Year: 1886

page_text: I, THOMAS FINNEY, of 123 Cathcart Road, Glasgow, Lanarkshire Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention, to be as follows:-
My invention has reference to a new or improved mode and means, or arrange-
ment and combination of the parts of relieving mechanism for the large weighing
machines used for Carts Lorries, and Waggons, and which lowers the main heavy
levers down from the weighing plate or platform, to allow this to rest on strong
bed blocks below, when the machine is not required for weighing; these improve-
ments being more particularly applicable to weighing machines which have
transferring levers" below the two main or duplex levers carrying the platform,
and which transmits the motion and weight from these levers, to the weighing
steelyard of the machine; which machines have not hitherto been fitted with
relieving mechanism from the difficulties of applying this to them.
"
The nature and novelty of my invention or improvements, consist :-First and
mainly in mounting the fulcrum centres of the ordinary "transferring" lever, of
the said class of weighing machines, on its supporting steel links or bearing
bushes in or on a raising and lowering block or equivalent frame (in contra-
distinction to carrying these fulcrum centres and bearings in or on a fixed or
stationary block as heretofore) and, Second, in so mounting the said moving block
or frame, by a reciprocating mechanical arrangement, through intermediate levers,
rods, and chains connected to a hand lever placed near the weighing steelyard that
the attendant can thereby easily raise and engage the levers of the machine ready
for weighing, or relieve all strain or motion off the centres, and levers and leave
the platform resting on its bed-blocks.
One arrangement of my said new or improved relieving mechanism, consists in
carrying and reciprocating the said block or frame up and down preferably in
guides (carrying the bearing bushes and fulcrum of the transferring lever) by a
toothed quadrant or wheel mounted on a spindle working in bearings in a
stationary pillow block or bracket, secured by its sole to a base plate near the
fulcrum of the transferring lever, and which when made with double cheeks
might form the guides for the block. The teeth of the quadrant or wheel would
work into a corresponding toothed rack on one side of the fulcrum bearing block,
which would thus be carried and work by the spindle of the quadrant or wheel.
This oscillating spindle would have an actuating lever mounted on it, connected

page_text: by an adjustable connecting rod or bar, working out through a channel for it
below the levers and bed of the machine, and linked at its outer end to a chain,
inside the weighing house or station, where this is carried up round a flanged chain
guide pulley carried in the lower end of an inverted bracket bolted up to the
foundation of the hollow column of and supporting the weighing steelyard; and
preferably so close to this column that the lower chain would be connected by a
vertical link or rod to a short chain at the top secured to an upper chain quadrant,
fixed on an actuating hand lever spindle carried in brackets on one side of the said
column. A long powerful hand lever is so secured on one end of the spindle of
this upper chain actuating quadrant, that when it is drawn or pushed down from
its normal released position (preferably nearly verticle to near the horizontal
position) by the attendant and there locked in any simple securing catch or gab, it
would by a drawing action on said intermediate connecting chains and rods raise
the block carrying steel bearings of the fulcrum centres of the transferring lever,
and put and maintain the other main lovers and platform and whole machine in
weighing position and action while required. The releasing of the said hand lever
(placed near the weighing steelyard) would at once restore the levers and machine
to their normal relieved position again with the platform resting on its bed-blocks;
and stops would be fitted at the proper places for retaining the hand lever and the
other actuating parts below the fulcrum of the transferring lever in their relieved
position with only the least necessary clearings between the centres of the levers
and their bearing steel blocks. Instead of using only one toothed segment on the
spindle or wiper shaft for working into a single rack on and giving the up and
down motion to the fulcrum bearing blocks of the transferring lever, under the
first part of my improvements, I may use any of the following equivalents, namely,
two such toothed segments and racks one at each side of the end of lever to clear
it, or it might be segmental levers with short connecting chains passing round
grooved segmental pulleys, or levers with short connecting links, instead of the
toothed rack connection first described.

