Improvements in Automatic or Coin Freed Weighing and similar Machines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application. 16th May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 14th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 18th Apr., 1891
Improvements in Automatic or Coin Freed Weighing and similar
Machines.
I, GEORGE EVAN RUTTER, of Springfield, Horsford Road, Brixton Hill, in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
-
This invention relates to that class of weighing, strength, testing and similar
machines in which the indicating mechanism is caused or permitted to operate by
the insertion of a coin, and the arrangement is such that upon the insertion of the
coin an electrical contact is made, a detent removed from the indicating device and
the words "Thank you" presented or illuminated in some manner. The apparatus
may be constructed as follows:-
-
A suitable coin shoot is connected with a slit in the case and upon the insertion
of the coin it makes in passing down the shoot electrical contact between a movable
spring or other arm and a fixed contact with the result that a circuit is completed
and an electro-magnet energized attracting towards it its armature one end of
which operates as a detent to prevent the operation of the indicating mechanism.
This indicating mechanisn preferably consists of a fixed dial and movable hands or
vice versa which may be operated by means of a toothed wheel on a spindle the said
wheel gearing with a toothed rack which as well as the indicating device is normally
retained at its zero position by the weighing or other apparatus in concert with
which it operates. The toothed rack may carry a plate say of opaque glass bearing
the words "Thank you" which upon the movement of the rack is brought before
an opening in the case, glazed or not, when the mechanism operates, while at the
same time making the contact in another electrical circuit in which is a lamp
behind the opening in the case, the whole being so arranged that when the "Thank
you" plate appears behind the said opening the plate is illuminated and the words
stand out clear. The plate need not be movable if the words be placed upon the
back of a sufficiently opaque plate so that the words would only be seen when the
lamp was illuminated. Or instead of a "Thank you" plate the words may be
upon a fixed transparent plate with the lamp behind it and the toothed rack may
merely carry a shutter which normally obscures the words.
The arrangement of the shoot and contact devices is preferably such that if a
coin of too small a size be placed in the machine it will fail to reach the movable
contact and the circuit will therefore not be closed and the indicating apparatus
will not be released.
In a modified form the visible index hand may have a disc or equivalent at its
lower or non-marking end with the words for example "Try your weight" upon it
and upon the operation of the mechanism the hand will move away from a tablet
or equivalent disclosing the words "Thank you."
Dated this 12th day of February 1891.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic or Coin Freed Weighing and similar
Machines.
I, GEORGE EVAN RUTTER, of Springfield, Horsford Road, Brixton Hill,
Surrey, Engineer, 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 relates to that class of weighing, strength testing or similar
machines in which the indicating mechanism is caused or permitted to operate by
the insertion of a coin and will be best understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a back view of the machine partly in section and with the back of the
casing removed.
Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section of the same.
Fig. 3 a partial front exterior view.
Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are details of the coin shoot,
Fig. 7 is a detail of one form of the freeing mechanism and
Fig. 8 shows the application to a strength testing machine.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
A is the outer casing or framework and B the rod connecting the weighing
mechanism with the platform C. D is a lever pivotted to the frame at D¹ and
carrying at its free end a plunger E floating in a mercury bath F carried in a
cylinder F¹ fixed within the apparatus. As the load forces down the platform the
rod B is pulled in the direction of the arrow thus drawing down the lever D and
forcing the plunger E into the mercury bath which thus provides the necessary
counterpoise. The position of the point of attachment of the rod B with the
lever D is adjustable by means of a set screw B¹.
The lever D carries a movable stop ( the position of which upon the lever D can be
adjusted and fixed by the set screw G'. Above the point G is a lever H pivotted
to the frame at Hand carrying at its free end an anti-friction roller H2 adapted
to bear upon the plate I screwed into the rack rod J so that the relative positions
can be adjusted and secured therein by the nut I'. The rack rod J is fitted to
work in bearings J' of which there may be any desired number and carries the
rack J² the teeth of which engage with the toothed pinion K fixed upon the
spindle K which carries the index K2 for the purpose of indicating upon the dial L
the weight upon the platform C. The rack rod J carries at its upper end the rod J³
to which is secured the plate J¹ of glass, porcelain or other transparent or semi-
transparent material bearing the words "Try your weight" which may be seen through
a glazed or plain opening J5 in the case. Behind the plate J is another transparent
plate bearing the words "Thank you" and behind that is a small incandescent lamp Jo
connected by the wire J7 with the battery Z and by the wire Js with the plate J
secured to the framing and whose function will be subsequently explained. Or the
words "Thank you may be upon the lamp itself or upon the front glass or other
fixed plate and only appear when the light is behind them.
