Im- PROVEMENTS IN WEIGHING MACHINES
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
BERANGER, of the firm of Béranger and Company, of Lyons, in the Republic
of France, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Nineteenth day of March, in the twelfth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Joseph Béranger, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that I, the said Joseph Béranger, my exors, adñññors, and assigns, and such
others as I, the said Joseph Béranger, my exors, adñiors, or assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during
the term of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-
Tweed, and in all Her Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, and in the
Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, my Invention of "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN WEIGHING MACHINES;" in which said Letters Patent is contained
a proviso, obliging me, the said Joseph Béranger, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of
my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, and to
cause the same to be inrolled. in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery

page_text: within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in
part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto
had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Joseph Béranger, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say):-
My Invention of "Improvements in Weighing Machines" refers, firstly, to
certain new arrangements of weighing machines upon the steelyard principle.
Secondly, to certain arrangements of compound balances for shop counters
and warehouses.
And, thirdly, to arrangements of. machinery for ascertaining the weight of
locomotive engines and wheel carriages.
In Sheet I. of the accompanying Drawings, my improvements, which refer
to the steelyard principle, are shewn under several modifications, all of which,
for the purpose of rendering the system upon which they are constructed the
more obvious, are proportioned to weigh upon the decimal system of weights,
but it is equally applicable to the English or other modes of division.
Fig. 1 shews an arrangement of sicclyard levers suitable for ordinary use in
shops. From a standard a a bar is suspended by hooks, entering eyes formed
in that bar. Pendent from the bar 6 are links c, c', in the lower ends of which
a steel ring or eye (acting as a pallet) is set to receive respectively the V-edged
fulcra of the vibrating levers d and e. The lever d, which is supported by the
links c,. carries at its long end the small scale f, which is intended to contaiu
the weight, and at its weighted end, by means of a peculiarly formed link g, a
large scale h is suspended. This link, which is shewn detached in side and
edgo views at Figures 2, is provided at top and bottom with steel pallets 1, 1,
which are retained in their places by stop pins 2, 2. These pallets are
intended to receive V or knife edges 8, projecting respectively from the upper
side of the lover d and from the lower side of the lever e; the link, therefore,
in addition to supporting the scale h, bears the weight of the lever e on its
lower pallet. The book of the scale f hangs upon a V edge, formed in the
upturned end of the lever d, and it is weighted to form an equipoise to the
weight sustained by the short end of the lever d. Adjacent to the upturned
end of the lever d is a bracket piece i, which carries a pointer, and in a line
therewith is another pointer, projecting from the bar b. These are for the
purpose of ascertaining the correctness, of adjustment of the steelyard.

page_text: Between the bracket piece i and the end of the lever d a screw is supported
horizontally, and upon the screw is a traversing nut, which on being moved
backwards or forwards will determine the adjustment of the balance to the
greatest nicety. k is a link, provided with steel rings or eyes, and hanging
upon a V-edged piece projecting through the lever e. To this link, as also to the
link g, a hook is attached (or the hook is made in one piece with the link) to
receive the scale h when it is required to weigh a more ponderous body than
the weights in the scale fare calculated to balance, while that body is sus-
pended from the link g. It being remembered that the steelyard is constructed
to weigh according to the decimal system, the proportion of the distance
between the bearing points of the levers will be readily understood. Fron
the fulcrum of the lever d to the link g is one-tenth of the long arm of that
lever, and from the fulcrum of the lever e to the knife edge of the pin on which
the link is suspended, is one-tenth of the whole distance of the fulcrum of e to
the point where that lever rests upon the lower pallet of the link; one pound
therefore thrown into the scale ƒ would balance ten pounds in the scale
when suspended from the link g, and one hundred pounds when the scale is
pendent from the link k, the scale f having first before the weighing com-
menced been properly weighted to balance the scale h in whichever of its two
positions it is suspended.
в
Fig. 3 shews my improved arrangement of combined levers or steelyard as
applied to weighing a heavy solid body. This steelyard is supposed to be
suspended from a strong beam, and as in this Figure the same letters of
reference are used as in Fig. 1, and the several parts are precisely similar
as regards their principle of construction, a further description thereof will be
unnecessary. When weighing a heavy body, such as a bale of goods, it is
suspended to the link of the second or multiplying lever e, as shewn at Fig. 3,
and the counterpoise weight is placed in the scale f, or suspended from the
end of the lever d. If, therefore, a ten-pounds weight placed in the scale f
is found to sustain in equilibrium the bale suspended from the hook of the
link (the apparatus being proportioned, as before stated, to weigh decimal
parts), the weight of that block will be one thousand pounds. When a small
article is required to be weighed in this apparatus, the article is placed in
the scale and the counterpoise weight is hung on the link g. In this
instance one-tenth of the weight which holds the article in equilibrium will
be the ascertained weight of the article.
Fig. 4 shews a slightly modified arrangement of the combined levers or steel-
yard intended to be used in large workshops for weighing articles of any weight
up to twenty or even forty tons weight. In this arrangement, which may be

