of convenience, because thereby the weight can be
ascertained without extra trouble, and it may sometimes be useful.
Moreover my invention is applicable to the old method employed of determining
the quality or standard or woollen or certain other manufactures, wherein the
weight of the goods in ounces or fractions of ounces is determined by the yard-
all that is necessary being to modify the indications upon my drum indices, which
will be hereinafter explained, to adapt the apparatus to the registration of that
information instead of the more modern "yard weight" number of yards to the
pound.
The mechanism constituting my apparatus or machine is as follows;-reference
being had to the drawings forming part of the Provisional Specification, in which
Fig. 1 shews a front elevation of the apparatus. Fig. 2 shews a side elevation
Fig. 3 shews a longitudinal view partiy in section of the drum scale beam and the
interior parts of the mechanism, some being shewn in full lines and some in sectional
lines.
Fig. 4 shews a diagrammatical view of a segment of the face of the drum,
illustrated as flattened out.
A is the platform of what may be an ordinary platform scale. B is the box of
the scale within which the usual weighing levers, etc., are enclosed. C is the
standard of the scale. D is a brace extending from the standard upon which the
scale beam, drum, etc. are supported. F is the connecting rod which transmits
the weight from the platform to the beam; it is bifurcated at its upper end and
there connects with the frame G of the apparatus. H are the usual knife edges
which fulcrum upon the bifurcated upper end I of the standard D. The knife
edges are made integral with a hub J. K is a fixed tube which is entered into the
forward end of the hub J (see Fig. 3) and its outer end passes through a longi-
Ludinally slotted or ring like arrest L supported upon a rod M as usual in such

page_text: apparatus. The tube K has a straight slot N (see Fig. 2) running substantially
its entire length and preferably on its under side to prevent the entrance of dust;
O is another tube which passes longitudinally through the tube K, likewise
through the hub J through the drum, and is rigidly fastened within a hub P (see
Figs. 1 and 3); this tube O has a spiral slot cut in it longitudinally, the pitch of
which near to the drum, is somewhat high, but which lowers as it approaches
the outer end of the tube. Q is a plug in the end of the tube K, and R is a
similar plug in the end of the tube O. S is a centering screw which is threaded
in the plug Q, the conical point of which enters the hollow centre of the plug R
for the purpose of centering and preventing end motion on the part of the tube O,
and the mechanism connected with it. T is a rod which extends longitudinally
through the tube O, and which is threaded (as indicated at Fig. 3) with a screw
of quick pitch, throughout that portion of it, over which the pee or sliding piece
hereinafter explained travels. On the forward end of the rod T, there is a fixed
collar U which is located between the plug R and the retaining collar V which
is fixed to the tube O, so that the front end of the rod T will be accurately
centered and retained in position, and yet adapted to rotation on a longitudinal
axis. The other end of the rod T passes through a hole made in the hub P, which
it fits with reasonable snugness, and a small hand wheel Y is fixed on the end
thereof. The periphery of the hand wheel is marked with divisions indicating
pounds and fractions of pounds, and a little stationary index finger Z adjacent
to the periphery of this wheel acts as an index for it; by these means minute
divisions of weight, which might be difficult to determine from the scale beam can
be ascertained.
Referring now more particularly to the drum, a is a centrally bored and flanged
disc, which is fastened by screws as indicated to the hub P. b is one of the drum
heads fastened to the disc a, the periphery of which is rolled free, as shewn at c
partly to give a finish, and partly to protect the edge of the cylindrical portion of
the drum, and to prevent entrance of dust etc. d is a cylindrical portion of the
drun which may be made of brass or other suitable metal, and upon which the
curved and gradually diverging lines which form the main index of the apparatus
are produced, as hereinafter described. e is the other head of drum. It is of the
same size as the head band may be made of the same material, and it is rigidly
fastened to another centrally bored disc f, which is fixed by a key g to the tube O.
h is a rod or spindle which passes through the head e and the disc fand is provided
with a thumb uut i on the outside of the drum whereby it may be turned; it is
threaded near its point and it passes through a threaded hole in an adjustable
balance weight j enclosed within the drum. k is another spindle, not threaded
which passes through a non-threaded hole in the bottom of the weight so as to
retain it in proper position to enable the upper spindle h, when turned, to rotate
the weight backwards and forwards within the drum as may be necessary for the
purpose of adjustment. I is another centrally bored disc of metal which is keyed
by a key m to the rod O and to it is attached a diaphragm plate n which projects
radially and bears against the cylindrical portion of the drum. o is a spring, one
end of which is fastened to the fixed hub P and the other or free end is fastened
to the diaphragm n. P is a nut interiorly threaded to correspond to the quick
pitch threads on the rod T. 9 is a pee or sliding piece adapted to slide along the
surface of the exterior tube K. is a pin which passes through the lower portion
of the pee or sliding piece, likewise through the straight slot in the under side of
the tube K; also through the curved slot in the interior tube O, and is rigidly
threaded into the nut p. An eye, s, is preferably made upon the lower end of this
pin upon which a pendant of any desired weight may be hung. u is a frame
extending upwardly from the standard C, the upper end of which is a hand rest v,
upon which the wrist of the operator may rest while securing the proper adjustment
of balance by means of the band wheel Y.
Referring now to the indices upon the drum, a', a³ (see Figure 2) are two arms,
extending upwardly from the main frame G, and across their outer ends extends