page_text: I, THOMAS FINNEY of 123 Cathcart Road, Glasgow Lanarkshire Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN WEIGHING
MACHINES, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My Invention has reference to new and improved means or methods to be
employed for putting platform weighing machines, of a certain class, in and out of
gear, together with the particular character, form, and combination of parts of
mechanical appliances employed therefor.
The class of weighing machines to which my invention principally applies is
that where platforms of large capacity are required for weighing heavy and
bulky loads, carts, railway trucks, or other vehicles: and where the machine
contains an appliance commonly known as a "Transverse lever" underneath the
platform and linked or coupled to those levers upon which the platform rests when.
the machine is in use for weighing purposes.
In such machines it is desirable to remove the strain from the levers underlying
the platform when the machine is not in use, and allow the platform to rest upon
stationary, or other supports, whilst the levers which transmit the weight of the
load to the steelyard of the machine are lowered or otherwise relieved from the
pressure of the platform.
As the use of relieving appliances for this purpose is not altogether new or
unknown to makers of weighing machines I do not claim this principle as my
invention but chiefly the particular method, means, and appliances by which
I effect the relief.
This relieving mechanism is mainly associated with the "transverse lever," and
is then located near, beneath, or attached to the fulcrum end of it: so that by
lowering that end of the "transverse lever" the other principal levers which
underly and support the platform are also lowered so far as to relieve them
from the pressure of the platform.
Bearers are provided, upon, within, or by the frame of the machine for supporting
the platform when it ceases to rest upon the levers owing to the subsidence of the
latter in the way first described.
The raising and lowering of this fulcrum end of the "transverse lever" is not
new as it has been practised before and is therefore no part of my invention.
It has formerly been raised and lowered by the aid of one or more toothed
quadrants and in my method I employ-variously-one or more toothed quadrants
for the same purpose also other mechanical appliances to effect the same result.
It will therefore be understood that I do not claim the use of toothed quadrants
(one or more) as my invention when used for the purposes just named.
My invention includes elevating appliances other than those named and acces-

page_text: sories for guiding the vertical carriers (one or more) of the fulcrum centres as it is
raised or lowered.
It also includes improvements in the mode of actuating this fulcrum elevator
which has in (one or) other similar machines been effected with a long lever
attached, variously, to the toothed quadrant, the spindle to which the latter was
attached, or to a fixed centre adjacent to the fulcrum of the "transverse lever."
This elevating lever being extended considerably beyond the external frame of
the machine it required lifting up to a considerable elevation by the attendant
and there fixed, or fastened.
The pivotted end of this elevating lever (or the spindle of the toothed quadrant)
served as a fulcrum for it.
The immense length of the lever thus used for raising and lowering the fulcrum
centre of the transverse lever" rendered it very cumbersome, inconvenient and
otherwise objectionable for such purposes.
In my invention I have adopted a simpler mode of actuating the elevating
appliances thus, I attach to the spindle upon which the toothed quadrant, or
other elevating agent is fixed, a short crank or lever to which is pivotted one end
of a link rod; this link rod is placed more or less horizontally below the platform
and can be extended to any required distance beyond (and through) the frame of the
machine. It is moved back and forward horizontally by the aid of one or more
link rods, chains, wheels quadrants and levers, the latter being attached (prefer-
ably) to, or near, the supporting frame or pillar of the steelyard.
The motion by which I thus effect the elevation of the "transverse levers""
fulcrum, is effected in a very similar manner, and with means resembling some
which are employed for moving railway signals, thus by attaching a chain to that
end of the horizontal link rod and which is furthest from the "transverse lever"
fulcrum and carrying it round a pulley (or pullies) and thereafter fastening or
attaching it and a hand lever to a quadrant, fixed upon a pivot suitably framed,
situated and attached to the pillar of the machine, or otherwise supported, I am
enabled to impart a more or less horizontal pulling motion to the horizontal link
rod which actuates the fulcrum elevator.
This horizontal motion of the link rod is the first object sought by my invention
as it simplifies the use of the machine and adapts it for being placed and operated
in positions which have not been possible with the systems hitherto in use for
putting such machines in and out of gear.
In place of the horizontal link rod underneath the platform, I contemplate
using a chain when it will answer the purpose better for which the rod is required:
I also purpose using link rods in place of chain links where the connections of this
motion require or benefit by such alterations of the plan just described the motion
(back and forward) being the essential matter aimed at and not the exact form,
attitude or character of the mechanical parts or members employed therein.
As a necessary part of the toothed quadrant appliances for elevating the
"transverse levers" fulcrum I employ a toothed rack for each toothed quadrant.
In place of toothed quadrants and racks for above purpose I contemplate using
levers pullies, chains and links for directly raising or operating the elevator: the
motive power being communicated by the link-rod-and chain, parallel pulling
movement as before described.
The positions in which the link rod and the short crank or lever which unites
the rod (or chain) to the spindle of the toothed quadrants, (one or more) or
equivalent mechanism, are placed relatively to the platform may be varied to suit
varying requirements: thus, the short crank or lever which is fixed upon the
spindle of the toothed quadrant may be fixed so that it points either upward,
downward or in other directions without the principle of my invention being in
any way affected thereby.
As a further alternative mode of elevating the fulcrum end of the "transverse
lever" I purpose using either cam levers (with or without the addition of small-

