US1667889A - Cylinder scale - Google Patents

Description

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, 1,667,889 C. H. HAPGOOD 1 CYLINDER SCALE Filed Deo. 29. 1920 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Snom/woz May l, 1928, A 1,667,889

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C. H. HAPGOOD CYLINDER SCALE Filed Dec. 29. 1920 7 sheets-sheet 7 lPatent-ed May 1, 1928. l UNITED STATES vPATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE H. HAPGOOD, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO TOLEDO SCALE COMPANY, OF

' TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF NEW II'EELSEY.v

CYLINDER SCALE.

Application led December 29, 1920. Serial No. 433,922.

This invention relates to weighing scales such as are used in retail stores, particularly of the type known as counter scales, which automatically indicate the weights of loads placed upon them and the'values ofsuch loads at certain prices per pound or' other capacity and a high degree of accuracy and 14 which may be adapted for different capacities without altering the platform levers or making other material changes in the mechanism.

Another object is to so construct the scale that the parts may be readily machined, assembled and adjusted.

Still another object is to provide a scale which is to a large extent safeguarded against damage from rough handling and is comparatively unaffected by Wear.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, in which reference is had to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein similar reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings Figure l is a front elevation of the scale, parts being shown in section;

Figure 2 is a side elevationl thereof, partly in section;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the base and platform lever mechanism, parts of the base being broken away;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in sectional side elevation through one of the forward corners of the base;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary front elevation of the lever mechanism shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail of some of the parts shown in Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the ine 7 7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail showing one of the rear fulcrum hangers;

Figure 9 isv a sectional view on the line 9-9 of Figure 8; Figure 10 is an elevation of the link connectin-g. the platform levers;

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken sub- -stantially on the line 11-11 of Figure 10;

Figure 14 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Figure 12;

Figure 15 is a plan View' taken substantially on the section line 15-15 of Figure 9 Figure 16 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of a pivotal connection;

Figure 17 is a View at right angles to Figure 16; n

Figure 18 is a rear elevation of a connection between the platform lever and indicating mechanisms;

Figure 19 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 19'-19 of Figure 18;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially onl the line 20-20 of Figure 18;

Figure 21 is a fragmentary side elevation showing a switch operated by the weighing mechanism;

Figure 22 is a front elevation thereof;

Figure 23 is a fragmentary front elevation of one of the pendulum centers;

Figure 24 is a side elevation thereof;

Figure 25 is a fragmentary elevation, with parts in section, showing the manner of mountinglamps to illuminate the indicator and adjacent portions' Figure 26 is a similar view, With other parts in section;

Figure 27 is a side elevation of the parts shown in'Figure 25, with the lamp removed and the socket in section;

Figure 28 is a `fragmentary elevation of the indicator shaft showing its bearings and the manner of mounting the driving pinion and chart spiders on the shaft;

Figure 29 is a fragmentary plan view showing a rack and pinion for operating the indicator and guards for holding them in proper relation;

Figure 30 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Figure 29; and Figure 31 is a rear elevation thereof.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the base l of the scale is supported at its forico ward end on a transverse bar 2 to which it is rigidly secured, as at 3,- by means of cap screws 4. At. each end of the bar 2 is an adjustable foot` 5, while the rear end of the base is supported upon a air of adjustable feet 6. By adjusting the eet 5 and 6 vertically the scale may be leveled both laterally and fore and aft.

Suspended from the base toward the rear end thereof is a pair of links 7 supporting self-aligning V-groove bearings 8, which in turn support the fulcrum pivots of the short ulcrum lever 9. Cotter-pins passing through the links 7 above the pivots serve as guards to prevent the pivots from jumping out of their bearings.

The bar 2 supports a pair of self-aligning tf-grooveL bearings 10 upon which rest the fulcrum pivots 11 of the long platform lever 12. Guards 13 secured to the bar 2 and passing over the pivots 11, but out of contact therewith, serve to preventv the pivots 11 from jumping out of their bearings. The

levers 9 and 12 are connected together at the center of the base b means of a link 14 having bearings 15 w ich engage the pivots 16 of the levers.l Y

Supported upon the load pivots of both platform levers 9 and 12 is a spider 17 having a pair of downwardly-extending legs 18 at its forward corner and longer downwardly-extending legs 19 at its rear corner. Each of the legs 18 and 19 is bifurcated and has a -downwardly-turned grooved bearing 20 pivoted upon a pin 21 between its furcations. These bearings 20 rest u on the load pivots of the platform levers. uard strips 22 are hung upon the pivot pins 21 and pa'ss under the pivots 20 to prevent the pivots and bearings from becoming disassembled. When it is desired to lift thev spider from the pivots the strips 22 may be turned outwardly to clear the pivots, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 7. The spider 17 carries a loading box 23 in which shot or other material may be placed for use in balancing the scale. The spider is also connected by means of a rod 24 to the plunger of a dash pot 25 secured to the base 1. The dash pot serves to damp the vibration of the scale.

