Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Oct., 1886.
Complete Left, 19th July, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 19th Aug., 1887.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards and Co. Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 35, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in scales for weighing, of which there are
three kinds in ordinary use, viz. :-first, pillar scales consisting of a pillar from
which the scale beam is suspended; second, scales suspended or held in the hand
and third, those in which the scale pan or plate is supported from below instead of
being suspended.
The present improvements are applicable to these different kinds of scales. Where
they are applied to the pillar scales, the pillar or column has marked upon it a vertical
row of figures increasing downward from zero, by additions of 125 grammes.
Across the top of the pillar is fixed rigidly a beam, at or near each of the ends of
which is hooked a helical or other suitable spring, at the lower end of which is fixed
a needle which points to the figures upon the pillar, below the needle wires or cords
being attached to the spring which carry the pan or platform to receive the article to
be weighed, and the weight by which it is weighed.
In order to ascertain that the two pans contain the same weight, the two needles
must be exactly opposite to each other, so that they point to the same figures upon
the column, which figures must also correspond with those stamped upon the
moveable weights in the scale pan.
For instance if one pound of meat costs 1.25 franes, and the needle points to the
figures 125 (one quarter of a pound) 500 grammes must be divided by 125, giving
4 as the result, so that to ascertain what 125 grammes should cost, the number 1.25
is divided by 4 giving 0.31 francs the price of a quarter of a pound. To prove the
correctness of the calculation, multiply 0.31 by 4, giving 124 centimes, so that

page_text: the result is correct to one centime, but as the seller should not lose this centime
the quarter of a pound may be reckoned at 0.32 francs, bringing the price per pound
to 1.28 or 1.30 francs.
From this example it is evident that the control afforded by the figures will prevent
the use of false weights; for if a weight marked (say) 500 grammes only weighs 425,
the corresponding needle would point between the figures 375 and 500, and would at
once show that the weight was light.
By the use of the improved apparatus therefore, accuracy to nearly a milligramme
is obtained, with the certainty that the weights used are correct.
The apparatus may be held in the hand or suspended, by means of a ring or
attachment at the centre of the fixed crossbeam to which the upper end of the
indicating pillar or scale is fixed. Or the springs may be arranged under the scale-
pans, and supported at their lower ends upon a base or foundation, the effect of the
weights being to compress instead of to extend them.
The figures may be marked or engraved upon both sides of a pillar which is carried
by the base.
For other purposes, especially for the use of butchers, supplementary scale pans,
with springs and needles may be used between the principal ones and the central
pillar. The pillar has vertical rows of figures separated by vertical lines and corres-
ponding with the different needles or pointers. The principal scale pans are used for
weighing meat, and the supplementary one for the bones. By this arrangement if a
purchaser does not require the bones he only notes the indications of the larger
needles; and if he wishes to have the bones also, he has only to calculate the addition
from the smaller needles. Or, only one scale pan, spring, and pointing needle, may
sometimes be used, the column being engraved or marked with figures upon both sides.
The improved weighing scales may be made of any desired size.
Dated this 10th 11004

page_text: I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 35, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex 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 and accompanying drawing, (that is to say) :-
This invention relates to improvements in scales for weighing, of which there are
three kinds in ordinary use, viz. :-first, pillar scales consisting of a pillar or column
from which the scale beam
suspended; second, scales suspended or held in the
hand; and third, those in which the scale pan or plate is supported from below
instead of being suspended.
The present improvements are applicable to these different kinds of scales.
In the accompanying drawing, which is in illustration of the invention, figure 1
represents it applied to pillar scales, A being a pillar or column upon which is marked
or engraved a vertical row of figures, increasing downward from zero by regular
increments (in the drawing 125 grammes each). Across the top of the pillar is fixed
rigidly a beam B, at or near each of the ends of which is hooked a spring C, at the
lower ends of which are fixed indicating needles D which point to the figures upon the
pillar, both pointing to O when no weights are in the scale pans or platforms F which
are suspended from the springs by rods E.
In order to ascertain that the two pans F contain the same weight, the two
indicating needles D must be exactly opposite to each other so that they point to the
same figure upon the pillar or column A which figure must correspond with that
marked upon the moveable weight also placed in one of the scale pans, that is to say
that the openings being of the same material, shape and size, are extended to an
equal degree by equal weights placed in the two scale pans.
It is evident, that if untrue weights are used their falseness is at once shewn by
the figures, for if for instance a weight marked 500 grammes but only weighing 425
be placed in the scale pan, the indicating needle of the latter will stop between the
figures 375 and 500, shewing directly that the weight is false, whilst in addition to
this the two pointing needles D ought always to be opposite to one another.
By the improved system, great accuracy obtained in the weight of any article
bought, with the certainty that the weights are correct.
Figure 2 shows a balance to be held in the hand or suspended, by means of a ring
or attachment G fixed at the centre of the top of the beam B, below which is fixed
the indicating scale of figures H, the springs C, C, being hung from the ends of the
beam B as in figure 1.

page_text: Indicating needles D, and scale pans F are also arranged at the lower ends of the
springs as in the arrangement first described.
The method of using this scale is exactly the same as in the former arrangement.
Figure 3 shews in elevation and plan of a modified form of balance in which the
springs B are arranged under the scale pans C, and are supported at their lower ends
upon a base or foundation A, the effect of the weights being to compress instead of
extend them. The upper end of each spring is shewn attached to a three-armed
support a which carries the scale pan C, the support having a vertical rod below
which passes through the centre of the spring and serves as a guide. Each
support a carries an indicating needle D pointing to the row of figures upon the
column E.
The action of the apparatus and the method of using it is the same as those first
described.
Figure 4 shews a form of the improved weighing scales, which is more especially
adapted for the use of butchers, two supplementary scale pans I, I, being added,
and the column A upon which the figures are marked or engraved having four
vertical lines between which three vertical rows of figures are marked, the central
row indicating the weights in the scale pans F, F, by which the meat is weighed,
whilst those upon cach side relate to the supplementary scale pans I, I, in which the
bones are weighed, and their respective indicating needles. By this arrangement if
a purchaser does not require the bones he only notes the indications of the longer'
needles; whilst if he wishes to have the bones as well, he has only to calculate the
additions for the shorter needles.
For example, supposing that 125 grammes are indicated by the needles of the
principal scale pans, and 32 grammes by those of the supplementary ones, or
157 grammes to pay for; the side figures are calculated at one fourth of the figure
indicated at the centre, the general rule being that 500 grammes of bone are charged
the same price as 125 of meat.
Sometimes, the arrangement shewn in figure 5 may be used, in which a fixed
curved column or support A is used, two of its sides having the row of figures
marked or engraved upon it, and a single spring C indicating needle D and scale
pan F being suspended from it as shewn. This form of balance, though giving less
guarantee of correctness than the others, is useful as shewing clearly the indicated
weight, to a purchaser.
The invention consists in the application in the manner described and shewn of
helical springs to weighing machines, no oscillating scale beam being used, so that
a purchaser can see for himself and verify the correctness of the weighing and of the
weights used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is
In scales for weighing, the combination of the helical springs, fixed beam or
support, scale pans, and indicating needles or pointers, and properly arranged figures,
arranged and operating substantially as described and shewn.
Dated this 19th day of July 1887.