US2918247A - Apparatus for automatic weighing - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 22, 1959 1.. J. NOWAK, JR

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC WEIGHING Filed Aug. 24, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet l In we)? Zor Jew? .I/V0wa% .72" .50

Dec. 22, 1959 L. J. NOWAK, JR 2,918,247

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC wsxcmus Filed Aug. 24, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 22, 1959 L. J. NOWAK, JR 2,918,247

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC wmcums Filed Aug. 24, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIII .5902? .Z j owal' J51 Dec. 22, 1959 L. J. NOWAK, JR

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC WEIGHING 5 SheetsSheet 4 Filed Aug. 24, 1953 A I I HHU HUM INU I I UH .w SSW Wi 44 rW W 0 ,0 &# w 2 wk xwpm J 1959 L. J. NOWAK, JR 2,918,247

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC WEIGHING Filed Aug. 24, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 In were for lean .Z'JVOu/afi J7- APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC WEIGHING 1 Leon J. Nowak, Jr., Park Ridge, Ill.

Application August 24, 1953, Serial No. 375,901

13 Claims. (Cl. 249-38) The invention relates to an improvement in weighing, and has for one purpose to provide an improved automatic weighing machine.

Another purpose is to provide an improved apparatus for feeding automatic weighing machines.

Another purpose is to provide an improved weighing machine which includes improved feed apparatus.

Another purpose is to provide an improved control system for insuring accurate feeding of automatic weighmachines.

Other purposes will appear from time to time in thecourse of the specification and claims.

The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a partial side elevation, with partsv broken away and parts in section;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the structure shown in; Figure 1;-

Figure; 3. is a vertical section on the line 3-3, of Figure Figure 7 is a horizontal. section on the line 7-7 of Figure 1;

Figure Sis a detail of the structure shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 9 is a schematic wiring diagram.

. Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout specification and drawings.

Referring to. the drawings, 1 indicates an upright frame member or supporting post. It may be mounted on any suitable base or bottom member, not herein shown. Secured to or about it, somewhat below its upper end, is a; lower bracket A. Secured to it, adjacent its upper end, is an upper bracket B. Considering, first, the lower bracket A, as shown, for example, in Figure 7, it is shown as including a sleeve 2 and arm 3 extending outwardly therefrom and carrying a control box 4 which will later be described. Extending generally at right angles to the arm 3. is a cross-bar 5. Shown as extending from the cross-bar is an extending arm 6, lying generally in a plane generally parallel with the plane of the arm 3. It carries at its outer end a dash-pot structure, generally indicated as 7, which will later be described.

Mounted upon the cross-bar is a weighing beam struc- -ture, including the pivot 8, the ends of which are received in suitable bearings 9, 10 on. the cross-bar 5. The weighing beam structure includes a sleeve 11 through which the pivot 8 passes. 12is any suitable securing and adjusting element or screw therefor. Extending in One direction from the weighing beam sleeve 11 is a 2,918,247 Ice Patented Dec. 22, 1959 pair of arms 13, which receive or are formed integrally with a generally semi-circular fork 14. 15 is the calibrated bar of the weighing beam, which extends in the opposite direction from the arms 13 and the fork 14, and which is shown as received in and secured to the stub 16 of the weighing beam sleeve 11. It may be suitably calibrated, as at 17, and carries the longitudinally adjustable weight 18 which surrounds it. The weight 18 may be secured in adjusted position, for example, by a thumb screw 19, and is shown as having a blade 20 with a terminal edged portion 21 adapted for accurate reading of the calibration 17. The movement of the calibrated bar 15, and thus of the entire weighing beam structure, is held within predetermined limits, for example, by the U-shaped limit member 22. The limit member is shown as mounted upon the arm 6 of the cross-bar 5. An end cross-piece 24 is mounted at the end of the calibrated bar 15, and has secured to it the downwardly extending pin 25 secured to any suitable bell 7a in the dash-pot 7. It will be understood, therefore, that, with an adequate supply of liquid in the dash-pot 7, movement of the calibrated bar 15, and thus of all parts of the weighing beam, is suitably damped, unintended sharp movements being prevented.

The weighing beam fork 14 has, at its ends, bearingblades 14a. Mounted within the fork 14 is a bucket or weighing member 26. The bucket is shown as having an having an open top, a generally cylindrical body, and an open bottom. intermediate the top and bottom of the body I employ bearing bosses 26a, having inverted pockets 26b, each of which has a downwardly face bearing block 26c. These blocks, opposed to the upwardly directed bearing blades 14a, provide for the support of the bucket or weighing container 26. The bottom of the bucket is controllably closed by the hinged bucket closure 27. For example, it may be provided with brackets 28 pivoted to any suitable pivot assembly or bracket 29 on a lower portion of the bucket 26. It will be noted, as in Figure 1, that the lower edge of the bucket 26 lies in a plane inclined to the axis of the bucket, the bucket closure 27 being hinged at its upper or higher portion.

The bucket closure can be held in the closed or fullline position in which it is shown in Figure 1, by the below-described control assembly mounted in or on the control box 4 on the arm 3 of the lower bracket A. This structure will be described later, in detail.

Itwill be understood that material is delivered into' the top of the bucket 26 from suitable feeding means, later described, which are mounted on the upper bracket B. It will further be understood that I may employ a discharge hopper 30- with its suitable discharge spout 31. It will be understood that the particular receiving or discharge hopper shown is practical, but that any other suitable means for receiving the discharge from the bucket 26 may be employed.