It is desirable in scales of this type that the platform be so mounted that it may have limited lateral movement in all directions so that when commodities are thrust upon the scale from the side the platform may yield and will then immediately return to its normal position. lt is also desirable that such movement of the platform take place without causing any movement ofeither the load or fulcrum pivots in their bearings. VI have attained both of these desiderata by universally suspending vthe platform from the spider. At each corner the spider 17 is provided with a hook 26 from which depends an oval link 27. The links 27 support a frame consisting of a pair of cross-bars 28 rigidly connected by rods 29. The cross-bars 28 are provided adjacent their ends with slots 30 which receive the lower ends of the links 27, and, ask

a threaded post"`31 which may be secured at any adjusted height by means of lock nuts 32. The upper ends of the posts 31 aro loosely received in sockets formed in the lower side of the platform 33. While the platform is thus reliably held against shifting laterally on the frame, it may nevertheless be readily lifted off to give access to the platform lever mechanism. Positioned within the base'housing Yand secured to the deck thereof is a bracket which carries a pair of bumpers 34. These bumpers are located in the path of the long lever 12 and serve to limit its movement.

Supported upon the rear end of the base 1 is an upright housing 35 which encloses the load-offsetting mechanism of the scale. The front and rear sides of the housing 35 are preferably transparent, so that the loadoffsetting mechanism is. visible from both sides. The load-offsetting mechanism is supported upon a frame 37 rigidly secured within` the housing 35 and consisting of front and rear portions spaced apart throughout the greater part of their height and connected together at their upper ends, as shown in Figure 2. The sides of the frame are vertical and are machined to form parallel sector guides 38, there being two of such guides at each side of the frame.

Secured to the upper ends of the vertical guide faces and extending downwardly therealong are flexible metallic ribbons 39, at the lower ends of which are supported pendulums 40. Each of the pendulums comrises a plurality of members mounted upon a shaft 41 having trunnions 42 at its ends. A cylindrical member 43 surrounds the shaft 41, and integral with the said member is a power sector 44 having acurved face eccentric to the shaft 41. A pendulum center 45 is mounted upon the shaft adjacent the power sector 44 and carries a pair of adjusting screws 46 which engage abutments upon the power sector. By loosening one of the screws 46 and tightening the other the endulum center and power sector may be angularly adjusted relatively to each other. The pendulum center has an arm 47 at the outer end of which is a threaded stud 48 passing through a slot 49 in the power sector and carrying a bolt by means of which the parts may be clamped in adjusted position. From the pendulum center a threaded stem extends radially with respect to the shaft 41, and adjustably carried thereon is a pendulum weight 50. Mounted adjacent the ends of the shaft 41 are fulcrum sectors 5l which are rigidly secured to the power` sectors 44 by means of screws 52 passing through the power sectors and threaded into bosses 53 on the power sectors. The center of curvature of the power sector faces pre-ferably coincides with the axis of the shaft 41, and the lower ends of the ribbons 39 are fastened, as at 54, to the fulcrum sectors. The ribbons therefore lie. between the. power sectors and the sector guides and serve to support the pendulums with the power sectors in overlapping relation, as shown in Figure 1.

maintain the balance of the scale at zero it is necessary that the total weight of the pendulums remain the same as before. To accomplish this, the sleeve 43 is removed oi a. lighter' sleeve is substituted for it. Thus, while the pendulum weights are -made heavier, the total weight of the associated pendulum parts remains the same. Since ythe distance of the sleeve 43 from the pendulum fulcrum is constant in all weighing positions, the variations in the weight of the sleeve have no effect on the load-offsetting functions of the pendulum. Vice versa, when it is desired to reduce the capacity of the scale, lighter pendulum weights 50 and heavier sleeves 43 are employed.

