Improvements in and relating to Weighing Machines or Apparatus.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Jan., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 12th May, 190-Accepted, 28th June, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Weighing Machines or Apparatus.
I, LOUIS MARIE VICTOR SERRIN of 1 Boulevard Saint Martin, Paris in the Republic
of France, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to weighing machines or apparatus, and consists in principle
in the employment of a device which is designed to replace the series of weights
heretofore used.
In its simplest form this device is a very flexible chain wherein each element or
link can be regarded as a weight whose value is strictly determined by the position which
this element or link occupies in the curve formed by the said chain as hereinafter
set forth.
The action of the weighing chain will therefore be proportional to its length and
to the weight of the elements or links which constitute it.
For utilizing the aforesaid device for weighing purposes so as to render the
operation more simple, sure, rapid and exact, I have arranged the same in such
a manner that, suspended by its two extremities, it will answer the following
conditions.
On inspection of Figure ✗ of the accompanying drawing which is a diagram
showing the said chain suspended so that its two extremities, which correspond to the
position of equilibrium, shall be in the same horizontal plane ab the displacement of
the movable extremity 6 will cause the displacement of the horizontal plane a b so as
to divide this curve into two parts.
If in this figure a is considered a fixed point where one extremity of the chain is
secured and b a movable point where the other extremity of the chain is attached the
value of the weight will vary with the increase in the length of the part a a¹ which 1
will term the "active" part, whilst the portion a' c¹¹ of the chain, which I will term
the "neutral" part will have no effect upon the weighing.
For most of the applications of my said invention this "active" part of the weighing
chain has its variations strictly measured on the support upon which the point of
attachment is displaced the displacement providing for the direct indication of the
weight.
It will be understood that whatever may be the composition the size or the nature
and mode of connection of the elements of the aforesaid device, the results will remain
exactly the same, the whole manipulation consisting in the displacement by hand or
automatically, of one of the extremities of the chain until the equilibrium is established.
It will thus be seen that this invention is applicable to any weighing apparatus
independently of their construction.
My invention enables any additional or supplementary weight to be ascertained
gradually and without a shock, as the movable extremity carried by the slide can if
necessary be shifted by a screw and pinions with the greatest facility. I thus obviate
the loss of time due to oscillations as well as the employment of small or divisional
weights the manipulation of which is very inconvenient in the weighing apparatus
hitherto employed. By my invention the use of ordinary weights can moreover be
completely dispensed with or the above mentioned chain can be employed in com-
bination with these weights in which case the said chain serves for obtaining the
precise amount of a weight which has already been roughly ascertained.
It will be understood that the application of the aforesaid device is particularly
adapted for automatic weighing apparatus because the displacements of the movable
extremity of the chain can be indicated either upon a dial-plate or by means of a
drum or pulley.
From the foregoing statements it will be perceived that the said device is susceptible

page_text: of numerous modifications in its mode of application, if it is considered that in lieu
of one chain use can be made of two or more chains in the same weighing apparatus,
and that the movable point of attachment can be displaced as well upon a vertical
part as upon a horizontal part (Figure 6) or upon an oblique or circular part
(Figure 5).
By way of example I have represented one of the numerous modes of application of
my invention in the accompanying drawing.
Figure 1 represents a common balance embodying my invention.
Figure 2 represents a detail showing a mode of suspending the scales of the said
balance.
Figure 3 represents to an enlarged scale a slide to which the movable extremity of
the chain is attached.
Figure 4 shows a means for attaching the fixed extremity of the chain to one arm of
the beam of the balance.
Figures 5 and 6 show a modification of the invention comprising the employing of
two chains.
Figures 7 and 8 show in principle how my system can be used for automatic
weighing purposes.
Upon the column or support d of the balance can be displaced a sleeve or
slide e (Figure 3) receiving the movable extremity of the chain f. The form and
arrangement of the said sleeve or slide can be optionally varied, but I prefer to provide
an opening g in front and another at the rear for the convenience of the client and
the tradesman (Figure 1), so that the division on the column d can be seen and a
double index can indicate the relative position of the movable extremity of the chain
and therefore the amount of the weight.
In Figure 1 the full lines indicating the chain ƒ show the position of equilibrium
of the balance whilst the dotted lines show the extreme position of the movable
extremity of the chain, which corresponds to a weight of 10 grammes in the example
represented.
The sleeve or slide e is provided between it and the column with a plate spring h
which maintains it at any point where it is required to stop. A double index
provided in the openings in the sleeve or slide e clearly indicates the amount of the
weight.
Figure 4 shows the arrangement of the chain which I prefer to employ and also
means for fixing the extremity of this chain upon one arm of the beam i.
Figures 5 and 6 show respectively how I can employ two chains in the same
weighing apparatus, the movable extremity of each of these chains being adapted to
move in one arrangement upon a curved part and in the other upon a straight
horizontal part.
For automatically weighing by means of the said device numerous arrangements
can be provided. In Figures 7 and 8 means are represented for enabling this result
to be realized.
The axis of a drum (Figure 8) is mounted in a very sensitive manner. One face
of the drum is graduated, and the latter receives a flexible band fixed upon its surface
and connected with the two extremities of the weighing chain f
The scale m is suspended by means of a flexible part n wound upon a pulley o that
is fixed to, or forms one piece with, the drum k.
The material to be weighed being placed upon the scale m will cause the drum to
turn in the direction of the arrow and bring the graduation which indicates the amount
of the weight opposite the index p.
Figure 8 shows how the two extremities of the said device can be made movable at
the same time.
In the somewhat similar arrangement shown in Figure 7, one extremity of the
weighing chain is fixed and the other movable.
Dated this 11th day of January 1890.
HASELTINE LAKE & Co

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Weighing Machines or Apparatus.
I, LOUIS MARIE VICTOR SERRIN, of 1, Boulevard Saint Martin, Paris, in the
Republic of France, Civil Engineer 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 or apparatus, and consists in principle
in the employment of a device which is designed to replace the series of weights
heretofore used.
In its simplest form this device consists of a very flexible chain in which each
element or link may be regarded as a weight whose value is strictly determined by
the position which this element or link occupies in the curve formed by the said chain
as hereinafter set forth.
In the drawing left with my provisional specification I have represented by way of
example one of the numerous modes of application of my invention.
Figure 1 represents a common balance embodying my invention.
Figure 2 represents a detail showing a mode of suspending the scales of the said
balance.
Figure 3 represents to an enlarged scale a slide to which the movable extremity of
the chain is attached.
Figure 4 shows a means for attaching the fixed extremity of the chain to one arm
of the beam of the balance.
Figures 5 and 6 show a modification of the invention comprising the employing of
two chains.
Figures 7 and 8 show in principle how my system can be used for automatic
weighing purposes.
The action of the weighing chain will be proportional to its length and to the
weight of the elements or links which constitute it.
For utilizing the aforesaid device for weighing purposes so as to render the
operation more simple, sure, rapid and exact I have arranged the same in such a
manner that, suspended by its two extremities, it will answer the following
conditions.
On inspection of Figure X of the drawing which is a diagram showing the said
chain suspended so that its two extremities which correspond to the position of
equilibrium shall be in the same horizontal plane a, b, the displacement of the movable
extremity 6 will cause the displacement of the horizontal plane a b so as to divide this.
curve into two parts.
If in this figure a is considered a fixed point where one extremity of the chain
is secured and b a movable point where the other extremity of the chain is attached
the value of the weight will vary with the increase in the length of the part a a¹
which I will term the "active" part, whilst the portion a¹ c₁ b₁ of the chain which I
will term the "neutral" part, will have no effect upon the weighing.
For most of the applications of my said invention this "active" part of the
weighing chain has its variations strictly measured on the support upon which the
point of attachment is displaced, the displacement providing for the direct indication
of the weight.
