Improvements in and connected with Coin-freed Weighing Apparatus.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Aug., 1894-Accepted, 20th Apr., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Coin-freed Weighing
Apparatus.
I, THOMAS ERNEST HALFORD of 11, Furnival Street in the City of London
Patent Agent (a communication from Hermann Siefert and Gustav Jaeger of
Gera in the Empire of Germany Manufacturers of Automatic Apparatus) 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 :-
This automatic apparatus for weighing persons and collecting the fee therefor
and issuing a ticket (printed by the machine, and showing the weight of the person
weighed) is intended to be combined, generally at least, with a stereoscope (usually
called a panorama) and a musical box.
The characteristic feature of this invention is that the train of mechanism by
which the ticket is printed and issued and the stereoscopic and musical mechanism
if any set in motion is wound up by the weight placed on the platform each time the
apparatus is used is then put out of connection with the weighing mechanisin, and
is finally actuated by the insertion of a coin.
This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a vertical section parallel to the front of the apparatus.
Fig. 2, also a vertical section on a plane perpendicular to that of the former.
Fig. 3, a compound transverse section taken substantially on the line 3-3,
Fig. 2.
Fig. 4. is a horizontal section, on a larger scale than Fig. 1, and passing through
the upper part of the apparatus so as to show the train of driving gear, the
mechanism for printing the ticket and cutting the paper, as well as the music
nechanism.
Figs. 5 and 6 shew also on an enlarged scale one form of the weighing apparatus
in succession.
strictly so called, together with the weights that are taken up
Fig. 7. is another form of this mechanism and
Fig. 8 shows one of the tickets printed with the weight.
The remaining figures illustrate details hereinafter referred to.
The weighing mechanism consists of what may be called a "vicesimal" balance,
that is to say, a mechanism constructed in the manner of a weigh bridge in which
a weight of 0.05 balances a load of 100. This arrangement, with convenient
dimensions and easy application, admits of sufficient accuracy of the weighing
operation, any other suitable construction of such weighing apparatus, say a decimal
balance, inay be employed.
No description of the arrangement of levers is here required as it is analogous
to that of the usual decimal scale, but the arrangement for automatically taking up
the weights, two forms of which are shown, being new and characteristic, requires
description.
In one form, (see Figs. 1. 3. 5. and 6) the beam 1 resting on the knife-edges 2,
is forked and the two parts connected by a cross beam 3. Above 3 on the wall of
the casing A rails 5 are placed at an angle; on these rails rest in rows the
weights 6 capable of sliding on the vertical rods 4 each weight may be say 50 gr.
corresponding on the scale if arranged as stated to 1 kg. The oblique rows formed
by the weights, if placed side by side instead of being placed one above the other,
would represent an inclined plane of uniform inclination or in other words, the foot

page_text: of the first weight in every row is just as much above the foot of the last weight of
the preceding row, as the foot of the latter is above the foot of the weight
immediately preceding it. As the weight upon the platform increases, the
horizontal crossbar 3 will first of all raise the weights of the lowest row in
succession as will clearly appear from Fig. 5. if however one row of weights is
raised, then the first weight has risen so far that on further motion of the beam,
it pushes against the first weight of the row above, and carries this upwards. In
the same manner the second weight of the second row is raised by the second
weight of the first row, and afterwards the first weight of the third row by the
first weight of the second row, and so on, until the number of weights corresponding
to the load rests on the beam 3, it follows that first a certain number of full rows
and beyond that a certain number of the weights in the next row will become
effective the beam travelling to the same extent for each successive weight.
In consequence of this the type on the type disc which prints the weights may
be placed at equal distances apart.
In the modified form (Fig. 7) a flat wedge shaped piece 7 is suspended on the
weigh beam 1, the plate-like weights 6 have slots by which they are threaded on
the said wedge piece; when at rest the weights are supported on the plate 8, one
weight resting on the other; vertical rods 9. serve to guide the weights which are
made so that all are of the same weight. The holes or slots over the wedge are
made slightly larger in each plate or weight than in that preceding it, as will
clearly appear from the sectional view, Fig. 7. When the weigh beam rises, here
as in the other arrangement the weights will be raised by successive and equal
steps until the load on the platform is balanced. In the figure only a few of the
upper and lower weights are shewn the intermediate plates being omitted for the
sake of clearness.
