28,470. Cook, E. B. Dec. 28. Platform machines; ; indicating-mechanism.-Relates to weighing-apparatus of the kind in which the weight of a person on the platform does not actuate the index hand of the dial, but determines the position of a stop for the indicating-mechanism, and in which actuating.mechanism generally released by coin action enables the indicating-mechanism to be used. In such apparatus, the crosshead connecting the draw-bar to the weighing-springs has a rack jointed to it, which turns a pinion and an attached toothed or milled wheel. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the index arbor 16, which is coaxial with the toothed or milled wheel d, is geared to a sector i, which, when set free by the actuating- mechanism, turns under the weight of a rod h<1> till a collar k<1> thereon strikes an arm k on the drawbar. In an alternative arrangement, shown in Fig. 9, the lug 43 of a disc 42 on the squared index arbor u<1> strikes a lug 44 on the toothed or milled wheel d, the arbor being turned by a weight and chain. In a third arrangement, a diametral guideplate bearing a sliding weight is combined with the toothed sector. In order that the hand may be adjusted correctly to zero, one of the three following devices is adopted. (1) A pivoted arm 19, Fig. 1, which forms a stop for a finger 18 on the arbor has its elevation from a rest pin 22 limited by the eccentric head of a bolt 21. (2) The disc 42, Fig. 9, with lug 43 is carried, with play, by another disc s<1> and a slide plate v is set to receive the lug. (3) The sector bears a set-screw to touch a lug on the frame. In the first arrangement, the sector is normally prevented from turning as described because it is connected by a hanging rod h to a heavy lever g, which lies against a main lever e. But, when a hand-lever f, Fig. 2, which is usually released by coin action, is used to turn the main lever, the latter lifts the heavy lever, so that the rod is relieved of its weight. In the second arrangement, the chain is slackened by the rise of the heavy lever and the disc s<1> is shifted by a lever s so that the lugs 43, 44 overlap. In the third arrangement, the main lever pushes the sliding weight above-mentioned across the sector. A slide m provided in all three arrangements bears on a pivot 30 a rocker which consists of two opposite arms r, r' connected by bow-springs 33. When the main lever e is operated, the slide follows under the pull of a spring till the inner arm r of the rocker is against the toothed or milled wheel d, and accidental return is prevented by a pawl o dropping against one of the guide-pins 25. A latch r<2> on the rocker then holds the main lever while the indication is presented. But, on the person stepping off the platform of the apparatus, the wheel d tilts the rocker so that the main lever is left free to return under the pull of a spring 6, in doing which it lifts the pawl e and carries back the slide m. The lever s, being subject to a spring, simultaneously puts the disc a' further from the milled wheel.