IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF ACTING AND CERTAIN OTHER WEIGHING AND MEASURING MACHINES, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Baxter, of Brixton Hill, in the County
of Surrey, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF ACTING AND CERTAIN
OTHER WEIGHING AND MEASURING MACHINES, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Baxter at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th July 1880.
WILLIAM HENRY BAXTER, of Brixton Hill, in the County of Surrey. IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SELF ACTING AND CERTAIN OTHER WEIGHING AND MEASURING
MACHINES, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
"
The object of this Invention is to improve those classes of weighing and
measuring machines described in the Specifications of Letters Patent granted to
me, dated July 13, 1876, No. 2872, and August 9, 1879, No. 3202, whereby they
can be manufactured more cheaply, be more durable, and the accuracy ensured by
more simple and perfect contrivances than heretofore. They will also possess a
wider scope of usefulness, one modification being an absolute weigher and an
absolute measurer in one machine.
I will first describe the most simple form of my improved machine, and then the
additions to and modifications thereof; and lastly, the improvements upon the
machines protected by my above mentioned Patents.
I construct a frame of iron or other material of suitable form, and having a beam
capable of vibrating therein on knife edges.
From the arm or arms of said beam I swing another frame or cradle in which a
receptacle, rectangular or circular, and provided with a central axis, can rotate.
I prefer a circular receptacle similar to an enclosed cylinder, with about one sixth
of its circumference cut away. On the other end of the beam I swing or fix the
counterpoise.
In the top of the frame is the hopper having a neck, on the sides of which hang
a valve or tray, as described in the Specifications of my Patents above mentioned,
and therein called the diminishing tray; pins or projections on its sides rest on the
arms of the beam, whereby the tray is operated.

page_text: A spring or small weighted lever centred in a convenient position prevents the
complete closing of the neck by this tray until force is applied, which is done by a
peculiarly shaped piece of metal attached to the beam or to an arm moving with it,
which as the drum or cylinder descends comes in contact with the tray, and closes
the neck of the hopper. In order to make the enclosure complete, I sometimes
place a plate weighted or pressed by a spring along the front of the neck against
which the tray slides. On the axis of the drum, exterior to the cradle or otherwise,
I place a wheel and a disc with an excision from the latter, or the latter may form
a portion of the wheel in the shape of a flange or cam. On a shaft in a suitable
position on the frame below the wheel I place a pinion, which may be rotated by a
handle or by a band over a rigger fixed thereon, or by other means, and when the
cylinder descends, the wheel comes in contact with the pinion, and its contents can
then be readily turned out. A pin or projection from the frame upon which
I sometimes place a friction roller presses on the disc or flange as it rotates, and
keeps the wheelj in contact with the pinion until the cylinder is in a position to
receive a fresh charge. On one of the arms of the beam, or on any other arm
moving with it I place a weighted lever similar to that described in the Specification
of my said Patent, No. 3202, of 1879, as Figure 7, and which I call a tumbler, but
having an arm projecting from its centre of motion, which coming in contact with a
pin or block on the frame, causes it to resume its upright or nearly upright position
when the beam returns to rest. Or the tumbler may be raised into the proper
position by contact itself with a portion of the frame. The exact position of rest of
the tumbler is defined by a set screw or other suitable means. The tumbler
operates in falling by lengthening the beam on one side of the centre of motion, or by
shortening it on the other, or by coming in contact with the pin or block employed
for causing it to resume its normal position. Between the cradle and over the
cylinder is a tray or hopper having an apron or shield attached thereto, which
covers about one sixth of the cylinder; this tray need not exceed in height two
thirds of the diameter of the cylinder. Where the cylinder is discharged a hopper
may, if necessary, be placed, to lead away the grain or other substance. An index
or counter is fixed to the frame, and is actuated by the rotation of the drum, or by
other suitable means. In the top hopper is fixed what I term a regulator consisting
of a piece of sheet metal hinged at one side, and kept up to a certain position by
means of a spring or weighted lever capable of adjustment; this sheet or plate is
placed in such a position that if the corn or other material presses on it with
excessive force or sudden violence, it temporarily interrupts the supply of grain to
the drum.
In larger machines I slightly modify the above arrangement by employing a
discharging apparatus similar to that described in the Specifications of my said
Patents, No. 2872, of 1876, and No. 3202, of 1879.