Attached, as at 55, to the power sectors 44 -and overlying the curved faces thereof are flexible metallic power ribbons 56, the lower end; of which are connected to a member 57 adjustably mounted upon a threaded rod 58. The member 57 is of suflicent length to pull the ribbons at an angle tothe vertical (see Figure 1).'so that the fulcrum sectors and their supporting ribbons are held against the sector guides, Since the power sectors 44 do not lie in the ysame plane, the member 57 is obliquely arranged, as shown in Figure 13.

As an additional safeguard, a pair of U- shaped members 59 is secured to the frame 37 with its arms extending upwardly out of contact with .the trunnions 42 butin position to be engaged thereby should the scale be tipped or handled in such a Way as to cause the pendulums to swing out of place.

The lower end of the rod 58 is threaded into a boss 60 hingedly connected, as shown in Figure 16, to a bearing support 61 which extends transversely of the lever 12 and supports bearings 62 upon which rest the nose pivots 63 of the platform lever 12. Accidental displacement of the pivots 63 and bearings 62 is prevented by guard strips 64 which are secured to the bearing support 61 and extend over the pivots 63. The pivots do not come into contact with the strips 64 unless they are raised from their bearings,

so that the guard strips do not come into contact with the pivots during ordinary weighing operations.

When a load is placed upon the platform, a downwardly-acting forc'e 'is transmitted through the platform lever mechanism, the bearing support 61, the rodv 58, and member 57 to the ribbons 56. The downward pull uponthe ribbons swings the pendulums outwardly, the fulcrum sectors 51 rolling upwardly upon the supporting ribbons 56. The pendulums come to rest in a position in which they counterbalance the load and the parts are so supported that the downward movement of the end of the lever 12 is subtantially proportional to the weight of the oad.

Supported upon the housing 35 is an elongated casing 7() which contains the cylindri-V cal indicator of the scale. The lower part of the casing 7() consists of a trough-like member 71 having a portion of its lower side shaped to register with the upper end of the housing 35. kIf desired, a plate 72 may be interposed between the housing 35 and the casing to form a circumferential bead and thereby improve the contour of the scale. Secured to each end of the trough-shaped member `71 is an upst-anding frame 73, and secured upon the frames 73 is a top piece or hood 74. The front side` of the casing 70 consists of a magnifying reading window extending substantially thel full width of the scale, while' the rear side is formed of a piece having a narrow reading window near its center.

The indicator consists of a pair of light cylindrical charts 75 mounted upon a shaft 7 6 having trunnions 77 which are'journaled in bearings in the u right frames 73. The charts, which bear t e indicia usual to the charts of cylinder scales, are spaced apart, and a pinion 78, by means of which the charts are turned, is mounted upon the shaft between them. Y

Since the pinion must, for occurate weighing, be absolutely concentric to the axis of the bearing trunnions 77, it would, if the pinion 78 Vwere mounted directly on the shaft, be necessary to machine the shaft'for more thanhalf its length from one end to beyond the center so that the pinion could be .driven on. It would also be necessary to niachihe the 'shaft throughout the greater part of its length so that the inner chart spiders i and then machining at the one settingA the trunnions 77,the ends of the shaft upon which the outer chart spidersare to be mounted, the ends of the short tube on which the inner chart spiders are to be mounted, and the portion` of the tube on which the pinion fis to be mounted. By thismeans the alnount of and time required for machining is reduced to a minimum and concentricity of the several machined surfaces is assured.

A The cylindrical chart indicator-isdriven from' the platformy lever 12, the bifurcated rear end of which carries a transverse plate 80 (see Figs. 18-20) having a pair of up-` turned knife edges 81 which are engaged by hooks 82 formed upon a substantially. horizontal plate `83. vA hardened pin 84 passes through the plate 83`and engages a downturned knife edge 85 formed upon the plate 80 in alignment with the edges 81. The hooks 82 are. thus prevented from leaving `the knife edges Iupon which they rest, while hooks the pivotal joint between the U-shaped 82 and the* plate-80 is frictionless A U- shaped resilient shock-absorbing member 86 is secured to the plate` 83 by means of the pin 84 and the nutsl which' hold the pin in place, and a substantially vertically-extending rack rod 87 is secured to the resilient member and is longitudinally adjustable by Ineansof an adjusting nut 88. The upvper end of the rod '87carries a rack which meshes with the pinion 78, so that as the lever 12 is forced downwardlyby the weight yof a load the cylindrical indicator is revolved. rlhe rack 87 and pinion 78 areprevented from being thrown out of mesh by sudden shocks by a guard memberV 90 which is secured within the casing with one of its arms 91 terminating adjacent to butout of actual contact with the hub of the pin-V ion 78 and with its other arm 92 terminating adjacent to but outof contact with the back of the rack 87. The arm 92 is provided with an anti-friction roller 93 which may be engaged by the rack, should it be momentarily swung back during a'weighing operation, without noticeably interfering with the movement` of the weighing mechanismr rllhis arm of the guard member is pivoted and may be adjusted'by means of screws 94.

