Improvements in Computating Mechanism for Use with Weighing Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Jan., 1895-4ccepted, 6th July, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Computating Mechanism for Use with Weighing
Machines.
I, ELWARD WILLIAM WISE, of East Las Vegas, in the County of San Miguel,
Territory of New Mexico, Merchant, 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:-
The present invention relates to that class of computing or calculating mechanism
that are employed in combination with weighing machinery, and which, acting with
such machinery, automatically compute and indicate relative values, as those of the
price of goods to the measure or weight thereof, or of the weight to the price, or of
the price rate to either.
One of the essential features of the present improvements is the combination of
computing mechanism with weighing or similar measuring machinery, the arrange-
ment and combination being such that the desired calculation or computation can
be effected by a single operation-whether it be desired to ascertain the price for a
given number of measure units, the measure units for a given price, or the measure
units at a certain rate for a given price amount, as well as the rate for a given
measure and the given price amount.
The invention consists in various features of improvement, and combinations of
such features, which will be first described in full with their various advantages in
the Specification and will be more particularly indicated in the statement of claims
to follow their description.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective of platform scale mechanism, or weighing machinery,
provided with my improved computing mechanism.
Figure 2 is an enlarged elevation view of the computing mechanism in partial
section.
Figure 3 is a cross-section of the scale bearing cylinder and its enclosing casing
and adjacent parts.
Figure 4 is a central lengthwise section of the same at the left hand end of
Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a plan view of the weighing beam indicator and a cross section of its
support.
Figure 6 is a face view of a portion of the computing table or scale which is
borne on the computing cylinder and is the same as is illustrated in the previous
figures; Figures 7 and 8 being modifications of the same.
Referring to the views and drawing in detail, A represents a common platform
scale or weighing machine such as is known as a counter-scale. B is the beam of
this scale, which beam is of ordinary form and construction. The size of the
weighing machine or scale, or the length of beam is not essential, although for
convenience of illustrating and explaining the improvements I have shown a scale
weighing by a slide weight only to 10 pounds; also, various other forms of beam
scales may be used with these improvements.
C indicates the drum or enclosing casing of the computing cylinder. This casing
is supported upon the beam B of the weighing machine by the pillars or uprights D,
which latter are removably attached to the beam as by the screws E and F. This
casing is preferably made of light sheet metal.
Gis the computing cylinder, which is pivotally carried on the axis rod H
journalled in the uprights D, and is composed preferably of light and thin material,

page_text: such as paper, cylindrically mounted on disks I secured to the axis rod. The
cylinder is arranged concentric with its casing and is of such a diameter that its
peripheral surface is just within, but close to the inner surface of the exterior
casing. The axis of this cylinder extends through the supporting pillar on the
right hand end and carries the operative or hand wheel J by which the cylinder is
turned. On the other end of this axis is fixed the gear wheel K which meshes
with the small gear L on the worm shaft M pivotally mounted on the axle and
lengthwise-adjustable pivot screws N, the latter being held to adjustable position
by set screws O. P is a cylindrical casing surrounding the worm rod and enclosing
the balance weight Q, which weight is threaded on the worm shaft and carries the
indicator block R. This indicator block is attached to lug S depending from the
travelling weight by means of the set screw T, the indicator being adjustable on
such lug by the adjustable screws U. The casing P is slotted lengthwise for the
passage of the lug S, the inside diameter of the casing corresponding substantially
with the diameter of the weight Q, which the casing also serves to guide, and to hold
the same in close and accurate mesh with the worm shaft.
V is a rate-scale which is removably held in place between the slide flanges W
secured to the front face of the casing of the computing cylinder. Preferably, a
glass or other transparent and protecting slide strip X lies over the said rate scale,
Figure 3, and under said flanges W. The width of the said scale is somewhat less
than the opening between the slide flanges whereby is formed the observation slot
or opening Y through which the surface of the computing cylinder can be viewed.
The slide space is open at the right hand end, whereby the rate scale can be readily
removed.
The rate scale at each end bears figures of weight, by pounds and ounces, and
intermediate of its ends it bears figures, in bold face, upon spaces of equal width,
which latter figures stand for rates per unit measure, as by the pound. At the top
of this rate scale and over the said rate figures, are other figures, in smaller type
(or they may be of different face type or different color of ink) which indicate a
ten-fold increase of the rate figures immediately below them.
