Improvements in Weighing Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Improvements in Weighing Machines.
I, CHESTER LLEWELLYN BELL, of 310, North Campbell Street, El Paso, El Paso
County, Texas, U.S.A., Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to weighing machines, and has for its object to provide a
simple and improved multiple weighing machine adapted to facilitate the weigh-
ing of widely varying quantities with the same machine without the necessity of
adjusting the counterpoises or without the substitution of counterpoises of different
weights, a machine of the class to which my invention belongs being particularly
adapted for use as railway weighing. machines.
A further object of the invention is to provide, in connection with inter-
dependent scale-beams, an improved construction of "tare-beam" and connections
adapted for weighing empty vessels, vehicles, cars, etc., prior to the weighing
of the contents thereof, the arrangement of the parts being such that when the
loaded receptacle is placed upon the platform of the machine the scale-beams
indicate the exact weight of the contents without the necessity of deducting
the tare.
My invention comprises a suitable frame which supports the usual platform
and contains the platform lever. This lever is connected by a vertical rod with
the tare-beam which is fulcrumed by suitable knife-edge pivots upon a standard
and arranged with its free end in a guide. The tare-beam carries a weighing-
poise, adapted for adjustment parallel with the beam to register with the several
graduations thereof. The tare-beam is also provided with an adjustable counter-
poise. The rod between the platform lever and the tare-beam is preferably sec-
tional, with an interposed horizontally arranged lever of the second order, where-
by the motion of the beam is reduced in proportion to that of the platform lever.
In connection with the above described mechanism I employ a series of weigh-
ing beams which are of different denominations, that of the lowest denomination
being the uppermost, and most remote from the point of application of weight
through a second steelyard rod. These weighing beams are fulcrumed, respectively
in the upright of the frame, and upon each of them is mounted an adjustable
weighing poise, and upon the heel of each beam is a counterpoise similar to that
which is employed upon the tare-beam. Also each beam operates in a guide
between fixed terminal stops. The rods attached to the platform lever are applied
to the weighing beams through a system of connections, whereby each remains at
rest until the beam of next lower denomination has reached the limit of its
upward movement. The rod connecting the beams with the platform lever is
pivoted at its upper end to a horizontal lever at an intermediate point, the lever
being connected to the lowermost beam or that of highest denomination by means
of a link at a point in rear of the pivotal point of the beam. The other end of
the lever is connected by a link with a second horizontal lever at an intermediate
point, the second lever being suspended at one end from the beam of next lower

page_text: denomination by a vertical link, and so on throughout the entire series until
the uppermost beam is reached, where the horizontal lever has its outer end
pivoted to the frame of the machine.
In order to ensure accuracy in weighing, the weighing poises are made with
terminal slides between which and parallel with the weighing beam is arranged
a graduated fractional bar designed to indicate the fractional parts of the gradua-
tions on the beam. Upon the fractional bar is mounted an auxiliary poise, adjust-
able independently of the main poise to indicate fractional parts of the amounts
designated by the graduations of the scale beam.
An important feature of the construction described resides in the fact that the
operation of the tare-beam is independent of that of the weighing beams in that
the platform lever has a slight movement independently of the other rod connect-
ng it with the other weighing beams.
When an empty cart or the like is placed upon the machine the weighing poise
is moved along the beam to balance it. When the cart is loaded and again placed
upon the machine the net weight of the contents will shew on one of the other
beams.
TL1 L
1
1
上
1000
P. R. J. WILLIS,
Agent for Applicant.
44
I, CHESTER LLEWELLYN BELL, of 310, North Campbell Street, El Paso, El Paso
County, Texas, U.S.A., Inventor, 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:-
My invention relates to weighing machines and has for its object to provide
a simple and improved multiple weighing machine adapted to facilitate the weigh-
ing of widely varying quantities with the same machine without the necessity of
adjusting the counterpoises or without the substitution of counterpoises of different
weights, machines of the class to which my invention belongs being particularly
adapted for use as railway weighing machines.
A further object of the invention is to provide, in connection with the inter-
dependent scale-beams, an improved construction of tare-beam and connections
adapted for weighing empty vessels, vehicles, cars etc., prior to the weighing of
the contents thereof, the arrangement of the parts being such that when the loaded
receptacle is placed upon the platform of the machine the scale-beams indicate
the exact weight of the contents without the necessity of deducting the tare.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following
description, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the
appended claims;
In the drawings, Figure 1 is a part perspective view of a machine table to
which weighing beams constructed and connected in accordance with my inven-
tion may be applied. Fig. 2 is an elevation, partly broken away, of the weighing
beams, shewing poises of different weights. Fig. 3 is a similar view shewing
weighing-poises of equal weights.
Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of
the drawings.
Mounted in a suitable frame and supporting a platform 1 is a platform-lever 2,
connected by a rod 3 with a tare-beam 4, fulcrumed by suitable knife-edge

page_text: pivots 5 upon a standard 6 and arranged with its free end in a guide 7. Said
tare-beam carries a weighing poise 8, adapted for adjustment parallel with the
beam to register with the several graduations thereof, which in practice may be
arranged to indicate any desired weights from an ounce upwards. Said tare-beam
is also provided with an adjustable counter poise 9 and the connecting rod 3
between the platform lever and the tare-beam is preferably sectional, with an
interposed lever 10 of the second order, whereby the motion of the beam is
reduced in proportion to that of the platform lever.
In connection with the above described mechanism I employ a series of weigh-
ing beams 11, 12, and 13 it being understood that while only three beams are
illustrated in the drawings a greater or less number may be employed, according
to the desired capacity of the apparatus. These weighing beams are of different
denominations, that of the lowest denomination being the uppermost or that which
is most remote from the point of application of weight through the steel-yard
rod 14, this weight-rod being in connection with the beam of highest denomi-
nation. These weighing beams are fulcrumed respectively at 11, 12, and 13ª
and upon each of them is mounted for adjustment weighing-poises, which are
respectively designated as 15, 16 and 17, and mounted on the heel of each weigh-
ing beam is a counter-poise similar to that which is employed upon the tare-beam
Also
and which are respectively designated by the numerals 19, 20 and 21.
each weighing beam operates in a guide between fixed terminal stops, the guides
of the uppermost, intermediate and lowermost beams being designated by the
numerals 22, 23, and 24 and the upward movement of each beam being limited
in order to secure a certain co-operation with the weighing-beams. This co-
operation is attained by a system of connections between the beams whereby
each remains at rest until the weighing beam of next lower denomination has
reached the limit of its upward movement, all of the weighing beams having an
approximately equal extent of movement. In the construction illustrated the
steelyard rod 14 is suspended upon a connecting lever 25 at an intermediate point,
said lever being connected with the lowermost weighing beam or that of highest
denomination by means of a link 26 at a point in rear of the pivotal point of the
beam. The other end of said connecting lever is connected by a link 27 with a
second connecting lever 28 at an intermediate point, said second connecting
lever being suspended at one end from the scale-beam of next lower denomination
by a link 29 and having connection by a link 30 with an intermediate point of a
third connecting lever 31. This third connecting lever is suspended at one end
from the heel of the scale-beam of next lower denomination (or in this instance
from the scale beam of lowest denomination) by means of a link 32 and is ful-
crumed at its opposite end to a fixed object, such as the frame or casing of the
scale mechanism. Obviously with a greater number of scale-beams than that
illustrated in the drawings this system of connections, consisting of levers and
links, could be extended proportionally, one end of the uppermost lever only
being fulcrumed upon a fixed object, such as the casing of the scale apparatus.