"
The spindle K₁ also carries the arm K3 which is normally engaged by the
detent M pivotted to the frame at M¹ and serving at its other end as the armature
of an electro-magnet N secured to the frame.
This electro-magnet is in direct communication with the battery Z by the
wire N¹ and with the fixed contact piece O by the wire N2. The slip P in the
outer casing leads the coin into the coin shoot Q in passing down which it presses
upon the spring arm Q1 which thus makes electrical contact with the contact
piece O.
The rack rod J carries a piece of non-conducting material R, Fig. 2, upon which
when the machine is in its normal position and at rest, that is with the rack rod J

page_text: at its highest position, rests the spring contact S which is in electrical continuity
through its plate J9 with the wire J. The operation will now be readily under-
stood. As the stop G descends when the load is placed upon the platform the arm H
also descends by its own weight and the weight of the rack rod J which rests upon
it. As the rack rod J descends its rack teeth J engaging with the toothed pinion K
revolve the spindle K' and with it the index K2, this latter denoting by its position
upon the graduated dial the amount of the load upon the platform. Before how-
ever this movement can take place the arm K³ must be released from the detent M
and this is accomplished in the following manner-The coin entering by the slit P
falls down the shoot Q and presses the spring contact Q1 against the fixed contact
piece O which thus permits the current from the battery Z to flow by the wire N¹
through the electro-magnet the fixed contact piece O the spring contact Q¹ and the
wire Q to the wire J' and so back to the battery; or the current may flow in the
opposite direction according to the arrangement of the battery. The electro-
magnet N being thus energized attracts the armature of the lever M turning the
latter upon its pivot M¹ and releasing the arm K³ which thus allows the spindle K¹
to revolve and the previously described movement to take place.
The descent of the rack rod ] has, as already explained brought the plate J*
away from the opening J in the case or from behind the said opening in which
case the words "Thank you" would be placed upon the glass of the opening J5 or
immediately behind it. The descent of the rack rod J has removed from the spring
contact S the non-conducting piece R upon which it previously rested and has thus
made electrical contact between the spring contact S and the rack rod J.
In con-
sequence of this the current froin the battery Z passes by the wire J' through the
lamp Jo wire Js plate J' spring contact S rack rod J bottom bearing J and wire Jto
to the wire N₁ by which it returns to the battery. By this means the "Thank
you" plate is illuminated by the lamp Jo.
Upon the removal of the load from the platform C the plunger E is forced up by
the return of the counterpoise F to its normal position, the lever D and stop Ġ are
raised, carrying with them the arm H which in its turn restores the rack rod J and
its appurtenances including the index K2 to their normal positions when the spring
contact S again rests upon the non-conducting material R and the lamp Je is
extinguished.
The current which energized the electro-magnet N ceases to pass as soon as the
coin leaves the shoot or ceases to press upon the spring contact Q but as the
energizing of the electro-magnet is only required momentarily so as to release the
arm K³ the mere passage of the coin is sufficient to effect this, the load being
placed upon the platform before the coin is inserted in the slit P.
Figs. 5 and 6 show an arrangement which can be adopted for the disposal of
coins smaller than the standard size so as to prevent them operating the machine.
In Fig. 5 is shown a coin of the proper size bearing against the contact Q which
in this example need not be a spring, the coin itself completing the circuit through
its body between Q and the contact piece Q3 and thus energizing the electro-
magnet N as before described; in Fig. 6 is shown a coin below the standard size
which has fallen clear of the contact Q without operating it and which thus falls
down the shoot without releasing the detent M. and if desired this smaller coin may
be caused to make a distinct contact between Q3 and Q so as to give a signal or
warning or operate any other supplementary device.
.
In Fig. 7 the releasing mechanism for allowing the indicator to work is shown in
a form slightly modified from that previously described the electro-magnet N
detent lever M and arm K³ are similar but the rack rod J is dispensed with and a
cord or equivalent K' is substituted. One end of this cord K is attached to the free
end of lever H, passes down and round a pulley K³ then up and round another
pulley K secured upon the spindle K' of the index hand. At its free end the
cord K carries a weight K. The operation is the same as with the rack rod J.
Upon the lever H descending the weight K' also falls turning the pulley K round
with it and so turning the index hand; upon the return of lever I to its normal

page_text: position the weight K is lifted by the cord K+ the pulley K is rotated in the
opposite direction and the index hand returned to zero. The releasing mechanism
by the electro-magnet is exactly the same as in the former case.
In this arrange-
ment no means appear for the illumination of the lamp J which may either be
dispensed with or illuminated by entirely independent means.
The arrangement shown in Fig. 3 is intended to be similar to that previously
described with special reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings the only difference being
that whereas in Fig. 1 the "Thank you" plate is shown at a higher level than the
indicator dial, in Fig. 3 the "Thank you" plate appears within the indicator
dial and is adapted to be ordinarily covered by a shutter fixed on the shorter
arm of the indicating hand. When the hand is turned during the operation of the
machine the "Thank you" plate is disclosed and the light appears behind it as
before.
In Fig. 8 the handle T is connected with the rod T¹ operating the lever U and
rod W whose upper end is connected with the lever D the operation of which has
already been explained, and is fully shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. To use this
device instead of standing upon the platform C the operator takes hold of the
handle T and pulls it up which has the effect of foreing down the lever D, the
result being the same as previously described in the case of the weighing machine.
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. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete auto-
matic weighing machine substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 1
and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
2. The combination of the weighing mechanism substantially as described and
illustrated in Figure 1 the detent and indicating mechanism substantially as
described and illustrated in Figure 7 and the coin shoot and contact mechanism
substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying
drawings.

page_text: Date of Application, 16th May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 30th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 25th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Counterpoising Apparatus for Weighing and like
Machines.
I, GEORGE EVAN RUTTER, of Springfield, Horsford Road, Briston Hill, in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to produce a machine which shall be simple and
reliable, direct in action and containing few parts; and for this purpose I make use
of one or more plungers of wood, iron or other convenient material working in a
cylinder or cylinders containing mercury, in such manner that the action of weight
applied to the platform (if a weighing inachine) or the pulling force or other effort
of an individual, if it is required to register such action, shall cause the said
plungers or their equivalent to enter more or less into the cylinders or equivalent
Inercury containing vessels and displace a certain quantity thereof. The re-action
or expelling force of the mercury upon the plunger or its equivalent resists the
weight or power to be registered and upon the saine being withdrawn or withheld
returns the platform and other appurtenances to the zero or starting point.
I may as an alternative plan allow a prearranged weight or weights to rest in
mercury and assume, the natural position of floatation and cause the extraneous
weight or force to raise the said floating weight which as it moves, assuming both
the weight and the mercury holding vessel to be properly proportioned and shaped,
will in both this case and the first described produce for a given movement a
gradual and regular change in the resisting force giving for regular increments in
the extraneous a corresponding and equally regular increment in the resisting force
thus admitting of a registering scale being used with regular divisions and without
the necessity of counterpoises, gearing, graduated, calibrated or adjusted weights
or springs to produce regularity.
Now it is obvious that to any moving part or parts of the mechanism may be
attached a lever or a pulley and cord actuating a registering pointer on a dial or
other form of indicator to show results attained.
To make my meaning more clear I will describe a simple arrangement for
connecting the mercurial weighing device with the spindle of a registering pointer.
To the said spindle, within the case, I attach a toothed wheel, and gearing there-
with a rack capable of dropping by gravitation through guides and in such
movement rotating the said toothed wheel or pinion. The extent of the vertical
movement of the said rack is determined in each case by the weight on the platform
which has depressed the aforesaid plunger or its equivalent more or less, depending
on the weight on the platform if in a weighing machine or by the pull or force
applied if in a strength testing machine.
1. 1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Counterpoising Apparatus for Weighing and like
Machines.
J, GEORGE EVAN RUTTER, of Springfield, Horsford Road, Brixton Hill, in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
5 ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to the counterpoising apparatus used in weighing machines

page_text: and by its use I am enabled to dispense with the usual springs or weights. The
invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in
which
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of so much of the apparatus as is necessary to explain
the invention.