The catch which detains the said apparatus is in this arrangement struck by the
falling tumbler, thereby allowing the discharging apparatus to come into play, and
the latter by means of a pin or projection thereon, or by means of a system of
levers, if more convenient, finally closes the tray in the same way as the beam or
arm above described, upon which it is then unnecessary to attach the peculiarly
shaped piece mentioned. The gradual falling of the tray by successive stages is
accomplished by the cessation of action of various parts of the machine on the beam,
similar to the method described in the Specifications of my said Patents, or in any
other suitable method.
When the above machine is required to assess the duty on grain used in brewing
or distilling, or otherwise, by weighing it and registering the said duty on a dial
according to the rate prescribed by Act of Parliament, the counterpoise or
counterpoises are so arranged in relation to the capacity of the cylinder, that they
shall balance such a weight of grain as will incur an amount of duty equal to some
aliquot part of a £, which the index or counter, such as that described in the
Specification of my Patent No. 3202, of 1879, being placed in connection therewith
will exhibit.

page_text: Instead of exhibiting the results of the action of my machine as regards the
duty in money, the Act of Parliament having prescribed a ratio of gravity to
weight of material, I sometimes exhibit on the dial such gravity, choosing an
aliquot part of the number of teeth of the first or ratchet wheel of the index as
the unit, and then adjusting the counterpoise so as to weigh the quantity of grain
at each mevement of the pointer, which the Act of Parliament has enacted shall
produce a certain gravity. The index or counter so modified I call my gravity
index. When the machines herein described are used as above mentioned to
assess the duty, and are enclosed in an iron case, I affix a fraud detector, which
will reveal the fact if attempts have been made to tamper with the machine by
entirely arresting the action, so that the case has to be unlocked before it can
be started again. This detector consists of a rod suspended at the side of the
diminishing tray, and resting against one of the pins by which the tray is actuated
in such a manner that it follows the tray in closing. This rod is terminated by
a piece at right angles having an upward sharp edge. On the beam or on an arm
moving with it is a serrated or toothed piece, so placed in respect of the suspended
rod that unless the latter is allowed to fall to a certain position, it catches in one
of the teeth or serrations, and will thus prevent the descent of the beam or of the
drum. Any person therefore attempting to get more than the proper quantity of
grain into the weighing drum, by preventing the closing of the tray by some
obstacle placed therein, will also prevent the detector falling, it will thus catch into
one of the serrations or teeth, and the more grain is allowed to fall in the tighter
will the beam be held up, so that it cannot fall low enough for the drum to be
emptied of its contents.
The above described form is my improved weighing machine. To make an
absolute measuring machine of it I take care that the cylinder when full shall
contain an exact unit of measure of any convenient denomination, and I add a
weight, either by a simple mechanical arrangement, or otherwise, to the usual
counterpoise, of such a size that the drum or cylinder will not fully descend until
the grain or other material has not only filled the said cylinder but risen some
distance into the tray or hopper over it.
Then when the beam descends and the cylinder is rotated slowly the quantity
turned out will be equal to the unit of measure of the cylinder, the front part of
the hopper acting like the "strike" of a measure to knock off and retain the surplus of
grain. The above apparatus therefore is a compound machine, and by very simple
arrangements may be used either for absolute weighing or absolute measuring.
A convenient size is to make the cylinder to contain two pecks, and the
counterpoise to be such that it balances 14 pounds of grain run in through the
hopper on the frame; then if malt is the grain to be measured, I add a weight of
about 10 pounds to the counterpoise on the ordinary index, each unit of weight will
represent 14 pounds, and each unit of measure 2 pecks.
But relative sizes and weights depend upon the purpose or purposes for which
the machine is destined, and may be determined by any intelligent workman.
The above machines are suitable where there is power (however small) available,
or where, as in shops or for other purposes, it is convenient to control the delivery
into bags or any other receptacle. Where there is no power available I construct
the weighing machine as follows:-I make it as described in the Specification of
my Patent, No. 3202, Figures 10 and 11, with the following improvements:-I
abolish the catch which detains the beam while the weighing hopper is discharging
its contents together with its attendant mechanism, and I also do away with the
tray which cuts off the final supply, and the catch which supports it when raised.
