for the Measurement of Hides or Skins.
Year: 1885

page_text: for the Measurement of Hides or Skins.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SURFACE-MEASURING MACHINES CHIEFLY
DESIGNED FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF HIDES OR SKINS" 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 that class of surface measuring machines in which
a greater or less number of a series of traction wheels revolving in contact with
a roller are used to measure linearly the length of surface (more especially those of
irregular outline, such as hides and skins) that pass under them, and in which these
traction measuring wheels are set at preferably the same distance each from each,
measured on the line of their common axes of revolution. Each wheel being of the
same diameter and provided with a device which shall accurately transmit the
amount of its peripheral movement to a system of levers which in turn transmit
their aggregate motion to an indicating dial.
The object of my invention is to make a measuring machine which shall auto-
matically record the area of any article however full of holes or irregular its outline,
which may be passed through it and it is also particularly adapted without adjust-
ment, to measure articles of varying thickness, being capable of automatically
recording the superficial area of the thinest skin on its recording dial
My invention consists in a device by which the thickness of the leather to be
measured will cause the measuring wheels to be raised the thickness of the leather
and at the same time cause the gear wheels to descend so that the relative motion
of the two will be twice the thickness of the leather. This device ensures certainty
of engagement of the pinions on the measuring wheels with the gear wheels.
It further consists in the combination, with traction wheels provided with
pinioned hubs, of gear wheels to the hub of which is attached a chain or cord,
whereby the motion of the traction wheels.is transmitted to a system, of levers;
and also in attaching to the shaft of each gear wheel a friction hub or pulley which

page_text: has about it a cord which serves to transmit the motion of the measuring wheels to
the pulleys on the system of levers; also in connecting the system of levers which
aggregate the movement of the gear wheels, to the lever, operating the pointer on
the dial, by an improved device; also in improved systems of levers for aggregating
the motion of the traction wheels, also a number of other improvements which will
be more fully hereinafter set forth in connection with the full description of the
mechanical construction of my machine.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a front elevation of my machine for measuring the areas of surfaces.
Figure 2 is a cross vertical section of the same on the line x, x of Figure 1,
shewing some of the parts in elevation.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section of the gear wheel and its support.
Figure 4 is an elevation, partly in section of the gear wheel and its support.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a series of pawls.
Figure 6 is a perspective view in detail shewing the manner in which the lever
carrying the traction wheel is supported.
Figures 7 and 8 are views in detail of the device used for attaching the system
of aggregating levers to the lever which operates the pinion of the pointer of
the dial.
Figure 9 shows my system of levers and pulleys.
Figure 10 shows one set of pulleys and their connecting levers.
Figure 11 is a modification to take the place of the system of pulleys and levers
shewn in Figure 9.
Figure 12 is a modification showing one way of connecting the cords from the
hubs of the gear wheels to the system of aggregating levers.
Figures 13 and 14 are details of the toothed-segment support.
Figure 15 is a cross vertical section shewing a toothed-segment substituted in
place of a gear wheel.
Figure 16 is a modification of the system of levers.
Figure 17 is a cross vertical section shewing a modification in the method of
supporting the traction wheels and an improved toothed-segment.
The main frame of the machine is composed of the uprights A, A, which are tied
together by the cross pieces A' A' A* A A7. Upon the uprights A A are secured
blocks in which the shafts of the rolls B B¹ take their bearings. The cross
pieces A¹ A* A* A* A' also serve for supports for the small parts of the machine.
The roll B feeds in the article to be measured while the roll B¹ is covered with
some soft material and moving in the same direction with the feed roll B, serves
as a cleaner or wiper to remove any accumulation of dirt that may lodge on the
feed roll B. The length of the roll B and the inside width of the frame A are
adapted to the surface of the largest sheet the superficial area of which it is desired
to ascertain. The roller B is provided with tight and loose pulleys B* B³ which
receive a belt by shifting which the machine may be started or stopped in the well
known way.
To the shaft of the wiper roll B₁ is attached a pulley B' to move it
in the same direction as that in which the feed roller B moves. C is an apron for
convenience in feeding the stock to be measured. C¹ is a table to assist in passing
the articles to be measured into the machine.
