APPARATUS FOR WEIGHING AND MEASURING PARCELS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Tozer of Abingdon Street in the City of
Westminster for an Invention of "APPARATUS FOR WEIGHING AND
MEASURING PARCELS
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Tozer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th August 1883.
WILLIAM TOZER of Abingdon Street in the City of Westminster,
FOR WEIGHING AND MEASURING PARCELS
"
APPARATUȘ
This invention has for object an apparatus for weighing and measuring parcels
in conformity with the regulations of the Parcels Post recently established.
It consists in the combination of a spring balance, scale or steelyard with a
measure or rule, whereby the weight, measurement and cost of postage of any
parcel can readily be ascertained.
The manner I prefer for carrying out my invention is as follows:-
I employ a spring balance for ascertaining the weight of the parcel, properly
graduated from 1 up to 7 lbs, having an index or finger working in a slot in the
barrel of the scale to show both the weight and the cost of postage; this can most
conveniently be done by having one side of the barrel graduated in lbs: and ozs :
to indicate the weight and the opposite side correspondingly graduated to show
the cost of postage.
Above the barrel I fix a measure which may be of tape or metal or any other
suitable material, contained in a circular case, and having a handle for winding it
in after being used; I make the measure six feet long, graduated on one side in
feet and inches while the other is divided into 2 lengths, the one 3' 6" long and
the other 2' 6" to facilitate ready measurements according to the limits prescribed
by the Postal regulations.
In order the more readily to distinguish between the two lengths it would be
well for each to have a distinctive color.
I place a suitable ring or handle at the top of my apparatus for holding it,
and a hook at the bottom from which the article. to be weighed can be
suspended.

page_text: My apparatus can be modified in several ways:-For example :—I fix the scale
and measure in a case similar to that of a pressure gauge, and having an index or
pointer working over a dial which is properly graduated to show both the weight
and cost of postage; the pointer is caused to rotate by rack and pinion or other
suitable. mechanism.
The measure is placed within the case in a convenient place and can be used
when required or kept rolled up when not in uso.
In another modification I employ a pointer to traverse a quadrant instead of a
dial, to show the weight and postage, with the measure conveniently placed in
another part of the device.
Or instead of employing a spring balance, I can use a steelyard or weighted
lever for ascertaining the weight and postage with a rule fixed upon it either in
the form of a tape, measure or flat rule.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Tozer in the Patent Office on the 16th February 1884.
WILLIAM TOZER of Abingdon Street in the City of Westminster " APPARATUS
FOR WEIGHING AND MEASURING PARCELS
"
This invention has for object an apparatus for weighing and mensuring parcels
in conformity with the regulations of the Parcels Post.
It consists in the combination of a spring balance or other form of weighing
apparatus with a measure whereby the weight, measurement and cost of postage
of any parcel can readily be ascertained.
The manner I prefer for carrying out my invention is represented in Figure 1 of
the annexed drawings and is as follows:-
I employ a spring balance a for ascertaining the weight of the parcel, properly
graduated from 1 up to 7 lbs and having an index or finger b working in a slot c
in the barrel of the balance to show both the weight and the cost of postage; this
can most conveniently be done by having one side of the barrel graduated in lbs
and ozs. to indicate the weight, and the opposite sido correspondingly graduated to
show the cost of postage as seen in the Figure.
Above the barrel I fix a measure d which may be of tape or metal or any other
suitable material, contained in a circular case e and having a handle for winding
it in after being used. I make the measure 6 feet long, graduated on one side in
feet and inches while the other is divided into 2 lengths the one 3' 6" long and
the other 2' 6" to facilitato ready measurements according to the limits prescribed
by the postal regulations.
The measure may be made self-winding if preferred by means of a spiral spring
in the usual manner.

page_text: In order the more readily to distinguish between the two lengths, I prefer to
print them in different colours.
I place a suitable ring or handle g at the top of my apparatus for holding
it, and a hook h at the bottom from which the article to be weighed can be
suspended.
My apparatus can be modified in several ways:-One modification is represented
in Figure 2. In this I fix the balance and measure in a circular case, and having
an index or pointer working over a dial which is properly graduated to show both
the weight and cost of postage; the pointer is caused to rotate by rack and pinion
or other suitable mechanism.
The measure is placed' within the case and can be used when required or kept.
rolled up when not in use.
Having now described the nature of my said invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I declare that I claim :-
.
1. The combination in one apparatus of a spring balance or other form of weighing
apparatus with a measure substantially as hereinbefore described so as to readily
show the weight, measurement and postage of any parcel in conformity with the
regulations of the parcels post.
2. The particular arrangements of apparatus for weighing and measuring parcels
shown respectively in Figures 1 and 2 of the annexed drawings and herein before
described.
In witness whereof I the said William Tozer have hereunto set my hand and
seal this eleventh day of February One thousand eight hundred and eighty
four.