Improvements in Automatic Grain Weighers.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Dec.. 1890-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Grain Weighers.
I, HENRY BERNOULLI BARLOW, of 17, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention, which has been communicated to me by Francis Henry
Richards, Mechanical Engineer, of 64, Farmington Avenue, and Charles Henry
Cooley, Superintendent, of 1, Flower Street, both in the City and County of
Hartford, in the State of Connecticut, United States of America, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to automatic grain weighing machines operated by the
weight of the grain the object being to provide an effective grain weigher adapted
for use in mills, granaries, stores etc., wherever the grain, or other granular material
is required to be weighed and registered by machinery.
In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this Specification,
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an automatic grain weigher embodying our
invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the lower portion of the frame work of the regulator
hopper, some parts thereof being broken away.
Fig. 4 is an elevation of the right hand side of the machine.
Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the operative parts in a different
position, a portion of the framework being broken away the more clearly to show
the construction and operation of some of the details.
Fig. 6 is a view also similar to Fig. 4 but showing the operative parts in still
another position.
Fig. 7 is a central vertical section of the machine.
Figs. 8 and 9 are views illustrative of the operation of the reducing-valve,
drawn on a larger scale.
Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are enlarged diagrammatic views illustrating certain
features of the construction and operation of the machine, and especially of the
valve mechanism.
Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures.
The machine comprises a suitable framework, on which is supported the supply-
chute and the scale-beam; the grain-bucket mechanism suspended from the forward
end of the scale-beam, and a counter-weight suspended from the rearward end of the
scale-beam; valve mechanism for controlling and regulating the flow of grain from
the supply-chute to the grain-bucket; and regulator apparatus operated by the
discharged grain and connected to regulate the machine through certain features of
the valve mechanism. Each of these principal parts or mechanisms of the machine
includes features of our present improvements.
The framework for carrying the operative parts of the machine, usually, and as
shown in the drawings, comprises two side frames or uprights, 2 and 4, held
together by the top plate 5 carrying the supply-chute H, and by the bottom plate
or bar 3, herein shown formed integral with the side frames. Or, the side frames
may be separate, and held together by suitable tie-rods and braces in a well-known
manner.
The grain-bucket G, which is of the double-chambered type or class, is suspended
under the supply-chute H, and discharges its load of grain intermittingly, as herein-
after more fully set forth. The detailed construction of the grain-bucket is best
illustrated by Figs. 1 and 7. The grain-bucket consists of the outer walls 142

page_text: and 143, and the partition wall 144 suitably fixed in the bucket and having at its
lower edge the division bar 145, separating the discharge-space into two discharge-
spouts 34 and 36, respectively. The bucket-walls may be of plate-iron, or of
suitable castings, all suitably secured together, as for instance, by rivets, thus
producing a strong and light structure well suited to the purpose. Said bucket
is journaled at 12 12 in bearings formed on the hangers of the bucket mechanism..
For properly limiting the oscillating movement of the bucket in the hangers, and
for holding the bucket in its respective positions, (of which one position is shown in
Fig. 6 and the other in Fig. 7,) suitable stops and catches are provided. For this
purpose the bucket-stop-catches 40 are secured to the side-walls of the bucket by
screws, 303, which pass through the said stops and the side-walls, and usually have
check-nuts, 305, (see Fig. 7,) on the inner ends thereof. For engaging the said
bucket-stop-catches, we may use the latch-levers 42, which are pivoted to the
hangers 16 and 18 at 43, and have the latch-catches 41 secured thereto by screws 44.
It will, however, be understood that other well-known forms of bucket-detent-
catches may be employed in connection with the improvements claimed herein. On
either side of the catch 41, are stops, 49, formed on the lever 42, and constructed
to fit on the upper surface of the bucket-catches 40, for limiting the depth of the
engagement of the catches.
The detent-latch or lever 42, (usually one on each side of the machine,) is
pivoted at 43 to the hanger 16; the end 45 of said arm or lever engages with the
stop or abutment 46, here shown fixed in the inner side of the upright 2. On the
descent of the loaded grain-bucket, the end 45 of the lever 42 strikes the stop 46
to disengage the catches. The rearward end, 45, of the lever 42 is of segmental
form, being substantially concentric to the bucket-supporting knife-edges when the
beam is at the poising point; this secures a uniform action of the detent apparatus
regardless of the swaying movement of the bucket. The segment 45 having its
working face on the under side thereof, no grain can lodge on said face. By means
of this combination of the inverted movable segment with the fixed stop-pin 46,
security is provided against accidents from grain being caught between the detent
lever and its said stop.