A series of traction or measuring wheels D, rest on the roller B and are caused
to be revolved by contact therewith when the belt is acting on the tight pulley.
These traction or measuring wheels D have their journals in vertical slots in the
lever support D* fulcrummed on the cross piece A* by the bolt D, as shewn in
Figures 2 and 15. These wheels D D are free to revolve or move up and down
independently of each other.
In Figure 17 I have shewn a modified way of supporting the traction or
measuring wheels D by having their journals in vertical slots in the sides of the
arms H* near one end, the other ends of these arms are securely fastened to a cross
piece on the frame A. These slots allow the wheels to rise and fall and retain
their axes always in the same vertical plane. The hubs of these wheels D project

page_text: on one side beyond the rims and have these projecting parts provided with cogs or
a pinion D¹. Immediately above the projecting part of each hub is a gear wheel E,
see Figures 1 and 2. In Figures 15 and 17 I shew as a substitute for the gear
wheel a toothed segment. The office of the pinion D¹ is to engage with the gear
wheel E or segment S. The way in which I support the gear wheels is shewn in
Figures 2, 3 and 4. To the cross bar A' I attach the arms H' by a bolt and nut,
providing one arm for each gear wheel. The support H is pivotted to the arm H*
by a pin H, as shewn in Figure 3. On the pin H₁ is placed a pulley h upon which
the cord E runs. The gear wheel E turns on a headed pin E which is rigidly
connected with the lever support H. It is thus seen that each gear wheel is
independently supported on a lever support H, fulcrummed at H¹.
Where I use the toothed segment S, I use a support H provided with two half
boxes h¹ h, Figure 14 one of which h³ serves to receive the cross rod J on which
all of the supports H rest. The half box h' receives the journals of the toothed
segment S which is carried by the support H. With this arrangement any one of
the said segments and its support can be lifted out at pleasure and afford access to
the wheel below.
In Figure 17 is shewn how one end of the lever support H is adjustably secured
to the cross piece A' by means of a screw bolt h³, by means of which the segments
can be accurately arranged in proper relation to the pinions D¹.
In Figures 2 and 15 I shew the device by which at the same time that the
traction or measuring wheels D rise the gear wheel E or segment S descends,
causing the teeth of the gear wheel or segment to engage with the pinion. This
device consists of the lever support H balanced upon the pin H where a gear wheel
is used, as in Figure 2; and a rod J as a fulcrum where a segment S is used as in
Figure 15. One end of the lever support H carries the toothed wheel or segment,
while the other end is weighted and is connected by a rod D³ to a lever D³
fulcrummed on the cross piece A by the bolt D' as is shewn in detail in Figure 6-
The rod D is adjustably secured to the lever support H by means of a thumb nut.
It is obvious where there is any article on the feed roll B of sufficient thickness
to lift the measuring wheel to such a height, and through the lever D³, rod D³ and
lever support H (Figure 2) lower the gear wheel E to such an extent that the two
will come in contact, that the gear wheel will be caused to revolve. As the gear
wheel is made to revolve only when the thing to be measured is under the
measuring wheel it is evident that the amount of motion imparted to the said gear
is in proportion to the length traversed by the measuring wheel D on the surface
to be measured.
It will be noticed that the weight S¹ on the toothed segment is placed as near as
may be to the centre of motion of the toothed segment. I have also placed a
balancing weight S' on one end of the segment in Figure 17.
Attached to each of the hubs E¹ of the gear wheels E is a friction pulley E³, see
Figures 2, 3, and 4. The amount of friction being determined by the set screw E³
which presses upon a spring e¹, see Figure 4. The friction between the hub E¹ and
the pulley E' is sufficient to cause it to revolve with the gear E and draw down
the cord or chain E' and operate a system of levers L, L, L, L, L, L³, L® Figure 1.