In place thereof I employ a large tray or valve centred on the frame to come
under the neck of the hopper when operated, and weighted or acted upon by a
spring, so that it has a tendency not to close said neck; upon the discharging
apparatus, as described in the Specifications of my before mentioned Patents, I
place a pin or projection, which, as its weighted arm descends, instantly causes tho
large tray to close the neck; the said tray is connected with the frame by a

page_text: knuckle jointed lever or other suitable means, so that when shutting the neck it
remains in that position until the knuckle jointed or other lever is raised, and
when this is done the large tray falls by its own weight or by the action of a
spring, and the supply recommences. To raise the said lever I attach a piece or
pieces of metal to the valve of the weighing hopper in such a manner that just as
the valve closes it actuates the jointed or other lever in the manner described,
which it is in a position to do only when the weighing hopper has discharged its
contents.
In the modifications mentioned in the Specification of my said Patent, No. 3202,
of 1879, the beam in descending strikes a catch which releases the cut off tray
therein described, and the latter striking the catch detaining the discharging
apparatus it is released by such action, but in my present Invention the catch
detaining the discharging apparatus is struck by a tumbler similar to that above
described; when the beam has arrived at such a point in its descent as will cause
the tumbler to fall over, and thus the proper moment is determined by a means
theoretically perfect, as no friction takes place to affect the operation, but it is
automatically the result of a position taken up by the beam, which may be exactly
regulated by means of the set screw or set screws determining the position which
the tumbler shall assume when in a state of rest. To break the back blow of the
counterpoise I sometimes place under it an india rubber or other flexible wind
receptacle upon which it may fall, and in doing so propel a jet of air led by a pipe
therefrom to a point near the centre of motion of the tumbler so as to blow away
any dust which may have collected thereon.
This addition is important, when in order to prevent the machine being tampered
with it is enclosed in a case of wood or metal and cannot be got at to remove the
dust which invariably flies about when grain is in motion.
In respect to my automatic measuring machine described in the Specification of
my Patent, No. 2872, of 1876, I render the action more certain in starting off by a
discharging apparatus constructed in the following manner:-A weighted lever is
centred on the frame and held up by a catch when the machine is at rest or filling,
in such a position that when it is released it falls upon one of three pins, studs, or
projections on the drum, described in Figures 23, 24, 25, and 26 of the Specification
of Patent No. 2872, 1876. Another lever also centred on the frame is pin jointed
by an arm to the weighted lever above mentioned, and is so placed that as the
drum rotates it raises it, and at the same time lifts the weighted lever so high
that it will be caught by the catch when the beam has risen high enough to
prevent its continued deflection; the catch is deflected by a pin or projection on
the beam when it descends.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Henry Baxter in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
28th January 1881.
WILLIAM HENRY BAXTER, of Brixton Hill, in the County of Surrey.
" IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SELF ACTING AND CERTAIN OTHER WEIGHING AND MEASURING
MACHINES, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH.”
The object of this Invention is to improve those classes of weighing and measuring
machines described in the Specifications of Letters Patent granted to me, dated
July 13, 1876, No. 2872, and August 9, 1879, No. 3202, whereby they can be
manufactured more cheaply, be more durable, and the accuracy ensured by more
simple and perfect contrivances than heretofore. They will also possess a wider
scope of usefulness, one modification being an absolute weigher and an absolute
measurer in one machine.
I will first describe the most simple form of my improved machine, and then the
additions to and modifications thereof; and lastly, the improvements upon the
machines protected by my above mentioned Patents.