To the lower ends of the hangers 16 and 18 is secured the bucket-closer L, which,
as shown in the drawings, consists of the two oppositely-disposed closer-plates 75
and 76, respectively, which are connected together at the ends thereof by a cross-
bar, and are fixed to said hangers by means of the screws 307. Since the bucket-
closers 75 and 76 are substantially the same, a description of one of them, as 76,
will answer for a description of both. The closer-plate 76 is set at some distance
below the month of the spout 36, as illustrated in Fig. 7, so that grain of the kind
to be weighed in the machine may pass through the space 8 between said parts;
the lower edge of said space, however, is closed by the adjustable plate 58; which
plate or guard 58 is held in place by screws 59, and comes down close to the closer,
thereby preventing the escape of grain at that point. Beyond the outer edge, 309,
of the spout 36, the plate 76 has or may have an abrupt vertical wall, 310,
forming the upper and outer edge of the closer and acting also as a stop to limit the
oscillating movement of the bucket and to prevent the escape of grain at that point.
By means of this bucket construction and the described combinations, we are
enabled to make the space 8 sufficiently large for the proper handling of corn and
coarse grains, and, at the same time, to use our machine for wheat and smaller
grains which freely pass through the said spaces between the bucket and the closer.
The grain-bucket is provided with pivots, as 12 12, which are fitted to turn in
bearings formed in the hangers 16 and 18, that are suspended by V-shaped bearings
on the pivots or knife-edges 15 and 17, respectively, of the principal arms, 19
and 21, of the scale-beam B. This beam has similar V-shaped bearings, as 20, one
at each end thereof, which rest on the pivots or knife-edges 24, that are suitably
supported, as by bearings 23, on the framework. See Fig. 7. Opposite to arms 19
and 21, an arm 28 extends rearwardly of the scale-beam shaft 50, and is provided
with a pivot or knife-edge 27, on which the main-weight W (also designated as the

page_text: counter-weight) is suspended by a nook 29, TOT INting the empty bucket, and
counterpoising the loaded bucket.
For preventing undue swaying of the bucket and hangers, we employ a detent-
arm 47, which is attached to some convenient part of the framework by a suitable
pivot, as 39, and is limited in its downward movement by a fixed stop, 30. The
lower edge of the arm 47 is furnished with detent-teeth, 51, adapted to act on the
detent-face or pin 53 fixed in the closer-frame L. These said notches 51 and pin 53,
are not designed to be "square-notched," so as to lock securely together; but the
same are beveled, so that the weight of said arm acts as a gently restraining force
to gradually bring the swaying bucket to rest. When the bucket, on the discharge
of its load, rises and swings over to the opposite side, the pin 53 slides along under
and against the said notches 51, and thus gradually overcomes the momentum of the
bucket mechanism. When the beam descends to the poising point, the arm 47 rests
on the stop 30, and the pin 53 stands clear of the notches 51. There being a con-
tinuous line of said notches throughout the limits of the swaying movement, these
notches are effective regardless of the kind or quantity of grain constituting a load;
for the heavier the load of grain, the greater is the swaying movement of the
bucket; which movement is about twice as great when weighing wheat or corn as
when weighing oats or malt. By this means we not only adapt our machine for the
weighing of different materials, but also different loads of the same material.
The scale-beam B is shown with its several parts formed integral, and comprises
the arms before mentioned, the shaft 50, and the several knife-edges and V-shaped
bearings. The shaft 50 may be formed hollow, to secure greater strength and
rigidity with a given weight, and is preferably located, as shown, above the axis of
oscillation of the beam; which axis, of course, coincides with the knife-edges 24
and 24. The bearings 20 20 are secured to (or formed on) the under side of shaft 50,
while the knife-edges 15, 17 and 27 are secured to the upper side of the arms 19, 21
and 28, respectively, of the beam; those arms being shaped or curved down-
wardly to bring the several knife-edges into the proper relative planes. In practice,
we usually make the plane of the knife-edges from one-fourth to one-half of an inch
above the said beam-axis, thus producing what we term an "overpoise beam."
