IMPROVED WEIGHING APPARATUS
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Peter Armand le Comte de Fontainemoreau, of 39,
Rue do l'Echiquier, Paris, in the Empire of France, and of No. 4, South
Street, Finsbury, London, for the Invention of "IMPROVED WEIGHING
APPARATUS."-A communication.
Sealed the 5th May 1857, and dated the 27th November 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Peter Armand le Comte
do Fontainemoreau at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
his Petition, on the 27th November 1856.
I, PETER ARMAND le Comte DE FONTAINEMOREAU, of 39, Rue de l'Echiquier,
Paris, in the Empire of France, and of No. 4, South Street, Finsbury, London, do
hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVED WEIGHING APPARATUS,"
to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention consists in applying the principle of the displacement of
water to the construction of apparatus for ascertaining the weight of bodies.
The apparatus is composed of a cylinder or float of metal, clastic or other
material, which cylinder enters between suitable guides into a vessol containing
water or other liquid. The body to be weighed is placed on the top of the
cylinder, and as it descends by its gravity it causes the cylinder to displace a
proportionate quantity of the liquid, which asconds in a glass tube, and
indicates by a suitable scale the exact weight of the body. The scale is made
ndjustable according to the gravity and expansion of the liquid employed. A
lever may also be used for the purpose of indication. Different forms of tho
apparatus may be employed.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Peter Armand le Comte de Fontainemoreau in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 27th May 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PETER
ARMAND le Comte DE FONTAINE MOREAU, of 39, Ruo de l'Echiquier, Paris, in
the Empire of France, and of No. 4, South Street, Finsbury, London, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Peter Armand le Comte de Fontainemoreau, Her special license that I,
the said Peter. Armand le Comte de Fontainemoreau, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Peter Armand le Comte de
Fontainemorcau, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, the Invention of "IMPROVED
WEIGHING APPARATUS," communicated to me by a foreigner residing abroad,
upon the condition, amongst others, that I, the said Peter Armand le Comte
de Fontainemoreau, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Offico within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Peter Armand le Comte de Fontaine-
moreau, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon,
that is to say:-
This Invention consists in applying the principle of the displacement of
water to the construction of apparatus for ascertaining the weight of bodies.
The displacement of water has been long known as a means for gauging
ships, in which operation no great precision is required; but the variations in
the specific gravity and the expansion of liquids has hitherto prevented the
adoption of the system in cases requiring great accuracy. The object of the

page_text: present Invention is to remove this difficulty by means of a scale adjustable
according to the nature of the liquid. This scale is so arranged, that when
either an excess or deficiency of liquid occurs, the apparatus can be at once set
to the proper point without adding or withdrawing any portion of the liquid.
The Drawings represent several arrangements of weighing apparatus acting
by the displacement of liquids, and which only differ in the kind of indicators.
I will now proceed to describe the Drawings hereto annexed.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, represents a letter weigher acting by displacement of
water, caused by the sinking of the cylindrical float E in the cylinder or
receiver F. G, water line, shewing the height to which the float has raised the
water by its own weight; this line is termed the indicator. H, glass tube in
which the indicating liquid rises; the elevation of water in this tube is in the
same proportion as that between the float and the receiver. For instance,
supposing the float to have a section of 20 and the reservoir a section of 30,
the descent of the float one part would cause the liquid to rise two parts in
the glass tube. Thus, it will be seen, that to obtain larger divisions on the
scale it is necessary to decrease the section of the reservoir. I, scale indicating
one hundred grammes, or about three ounces apothecaries' weight; J, knob
working the pinion, which causes the scale to ascend or descend to place it on
a level with the indicator; J', knob working the screw for adjusting the scale
according to the specific gravity and expansion of the liquid; L, plate on.
which is placed the article to be weighed. The plate should be made of the
lightest material practicable. M, guide rollers against which the float bears
in its upward and downward journey, and by which it is kept in a vertical
position.
Figure 2, horizontal section through the line A, B, Figure 1. The receiver
and floats should be made of the least oxidable metal possible, such as zinc or
copper. The float should be very thin, so as to sink in the liquid as little as
possible by its own weight. N, grooved rollers, soldered to the bottom of the
float, and rolling on a metallic rod soldered to the inner sides of the reservoir.
By means of the rollers N and the rollers M the float is kept always in the
same position.
Figure 3 represents a vertical section through the axis of an arrangement
which may be employed in substitution of the scales now used for heavy
weights. O, plate on which is placed the load to be weighed; P, float, of metal
or other suitable material; Q, receiver, containing the water in which the float
sinks, and which causes it to rise in a similar proportion in the tube R con-
taining the indicator float; T, wooden box containing the apparatus, which is
placed on a table or counter, and which may be fixed in such a way as only to