The lcylindrical indicator is illuminated by means of lamps which are mounted in pairs in sockets upon removable caps 101 (see Figs. 1 and 25). Resilient contact pieces 102 extend from the sockets into engagement with contact pieces 103 mounted upon the hood 74. By removing two knurled screws 104 each cap with therlamps mountedv thereon may be removed. IThe lamps vare thus readily accessible for cleaning and renewal.

When the cap is replaced the contact pieces 102 engage the contact pieces 103 again and an eicient and safe connection is assured by reason of their resiliency.L The "contact pieces are electrically connected by means of wiring 105 to a switch 106 supported within the housing 35, one member of the switch l106 being a flexible metallic strip 107. Ad-

justably supported by means of a knurled nut 108 and the steelyard 5,8 (as shown in Figures21 and 22) is an arm 109 to which is secured a lug 110 of non-conducting material that engages the strip 107 when the scale is at zero, and holds the switch open. When a load isplaced uponthe scale and the-steelyard viiioves downwardly, the switch is allowed to close and the lamps are lighted. When the load is removed, the`lamps are extinguished. By turning the nut 108 the arm 109 may be raised or lowered when desired so that a greater or lesser load will be required to open the switch. The lighting System may be connected to a source of current through the plug 111 in the hood or the plug. 112 in the bar 2, whichis located in the forward endl of the base housg 1. o f While it will be.v apparent that the illus- -.trated embodiment of my invention. herein disclosed is .well calculated to adequately fulfill the objectsV primarily stated, it is to be understood thatrthe invention is susceptible to variation, modification and change within the spirit and scope of the subjoined claims.

'Having described my invention, I claim: 1. In a weighing scale, in combination, a base housing, a transverse Amember secured thereto, adjustable feet at each end of said transverse member, fulcrum bearings direct- 'ly supported by said member, and an electric `connection plug carried by said member.

`2.r In a weighing scale, in combination, lever mechanism, a platform spider carried thereby, links depending from said latfromY spider, and a-'platform lying a ove said spider and swingingly supported thereffrom by means of said links.

3. In a weighing scale, in combination, lever mechan1sm,.a platform spider carried thereby, links depending from said spider,

and aplatform lying above said spider and v.supported by said links.

4. In a weighing scale, iny combination,

lever mechanism, a platform spider carried thereby, links depending from said spider, a

frame supportedl b said links, and a platform overlying sai spider and supported by said frame. v

5. In a weighing scale, in combination, lever mechanism, a spider supported thereon, links depending from said spider, a frame supported by said links, said frame comprising a pair of transverse members and a pair of rods connecting said members, said rods passing through said links, and a platform supported on said frame.

6. In a weighing scale, in combination, lever mechanism, a spider supported thereon, links depending from said spider, a pair of transverse members having verticallyex tending openings receiving the lower ends of said links, and rods connecting said transverse members and extending through said links.

7. In a weighing scale, in combination automatic load-counterbalancing mechanism, a bifurcated lever, a pivot carried by each of the furcations of said lever, a transverse member carrying bearings, said bearings being engaged by said pivots, and asteelyard attached to said member and extending upwardly between said furcations and connecting said lever and said automatic loadcounterbalancin mechanism.

8. In a weighing scale, in combination au tomatic load counterbalancing mechanism, a bifurcated lever, a pivot carried by each of the lfurcations of said lever, a transverse member carrying bearings, said bearings beingA engaged by said pivots, and a steelyard pivoted to said member and extending upwardly between said furcations and connecting said lever and said automatic loadcounterbalancing mechanism. 9. In a weighing scale, in combination, a pair of pendulums having overlapping power sectors a bar extending obliquely to the planes of said power sectors. a steelyard secured to lsaid bar, a member pivoted to the lower end of said steelyard, and a bifurcated lever straddling said steelyard and pivoted to said member.

