AN IMPROVED BALANCE OR SCALE
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
We JOHN GILMORE, of the Vicarage, Lower Norwood, in the county of Surrey,
Clork in Holy Orders, and WILLIAM RICHARD OLARK, of 3 Danby St., Pockham
Rye, in the county of Surrey, Mechanician, do hereby declare the nature of our
said invention for "AN IMPROVED BALANCE OR SCALE" to be as follows: —
Our invention relates to an improved balance or scale, and it is designed, to
obviate the use of loose weights, whilst at the same time it retains the advantages
of weight counterpoise, and further to give an immediate indication of the weight
value of the matter in the scale.
Pivotted on an axis in the usual manner is a beam carrying a receptacle at one
end, and placed on a frame work on, or overhanging the other end a series of
counterpoise weights representing any convenient series of units of valuo, such for
instance as the weights allowed by the post office for certain payments. Those
counterpoise weights are arranged vertically one over the other and are placed in
an adjusted framework on suitable steps, or alternatively hang suspended by
suitable stops from an overhead guide. The beam lies normally in a horizontally
balanced position, without affecting the counterpoise weights; but, immediately
any article is placed in or on the receptacle, the other end lifts the lowest counter-
poise and as many more of the counterpoise as excess in weight over the lowest
counterpoise may represent, the heads thus being raised to a greater or less extent,
and their travel, or that of the uppermost, being graduated on a suitable dial or
scale placed at the side.
This accumulative arrangement of the counterpoises is conveniently carried into
effect by forming them as concentric discs provided with central sleeves which pass
up through the overhead guide and are fitted with disc stops. Each of these
sleeves is larger than the one preceding it in the series, so as to permit of the free
passage of the latter through the former.
Where delicate weights are to be measured, or adjustment is desired, we fit on
the beam one or more aliding weights, representing units of weight value, by the
movement of which over any sot portion of the beam any desired disturbance of
the equilibrium may be effected and a result arrived at as in the case of a
steel yard.
'

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
We, JOHN GILMORE, of The Vicarage, Lower Norwood, in the County of Surrey,
Clerk in Holy Orders, and WILLIAM RICHARD CLARK, of 3 Danby Street, Peckham
Ryo, in the County of Surrey, Mechanician, do hereby declare the nature of our
invention for "AN IMPROVED BALANCE OR SCALE" and in what manner the
samo is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :—
•
Our invention, relates to an improved balance or scale, and it is designed to
obviate the use of loose weights, whilst at the same time it retains the advantages
of weight counterpoise, and further to give an immediate indication of the value of
the weight matter in the scale.
In order that our invention may be the better understood, we now proceed to
describe the same in relation to the drawings hereunto annexed, reference being
had to the letters and figures marked thereon.
Figures and 2 aro sectional elevations of two modifications of our invention.
Pivoted on an edgo A, in the usual manner, is a beam B, carrying a receptacle C
at one end, and having at the other end a series of counterpoise weights D, repre-
senting any convenient series of units of value, such for instance, as the weights
allowed by the post office for certain payments. These counterpoise weights are
arranged vertically one over the other, and are placed in an adjusted framework on
suitable steps, as in figure 2, or, alternatively, hang suspended by suitable stops
from an overhead guide, as in figure 1. The beam B lies normally in a horizontally
balanced position without affecting the counterpoise weights, but immediately any
articlo is placed in or on the receptacle C, a plate E at the other end lifts the
lowest counterpoise, and as many more of the counterpoises as excess in weight
over the lowest counterpoise may represent. The arm F, carrying an indicating
finger, is thus raised to a greater or less extent, and indicates the weight value
raised on a graduated dial or scale G.
For instance, referring to figure 1, the counterpoise weights are arranged with
regard to the present parcels post scale, and, as shown in the drawing, the balance
lies in equilibrium. Let us suppose a weight of 5 lbs to be placed upon the
receptacle C, the beam is depressed and the plate E immediately takes up the
lowest counterpoise weight of the value of 1 lb, the next counterpoise of the value
of 2 lbs, and the next of the value of 2 lbs, thus accumulating a total weight value
of 5 lbs, this being indicated by the rise of the arm and finger F up the face of the
dial.
Entering into detail of the method of the accumulative arrangement of the
counterpoises, and referring first to figure 1, they are formed as concentric discs C
provided with central sleeves, which pass up through the overhead guide H, and
are fitted with disc stops J by which they hang. Each of these sleeves is larger
than the one preceding it in the series, so as to permit of free passage of the latter
through the former. Referring now to figure 2, the weights D are carried on steps
in a chamber, the necessity for sleeves and stops being thus dispensed with. For
the movement of the beau the chamber is slotted at K.

page_text: We may further pivot on the beam B one or more sliding weights L, representing
units of weight value, by the movement of which, over any set portion of tho .
beam M, any desired disturbance of the equilibrium may be effected, and the result.
arrived at as in the case of a steel yard. This will be found desirable where
delicate weights are to be measured or adjustment is required.
Although for the sake of clearness we have confined our specification to the
description of a small balance, yet it is obvious that our invention may be
used with balances or scales of a much larger description and with much heavier
weights.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and objects of our
invention and the manner in which it is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is
.
1st In a balance or scale, the combination of a series of weights lifted accumula-
tively by the movement of the beam, such movement indicating the accumulativo
value at any moment relatively to the weight in the receptacle at the opposite end
of the beam, with other known parts, constituting a balance or scale, substantially
as and for the purposes set forward.
2nd The combination with the balance or scale constructed as first claimed, of a
slide weight to disturb the equilibrium in the manner of a steel-yard, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
.