page_text: pullies) attached to a spindle, or a long lever fulcrummed beyond the "transverse
lever," and in the latter case I employ one or more chain quadrants, and chain
pullies, together with a hand lever or spoke wheel for the purpose of raising and
Jowering the said long lever.
"
In one system which is employed for putting large platform weighing machines
out of gear the result is attained by lowering the 6" resistance end of the
"transverse lever" to a considerable depth in order to let down the "load"
centre of the same to a sufficient depth to effect the object sought-the platform
being intercepted by supports during this withdrawal of the levers. To effect a
sufficient depression of the "resistance" end of the "transverse lever" the fulcrum
end of the steelyard is in the system I am now speaking of-lowered along with
the "transverse lever" and in order to improve and simplify this lowering process
where my "horizontal pull motion is not, from any cause, found desirable and
where it is preferable to employ other means I make use of one, or more, long
levers pivotted beyond the fulcrum end of the "transverse lever" and raise or
lower the fulcrum end of the latter by such agents.
The means I employ for actuating such levers are, as before stated, chain
quadrants, pullies etcetera, arranged as hereafter described and shewn.
In preference to using solid blocks, as bearers for the fulcrum centre of the
"transverse lever" when the said centre is fitted upon elevating appliances,
I use links or loops and other appliances for the purpose of bearers or carriers of
bearers and suspend these loops upon short pins provided suitably within and
upon the elevating frame. I am thus enabled to counteract any tendency of the
fulcrum centre to slip from or alter its legitimate position, and thereby insure a
more perfect balance of the machine.
The motion herein described as a "horizontal pull" and "parallel pulling" may
bo qualified thus "more or less horizontal pull," as it makes no essential difference
to my invention whether the link rod or chain be perfectly horizontal or not so
long as the strain imparted to it, and by it, is in its nature, a "pull."
I have purposely avoided describing in the foregoing particulars many of the
common appointments and necessary parts of that class of weighing machines
herein referred to preferring to confine myself to those parts more especially
affected by, and connected, with my improvements.
It will thus be seen from the foregoing details, how, as before stated, "my
"invention has reference to a new or improved mode and means or arrangement
" and combination of the parts of relieving mechanism for the large weighing
"machines used for Carts, Lorries and Wagons, and which lowers the main heavy
"levers down from the weighing plate or platform to allow this to rest on strong
"bed blocks below when the machine is not required for weighing these improve-
"ments being more particularly applicable to weighing machines which have
""transverse levers" below the two main, or duplex levers, carrying the platform
" and which transmits the motion and weight from these levers to the weighing
steelyard of the machine which machines have not hitherto been fitted with
relieving mechanism from the difficulties of applying this to them.
"
"
14
"The nature and novelty of my invention or improvements consist,
First, and mainly, in mounting the fulcrum centres of the ordinary "transverse
"lever" of the said class of weighing machines on its supporting steel links or
bearing bushes in or on a raising and lowering block or equivalent frame in
" contra distinction to carrying these fulcrum centres and bearings in or on a
" fixed or stationary block as heretofore, and,
"Second, in so mounting the said moving block or frame by a reciprocating
"mechanical arrangement through intermediate levers, rods and chains connected
to a hand lever placed near the weighing steelyard that the attendant can
thereby easily raise and engage the levers of the machine ready for weighing or
"relieve all strain or motion of the centres and levers and leave the platform
resting on its bed blocks.