When reference is herein made to the movement of the "scale-beam," the move-
ment of the bucket-supporting arms thereof is meant; this coinciding, of course,
with the movement of the bucket itself. The movement of the beam B is or may
be, and usually is, limited in its upward movement by some suitable stops, and is
naturally stopped in its downward movement by the discharge of the grain
immediately following the tipping of the catch 41 by stop 46. The stops for thus
controlling the beam movements are, in the form of machine shown in the drawings,
carried on the counter-weight rod.
The main-weight W is suspended from the knife-edge 27 by a rod, 32, having at
the upper end thereof a hook, 29, which is provided with a suitable V-shaped
bearing 31, that is secured to said hook by a screw, 31. Said bearing 31 is seated
in the guard-plate 35, whose sides 37 extend down over the ends of the knife-edge 27,
and thereby serve as end stops for retaining the bearing 31 in proper position
longitudinally of the said knife-edge. Similar guard-plates, 15 and 17', are
provided for each of the knife-edges 15 and 17, respectively, on the beam-arms 19
and 21.
"
The main-weight M, which should have a mass nearly sufficient to balance the
unloaded grain-bucket, is secured to the rod 32 in a manner hereinafter set forth.
Said weight M should have an annular or other suitable recess, as 103, formed in
the top thereof to receive the usual small "make-weight pieces for making up the
correct weight for balancing the bucket mechanism when the bucket is empty of
grain. A circular cover, 104, is fixed to the top of the weight M, as shown best in
Fig. 7, for covering said recess; on this cover rest the several load-weights 100,
which together should equal the load of grain. Said cover forms, in effect, a part
of the main-weight, being normally fixed thereto. The load-weights are
symmetrically formed, having the usual radial slot 101 formed therein to receive

page_text: the suspension-rod 32, and the usual annular tongues and grooves, 106 and 107,
respectively, for the purpose of centering the said weights on each other, as shown
in Fig 7.
The cylindrical cover 105 is fitted to slide up and down on the suspension-rod,
and its closed upper end is preferably formed conical, for the purpose of shedding
grain, dust, etc., falling thereon. The lower end of said cover being open,
when the cover is raised on the rod 32 the load-weights remain resting on the main-
weight cover 104, and are thus rendered accessible for removal whenever the
operator has occasion to make up or change the set of load-weights. Said load-
weight cover forms, of course, a part of the weight for counterpoising the unloaded
bucket.
At the lower part of Fig. 7 is shown a portion of the framework of the machine,
consisting of the bottom-plate or bar 3 carrying the weight-supporting bracket 108.
Said bracket has formed therein a slot, 120, through which passes the weight-
rod 32, together with the sleeve, or thimble, 121, carried on said rod at that part
thereof. Said sleeve is suitably fixed to the lower end of said rod 32 by means of
a pin, 119, a key, or the like.
Above the pin 119, and below the bracket 108, there is shown formed on the
sleeve 121, the lower stop-collar 123, and at the upper end of said sleeve, the upper
stop-collar, or flange, 122, on which rests the main-weight M of the counterpoise W;
the said stops 122 and 123 limit the rising and falling movement of the rod 32
and of the scale-beam, and through these control the rising and falling movements
of the bucket.
The valve mechanism for reducing and for cutting off the flow of grain to the
bucket is actuated from and by the scale-beam. The reducing-valve 60 is carried
by the arms 62 and 64 thereof, which are supported on the pivots 61; said valve
is furnished with a suitable stop, as 66, (sometimes made adjustable,) to regulate or
limit its closing movement. The valve 60 is arranged to close under the outlet, 65,
of the chute H somewhat more than half the width thereof, and is actuated by the
valve-lever 69, from the valve-actuating arm 71 of the beam B.
The reducing-valve is operated directly from the beam by said beam-arm 71,
which acts to lift the valve-actuating arm 69; which arm is here shown formed
integral with the valve-arm 64. The arms 69 and 71 are curved relative to each
other, so as to produce a graduated movement of the one relative to the other, as
hereinafter more fully described in connection with Figs. 8 and 9. For the purpose
of illustration, and also because conforming to usual practice, the beam-arm 71 is
herein shown straight, while all the relative curvature or divergence is shown
formed in the valve-arm 69.