page_text: used in connection with a crane or otherwise, the lever d is made to extend
the whole length of its longer limb beyond the sustaining bar b, for the pur-
pose of removing the counterpoise weight (which is suspended at f) as far as
possible out of the way of the workmen when moving about the heavy sub-
stance to be weighed. To each of these arrangements a plumb bob is applied,
as at l, for determining the true horizontal position of the apparatus.
In Sheet II., Figures 1, 2, and 3 represent an arrangement of mechanisın
constructed on the steelyard principle, but applicable as a compact balance for
a shop counter. Fig. 1 is a vertical elevation of the apparatus, the side of the
box which encloses the same being removed; Fig. 2 is a plan view, with the
scales or plates removed; and Fig. 3 is a diagram, shewing the geometrical
system upon which the balance is constructed. A bearing piece a attached to
the bottom of the box is provided at its upper end with pallets to receive the
knife or edges 6 of a pair of vibrating levers c, c, which edges form the
fulcrum of their motion. At their shorter ends these levers are attached
together by a connecting piece d, and at their other ends they are severally
provided with a pin to receive the hooks for attaching the extremities of a
V-shaped bar e thereto. f is a lever, one end of which carries an arched or
bent spring with an adjusting screw, while the other end is formed like a fork.
The prongs of this fork carry two knife edges g, h, the former of which is
embraced by a link pendent from a cross bar of the levers c, and the latter
serves to sustain a link which supports the inner end of the bar e. The outer
or spring end of the lever f is connected by a link to a fixed bracket i
attached to the bottom of the box. k is a standard, provided at its upper end
with pallets suitable to receive the knife edges of a vibrating frame l, one end
of which is connected by a link to a cross bar of the levers c, c, and the other
is weighted, as shewn in the Drawing. This frame is intended to provide a
V support for the scale m which receives the article to be weighted, and,
together with the V bearings of the bar n in the levers c, c, to sustain the
scale in a parallel position during its up and down movements. For this pur-
pose, a link o, carrying at its lower end a V edge, is pendent from the frame 1,
and upon it and on the ends of the bar n the feet of the scale rest. The
V-shaped bar e is in like manner sustained in a horizontal position, and from
its face stand up two vertical pins, which carry the scale p for receiving the
counterpoise weights. Now, supposing this apparatus to be required to weigh
according to the decimal system, the length of the lever frame c (see Fig. 3)
from its fulcrum 1 to the bearing point 2, where the connection is made with
the frame e, must be as ten, the distance from 1 to 3 being as one.
A pound
weight, therefore, placed in the scale p will equipoise an article of ten pounds

