Improvements in Scales for Computing Weight and Value.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 16th May, 1899-Accepted, 5th Aug., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Scales for Computing Weight and Value.
I, LEWIS PUTNAM HALLADAY, of 718, Spencer Avenue, City of Marion, County
of Grant and State of Indianna, U.S.A., Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to computing scales and has for its object to provide a
new and improved scale of this description.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein
Figure 1 is a view of one form of computing scale embodying my invention;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the scale beam and associated parts;
Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3, Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a view of the outer end of the scale beam with parts broken away,
showing the top of the poise;
Figure 5 is a view of the lower side of the poise;
Figure 6 is a view of the engaging part on the poise that engages the scale
beam proper.
Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several figures.
My invention is applicable to many varieties of scales, but for purposes of
illustration I have shown it in connection with one of the ordinary types of
scales.
In this construction, any suitable indicating figures may of course be utilized
and I have illustrated these figures as being carried by the movable part A, which
surrounds the end portion B of the scale beam. The movable part A is preferably
cylindrical and the figures are tabulated and arranged thereon in any desired and
convenient manner so as to produce the desired result. In order to simplify the
construction, I prefer to arrange the characters upon a sheet of paper and attach
them to the movable part A. As herein illustrated, I have shown a computing
mechanism adapted to indicate the price of the amount of material being weighed,
when the price per pound is a certain given or known amount.
For this purpose,.
I provide a stationary row of figures A¹, the individual figures representing the
price per pound. At the edge of this row of figures is a slot or opening A³,
through which the figures on the movable part A may be read. The parts are
so arranged that, when the material is placed in the pan of the scale and the scale
balanced, the amount showing through the slot A2, opposite the figures indicating
the price per pound in the row of figures A¹, indicates the value at that price
per pound of the material being weighed. By this arrangement the user is
relieved of all computations and need only read off the exact price to be paid by
the customer. I prefer also to show the weight in ounces of the material weighed,
such weight being exposed through the slot A2, opposite the word " weight"
associated with the row of figures A. The computing mechanism is preferably
enclosed in a casing C, the slot A being made in said casing to allow the figures
on the movable part A to be exposed. A suitable transparent covering A³ is
placed over the slot A2. When the casing U is used, I prefer to provide an open-

page_text: ing, preferably covered with the glass C₁, through which the weight of the
For this purpose, the
material being weighed can be seen by the customer.
latter opening is on the side nearest the customer and on the other side of the
center from the slot A2, as indicated in Figure 3. The poise D on the scale beam
is also contained within the computing mechanism so as to be enclosed thereby
and is connected therewith in any suitable manner. This poise is adapted to be
moved along the scale beam so as to balance the material weighed and the con-
nection with the computing mechanism is such that this movement of the poise
moves the figures or characters on the movable part A with relation to the row
of figures A, so that the proper price of the material weighed is indicated when
the scale is balanced. As herein illustrated, the end portion of the scale beam B,
which carries the poise, is adjustably attached to the remaining portion of the
beam. The movable part A is provided with a projecting part B which projects
beyond the casing C when such casing is used, so that said movable part may
be moved. This projecting part may be constructed in any desired manner and
as herein illustrated consists of an end piece attached to the movable part A in
any suitable manner, said piece adapted to be grasped so as to rotate said movable
part A and being preferably provided with graduations to indicate the weight
of-the-material being weighed. A suitable indicator C is placed upon the
casing C and the parts arranged so that the amount-opposite this indicator is the
weight of the material being weighed. The projecting part B, as herein-illus-
trated, is rigidly attached to the movable part A by means of the taper screw B².
The scale beam has its outer end supported by the projecting or annular rib B³
on the movable part A and is provided with the spiral groove B. The poise-is
provided with an engaging device which engages this spiral groove in the beam
and is also provided with an engaging device which engages the movable part A,
the engaging devices are so arranged that the poise may be moved back and
forward along the beam by rotating the projecting part B.
Any suitable
means for this purpose may be utilized. As herein shown, the poise is provided
with two inwardly projecting parts D', which project into the spiral groove B.
These projecting parts are preferably attached to an adjustable piece 12 carried
by the poise, so that the position of the projecting parts 11 may be varied in
order that one may engage one side of the groove and the other the other side
of the groove. By this means the parts may be adjusted so that a proper and
firm engagement is always had, thus providing the means of adjustment for wear
and preventing inaccuracy which would result if this adjustment was not provided.
In order that the engaging device may be automatically adjusted, the adjustable
piece is movably mounted upon the poise by means of the screws D³, which
hold it in place, but which permit it to be rotated.. An elastic device or spring D
is connected with the adjustable piece 12 and engages a projection D thereon,
said spring D being also attached to the poise 1). The projection D is so
positioned with relation to the attachment of the spring to the poise and to the
adjustable piece that said spring has a tendency to rotate or move the adjustable
piece so that the two projecting parts D at all times engage the opposite sides of
the groove B. It will thus be seen that any wear is automatically taken up and
that there is always a firm positive engagement of the poise with the spiral
groove B, thus preventing any inaccuracy due to lost motion and the like. The
projecting parts D¹ are preferably formed of rollers so as to decrease the friction
and the wear. The engaging device which engages the movable part A, as herein
illustrated; is formed of two engaging parts D6, said parts projecting one on
each side of the guide D attached to the movable part A.. These engaging
parts are preferably mounted on the adjustable part D8, so that their position
may be varied in order to compensate for wear, as it is necessary that these two
parts should positively engage opposite sides of the guide D7 so that there will
be no lost motion. In order to provide for the adjustment of these engaging
parts, the adjustable part 18 is held in position by the set screw D. As it is
desirable to have the material in the scale properly distributed to get accurate