65
By the term "beam-arm"
or valve-actuating arm," as used herein, we mean
any part of the beam, or any part attached thereto, which is located and operated
to impart motion to the reducing-valve through its lever 69. It is quite immaterial
to our invention whether or not said arm is made integral with the beam, or
whether it be rigidly or otherwise attached thereto, if only it is so attached as to
have a corresponding reciprocatory movement. The valve-actuating arm 71 and
the valve-lever 69 are said to be curved relatively to each other," because it is
not necessary that all the curvature shall be on one said part, nor necessary that
the said lever be curved at all, provided the said arm is so shaped as to effect &
like purpose. But we deem it preferable to employ the arrangement shown, in
order to facilitate construction, and also because we thus obtain, as we believe,
a better mode of operation with a given precision of workmanship. Both the arm 71
and the arm 69 stand substantially radial to the scale-beam axis, thereby causing
the latter to bear on the former in a direction substantially parallel to the
direction of the bean movement, and thus securing the most easy and effective
action thereof.
The mode of operation of the column-reducing portion of the valve mechanism is
illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. To facilitate comparison of the several movements,
each said fig. is provided with the graduated scales X and Y, each comprising the

page_text: corresponding divisions 6, 7, 8 and 9, and 61, 71, 8¹ and 91, respectively; which
divisions also correspond with the equi-distant points a, b, c and d, on the beam-arm.
It will be evident that the effect of a weight, (as for instance, the weight N, formed
on the arm 69,) on the beam, will be greater when the point of contact of arm 69
on arm 71 is at a, or nearest to the axis 61; also, that the direct effective power
of the weight N is nearly constant in each of said two figs., except as the said
contact point is changed. From Figs. 8 and 9 it will be understood how, in our
improved grain-weigher, equal outwardly advances of the contact-point of the
reducing-valve lever correspond to decreasing spaces of valve closure. When the
beam is fully up, as shown by solid lines in Fig. 8, the said contact point is at u,
and the resultant downward pressure on the beam is at the maximum. As the
bucket receives the major part of its load, the beam is gradually lowered, bringing
the contact point to b, and the reducing-valve to the position 7', as indicated by
dotted lines in Fig. 8. Next, the valve 60 closes to the point 81, Fig. 9, and the
contact point advances to c. Finally, the contact point reaches d, when the valve
is fully closed, as indicated by solid lines in Fig. 9. During the described gradual
closure, or "reduction," the effective pressure of the arm 69 on the scale-beam is ·
reduced in a ratio corresponding to the reduction of the column of grain; so that.
the load at any moment in the bucket plus the said pressure of that movement on
the beam, is a substantially uniform quantity. When the cam-arm is proportioned
as set forth, the ratio of the said reduction is reduced during the reduction; so
that the column is said to be reduced in a decreasing ratio. These features, in
practice, produce a steady and reliable action of the mechanism highly conducive.
to accuracy of weighing.
The cut-off valve 70 is carried by its arms 72 and 74 which are pivoted at 73.
to the supply chute H. The arm 72 is continued above the pivot 73 and carries
the cam 68, and some suitable weight, as 90, for closing the valve. The cut-off**
valve co-acts with the reducing-valve to wholly cut off the flow of grain to the
bucket. The small stream flowing to the bucket after the valve 60 is closed, we
designate as the "drip," or "drip column."
The cut-off valve is operated by a shiftable actuator, which, as herein shown,
is a small roller, 55, carried by the actuator-arm 54, that is pivoted at 56 to the
arm 19 of the beam B. Said actuator-arm 54 has pivotally connected thereto, at 83,
a connecting-rod, 84, whose opposite end is connected at 96 to the arm or link 97;
which link is pivoted at 57 to an arm, 52, that is formed on the scale-beam. The
rod 13 is also pivoted at its upper end at 96 to the link 97, and at its lower end to
the vertically movable regulator P. By this means the regulator or hopper, P, by
its vertical movement operates the links 84 and 97, after the manner of a toggle-
joint, to shift the said valve-actuator from its operative position shown in
Figs. 4, 5 and 6, to its inoperative position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. By
means of this feature of our improvements, automatic regulation of the machine is
effected. It will, of course, be understood that the oscillating movement of the
hopper P is to be limited by some suitable stop devices, as, for instance, those.
shown most clearly in Figs. 3 and 5. In the preferred arrangement thereof shown
in said views, a stop-arm, 230, is fixed to or formed on the hopper; and suitable
stops or abutments, as 231 and 232, are provided on the framework of the machine..
