Applicable for Weighing Letters, Postal Parcels, and the like.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Jan., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 8th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 23rd Nov., 1888
313
Applicable for Weighing Letters, Postal Parcels, and the like.
We, JOHN CLAYTON WATKINS, of Westgate, Bradford in the County of York,
Timber Merchant, and MATTHEW FIDLER and JOHN FIDLER, of Penrith, in the
County of Cumberland, Timber merchants, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows
This invention relates to a new or improved balance or weighing apparatus
particularly applicable for weighing letters, postal parcels and the like, and the object
of the invention is to provide a balance or weighing apparatus without springs adapted
to automatically indicate the weight as well as the poundage or postal tariff of such
articles as letters, postal parcels and the like without the inconvenience of changing
and adjusting the weights.
The improvements consist in arranging the weights at the weight end of the balance
in such a manner that they are separately or alternately raised as the opposite end of
the balance is depressed by the article to be weighed, the number of weights raised
equals the weight of said article, and an indicator is preferably provided to indicate the
weight of such article.
For this purpose we preferably construct the balance that the scale for the reception
of the article to be weighed may be fitted above the beam and the rest of the apparatus
enclosed in a suitable case, and our improvements are hereinafter described applied to
such balance.
The weights are preferably oblong in form having pyramidical or conical shaped
bases adapted to fit in similarly shaped seats arranged at different heights. The said
weights have notches in their under sides adapted to receive the upper edge of a
triangular or knife edged bar suspended from or attached to the weight end of the
balance. Thus when an article to be weighed is placed upon the balance the weight
end is raised and the said triangular bar attached thereto passes into the notch of the
lowest weight and lifts it from its seat, in this manner it alternately comes in contact
with and raises other weights until the number raised equals the weight of the article
placed on the scale.

page_text: As a modified arrangement the weights may be arranged in seats formed in a plat-
form and be alternately raised by a number of pointed studs connected to the weight
end of the balance and provided with collars at different relative heights which bear
against said weights and thereby alternately raise them. Or as a further modification
the weights may be attached to the weight end of the beam by connections of different
relative lengths.
A suitably graduated weight indicator is preferably employed fixed to the weight
end of the balance is arranged to project above the case and by the extent of its
projection indicates the number of weights raised. A finger or pointer fixed to the
case marks the particular graduation indicating the weight and for postal purposes the
postal tariff is also marked on such indicator.
A scale may also be fitted in connection with the weight end of the beam adapted to
hold smaller weights than those attached to the beam and thus enable articles to be
exactly weighed.
Datad this 4th day of January 1998
DRACUP & NOWELL,
Bradford, Agents.

page_text: Applicable for Weighing Letters, Postal Parcels and the like.
We, JOHN CLAYTON WATKINS, of Westgate, Bradford, in the County of York,
Timber Merchant, and MATTHEW FIDLER, and JOHN FIDLER, of Penrith, in the
County of Cumberland, Timber Merchants, 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 :-
Our invention relates to a new or improved balance or weighing apparatus particu-
larly applicable for weighing letters, postal parcels and the like, and the object of the
invention is to provide a balance or weighing apparatus, adapted to automatically
indicate the weight as well as the poundage or postal tariff of such articles as letters,
postal parcels and the like without the inconvenience of changing and adjusting
weights and without the employment of springs.
The improvements consist chiefly in arranging the weights at the weight end of the
balance in such a manner that they are adapted to be separately and successively
raised as the opposite end of the balance is depressed by the article to be weighed, the
number of weights raised approximately equalling the weight of such article.
A scale or index is provided to indicate the weight of the article being weighed.
The scale or index is arranged above the beam, the rest of the apparatus, with the
exception of the table for receiving the articles to be weighed, being enclosed in a
suitable case.
The weights are preferably oblong in form in horizontal section and have
pyrainidical or conical shaped bases adapted to fit in similarly shaped seats arranged at
different heights. The said weights have. notches in their under sides which receive a
triangular bar or knife edge suspended from or attached to the weight end of the
beam. A finger or pointer fixed to the case marks the particular graduation
indicated by the weight and for postal purposes the postal tariff is also marked on such
indicator.
A scale may also be fitted in connection with the weight end of the beam adapted
to hold smaller weights than those attached to the beam and thus enable articles to be
exactly weighed.
To enable our invention to be fully understood we will describe how the same may
be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice by reference to the accom-
panying drawing in which
Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section of our improved weighing apparatus.
Figure 2 a section on the line x, x Figure 1, and
Figure 3 a plan.
Figures 4 and 5 are views of one of the weights detached.
a is the case of the apparatus, and 6 is the scale beam, which is carried by the knife
1

page_text: e
is the table or platform upon which the articles to be weighed are placed, the said
table being carried upon the knife edges, fupon one end of the scale beam, and his
the scale or index upon the other end of the said beam.
i is the bar which carries the weights during the weighing operation, the said bar
being suspended from the weighing beam by the links j, j
The
k, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, ko, h, k, k³, are weights of say one pound each, and is a block
having a number of seats formed therein in which the weights normally rest.
weights are preferably shaped as shown in figures 4 and 5 so that they will always
assume the same positions in their seats, and provided with the recesses m which
receive the bar i.
It will be noticed by reference to figure 2 that the weights k, 1, 2 &c. are suc-
cessively arranged at higher levels, so that as the bar is raised it first lifts the bar k
and then the bars 1, 2 and so on until the weight on the table is counterbalanced. It
will also be noticed that the weights are alternately raised on opposite sides of the
central weight, whereby the beam is prevented from being damaged owing to the
excessive weight upon one side of the same.
With the apparatus hereinbefore described it will be obvious that the weight of an
article can only be ascertained in pounds. In order to enable the weighing to be
effected accurately we provide the table n upon the upper end of the scale, upon
which table small weights can be placed.
o is the finger which points to the indications upon the scale.
We sometimes modify the arrangement hereinbefore described by arranging the
weights in seats formed in a platform and adapting them to be alternately raised by a
number of pointed studs connected to the weight end of the balance and provided
with collars at different relative heights which bear against the said weights and
thereby alternately raise them. Or as a further modification the weights may be
attached to the weight end of the beam by connections of different relative lengths.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
:-
(1) A new kind of weighing machine such as herein described wherein a series of
weights are employed which are adapted to be successively raised substantially in the
manner and for the purposes set forth.
(2) In a weighing machine of the kind hereinbefore described the arrangement
of the weights in combination with the lifting bar substantially as hereinbefore
described.
(3) The combination of parts forming the improved weighing machine hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
n the Oth love of October 1988
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Agents for the Applicants.