page_text: "
"
"
66.
"
'One arrangement of my said new or improved relieving mechanism consists in
carrying and reciprocating the said block or frame up and down preferably in
guides carrying the bearing bushes and fulcrum of the "transverse lever" by a
"toothed quadrant or wheel, mounted on a spindle working in bearings in a
stationary pillow block or bracket secured by its sole to a base plate near the
"fulcrum of the "transverse lever" and which when made with double cheeks
might form the guides for the block. The teeth of the quadrant or wheel would
"work into a corresponding toothed rack on one side of the fulcrum bearing
"block which would thus be carried, and work, by the spindle of the quadrant or
wheel, this oscillating spindle would have an actuating lever mounted on it
connected by an adjustable connecting rod or bar working out through a channel
"for it below the levers and bed of the machine and linked at its outer end to a
"chain inside the weighing house or station where this is carried up round a
flanged chain guide pully carried in the lower end of an inverted bracket bolted
up to the foundation of the hollow column of, 'and supporting, the weighing
steelyard and preferably so close to this column that the lever chain would be
"connected by a vertical link or rod to a short chain at the top secured to an
44
<
"
"
upper chain quadrant fixed on an actuating hand lever spindle, carried in
"brackets on one side of the said column.
"
$
"A long powerful hand lever is so secured on one end of the spindle of this
upper chain actuating quadrant that when it is drawn or pushed down from its
"normal released position, preferably nearly vertical, to near the horizontal
position by the attendant and there locked in any simple securing catch or gab
"it would by a drawing action on said intermediate connecting chains and rods
" raise the block carrying steel bearings of the fulcrum centres of the transverse
lever, and put, and maintain, the other main levers and platform and whole
"machine in weighing position and action while required.
<<
"The releasing of the said hand lever (placed near the weighing steelyard)
"would at once restore the levers and machine to their normal relieved position
again with the platform resting on its bed blocks and stops would be fitted at
"the proper places for retaining the hand lever and the other actuating parts
"below the fulcrum of the "transverse lever" in their relieved position with only
"the least necessary clearings between the centres of the levers and their bearing
"steel blocks.
"
"
"
"Instead of using only one toothed segment on the spindle, or wiper shaft, for
working into a single rack on, and giving the up and down motion to, the
fulcrum bearing blocks of the "transverse lever" under the first part of my
improvements, I may use any of the following equivalents, namely, two such
" toothed segments and racks one at each side of the end of lever to clear it, or it
might be segmental levers with short connecting chains passing round grooved
segmental pullies or levers with short connecting links instead of the toothed
"rack connection first described."
"
"
The accompanying series of diagrams will better illustrate my invention and
enable it to be more readily understood and more easily carried into effect.
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are a group of illustrations referring to the same (or similar
parts) of the machine and are corresponding parts, similarly lettered, or numbered
throughout.
"
Fig. 1 Is an end elevation of certain parts of the machine, (shewing some parts
in section and some parts disconnected) including the "transverse lever the
horizontal draw bar or link rod, the toothed quadrant and rack which elevates
the carrier of the "transverse levers" fulcrum, the chain pulley and quadrant, the
supporting bracket underneath the pillar, the frame of the machine and platform
the steelyard pillar and other accessories, all in their ordinary and relative
positions.
Fig. 2 Is a plan shewing the ordinary and relative positions of the platform
frame, the "transverse lever," the horizontal link rod or draw bar, the principal

page_text: levers, the chain pulley and quadrant with their actuating band lever and the pillar
for the steelyard.
Fig. 3 Is a side elevation of machine (partly in section and with parts discon-
nected) shewing the relative positions of the several following parts to the frame
and platform and to each other; namely the main lever, the fulcrum elevator, the
chain pulley and its supporting bracket, the steelyard pillar, together with
the actuating hand lever and chain quadrant.
Fig. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are a series of illustrations relating to the same or corresponding
parts.
Fig. 4 Is an elevation shewing a fragment of the "transverse lever" at the
fulcrum end thereof, the long lever fulcrummed beyond it, and a double chain
quadrant designed to assist in lowering or raising the fulcrum carrier: the frame
of the platform (or machine) being indicated in its ordinary position, relatively to
the said members.
Fig. 5 Is an end elevation of the sole plate and cheeks for fulcrum elevator, and
the spindle or wiper to which the several levers are attached, for effecting the said
elevation in response to the impulse imparted by the long lever and chain
quadrants &c.
Fig. 6 Is a plan of the long lever (shewn in Fig. 4) together with the sole plate
and cheeks for fulcrum carrier (shewn in Figs. 4 and 5).
It
Fig. 7 Is an end elevation of the chain quadrant and bracket shewn in Fig. 4.
Figs. 8. 9 and 10 are elevations of similar and corresponding parts.
Fig. 8 Is a side elevation shewing the fulcrum end of the transverse lever,"
part of the horizontal link rod or bar, also spindles and short levers with other
elevating members.
Fig. 9 Is an end elevation of parts shewn in Fig. 8.
Fig. 10 Is an end elevation of a cradle or carrier for fulcrum bearing bushes
suspended upon loops or links.
Fig. 11 Is a perspective representation of a fulcrum elevating frame, with the
swing cradle shewn in its normal position supported by links which are in turn
suspended upon pins.
Figs. 12, 13, 14 and 15 are elevations and plan shewing further details and
variations of Fig. 1.
Fig. 16 Shews a spoked wheel and pinion arrangement for operating the chain
quadrants in Figs. 4 & 7.
Figs. 17, 18, 19 & 20 are elevations illustrating various plans of raising the
fulcrum end of the "transverse lever" by means of cams and pullies, chain
quadrants, levers &c as described in the foregoing text.
In Figs. 1. 2 and 3 (and following diagrams) the "transverse lever
"
is indicated
by the letter A, the fulcrum end of it by B, the "load" centre by C and the
"resistance" end by D.
E indicates the frame and cheek for fulcrum carrier or elevator bolted to a sole
plate or girder F which in its turn is bolted to the platform frame. G indicates
the platform: H and J bearers and girders attached to the underside of the
platform; K the frame of the machine: L the fulcrum carrier; M the toothed
quadrant M¹ the spindle for elevating the fulcrum: N is the crank or lever for
connecting the spindle M¹ to the horizontal rod P (or cbain P¹) Q is the pulley
bracket: R the pulley, and S the chain for connecting the rod P, with the rod T
and chain quadrant U. V is the spindle of the actuating quadrant and its lever W
whilst X is the bracket containing a socket and catch, or gab Y, for retaining the
lever W, and Z is the Steelyard Pillar.
The numeral 1 indicates the fulcrum centre of the "transverse lever:" 2 is the
link or loop bearing for it and 3 is the small pin for supporting this loop: 4 is one
of the main levers underneath the platform: 5 is the swing carrier (or cradle) for
supporting the fulcrum bearing bushes of the "transverse lever"s 6 and 7 (also 8)
are levers for fulcrum elevators.