page_text: leave to view the scale and the projecting part of the float. For weighing
very heavy goods, the receiver containing water may be formed of masonry.
U, rollers on the lid of the reservoir, against which the float slides; V, grooved
roller, soldered to the bottom of the floats, and sliding on metallic rods soldered
to the sides of the receiver; X, scale, divided into one hundred grammes
(about threo ounces), and subdivided into ten grammos; Y, indicator, soldered
to the float S, by which it is moved according to the elevation of the water.
To effect the divisions into grammes, I mark on the indicator nine parts of the
scale, and these nine parts aro divided into ten, thus giving a tenth of cach
part of the scale. Z, Figure 3, lever behind the scale for bringing it on a
lovel with the indicator; Z', knob working the screw which adjusts the scale
to the weight and expansion of the liquid.
Figure 3, section through the line C, D, Figure 3.
Figure 4 represents the screws and nuts which adjust the scale according to
the specific gravity and expansion of the liquid. a, iron screw, of which the
thread is in the ratio of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, beginning at the bottom of the screw;
b nuts, shewn on a larger scale, Figures 5, 6, in plan and section, to which
are attached indian-rubber bands, or of other elastic material, or small metallic
springs, in the spaces shown in Figure 6. The screw a should be set in a
copper box in such a manner that the nuts only can rise and fall according to
the weight and expansion of the liquid.
Figure 5 represents the manner in which the nut slides in the groove in
the sides of the box. e, rack, on which is fixed the scale; f, pinion, on which
is mounted the knob J; g, roller, against which the rack slidos.
Figures 7, 8, and 9 represent a mode of indicating by means of levers.
f, curved lever, the extremities of the two arms of which slide between. the
grooved rollers when the float lowers; g, tube, to which is fixed the frame of
the rollers between which the lever slides. This tube should be pierced.
through and through to receive the pivot h, which maintains the float-in its
vertical position, and also to permit the air to escape, so as: to obviate the
compression, which would cause a variable resistance. This lever may be
advantageously replaced by the lever shewn in Figure 9, in which the rollers
of the extremities of the two arms slide in the parallelograms fixed on the
indicator and in the tube in the interior of the float.
Figure 7 represents a compound lever having a moveable parallelogram. at
the extremity of the arm of the indicator. The frame fixed on the tube of the
float should be replaced by a parallelogram similar to that of the indicator.
Figure 10, plan of this lever.
.
:
Figure 11 represents the variable scale, with levers, the arms of-which-are.
:

page_text: in the ratio of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. One of the extremities has a forked piece,
which enters a groove of the iron axle; the other end of the lever is provided
with a small tenon, which slides in a groove formed in the side of the copper
box. Whenever the divisions of the scale permit, it is well to have as many
levers as divisions, so as to dispense with the indian-rubber bands. Figure 12,
vertical section of the box of the levers; Figure 13, horizontal section of the
same. In this system of levers the iron axle should be moveable, and it is
rendered so by means of the screw passing into the nut fixed to the box. To
adjust the scale to the specific gravity and expansion of the liquids, the
knob M is turned to right or left, according to circumstances.
The
Figure 14 represents an arrangement for weighing by the pressure of liquid;
I call it pressure because the action is obtained by the liquid rising in the tubo
above the level which balances the load on the weighing plate of the scale,
which consequently presses in equal ratio on the liquid in the cylinder.
elevation in the tube is in proportion to its section and that of the cylinder, in
which the liquid is contained; for instance, supposing the section to be 36 and
that of the tube 9, when the plate pressing on the cylinder descends 1 the
liquid rises 4 in the tube. Thus, if the plate and its load weigh thirty-six
grammes (about 9 drams apoth.), the cylinder will descend one centimetre,
about one-third of an inch, and the liquid, if water, would rise four centimetres,
one and a half inch, above the level of the liquid before the plate acts by its
own weight on the cylinder. Instead of a flexible cylinder, a hollow piston
may be employed to diminish the weight; but in this case there would be an
amount of friction, for which it would be necessary to make allowance. This
system would also be likely to have a variable resistance. n, scale plate on
which the article to be weighed is placed; o, cover of the tube, through which
the liquid is introduced into the cylinder. This cover, which screws on, closes
the tube air-tight by pressing on the indian-rubber edge t', forming part of the
cylinder. p, scale plate support, resting on the india-rubber cylinder;
9. cylinder, of copper or other material, in which the scale plato support enters;
7, copper box attached to the above cylinder, and in which is inclosed the
bottom of the glass tube; S, cylinder of indian-rubber or other flexiblo material
to contain the water, fixed to the bottom of the copper cylinder; t, valve,
which closes when the support of the scale plate descends, so as to obviate the
compression of the air in the tube t'; u, small flanged tube, forming part of
the indian-rubber cylinder; V, small copper tube, in which enters the glass
tube ; y, adjustable scale, similar to those herein-before described. The
description herein-before given relates to the use of water as the liquid. To
employ any other liquid than water, it will be merely necessary to alter, the

