Year: 1899

page_text: I, ISAAC Walker Hall, of 90, Flixton Road, Urmston, near Manchester, in
the County of Lancaster Medical Student do hereby declare the nature of the said
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to, and consists of, a novel construction of machine in which
the weight of an object, or measure of a load or force is accurately, instantly and
automatically indicated, without the use of loose weights or without mental calcu
lation, and in which all the parts are simple in construction, durable and easily
repaired.
The following is a description of the salient parts in a machine constructed in
accordance with the invention and adapted for general weighing purposes. In
such machine the load is placed upon a platform resting on V edges on a swinging
frame and such platform and frame form one element of the balance by which
the measure of the load is determined. The other. or counter-poise element,
comprises one, or two howls or cylinders, each with two different concentric
diameters, and in such association to a pillar or support as to allow a set of
flexible (but non-extensible) hands, secured to such pillar, to pass beneath the
smaller diameters and be secured thereto, and another flexible (but non-exten-
sible) band connected with the platform aforesaid (directly or indirectly) to lie
over and be secured to the larger diameter. Each bowl is provided with a block
or counter-weight, eccentric to the bowl centre, and the position of such weight
relatively to the bowl, before a load is placed on the platform, is below the bowl.
When an object to be weighed acts on the said platform, the pull of the band
passing over the larger diameter of each bowl against the resistance offered by
the bands passing under the smaller diameters is such as to roll the bowl bodily
up the last named bands until arrested by the increasing leverage from the point
of suspension of the counter-weight aforesaid when the load on the platform is
counter-balanced.
To utilise the motion of the bowl or bowls thus obtained for automatically
indicating the measure of the load, I employ a dial and pointer, and I mount
such pointer directly upon one of the bowls, or upon a spindle or arbor, and
around such arbor I pass a fine flexible (but non-extensibile) band, adapted to
roll and unroll in the path of an helice upon such arbor. Each end of the said
band is secured to a further rolling surface operated from the bowls in such a
manner as to convert the epicycloidal or rolling motion of the bowls into a rotary
motion about a centre. Other gear may, however, be adopted but the foregoing
is preferred.

page_text: With the dial suitable scaled or graded the measure of the balance between
load, and eccentric-weight on the bowls, is readily and accurately indicated by
the pointer.
To steady the action of the bowls, and give a placid movement to the pointer
I provide a fluid or like brake, comprising (by preference) a cylinder and loose
fitting piston, the cylinder containing a composition of glycerine or like
viscid matter, and by connection of the bowls with the said piston or its rod,
serving to give a steady movement to the pointer, and ensuring of quick and
rapid weighing..
The dial is (by preference) enclosed in a casing with glass face to prevent tam-
pering with the pointer, and the bowls and working parts connected with the
pointer are enclosed in a casing to exclude dust. The connecting parts between
platform and bowls are also enclosed.
The machine is also provided with means for relieving the bowls or bands of
all weight or tension during inaction, and such means may take the form of rests
or brackets, eccentrics or cams, and a hand or foot-lever, which latter may be
fitted with, or under control of, a locking device for preventing unauthorised use
of the machine.
Whilst the foregoing describes the preferred form and arrangement of the
invention it may take other forms, as the relationship of the load to the bowls,
and the bowls to the indicating mechanism, may vary, the chief requirement being
to arrange the rolling action of the bowls to balance and determine the load. The
invention, may also apply to testing machines.
Dated this 9th day of March 1899.
ISAAC WALKER HALL,
By John G. Wilson & Co., Agents.
I, ISAAC WALKER HALL, of 90. Flixton Road, Urmston, near Manchester, in
the County of Lancaster, Medical Student, 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:--
This invention relates to and consists of a novel construction of machine in which
the weight of an object or measure of a load or force is accurately, instantly and
automatically indicated without the use of loose weights or without mental calcu-
lation and in which all the parts are simple in construction, durable and easily
repaired.
In
The following is a description of the salient parts in a machine constructed in
accordance with the invention and adapted for general weighing purposes.
such machine the load is placed upon a platform resting on V edges on a swinging
frame and such platform and frame form one element of the balance by which
the measure of the load is determined. The other or counter-poise clement
comprises one, or two bowls or cylinders each with two different concentric
diameters and in such association to a pillar or support as to allow a set of
flexible (but non-extensible) bands, secured to such pillar, to pass beneath the
smaller diameters and be secured thereto and another flexible (but non-exten-
sible) band connected with the platform aforesaid (directly or indirectly) to lie
over and be secured to the larger diameter. Each bowl is provided with a block

