IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WEIGHING MACHINES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Cluett and William Hanchard, both of Number 2;
Stafford Road, North Bow, in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention
LETTERS PATENT to James Cluett and William Hanchard, both of Number 2;
Stafford Road, North Bow, in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WEIGHING MACHINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Cluett and William
Hanchard at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th July
1881.
JAMES CLUETT and WILLIAM HANCHARD, both of Number 2, Stafford Road,
North Bow, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF WEIGHING MACHINES."
This Invention, which relates to improvements in the construction of weighing
machines, has reference to that class of weighing machines which are suspended or
hung from a support when in use, and some of the especial objects of the Invention
are so to construct and arrange the component parts of such machines as to render
them more compact than the usual construction, to render them of less weight,
to increase their weighing capacity, and to attain various other advantages which
of necessity accrue from the improved construction and arrangement of the
apparatus.
.
The improved weighing apparatus is constructed with two opposite plates which
are cast or bolted together parallel with each other, and each of them has two
inner bearings. The bearings are opposite each other and support a transfer lever,
which is so arranged as to obtain the necessary power by fitting it at one end with
two outer steel centres which rest in the said bearings of the plates, and one inner
centre from which the substance to be weighed is suspended, as hereinafter
described, and which is close adjacent to the said outer centres, and with another
inner centre at the other end, by which it is connected with the steelyard. The
two inner or inside centres of the transfer lever are hollowed out or sunk, so that
it is always self-levelling when suspended. Or in lieu of using one transfer lever
we may use two of such levers (according to the desired weighing capacity of the
machine), and when we use two of such levers the upper one has two outside
centres, one in the middle and one in the end. The lever or levers is or are
CD 631

page_text: connected with the steelyard by means of a shackle or coupling. The steelyard we
construct of angle iron, and we thus obtain the necessary counterbalance with
every required strength and with the minimum of weight. We provide it with
two outer steel centres, and with one inner or inside centre which is hollowed out
or sunk, and by this latter centre it is connected to the said shackle or coupling,
and it is suspended by means of a shackle, in the bearings of which the outer
centres of the steelyard rest, the shackle having a movable joint attached to a fixed
cross-piece which runs parallel with the transfer levers, and is provided with two
or more eyes to receive hooks for suspension. Depending from the first mentioned
inner centre of the transfer lever is a shackle provided with bearings which rest
upon the said centre, and this shackle may receive either a double hook, chains,
and a pan, or any other suitable device for supporting the substance to be weighed.
Should two transfer levers be used their depending shackles are connected by a bar
from the centre of which the weight is suspended.
The improved apparatus may be used either with or without standard weights.
(When using standard weights a centre is inserted in the end of the steelyard.)
Along the steelyard travels a weight having an indicator which reads off on a
graduated or marked arm (above and independent of the steelyard, and continued
from the said crosspiecce), the heavy weights, say in hundred weights, and carried
by brackets or arms; depending from a steelyard is a rod, along which travels
another weight having an indicator, and this also has a separate plate or graduated
arm, on which are indicated the light or intermediate weights, say in pounds. The
bridle or guide for the steelyard is carried at the end of the graduated arm inde-
pendent of the steelyard, and this arrangement and the connection or continuation
of the arm with or from the suspension crosspiece constitutes a principal feature
of our present Invention. The above described arrangements of the opposite sido
plates with inner bearings, and of the centres to obtain the necessary leverage or
power, and of the self levelling transfer levers, one or two as described, are also
important features of our present Invention.
The whole of the bearings herein before referred to may be made of chilled cast
iron, steel, agate, or any other suitable substance, such as is ordinarily used for
such a purpose.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James Cluett and William Hanchard in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 19th October 1881.
JAMES CLUETT and WILLIAM HANCHARD, both of 2, Stafford Road, North
Bow, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
WEIGHING MACHINES."
This Invention which relates to improvements in the construction of weighing
machines has reference to that class of weighing machines which are suspended or
hung from a support when in use, and some of the special objects of the Invention
are so to construct and arrange the component parts of such machines as to
render them more compact and of less weight than the usual construction, and yet
increase their weighing capacity, and to attain various other advantages which
of necessity accrue from the improved construction and arrangement of the
apparatus.