page_text: dimensions of the receivers, floats, tubes, and levers, according to the variation
in the density and expansion of the various liquids. The adjustable scale
presents considerable advantage over all other weighing systems, inasmuch as
it enables me to employ any kind of water, and also to obtain with speed the
division of the scale, according to the density and expansion of the liquid, by
placing a weight on the scale board, which in descending causes the indicator
to rise, thus marking the difference between the weight and expansion, the
variations being adjusted immediately by turning the upper knob of the scale
in the direction required.
Sheet II. of the annexed Drawings shews various modifications of the
indicating apparatus, in which I employ several adjustable scales of a circular
form by the displacement of the axis of the lever which works the hand, or by
the hand itself, which may be adjusted by the divisions of the scale graduated
according to the expansion of the liquids at a temperature of eighty-six
degrees Fahrenheit, and according to its greatest density.
Secondly, two vertical scales, of which one is divided according to the
expansion and density of the liquids, and which is adjusted to the indicator in
advancing or withdrawing the scale, according to requirement, by means of a
screw fixed to one of the sides of the pieces in which the scale slides in the
grooves; the other vertical scale is applicable to the lever, of which the axis is
variable, so as to adjust the indicator to the expansion of the liquids.
Thirdly, a rack fixed on a float to give motion to the needle.
Fourthly, a piston applied to a tube communicating with the receiver
cylinder, so as to increase the quantity of liquid in case of evaporation. This
piston regulates the hand and brings it to zero.
The first
Fifthly, two different arrangements for placing the dial at zero.
arrangement is an endless screw, causing the dial to turn on its axis by a
circular rack fixed on the dial; the second is simply a small lever fixed to the
dial, with which it is caused to turn on its axis.
Sixthly, a vernier on the needles and indicators, which marks upon the
scale the decimal fractions from one-tenth to one-thousandth of a gramme, or
beyond.
Although the above arrangements are applicable to apparatus for weighing
heavy loads, I have preferred taking as an illustration their application to a
letter weigher.
Drawing 2, Figure 1, represents a letter or money weighing apparatus.
A, float cylinder, with its plate; B, rollers for keeping the cylinder in a vertical
position; C, support in which the receiver cylinder is fixed; D, support of the
lever, fixed on the support C; E, lever supporting the rack o, Figure 2, and

page_text: on the other side passing between two grooved rollers; F, bearer of the lever,
fixed so as to slide on the support D, which is caused to slide in the groove by
means of a rack worked by a pinion set in motion by the knob D'; G, screw
for fixing the lever after having adjusted the hand to the expansion of the
liquid; I, moveable dial turning on its axis; J, K, vernier, put in motion by
the pinion P, and on which are nine divisions of the scale divided into ten
parts, giving the tenth of a gramme; L, knob for working the endless screw Q,
and which by its movement turns the dial by means of a rack fixed to it;
M, stop-cock for emptying the receiver.
Figure 2 represents a vertical section of the letter weigher with the wheel-
work giving motion to the hand. A, float cylinder; N, rod, to which are
fixed the rollers, between which passes the extremity of the lever; S, cylindrical
receiver into which the float passes; D, support of the bearer; D', pinion;
F, bearer; E, lover, with its curved rack; G, knob working the screw for
fixing the lever; V, support of the pinion which moves the needle; L, knob of
the endless screw Q which acts on the dial.
Figure 3 horizontal section of a letter weigher above the support, shewing
the mechanism.
Figure 4 represents a circular scale, of which the indicator x is a double
dial, on which is graduated the vernier in one-hundredths of a gramme, at the
same time reducing the circumference of one of the parts of the scale, and the
surplus of this circumference is divided into one hundred parts. N, knob of
the small lever fixed to the dial, and which turns it as required to regulate the
indicator in the frame T.
Figure 5 represents the support, natural size. a, lever in its support
6, the axes of which repose on the bearer, which displaces the axle of the lever
by the movement which is given to it, as required; b, bearer, moved by means
of its rack, worked by the pinion g; d, knob working the pinion g; e, screw
for fixing the arms of the lever when the indicator is adjusted according to the
expansion of the liquid; f, bolts for fixing the support on its stand; h, screw
to fix the bearer when the indicator is adjusted.
Figure 6 represents a vertical section of the support of the lever, shewing
the mechanism of the bearer and support.
Figure 7 represents a support which only differs from Figure 6 in the
manner of moving the bearer. Instead of a rack and pinion, a screw is fixed
to the support, which screw passes in a nut forming part of the bearer, and
which gives it the to-and-fro movement as required.
Figure 8 represents a vertical section in the length of the support.