The hopper P is pivoted at 98 and 99 to the framework, and has an arm, 10, fixed
thereto and provided with the usual counterweight, 11, of sufficient mass (to be
suitably adjusted as any particular case may require) to open the cut-off valve.
when the hopper is empty of grain.
The mode of operation of the cut-off valve is shown more fully in the enlarged
views Figs. 10 to 14, inclusive. For the purpose of illustrating the ordinary
mode of operation, let us assume the actuator 55, which in this case is a small
roller carried by the arm 54, to be carried at a fixed point on the beam-arm 19,
as shown in Fig. 11. We may, then divide the vertical movement of said
actuator (and also of the beam) into several periods, represented by the positions p,
Fig. 10; `p', Fig. 11; ³, Fig. 12; and p³, Fig. 13. În Fig. 10, the beam is at

page_text: its highest point, as in Figs. 4 and 7. In Fig. 11, the beam has descended to the
theoretical poising point, when the reducing-valve is supposed to be closed as in
Fig. 5.
In Fig. 12, the beam has descended to the end of the poising period,
or the "actual poising point, this being the position where the valve weight 90,
acting through the lever and cam, acquires a sufficient power to accelerate the
downward movement of the beam. At this actual poising point, the roll 55
stands on a line, nn, passing through the edge of the cam, and considerably
inclined to the line p², so that at said moment, (when there is no longer any need
for more grain to flow into the bucket,) the closing movement of the cut-off valve
is rapidly accelerating, and cuts off the drip-column very suddenly. Immediately
after this, when the drip is substantially cut off, the bucket-latches strike the
stop 46, and unhook the bucket, and the beam descends to the position shown in
Fig. 6. During this latter part of the beam movement, the curved cam-face 14
bears with a greatly increased force on the roll 55, and thereby exerts a powerful
downward thrust on the beam, thus furnishing ample power for unlocking the
bucket-catches. The valve 70 stands substantially at rest during the reducing-valve
closure and during the poising.
The cam 68 being above the pivot 73 of the cut-off valve, and the valve-arm
being of a short radius, the cam follows the beam in its downward movement, and
thus has a more direct and effective action thereon. This arrangement and com-
bination of the several parts enables us to use a large angular movement of the
valve 70 relatively to the extent of the beam movement, thereby obtaining a long
stroke for the weight 90; this result is highly important, because it is desirable
that the position and stroke of said weight shall be such as to have only a very
small effect on the beam when in the position shown in Fig. 11, and shall have a
rapidly increasing effect when the valve begins to close. In Fig. 11, said weight
stands almost directly over the pivot 73, thus exerting a very slight effect on the
beam; in Fig. 13, the effective leverage of said weight is several fold increased,
owing to its aforesaid large angular movement.
There is another feature of our improved valve mechanism especially illustrated
in Fig. 14, which is, perhaps, not so obvious from Figs. 10 to 13 inclusive. It
will have been observed that the cam 68 has three faces, 6, 7, and 14. The part 6
of the cam-face, which part stands substantially parallel to the direction of the
beam movement, is used during the closing of the reducing-valve; the part 7 during
the poising period, this being substantially co-incident in extent with the poising
movement of the beam; and the part 14, to cut off the drip, and to effect the
discharge of the grain. Since the face 7 bears with some pressure against the
actuator 55 on the beam and during the poising period, it is obvious that any
resistance caused by such pressure will to that extent vitiate the precision of the
machine. To overcome such unfavourable result, we make the face 7 neutral to
the downward movement of the beam, but not to the upward movement thereof.
In Fig. 14 the line V is supposed to be at right-angles to the poising line p'. If
the face 7 were parallel with the line V, it is obvious there would be some little
resistance to the beam movement in either direction, due to the friction of the
roller 55 on its pin and on the said face 7. Accordingly, we construct the face 7
to neutralize said resistance by setting said face on the line X, at an angle to line V
representing what is generally designated by mechanics as the "angle of repose."