I construct a frame of iron or other material of suitable form, and having a
beam capable of vibrating therein on knife edges. From the arm or arms of said
beam I swing another frame or cradle, in which a receptacle, rectangular or circular,
and provided with a central axis can rotate. I prefer a circular receptacle similar
to an enclosed cylinder, with about one sixth of its circumference cut away. On the
other end of the beam I swing or fix the counterpoise. In the top of the frame is
the hopper having a neck, on the sides of which hang a valve ortray, as described in
the Specifications of my Patents above mentioned, and therein called the diminishing
tray; pins or projections on its sides rest on the arms of the beam whereby the tray is
operated. A spring or small weighted lever centred in a convenient position prevents
the complete closing of the neck by this tray until force is applied, which is done
by a peculiarly shaped piece of metal attached to the beam or to an arm moving
with it, which as the drum or cylinder descends, comes in contact with the tray and
closes the neck of the hopper. In order to make the enclosure complete, I sometimes
place a plate weighted or pressed by a spring along the front of the neck, against
which the tray strikes. On the axis of the drum, exterior to the cradle or otherwise,
I place a wheel and a disc with an excision from the latter, or the latter may form
a portion of the wheel in the shape of a Hange or cam. On a shaft in a suitable
position on the frame below the wheel I place a pinion which may be rotated by a
handle or by a band over a rigger fixed thereon, or by other means; and when the
cylinder descends, the wheel comes in contact with the pinion, and its contents can
then be readily turned out. A pin or projection from the frame, upon which I some-
times place a friction roller, presses on the disc or flange as it rotates and
keeps the wheel in contact with the pinion until the cylinder is in a position
to receive a fresh charge. On one of the arms of the beam, or on any
other arm moving with it I place a weighted lever similar to that described
in the Specification of my said Patent, No. 3202 of 1879, at Figure 7, and
which I call a tumbler; but having an arm projecting from its centre of motion,
which coming in contact with a pin or block on the frame causes it to resume its
upright or nearly upright position when the beam returns to rest. Or the tumbler
may be raised into the proper position by contact itself with a portion of the frame.
The exact position of rest of the tumbler is defined by a set screw or other suitable
means. The tumbler operates in falling by lengthening the beam on one side of
the centre of motion, or by shortening it at the other, or by coming in contact with
the pin or block employed for causing it to resume its normal position. Between
the cradle and over the cylinder is a tray or hopper, having an apron or shield

page_text: attached thereto which covers about one sixth of the cylinder; this tray need not
exceed in height two thirds of the diameter of the cylinder. Where the cylinder
is discharged a hopper may, if necessary, be placed to lead away the grain or other
substance. An index or counter is fixed to the frame and is actuated by the
rotation of the drum or by other suitable means. In the top hopper is fixed what
I term a regulator, consisting of a piece of sheet metal hinged at one side and kept
up to a certain position by means of a spring or weighted lever capable of adjust-
ment; this sheet or plate is placed in such a position that if the corn or other
material presses on it with excessive force or sudden violence, it temporarily
interrupts the supply of grain to the drum.
In larger machines I slightly modify the above arrangement by employing a
discharging apparatus, similar to that described in the Specifications of my said
Patents, No. 2872, of 1876, and No. 3202, of 1879. The catch which detains the
said apparatus is in this arrangement struck by the falling tumbler, thereby
allowing the discharging apparatus to come into play, and the latter by means of a
pin or projection thereon, or by means of a system of levers, if more convenient,
finally closes the tray in the same way as the beam or arm above described, upon
which it is then unnecessary to attach the peculiarly shaped piece mentioned. The
gradual falling of the tray by successive stages is accomplished by the cessation
of action of various parts of the machine on the beam, similar to the method
described in the Specifications of my said Patents, or in any other suitable
method.
When the above machine is required to assess the duty on grain used in brewing
or distilling or otherwise, by weighing it and registering the said duty on a dial
according to the rate prescribed by Act of Parliament, the counterpoise or
counterpoises are so arranged in relation to the capacity of the cylinder that they
shall balance such a weight of grain as will incur an amount of duty equal to some
aliquot part of a £, which the index or counter, such as that described in the
Specification of my Patent, No, 3202, of 1879, being placed in connection therewith
will exhibit.
Instead of exhibiting the results of the action of my machine as regards the duty
in money, the Act of Parliament having prescribed a ratio of gravity to weight of
material, I sometimes exhibit on the dial such gravity, choosing an aliquot part
of the number of teeth of the first or ratchet wheel of the index as the unit, and
then adjusting the counterpoise so as to weigh the quantity of grain at each
movement of the poiuter, which the Act of Parliament has enacted shall produce a
certain gravity. The index or counter so modified I call my gravity index. When
the machines herein described are used, as above mentioned, to assess the duty, and
are enclosed in an iron case, I aflix a fraud detector which will reveal the fact if
attempts have been made to tamper with the machine, by entirely arresting the
action, so that the case has to be unlocked before it can be started again. This
detector consists of a rod suspended at the side of the diminishing tray, and resting
against one of the pins by which the tray is actuated, in such a manner that it
follows the tray in closing; this rod is terminated by a piece at right angles, having
an upward sharp edge on the beam, or an arm moving with it is a serrated or
toothed piece so placed in respect of the suspended rod that, unless the latter is
allowed to fall to a certain position, it catches in one of the teeth or serrations and
will thus prevent the descent of the beam and of the drum. Any person, therefore,
attempting to get more than the proper quantity of grain into the weighing drum
by preventing the closing of the tray by some obstacle placed therein, will also
prevent the detector falling, and it will thus catch into one of the serrations or
teeth, and the more grain is allowed to fall in the tighter will the beam be held
up, so that it cannot fall low enough for the drum to be emptied of its contents.