page_text: placed in the scale m, and so on in proportion. To obtain the parallel motion
for the scale, which is of great moment in exact weighing (ordinary balances
being capable of giving different results according to the position in which the
weight or the article to be weighed is placed in the scale), the proportions will.
be as follows:-For the scale m, from 1 to 3 of the lever frame c will equal
the distance from the fulcrum 4 of the frame / to the point 5, while the length
from 4 to 6 cquals from 7 to 1. For the scale p, the bearing points 8, 9, 10
of the lever will bear the same relative proportions of distance from each
other that there is between the points 1, 11, and 2 of the lever frame c.
Another application of the steelyard principle is sbewn at Fig. 5, Sheet I.
This instrument is a platform weighing machine, capable of being moved from
one place to another. The weight of the load on the platform is conveyed to
the steelyard by a peculiar arrangement of rocking frames enclosed in a box,
forming the base of the weighing machine, and by means of a graduated
rotating wheel and vernier the amount of weight may be read off with facility.
These levers aro shown in plan view at Fig. 6, in side view at Fig. 7, and in
end view at Fig. 8. A is a rocking frame, provided with a V-edged bar a,
which rocks on pallets formed on the blocks b,b; and B is a similar frame,
which rocks on the blocks *, *. Near the middle of the box enclosing these
lovers is a link (similar to that before described with reference to Figures 2)
for connecting the two levers together and causing them to move simul-
taneously when a weight is laid on the platform. c, c, are four bearing points
for the platform C, which with its bearing pieces is shown in edge view at
Fig. 9. These bearing points may be formed of V edges let into the rocking
frames, but where great sensitiveness is required, the shackle piece D (shewn
as applied to the frame A, and on an enlarged scale detached at Figures 10 and
11,) is preferred. This piece D carries a pair of pallets d, which are loosely
supported, as shewn in the section, Fig. 10, and bear upon the V edges of the
bar A, and from the ends of the shackle picce project the V edges on which
the platform rests. A* is a bar, forming a continuation of the rocking frame
A; it passes under the cross bar of the rocking frame B, and is intended to
transmit the pressure of the loaded platform to the steelyard. This bar A* is
provided with a knife edge (as shewn at Fig. 7), which rests upon a rocking
bar E, supported at one end by a V knife edge with which it is furnished,
resting upon a pallet on the bearing e; its other end is connected by a link to
a vertical rod F with the steelyard apparatus. G, G, are supports for sus-
taining this apparatus, which is shewn detached and on an enlarged scale at
Figures 12 and 13; Fig. 12 being a side clevation thereof (partly in section),
and Fig. 13 a plan view of the same; it consists of a graduated bar f, cranked

page_text: at each end to form the bearings for a screw g, the pitch of which is made to
correspond to the graduations of the bar f. h is a traversing link, suspended
from the bar f, and carrying the weight i; through this link the screw g
passes, the link being suitably threaded for that purpose, and as the screw
is capable of turning freely in its bearings, it will when rotated cause the
link to traverse along the bar f, and with the weight take up any required
position. On the outer edge of the screw g a wheel k, graduated on its
periphery, is fixed, and a handle projecting from the face of this wheel serves
to rotate the screw. This wheel is graduated into hundreds, tens, and single
pounds, and the subdivisions of the pound are obtained by the use of a vernier.
From the end of the bar f near to the wheel k stands up an arm 1, which on
one side carries the vernier for reading off from the graduated wheel k the
weight of the load on the platform; the other side of the arm 7 has a pointer
for determining, with a corresponding pointer affixed to the supporting frame
G, the proper adjustment of the weighing apparatus. The barf with its scrow
and graduated wheel and vernier rocks upon a V edge m, which rests upon
a pallet at the top of the main standard of the supports G, and a link n, resting
upon a V edge on the weighted end of the bar f, connects the rod f, and con-
sequently the platform apparatus, with the indicating apparatus. It will thus
be understood that when a load is placed on the platform C, and the rocking
frames A and B are thereby depressed, the pressure will be communicated
through the bar A* and rod F to the shorter end of the bar f; the screw g
is then rotated until the weight i is brought into the proper position for
counterpoising the load; the number of divisions between the fulcrum of the
barf and the link h are then read off on the wheel (indicating English
pounds, if the bar is suitably graduated), and the subdivisions of theso gradua-
tions are read off from the vernier. It is obvious that if instead of using the
weight i, which is supposed to represent any given number of pounds English,
a weight equal to a received French, Spanish, or other foreign weight be
substituted, the result will be obtained in French, Spanish, or other measure,
instead of in English pounds.
A modification of the arrangement of index weighing machine just described
is shewn at Figures 4 and 5, Sheet II., as applicable to a shop counter. A, B,
are the rocking frames for supporting the weighing table; they are mounted
on V edges, and linked together, as before explained. Attached to the rocking
frame B and vibrating therewith is a frame C, which forms the bearings for a
screw 7, similar in construction to that in the above-described arrangement.
It is rotated by means of its vernier wheel k, and traverses a counterpoise
weight i, which is provided with a pointer for indicating on a line of divisions