page_text: or counter-weight, eccentric to the bowl centre and the position of such weight
relatively to the bowl, before a load is placed on the platform, is below the bowl.
When an object to be weighed acts on the said platform, the pull of the band
passing over the larger diameter of each bowl against the resistance offered by
the bands passing under the smaller diameters is such as to roll the bowl bodily
the last named bands until arrested by the increasing leverage from the point
of suspension of the counter-weight aforesaid when the load on the platform is
counter-balanced.
up
To utilise the motion of the bowl or bowls thus obtained for automatically
indicating the measure of the load, I employ a dial and pointer and I mount
such pointer directly upon one of the bowls, or upon a spindle or arbor, and
around such arbor I pass a fine flexible (but non-extensible) band, adapted to
roll and unroll in the path of an helice upon such arbor. Each end of the said
band is secured to a further rolling surface operated from the bowls in such a
manner as to convert the epicycloidal or rolling motion of the bowls into a rotary
motion about a centre. Other gear may, however be adopted but the foregoing
is preferred.
With the dial suitable scaled or graded the measure of the balance between the
load and eccentric-weight on the bowls is readily and accurately indicated by
the pointer.
To steady the action of the bowls and give a placid movement to the pointer
I provide a fluid or like brake, comprising (by preference) a cylinder and loose
fitting piston, the cylinder containing a composition of glycerine or like
viscid matter, and by connection of the bowls with the said piston or its rod,
serving to give a steady movement to the pointer and ensuring of quick and
rapid weighing.
The dial is by preference enclosed in a casing with glass face to prevent tam-
pering with the pointer, and the bowls and working parts connected with the
pointer are enclosed in a casing to exclude dust. The connecting parts between
platform and bowls are also enclosed.
The machine is also provided with means for relieving the bowls or bands of
all weight or tension during inaction and such means may take the form of rests
or brackets, eccentrics or cams and a hand or foot lever which latter may be
fitted with or under control of a locking device for preventing unauthorised use
of the machine.
To permit of the invention being readily understood I have hereunto annexed 2
sheets of drawings illustrating the same in its concrete and detail form.
Fig. 1 illustrates a front and Fig. 2 a side exterior elevation of a complete
platform weighing machine constructed in accordance with the invention.
Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate front and side views of an important detail separately and
Fig. 4 a further part in detail.
Fig. 5 illustrates a front view of those parts of the machine which come behind
the dial or pointer with the casing which encloses them shewn in section and the
dial removed.
Fig. 6 illustrates a side view of the same parts with the casing in section and
the dial in section.
Figs. 7, 89 and 10 illustrate diagrammatically the action of the sail parts.
According to the invention (A) is a platform upon which the objects to be
weighed are placed. Such platform whilst the machine is not in use or whilst the
objects to be weighed are being placed upon it rests firmly on the top edges of the
base (B). By an arrangement of rods and cams operated by a hand lever (C) the
said platform is capable of being raised from the base and of being supported
by Vedges upon a swinging lever frame as shewn by dotted lines in Fig. 1 and
in detail view Fig. 4*.
The said frame operates as a lever and at one side projects into the base part of
the hollow pillar (D) where it is connected to a rod or link (E) which ascending

page_text: upwards is in turn connected to the hooked extremities (F) of. two flexible
bands (G).
As shewn the upper part of the pillar terminates in a plate (H) with an opening
in it directly over the opening in the pillar. Upon such plate two upright
brackets (1) are rigidly mounted of corresponding size and outline and directly
parallel to and opposite each other as shewn. Affixed to the lower part of cach
bracket is a further bracket (3) having two curved arms or extensions (J*) which
extend laterally outwards and lie partly in front of the edges of the bracket, as seen
more clearly in Fig. 6.
The distance between the extensions (*) and the distance between the brac-
kets (1) are such as to allow the smaller portions (K) of a set of rollers or bowls
to rest upon the said extensions and the larger portions (L) of such rollers or bowls
to lie between the brackets (I) as shewn more clearly in Fig. 6. These rollers
are of equal size and when resting on the extensions (1) the peripheries of the
smaller diameters (K) impinge against the four outer edges of the two brackets.
Over the periphery of each larger portion (L) of the said bowls or rollers the
ends of the flexible bands (G) are passed and tightly secured upon such peripheries
by small plates (M) and set screws (N) at a point some two thirds round the rollers
from where the bands first touch the rollers, as illustrated.
Below, or under the smaller diameters or portions (K) of the said rollers
the ends of four other flexible bands (0) are passed and secured by plates (P) and
screws (Q) at a point about a third round the roller from the point of contact
with the brackets, and the opposite ends of such four further bands pass upwards
and are secured upon the top of the two brackets (1) by plates (R) and screws (S).
Such bands lie against the sloping and slightly wider sides of the brackets (I),
and lie clear of the extensions (J). At a point upon the periphery of the larger
portion of each roller (and therefore eccentric to the roller), and; by preference
moulded thereon, is a solid metal weight block (T), which when the rollers rest
upon the arms (*), or are in their normal position, lies upon that side of the roller
nearest the bracket to allow of which the sides of the lower part of. each bracket
are cut away as shewn.
The arrangement of rollers, weights and bands aforesaid constitute the counter-
balance portion of the platform (A) and the manner in which they operate is as
follows: Immediately a weight or object to be weighed is placed upon the plat-
form. (A) and the lever (C) has been pulled over to allow the platform and load
to exert their influence upon the rod (E) and bands (G) the downward pull thereby
exerted upon the said bands has the effect, owing to the difference in diameters of
the larger and smaller portions of the rollers and the resistance offered by the
four hands (0) of unrolling the bands (G), rolling the bowls or rollers up the
edges of the brackets (I), and rolling the bands (0) further round the rollers.
Simultaneously, the pull upon the bands (G) has the effect of moving the weight
blocks (T) outwards from their neutral positions, and with the rise of the rollers to
an increasing degree of leverage from the edges of the bracket, until the measure
of their weight leverage counter-balances the aforesaid pull exerted by the load
upon the platform (A) at which moment the parts are in equilibrium.
To automatically indicate the weight thus counter-balanced a quadrant (U) is
mounted upon a small arbor or axis (U*), carried by bracket (U) fixed upon
one of the brackets (I), and one part of such quadrant is linked to a pin (V) placed
centrally by cross-bar (K) of one of the rollers. The quadrant is made with a
flat rim and at the opposite ends and edges of such rim the respective extremities
of a thin and narrow metal band (U***) are secured. This band whilst passing
diagonally from one end of the quadrant rim to the other, also, on its way, passes
around a small drum (W), mounted upon, or forming part of the axis (W) hence.
in wrapping round the drum it takes the path of a scroll or helice and being tightly.
secured tightly grips the drum. Upon the pin or axis (W) the pointer (X) is
mounted and fixed, which, with the rollers in their normal positions, lies vertical
and points to zero upon the dial (T).