page_text: It will be seen that these letters and numerals indicate corresponding parts
wherever they occur.
I wish to state, here that the horizontal drawing or pulling motion by which
I actuate the elevating appliances beneath the platform of (the class of) weighing
machines; as herein first defined, may be wrought by either hand, steam, hydraulic,
electric or other power; and the connecting parts of the mechanism may be link
rods and chains in any convenient combination or may consist, in whole or part, of
screw appliances, wire ropes or other equivalent mechanism; these details are all
subsidiary as variable means for carrying out the principle of this particular
improvement, which consists in actuating these elevating appliances by means of
the said pulling or drawing motion, whether the said motion is exactly horizontal
and parallel with the platform or inclined more or less in any direction. This said
pulling motion having never before been applied-within my knowledge-for such
purposes, to mechanical appliances underlying the platforms of such weighing
machines as herein defined.
In platform weighing machines, as herein described the links or loops which
I have shewn as supports for the fulcrum bearers of the "transverse lever" have
been used for the same purpose, or purposes before in connection with "transverse
levers," which were lowered at their "resistance" end and I therefore disclaim any
title to their use in that particular connection as one of my improvements,-my
improvements consists, in regard to the use of links or loops, at the fulcrum end of
the "transverse lever" in using them when the fulcrum end of the said lever is
lowered instead of the "resistance" end.
Hitherto it has been customary to use stationary bearing bushes for the fulcrum
centre of the "transverse lever" when the fulcrum end was lowered but I find that
such fast bushes do not afford such a good balance at those times as the links or
loops do. I am not the originator of their use as fulcrum bearers generally but
only in this limited application and I wish to make myself distinctly understood
on this particular point.
Chain quadrants are not new agents in weighing machines for elevating and
lowering purposes, but in the way I have applied them for lowering and raising
the long lever or levers described herein and partly shewn in Figs. 4 and 7
I believe that I am the first inventor of this improvement.
Swing cradle appliances have been used before now for supporting fast bearing
bushes for the fulcrum centre, but not when the fulcrum end of the "transverse
lever was raised or lowered for "relieving purposes.
"
""
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is,
First. In platform weighing machines which have "transverse levers" under-
lying the other principal levers, beneath their platforms, the principle of actuating
the relieving appliances by the method herein described, namely by a drawing or
pulling motion.
Second. In weighing machines as above described, the use of links or loops for
fulcrum bearers to the "transverse lever" when, and only when, such fulcrum
bearers are lowered or raised for purposes of relief (or re-engagement) of the
machine.
Third. In platform weighing machines such as herein described, for the use of a
swing character of carrier, or cradle, constructed with one or more links or loops,
for suspending therein the fulcrum end of the "transverse lever" when, and only
when, the fulcrum end of the said lever is raised or lowered for relieving purposes,
substantially as herein described and shewn.
Fourth. In platform weighing machines such as herein described, the use of a
swing cradle for carrying the bearing bushes of the "transverse lever's" fulcrum

page_text: when, and only when, the said fulcrum is raised or lowered for relieving pur-
poses, whether the swing cradle is constructed exactly as shewn herein or in some
other way.
Fifth. In platform weighing machines such as berein described the use of chain
quadrants, such as shewn in Fig. 4 of the accompanying diagrams, for the purposes
of raising and lowering a long lever (or levers) as, and for the purposes, herein
specified and shewn in connection with the said Fig. 4.
JOSEPH LOCKWOOD,
Agent for the Inventor.