page_text: results, I provide the movable part A with a counter balance E diametrically
opposite the guide 17. The spiral groove B is preferably of such pitch as to
produce a complete revolution of the parts during its passage from its initial
position to its extreme outer position. It is of course evident that the connection
between the poise, the scale beam and the computing mechanism may be made in
any desired manner and I have only attempted to illustrate a simple construction
for purposes of illustration by means of which this result may be obtained. The
end portion B of the scale beam is adjustably connected to the remaining portion
of the beam in any desired manner, so that, when the parts are assembled, the
length of the scale beam may be adjusted in order to adjust the parts with relation
to the computing mechanism to make the readings of the scale correct and accu-
rate. As herein shown, this adjustment is obtained by means of the nut 135.
The projecting part B is also adjustably connected to the movable part A, so
that it may be adjusted in order to make the readings accurate. The inner end
of the movable part A, which as herein shown is cylindrical, is preferably open
and is mounted upon the loose washer A8. This construction, among other things,
facilitates the assembling of the parts.
I have described in detail, for purposes of illustration, a simple form of scale
embodying my invention, but it is of course evident that parts may be added to
the scale and some of the parts used with parts not herein shown, without in any
manner departing from the spirit of my invention, and I therefore do not wish
to be limited to the device herein shown and described.
The fact that the end portion of the scale beam is enclosed within the computing
mechanism greatly simplifies the construction and obviates the necessity of finish-
ing up said parts, as they are entirely concealed from view and all work of this
nature is needless. It will also be seen that I can adjust the parts so as to apply
them to scales adapted to weigh large or small amounts and that by means of
the several adjustments I can produce accurate results in every particular. It
will also be seen that there are no parts to wear out or to render the scale
inaccurate after being used for some time. Many other advantages will readily
occur to those versed in the art and I shall not attempt to explain in detail such
advantages.
The use and operation of my invention are as follows;
The parts are first properly assembled and the adjustments made so that accu-
rate results will be obtained. The material to be weighed is then placed upon
the scale and the movable end piece OP projecting part 131 is rotated so as to move
the poise to a position where the scale is balanced. When the parts are in this
position, the figures exposed through the slot in the casing indicate the value of
the material being weighed at the price per pound opposite such figures on the
row of figures A. The weight in ounces or pounds will also be exposed to the
view of the buyer through the glass piece C¹. The weight will also be indicated
by the graduated scale on the projecting part B¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A scale, comprising a scale beam, a poise mounted thereon adapted to be
moved back and forth to balance the material to be weighed, and a computing
mechanism surrounding and enclosing said poise, as herein shown and described.
2. A scale, comprising a scale beam, a poise on said scale beam adapted to be
moved therealong, the engagement between the poise and the beam being such that
the poise is simultaneously rotated, a hollow part surrounding the poise and
carrying the computing mechanism, and a connection between the poise and the
hollow part, as herein shown and described.
3. A computing scale, comprising a scale beam provided with a spiral groove,
a poise mounted on said beam and having an engaging part which engages said
groove, and a connection between the poise and the computing mechanism,

page_text: whereby when the computing mechanism is moved the poise will travel along
the beam, all as herein shown and described.
:
4. The computing scale mechanism herein shown and described.
5. The poise for computing scales, having adjustable connections with the
scale beam, herein shown and described.
6. A computing scale, having the poise, a portion of the beam and the com-
puting mechanism all enclosed within a single cylindrical part, as herein shown
and described.
1000
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
100, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent,