IMPROVEMENTS IN SCALES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to David Vincent and Désiré Johnen, both of the City of
•
Paris, in the Republic of France, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SCALES."
Sealed the 29th July 1879, and dated the 17th February 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said David Vincent and Désiré
Johnen at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th February
1879.
DAVID VINCENT and DÉSIRÉ JOHNEN, both of the City of Paris, in the Republic
of France. IMPROVEMENTS IN SCALES."
E
The object of this Invention is to determine or ascertain the number of objects
of equal weight placed in the scale without having recourse to counting each
separately, the scale being equally eligible for weighing in the usual manner; the
arrangement of the apparatus being such that its action is automatic.
By this novel arrangement a great saving of time is gained, since packets con-
taining a certain number of gross of articles may be numerically ascertained and
their united weight determined at pleasure.
The scale, which is a lever balance, bears a small and a large scale, the arm of
the balance is divided into two parts, forming a long and short portion; the
former is divided into a number of equal parts, each portion being subdivided into 5,
and forms a graduated scale or counter, the other is provided with a counterpoise
for maintaining the equilibrium of the balance.
On the whole lever arm two sliding indices are placed, one of which serves as
support to the small scale, and moves backwards and forwards with it as required
along the graduated measure or counter of the long arm of the lever, whilst the
other moves on the short part. The disposition of these indices on the respective
arms of the lever admits of the balance always maintaining a perfectly horizontal
position whilst the scales are free to move. This equipoise is effected by the aid
of chains and wheels, so that the large index in the centre of the balance is always
pointing to zero, proving that the balance is perfectly horizontal. The apparatus
may be hung by a chain or hooked to a beam in any convenient place.
The action of the apparatus is as follows, taking for example the method of
ascertaining the number of articles of similar weight placed in the large scale or
basin, as this forms the characteristic feature of the Invention.

page_text: In determining the number of gross of merchandize as would occur in the sale of
such articles, any number of gross packets are put into the large scale and one
gross in the other scale, and this latter with its fixed index being moved along the
counter or graduated scale, should it stop, say, at the figure 40, it will be seen
that there will be 40 packets in the large scale or basin if separately counted.
As a further example, suppose a certain number of 5 frank pieces or other money
are placed in the large scale and one frank piece in the small scale, and the index
is moved till equilibrium is established, and supposing the equipoise is discovered
at 98, then it will be found that there are 98 pieces of money in the large scale.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said David Vincent and Désiré Johnen in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 7th August 1879.
DAVID VINCENT and DÉSIRÉ JOHNEN, both of the City of Paris, in the Republic
of France. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SCALES."
The features of novelty in the scales forming the subject of the present Invention
are twofold, that is to say, the number of objects of equal weight placed in the
scale can be at once ascertained without counting them separately; and secondly,
that the scales can be used as an ordinary lever balance, the arrangement being
such that the action is automatic.
By this novel arrangement a great saving of time is effected, since packets con-
taining certain gross of articles may be numerically determined and their united
weight ascertained at pleasure.
The accompanying Drawing in conjunction with the following description
thereof will clearly illustrate the nature of the Invention and the mode of carrying
it into effect.
The Drawing here represents a lever balance having a large and small scale F
and D respectively; this lever is divided into two parts or arms, the largest of
which is termed the long arm or lever H; this is graduated and forms the counter;
the other, h, or small arm, bears a counterweight Ğ for maintaining the equilibrium
of the scales.
'On the whole lever two sliding indices are placed, one of which serves as support
to the scale D and moves backwards and forwards on the graduated scale of the
long arm H, the other index moves on the short arm h of the said lever.
The disposition of these indices on the respective levers or arms admits of the
balance always maintaining a perfectly horizontal position, whilst the scales D and
Fare free; this equipoise is effected by the application of two chains B and b
communicating with the indices in such wise that the large index e of the dial É is
always at zero, proving that the balance is perfectly horizontal.
The apparatus may be hung by a chain A in any convenient place, or to a hook
fixed to a beam. It need hardly be mentioned that the scale may be made of any
required dimensions to suit the uses to which it is to be applied.

page_text: The action of the apparatus is as follows, taking as example the method of
ascertaining the number of articles of similar weight placed in the large scale or
basin F, as this forms the main object of the Invention:-
In determining the number of gross of merchandize as would occur in the sale of
such articles, any number of packets in gross are put into the large scale F and
one gross only into the other scale D, and this latter with its fixed index being
moved along the graduated scale; should it stop at 40, as shown in the Drawing,
it will be found on examination that there will be 40 packets in the large scale F.
As a further instance of this, suppose a certain number of 5 frank pieces or other
money are placed in the large scale F, and one frank piece placed in the small
scale D, and the index is moved till equilibrium is established; and supposing this
equipoise is found to be at 98, then it will be discovered that there are 98 pieces of
money in the scale F.
Having thus described our Invention, what we claim is the balance lever formed
of the long arm or graduated counter H, short arm h, indices D and d, and chains B
and b, with scales F and D, as and for the purposes herein specified, and as illus-
trated by the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said David Vincent and Désiré Johnen, have here-
unto set our hands and seals, this Sixth day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
D.
D.
VINCENT. (L.S.)
JOHNEN. (L.S.)