Z, Figure 6, indicates the table of figures which is borne on the computing
cylinder, and which moves circularly with relation to the fixed rate scale V, fixed
to the casing C, while Figures 7 and 8 show modifications of this computing table,
the longitudinal divisions of the table in Figure 7 being the same as those in
Figure 6, while the corresponding divisions in Figure 8 are the same with half
divisions and half values. These tables may be printed on paper and secured to
the surface of the cylinder, or the figures may be impressed directly thereon. The
tables are divided into vertical columns, or columns running around the computing
cylinder, of a width corresponding to the width of the divisions on the rate scale.
The left hand columns contain figures which represent pounds and ounces, or these
figures may signify other units of measure and fractions thereof. The columns
corresponding to the rate divisions of the rate scale bear figures which indicate
products of the rate figures and the measuring figures. These product figures
are divided off by longitudinal spaces corresponding in angular space of the
computing cylinder to the divisions of weight measure on the weighing beam. In
Figure 7 the scale is shown as constructed on the basis of single ounces, and in
Figure 8 the scale is shown as arranged on the basis of one-half ounces.
The above described parts of mechanism, the rate scale and the table of com-
putation, are adjusted relatively so that when the scale beam is balanced, no figures
will appear under the observation slot Y in the casing of the computing cylinder
or in other words, the scale beam is accurately balanced, and the computation tablo
reads at zero.
The operation of the mechanism will now be apparent. Assuming that a quantity
of merchandise is to be weighed, and bearing in mind that the rate scale represents
in large figures the amount per weight, say the cents per pound, of the article
being weighed, if the drum be moved, by the hand wheel until the beam is balanced,
to a point (Figure 6) under the figure 5 in the rate-scale appears the numeral 10

page_text: on the table, then I know that two pounds of matter are weighed which, at five cents
a pound, sh uld be sold for ten cents. Conversely, I also know on the scale beam
of the weighing mechanism that if said figure 10 is opposite the rate-scale Figure 5.
I have the weight of the amount of material to be given for ten cents when the
price is five cents per pound. In this connection it should be understood that the
left-hand column of the table, and which is the basis of the arrangement of the table,
is in pounds and ounces, one ounce for each movement of the table or horizontal
division.
Taking now Figure 7, where the table is shown as based, (as indicated by its
right-hand column) on single ounces for each movement of the table, it should be
noted that if the figure 16 is shown under the figure 32 in the rate-scale, then
eight ounces are being weighed, and the price at two cents per ounce, as indicated
by the numeral 32 in the rate-scale, will be 16 cents.
Similarly in the case of Figure 8, halves of ounces are indicated, and the
corresponding nearest full price at even cents per weight are indicated.
In each case the rates indicated on the rate-scale may be changed to suit the
method of computation adopted in constructing the computing table.
I desire to call special attention to the fact that for these various computations
only one movement of the mechanism is necessary, which is that of turning the
hand wheel, that is to say, the travelling beam weight travels in exact proportion
to the rotation of the computing cylinder, or vice versa. At all times the actual
weight of the goods, the price rate per unit measure thereof, and the computed
price, are in view to the observer.
It is also essential to note that the beam weight is operated through and by the
instrumentality of the computing cylinder. Experience shows, that this weight
may be more quickly adjusted and a balance more readily and accurately secured,
by operating the weight through and by the computing cylinder, than is possible
by applying adjusting force to the beam weight and along its path and operating
the said cylinder thereby. Also, the operator can more quickly test the balance of
the beam by manipulating the hand wheel of the computing cylinder, than could
he test such balance by the push necessary to be applied to the beam weight to
get the balance sought for in that way. Hence, I regard it of importance to
provide a beam weight operating device consisting essentially of a hand wheel on
the cylinder, which, it is to be further noted, rotates and has its operative pressure
applied thereto in a plane at right angles to the beam, and hence without distributing
the beam so much as in case of directly manipulating the weight itself.
I also call attention to the mechanisms by which the worm rod and indicator are
adjusted. These mechanisms are essential to such a device, since thereby inaccuracies
which might occur by reason of wear are readily corrected. Again, the beam
scale, the indicator thereon and the computing scale being before the observer,
inaccuracies of computation can be at any time discovered, as, when the beam
weight stands at zero, the observation of the computing table should be of zero
value.