page_text: over which it moves the weight of the load placed on the weighing table. The
vernier k, as in the former instance, shews the subdivisions of any one of these
divisions, whether they indicate pounds or any other given weight.
At Fig. 6, Sheet II., the vernier for reading off the weight of a load is
shewn applied to a steelyard beam. The face of the beam (for decimal
weighing) is divided into hundreds, and subdivided into fifties, tens, and twos.
A length equal to nine divisions of the beam is divided into ten on the vernier.
The vernier is attached to the link which traverses the beam and carries the
counterpoise weight, and a portion of the side of the link is cut away, as shewn,
to leave a pointer to indicate on the divisions of the beam the number of
pounds the load weighs; the decimal parts of the pound are read off from the
vernier in the usual way.
The second head of my Invention, which refers, as before stated, to certaiu
arrangements of compound balances suitable for shop counters, is shewn in
several views in Sheet III. of the Drawings. The principal improvements
which this part of my Invention is intended to effect are, greater sensitiveness
in the movements of the balance, and more certainty as to the result of the
weighing operation.
In all the balances which I shall now describe there is a compensating
motion which will preserve the scales in a perfectly horizontal position, and
will admit of the parts for sustaining the scales being so arranged, that whether
the weights or the goods to be weighed are placed in the middle or at the side
of the scales an exactly similar result will be obtained, which cannot be insured
in scales of the ordinary construction.
Fig. 1 represents, in front elevation, one of my improved shop counter
weighing machines, with an indicator for shewing the proper adjustment of
the parts, enclosed in an ornamental bracket piece, having a glass face on both
its sides, which serve to protect the needles and allow of their being perceived
on both sides of the weighing apparatus; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal elevation of
the apparatus, partly in section; and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same. It
consists of a pair of balance levers A, A, which are connected together with
a central V-edged bar a. This bar rests on steel pallets set in the standard B,
and allows of the free vibration of the levers A. The ends of these levers
are forked to receive respectively the ends of four hooks b; b, a v-edged pin
being set in the prongs of the forks to sustain these hooks. c, c; are cross
bars connecting the levers A, A, together (see Fig. 3), and provided at the
middle of their length with V edges, on which hang the links d, d. These
links are each intended to sustain a compensating lever c, which carries at one
end a bent or arched spring, with a regulating screw, similar to that before

page_text: described with reference to Fig. 1, Sheet II., and these spring ends are respec-
tively attached by a link to the bracket pieces e, e, which are bolted to the
bottom of the box enclosing the weighing apparatus. The other or inner ends
of the levers C are forked liked the levers A, and similarly provided with
V-edged pins, from which hang the links f.f. D, D, are floating frames,
cach having three points of suspension, one by the links f, which embrace an
inverted V-edged pin with which their inner ends are provided; the other
points of suspension are by the hooks b, before mentioned, which are fixed to
the outer ends of the frames D, and hang from the ends of the balance levers.
Projecting from each of the frames D are four vertical pins g, g, which pass
through the cover of this box and form rests or supports for the scales h, h,
Fig. 1. At i, i, the wires which are continued upwards from the indicator are
attached to the frames D, and their upper ends are provided with arrows, as
shewn at Fig. 1, which when they stand at a horizontal line (the machine not
being in use) shew that it is nicely adjusted for accurate weighing. The
action of this weighing apparatus will be readily understood. One end of
the balance levers A being depressed and the other consequently rising, a
similar motion will be given to the frames D, except that the movement being
given direct from the balance levers to the outer ends of the frames D, and
through the compensating lever C to their inner ends, a perfectly horizontal
position will be maintained by these frames as they rise or fall, and con-
sequently the scales which they support will retain a similar position. It
is obvious that no gain or loss in the result of the weighing operation
will be effected from the weight when placed beyond the centre of the scale
acting upon it as a lover, and thereby unduly affecting the beam, as is at
present the case with weighing machines generally, because the compensating
lever C having the same value at f as the lever A. has at b, the strain will be
equal at all parts of the scale. This construction of balance, which for the
sake of distinction I term the "dial-face balance," may be variously modified
without affecting the principle of its construction; for instance, instead of the
four supports for the scales, a central balance lever with branching ends may
be employed; instead of the two levers A, a bridle piece attached to the floating
frame D, and terminating upwards in a vertical rod may be made to carry a
cup to receive the scale, instead of four supports being affixed to the frame D.
The position of the central balance lever may also be changed without involving
any alteration in the compensating principle upon which the construction of
this balance is founded. This will be readily understood on referring to the
Diagrams in Sheet III., where No. 1 shews the balance lever above the com-
pensating apparatus; No. 2 shews it below, and No. 3 shews it in the midst