page_text: Figure 9 represents a vertical section in the breadth of the support, shewing
the working of the lever mechanism.
Figure 10 represents a variable scale according to the specific gravity and
expansion of the liquids. A, copper box, in which is the scale B, moved in
the grooves C, C, by means of the knob E which works the screw F, so that
by means of this apparatus the scale may be adjusted to the expansion of the
liquids. To graduate the scale, I divide it according to the expansion of the
liquid at a temperature of eighty-six degrees Fahrenheit, and afterward at its
greatest density. Supposing this scale to be divided into one hundred and
thirty grammes at the highest point of expansion of the liquid, and also into one
hundred and thirty grammes at its highest density to obtain the intermediate
point between the two divisions I trace between them as many parallel lines
as possible, and from the point of one hundred and thirty grammes, its highest
expansion, to that of its greatest density, a line is drawn through all the
parallels, and the spaces of the latter are divided into ono hundred and thirty
grammes. When required to adjust the scale to a lower temperature than
eighty-six degrees Fahrenheit I place a weight of one hundred grammes (for
instance), the indicator D then raises the scale to ninety-seven grammes,
when by means of the screw F the scale is withdrawn until the indicator
arrives on the division of the parallel which marks one hundred grammes.
G, rackwork in the box of the scale; H, pinion, by means of which the scale
may be raised or lowered as required to bring it to zero of the indicator.
Figure 11 represents a horizontal section of the scale, Figure 10, shewing
the mode of applying the screw to the moveable scale.
Figure 12, natural size of the endless screw applied to the scales, in form of
a dial, to adjust them to zero of the hand or indicator.
Figure 13 represents a vertical scale, the divisions of which are fixed, and
which is adjusted to the expansion of the liquid by means of a bearer support,
as herein-before described.
Figure 14 represents a scale of a circular form, the divisions of which are
variable, according to the expansion of the liquids. To graduate this scale a
weight is placed upon the float cylinder of the apparatus. Suppose this
weight to be one hundred and sixty grammes and the hand at zero, when the
liquid is at a temperature of eighty-six degrees Fahrenheit the circle is divided
into one hundred and sixty parts, each of which represents one gramme (about
fifteen grains apoth.) I then trace as many parallel circles as may be
required, and when the liquid is at the greatest density, if a difference is
indicated on the smallest circle of the dial, a line is drawn from the point of

page_text: highest expansion to that of the highest density, and the intervals of theso
concentric circles are then divided into one hundred and sixty equal parts.
To make use of this scale, it is necessary, when the expansion is at a tem-
perature above eighty-six degrees Fahrenheit, to place on the float cylinder a
weight of one hundred grammes, for instance. Then, to adjust the hand A to
this expansion, it is moved down the groove B until the zero point reaches one
of the circles which marks one hundred grammes.
Figure 15 represents the mechanism of the dial hand, Figure 1.
Figure 16 represents the vertical section of a letter weigher, similar to
Figure 1. It differs in the manner in which the hand is moved, and in
that in which the hand is placed at the zero point. A, cylinder or float;
B, receiver; D, float carrying the rack I, which works the pinion J, giving
motion to the hand; E, horizontal cylinder, in which is placed a piston F,
which is moved backwards and forward, as required, by the screw G and
knob II.
Figure 17, support, the lever of which is fixed on the axis, and is only
applicable to the variable scales, Figures 10 and 14.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner in
which the same may be carried into effect, I observe, in conclusion, that I do
not confine myself to the precise details herein laid down, as many modifi-
cations may be made without departing from the principle; but what
I claim, and wish to be secured by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent, is,
First, the construction of weighing apparatus acting by the displacement of
water, as herein-before described, and represented in the annexed Drawings.
Secondly, the construction of adjustable scales applicable to the improved
weighing apparatus, as herein-before described, and represented in the annexed
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Peter Armand le Comte de Fontaine-
moreau, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of
May, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-seven.
L' DE FONTAINEMOREAU. (L.B.)
L' DE FONTAINEMOREAU. (L.B.)