Combined Weighing Machine and Lift with Tilting Platforms.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Combined Weighing Machine and Lift with Tilting Platforms.
HENRY DAVIES 6 St. Johns Crescent Canton Cardiff Contractor do hereby declare
he nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists of a lift erected over a weighing machine A and having two
platforms B and C running in channel iron columns, one at each corner of the well
to any required height. The platforms have as guides two elongations or horns D
fixed on opposite sides of the same edgo-these horns are each provided with an iron.
shoe D 1 working in the channel iron and of sufficient length to prevent the platform
from rocking when in motion.
Each platform on being raised to the requisite height and discharged is ruised.
on its edge, the aforesaid horns acting as pivots on which the platforın turns so
that it is enclosed within the channel iron columns. The platform is lowered in this
position to the ground level and thus does not come in contact with the ascending
platform.
The descending platform is held in its proper position by means of a guide E
consisting of a pulley on the end of an iron armi enclosing the lifting chain of the lift.
To this arm is attached a rope running round two other pulleys as shown at E 1. The
operator in charge pulls the rope F thus hauling over the lifting and lowering chain F1
to the requisite position for lowering the platform. Each platform is lifted by means
of two chains fastened to two blocks, one fitted into each end of a groove running
across the centre of the floor of each platform (or in the case of largest platforms two.
grooves, one at each end of platform). The block on the side furthest from the horns
is fixed permanently the other at G is held in position by a pin H which is withdrawn.
when the platform is discharged and allows the block G when the lifting gear is set
in motion to slide up until it comes into contact with the fixed block thus tipping up
the platform and allowing it to take its proper position for descending.
At J is shown the mechanism for holding the iron uprights K to which the chains:
are attached in position-the arrangement consists of a rod having a step on one end,
the lower ends of the irons to which the chains are attached abut on the rod which is
withdrawn when the platform is about to be tilted up. This specification provides as
an alternative that the platforms shall have small wheels attached so that on reaching
their proper level they will pass above the doors which will be closed over the well-
hole and being lowered and detached from their hoisting chains and horns may be
run on rails to any part of the building required. If to be run on rails four small
wheels will be used, two on each side. If no rails are laid three small wheels will bet
used, two at back and one in centre of front.
The platforms are intended to rest when being loaded at the bottom on the weighing
machine platform thus allowing the weight of goods to be taken and without any
shifting of the load the goods by the arrangements for lifting and transporting on
upper floors to be delivered to their required position. The double platforms provide
for the lower. one being loaded and the upper one discharged simultaneously.
Dated this 16th day of March 1896.
HENRY DAVIES.

page_text: Combined Weighing Machine and Lift with Tilting Platforms.
HENRY DAVIES 6 St. Johns Crescent Canton Cardiff Contractor 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 consists of a lift erected over a weighing machine platform of any
suitable kind in such a manner that the platforms of the lift rest when being loaded
on the platform of the weighing machine. The lift platforms may be made of any
desired weight such as one hundred and twelve pounds more or less which weight
would have to be allowed for in the gross weight of the loaded platform or by
adjustment of the weighing machine as desired, or the weight of the platform may
be taken hefore the loading commences and deducted afterwards so as to give the
correct weight of the load. By this arrangement the goods are loaded weighed and
elevated to the desired position in overhead warehouses with a minimum of labor and
expense. The lift platforms are provided with small hubs or narrow flat iron bars one
on each side underneath H but not so long as the platform by which means the
possibility of the lift platform resting on the fixed edges of the weighing machine
platform and so interfering with a true weighing is avoided. In the case of removable
platforms this office will be performed by the small wheels affixed underneath as
described hereafter.
The object of this invention is the obtainal of despatch in handling goods or commo-
dities of any and every kind which require to be weighed and afterwards elevated to
positions above that on which they are delivered and is applicable to all and every
place, building, shaft, excavation, erection, platform or position in which such
requirements exist, but more especially where large and heavy bodies, goods or
commodities have to be negociated as in mines bonded and other warehouses, flour
and other mills, stores and the like, and also the reduction of the cost of handling the
various goods or commodities by probably more than one half according to the
attendant facilities.
Figure I is a general elevation of the lift showing one lift platform I resting upon
the platform of the weighing machine W ready to be loaded and the other lift.
platform in an edgeway position IA in the grooved upright U ready to descend to
any required lower level.
Figure B is a plan of small lift fitted with two tilting platforms working in grooved
uprights C. One platform is shown ready for loading on its flat with groove across
the centre 23 into which the running gear E. is secured by two plates placed side by
side across the lift platform 19-20 leaving sufficient space between them for the
travellor E to work and the other tilting platform is shown edgways 24 in the grooved
upright Cready to descend.
Figure A is a plan of litt fitted with four tilting platforms 12 one tilting platform.
is shown on its flat with two grooves across it similar in purpose and construction to
the one described under Figure B-that is for the holding and travelling of the
running gear E and the other three are shown edgways in the grooved uprights 41.
Figure D shows. the arrangement of chains by means of bars 27 one on each side and
along which the traveller E runs and two extending bars 26 to make a clear headway
when slanting chains would be inconvenient.