Eð, Figure 2, is a pin or stop on the friction pulley determining its normal
position, that is, the friction pulley is pulled back until the pin E³ comes in contact
with the lever support H. The last lever L° of the system of aggregating levers is
connected by a strap M, of any suitable material, preferably of metal to a lever M¹,
Figures 7 and 8, the lever M¹ being pivotted at M³ to the frame of the machine and
is provided with a curved piece m, Figures 7 and 8 for the strap M to work upon,
thus securing an even leverage in all positions of the lever M¹.
N is a curved rack which engages with a pinion on the axis of the pointer R to
move and indicate on the dial R¹ the amount of motion of the lever M₁, see Figure 1.
B is an adjusting nut on the screw P¹, which is attached to the end of the strap M
shewn in Figure 8. As the adjusting nut P¹ is moved upward or downward on
the screw Pagainst the curved piece m, the strap M is lowered or raised. The

page_text: '
dial R has on it à graduated scale. When one operation of measuring has been
completed the system of levers L, L³, L³, L³, Lª, Lº, Le will be drawn down and the
pointer R will indicate the area measured. Now to place the levers back in their
original positions the operator pulls the cord M³ either by taking hold of it directly
or through the bent rod M. This action will also revolve all of the friction
pulleys E (which have been moved) about the hubs and leave them in place for
the next operation.
.
M³ Figure 1 is a bracket piece attached to the frame of the machine and serves
to keep the lever M¹ in place. M' Figure 1 is a counterweight to keep the levers
in place. Attached to the longitudinal bar A2, Figures 1, 2 and 5, I have a series
of pawls K, one for each of the gears E. Each pawl K is pivotted on a rod K¹ and
secured by a pin K2 which works in a slot made in the rear end of the pawl, so that
the pawl may have a motion independently of the rod K¹. K³ is an arm attached
to the rod K¹ and has a cord K by which it may be operated. By the above
device all of the pawls K may be freed from the gear E by simply pulling down
the cord K⭑.
A are lugs or brackets on the underside of the bar A2 which supports the rod K¹.
These pawls serve to hold the gear wheels accurately in position after they have
wound upon their hub the cord E' until the indications of the dial are registered;
they also serve to hold the gear wheels positively while the friction pulleys E-E³
are revolved back to their normal positions.
The advantages attained by the use of these friction pulleys are that the gear
wheels do not have to be moved after an operation of measuring has taken place,
but can continue simply round and round in the same direction, thus utilizing
equally all the teeth of the gear wheel and avoiding the noise occasioned by the
dropping of the toothed segments, as hereinafter described.
The toothed segments when free are retained in the position shewn in Figures 15
and 17 by means of weights S¹ attached near to their centres of motion and by one
end of the segment coming in contact with the cross bar A° attached to the frame;
they are retained in the positions to which they may be brought in measuring &
surface by the pawls K, Figures 15 and 17 which engage with their teeth. These
pawls are pivotted to upright arms and weighted to act by gravity. All these
upright arms. supporting pawls are attached to the same cross bar, by moving
which, by means of the rod K, the pawls are all caused to release their respective
segments at the same time and leave them free to resume their normal positions.
To each of the hubs of the gear wheels and of the toothed segments is attached a
cord E⭑.
When an article, such as a side of leather, is inserted between the wheels D and
the roll B a greater or less number of the wheels, according to the width of the
article, will be raised, and their toothed hubs are caused to engage with the teeth
of the gear wheels or toothed segments. As the article is drawn in by the revolu-
tion of the roll B the wheels in contact therewith will rotate and cause the gear
wheels and toothed segments, with which the hubs mesh, to rotate and wind up the
cord E, attached to their hubs, and the total length of cord so wound up will
indicate the total area of the article that passed under the wheels. To aggregate
the measurements of the cords by means of a series of levers, the cords may be
divided into sets as indicated by the letters d d Figure 12 Each cord d³ is
secured at its end to a small lever Figure 12, but renders freely, through rings.
Two of these small levers d' are pivotted at their centres to the opposite ends of a
lever L which may be pivotted at its centre direct to a weighted arm M¹ pivotted
to the frame at M² and carrying a racked segment N, which meshing with the
pinion N¹ causes it to revolve when the arm M² is moved.
