Improvements in and connected with Sets of Weights.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 25th Nov., 1889-Accepted, 28th Dec., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Sets of Weights.
I, CHARLES FREDERICK CLARK, of the firm of T. and C. Clark and Company, of
Shakespeare Foundry, Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford, Ironfounders, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
In a set of weights as usually made and put together or "nested" neither of the
weights below the top one can be removed without first removing any weight or weights
which may be above it.
This invention has for its main object to enable a larger or heavier weight of a set
of weights which are nested together to be removed from the set and replaced therein
without disturbing the lighter weight or weights of such set.
According to this invention, each weight of a set, except the top or smallest
weight, is made with an opening formed clear through from top to bottom, so as to
allow it to be drawn up over the lesser weight of such set which is next to it in size;
and, in order that the weights may be made of convenient dimensions and yet stand
sufficiently above one another so that any one may be readily taken hold of to lift it
out of the set, a stepped block or stand is employed which supports the different
weights (except, under some circumstances, the largest) respectively, upon its different
steps. It is preferred that the largest or outer weight shall rest upon a step or ledge
formed around the base of such block in order that such weight together with the
other weights of the set may be carried and transported from place to place upon such
block, and to facilitate the holding of the block when used for this purpose a flange or
rim may stand up around the circumference of the step or ledge on which the largest
weight rests so as to encircle such weight for the whole or a part of its depth and thus
give ample surface for being grasped by the hand. The block may, however, be
formed so that the largest or outer weight will simply pass over or around it without
resting thereon.
By the employment of the invention as above described, any individual weight of a
set of weights which have been put together or "nested" may be readily removed and
replaced without disturbing any of the other weights of the set.
The stepped block may itself be used as a weight, if desired.
It will be obvious that though, for the reason above stated, it is desirable to employ
a stepped block with each set of weights, it is not essential to do so, as the weights
may be formed to stand up above one another in a manner to enable anyone of them
to be taken out at will, notwithstanding that they rest upon a common plane.
Dated this 22nd day of February 1889.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton and Walsall, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Sets of Weights.
I, CHARLES FREDERICK CLARK, of the firm of T. and C. Clark and Company, of
Shakespeare Foundry, Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Ironfounders, 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:
In a set of weights as usually made and put together or "nested," neither of the

page_text: weights below the top one can be removed without first removing any weight or
weights which may be above it.
This invention has for its main object to enable a larger or heavier weight of a set
of weights which are nested together to be removed from the set and replaced therein
without disturbing the lighter weight or weights of such set.
Figure 1 illustrates in vertical section a set of weights constructed according to this
invention, and shews such weights to be "nested" together. Figure 2 is a plan of
figure 1. Each of the weights a b c is made with an opening formed clear through
from top to bottom so as to allow it to be drawn up over the weight d or all the
weights of such set which project above it as shewn, that is (in the case shewn) over
the weight or all the weights which are of a lower denomination than itself. All the
weights except the weight c are supported on a stepped block or stand e, as shown, so
that they may each be made of convenient dimensions and stand sufficiently above one
another to be readily taken hold of for lifting out of the set, and to facilitate such
operation it is preferred to form a projecting rim around the upper portion of each
weight as shewn. These figures shew the simplest form of the invention. It is
preferred, however, to support the weight e also on a step of the block e in order that
such weight, together with the other weights of the set, may be carried upon such
block. A step for carrying the weight is shewn by broken lines figure 1; and to
facilitate the holding of the block when carried with the weights in place thereon a
vertical rimf may be formed around its bottom edge, or such rin may be formed
upwards so as to rise some distance around the weight c. The block e may itself form
one of the weights of the set, but it cannot of course be used alone without first
removing the other weights.
The block is not necessarily stepped; it may be of plain taper form and the rings
forming weights made to fit there around at different heights.
Figures 3 and 4 are corresponding views, respectively, to figures 1 and 2, but shew
the weights to be of an octagonal shape on plan, and the rim f¹ to be carried down
sufficiently to leave space within the block e for a ball of string or twine, the loose
end of which may pass through a hole or slit formed in the side of the rim.
Figures 5 and 6 are also corresponding views, respectively, to figures 1 and 2, and
illustrate a modification of this invention in which the weights are made of a horse-
shoe shape, except that the weight d² is a solid block. According to this modification,
the weights may
not only be lifted up clear of one another but the smallest or top
weight d² may be drawn sideways or endways clear of the other weights; and thus,
when the weights are removed from the block e³ and lie nested together in the scale
pan, the weight may be readily removed, if desired, notwithstanding that its
surface is down below that of the other weights. In this modification the weights are
not shown strictly to a horseshoe shape, but they may be of such shape, if desired,
providing that the weight d² is of a shape which permits of its being withdrawn side-
ways from the others.
Figure 7 shews an elevation of a stepped block which is supported on three
legs instead of a rim, and the legs may be of such shape, as shewn, as to retain a ball
of string or twine beneath the block.
The weights may, of course, be varied in shape considerably both in section and on
plan, and, if desired, the weights of larger diameter may be of less denomination than
the weights of less diameter, and the block used with either modification may be
employed also as a holder for a ball of string or twine, for which purpose it may be
closed, if desired, with a cannister lid or other inverted cap, or be used open-ended
being kept down by its own weight or by such weight and that of the weights which
it supports.
It is not, of course, essential in either modification to employ a block (though such
is preferred), as the weights may be made of such dimensions relatively to one another,
as will be readily understood, that each inner one will project above the one imme-
diately surrounding it when all placed on a level surface.

page_text: The exposed base of the block may be utilised as a medium for advertisement, by
forming words thereon in raised or sunk letters.
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 :-
1. A set of weights constructed so that, when nested together, any weight of the
set may be removed therefrom and replaced without disturbing any other weight of
the set, substantially as described.
2. A set of weights of which, when nested together, one or more weights of greater
diameter or width may be or may each be removed therefrom and replaced without
disturbing any weight of less diameter or width therein, substantially as described.
3. A set of weights in which one or more of the weights are formed with a clear
opening through from top to bottom (and whether also with an open side or not) so
that such weight or weights may be or may each be raised clear of the weight or
weights of less diameter or width in the set, substantially as described.
4. A block in combination with weights resting thereon, of which one or more is
formed with a clear opening therethrough from top to bottom (and whether also with
an open side or not) for the purpose shewn, and whether such block itself forms one
of the set of weights or not, substantially as described for the purpose set forth.
5. The several modifications of the combination of weights with a block (and
whether the block itself forms a weight or not) substantially as described with
reference to the drawings herewith, for the purpose set forth.
6. The improvements in and connected with sets of weights substantially as
described.
Dated this 22nd day of Novemb 1000
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.