IMPROVE- MENTS IN SCALES OR WEIGHING MACHINES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Julius Post, of Hamburg, in the German Empire, but
now temporarily of 169, Fleet Street, London, for an Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SCALES OR WEIGHING MACHINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Julius Post at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th December 1881.
JULIUS POST, of Hamburg, in the German Empire, but now temporarily of
169, Fleet Street, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SCALES OR WEIGHING MACHINES."
My Invention has reference more particularly to weighing machines in which a
scale is used to indicate the weight or part of it, and in which removable weights
are employed, the machine being loaded with these weights when in its true or
normal position, and the weights (one or more of them) being removed in proportion
to the weight of the article to be weighed; but some of my improvements, as
will be readily understood, are applicable to other scales or weighing machines.
In scales or macbines of the kind referred to there has hitherto been a curved
index scale, and it has been necessary to mark off or divide this scale into unequal
divisions, and this is for several reasons objectionable. In scales or machines
made according to my present Invention I have a straight scale divided or marked
off into equal divisions, this scale forming directly the tangent of the arc described
by the index finger, or as I prefer, by a line marked on the end of the finger or on
the beam.
I adjust the beam, with its gearing and its weights (when the latter are kept on
the machine) to this straight scale by means of regulating weights, which can be
arranged in any suitable manner. According to one way I employ a weight which
is horizontally movable on the beam, and 1 adjust it so as to place the beam in
equilibrium, and 1 employ another weight which is movable in a vertical sense on
the beam, so as to regulate the distance to which the beam moves under the
influence of the articles which are placed on the platform to be weighed. These

page_text: adjustable weights are by preference in the form of plates which are attached to
the beam by means of slots and screws.
I employ a lever or bar, which is free to turn on a horizontal axis at one end,
and can be lowered so as to press down the beam.
I add to the machine a spring scale to indicate approximately the weight of the
article which is being weighed, and then when weights corresponding with this
approximate weight have been removed from (or placed upon) the machine, the
exact weight to be added to the approximate weight is shown by the straight scale
before described, or by a curved scale when such is used.
The manner in which I prefer to apply the spring scale is to fit a spring to the
lever or bar before described, this spring bearing upon the beam; it controls the
movement up and down the scale of an index finger on the beam according to the
weight of the article placed upon the platform; this scalo is marked off or divided
in accordance with the movements of the beam under the action of standard
weights. The lever or bar is provided with a spring catch to take into holes in a
fixed part of the machine, and it can by means of this catch and these holes be
secured either in its normal position bearing upon the beam when the approximate
weight of an article is being taken on the spring scale, or be held up clear of the
beam when the exact weight is being ascertained by the straight scale.
I mark figures or numbers on the pendant frame of the machine indicating the
valuos of the removable weights, so that whenever a weight is actually removed
its value can be seen or read on that portion of the pendant frame from which the
weight has been removed; and to ensure that the weight shall be returned to its
proper position I so form the weights and the parts on which they rest that they
cannot be put into a wrong place.
In order to avoid the inconvenience of lifting off and replacing the weights by
hand I employ a lever, or set of compound levers, in connection with each weight,
to actuate by means of a finger piece a temporary support of the weight. When
it is required to lift a particular weight the corresponding finger piece is acted upon
by the operator, so that the lever forces up the temporary support, and the weight
is thus lifted by the temporary support clear of the ordinary support, the effect
being the same as if the weight were removed entirely from the machine. When
the operator ceases to act on the finger piece the parts return or are returned to
their normal position.
In order that the knife edges or axes of the beam may be parallel I make it in
the form of a frame, the axes being transverse to this frame; I make one side of
the end knife edge or axis adjustable, so that I can obtain exact parallelism when
the parts of the machine have been put together; thus, by trying with the weights
placed at various points of the platform above the knife edge, and observing tho
effect on the index scale, proper adjustment can soon be obtained.