Inasmuch as the connection between each scale-beam and the next of lower
denomination is by means of a lever to which the downward strain of a weight
supported by the table is applied at an intermediate point, preferably contiguous
to its centre, it will be seen that a weight placed upon the table will first affect
the uppermost scale-beam or that of lowest denomination, and as each of the con-
necting levers is of the third order, whereby the increase due to the use of a lever
is in motion instead of power, it is obvious that a very slight movement of the
table-lever will be multiplied and produce an amplified movement of the upper-
most weighing beam. If the weight applied to the table-lever is sufficient to
carry the weighing beam of lowest denomination to the limit of its upward move-
ment, the point of connection of the link 32 with the heel of said lever of lowest
denomination becomes fixed, thus securing both ends of the lever 31, where-
upon any further or additional weight on the table-lever will cause a swinging

page_text: movement of the intermediate or connecting lever 28. This depresses the heel
of the intermediate weighing-beam, and if this motion is continued until the
said intermediate weighing beam reaches the limit of its motion the point of
connection of the link 29 to the heel of the intermediate scale-beam becomes
fixed, thus securing both extremities of the lever 28 and bringing the inter-
mediate or connecting link 25 into operation, which in turn tends to depress the
heel of the lowermost weighing-beam or that of highest denomination. In this
way the several weighing beams are brought successively into operation; begin:
ning with the weighing-beam of lowest denomination and proceeding consecu-
tively through the series, irrespective of the number which may be applied, until
that of the highest denomination is reached. In other words the scale-beam of
lowest denomination is operated from the table-lever through series of connec-
tions, and the motion is amplified to ensure a visible motion of said beam of
lowest denomination without an excessive movement of the table, and during this
movement of the scale-beam of lowest denomination those ends of the intermediate
or connecting levers 25 and 28 which are connected respectively with the scale-
heams of intermediate and highest denomination remain fixed by reason of the
weighing poises thereon. Therefore all of the motion communicated by the rod 14
to the lowest connecting lever is in turn communicated to the next lever, and so
on to that which is in connection with the scale-beam of lowest denomination.
If the weight upon the table comes within the range of the beam of lowest denomi-
nation, the weight may be ascertained as in ordinary practice. If the weight
which has been applied to the platform exceeds that which can be weighed upon
the scale-beam of lowest denomination, the latter is moved to the limit of the
guide in which its free end is fitted, and motion is in turn communicated to the
weighing-beam of next denomination. If the weight on the table comes within
the range of said second scale-beam, the weighing proceeds on said second beam,
as in ordinary practice. If on the other hand, the weight which is applied to the
table exceeds the capacity of the second scale-beam, the latter is moved to the
limit of the guide in which its free end is fitted, and motion is then communicated
to the scale-beam of next higher denomination, and so on according to the number
of weighing-beams in the series.
With a construction such as that above described the operation is as follows:
When it is desired to weigh an; empty vessel or receptacle-such as a vehicle,
car, etc. it is placed upon the platform, and the weighing poise upon the tare-
beam is adjusted to balance the some. After the receptacle has been filled and
is again placed upon the platform, the weighing poise upon the tare-beam
remaining as before adjusted and the weighing poises upon the weighing beams
being located at the outer extremities thereof, the operator, if neither of the
weighing-beams is affected by the additional weight, moves the weighing poise
of the beam of lowest denomination inwardly or towards its fulcrum until a
balance is effected, whereupon the registering graduation of the weighing
beam of lowest denomination will indicate the weight of the contents of the
receptacle without the mental deduction necessary to distinguish the weight
of the contents from the combined weight of the receptacle and contents. If
on the other hand the weight of the receptacle and contents is sufficient to raise
the beam of lowest denomination to the limit of its movement without affecting
the beam of next highest denomination the weighing noise of said beam is moved
inwards until a balance is effected, and the weight of the contents of the recep-
tacle will be indicated upon said beam of higher denomination. In the same way
a weight applied to the platform which is sufficient to raise all of the beams
except that of highest denomination will indicate that the weight comes within
the scope of said beam of highest denomination and hence the weighing poise
of the lowest beam should be adjusted inwardly until the proper balance is
secured.