This angle, Z, is shown in the drawings to be about 8 degrees, being so figured in
said Fig. 14. For the purpose of convenient reference thereto, we designate the
face 7 as being "under cut," since the lower part thereof is cut under the line V,
by an amount corresponding substantially to the said angle of repose. By this
means, during the sub-poise period from point p' to point p², the angle of the face 7
causes the weighted valve to exert substantially the same downward thrust on the
beam, as the pressure on said actuator causes resistance to the downward movement
of the beam. This accurately neutralizes the said resistance, and renders the same
of no injurious effect. By this means we attain the important result of materially
diminishing the percentage of error of the weighing.

page_text: The cut-off valve has a surplus or extra closure, for the purpose of cutting off
the "drip" prior to beginning to open the bucket-latches, so that the impact of
the falling column of grain entirely ceases before the beam encounters any resistance
to its downward movement.
The valve mechanism, together with the shiftable-actuator and the regulator
connected thereto, constitute an important feature of our improved grain-weigher.
The cut-off valve is also a regulator valve, being normally actuated from and by
the scale-beam, and exceptionally actuated from the regulator; each of these modes
of operation being in in a sense independent of the other. In place of the
regulator-hopper P, we may use any well-known regulator adapted to be operated
by an accumulation of the discharged grain. The regulator used being suitably
connected, substantially as described, with the shiftable-actuator, on the working
stroke of the regulator the actuator is shifted to cause the regulator-valve 70 to
close, and thus stop the machine.
The direction of the shifting movement of the valve-actuator is made about radial
to the axis of the scale-beam, so as to prevent any material degree of vertical thrust
being imparted to the beam on the shifting of said actuator. To this end, the
shifting movement of the valve-actuating device is derived or obtained by and
through a shifting device which re-acts against some point or part on the main beam
itself, usually and preferably in a direction substantially in alignment with the said
shifting movement, and coinciding substantially with the axis of the beam. The
particular construction of this shifting device may be considerably varied, without
departing from the principle thereof, or from the mode of operation thereof in the
combinations.
.
In Figs. 1 and 4 the machine is shown provided with a register, R, which is
arranged to be operated by suitable connection with the scale-beam. The register
may be of any ordinary kind usually operated by means of a ratchet and lever, in a
well-known manner. As shown in the drawings, the register lever 311 is connected
by a rod 312 with the scale-beam arm 19, so as to partake of the vertical movements
thereof and to actuate the register mechanisin on the rising of the grain-bucket.
The general operation of our improved grain-weigher is as follows: The main
weight being adjusted to exactly correspond, with the required load, by placing
proper "make-weights" in the main-weight M, the cover 105 is raised, and the
desired load-weights put in place resting on the cover 104, as illustrated in Fig. 7.
These load-weights should equal exactly the required load of grain. If a register
be used, said register should now be set at zero; or, if not of the re-setting kind,
the reading thereof should be taken. The grain to be weighed is conveyed from
some storage bin or elevator, to the supply-chute H of the machine, through. any
suitable conductor or pipe. Fig. 4 shows in side view, and Fig. 7 in section, the
machine ready for use, the beam being up, the valves both open, and the bucket
locked by the bucket-catches, with the outlet 36 of the rear compartment closed by
the bucket-closer 76. The grain flows freely from the outlet 65 of the supply-chute
into the rear compartment of the grain-bucket, until the major part of a load has
been delivered into said compartment, when the beam gradually descends and with
it the beam-arm 71, which allows the weighted arm 69 also to descend and thus
gradually close the reducing valve 60 under the outlet 65 of the supply-chute,
thus gradually reducing the flow of grain to a "drip," in accordance with the
method or system hereinbefore described. During the descent of the beam and
the parts carried thereby, the arm 47, after having steadied or slowed down the
swaying of the bucket, comes in contact with the stop-pin 30, and the notches 51
of said arm are disengaged from the detent-pin 53. The machine has now reached
the position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The beam having now descended to
the poising point, the remainder of the load is made up by the drip during this
poising period; during which time the actuator 55 moves along the face 7 of the
cam 68. The weight 90 of the cam-arm being located nearly vertically above the
pivot 73, only a very small part of the weight thereof is exerted on the beam ;
but as the final load is made up the beam further descends, the actuator 55 passes

page_text: below the face 7 of the actuator-cam, and the arm of the cut-off valve is thrown
over by means of the weight 90, thus closing the cut-off valve and shutting off the
flow of grain to the bucket. On the throwing over of the weight 90, the force of
said weight falls on the beam; this accelerates the downward movement thereof,
and causes the unlocking of the bucket-catches after the manner hereinbefore set
forth, whereupon the weight of the load in the bucket causes the released bucket
to "throw over "and discharge its load, the bucket being immediately locked in
the other position thereof shown in Fig. 6. On the discharge of the load the beam
rises, the valves are opened and the grain again flows into the bucket; this time
into the forward compartment thereof. The discharged grain flows from the
discharge-spout 36 into the hopper P, which is also a regulator, and operates
through the connections described to close the cut-off valve and stop the machine.