The above described form is my improved weighing machine. To make an
absolute measuring machine of it, I take care that the cylinder when full shall
contain an exact unit of measure of any convenient denomination, and I add a
weight, either by a simple mechanical arrangement or otherwise, to the usual

page_text: counterpoise of such a size that the drum or cylinder will not fully descend until
the grain or other material has not only filled the said cylinder, but risen some
distance into the tray or hopper over it. Then when the beam descends and the
cylinder is rotated slowly, the quantity turned out will be equal to the unit of
measure of the cylinder, the front part of the hopper acting like the "strike" of a
measure to knock off and retain the surplus of grain. The above apparatus,
therefore, is a compound machine, and by very simple arrangements may be used
either for absolute weighing or absolute measuring. A convenient size is to make
the cylinder to contain two pecks, and the counterpoise to be such that it balances
14 pounds of grain run in through the hopper on the frame; then, if malt is the
grain to be measured, I add a weight of about 10 pounds to the counterpoise on
the ordinary index, each unit of weight will represent 14 pounds, and each unit of
measure 2 pecks. But relative sizes and weights depend upon the purpose or
purposes for which the machine is destined, and may be determined by any intelligent
workman.
The above machines are suitable where there is power (however small) available,
or where, as in shops or for other purposes, it is convenient to control the delivery
into bags or any other receptacle. Where there is no power available, I construct
the weighing machine as follows:-I make it as described in the Specification of
my Patent, No. 3202, Figures 10 and 11, with the following improvements; I
abolish the catch which detains the beam while the weighing hopper is discharging
its contents together with its attendant mechanism, and I also do away with the
tray which cuts off the final supply, and the catch which supports it when raised.
In place thereof I employ a large tray or valve centred on the frame to come under
the neck of the hopper when operated, and weighted or acted upon by a spring, so
that it has a tendency not to close said neck; upon the discharging apparatus, as
described in the Specifications of my before mentioned Patents, I place a pin
or projection which, as its weighted arm descends, instantly causes the large tray
to close the neck; the said tray is connected with the frame by a knuckle jointed
lever on other suitable means, so that when shutting the neck it remains in that
position until the knuckle jointed or other lever is raised, and when this is done,
the large tray falls by its own weight or by the action of a spring, and the supply
recommences. To raise the said lever I attach a piece or pieces of metal to the
valve of the weighing hopper in such a manner that just as the valve closes it
actuates the jointed or other lever in the manner described, which it is in a position
to do only when the weighing hopper has discharged its contents. In the
modifications mentioned in the Specification of my said Patent, No. 3202, of 1879,
the beam in descending strikes a catch which releases the cut off tray therein
described, and the latter striking the catch detaining the discharging apparatus,
it is released by such action, but in my present Invention the catch detaining the
discharging apparatus is struck by a tumbler similar to that above described, when
the beam has arrived at such a point in its descent as will cause the tumbler to fall
over, and thus the proper moment is determined by a means theoretically perfect,
as no friction takes place to affect the operation, but it is automatically the result
of a position taken up by the beam which may be exactly regulated by means of
the set screw or set screws determining the position which the tumbler shall assume
when in a state of rest.
And in order that my said Invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed, aided by the accompanying Drawings, more fully
to describe the same.