The index finger R is fast to the shaft of the pinion N¹ and consequently moves
with it. This arrangement would constitute a complete machine of ten wheels.
For a complete machine of twenty wheels two levers L L', each having two small
levers with their two sets of five cords, would be pivotted to the arms of a
lever L', which would be pivotted at its centre to the weighted arm M'; for the

page_text: machine of forty wheels (illustrated in Figure 1) two of the twenty wheel
connections above described are pivotted to the ends of a lever L' which is pivotted
at its centre to the weighted arm M¹.
As the length of the cords E or d is short I am enabled to substitute for them
small chains which not only render freely and work perfectly but are also
preferable on account of their durability and of their not being affected by
moisture.
•
The gear wheels, or toothed segments, cords and levers being arranged as
aforesaid, the same amount of displacement of any one or other number of the
segments will cause the index finger R to move the same distance over the .
graduated scale of the dial R¹. The movement of the index finger R is always
exactly proportional to the number of gear wheels or segments displaced, and the
aggregate amount of their displacements, that is to say, in measuring a surface of
one hundred and forty four square inches area it would make no difference
whether it were a strip one and one half inches wide and ninety-six inches long
and rotated only one wheel during its passage, or whether it were a piece nine
inches wide and sixteen inches long and rotated six wheels during its passage, or
whether it were of varying widths in its length and rotated a different number of
wheels according to its varying widths, the index finger would in each case indicate
the correct area.
'
It is obvious that the arrangement of levers may be varied, the requirement
being that the arrangement shall be such as to correctly aggregate the motion of
every measuring wheel, thus in Figures 9, 10, 11 and 16 I have shown the wheels
in pairs, one cord from each pair extending around a pulley and two of these
pulleys on each small lever de W and W7. These small levers in Figures 11 and 16
are connected in pairs by the levers d¹s and the two outer pairs of levers ¹³ are
connected by a lever d, each lever do in this case being connected with four
wheels
two at each end
each lever d¹³ with eight wheels, and each
lever d¹ with sixteen wheels, as shewn in Figure 11.
--A
--
Now were there but thirty two wheels in the machine two levers d¹ would be
connected one at each end --
with lever d¹; but if forty wheels be used, then
each lever d may be connected as shewn in Figure 11, the one d¹ to the short
arm of a lever d¹³ having at its long end the lever d¹³ with a system of eight
wheels; the other being connected to the end of the long arm of the lever d
which has connected to its short arm the lever d¹. As the lever d¹5 has at its
outer end 16 wheels and but eight wheels at its inner end, the lever d¹³ should
have its inner arm twice as long as its outer arm, and as the lever d¹² has connected
to one of its ends twenty-four wheels and to the other sixteen wheels it is divided
as two to three and when this system of levers is in its proper position in the
machine the lever a should be pivotted directly to the strap M at a point distant
from its left hand end (as shewn in Figure 11) of two fifths of its length.
;
In Figure 9 I have shewn an arrangement of levers which are so constructed as
to occupy very small compass when in operation. In this arrangement when the
system of levers is in its proper position in the machine, the lever We should be
pivotted at its centre direct to the strap M. At each end of the lever W* are
pivotted the main lever arms W, W the lever W being interposed between the
longer arms of W. At the longer arm of the lever W is pivotted, by a link, a
simple lever W7, having pivotted at each end a grooved wheel or pulley; on the
shorter arm of W' is pivoted an arm W, at the inner ends of which are pivotted a
small system of levers of the general arrangement as shewn in Figure 10, but of
different proportion as hereinafter described.