When for any reason the accumulation of the discharged grain in the said hopper
has become sufficient to lower the said hopper to the position shown in dotted lines
in Fig. 5, said "regulator" operates through the rod 13 and connecting parts to
draw back the actuator 55 and allow the cut-off valve to close and thus stop the
machine. When the accumulated grain has been sufficiently exhausted, the
regulator-hopper again rises, the cut-off valve is opened, and the machine is started
in operation to repeat the described cycle of operations, so long as the grain is
supplied thereto.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
:―
1. In a grain-weigher, the combination with the supply-chute, the main beam,
and a valve arranged to close under said chute, of valve-actuating devices carried
on the main beam for actuating the valve to open the same, and regulator apparatus
connected for making inoperative said devices by shifting the same on said beam,
substantially as described.
2. In a grain-weigher, the combination with the supply-chute and the scale-beam,
of a valve normally actuated to be opened by the beam, a regulator operated by the
discharged grain, and a shiftable valve-actuator connected to effect the closing of
said valve or valves on the yielding of said regulator, and independently of the beam
movement, substantially as described.
3. In a grain-weigher, the combination with the supply-chute and the scale-beam,
of a valve or valves operating to close said chute, a regulator operated by the
discharged grain, and a valve-actuator operated by the beam and by the regulator,
and intermediate to the valve or valves and the said beam and regulator, substantially
as described.
4. In a grain-weigher, the combination with the supply-chute and the scale-beam,
of a valve operating to partially close said chute, and a valve-actuator substantially
as described operating said valve firstly from the scale-beam and secondly from the
regulator, whereby the same valve serves firstly as a cut-off valve and secondly as
a regulator valve, substantially as described.
5. In a grain-weigher, the combination with the supply-chute and the scale-beam,
of the reducing and cut-off valves each operating to partially close said chute, said
reducing valve being actuated directly from the scale-beam, and a valve-actuator
substantially as described operating only said cut-off valve firstly from the scale-
beam and secondly from the regulator, whereby the cut-off valve is actuated for the
purpose of regulation independently of the movement of the scale-beam, substan-
tially as described.
6. In a grain-weigher, the combination with the supply-chute and the scale-beam,
of a valve normally actuated by the scale-beam, a regulator operated by the
discharged grain, and a shiftable valve-actuator carried by the scale-beam and
shiftable in the direction of the beam movement, and connected to close said valye
on the yielding of said regulator, substantially as described.
7. In a grain-weigher, the combination with the scale-beam, of the cut-off valve

page_text: and its arm, the actuator-arm carried on the beam and adapted to actuate said valve
through said valve-arm, the regulator, and intermediate actuator-shifting devices
operating to shift said actuator-arm on the working stroke of said regulator, all
substantially as described.
8. In a regulator grain-weigher, the combination of the supply-chute, the main
beam, a valve arranged to close said chute, devices carried on the main beam for
actuating the valve and constructed substantially as described to be shiftable on
said beam substantially radially to the axis thereof, and means for making
inoperative said devices by shifting the same on said beam in said direction, substan-
tially as described.
9. In a regulator grain-weigher, the combination of the supply-chute, the main
beam, a valve arranged to close said chute, the radially-shiftable valve-actuator
carried on said main beam, the pivot 105 fixed on said beam, and a shifting device
acting between the said actuator and pivot and actuated from a regulator-hopper,
all substantially as described.