page_text: thereof, that is, between the frames D, which are above, and the levers C, which
are below. As respects the proportions upon which theso balances are con-
structed it is only essential that the points of motion and fixity on either side
of the fulcrum of the balance lever shall exactly correspond.
An arrangement of weighing apparatus suitable for shop counters, and of a
more simple construction than that just described, is shewn in Sheet III., at
Figures 4, 5, and 6; Fig. 4 being a plan view; Fig. 5, a longitudinal elevation,
partly in section; and Fig. 6, an end view thereof, also partly in section. It con-
sists of a rigid rectangular balance frame A, A, provided with a V-edged fulcrum
bar a, which rocks on steel pallets set in the central standard B, affixed to the
base plate C. To this base plate C are also affixed standards D, D, provided
with steel pallets to receive respectively the V-edged fulcrum pins of rocking
levers E, E. The ends of these levers E, E, are slotted to receive a link b
(as shewn best at the right-hand end of Fig. 5), and a V-edge is formed on
each end of the levers to carry the links. One end of these levers is attached
to the rectangular frame A, and the other to one of the circular frames F, F,
which carry the scales or dishes. Attached to the ends of the rectangular
frame A are loup pieces c, which are slotted, the edge of the slot being V-shaped,
and an adjusting screw is provided, as shewn at Fig. 5. The links b, suspended
on the outer ends of the levers E, E, pass through the slots in the pieces c,
and thus connect the levers E, E¹, and the balance frame A together. To the
frames F, F, three feet are respectively attached; they are all forked at their
lower ends, and the edge at the root of the prongs is V-shaped. These feet
rest respectively two on Vedges at the ends of the frame A, and the third in
the link b at the inner end of the levers E, E, the lever E being connected to
the frame F, and the lever E¹ to the frame F. Thus, by means of the two
levers E, E, a compensation movement is provided, which will preserve the
scale frames F, F¹, in a perfectly horizontal position. The proportions to be
observed in making this kind of weighing machine are, that the bearing points
at the extremities of the levers E, E', shall be equidistant from their respective
fulcra, and that the two levers shall exactly correspond.
The third head of my Invention, which relates, as before stated, to improved
machinery for weighing locomotive engines and wheel carriages, is shewn under
several modifications in Sheets IV. and V. In Sheet IV., Fig. 1 represents
in partial plan view an arrangement of machinery for weighing six-wheel loco-
motive engines, the weight sustained by each wheel being given separately for
the purpose of ascertaining the poise of the engine as well as its total weight.
This machinery is a modification of the platform levers described with reference
to Figures 6, 7, and 8, in Sheet I., each lever (of which there are six in this