For the purpose of ensuring that the pendant frame may move truly parallel
with the plane going through the middle knife edge or axis of the beam and through
the under knife edge on the fixed frame I connect the latter knife edge with a
corresponding knife edge of the pendant frame by a link provided with the
necessary bearings. The link is made of two parts, each having one bearing and
capable of adjustment to the required distance apart while the parts of the
machine are being put together. The pendant frame is likewise made of two parts,
so that its length can be adjusted as found necessary after the machine has been
put together. The distance between the knife edge of the beam and the under
knife edge should be exactly the same as the distance between the two knife edges
of the pendant frame. In order to ascertain if they are correct I test the machine
by placing a weight first on one end and then on the other end of the platform
when the knife edges of the beam are horizontal or nearly so, and I observe the
difference, if any, of the effect as shown upon the index scale. In the same way
I am able to properly adjust the length of the link before described, the beam being
in this case moved to the ends of the index scale.

page_text: Each of the under knife edges is formed with the upper side of its anglo
horizontal in order that the angle of the bearing may be as small as possible.
The bearings of the knife edges consist of grooved screws or bolts of hardened
steel secured by pins. The under knife edges are secured in angles of the iron
frames by means of a single screw with a conical head.
The link before described is forked at the end, where it is connected to the fixed
frame, and embraces part of this frame, and there are guards or side plates fixed to
the ends of the screw before described; the other end of the link is not forked and
has no guards or side plates.
The frame of the machine is made in such manner that the whole is open to the
operator.
I fit a spring for the beam to come against at each end of its travel in order to
diminish concussion or shock.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Julius Post in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th June
1882.
JULIUS POST, of Hamburg, in the German Empire.
SCALES OR WEIGHING MACHINES."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
My Invention has reference more particularly to weighing machines, in which a
scale is used to indicate the weight or part of it, and which works either with or
without removable weights, the machine being loaded with these weights when it
is in true or normal position, and the weights (one or more of them) being removed
in proportion to the article to be weighed; but some of my improvements, as will
be readily understood, are applicable to other scales or weighing machines.
In Figures 1 to 7, Sheet 1, of the annexed Drawings, is illustrated a scale or
machine constructed according to my Invention, in which the weights may be
removed by hand, and in Sheet 2 I have illustrated scales or machines in which
the weights receive a temporary support by finger pieces.
In order to make the Drawing more clear I have mainly illustrated in Sheet 2
the mechanical device of the temporary supports only, while the mechanism of the
scale proper is best seen in Sheet 1. In scales or machines of the kind referred to,
a curved index scale has hitherto been employed, and it has been necessary to mark
off or divide this scale into unequal divisions, and this is for several reasons
objectionable. In scales or machines made according to my present Invention I
provide a straight scale C, Figures 1 and 4, which is divided into equal parts, and
which may be manufactured according to gauge (in a wholesale manner) in contra-
distinction to the method in which the marks for weight indicated by the index
finger must be marked in each weighing machine on its scale separately, which
method however I may employ also.
This scale forms directly the tangent of the arc described by the index finger,
or as I prefer by a line marked on the end of the finger or on the beam.
In cases in which such straight and uniformly divided scalo C is used, which
however need not always have a vertical position as shown in the Drawing, but
may have any suitable position under or above, or at the side of the fulcrum E,
Figure 1, of the scale beam (for this beam itself, as indicated in Figure 1, need not
be always used as an index finger, but a special index finger in any direction
whatever may be provided). I adjust the beam with its gearing and its weights
(consisting in this case of 1 lb., 8 oz., 4 oz., 2 oz, and 1 oz.) to this straight
scale by means of regulating weights, which can be arranged in any suitable
manner.
According to one method I employ a weight H, Figure 1, which is horizontally
movable on the beam, and I adjust it so as to place the beam in equilibrium.
In the case illustrated the horizontal position of the axes F and E, Figure 1, at the
vertical position of the scale would deliver a position of index at 8, and therefore
8 drachms are to be put on the platform, and have to be tared in this position.