.
Figure E shows the traveller or running gear fitted on rod and supplied with loop.
chain to fall over end of rod to retain traveller. in place when required.
And that my invention and the manner of performing and carrying the same into
effect may be understood I have appended two sheets of drawings illustrative thereof
also those filed with my Provisional Specification.
A weighing machine of any suitable kind having a platform flush with the ground
or any suitable level Plan I W being placed in the desired position I erect at the four

page_text: corners and at a suitable proximity to the weighing machine platform W a three sided
upright of either wood, iron or other material and of a size thickness and strength
adapted to the purpose required having the open side turned inwards and facing the
opposite upright.
These uprights are carried up to the required height and form the grooves in which
the lugs or horns 2 and bossed plates 3 of the tilting platforms of the lift as afterwards
described are to work.
These grooved uprights may be made with double grooves placed at right angles.
Fig. A 41 so as to accommodate four tilting platforms Fig. A 12-13 that is one
secured in each opening formed by the square position of the uprights Figure A 41.
If the uprights have only single grooves they will accommodate two tilting platforms.
only Fig. B 23-24 that is one on each side of the square where the grooves in the
uprights face each other.
If the uprights are made with grooves at right angles Fig. A 41 four tilting plat-
forms can be placed Fig. A 12. 13 but an extra lifting gear of any suitable kind may
be required overhead.
The tilting platforms Fig. A 12 13 are furnished with two horns or lugs Fig. A 14
one extending on each end on the same side of the tilting platforms and fitting into
and working in a boss fixed on to a flat plate 15 running free in the groove of the
upright 41 for the purpose of steadying the tilting platform when in motion.
These plates may be of any length desired and may be connected at a convenient
height by an iron bar running across from upright to upright to increase solidity and
formed with a bend in the centre so as not to interfere with the direct fall of the
lowering chain Fig. 1-5 when the tilted platform is falling.
The tilting platforms Fig. A 12. 13 Fig. B 23. 24 are provided with sling chains in
the manner described below.
In the case of a small platform having but one groove across it Fig. B 43 two sling
chains Fig. 1-4 are attached to the centre-one on each side meeting at a convenient
height in a ring at bottom of straight fall chain Fig. 1-5. The one on the free side
of platform is attached under the platform and the one on the lug or horn side of
the platform is attached to a sliding gear running on a bar Fig. E fixed in a
groove which extends from side to side of the platforin Fig. B 43 and terminates at
the opposite chain. This sliding gear is secured in position during the ascent of the
loaded platform by a pin crook, catch E or other suitable means, removable after the
platform has been unloaded and prior to its being tilted to return to the lower level.
In the case of large platforms four sling chains are used 22 and the platform is
provided with two bars in grooves, one at each side of the platform near each end and
of the same length as the width of the platform Plan A 19-20 along which the sliding
gear works E in a similar manner to that described before for smaller platforms,
Fig. B. Two of the four sling chains are attached to the platform underneath on the
free side and the other two to the travellers E (as shown Plan A) in the groove on
the fixed or horn side in the same manner as with the smaller platforms.
The top of the four sling chains meet in a ring attached to the fall chain 28 or if
desirable to the links of the fall chain. Where the slant of the two sling chains 4
used for slinging in the case of small platforms would interfere with the nature of the
work being carried on and it is required to have a clear headway to the height of three
or four feet more or less-above the tilting platform, a stout iron bar is placed at
the required height of three or four feet-more or less and of the length of the width
of the platform or thereabouts between the two sling chains making them rise perpen-
dicularly to the height at which it is fixed and the running gear E used for tilting the,
platform instead of working in the groove of the platform Plan A 19. 20 is placed on
this rod along which it works as shown at E instead of in the groove in platform.
The running gear E is the same whether used on small platforms, larger platforms
or overhead rods-the small platforms have either one groove across the centre
Plan B or one iron overhead rod between the sling chains. The larger platforms
have either two grooves in bed of platform 12 or two extended overhead bars 27
along which the running gear travels-Plan D.

page_text: The manner of tilting the platforms is the same whether they be large or small
the only difference of working being the use of two sliding gears either in. bed
of platform or on the overhead bars 27 for large platforms instead of the one sliding
gear either in bed of platform or on the overhead bar for smaller platforms.
When the platform is raised to the required level and unloaded it is tilted up
on edge into the vacant space between the uprights and in that position returns
to the lower level. This is effected thus. The horn revolving in the boss of plate
inside the upright forms the pivot. The pawl engaging with the rack preventing
the descent of the horn side of the platform forms the fulcrum.
When the platform arrives at its required elevation it is secured on one or both
sides by a rack and pawl engaging with each other below the platform or by a
pin bolt fork or other similar device suited to the position and circumstances in
which the platform is placed.
The lift platform being thus secured to the upright on the lug or horn side
cannot fall and when the fall chain 5 is pulled over by the overhead socetted rod
or pulleys as afterwards described and the fall chain if necessary drawn a little
upward the free side of the lift platform rises until it is on its edge and between
the uprights.