page_text: Immediately the rollers begin to move up the sides of the brackets (I) the
quadrant (U) moves on its axis (U) and thereby traverses the band (U***) which is
very flexible round the drum (W) and thereby rotates such drum and imparts.
movement to the pointer (X) until the blocks (F) counter-balance the weight, when
the pointer then comes to rest opposite the division on the dial which indicates the
weight.
The face of the 'dial is enclosed by a glass front (Z) and thus the pointer cannot
be tampered with. The bowls and brackets are also entirely enclosed by a hood
or casing (Z) which ensures freedom from dust.
The rollers are made, by preference, of non-corrosive material or are treated
with a non-corrosive covering as also the bands (G) and (O). The sides of the
rollers are by preference undercut or recessed and the weight blocks (T) take, by
preference into such recessed parts in which they may be adjusted and fixed by
the set screw (T).
The action of the said bowls and bands being entirely that of rolling and un-
rolling it will be seen that there are none of the evils of back-lash or slip which
would occur with apparatus composed of gear wheels, and whilst great accuracy
in weighing is thereby obtained, the wear and tear is greatly reduced and the
efficiency in weighing greatly prolonged. Moreover no loose weights are employed
and balancing is self-finding.
To give a placid movement to the pointer, or to prevent undue oscillation of the
pointer, and cause it to come to a state of rest rapidly when the balance is reached
and thereby instantly indicate the weight, a small cylinder (a) is employed fixed
and passing through the plate (H) and within such cylinder is a piston of, by
preference, slack fit, or perforated, and such piston is connected by a piston rod
to pin or stud (6) carried centrally by the cross-bar of one of the bowls, preferably
that which is not connected to the quadrant and at the rear side thereof as shewn.
In the cylinder glycerine, oil or other suitable fluid is placed which as the
piston moves up and down in the cylinder offers a resistance to the movements of
the piston to an extent which serves to act as a brake and allow the rollers to
move only in a steady manner.
The cylinder is, by preference, narrow and deep, and is covered in with a
cap (c) through which the piston passes with a fairly neat fit so as to exclude
air and dust as much as possible. Both rollers may have a cylinder and piston,
but one is usually sufficient.
To lock the machine when not in use I provide a band (d) and chain (e),
padlock (f) (or like fastenings) as shewn in Fig. 1.
The dial () is graded in keeping with the movements of the indicator under
the various ascertained weights placed upon the platform.
By suitable variation of detail the apparatus may be adapted for use in indicating
the strains or stress in testing machines.
In conclusion I wish it to be understood that I am aware the principle of
differential rollers, bands and indicating apparatus have been previously proposed
for like purposes, but not arranged, combined and mounted in the manner set forth.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1: In machines of the kind indicated, the combination, arrangement and
formation of parts, substantially as herein described and illustrated on the
accompanying drawings.
2: In machines of the kind indicated a platform base, a hollow pillar rising
from the said base, a plate upon the upper end of the pillar, a set of brackets rising
from the said plate, and a cover or hood entirely enclosing the brackets and fixed
to the said plate substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3: In machines of the kind indicated, rollers or bowls having two small
diameters and one large diameter, in combination with flexible bands and means
for fixing said hands to the roller, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

page_text: A: In machines of the kind indicated, the.combination and arrangements of
parts shewn in Figs. 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings and substantially as
herein set forth.
Dl 41 0th dox of Danawha 1900
ISAAC WALKER HALL.
By John G. Wilson & Co., Fels. I. P. A.,
55, Market Street, Manchester; Agents.