I employ another weight I, Figure 1, which is movable in a vertical sense on the
beam, so as to regulate the distance to which the beam moves under the influence
of the articles or weights, which are placed on the platform. In the case illustrated
therefore after the removal of said 8 drachms, the index should indicate 0, or in
placing there 16 drachms should indicato 16.
These adjustable weights are by preference in the form of plates, which are
attached to the beam by means of slots and screws. The position of the plates
may be made variable by pins K and L (Figuro 1), the one part of which may be
placed on the scale beam, and the other part on the plate. As shown at D,

page_text: Figure 1, the index finger (or in this case of the beam) does not terminate in a
point, but in a line, and the face of the scale is situated at an angle to the plane
in which the end of the index finger vibrates, 50 that, as this line moves or rocks
on the scale in an arc, the parts of the scale most distant from its centre will also
be touched by the index finger line. This weighing machine has a simplified
mechanism for the parallel guidance of the pendant or hanging frame, which is
accomplished by the arrangement of the article to be weighed, and the weights
loaded the one side only, and always at a constant pressure, because for the article
to be weighed corresponding weights are removed. Therefore the simple
connection of the lower part of the pendant frame with the main frame by a link
will be sufficient, which is shewn at a in Figures 1 and 7, which link moves on
suitable fulcra. For the more easy adjustment of the distance of these fulcra b
and c, which are equidistant from the fulcra E and F, this link is made of two parts,
which are kept together by the screws p and q, and which may be adjusted by the
screw 7. The end of this connecting link moving at the knife edge of the main
frame (which edge is sharpened at one side only, so that the link is prevented from
falling off) is made somewhat forked shaped, so that a broad rest is gained
(Figure 7). This end having side plates t it is not necessary to provide side plates
at the fulcrum at c. In a similar manner the pendant frame itself is made of two
pieces, for the adjustment of the length c, F, which pieces are kept together by
screws and i, and may be adjusted by the set screws m, l, so that the distance
c, F, may correspond to the distance b, E.
As bearings for the axis at E and F and b, Figure 1, screws or bolts of steel are
inserted parallel to the axis, and these screws or bolts are fixed by home driven
pins. In cutting the angle of the bearings the cutter takes away part of this
screw, so that the point of the angle, which forms the resting point of edge shaped
axis, rests within the steel. After this cutting has been done the screws or bolts
are taken out, hardened and reinserted, whereby they assume the same position as
before. These screws may be provided at one end with small shoulders, which
form the pivot or fulcrum for the throwing out of gear lever, as in Figure 4, or which
form a hold for the thin plate S at the side, as in Figure 2, or for screwing on small
protecting plates, as in Figure 7. The arresting lever 0 turning on the middle
axis Q, Figure 4, and being guided with the angle piece R, Figure 4, by its ribs S,
Figures 1, 3, 4, at the quadrant T, Figures 1, 3, 4, and taking by means of the
spring bolt U into corresponding holes at the upper or lower part of the quadrant,
or being capable of arresting in upward or downward position by any other
contrivances, has for its object to arrest the scale beam in its lower position at will,
or to allow free play to this beam while swinging. The said lever carries the
spring V, the screw of which, W, Figures 1 and 4, will come in contact with the
part x, Figures 1 and 4, of the scale beam, so that the latter may press against tho
spring V if the arresting lever is in its lowest position. Instead of the flat spring
a coiled spring, as indicated in Figure 5, may be used. In this manner I provide a
spring scale which indicates the weight of the article approximately on a scale
shewn at y in Figure 1 (before any weight has been removed, and beforo the beam
has become completely free), thereby enabling the operating person to remove the
exact weights at once.