I obtain the same advantages in balances for great precision by dispensing with the
sliding weight and the operation of which is as long as it is delicate.
It will be understood that whatever may be the composition, the size or the nature
and mode of connection of the elements of the aforesaid device, the results will remain
exactly the same, the whole manipulation consisting in the displacement by hand. or
automatically of one of the extremities of the chain until the equilibrium is.

page_text: established. It will thus be seen that this invention is applicable to any weighing
apparatus independently of their construction.
My invention enables any additional or supplementary weight to be ascertained
gradually and without a shock, as the movable extremity carried by the slide can if
necessary be shifted by a screw and pinions with the greatest facility. I thus obviate
the loss of time due to oscillations as well as the employment of small or divisional
weights the manipulation of which is very inconvenient in the weighing apparatus
hitherto employed. By my invention the use of ordinary weights can moreover be
completely dispensed with, or the above mentioned chain can be employed in com-
bination with these weights in which case the said chain serves for obtaining the precise
amount of a weight which has already been roughly ascertained.
:
It will be understood that the application of the aforesaid device particularly
adapted for automatic weighing apparatus because the displacements of the movable
extremity of the chain can be indicated either upon a dial-plate or by means of a
drum or pulley.
}
From the foregoing statements it will be perceived that the said device is susceptible
of numerous modifications in its mode of application, if it is considered that in lieu of
one cbain use can be made of two or more chains in the same weighing apparatus,
and that the movable point of attachment can be displaced as well upon a vertical
part as upon a horizontal part (Figure 6) or upon an oblique or circular part
Figure 5.
Upon the column or support d of the balance can be displaced a sleeve or slide e
(Figure 3) receiving the movable extremity of the chain f. The form and arrange-
ment of the said sleeve or slide can be optionally varied. but I prefer to provide an
opening g in front and another at the rear for the convenience of the client and the
tradesman (Figure 1) so that the division on the column d can be seen and a double
index can indicate the relative position of the movable extremity of the chain and
therefore the amount of the weight.
In Figure 1 the full lines indicating the chain show the position of equilibrium of
the balance whilst the dotted lines show the extreme position of the movable extremity
of the chain, which corresponds to a weight of 10 grammes in the example
represented.
The sleeve or slide e is provided between it and the column with a plate spring h
which maintains it at any point where it is required to stop. A double index provided
in the openings in the sleeve or slide e clearly indicates the amount of the weight.
Figure 4 shows the arrangement of the chain which I prefer to employ and also
means for fixing the extremity of this chain upon one arm of the beam i.
!
Figures 5 and 6 show respectively how I can employ two chains in the same
weighing apparatus, the movable extremity of each of these chains being adapted to
move in one arrangement upon a curved part and in the other upon a straight
horizontal part.
For automatically weighing by means of the said device numerous arrangements
can be provided. In Figures 7 and 8 means are represented for enabling this result
to be realized.
The axis of a drum k (Figure 8) is mounted in a very sensitive manner. One face
of the drum is graduated, and the latter receives a flexible band fixed upon its
surface and connected with the two extremities of the weighing chain f.
The scale m is suspended by means of a flexible part n wound upon a pulley o that
is fixed to or forms one part with the drum k.
The material to be weighed being placed upon the scale m will cause the drum to
turn in the direction of the arrow and bring the graduation which indicates the
amount of the weight opposite the index p.
1
Figure 8 shows how the two extremities of the said device can be made movable at
the same time.
In the somewhat similar arrangement shown in Figure 7 one extremity of the
weighing chain is fixed and the other movable.

page_text: 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 :-
An apparatus for effecting weighing operations, consisting of a flexible part, applied
alone or combined either with weights or with other similar parts, the displacement of
one of the extremities of which relatively to the other marks directly or indirectly the
amount of the weight when equilibrium is established.
Dated this 12th day of May 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.