Various systems of marking the scale-beams may be employed, and the weigh-
ing-poises may he of either equal or different weights to suit the desired capacity

page_text: of the apparatus. In the construction illustrated in Fig. 3 the poises are of
equal weight, and assuming that the scope of the beam of lowest denomination
is one hundred pounds it will be seen that any weight coming within the scope
of this scale-beam may be weighed thereon by the proper adjustment of the
weighing-poise. If the weight of the object exceeds one hundred pounds, the
poise on the beam of lowest denomination being at the outer extremity thereof
or at the "100" mark, the scope of the beam of next higher denomination will
be from one hundred to three hundred pounds owing to the fact that the con-
necting levers of the third order cause each scale-beam to weigh twice as much
for the same adjustment of the weighing poise as the beam of next lower de-
nomination. In other words the connecting levers of the third order increase
the extent of the motion but obviously reduce the application of pressure or
weight. Therefore in said Figure 3 the graduations of the second scale-beam
range from "100" to "300." This same principle being followed out in con-
nection with the third scale-beam and graduations thereof beginning where the
graduations of the beam of next lower denomination terminate. It will be seen
that the graduations on the beam of next higher denomination will range
from "300" to "900." Thus with weighing-poises of equal weight the
capacity or scope of each weighing beam is a multiple of that of the scale-beam
of next lower denomination, and by making the connection between the sus-
pending links 27 and 30 with the connecting levers practically at the centres
of said connecting levers (making, of course, due allowances for the varying
distances between the points of connection of the links 26 and 29 with their
respective scale-beams) the capacity of each scale-beam is just twice that of the
scale-beam of next lower denomination; but it will be understood that this
proportion or relation between the capacities of the scale-beams may be varied
by suitably varying the points of connection of the said links 27 and 29 with
the respective levers.
The capacity of the several scale-beams, however, may be proportionally
varied by varying the weights of the weighing poises. For instance by making
the weighing poise of each weighing-beam twice the weight of the weighing-
poise upon the beam of next lower denomination, as indicated in Fig. 2, the
capacity of the intermediate weighing-beam (which is doubled by reason of the
connections and is against doubled by reason of the weighing-poise being double
the weight of that of the scale-beam of next lower denomination) is four times
that of the scale-beam of lowest denomination, whereby, assuming that the
range of graduations of the uppermost scale-beam is from 0" to 100," the
range of graduations of the next scale-beam of higher denomination is from
100" to 500." Obviously, following the same proportion in connection with
the next weighing-beam, (or that of highest denomination) by making its
weighing poise twice that of the scale beam of next lower denomination the
capacity of the lowermost scale-beam will be indicated by its graduations as
ranging from "500" to 2500."
**
With a scale constructed for far heavier weights, such as those used for cars,
it will be seen that by adapting the scale-beam of lowest denomination to weigh
from twenty-five to ten-thousand the use of the successively increased weighing-
poise will adapt the second scale-beam to weigh from ten thousand to fifty
thousand and the next beam of higher denomination from fifty thousand to two
hundred and fifty thousand.
An important feature of the construction described resides in the fact that
the operation of the tare-beam is practically independent of that of the weighing
beams in that the table-lever has a slight movement independently of the
connecting-rod 14, owing to a slight looseness of the connection between said
lever and the connecting rod, while the least motion of the table-lever is com-
municated to the tare-beam. Hence the weight of a receptacle can be ascertained
without affecting the main weighing beams, and therefore in weighing a loaded
receptacle the element of the weight of the receptacle itself may be ignored

page_text: entirely, as the weighing beams will indicate only the weight of the contents,
due allowance being made by means of the tare-beam for the weight of the
receptacle in accordance with the adjustment of the poise on the tare-beam
prior to the loading of the receptacle. Furthermore it will be seen that the
connection-lever and the tare-beam, which includes a lever of the second order,
is a motion-reducing connection in that the motion which is imparted to the
lever at its free end is communicated to the tare-beam from an intermediate
point, and hence through a distance which is less than that through which the
end of the lever moves. On the other hand the connections between the plat-
form-lever and the weighing beams are of motion-increasing effect in that
motion is imparted thereto at intermediate points and is communicated thereby
from their extremities. Thus in the operation of the scale the motion is com-
municated from the platform-lever through motion reducing connections to the
tare-beam, whereby the latter moves through a relatively small are, while the
connections between the platform-lever and the weighing-beams serve to multiply
or increase the motion, whereby the weighing beams operate through relatively
greater intervals, and therefore after the initial operation of the tare-beam the
weighing beams may be successively brought into operation to weigh the con-
tents of the receptacle or vehicle without interference by the tare-beam and
connections with the operation of said weighing-beams.