This spring or approximating scale may be arranged at will; the same may be
placed at any convenient fixed part; it is however necessary to arrange it in such
way that it is out of connection with the scale beam while the exact weight is
ascertained. The beam may be made to press directly or indirectly against the
spring; the beam may in this instance serve as index finger, and the index scale
be fixed as shown in Figure 1; or the index may be fixed to the finger and pass a
fixed point in swinging. The index scale may form a segment, as indicated in
Figure 1, or may be a complete circle, in which case the beam will have to turn
an index finger; or the beam may turn the round index scale, as illustrated in
Sheet 2, and the observations may be made at a fixed point or through a sight
bole. The result of such approximate weighing operation may either be readily

page_text: observed by the operator, and the corresponding weights afterwards removed by
hand, or supported by plates N by means of lever P (Figure 4); or the result may
be obtained in many other different ways, one of which is illustrated on Sheet 2
directly communicated to the supports. I can employ other mechanism for the
transmission of the motion, as well as a different position and shape of the weight;
the latter for instance may be in the form of a plate.
Instead of employing a spring scale for ascertaining the approximate weight of
the article a lover may be employed acting in the manner of an incline scale.
As to the arrangement of the weights shewn in Figures 1 and 4, the same are
arranged in a series upon a frame M rigidly connected to the pendant frame; the
weights are separated from each other by partition walls; these walls will prevent
a larger weight being put in the place of a smaller ono, while holes between theso
partition walls will prevent a smaller weight being inserted in the place of a larger
one, the smaller dropping through the hole. Therefore the weights can only be
placed at the very spot they are intended to stand. Each such place has marked
upon its back wall the amount of the weight, which amount will be covered by the
weight if in place, whereas this amount or amounts may be readily read if the
weights are removed. The addition of these figures visible on the back wall, plus
the small weight indicated by the finger, will correspond with the weight of the
article or object on the platform.
Instead of this arrangement the arrangement of supporting levers above referred
to for the weights may be employed, which levers are generally out of contact
with the weights on the pendant frame.
Such arrangement of support from below is shewn on Sheet I. (whereas on
Sheet II. a support by a suspending contrivance from above is illustrated).
If the bean by the arresting arm or lever is pressed in its lowest position the
end axis and the weights are in their highest position, and in this position of parts
the supports N may be raised by pressure upon the lever P, Figures 1 and 2; if
now the pendant frame descends the weight will be carried by the levers, thereby
removing it from the pendant frame.
The levers may be marked with figures corresponding with the weights, as
indicated in Figuro 4.
I now proceed to describe the self acting index scale with double set of weights
(pounds and ounces) as represented on Sheet II.
It is at once to be remarked that this construction, in which pounds and ounces
aro indicated by dial plates, and drachms by the index, is of less practical use for the
public, as such exact indications of fractions of drachms are very seldom required;
it will therefore be sufficient to indicate the pounds by dial plate, and the ounces,
which may still be divided into four parts, by the index, as represented in Figures 7
and 8, Sheet 2. As the tnore simple construction of this latter scale is easily to
be understood from the construction represented in Figures 1 to 6, Sheet 2, I
now proceed to describe this more complicated construction just referred to.
Figure 1 is a ground plan; Figure 2, a section; Figure 3, a front elevation;
Figure 4 shows the division of number cylinder; Figure 5 is a side view of the
same; Figure 6 is a graphic plan of the surface of said cylinder.
The weights. in the scale are suspended (see Figures 2 and 3, Sheet 2). In
order to disconnecct these weights from the frame a on which they hang, the
supporting arms or finger, picces 6 which are suspended above the weights may be
inserted underneath the same, so that if the frame descends the weights aro
carried by b. Thero is one arm provided for each weight. These arms or finger
pieces are drawn backward by means of spring c (Figure 2), and by means of a
prolongation of this arm easily to be applied, as indicated at d in dotted lines, a
connection of the arms with the outside could be established, thereby affording
the possibility of working these arms readily from the outside of the scale. In
the Drawing, Figure 2, this working or moving of the arins is done by artificial
fingers c, which are mounted around the circumference of a cylinder or roller in
such manner (Figures 6 and 7) that they will bear according to the rotation of

page_text: the said cylinder against certain suspended arms, so that by an end wise movement
of the cylinder, the arms or finger pieces b are pushed underneath the weights.