The rod 10, of the weighing arrangement is connected to the lever 11 (Fig. 1) this
by the reciprocating vertical toothed bar 12, actuates the pinion 13, on the spindle of
the type disc 14, (Figs. 1 and 2) this adjusts the type disc in accordance with the
load on the platform. The arrangement of this type disc and its co-operation with
the printing device will be described hereafter.
The driving train, wound up by the load being placed on the platform, and
started by a coin being inserted is best seen in Figs. 1. 2. 4. 13 and 14. On its
main spindle 15, are keyed a ratchet wheel 16, and a pinion 17, attached to a disc 18
runs loose thereon. Attached to the latter is a spring-pawl 19, engaging with 16.
(see Figs. 13 and 14,) so that when the toothed gear turns in one direction, the
ratchet wheel and a spindle move with it, but rotation in the other direction does
not affect the spindle. Gearing with the cogwheel 17 is a toothed rod 20, Fig. 1
and the weight 21 exerts sufficient pressure on the rod to set the train in motion
when the rod descends.
The toothed rod is suitably guided at its lower end in the rail or bar 22, (Figs. 1
and 2) Figs. 17 and 19. showing the lower end of the bar 20 and the parts acting
thereon to an enlarged scale.
Winding the train is effected from the platform of the machine in the following
manner: To the platform B, a plate 23, Fig. 2, is jointed, a weak spring tending to
turn it upwards, a person desiring to be weighed steps onto this plate. When this takes
place, the lever 24, swings on its fulcrum 25, on the platform B its free end (left
hand side Fig. 2,) rising. This arm of the lever is forked, see Fig. 3, and the
rods 26, engage with the prongs of the fork, the upper part of the rod 26 is slotted,
as shown in Fig. 2, the slots engage with the pins or studs on a ring 27, this ring
sliding freely on the rod 20. A pawl 28, is hinged in a slot in the rod 20, see
Figs. 17-19, a spring 29, so acts on the pawl 28, as to push it outward into the
position shown in Fig. 18. When the pawl is in this position and ring 27 ascends
the latter strikes against the projecting part of the pawl, so that by means of the
lever 24, and the rods 26, the rod 20, is raised. The upward motion is limited by
the bar 22 as by means of the edge of the aperture guiding the rod, the pawl is
pushed inwards against the action of the spring (see Fig. 19).

page_text: At the same time however, the ring 27 also passes over the nose of the hook 30
the said hook being pivotted on the bar 22, and forced towards the rod by a
spring 31. The hook in falling engages with the underside of the ring 27, the
ring being just under the bar 22, so that the pawl is no longer supported on
its face.
This breaks the connection between the rod 20, and the ring; the driving train
is thus wound up and ready to be started by the insertion of a coin. The winding
device, consisting of the ring 27, and the rods or bars 26, is suspended on the
hook 30.
By this arrangement the rod 20, is always raised to the same level whatsoever the
travel of the scale beam may be; this being done, the winding gear can no longer
injuriously affect the operation of weighing. Its own weight, which is constant and
has to be taken into consideration in constructing the weighing apparatus, exerts its
effect but it no longer remains in connection with the weighing mechanism.
When the scale beam works round, the rods 26, again swing on the studs on
ring 27. The ring is again set free when the rod 20 freed by the starting of the
driving train descends and brings the tappet 32, thereon, see Fig. 2. against the
upper arm of the hook 30.
THE STARTING OF THE DRIVING TRAIN.
The usual locking pawl, operated by the insertion of one or more coins may act
on the main spindle of the driving train. As however shewn in the drawings,
this pawl does not act on said spindle, but on a second spindle 33. so connected
therewith by chain gearing or other suitable means that the two necessarily move
together. This second spindle serves to operate a musical mechanism when the
driving train acts. See Figs. 4 and 9.
On said spindle is mounted a disc 34, having a nose piece, 35, the back whereof,
by a spiral passes into the otherwise circular disc. Behind the nose piece or
cam 35 is applied the coin lever 36 a slight spring keeping it in contact; the free
arm of the coin lever is suitably arranged for the reception of a coin. By the coin
falling thereon the lever is maintained in a raised position long enough to enable
the weighted rod 20 to turn the driving train so far, that the lever on descending
falls on the high part of the cam 35 and only after the rotation is complete does
the lever 36 again hold the disc 34, this releasing gear is however only shown for
the sake of completeness as numerous devices, suitable for the present purpose are
well known.
