Improvements in Steelyards.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Jan., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 6th May, 1896-Accepted, 12th Sept., 1896
Improvements in Steelyards.
HENRY ALLCHIN 278 Mile End Road London, East Middlesex Scale, Weight
and Weighing Machine Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:--
My improvements refer to the mode of fitting and adaptation of continuous knife
edges in steelyards, more especially in steelyards where it is necessary to have
more than one resistant knife edge for the purpose of weighing both light and heavy
loads. The object being :-To give strength to the knife edges, to minimize friction,
to increase sensitiveness, to minimize variation of standard weight after repeated
working of the index arm, to admit of both light and heavy loads being weighed
without alteration of the point of suspension of the steelyard.
The head of the steelyard is provided with a semicircular space, near which a
continuous knife edge fulcrum or point of suspension is fixed, and at different
distances from the knife edge fulcrum, in the semicircular space, are fixed two
continuous resistant knife edges.
A steelyard suspension hook is provided with a continuous sunken bearing, which
is of length suitable to the 'continuous knife edge fulcrum, to which it is fitted.
The striking points of the knife edge being allowed play between flat surface
plates forming the sides of the steelyard suspension hook.
A load suspension hook is provided with a continuous sunken bearing, which is of
length suitable to the two continuous resistant knife edges, it being fitted so as to move
freely from one to the other resistant knife edges by way of the semicircular
space. The striking points of the knife edges being allowed play between flat
surface plates forming the sides of the load suspension hook.
The load suspension hook is placed on one or other of the continuous resistant
knife edges according to the weight of the load to be weighed.
Dated this 15th day of January 1896.
HENRY ALLCHIN.
Improvements in Steelyards.
I, HENRY ALLCHIN of 278, Mile End Road, London Scale and Weighing
Machine Manufacturer 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 invention refers to improvements in steelyards and is designed to facilitate
the extended use of this portable and convenient kind of weighing apparatus, by
adapting them for light and heavy loads without altering the point of suspension
of the steelyard.
My improvements refer to the extended adaptation and improved construction
of continuous knife edges in steelyards, and more especially in steelyards designed
for light and heavy weighing, where it is necessary to have more than one

page_text: resistant knife edge bearing; and also to arrangements for preventing incorrect
weighing whether arising from accident or fraudulent intention.
In carrying out my improvements I give strength to the knife edges minimise
friction and prevent inaccuracy arising from undue wear and tear, and increase
sensitiveness while eradicating any tendency to variation from standard weight
after repeated workings of the index arm; and further to admit of both light
and heavy loads being weighed without alteration of the point of suspension or
fulcrum.
I will now describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which,
Fig. 1 shows a general side elevation of my improved steelyard, marked
on one side of the arm for light loads and on the other side for heavy loads.
The load suspension hook is shown in the position for weighing light loads.
When the load suspension hook is placed on the knife edge nearest to the fulcrum
the steelyard arm will indicate heavy loads.
Fig. 2. shows an elevation of the head or load end of the steelyard detached
from its two hooks or links and exhibits the curved slot, connecting the two knife
edges which support the load, and showing the oscillating tumbler or cam, recessed
into the surface of the highest part of the curve, the object being to prevent
fraudulent weighing, as the tumbler is adapted to throw off the load suspension
hook if placed upon it either purposely or ignorantly by the operator. The
steelyard suspension knife edge is shown in a separate circular slot.
Fig. 3 shows a form of steelyard head with a straight slot opening into the
space where the steelyard suspension hook operates, which necessitates the use of
two load suspension hooks, one attached to the knife edge for heavy loads and the
other to the knife edge for light loads.
Fig. 4 shows a further form of head in which the three bearings are placed in
three separate circular apertures. Incorrect weighing is not possible with this
form of head, but it will require two load hooks.
Fig. 5 shows a sectional end view on the line a-x, Fig. 3, with the steelyard
suspension hook, and load suspension hook in position.
Fig. 6. shows a vertical section on the line y-y Fig. 5. The connecting links d¹
of both suspension hooks are shown partly in outside elevation.
Fig. 7 shows a method of strengthening the bearings of the suspension hooks by
means of the angular supports f.
a, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 is the head of the steelyard, provided with the index
arm g, and fulcrum e.
The blade is measured or scaled off to indicate heavy weights on one side and
light weights on the other, according to the leverage used.
c. is an arched or curved slot in the head a, which serves for conveniently shifting
the load hook from one bearing to the other nearer to, or farther away from the
fulcrum.
cl, cl, are knife edge or A bearings placed in the two lower extremities of the
arched slot c, the bridge piece d, Figs. 5 and 6 in the load hook being formed with
a continuous sunken bearing to engage with c.
d' d' are side links forming striking plates for the knife edges and to connect the
continuous sunken bearing d, of both suspension hooks, which engage with the
continuous knife edges.
e is the fulcrum of the steelyard.
Fig. 7 are projecting flanges on either end of the links d', d, to support
the surface plate of the knife edge bearings for the load and steelyard suspension
hooks.
g, is the index arm of the steelyard.
m Fig. 2 is the tumbler or cam centred at m', for throwing the weight off the
top of the curved slot.
Referring to the knife edge bearings it will be seen that they are of an improved
section instead of being shaped like the outline of a right circular cone or triangle

page_text: their sides being formed of two distinct angles,-forming between them an obtuse
angle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. In a steelyard having two load knife edges or centres for weighing light or
heavy loads the formation in the head or short arm, of a slot or recess furnished
with continuous resistant knife edges, in combination with a single hanger or shifting
load suspension hook, furnished with a continuous gutter bearing to engage with said
continuous knife edges, as herein described and set forth.
2. In a steelyard having a curved or angular slot in the head, the addition of a
turn-over cam, tumbler, or wheel on the apex of the lower inner line of the
curve, as herein described and set forth.
3. In a steelyard of any suitable description the employment of continuous
resistant knife edges of special section, as herein described and set forth.
Dated this 6th day of May 1896.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, Patent Agent.