10. In a weighing scale, in combination, a bifurcated lever a cross-bar securedto the furcations of said lever, said cross-bar having aligned knife edge pivots, and an indicator operating member having bearings engagin said knife edge pivots.

11. n a weighing scale, in combination, a bifurcated lever, pivots carried by the furcations of said lever, a transverse member carryin bearings engaged by said pivots, a steelyar attached to said member and extendin between said furcations, a cross-bar secure to 'said furcations, and an indicator operating device pivoted to said cross-bar.

12. In a weighing scale, in combination, a bifurcated lever, pivots carried by the furcations of said lever, a transverse member carrying bearings engaged by said pivots, a

steelyard attached to said member and extending between said furcations, a cross-bar secured to said furcations, said cross-bar havingl aligned knife edge pivots, and an indicator operatingmember having bearings engaging said knife edge pivots.

13. In a weighing scale in combination, a pendulum having a fulcrum sector, a cylindrical portion concentric with said fulcrum sector, and a weight-increasing sleeve adapted vto be supported upon said cylindrical portion. l

14:. In a weighing scale pendulum,in combination, a fulcrum sector, and a detachable weight supported with its center of mass in the axis of curvature of the fulcrum sector.

15. In a weighing scale pendulum, in combination, a cylindrical portion, a fulcrum sector positioned with its center of curvature lying inthe axis of said cylindrical portion, and a pendulum stem having its axis intersecting the axis of said cylindrical portion and perpendicular thereto.

16.v In a weighing-scale' pendulum, in combination, a shaft, a cylinder thereon, a fulcrum sector on said shaft, the center of'curvature of said fulcrum sector lying in the axis of said cylinder, and a pendulum stem on said shaft having its axis intersecting the axis of said cylinder and perpendicular thereto. I

17. In a. weighing scale pendulum, in combination, a' cylindrical portion, a fulcrum sector positioned with its center of curva/- ture lying in the axis of said cylindrical portion, a pendulum stem' having its axis intersecting the axis of said cylindrical ortion and perpendicular thereto, and) a weight-increasing sleeve adapted to surround said cylindrical portion. 18. In la. Weighing scale pendulum, in combination, a shaft, a cylinder mounted on said shaft, ulcrum sectors mounted upon said shaft, said shaft, cylinder and fulcrum. sectors being concentric, a power sector rigid with said cylinder and eccentric thereto and a pendulum stein mounted upon said shaft and extending radially with respect thereto.

19. In a weighing scale pendulum, in combination, a shaft, a cylinder mounted on said shaft, fulcrum sectors mounted upon' said shaft, said shaft, cylinder and fulcrum sectors being concentric, a power sector rigid with said cylinder and eccentric thereto, a pendulum stem mounted upon said shaft and extending radially with respect thereto, and a weight-increasing sleeve adapted to surround said cylinder.

20. In a weighing scale, in combination, a sector guide, a pair of pendulums each having a fulcruni sector rockable alon said guide, members secured to said penulums and extending axially of said fuicrum sec-1 tors, and a guard member having portions susA iid

axially of said fulcrum sectors, and a pair of U-shaped guard members secured to said sector guide frame and having their arms."

adapted to engage said axially-extending members to prevent accidental displacement of said pendulums.

22. In a device of the class described, `in combination, a housing having an opening therein, electrical contact means secured within said housing, a cover for said opening, a lamp attached to said cover, and electric contact means connected to said lamp and engaging with the irst said contact means when said cover is in place.

23. `In a device of the class described. in

' combination, va housing having an opening therein, electrical contact means secured within said housing, a cover for said opensaid lamp and engaging with the first said v Y contact mean-s when said cover is in place.

24.. In a device of the class described, in

combination, a housing having an opening therein, permanent electric contact members in said housing, la cover for said openingV having a pair of oppositelyextending,lamp

sockets secured thereto, and electric contact members connected to said sock-ets and arranged yto engage said permanent Contact members when said cover is in place.

25. In a device of the class described, inl

combination, a housing having an opening therein, permanent electric contact members 1n said housing, a cover' for said openingv having a pair of oppositelylextending lamp sockets secured thereto, .and resilient electric contact members connected to said'sockets and arranged to engage said permanent contact members when said cover is in place'.

CLARENCE H. HAPGooD.

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