The operation of the driving train is as follows; It has for its object to print
off the type brought into position on the type wheel by the movement of the
weigh beam, to cut off the ticket printed, and to advance the strip of endless
paper which is employed in readiness for the next operation. Secondary operations
thereof are, that it causes a piece of music to be played by the music mechanism C.
and that it uncovers a stereoscope. To this might be added electric illumination
of the stereoscope effected by closing a circuit (whilst the driving train is running)
in the usual manner.
The electric illumination calls for no special description. As to the operation
of the music mechanism C, see Figs. 1 and 4, the last section states what is
necessary. The stereoscope does not differ from known apparatus intended for
similar purposes; it is placed in the upper part of the apparatus in which the
lenses 37, are provided at about the height of the eyes of a person standing on the
plate 23; facing these lenses and on the rear wall, is mounted the picture 38
changeable in the usual manner if desired; above is a glazed window for
illumination 39, within the interior A1 and mounted on a rod 40, there is a
shutter 41, ordinarily covering the picture from view. The rod 40, engages with
the lever 42, Fig. 1. actuated by the irregular periphery of the disc 43. By this
means the lever 42, is so moved when the driving train is started, that rod 40 with
the shutter 41, are raised, uncovering the sight holes.

page_text: The principal operation of the driving gear will next be described namely.
THE PRINTING AND ISSUING OF THE TICKETS SHOWING THE WEIGHT.
An endless strip of paper, Z, Figs. 1, 2, and 4 is wound up on the drum 44,
Figs. 2 and 4; from the horizontal drum the strip of paper is guided to the surface
of the type wheel, 14, Fig. 4 where it is passed through a guide on the feed
lever 45 (see also Figs. 15 and 16) and then over a fixed guide 46, on which is
provided the knife 47, for severing the paper as is required, see Figs. 11 and 12;
just behind the last named guide, in the sense of the motion of the paper, and facing
the type carrying rim of the wheel 14, is placed the inking and printing lever 48, see
also Fig. 10.
The feed lever 45, is pivotted on the stud 49, and is moved forward for the feed
motion by a cam 50, on the spindle 15, and back, idly, by the spring 51, as shewn
at Fig. 4 the head of this lever has a flat slot, through which the strip of paper
passes. Into this slot enters from the front a screw stud 52, on which acts a
spring 53, bearing on the arm 55, carried by the stud 54, on the lever. Another
lever 56, acted on by a spring not shown, acts on the said arm, the fulcrum for
lever 56, being the stud 57. The lower arm of the last named lever bears against
the side of the cam disc 43.
A suitable part of the disc is so arranged with reference to the cam 50, that
whilst the lever 45, moves to the left, the lever 56 is out of contact with the
arm 55, carrying the screw stud. Now during this period the point of the screw
enters into the strip, pushing the same towards the left as seen in Fig. 4, whilst in
the return motion, against the spring 53, the screw is kept out of contact with the
strip of paper.
The inking and printing lever 48, swings on the stud 57, and two cam surfaces
on 43, both of equal radius, force it twice against the periphery of the type wheel
whilst a spring 58, Fig. 2, effects the return motion. The first forward movement
takes place whilst the strip of paper is being pushed forward, but before the leading
edge of the paper has reached the types; the lever next recedes and when the
paper has advanced it comes forward again to take the impression. The lever
as its name shows has the double object of inking the type and taking the
impression.
Its head is consequently adapted to carry ink, see Fig. 10, and for this purpose
filled with some yielding substance, say sponge or cotton, saturated with ink. On
the side nearest to the type wheel the ink carrier has an aperture 59. A piston 61,
adjustable on the screw stud 60, by a thumb-nut allows the material saturated with
ink to be so compressed as to protrude from the aperture 59.
In front of this aperture moves the slide 62, carried ou the lever 45, by means
of an elastic arm. When the inking lever advances the first time which takes
place as already explained whilst the paper is moved forward, the slide 62, has
already moved away from the aperture 59, so that the saturated material comes
into contact with the type facing it. At the second depression of the lever 48, the
lever 45, has already returned, and the slide 62 covers the aperture 59; meanwhile
however the strip of paper has also been brought within reach of the type and so
the slide 62, forced by the lever 48 against the paper serves as a bed in taking the
impression.
The knife 47, see also Figs. 11 and 12, is jointed to a lever 63, rotating on the
stud 57. This lever is operated by a suitable cam surface also provided on 43, and
is caused to act and carry the knife against the paper after the printing has been
effected, a spring not shown in the drawings causes the proper return motion of this
lever. The piece of paper cut off and imprinted with the indication of the
weight falls outward in an inclined channel 64, to a cup 65, Fig. 1 provided on
the casing.