In order to ensure accuracy in weighing, I construct the weighing-poises
with terminal slides or bearing-keepers 33, between which, and parallel with
the scale-beam is arranged a graduated fractional bar 34, designed to indicate
the fractional parts of the graduations formed upon the beam traversed by the
poise, and upon this fractional bar is mounted an auxiliary poise 35, adjustable
independently of the main poise and adapted for movement in either direction
from an intermediate point of the fractional bar to indicate fractional parts of
the amounts designated by the graduations of the scale-beam. For instance
if the graduations of the scale-beam indicate one hundred pounds each the
fractional bar may be graduated to designate ten pounds each or one pound each.
In Fig. 3 I have shewn double or multiple poises as being adapted to attain
the necessary accuracy in weighing without the close graduation of the scale-
beam but it will be understood that scales which do not range in capacity from
nine hundred pounds and others which are adapted for counter use, etc., may
be provided with the ordinary ball poises, as will be readily understood by those
conversant with the art to which my invention belongs.
Various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction
may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacri-
ficing any of the advantages thereof.
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
(1) In a weighing machine, the combination with a platform-lever, of a tare-
beam having an adjustable poise, a weighing beam also having an adjustable
poise, a motion communicating connection between the platform-lever and the
tare-beam and an independent motion communicating connection between the
platform-lever and the weighing beam, whereby the platform lever may impart
differential throws to said beams, substantially as specified.
(2) In a weighing machine, the combination with a platform-lever of a tare-
beam provided with an adjustable poise, a weighing-beam also provided with
an adjustable poise, and independent connections between the platform-lever
and said beams for communicating the motion of the lever successively to the
tare-beam and to the weighing beam, the connections of the tare-beam including
a lever of the second order, substantially as specified.
(3) In a weighing machine, the combination of a series of weighing beams
provided with independent weighing poises, means for limiting the weighing

page_text: movements of said beams, and a series of connections between the weighing-
beams for communicating motion from one beam to the next, successively, said
connections including levers of the third order, to one of which is connected
the scale or platform rod, substantially as specified.
(4) In a weighing machine a series of weighing-beams provided with inde-
pendent poises, stops for limiting the weighing movements, respectively of
said beams for communicating motion from one beam to the next, successively,
said connections, and connections between the beams consisting of levers of the
third order, one end of each of which is suspended from a weighing-beam, and
means for connecting the other ends of the levers of higher denominations with
the intermediate points of the next levers of lower denomination, the weight
or platform rod being connected with the lever of highest denomination, sub-
stantially as specified.
(5) In a weighing machine the combination of weighing beams pro-
vided with independent weighing poises, connecting levers of the third order,
each of which is connected at one end with the heel of one of the weighing
beams, the other end of each lever of higher denomination being connected with
an intermediate point of the lever of next lower denomination, the lever of
lowest denomination having a fixed terminal fulcrum, and means for applying
weight to an intermediate point of the lever of highest denomination substantially
as specified.
(6) In a weighing machine the combination with weighing beams, connections
between the heels of the weighing-beams, including levers of the third order,
and connections between each lever of higher denomination and the next of
lower denomination, the weight or platform rod being connected with the lever
of highest denomination, and adjustable poises mounted respectively upon the
weighing beams, and each having an auxiliary poise adjustable parallel with
the beam, substantially as specified.
(7) In a weighing machine the combination of a series of weighing-beams of
different denominations provided with independent weighing poises, means for
limiting the weighing movements of said beams and a series of connections for
communicating motion successively to beams of lower and higher denomination,
the weight or platform rod being applied to the connection of highest denomina-
tion, and each connection becoming operative to communicate motion as the
beam of lower denomination is checked at the limit of its weighing movement,
substantially as specified.
(S) In a weighing machine, the combination with weighing beams of different
denominations, connections between the heels of the weighing beams, including
levers, and connections between each lever of higher denomination and the
next of lower denomination, the weight or platform rod being connected with
the lever of highest denomination, and poises mounted respectively upon the
weighing beams, substantially as specified.
1000
P. R. J. WILLIS,
Agent for Applicant.