page_text: an index plate b¹, the edge of which is made in the form of a series of properly
spaced points or indices c¹, c¹ &c. The periphery of the drum (see Fig. 4) is pro-
vided with three circumferential, flat and tape-like surfaces, d, e, f, upon which
numerals are placed, as shown in said figure, the purpose of which will be hereafter
explained, and the surface of the drum between these tabular indices is provided
with curved and gradually divergent lines, for a purpose hereinafter to be
explained.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-
The piece, bolt or cut of cloth is placed upon the platform of the scale and
the pee or sliding piece is moved along the scale beam by turning the handwheel Y,
which, in turn, rotates the rod T, and consequently, through the instrumentality of
the nut P and pin r, causes the pee g to travel until the counterbalance is secured
and during the movement of the pee it will be observed that the pin r acting in
the slot in the inner tube O has rotated the drum which is keyed fast to that tube,
and when the counterbalance as above stated, has been secured all that is necessary
to do is to read from the index plate 6' in conjunction with the numerical indices
upon the drum, the number of yards to the pound as thereon indicated, said
indices, of course, being prepared for this purpose. That is to say, assuming that
the piece, bolt or cut of fabric is 45 yards in length, the stamp put by the manu-
facturer upon the corner of the cloth, indicating that by the figures 45%. Now
upon finding the position of 453 on the index plate 61 (see Fig. 4) the operator
observes the curved line which coincides with the said index point 45³, and following
that upwardly he discovers in the nearest index plate that that line runs up 8. 8.
shewing that there are eight and eight tenths yards to the pound in that piece of
goods, and thus, around the entire periphery of the drum. The object of the
spring o is to maintain contact between all parts of the apparatus, so that lost
motion or wear will not throw the apparatus out of true indication; and the
weight within the drum is provided so that as it is moved slightly towards or
from the supporting knife edges, adjustments may be made for any wear or lost
motion; thus the instrument is permanently maintained in a condition of great
accuracy. The pee or sliding piece may be operated by the hand wheel Y, both
forwards and backwards along the scale beam.
The curved and gradually divergent lines upon the surface of the drum and the
indications upon the circumferential index plates may be so divided and arranged
as to fit the requirements of any special industry. For instance the cotton trade
recognizes no fractions of a yard less than quarters and their unit of weight, so to
speak, is the pound. Consequently, this apparatus is illustrated in the drawings
as made upon that basis, but for other grades of manufactures, other denominations,
weights, or arrangements may be necessary.
As for instance in the woollen trade, already referred to for which the lines
upon the drum and indices upon the index plates will have to be worked out to
suit the requirements of the case.
It will be obvious to those who are familiar with such devices that various
modifications may be made in the details of the construction of the parts, without
departing from the essentials of the invention and I therefore do not limit myself
to the precise details herein described..
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 an instrument for the purposes stated, the combination of a platform scale,
a slotted beam, a slotted tube within the beam, a drum bearing indices fast on said
tube, a threaded rod and nut, a pee or sliding piece and a pin engaging with the
pee and passing through the slot in the beam and in the interior tube and entering
the said nut, all for the purposes set forth.
2. In an instrument for the purposes stated, the combination of a platform scale,
a slotted beam, a slotted tube within the beam, a drum bearing indices fast to said

page_text: tube, a threaded rod and nut, a pee or sliding piece, a pin engaging with the pee,
and passing through the slots in the beam, and in the interior tube and entering
the nut, and a hand wheel on the end of the threaded rod, all for the purposes
set forth.
3. In an instrument for the purposes stated, the combination of a platform scale,
a slotted beam, a slotted tube within the beam, a drum bearing indices fast on said
tube, a threaded rod and nut, a pee or sliding piece, a pin engaging with the pee,
and passing through the slots in the beam and in the interior tube, and entering
the said nut, and a spring engaging with the said drum, all for the purposes
set forth.
4. In an instrument for the purposes stated, the combination of a pee or sliding
piece supported upon a scale beam, an indicating drum connected with the pee
and rotated by its movement, and means to positively move the pee, all for the
purposes set forth.
5. In an instrument for the purposes stated, the combination of an indicating
drum, a scale beam, a pee or sliding piece adapted to longitudinal movement on
the scale beam and means connecting the drum and the pee, whereby the movement
of the latter rotates the former, all for the purposes set forth.
6. In an instrument for the purposes stated, the combination of a pee or sliding
piece supported upon a scale beam, an indicating drum, a tube and rod having a
slot or equivalent device of uneven pitch and which supports the drum, and which
is connected with the pee and rotated by its movement, also means to positively
move the pee all for the purposes set forth.
7. In an instrument for the purposes stated the combination of an indicating
drum supported upon a tube or rod, having a slot or equivalent device of uneven
pitch, said tube or rod itself a scale beam, a pee or sliding piece adapted to longi-
tudinal movement on the scale beam and provided with a pin or projection which
engages with the slot or like device in said tube or rod whereby the movement of
the pee rotates the drum, all for the purposes set forth.
8. The improved apparatus for indicating the weight of a given length or the
length of a given weight of textile fabric substantially as set forth.
Dated this 30th day of Se 1000
BROWNE & Co.,
9 Warwick Court, Gray's Inn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.