The improved weighing machine is fully illustrated in the accompanying two
Sheets of Drawings in Figs. 1 to 9, of which Fig. 1 represents a side or front view,
the near plate (1) being removed to enable a clear view of the mechanism being
obtained; Fig. 2 represents a plan view of the steel yard (9) and the lever (10) to
which it is attached or of which it forms a part, the same being illustrated with all
its appurtenances; Fig. 3 represents a sectional plan view through the line p, q,
Fig. 1 showing the weight-transfer lever (5) in plan, and how it is supported by
the side plates (1); Figs. 4 to 8 are vertical cross sections of Fig. 1, the first
through the line a, b, looking in the direction of the arrow c, the second through d, e,
looking towards f, the third through g, h, looking towards i, the fourth through j, k,
looking towards 7, and the fifth through m, n, looking towards o, these Figures
being added to render the construction of the apparatus and the centreing and
connecting of the component parts thereof perfectly clear of comprehension;
Figure 9 represents in side elevation the use of two transfer levers, and is hereinafter
more particularly referred to.
In order that the construction and method of operation or action of our improved
weighing machine may be perfectly understood, we have marked the annexed
Drawings with Figures and letters of reference corresponding with those in the
following description or explanation of our Invention.
The improved weighing apparatus is constructed with two opposite and parallel
side plates 1, which are cast or (as represented on the annexed Drawings) bolted
together, 2 being the bolts which are formed with distance pieces or shoulders, and
3 the nuts. The plates are each provided with an inner bearing 4, and these
bearings are opposite each other and support a transfer-lever 5, which is so arranged
as to obtain the necessary leverage or power by fitting it at one end with two
outer or projecting steel centres 6 which rest in the bearings 4, and with an inner
centre 7 (from which the substance to be weighed is suspended as hereinafter
described) within a recess 33, and close adjacent to the centres 6, and at the other
end with another inner centre 8 within a recess 34.
9 represents the steelyard, and 10 represents a lever to which it is connected or
of which it forms a part or continuation.
The steelyard we construct of angle iron as is best seen in Fig. 8, and by thus
constructing it we obtain all necessary power with the minimum of weight, and
thus require a less counterbalance than if it were made of square iron as is usual.
The lever part 10 is provided with two outer steel centres 11 by which it is
suspended, these centres resting in the bearings 12 of a saddle-shackle -13 which

page_text: swings or depends from a pin 14 carried by an upper fixed piece 15, through other
and tubular parts of which the upper bolts 2 pass, the piece 15 being provided
with eyes 16 to receive hooks for the suspension in the usual manner of the whole
machine. The lever 'part 10 of the steelyard is also provided with an inner
centre 17 within a recess 35, and by this centre it is connected to the centre S of
the transfer lever by means of a shackle or coupling 18 as best observed in Fig. 1.
The inner or inside centres 7, 8, and 17 of the transfer-lever and lever 10
respectively, and the herein referred to bearings are hollowed out or sunk centrally
us best observed in Figs. 4 to 8, so that the mechanism is always self-levelling
when the machine is suspended.
The substance to be weighed is suspended from the centre 7 of the transfer-lover,
this centre being provided with a depending shackle 19, the lower eye or bearing
of which may receive either a double hook, chains, and a pan, or any other suitable
or usual device for supporting the substance to be weighed.
In lieu of using one transfer-lever, as hercinbefore described, we may use two
such levers (according to the desired weighing capacity of the machine), and when
we use two of such levers we arrange them end wise, as illustrated in Fig. 9, with
their outer centres 6 outwards and resting in opposite bearings 4 carried by the
side plates, each of which would then be provided with two of such bearings and
their inner centres 8, and the inner centre 17 of the lever 10 can be connected by
a triple bearing shackle 18 in the manner shown. The shackles 19 depending from
the two inner centres 7 of the transfer levers are then connected by a bar 20, from
the centre 36 of which the substance to be weighted is suitably suspended.
22 represents a graduated and plainly marked arm which is above and quite
independent of the steelyard, and is continued from or affixed to the said upper
fixed piece 15; and 23 represents a weight which travels along the steelyard and
is provided with an indicator 24, which indicates by pointing to the markings on the
arm 22 the heavy weights, say, in tens of stones, or in any other weight depending
upon the intended use of the machine; and these markings being plainly numbered
and preferably enamelled in black on a white ground enable, the indications to be
plainly and immediately read off without liability of mistake. The weight 23 is
provided with a knife edge 25 which engages in notches 37 in the steelyard 9, so
that it can be quickly set to any desired indication.
Carried by brackets or arms 26 depending from the steelyard is a rod 27 along
which travels another weight 28, which is also provided with a separate
indicator 29, and this also has a separate plate or graduated arm 30 which is
also carried by the arms 26, and on which are marked and indicated the light or
intermediary weights, say, in pounds and units of stones. The zero end of the
plate 30 carries a short rod 31 which has a separate indicator 32 indicating ounces
on the lower part of the plate 30 or on a separate plate.