When it is desired to weigh goods of greater weight than is indicated by the
scale on the beam, an additional weight A' may be hung to the free end of the beam
which additional weight in itself is a balance for, say, ten pounds. Under these
circumstances, the amount indicated by the computing table should be added to the
amount indicated on the rate scale and over the regular rate figures.
The computing table may be variously changed, that is to say, the figures thereof
may be based upon measures of different kinds than pounds and ounces; and corre-
spondingly, the rate scale may bear values of different relations other than those
as between weights and prices for weights.
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 combination with a weighing mechanism. a calculating mechanism operating

page_text: in conjunction with and by said weighing mechanism and for the purpose of
indicating price amounts of the articles being weighed, substantially as set forth.
2. In combination with a mechanism for weighing articles, a price computing
mechanism operably attached to a part of the said weighing mechanism which is
movable by the article being weighed, and which computing mechanism is adapted
under movement of said moving part to indicate the price of the articles being
weighed, substantially as set forth.
3. In combination with the weighing weight of a weighing machine, a price
computing mechanism operably connected to said weight and moved therewith,
whereby as the said weight is actuated by an article being weighed the corre-
sponding price of the article will be indicated by said computing mechanism,
substantially as set forth.
4. In combination with the scale beam of a weighing mechanism and the sliding
weight thereon, a price computing table operably connected to said weight, and
means substantially as described whereby the said weight is moved on the scale by
movement of the said table, substantially as set forth.
5. In combination with the scale beam and its movable balance weight, a table
of computed price amounts operably connected to said weight, whereby as said
weight is moved to indicate the weight of an article a corresponding price amount
will be indicated by said computing mechanism, substantially as set forth.
6. In combination in the herein described weighing and price computing
mechanism, the scale beam and sliding weight thereon, the computing cylinder and
casing enclosing the same, and mechanism operably connecting the said computing
cylinder and the said slide weight, whereby prices of the article being weighed
are indicated by the movement of said weight, substantially as set forth.
7. In combination with a platform scale and with the weight indicator thereof, a
price computing table operably connected with said weight indicator, whereby
upon movement of the indicator said computing table will indicate a price figure
according to the weight of the article being weighed, substantially as set forth.
8. In combination, with a scale beam graduated to indicate amounts of weight
and with a balance weight adapted to travel along the beam, a table of computed
price figures movably mounted on the beam, a rate scale mounted on the beam in
fixed relation to said table, and mechanism operatively connecting the table and
travelling weight, whereby the table and weight have conjoint relative motion to
exhibit, on the beam, weight-amounts and to exhibit opposite the rate scale, price
amounts, substantially as set forth.
9. In combination, with a scale beam and its movable balance weight, a table of
computed amounts movably mounted on the beam, a rate scale mounted on the
beam in fixed position relatively to said table, and screw mechanism geared to said
table and engaging said weight, whereby the table and weight have conjoint
relative motion, substantially as set forth.
10. In a computing mechanism for attachment to a scale beam and its balance
weight, the combination of supports for removably engaging the beam, a rotating
cylinder mounted in said supports and bearing computed amounts, a rate scale
fixed to said supports adjacent said cylinder, and mechanism also mounted upon
said supports engaging said cylinder and adapted to engage the beam weight,
whereby the said cylinder and weight will have conjoint relative motion, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
11. In combination, the scale beam and the balance weight movable thereon, a
screw arranged parallel with the beam and engaging said weight, a computing
cylinder geared to said screw, and a stationary scale adjacent said cylinder, and
means for adjusting said screw and the weight engaging the same, as and for the
purpose set forth.
12. In combination with the scale beam and its sliding weight, the sorew engaging
said weight and actuated to move the same along the beam, and the indicator
adjustably fixed upon said weight, as and for the purpose set forth.
13. In combination, with the scale bean and the balance weight movable thercon,

page_text: the screw or worm mounted on said beam and engaging said weight, the casing
enclosing said worm and said weight, the computing cylinder journalled in supports
on said beam and geared to said worm, the casing enclosing said cylinder and
bearing a rate scale, and the hand wheel for rotating said cylinder arranged
substantially as set forth.
This 10th den of Tanuary 1005
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.