page_text: instance) having a separate and independent motion, and being connected to
its respective steelyard or weighing apparatus. A, A', are eight chairs bolted
to blocks of stone, and set in two lines at equal distances apart. These
chairs are provided with steel pallets a to receive respectively the V edges at
the ends of the cross bars of the rocking lever frames B, B'. These frames on
their upper face are furnished with knife edges at b, on each of which a pecu-
liarly formed link c is suspended. The construction of this link will be under-
stood on reference to Figures 4 and 5, which represent it detached and on an
enlarged scale, in front view and in cross section. The link c is connected by
a shackled to a cross piece e with round ends, which take into rounded recesses
in the lower end of a bracket piece C; the object of this construction will be
presently understood. In the upper end of the link is a loose steel pallet to
receive the knife edge of the lever frame B. The back of this pallet is.rounded,
as shown by dots at Fig. 4, for the purpose of adjusting itself to the pressure
it is to receive. The links c are intended to carry the weight of the platforms
or tables D, in order to sustain which and throw their weight upon the links,
sets of four bracket pieces C are secured together by rods fand bars g, g, and
made to form a framing suitable for receiving the platform. Thus, over the
four links c, which hang upon the four knife edges at b, of the pair of rocking
frames B, B', a set of four bracket pieces C, rigidly connected together, arc
placed, and as soon as pressure is put upon the platform they will communicate
it to the links c, which will depress the pair of levers and cause them respec-
tively to act upon their steelyard apparatus, and indicate the amount of the load
on the platform. By the bracket pieces C merely resting upon the cross
pieces e of the link c, they may be readily removed when required without dis-
arranging the rest of the machinery. A bar, forming an extension of each one
of the six rocking frames B, B', is brought into connection with a vertical rod
E, pendent from its particular steelyard apparatus by means of links, as shewn
at Fig. 2; and thus, when a six-wheel locomotive is brought over the platforms,
one pair of wheels on each platform, each rocking frame will be depressed to
a degree corresponding to the weight borne by the wheel above it, and by the
connection of these rocking frames with their respective steelyards the weight
borne by each wheel will be separately indicated.
In Sheet V. a modification of my improved construction of weighing machine
for weighing four-wheel carriages is shewn in several views; Fig. 1 being a
side elevation (partly in section); Fig. 2, a cross section; and Fig. 3, a plan
view of the same. In these Figures similar letters of reference to those used
in the above-described arrangement are applied to the like parts, and therefore
a repetition of their description will be unnecessary. In this arrangement, which

page_text: is intended to weigh carriages and engines of four wheels, there are two rocking
frames B, B, each of which has three points of support, as before; they are pro-
vided with knife edges, which rest on chairs A, and they carry links c, c, for
sustaining the platform D by means of the bracket pieces C. The third point
of support is upon pallet links 1, 1, which hang upon a knife edge 2 set in
a lever 3, which has its fulcrum on a chair 4 suitably supported on masonry,
as shewn at Fig. 2. This lever is intended to transmit the weight of the load
on the platform D to the steelyard apparatus, and for this purpose it is
attached to the vertical rod E, which is pendent from that apparatus. Con-
nected to this weighing machine is an arrangement for temporarily fixing the
position of the platform while being loaded, and thus preventing the machinery
from being injured by the sudden jerks it would receive if the weight of the
carriage were suddenly thrown upon it. 5 is a horizontal rod, mounted in
suitable bearings, and extending across the machine immediately under the
platform and under the steelyard apparatus. This rod carries two cams 6, 6,
which work between bridle pieces 7, 7, attached to the under side of tho
platform. To that end of the rod nearest the steelyard apparatus a lever 8 is
affixed, and when this lever is drawn forward in the direction of the arrow
the rod 5 will move on its axis, and bring an increasing diameter of the
cams 6 into contact with the bridle pieces, and hold them firm by friction of
contact. When the load is fairly on the platform the lever 8 is gradually
returned to the position shewn in the Drawing, the cams then release their
bite upon the bridle pieces, and the platform is allowed to descend, and by
acting upon the apparatus below cause the steelyard to indicate the weight of
the load.
A further modification of my improved construction of machinery for
weighing wheel carriages is shewn at Figures 4, 5, and 6, Sheet V.; Fig. 4
being a longitudinal elevation, partly in section; Fig. 5, a plan view; and
Fig. 6, a cross section of the same. This arrangement is intended for
weighing two-wheel carriages. It is very similar to that last described, it
having two rocking frames B, B', mounted on chairs A, and provided with
links c, on which the bracket pieces C, that carry the platform D, rest. The
movements of the frames B, B', are rendered simultaneous by their being
connected together by a link 1, through which a bar B³, affixed to and forming
part with the frame B¹, passes. This bar B³ is suitably provided with a
knife edge on which the link rests, and it transmits the weight of the load
to a vertical rod pendent from the steelyard apparatus, as described with
reference to the two preceding arrangements. It will be obvious that my