This endwise movement is caused by spring f, Figure 2, and by the rotation of
excentric g against which the bowl h (Figures 2, 3, and 1), and together with this
roller the entire frame i bears.
In order to bring this finger cylinder, which on the one side is furnished with a
dial showing figures of weight, into the corresponding position to the weights
which are put on the platform of the scale, the cylinder is rotated by a rack
forming a sort of spring scale. The spring k, Figure 2, is expanded by the scale
beam taking underneath the roller ; afterwards the ratchet paul m engages
(which movement is also done by excentric g), and then the roller by the
eud wise movement of the entire frame i removes from the scale beam, which by
this time has been pressed downward into its lowest position by the lever n.
The eccentric creating such movements is situated on the spindle o (Figures 1, 2,
and 3) passing through the stop lever. If the stop lever is raised the spindle will
be raised also. The spindle however is only capable of being raised if the same
is turned into such a position that. the notch p of the circular disc q is in the
position shown in Figure 3, so that rib r passes the disc when lifted.
The rib is provided with two notches at p which allow the disc to turn while in
the position shown in Figure 2.
The spindle o therefore by these devices is only capable of being turned while in
its lowest position; it cannot be turned while the stop lever is in its upper
position. The stop lever is raised by means of the weight a or by any other
suitable contrivance, as soon as the lock formed by the disc g and the rib r is
opened.
The weighing is done in the following manner :-
The article to be weighed is laid on the platform t (Figure 3). Then the scale
beam is raised, and while drawing the springs k¹ and k³ the two finger rollers or
cylinders will turn.
Then the spindle o (Figure 1) is turned (either directly or by gearing applied for
this purpose, Figure 1, in order to make the motion more smooth) half a revolution
to the right (the commencement and termination of this half revolution may be
marked by catch springs), and then the stop lever will risc. By this revolution or
turning the following described movements will have taken place :-
1. The ratchet paul of the finger cylinder for the large weight on the right band
side (Figure 2) has engaged.
2. The arm n (Figure 3) has come down upon the right hand arm of the beam,
and has forced down the latter into its lowest position, in which position it remains
for a short period during which the roller n' has passed the beam u.
3. During this short stoppage the end wise motion of the right-hand finger
cylinder has been accomplished, and the proper suspending arms have come
underneath the weights.
4. While the roller n' (Figure 3) allows the beam to ascend on the oblique
plane u, the full pounds corresponding with the article to be weighed have been
removed from the scale, and now only the rest of the weight acts against the
spring on the left hand side, which spring has remained in full connection with
'the scale beam.
5. Ratchet paul engages with the left hand finger cylinder and the same motions
will be repeated, vis. :-
6. Pressing down the beam by roller n³ (Figure 3) of the left hand side of the
beam arm.
7. Endwise motion of the finger cylinder II. causing the respective smaller
weights to be seized.
Now the revolving motion stops and the lever n² (Figure 3) still rests on the
beam at v¹ while the entire stop lever rises. This rising will not take place
-quicker than the rising of the scale beam, and while the latter stops at its point of
equilibrium the stop lever will always rise to its highest position.
-

page_text: or will be indicated by index on a dial, while the drachms will be indicated by the
index.
After the weighing operation the stop lever must be pressed downward, and then
the latter part of the revolution (in the same direction) is accomplished in order to
be able to remove the object just weighed.
The following movements will now take place:-
8. Motion in opposite direction of finger cylinder II, left hand side.
9. Lifting of the beam by forward motion of n² on oblique surface v².
10. Disengagement of the ratchet paul II.
11. Pressing down the beam by n³ on the right side.
12. Motion in opposite direction of finger cylinder I., right hand side.
13. Rising of the beam.
14. Disengagement of the ratchet paul L., right hand side.
Construction for Large Weights only.-This construction is very simple, as may
bo observed by the Drawing. Figure 7 is a plan, and Figure 8 a side view of the
main parts.