WW represent grooved wheels or pulleys which are supported by the links W¹,
which are connected to the ends of the small levers W2. These small levers W2 are
connected by a short lever W³, which is connected at its centre by a link or arın
to W*; in this arrangement one cord from each pair of friction pulleys or hubs
extends around a pulley or wheel W. It is necessary for the wheels W to be, in
their normal position, on a horizontal line running through their centres,
7

page_text: As the wheels W are arranged relatively to the hubs of the gear wheels or
Begments, which wind up the cords E, and as these hubs are arranged on a line at
equal distances from each other, it follows that the wheels W must be arranged on
a line at equal distances from each other. In Figure 9.I have shewn an arrange-
ment of the wheels W in which they are supposed, when in line, to be just three
inches apart from centre to centre. In order to have the wheels W at equal distances
from each other, it is necessary to so arrange the length of the levers relatively to
each other as to produce this result. Supposing then, the wheels W to be, when
in a line, just three inches apart, the system of levers attached to the outer ends of
the lever W will be as follows:-W will be nine inches long pivotted at its
centre, while W* will be twelve inches. long, pivotted at its centre. This causes
two inner wheels of the system to be just three inches apart and each six inches
'from the outer wheel or pulley, giving room for the lever W', which is nine inches
long to drop its pulleys W between the outer and inner pulley of W; the system
of pulleys at the inner end of W' is shewn in accurate proportion in Figure 10
where W³ is six inches in length and pivotted at its centre to W, and W³ is
twelve inches in length, pivotted at its centre to W³, thus bringing the wheels W,
when in line six inches apart, and allowing room for a similar set of four wheels to
drop into position between these four pulleys at the proper distances from each
. other.
"
In Figure 6 I have shewn in detail the manner in which I fulcrum, on a knife
edge, the lever D³, D₁ being the bolt connecting the lever D¹ with the bar A*.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is
First. The combination with a series of traction wheels, having toothed hubs,
and a series of gear wheels located over these hubs, of pivotted lever supports for
said gear wheels and for said traction wheels, said pivotted lever supports
being connected, whereby the position relatively to each other of said toothed
hubs and their corresponding gear wheels is controlled, all arranged and operated
substantially as described.
Second. The combination with a registering device, of a weighted lever arm, a
series of aggregating levers, a series of cords, a series of gear wheels, a series of
traction or measuring wheels having toothed hubs and resting on a roller and
adapted to be raised by the passage of an article whose area is to be measured,
so that these toothed hubs engage and set in motion the gear wheels, which
transmit their motion by cords to the system of aggregating levers, all arranged
substantially as described.
Third. The combination of a series of traction wheels having toothed hubs and
a series of gear wheels located over these hubs, of friction hubs or pulleys for these
gear wheels, having an adjustable friction device, and a stop to determine their
normal position, so that the friction pulleys revolve with the gear wheels and are
readily pulled back into their normal positions, substantially as, and for the
purpose, set forth.
Fourth. In a machine for measuring the areas of surfaces, the combination of a
registering device consisting preferably of a dial, pointer, axis, and pinion, with a
system of aggregating levers by means of a weighted lever arm, provided with a
curved rack to engage with the pinion on the axis of the pointer of the registering
device, and also with a curved piece having a strap attached thereto to engage with
the system of aggregating levers, whereby an even leverage is secured in all
positions of the weighted lever arm, substantially as described.
Fifth. In a machine for measuring the areas of surfaces, a system of aggregating
levers, the two main levers W, W of which are connected by a curved lever W
interposed between the two longer arms of the two said main levers, which arms
are each provided with a simple lever W7 having pivotted at each end a grooved
wheel or pulley, while on each of the shorter arms is pivotted a lever Wỉ at the

page_text: ends of which is pivotted a lever W³, which have pivotted in turn at each of their
ends the levers W, which are each provided with a grooved wheel or pulley, all
proportioned and operated, substantially as described.
:
Sixth. The combination of a graduated scale and its pointer with a weighted
lever arm, provided with a curved rack to engage a pinion on the shaft of the
pointer and connected by suitable means to a system of aggregating levers, which
are connected by cords to the hubs of gear wheels, the traction wheels having
toothed hubs and resting on a roller, the pawls acting on the gear wheels and the
wiping roll, all arranged together substantially as described and for the purpose set
forth.
Seventh. The combination with a series of traction wheels having toothed hubs,
and a series of gear wheels located over these hubs, of supports for these gear
wheels consisting of a lever H pivotted to the supporting arm H³, substantially as
described.