page_text: improved compound levers may be used in connection with these weighing
machines, or steelyards of the common construction may be employed if
thought desirable, but the apparatus which I prefer to use in connection with
my platform machines is shewn in elevation at Figure 7, Sheet III., and in
plan view at Figure 8. By means of this apparatus I am enabled not only
to ascertain the weight of the load, but also to mark down that weight upon
paper, by which arrangement five or six carriages per minute may be easily
weighed. It consists of a vibrating frame a, a, which has its fulcrum at b,
and at its upper end bearings to receive two rollers c, d, over which an endless
band of paper is placed. On the axle of the roller da ratchet wheel e is
fixed, and a click f on the frame a taking into the wheel e prevents the
roller & from rotating in more than one direction. This frame a is placed in
front of the steelyard apparatus, so that a horizontal pointer affixed to the
traversing link which carries the counterpoise weight along the beam of the
steelyard will be able to prick a mark upon the paper on the roller c when
the frame a moves inwards. Mounted loosely on the axle of the roller d is
a bent arm g, which carries at its upper end a click h in gear with the
wheel e, and is slotted at its lower end to receive a pin from a rod i attached
to the steelyard apparatus. This arrangement is intended to move forward
the paper by rotating the roller d, the impulse being given by the backward
movement of the frame a. On the lower part of the frame a a cross bar k
(shown in the partial front view at Fig. 9, and in plan at Fig. 10,) is fixed.
The face of this bar at its middle is slightly recessed, and against it the
lever 8 works. This lever is connected with the apparatus before described
with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet V., for temporarily fixing the
platform. When in the position shewn at Figures 9 and 10 the platform will
be fixed. A balance weight attached to the frame a gives that frame an
inclination to approach the pointer of the steelyard. When, therefore, the
lever 8 is moved to the position shewn by red lines, the frame will be enabled
to advanco a distance equal to the depth of the recess in the bar k, and
thereby come in contact with the pointer; at the same time the platform of
the weighing machine will be released, and the weight of the load it contains
will be transmitted to the steelyard. The link carrying the counterpoise
weight being now traversed along the steelyard bar to take up a position
where it will counterpoise the weight of the load on the platform; if, then,
the paper on the rollers c, d, is ruled to correspond to the divisions of the
steelyard, the mark of the pointer on the paper shewing, as it does, the position
of the weight on the beam, will also indicate the weight upon the paper.

page_text: Having now described my Invention of improvements in weighing machines,
I wish it to be understood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent
I claim,―
First, the general arrangements and combinations of parts forming the
steelyard weighing machines, as shewn at Figures 1, 3, and 4, Sheet I. of the
Drawings, and particularly the application to the ordinary steelyard beam of
the multiplying lever d.
Secondly, I claim the use of a screw or other analogous mechanical con-
trivance for traversing the counterpoise weight upon the steelyard beam when
combined with a rotating graduated wheel for indicating the weight of the
suspended load.
Thirdly, I claim the application to steelyards of a fixed vernier for reading
off from a rotating graduated wheel the weight of the suspended load. I also
claim the use of a sliding vernier attached to the link of suspension of the
counterpoise weight for indicating fractions of the graduations on the steelyard
beam.
Fourthly, I claim the arrangement of rocking frames or levers for receiving
from a platform the weight of a load, and transmitting the same to the steel-
yard.
Fifthly, I claim the combination of the compensating apparatus with the
steelyard beam, as described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet II.
of the Drawings.
Sixthly, I claim the direct application to a steelyard beam of the arrange-
ment of levers for supporting a table or platform, as shewn at Figures 4 and 5,
Sheet II., whether such steelyard be provided with a vernier and traversing
screw as shown, or have simply the ordinary graduated beam.
Under the second head of my Invention I claim the general arrangement
and construction of the compound balances, as shown in Sheet III. of the
Drawings; and particularly I claim the use of the compensation levers for
transferring to the balance lever or balance frame the weight of the load
and counterpoise contained in the scales, and for maintaining the horizontal
position of the scales, as before described.
Under the third head of my Invention I claim, first, the several arrange-
ments of apparatus, shewn in Sheets IV. and V. of the Drawings, for receiving
and transmitting the weight of a loaded platform, or the separate weights of
two, three, or more loaded platforms, to suitable weighing apparatus, for the
purpose of ascertaining the weight of a load in the gross or in divided parts,
as above described.

page_text: And, lastly, I claim the application to steelyards of the arrangement of
mechanism shewn at Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10, Sheet III., for marking down
the weight of loads as they are weighed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Béranger, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of September, in the year of our
One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Nineteenth day of September,
in the year of our Lord 1849, the aforesaid Joseph Béranger came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to
the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Nineteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.