10. In a regulator grain-weigher, the combination of the supply-chute, the main
beam, a valve arranged to close said chute and having a cam on the arm thereof,
the radially-movable actuator carried on said beam and located to actuate said valve
by acting against the cam thereof, and the actuator-shifting links 112 and 114
actuated by a rod from the regulator-hopper and re-acting against a point on the
beam, all substantially as described.
11. In a regulator grain-weigher, the combination with the supply-chute and the
beam, of the valve 70 pivoted as set forth and having a cam on the weight-arm
thereof, a shiftable actuator on the beam arranged to open said valve by acting on
the cam thereof in a direction substantially radial to the axis of the beam, said
valve-cam being constructed and arranged to bear down on the shiftable actuator
when the beam descends to close said valve, all substantially as described.
12. In a grain-weigher, the combination with the supply-chute and a reducing
valve therefor, of the scale-beam and its valve-actuating arm, and a lever on said
valve and operated by said arm, said lever and arm being curved relatively to each
other substantially as set forth, whereby is obtained a valve-closure by constantly
decreasing spaces which correspond with equal outwardly advances of the contact-
point on the arm and lever, substantially as described.
13. In a grain-weigher, the combination with the supply-chute and the scale-
beam, of the reducing valve and its lever curved relatively to the bearing thereof on
said beam, a cut-off valve, and means actuating said cut-off valve from the beam, all
being organized and co-acting substantially as set forth to first close the reducing
valve with a decreasing ratio and afterward to close the cut-off valve, all substan-
tially as described.
14. In a grain-weigher, the combination with the supply-chute, the scale-beam,
and the reducing and cut-off valves, of a lever on the reducing valve, a valve-
actuating arm on the scale-beam for operating said reducing valve lever, said arm
and lever being curved relatively to each other and having their working faces
crosswise to their line of movement, whereby the reducing valve is gradually closed
prior to the poising, an arm on the cut-off valve having a detent-face substantially
parallel to said movement, and a valve-actuator located on the scale-beam and
arranged to bear against said detent-face during the reducing valve closure and during
the poising of the beam, whereby the reducing valve is closed prior to the poising,
and whereby the cut-off valve is held substantially at rest during said closure and
during the poising, all substantially as described.
15. In a grain-weigher, the combination with the supply-chute, the scale-beam,
and the reducing and cut-off valves, of a curved lever on the reducing valve and
set substantially radial to the axis of the beam, an arm operated by the beam and
operating said reducing valve lever, an arm on the cut-off valve having a detent-face
crosswise to a radial line from said face to the scale-beam axis, and a valve-actuator
carried by the scale-beam and arranged to bear against said detent-face during the
poising of the scale-beam, whereby the cut-off valve is detained from closing during

page_text: the gradual closure of the reducing valve and during the poising, and whereby the
pressure of the cut-off valve against the beamis brought radial to the axis of
the beam and made neutral during the poising, substantially as described.
16. In a grain-weigher, the combination with the hanger having the detent-face,
of the detent-arm having a row of beveled notches adapted to engage said face,
and a stop limiting the downward movement of said detent-arm, substantially as
described.
17. In a grain-weigher, and in combination, substantially as described, the
improved reducing valve herein described, it consisting in the valve-blade, the arms
rising from either end of said blade and constructed for pivotally supporting the
same, the reducing cam set beyond the valve-blade, and the out-reaching connecting-
arm rigidly joining one said valve-supporting arm and the said cam, the valve-radius
and the cam-radius being set in crosswise directions, substantially as described.
18. In a grain-weigher, the combination with the scale-beam, and the cut-off valve
having cam 68 set beyond the end of said valve, of the actuator-arm 54 pivoted to
the beam and carrying the roll 55, and located to swing by the end of said valve,
and means actuating said arm on its said pivot, all substantially as described.
19. In a grain-weigher, the combination with the scale-beam having the stud 58,
and having the arm 19 carrying the pivot 56, and with the cut-off valve pivotally
supported and having the cam 68 out-reaching as set forth, of the actuator-arm 54
carrying the valve-actuator and having pivot 83, and toggle-links connecting from
said pivot 83 to the stud 58, all organized and co-acting substantially as shown and
described.
Dated this Fifteenth day of December 1890.
H. B. BARLOW,
17, St. Ann's Square, Manchester.