Figures 1, 2, and 3 are respectively a side view, a front view, and a skeleton
view of the opposite side to that shown at Figure 1, of my semi-automatic weighing
or measuring machine; A is the frame, here shown by thick dotted lines, but I do
not confine myself to the form given; B is the beam consisting of two side pieces

page_text: joined by a central piece; C, the counterpoise; C', the pan or shelf whereon to
place additional weights when the machine is required to measure; D, the cylinder,
which is of such a capacity that when full it will contain some well known unit or
units of bulk, about one sixth of its circumference is cut away to allow the entry
and discharge of the material to be weighed or measured. When the machine is
never required for measurement the cylinder D may be rectangular. The knife
edges of the beam B are at B³, B*; the line B5 shows a division of the frame into
a chamber B4, passing through it and having an arm B fixed thereto, I sometimes
employ where there is must dust evolved in the weighing or measuring. The axis D'
of the cylinder D rotates in a cradle E, which swings on knife edges from the
beam B; F is a wheel with teeth formed, preferably as shown, it is keyed on to
the axis D', has formed or fixed on it the flange F; G is a stop on the frame A,
and G₁ is a friction roller thereon which presses on the flange F¹, except when
weighing or measuring; E¹ is a catch centred on the cradle E, and taking into a
pin F2 on the cylinder D, to keep the latter from rotating except in certain
positions; H is a shaft having on it a rigger H', provided with a handle H and
pinion H³. In this modification of my Invention the shaft H is caused to revolve
slowly during the time the machine is required to be in action, and may be
connected with an elevator or other apparatus which supplies it, or which it
supplies, or it may be turned by hand by means of the handle H2; I is the hopper
having the tray I¹ suspended therefrom with its pins I2, 12, and having on it the
directing plate I³ with spring I. In Figures 4 and 5 I have shown the directing
plate I kept in its place by being weighted at top, or in some cases such plate may
be fixed; J, Figures 3 and 2, is a weighted lever centred on the side of the hopper I,
and limited in its action by set screw J, striking against pin J; B¹, Figures 2
and 3, is a piece of metal, which, on the descent of the beam after the fall of the
part K, strikes the pin 12, and presses the tray I¹ close to the directing plate I³;
K, K¹, Figure 3, is a tumbler centred on points or on a knife edge in the arm B³,
which, in this modification, is attached to arm B, and its exact position of rest
regulated by set screw B'; A¹, Figures 2 and 3, is a pin which causes the tumbler K
by means of the arm K¹ to resume its position of rest when the beam ascends;
L is a tray, whose area is equal to the open part of the cylinder D, and through
which the grain passes to it. The tray L is supported by pins resting on the rods of
the cradle E, or in any other convenient manner, and it has an apron L' fastened to
it about the size of the open part of the cylinder; M is a discharging hopper, where
such is required, to direct the discharged grain forward, this is fully shown in
Figure 1, only to avoid confusion, but it extends the whole breadth of the machine;
O is the axis of the regulator valve, which latter is shown only in Figure 1, but
will be readily understood from that combined with the following description:-It
consists of a sheet of metal O¹, nearly the width of the hopper fixed to the axis O,
with arm O2 and spring 03, its limit of motion being determined by nuts 0, 0, on
the stud 05.
The above is a description of the simplest form of my semi-automatic weighing
or measuring machine arranged for weighing, and when intended for that purpose
solely, it is not necessary that the cylinder or weighing receptacle should contain a
definite unit or definite units of measure, nor that the tray L or apron L' should
be employed; but when the machine, as above described, is required to be an
absolute measurer I attach weights to the counterpoise C', or place them thereon
sufficient to prevent the full descent of the beam' until the grain or other material
to be measured rises nearly to the top of the tray L; then when the beam and
cylinder descend and the latter is rotated the quantity discharged is the unit or
units of measure above referred to, and the surplus is retained by the tray L until
the next operation; care should be taken that the lower part of the tray L exactly
fits the cylinder. Figure 4 is a side view, and Figure 5 a front view of the modi-
fication which I more generally adopt when the machine is intended only for
weighing, and never to be used for measuring. But as the former description will
apply to Figures 4 and 5, except as regards certain parts, I will only describe those

page_text: latter. In this modification I dispense with the scale pan C³, and instead of the
wheel F having the flange F¹, I prefer to make it without the flange and key a
disc P on to the axis D' inside the cradle E. The disc P has a recess or excision P¹.
Also instead of the tumbler K having the arm K¹, as represented in Figures 2
and 3, I in this modification use the following arrangement for determining the
exact moment of cutting off the final stream of grain or other material. It will
be readily seen that in this form of apparatus the fall of the tumbler K is used to
detach the discharging apparatus and not to act directly on the beam. The
tumbler K may if desired be fixed to a separate arm, and the whole attendant
mechanism enclosed in a chamber to avoid contact with dust, as before explained.
Q, Figures 4 and 5, is a weighted lever centred at A³ on the frame A; Q₁ is a pin
on the same which rests on the beam at certain times, and when the lever Q falls,
strikes the projection I' on the tray I'; Q is another pin, which caught by the
catch R suspended at A² from the frame A, retains the lever Q until the proper
moment; this is determined by the tumbler K of the form shown, which when
the beam has reached a certain point tumbles over and strikes the catch R.
The lever being released descends, and by means of the pin Q' and the projection
I closes the tray I, and at the same moment throws the wheel F into gear with
the pinion H³. It will be observed that in this modification the tray L and apron
L' are not required, but it is manifest that with the addition of these parts it would
become a measurer when the proper weights were placed on the scale pan C¹ ; or
where required as a measurer only, the proper weight might be included in the
counterpoise C.
Figures 1 and 2 also show the method I prefer to adopt to work the index or
counter described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me, dated
August 9, 1879, No. 3202, or any other convenient description of counter. N is
the index; N¹ is a shaft working in bearings and having arms N2, N³; D³ is a pin
on the wheel F, in such a position that when it has rotated far enough to discharge
its contents it presses the arm N³ and thus actuates the index N. The spring in
the latter causes it to return to its proper position as the cylinder D continues to
rotate. In Figures 1 and 2 the index is worked from the left end of the cylinder;
in Figures 4 and 5 I work it from the right side, but this is immaterial. As
regards my gravity index I operate that in a similar manner. To show on the face
a gravity of 10 lbs. at each discharge of the cylinder I can employ an ordinary
counter, having the dials marked in the usual way by making the counterpoise C
to balance the quantity of grain, which by the recent Act of Parliament is
presumed" to yield 10 lbs. of "gravity." The counterpoise C should then be of
such a weight that the quantity discharged shall weigh in an ordinary balance
40 lbs. 15 ounces, 24 of an ounce.
If the machine is of a smaller or larger capacity
"
the indications relatively to the grain required to be weighed can be easily
worked out from the above data.
Figure 6 is a side view of the fraud detector, and so much of the machine as is
necessary to explain its action; Figure 7 is a front view; S is the detector, having
an angle piece S¹, and swinging from the hopper I at Is it leans against the pin I*;
Bs is a piece of metal formed with teeth or notches and attached to the beam B,
so that if the latter falls by grain running in, and the tray T is prevented from
closing by any nefarious or other means, the detector S cannot fall with it, but
catches in one of the teeth or notches in the plate B³, and thus prevents the cylinder
from getting into gear. As the excess of weight caused by the grain continuing to
run keeps the beam down, it is impossible to start the machine again without
unlocking its case and removing the grain; the tray L, Figures 1 and 2, prevents
the grain from running over. By this apparatus any attempts to make more grain
run through than is shown on the counter by preventing the closing of the tray I'
are completely frustrated.
The above machines, which I call semi-automatic, are suitable when some power,
however little, is available to operate and control them, and I prefer them when

page_text: required to assess the duty on grain, the moving power being in such case derived
from the rolls or mill.
I will now describe the modification of my apparatus to be used when there is no
power available, and which I call my automatic weighing machine. To avoid
reference to the Specification of my former Patent, No. 3202 before referred to, and
to the above Figures, I will fully explain this modification of my Invention, and
then afterwards denote the parts that are new.
Figure 8 is a side view (left hand); Figure 9 a front view, and Figure 10 a side
view (right hand) of so much as is necessary to explain the parts more clearly. a
is the frame; b, the beam; c, the scale pan for containing the counterpoise, but if
the quantity to be weighted is always the same, a counterpoise for the whole may
be swung from the knife edges, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5; d, the
weighing hopper suspended from the frame by the hooks d¹, d¹; e is the
diminishing tray as described in my former Patents, and operating in a similar
manner is the cut off tray, large enough to go under the other tray when the
latter is down; g is a weighted arm fixed on its axis of motion f¹, so that the cut
off tray has a tendency to fall back, a spring may however be used for this
purpose if more convenient; g¹ is another arm fixed on the axis f', and x is
another lever centred on the frame a at x¹, to transmit motion from the pin x² on
the lever or discharging apparatus h, which is centered at ¹, so that when the said
lever falls, it operates the cut off tray f, I do not confine myself to the exact
method here shown of actuating the tray f, as in some cases where I centre the
lever on the back of the frame instead of the front, I make the lever h to act
directly on the tray ƒ by means of a pin or projection on the former, the tray fis
retained by the catch i centered at i, and catching into pin f2, the catch i has a
pin ; is a catch centered at to retain the lever at the proper time. 6' is a
portion of beam in which tumbler K is centered either by screw centres or by a
knife edge; it is regulated in its action by the set screw 62, and is raised to its
normal position by pin a¹ on the frame. The hopper d is partially open at bottom,
and is closed by a valve d' centered on it at d², and having projections or pins d³
on which the catches d' centered on the hopper d at d³ fall when allowed, and thus
prevent the valve d' from opening. 1, 1, are pins on the catches d, which as the
beam b descends, come into contact with the portion of the frame a² at the proper
moment, and thus open the valve d to let out the contents of the hopper d. m is a
pin fixed on the valve d³, and n is a weight to accelerate the closure of the hopper d.