Eighth. In a machine for measuring the areas of surfaces, a system of aggre.
gating levers in combination with a transmitting lever, the said system of levers
and transmitting lever being connected by a device consisting of a curved bracket
attached to the transmitting lever and provided with a strap adjustably attached
at one end to the curved bracket and at the other end to the system of aggregating
levers, whereby with said transmitting lever an even leverage is secured, substan-
tially as described.
Ninth. In a machine for measuring the area of surfaces, the combination of a
system of gear wheels free to move up and down, provided with friction collars
adapted to wind up cords, and a system of pawls pivotted on a rod and secured
thereto by a pin which works in a slot in the rear end of the pawl, with the
lever M connected by suitable mechanism to said cords, whereby the said gear
wheels are held firmly in position while the friction hubs are pulled back to the
zero point, substantially as described.
Tenth. In a machine for measuring the areas of surfaces, the combination of a
bent rod attached to a weighted lever, the said weighted lever, a system of aggre-
gating levers, a series of cords attached to the friction hubs or pulleys of gear
wheels, a series of friction hubs or pulleys of gear wheels, whereby all the said
friction pulleys noved are revolved back simultaneously into their normal position,
substantially as described.
Eleventh. In a machine for measuring the areas of surfaces, a series of gear
wheels provided with friction hubs or pulleys having an adjustable friction device
and a stop to determine their normal position, in combination with lever supports
for said gear wheels, substantially as described.
Twelfth. In a machine for measuring the areas of surfaces the combination of a
registering device, a weighted lever arm, a system of aggregating levers, a series of
cords, a series of gear wheels, a series of traction or measuring wheels resting on a
roller, with a series of pawls acting on the said set of gear wheels, all arranged and
operated substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
Thirteenth. The combination of a registering device, a weighted lever arm, a
system of aggregating levers, a series of cords, a series of gear wheels, a series
of traction or measuring wheels resting on a roller, all arranged and operated
substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
Fourteenth. In a machine for measuring the areas of surfaces, a rod secured by
brackets to a cross beam of the machine, in combination with a series of pawls
pivotted on said rod which is provided with an arm positively fixed thereto, the
said pawls being individually secured to said rod by a pin positively fixed in said
rod and which works in a slot made in the rear end of the pawl, whereby the said
pawls have a slight individual movement independent of each other and are all
positively operated by said arm, substantially as described.
Fifteenth. The combination with a series of wheels having toothed hubs, of a
Beries of toothed segments located over these hubs, of pivotted lever supports for
said segments and for said wheels, said pivotted lever supports being connected,

page_text: whereby the position relatively to each other of said toothed hubs and their corre.
sponding toothed segments is controlled, all arranged and operated, substantially
as set forth.
Sixteenth. In a machine for measuring the areas of surfaces, the combination
with traction wheels provided with toothed hubs, of a toothed segment provided
with weights S¹ S₁, substantially as described.
Seventeenth. In a machine for measuring the areas of surfaces in which the area
to be measured actuates devices for winding up cords, wheels provided with friction
pulleys or hubs and having both adjustable friction devices and a stop to determine
their normal position, all arranged for the purpose set forth substantially as
described.
Eighteenth. In a machine for measuring the area of surfaces, in which the surface
to be measured actuates devices for winding up cords, the combination of a
registering device with the said cords by means of a system of aggregating levers,
and a transmitting lever, all arranged and operated substantially as described.
Nineteenth. The combination with a registering device, of a system of aggre-
gating levers connected to the hubs of toothed segments, substantially as described,
and a series of traction or measuring wheels having toothed hubs and resting on a
roller and so jourṇalled that by the passage of any material under them the said
toothed hubs will engage and set in motion the toothed segments, substantially as,
and for the purpose, set forth.
Twentieth. The combination of a registering device with the system of levers as
described, the toothed segments or gear wheels having their hubs connected to this
system of levers, as set forth, the wheels having toothed hubs and resting on a
roller, the pawls acting on the segments or gear wheels and adapted to be dis-
engaged, as described, the weighted arm or transmitting lever pivotted to the frame
and connected by suitable mechanism to the registering device, all arranged
substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.