A ticket imprinted with the indication of the weight is separately shown in
Fig. 8. Assume that the types only indicate whole kilograms, the fractions

page_text: may yet be recognised from the printed ticket. The centre of the strip may be
marked with a line.
If the weight of the load can be expressed in whole kilograms, the corresponding
type will be printed off just on the line, but if the weight is between two units, then
as indicated in Figure 8 one type will be printed off above the line, the other
below it.
Consequently fractions may be read off from the position of the type with
reference to the line.
Shortly summed up, the operation of the apparatus is as follows: The person
to be weighed steps on to the plate 23, even before the weighing mechanism
becomes operative, the said plate descends, lever 24, swings on its fulcrum, and by
the rods 26, the ring 27 and pawl 28, raises the weighted rod 20, thereby winding
up the driving train.
The hook 30, catches the ring 27 and the weighted rod is set free. The
predetermined coin or coins is or are now inserted, the lever 36, releases the disc 34
and the driving train becomes operative.
Meantime the weighing mechanism has adjusted itself and the type wheel turns
that type towards the head of the printing lever, which corresponds to the weight
of the load. By the cam 50, movement of the feed lever 45 is produced, the strip
of paper is fed forward after the ink-saturated material 48 has been brought into
contact with the type. The feed lever 45, retreats, slide 62, covers the aperture of
the ink carrier, the inking and printing lever makes its second movement the type
is printed off on the piece of paper that has been pushed forward, the latter being
finally cut off by the knife 47, and the knife levers 63.
During this time a piece of music has been played by the music mechanism C.
and the stereoscope has been open for inspection.
It is obvious that details of construction of this apparatus may be varied as has
been indicated in the course of the description with respect to some of the parts.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me,
1 declare that what I claim is :-
Apparatus for automatically weighing persons on receipt of the fee in which a
driving train is wound up by an arrangement of levers-(23, 24, 26) coupling
device (27, 28.) and a ratchet 16 and pawl 19 the driving train being released,
(ready for operation when a coin is inserted; by uncoupling of the coupling gear,
so that by the cam 50, cam disc 43, and a lever arrangement, 45, 48 63 it pushes
forward a strip of paper and causes it to advance towards a type wheel 14 adjusted
by the weighing mechanism and effects the cutting off of the printed strip another
lever 42, uncovering the sight holes of a stereoscope whilst the train is running
and a suitable transmission at the same time working a musical mechanism if
desired.
2. In an apparatus for automatically weighing persons as referred to in Claim 1.
the arrangement whereby the lever gearing 23, 24, 26, for winding the driving
train is held fast by the hook 30, engaging with the ring 27 after the coupling
device 27, 28, is released said levers being freed by a tappet on the weighted rod 20
pushing against the hook, so that the varying load on the scale may not affect the
driving train or disturb its adjustment.
3. In an automatic apparatus for weighing persons as indicated in Claim 1 a
weighing device, in which the increasing load on the scale beam is produced by
weights 6, these weights being arranged at certain distances apart so as to form an
inclined plane and so that the cross bar 3 of the scale beam, 1, first successively
raises the weights in one row, then the first weight of the next row, above the
first and so on until a number of complete rows and a sufficient number of weights
from the next row in succession to balance the load on the platform, are raised and
operative.
4. In an automatic apparatus for weighing persons on receipt of the fee therefore

page_text: as indicated in Claim 1 the modification of the weighing device in which a wedge
carried by the scale beam 7, passes through weights 6 having apertures of
gradually increasing size so that when the wedge is raised as many weights are
successively raised as the gradually increasing thickness of the wedge fills apertures
in such weights, this compelling the weights to rise with the wedge.
5. In an apparatus for automatically weighing persons on receipt of the fee
therefore as indicated in Claim 1 the arrangement by which the lever which presses
the strip of paper against the type, 48, also inks the type, this being effected by
providing the head of the lever with a material protruding through the aperture 59,
the aperture being pressed against the type by means of the cam disc 43, before
the impression is taken being covered during the act of impression by a slide 62,
on the feed lever 45.
Dated this 18th day of August 1894.
THOS. E. HALFORD,
11, Furnival Street, Holborn, London, E.C., Patent Agent.