The fall chain near the top and below the lifting gear passes through an iron
rod 6 fitted with a pulley or small revolving wheel 6a which rods works in and
through an iron socket or pipe 7 fixed on arms 8 extending outside the uprights
and having a pulley at the outer end 9.
A chain or rope is affixed to the end of the iron rod 6 and works over the pulley 9
at the outer end of the iron socket or pipe 7 and descends guided by pulleys 11 where
necessary to the bottom of the lift.
The operator in charge therefore has only to pull this chain or rope 10 and the iron
rod 6 passes through the iron socket or pipe 7 sufficiently to bring the fall chain
between the uprights and he secures it around a belaying pin fixed for that purpose
at the bottom level and at each loft or upper floor.
The raising gear is then put in motion the sliding gear comes into action and the
platform 1 A assumes its position on edge between the uprights.
The fall chain 5 being retained in position between the uprights u the platform 1
by its own weight keeps its position and cannot go free because of the action of the
lugs or horns which keep it in place at the bottom and the fall chain 5 at top. Hinged
retaining rods may be used at each level.
The pawl is disengaged and the platform 1A is ready to descend passing the one
or more platforms 1 that may be ascending-when it reaches the bottom it only
requires to be lowered into a flat position by letting out the fall chain 5 and releasing
the iron rod 6 above by unfastening the rope or chain from belaying pin and the
weight of fall chain 5 causes it to return automatically to its proper position for raising
the platform.
By these means one platform can be loaded at the bottom whilst another is being
discharged above and as soon as the upper one is tilted can be raised at once the goods
being already weighed. Other methods of attaching the lift platform to the fall chain
may be used such as iron uprights-fixed or hinged-secured to the lift platform and
continued to the fall chain by short chains-these uprights being held in position by
a rod stepped at end and withdrawn when the platform is about to be tilted or by any
other similar plan suitable to the use and purpose required
In cases where it is desirable to use the lift platform as a trolly this specification
provides that the lift platform 1 shall be fitted with three or four wheels according as
it is required to run on rails or level flooring that the lifting chains (4) shall be
detachable from the lift platform I or from the fall chain 5-that the plate in which the
lugs or horns work instead of being bossed shall be forked with an arrangement at
each floor to lift the plates a few inches so as to clear the lugs or horns and an opening
made in one side of the main uprights sufficiently large to allow the lugs or horns to
pass through. In such case the well-openings would require to be shuttered.
These lifts may be fitted with platform weights so that the lifting gear has only to

page_text: carry the load, with self sustaining gear and with all other appliances which are
ordinarily used for like machines and the lifting power may be the hand worked
endless rope steam or hydraulics.
When used in deep shafts for mining purposes, two lifts are erected side by side-
the platforms in each lift communicating with the other when required and provide
four or eight platforms by which means a large upward delivery of coal or other-
commodities would be possible with a rapid return of empties and a probable means
of life saving in case of accidents far in excess of existing arrangements.
This would be effected as follows.
Two lifts containing four tiling platforms each would be erected side by side thos
providing eight tilting platforms. In the ordinary course of working one platform of
each lift would be in a flat position and three tilted platforms would be in edgeway
position. Should an explosion occur the two platforms in a flat position would in all
probability be wrecked as is often the case with the cages at present in use but the
blast would not injure the platforms which were in edgeway position at the sides of
the shaft and would thus allow them to be used at once to bring up the men from the
bottom or allow of the speedy descent of relief parties.
The position of the three platforms in edgeway view is shown on the plan of four
sided lift carrying four platforms at
In cases where the shaft or well opening is larger than the tilting platforms the
intervening space whatever it may be may be covered over if desired by an iron-
hinged flap plate fixed to the floor of the level to which the tilting platform is raised
and turned over so as to rest on the edge of the platform when at rest.
The arrangement of placing lifts side by side may be used in buildings of any kind
if desired but it is more especially designed for use in shafts of any depth, sinkings
mines and works of a like character and the platforms in this case would be fitted
with collapsible frames of iron standards and cross hars forming when in position.
a cage for safely conveying men up and down the shaft and doubling up on the
platforms when being elevated or lowered in the tilted position.
The weighing platform need not be used unless required but the lift with its.
tilting platforms, may be erected and worked by itself.
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. A combination of a weighing machine and a lift with one, two, three or four
tilting platforms.
2. A lift with one, two, three or four tilting platforms.
3. An arrangement of a sliding gear working on a rod fixed in a lift tilting
platform either across the centre or the ends or other part of the tilting platform or
working on a rod fixed at a convenient height above the tilting platform for the
purpose of tilting the same.
4. An arrangement consisting of an iron bar or rod fitted with a slot and pulley at.
one end working in an iron tube to which a pulley is attached or adjacent and worked
by a rope or chain of a length approximate to the height of the lift and supported by
extended arms.
5. A removable tilting platform detachable from the lift forming a trolley fitted
with three or four wheels for the conveying of goods to any desired position.
6. The mode or manner of constructing lifts with tilting platforms in combination
with weighing machines and the like.
7. The mode or manner of constructing lifts with tilting platforms and the like-
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this Fourteenth day of December 1896.
HENRY DAVIES.