The improved weighing machine may be used either with or without standard
weights; when the apparatus is required to be used with standard weights, we
provide the end of the steelyard 9 with an additional inner centre 21, for the
support of a pan to carry the weights.
38 represents the bridle or guide for the steelyard, and it is carried at the end of
the fixed arm 22 quite independent of the steelyard, and this arrangement and the
connection or continuation of the arm with or from the suspension piece 15
constitutes a principal feature of our present Invention.
39 represents a balance-weight which can be shifted by the screw 40 to perfectly
balance the steelyard 9 and lever 10.
The bearings herein before referred to may be made of chilled cast iron, steel,
agate, or any other suitable substance, such as is ordinarily used for such a purpose,
the centres being preferably made of either chilled cast iron or steel.
The method of operation or action of our improved weighing machine will be
seen at a glance; 6 and 11 are the fixed centres of the transfer-lever and steelyard-
lever respectively, therefore the substance to be weighed being suspended from the

page_text: shackle 19 lowers the ends of the transfer-lever and steelyard-lever which are
connected by the shackle 18, and thus causes the steelyard 9 to rise within its
bridle 38 till it is stopped by its bar 41; then, by shifting the weights 23, 28,
or 32, until the steelyard is exactly balanced, the weight suspended from the
shackle 19 is correctly indicated on the scales 22 & 30, and so very plainly that
it can be instantly read off without any liability of error.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and objects of
our said Invention, together with the manner in which the same is to be or may be
performed or carried into practical effect, we would remark in conclusion that
what we consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the improve-
ments constituting the Invention secured to us by the hereinbefore in part recited
Letters Patent are,―
1. The general combination and arrangement of the component parts of suspension
weighing machines, substantially as herein before described and as illustrated on the
accompanying. Drawings.
2. The combination and arrangement in such machines of opposite and parallel
side plates, with an upper fixed part (or of an equivalent skeleton-frame) for
supporting the balancing or acting parts, the said plates being provided with inner
fixed bearings for supporting the weight-transfer-lever or levers, and the upper
fixed part being provided with swinging depending bearings for supporting the
steelyard-lever, and with an extension or fixed connection which is graduated and
marked as a weight indicating arm, substantially as hereinbefore described and as
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
3. The combination and arrangement in such machines of one or two weight-
transfer-levers with a steelyard-lever, the transfer lever or levers being each
provided with outer centres, and supported thereby in fixed bearings and with an
inner centre, from which the substance to be weighed is suitably suspended at a
point between its plane of support and the point where it is provided with
another inner-centre, and is connected to the steelyard-lever, and the steelyard
being also provided with outer centres, and thereby supported in swinging
bearings and with an inner centre where it is connected to the last referred to
inner centre of the transfer-lever, the substance to be suspended hanging from, and
the transfer lever or levers being connected with the steelyard lever, and the
steelyard lever being suspended by freely hanging links or shackles, and the said
centres and bearings being hollowed so that the balancing parts are self-levelling
when suspended, substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated on the
accompanying Drawings.
4. The combination and arrangement in such machines of the bridle or guide
for the steelyard, with a fixed arm which is graduated and plainly marked as a
weight indicating arm, and with a steelyard carrying a combined weight and
indicator, the latter of which points to the markings on the arm, the bridle and
arm being otherwise quite independent of the steelyard, substantially as herein-
before described and as illustrated on the accompanying Drawings.
5. The combination and arrangement in such machines with the steelyard
(preferably formed of angle iron, so as to lessen the required counterbalance) of
a combined weight and indicator which slides freely along it and is capable of
being set in certain positions, the weight being provided with a knife-edge, and
the steelyard with properly spaced notches, the indicator pointing to an upper and
independent fixed arm which is graduated and plainly marked, and of a subsidiary
arm or plate which it carries, and which is also graduated and plainly marked, and
of a bar running parallel with the steelyard and supporting a combined weight
and indicator, the weight sliding freely along the said bar, and the indicator
pointing to the markings on the subsidiary arm or plate, and indicating thereon
the subsidiary weights; and of a short bar or rod running parallel with and carried
by the. subsidiary arm or plate, and supporting a combined weight and indicator,
the weight sliding freely along the said bar or rod, and the indicator pointing to

page_text: the subsidiary minor markings made on a part of the said arin or plate at the
zero end thereof, substantially as hereinbefore described, and as illustrated on the
accompanying Drawings,
In witness whereof, we, the said James Cluett and William Hanchard, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this 10th day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
Witness,
GEO. W. WEBB,
(L.S.)
JAMES CLUETT.
WILLIAM HANCHARD. (LS.)
Office for Patents, Trade Marks, & Designs,
1, North Buildings, South Place,
Finsbury,
London, E.C...
.