Improvements in Spring Scales.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Aug., 1895-Accepted, 15th Feb., 1896
Improvements in Spring Scales.
We, EDWARD STEINFELDT, and FRIEDRICH WILHELM BLASBERG, both of
Vahrenwald Hannover, in the Empire of Germany, Scale Manufacturers do hereby
declare the nature of the said invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
These improvements relate to a spring scale such as illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings in which―
Figure 1 is a view showing the mechanism of the scale, the dial being removed.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation at right angles to Figure 1.
Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are detail views of the engaging and disengaging
mechanism.
Figure 7 is a view of the mechanism of a modified form of scale the dial being
removed.
Figure 8 is a sectional elevation at right angles to Figure 7.
In this spring scale two weak springs F are provided to weigh smaller quantities
up to say one or two pounds and a stronger spring Q to weigh larger quantities up
to say ten or twenty pounds. The stronger spring Q does not begin to act, as in
scales constructed according to our Patent No. 9619 of 1894, as soon as the weight
of 1-2 lbs. or limit of the weaker springs has been attained, but is brought into or
out of action either by turning a loose hook on the balance-rod which hook thus
engages in the eyelet-hole of the stronger spring Q (Figures 1 to 6); or by
slipping this spring-eyelet on to a fixed hook secured to the balance-rod (Figures 7
and 8).
In the accompanying drawings the former mode of construction is shown in the
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, wherein Figure 1 shows a view of the balance-
mechanism, when the dial is removed.
The strong spring Q which besides the two springs F secured to the balance-
rod T or to its arms T is also intended to be temporarily connected with T, is
suspended from the pin Qo of the casing G and has its stem g guided by the
angle-iron piece W, secured to the casing. This stem q terminates downwards in
an eye go to receive the hook to of the balance rod T.
The external knob K Fig. 2 is secured to a pin or spindle passing through the
casing G and on this spindle, just inside G is secured a thick disc K¹ provided with
the groove Ko Fig. 3 which fits on the squared end t₁ of the spindle t to which the
hook to is secured.
By turning the knob round through 180° the hook to is brought into the
downwardly hanging position, and the connection between the spring Q and
the balance-rod T is released.
As soon as the scale is loaded in the position shown the balance-rod T is
depressed and the squared end t₁ sinks out of the groove K°; but, when the scale
is completely unloaded, the squared end t, rises and enters into the groove once
more.
In Figure is shown in dotted lines an arrangement for the direct rotation of
the suspensory hook to, consisting in an arm 2 with which the said hook is
provided and which projects through a slot in the neck or bend in the side of the
case. In the position of the said arm, as represented, the hook is released; but,
when 2 is pressed down the hook to engages in the eye of the stem q° i.e. of the
spring Q, whereby the latter is at once put in connection with the balance-rod T.

page_text: Instead of the arm t2 one may as shown in Figure 4, prolong the hook to
downwards by the arm n° and pivot thereon the rod n which passes freely through
the side of the case. By pulling the rod n, the hook to is released from the
spring.
If a pin 3 be fixed on the hook to and a radial arm k on the knob K (Figure 5)
the connection between Q and T is established by turning to the left the knob K
carrying with it the book to into the eye of 9° by the action of k upon t 3; but by
rotating the knob in the opposite direction the arm k releases the hook to and
separates the connection between Q and T.
In the device shown in Figure 6 for rotating the hook so as to secure its
engagement with the spring Q, the hook to is provided with a downward arm or
prolongation having a forked end in which engages an arm 1° actuated by a
knob (not shown) on the shaft carrying 1°; and this knob exactly like K shown in
Figure projects in front of the case, of course at a lower level than the pivot
"pin of the hook t°. It is evident that by turning the knob in the one direction or
the other the arm n° turns the hook so as to suspend or release it from the eye at
the bottom of the stem q°; whereby the connection between Q and T is established
or released.
Instead of a single spring Q two such springs may be provided, in which case for
the purpose of establishing the connection between those springs Q and the
balance-rod T (which in this case is provided with a horizontal bar) two hooks
like to are necessary.
If these two are suitably connected, they may be arranged to be thrown
simultaneously into or out of connection with Q either by the rotation of a single
knob, or by the sliding of a single arm; or lastly by sliding the eyelet of the spring
onto a hook secured to the balance-rod.
In the modification illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 the scale is shown as loaded
and the spring Q in action.
The rod t is provided with notches u' u 2 and is held in either of its positions by
means of a spring which holds the notches in engagement with the wall of the
casing G.
If the rod is to be pulled out it is first raised by means of a suitable head or
button and drawn till the inner notch u² has taken the place previously occupied
by the outer notch u¹.
As soon as the scale is emptied the stronger spring Q will raise the pendant g so
high that the notch 3 of the rod t will engage with the pendant g. The pendant g
may then be pushed back by the rod so that it is out of gear with the hook a;
consequently the stronger spring Q is pushed back and the weaker springs F only
will now be in action as soon as the scale is charged. According to these
arrangements the dial is provided with two divisions for showing the weight so that
one hand points to say the ounces while the other points say to the pounds, the two
cyphers being opposite each other.
Besides this, both modifications of scales are provided with double parallel
guides and adjusting screws for the weaker and stronger springs. Instead of one
movable spring there may be several working together or successively and capable
of being put into action separately or together.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is ;-
1. In a spring balance with one or more springs temporarily used such as the
establishment of connection and combination thereof with the balance-rod by
rotating a hook such as to secured to a w eight-bearing balance-rod such as T in
such a manner that the said hook engages with the spring eyelet substantially as
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In a spring balance the means for combining one or more temporarily acting
springs such as Q with a balance rod such as T by sliding the spring-eyelet onto a

page_text: hook (a) secured to the weight-carrying balance-rod substantially as and for the-
purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. The combination and arrangement of, parts constituting the complete spring
scale substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 31st day of August 1895.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants..