IMPROVEMENTS IN LETTER AND OTHER BALANCES.
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LETTER AND OTHER BALANCES.' A cominunication from abroad by Franklin
Fairbanks, of St. Johnsbury, in the County of Caledonia, State of Vermont,
United States of America.
Sealed the 6th September 1878, and dated the 2nd May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd May 1878.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middle-
sex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LETTER AND OTHER BALANCES." [A com-
munication from abroad by Franklin Fairbanks, of St. Johnsbury, in the County
of Caledonia, State of Vermont, United States of America.]
The present improvements apply to the graduated beam portion of the scale, and
the object of the Invention is more especially to provide a scale for postal and other
purposes, which in a simple and effective manner shall combine the graduations of
both the English and the metric systems, or
« ounce " and " gramme" rates.
To this end the Invention consists in a scalebeam provided with different gradua-
tions on its opposite sides, and formed in two longitudinal parts jointed together
between the opposite extremities of the beam and near the zero point.
The graduated portion which carries the sliding weight is graduated on both of
its sides and edges, one side being divided according to the metric system into
gramme rates, while the opposite side is graduated in the English system of ounces
and fractions thereof.
The zero end of the graduated part is socketed in the end of the fulcrumed part,
which carries the scale pan, so that the graduated part is thus capable of rotation to
permit of either edge being turned uppermost and either side forward, to bring
either set of graduations into view, thus permitting the correct reading of the
graduations and the adjustment of the weight in ounce
desired.
or gramme rates, as

page_text: The socket is preferably formed on the extremity of the fulcrumed part, which
receives a rounded stem or journal formed on the zero end of the graduated part.
The journal extends from a broad shoulder or disc, which terminates the graduatod
part, and which rests snugly against the end of the socket.
An opening in the side of the socket allows the screwing of a nut on the end of
the journal to retain the parts in position.
The Invention also consists in the combination with a rotatable differently
graduated beam of a sliding weight adapted to turn with the graduated part, and
provided with two index points corresponding to each side of the beam, and
adapted to engage with the required graduations by the act of turning the required
graduated side into view. The points are separated sufficiently, so that when one
is engaged the other will be free, while the act of turning the beam will cause the
one point to fall out and the proper point to fall into action.
The shoulder or disc on the graduated part of the beam is provided with a notch
on its diametrically opposite sides, the engagement of which with a spring catch
fixed to the fulcrumed part indicates and ensures the correct position of the graduated
bar when rotated to either one side or the other.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 2nd November 1878.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middle-
sex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LETTER AND OTHER BALANCES." A com-
munication from abroad by Franklin Fairbanks, of St. Johnsbury, in the County
of Caledonia, State of Vermont, United States of America.
The present improvements apply to the graduated beam portion of the scale, and
the object of the Invention is more especially to provide a scale for postal and other
purposes which in a simple and effective manner shall combine the graduations of
both the English and the metric system, or "ounce" and "gramme" rates.
To this end the Invention consists in a scalebeam provided with different
graduations on its opposite sides, and formed in two longitudinal parts jointed
together between the extremities, the zero end of the graduated portion being
socketed in the end of the fulcrumed portion, and rotatable thereon, to bring either
graduated side into view.
Also in the combination with a rotatable differently graduated beam of a sliding
weight rotatable with the beam, and provided with double index points corre-
sponding to each graduated side of the beam, which are adapted to engage with
the required graduations by the act of turning the required graduated side into
view.
Heretofore the scalebeam of postal scales has been made in one continuous piece
and provided with but one system of graduations. The improved beam of this

page_text: Invention however is divided into two longitudinal parts A, B, which are jointed
together between the opposite extremities of the beam and near the zero point, as
shown at D, E, A being the graduated portion of the beam carrying the sliding
weight f, and B representing the fulcrumed part carrying the scale pan C. The
graduated portion A is graduated on both of its sides and edges, one side being
divided according to the metric system into gramme rates, as shown in the Drawing,
while the opposite side is graduated in the English system of ounces and fractions
thereof.
The zero end of the graduated part A is socketed in the end of the fulcrumed
part B, as shewn at D, E, so that the graduated part A is thus capable of rotation to
permit either edge being turned uppermost, and either side forward to bring either
set of graduations into view, thus permitting the correct reading of the graduations
and the adjustment of the weight in ounce or gramme rates as desired.
The socket D is preferably formed on the extremity of the fulcrumed part B,
which receives the rounded stem or journal E formed on the zero end of the
graduated part A, as shown.
The journal E extends from a broad shoulder or disc H which terminates
the graduated part A, and which rests snugly against the end of the socket D.
An opening I in the side of the socket allows the screwing of a nut g on the end
of the journal E to retain the parts in position.
The sliding weight fis adapted to turn with the rotatable graduated part A, and
is preferably provided with two index points a, a, corresponding to each side of the
beam, and separated sufficiently, as shewn, so that when one is engaged the other
will be free, while the act of turning the beam will cause the one point to fall out
and the proper point to fall into action.
The shoulder or disc H is provided with a notch b on its diametrically opposite
sides, the engagement of which with a spring catch K fixed to the fulcrumed part B
indicates and ensures the correct position of the graduated bar when rotated to
either one side or the other.
Having described the nature of this Invention and the manner of performing the
same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the herein-before
in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
1st. A scalebeam formed in two longitudinal parts, A, B, jointed together
between their extremities, the zero end of the graduated part A being socketed
in the end of the fulcrumed part B, and rotatable thereon, to bring either of its
sides into view, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
2nd. In combination with a rotatable differently-graduated scalebeam I claim a
sliding weight f, rotatable with the beam, provided with double index points a, a,
corresponding to each graduated side of the beam, and adapted to engage with
either graduated side by the act of turning the required graduated side into view,
substantially as herein shown and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this First day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.