Figs. 2 and 3 are similar views of modified forms of the apparatus, and
Fig. 4 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section showing the adaptability
of my invention to balances of the Salter type.
Similar letters are used in all the figures to represent like parts.
A represents a portion of the casing of an automatic or coin freed weighing or
strength-testing machine to which class of machines this invention is particularly
applicable although the invention is applicable to weighing, strength-testing and
similar machines in general. B is a rod, cord, or equivalent connected with the
weighing platform, the load pulling the rod B in the direction of the arrow. C is
a lever pivoted at D to the case or framework and E is a rod or similar connection
to the dial or other indicating apparatus, which, forming no part of the present
invention, it is not necessary to describe further. F is a plunger which may be
made of wood, iron or other suitable material preferably as light as possible.
pivoted at G to the lever C and H is a fixed cylinder secured in the case or frame
and adapted to contain a fluid resistance or counterpoise I, preferably of mercury.
The operation is as follows:-
The balance between the weight of the resistance and that of the plunger Fis
such that the latter floats in the mercury I at a convenient height in which position
the dial indicator stands at zero. When the load is on the platform, rod B is
pulled down, the lever C following this motion and thus forcing the plunger F into
the resistance I which is thus forced up in the cylinder H and offers an increasing
resistance as the plunger is forced further into it. By properly graduating the dial
or indicator a very accurate standard of measurement may be thus obtained.
may be placed over the open end of the cylinder H if desired to check any escape
of mercury due to moving the machine about.
A cap
The operation of the device shown in Fig. 2 is similar to that of Fig. 1 excepting
that the load is obtained by withdrawing the plunger or counterpoise weight which
is resting or floating in the mercury instead of forcing it into it; this weight is
preferably as heavy as practicable. The position of the pivot D is now in the
centre of the lever or between the pivots of the weight F and rod B so as to
reverse the action upon the weight the load withdrawing it from the mercury
instead of forcing it into it. The arrows indicate the respective movements and
the operation will be well understood.
The device shown in Fig. 3 is for practical purposes the same as that in Fig. 2
but the counterpoising apparatus is doubled. There are two cylinders H, two
counterpoise weights F, two mercury baths I, but weights are connected with the
rod B by means of two cords K passing over two pulleys 1, one end of each cord
being fastened to the rod B and the other to the weight F. The movement for
operating the indicating mechanism may be taken direct from the rod B or from
one or both of the weights F but preferably from the rod B. In the drawing this
is accomplished by means of the rod E which may either pass between the cords K
as shown or may be fixed to a bracket extending from the rod B.
In Fig. 4 my invention is shown as applied to a balance of the Salter type and
is adapted for suspension by means of the eye which by arms H2 is firmly
secured to the cylinder H. The upper part of the cylinder H is slotted or recessed
at H so as to guide the outwardly-projecting arms F1, and besides this the outer
surface of H carries a scale H4. The arms are rigidly connected to the
plunger by means of the extensions F2 and cap F3 which latter may be pinned or
otherwise suitably secured to F. F are flanges or projections for preventing the
plunger from swaying in the cylinder H. The outer end of each of the arins F¹ is
formed with an eye to receive the upper end of one of the rods B which may be
secured in said eyes by nuts B' or other suitable means, the lower ends of the

page_text: rods B being similarly secured in eyes in a cross bar B which is provided with a
book B3 scale-pan or equivalent device for suspending or receiving the article to be
weighed. is a pointer secured in any convenient manner to the rods B or other
part which is correspondingly moved by the load.
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. A counterpoise for scales, weighing, strength-testing and similar machines
consisting of a mercury or a similar fluid resistance and a plunger substantially as
described, and illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
2. The complete counterpoise mechanism for scales, weighing strength-testing
and similar machines consisting of fixed cylinder I fluid counterpoise 1 counter-
poise-weight Flever C and rod B the whole constructed and operating substantially
as described and illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
3. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete
suspension weighing device substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 4
of the accompanying drawings.
4. The combination in a suspension weighing device of a fixed cylinder such as H
containing a fluid counterpoise and carrying the indicating scale and a plunger such
as F connected so as to move with the weighing hook or scale-pan substantially as
described and illustrated in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Unted 1000h day of
1901
Unted 904h dov o
January 1001
G. E. RUTTER.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.