P is a small hopper fixed on an arm from the axis p³, centered at p² on frame, on
which axis is fixed another arm p³, shaped substantially as shown. is a weighted
lever centered on the frame a at q¹, and pressing on a pin p' to support the hopper p
when not filled with grain. r, Figure 10, is a prolongation of the valve d', on the
same side of machine as the pin 22, which, when the valve d¹ closes, strikes the
latter and lifts the catch i, so as to allow the cut off tray f to fall back, and the
supply of grain in hoppers to recommence. The new parts which I wish to denote
are the tumbler K acting on the catch j, and having the set screw b² and the pin a'.
The large tray factuated by the discharging lever h, and retained in its place by
the catch i, which latter is released by the closure of the valve d'. The keeping
open of the valve d¹ by means of the arm p³ and pin m, until the proper time for
its closure.
I would here remark that since filing my Provisional Specification I have found
that the methods described in the last two paragraphs thereof of breaking the back
blow of the counterpoise and of rendering the action of the machine more certain
in starting off by a discharging apparatus do not possess such an amount of
utility as to render it advisable or useful to give a more detailed description
thereof, and for this reason I desire to disclaim, and I do hereby disclaim such
arrangements.
The regulator valve and parts connected therewith, lettered o, 0¹, 0³, 0³, 0¹, 0³,

page_text: Figure 1, are not shown in the other Figures, but they are manifestly applicable to
any machine of the class herein described.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the mode in which
I carry the same into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim is,-
First. The application to machines of the classes herein described of the
tumbler k, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, and 10, centred on the beam, or on an arm
moving with or actuated by the beam, or actuating the beam to determine the
moment when the final cut off shall be made, by its position being gradually altered
until its centre of gravity is overcome, when its fall will operate certain mechanism
to immediately accomplish such final cut off, substantially as herein shown and
described.
Second. The combination, described in Figures 4 and 5, of the discharging
apparatus Q, pin Q1, catch R, actuated by the fall of the tumbler K, pin Q, tray 12,
and weighted lever J, with set screw J' and pin J2, so as to produce two diminutions
and a cut off with only one tray, where applied to machines of the classes described,
substantially in the manner herein shown and described.
Third. The application to machines of the classes described of the large cut off
and retaining tray f, Figures 8, 9, and 10, with its attendant mechanism as shown,
namely, arm g, arın g¹, lever x, lever h, pin x2, catch i, pin f2, pin 22, prolongation r,
or analogous mechanism whereby the final stream of grain is cut off and the flow
of the grain to the weighing hopper is prevented until the proper moment, so
that the beam in the meantime is at liberty to rise and the diminishing tray to
open while the weighing hopper is discharging its contents, all substantially as
above described.
Fourth. The application to machines of the classes described of the regulating
valve O¹, Figure 1, placed in the supply hopper to check or prevent the rush of
too great a quantity of grain or other material, substantially as herein shown and
described.
Fifth. The combination of an absolute weighing and of an absolute measuring
machine in one, the conversion from one to the other being accomplished by the
addition to or the abstraction from the weight of the counterpoise, substantially
as described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3.
Sixth. I also claim the weigher separately, substantially as described and
illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.
Seventh. The modification constituting an entirely self acting weighing machine,
substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 9 and 10.
Eighth. The fraud detector S and attendant mechanism, substantially as
described and illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 when applied to the machines of the
classes herein referred to.
+
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Baxter, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty sixth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred eighty one.
זגזזת
W. H. BAXTER
ER. (S.)