Whilo in the double device illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, Sheet II., the spindle o
must be turned slowly, the spindle o in this instance may be turned quickly at
pleasure. The roller e, Figure 8, has no finger, but a rim only, which is notched at
the proper places. This rim draws forward the suspended arm b, Figure 8, while
the motion in Figures 2 and 3, Sheet II., is a pushing one. This drawing motion
is of a certain advantage, inasmuch as the figures or numbers may be seen or
become observable at the front of the scale at x, Figures 7 and 8, Sheet II. Tho
eccentric g¹, Figures 7 and 8, Sheet II., causes tho endwiso motion of the frame
with the cylinder; the eccentric g³, Figure 7, Sheet II., causes the engagement or
disengagement of paul m, Figure 8, which is drawn by the spring y, partly seen.
A quick half turn is given the spindle o, which is then released. The index will
quietly arrive at its point of equilibrium, and now at x the number of pounds is to
be read, while the ounces or quarters of the same are to be observed at the scale or
graduation.
The half turn of the spindle has caused the following motions:-
1. The ratchet paul has engaged, and prevents thereby the withdrawal of the
spring expanded by the beam, and causes also the number to appear in the middle
of the aperture x.
2. The eccentric g, Figure 8, gives way, so that the spring may shift endways
the roller or cylinder e, and also the corresponding suspended arm b, while the
roller n, Figure 7, has previously pressed the beam downward, so that the weights
are in their highest position when the suspending arms come underneath the
samc.
After again depressing the stop device, the following movements at the continued
half turning of spindle o will take place inside the scale, during which turning the
spindle o will keep the stop lever in its lowest position, as described abovo :-
3. The roller n continues to keep the beam in its lowest position until the
backward motion of a and b is completed.
4. The roller n removes from the beam, and the latter ascends up underneath the
roller (Figure 7), after which
5. Ratchet paul m (Figure 8) is again disengaged.
This scale can be constructed at moderate cost, it is very simple, and is, I believe,
the quickest weight scale yet introduced.
This system may also be employed as decimal and centesimal scales, inasmuch as
the weights bear upon a lever of corresponding length, as indicated by the diagrams,
Figures 8 and 9, Sheet 1; in these scales the load draws or presses near the middle
axis on the same side of the beam on which the weights are hanging, whereas part
of the weights acts also upon this axis, and another part of the weights with
corresponding greater load acts on the end axis,

page_text: It will readily be understood by inspection of Figure 8 that two platforms may
be employed, by which arrangement the scale becomes at the same time an ordinary
weighing machine and a decimal scale.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as improvements in scales or
weighing machines of the class herein referred to,-
First. The arrangement of a straight index scale divided into equal parts for
reading or indicating the weights, which index scale is constructed, so as to speak,
as a tangential line, substantially as set forth and illustrated in the Drawings.
Second. The combination of such index scale with an index finger, the end of
which finger is constructed as or marked with a line, as described and illustrated
in the Drawings.
Third. The simplified mechanism for the parallel guidance of the pendant or
hanging frame, the article to be weighed, and the weights themselves loading only
one side, as described and illustrated in the Drawings.
Fourth. The pendant or hanging frame constructed of two parts which may be
adjusted to each other, as described and illustrated in the Drawings.
Fifth. The connecting link between the pendant frame and main frame made of
two parts or pieces which may be adjusted to each other, as described and illustrated
in the Drawings.
Sixth. The employment of screws, as described, for the bearings of the knife
edged axes.
Seventh. The arresting lever, either single armed or double armed, having its
point or fulcrum at the middle axis, and with its appended part, as specified and
illustrated by the Drawings.
Eighth. The arrangement of the approximating scale for ascertaining the
approximate weight before ascertaining the exact one, as specified and illustrated
by the Drawings.
Ninth. Arranging the weights on the frame, as specified.
Tenth. The mechanism for supporting the weights without assistance of the
hand, as specified and illustrated in the Drawings.
Eleventh. The mechanism for the self acting connection of the spring with the
supporting arms, as specified and illustrated in the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Julius Post, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Third day of June, One thousand eight hundred and eighty
two.