Considering, now, the means for receiving the material to be weighed, and for feeding it to the bucket 26, I i]- Iustrate a feed hopper 35 mounted on or unitary with the pair of generally vertical, generally parallel side Walls 36. Within and between the walls 36 are downwardly extending liners or extensions 37, the members 36 and 37 defining a space open at the ends. Pivoted to the walls 36 are a pair of pivoted shutters 38. each being pivoted at' its upper end, as at 39, at opposite sides of a lower portion of the receiving hopper 35, and downward- 1y converging toward each other. These shutters, with the liner or wall members 37, define a discharge aperture which can be adjusted by adjusting the angular position of the Shutters 38. The adjustment can be made by the structure shown in Figure 2, in which the right-hand shutter 38- has secured to it an arm 40 with a pointer 40a and an actuating knob 40b, the pointer 40a being I 40 by a slot and pin connection, including the pin 41aand the slot 4112. Thus, when the user raises or lowers the assembly by moving the knob 40b upwardly or downwardly, he moves the shutters 33 in unison, and varies the discharge opening. 42 is a manual gate or slide, manually movable into or out of closed position by its exterior portion, which ends in a bent handle member 42a.

It will be understood that the above-described structure provides a controllable aperture for delivering material fed into the receiving or feed hopper 35 toward a final and accurately operable shut-off element. This element, shown, for example, in Figures 3 and 5, includes a segmental curved or partly cylindrical blade 44, to which is secured a side arm 44a pivoted as by a hub 44b rotating about a pivot pin 44c extending outwardly from the receiving or feed hopper 35. The shut-off element 44 is actuated or moved by suitable means, such as the solenoid generally indicated at C in Figure 3. The solenoid may, for example, include the coil 45, the plunger or stem 45a, and any suitable link or connection 45b pivoted to the side arm 44a, as at 450. It will be understood, therefore, that, by energizing or deenergizing the coil 45 of the solenoid C, the shut-off element 44 may be rotated about its pivot into and out of cut-oti position. As will be seen in Figure 3, the shut-oft element 44 has a substantial free, lower portion, which, when the shutoff element is in the full-line position of Figure 3, extends within a three-sided flexible apron 46.

The flexible apron includes parallel side walls 46a and 4612, connected by a preferably flexible end wall 460. The apron may be stiffened or supported at top and bottom by upper and lower bent strips 460! and 46a. It may be held in position by any suitable means. I show, for example, an apron clamping spring, generally indicated at 47, which may be secured, as shown in Figure 3, by a securing screw or screws 47a. The spring has a bent portion 47b which engages the upper end of the flexible apron, and a lower end 47c which engages the lower end of the flexible apron, and both supports and positions the flexible apron. It will be understood that the shut-otf element 44 engages only the intermediate flexible part of the apron 46, and makes a substantially tight connection therewith. The otherwise open side of the space surrounded by the flexible apron 46 and lying above the shutoff element 44 when that element is in closed position, is closed by an additional flexible member, herein indicated as a brush 48. This brush is suitably clamped in position, for example, by the clamping spring 48a, secured by a screw or screws, as at 48b. It will thus be understood that when the shut-oft element 44 is moved to the fullline or closed position of Figure 3, it underlies and downwardly closes a space which is surrounded on three sides by the flexible apron 46, and on the fourth side by the brush 48. When the element 44 is moved into the open position, for example, by the action of the solenoid C, all material previously resting on the shut-ofl element 44 then drops into the open top of the bucket 26. It will be understood, of course, that the hinged bucket closure 27 is, at that time, in the closed position in which it is shown in Figure 1, the control details being below described.

In order to keep the hinged bucket closure 27 in the closed position, when a charge of material is being released by the shut-ofl element 44, I employ the following means: The hinged bucket closure is provided with a bracket 27a to which is pivoted a bucket closure control link 50. This link is shown as having an upper end of characteristic form, as will appear in Figures and 8. As shown, for example. in Figure 8, its upper end is provided with a curve or bend 50a, the outer end of which is pivoted, as at 50b, to a control segment 51. As will be clear from Figure 8, the bend 50a, when the parts are in the position shown in Figure 8, surrounds the axis of the segment 51 and engages the pin 5112, which is on such axis. The pin 51a is mounted on or secured to a bracket 51b on the bucket 26. 51c is any suitable ball bearing assembly surrounding the pin 51a and permitting rotation of the segment 51 thereabout, with a minimum of friction, and without binding. It will be noted that when the hinged bucket closure 27 is in the closed position, the pivot 50b is over center in relation to the pivot or pin 51a, and any application of weight to the hinged bucket closure '27 will tend to hold it in closed position, owing to the relation of the center 51a to the upper pivot 50b of the bucket closure control link 50 and to its lower pivot 27b. Thus the segment 51 provides a releasable means for holding the hinged bucket closure 27 in the closed position, and for preventing its unintended opening during the delivery of material to the interior of the bucket 26.

In order to open the hinged bucket closure 27 orto permit it to swing downwardly to the full-line open position in which it is shown in Figure 3, I provide the following arrangement: The control segment 51 carries a pin 51a in alignment with the plunger 52a of the solenoid 52. The solenoid is carried in or on the control box 4. When the coil of the solenoid 52 is ener-.

gized, the plunger 52a is moved against the pin 51c and thereby moves the control segment 51 about its axis. Referring to the position of the parts in Figure 5, the solenoid plunger 52a, when it moves upwardly against the pin 51e, imparts a counter-clockwise rotation to the com trol segment 51, referring to its position in Figure 5, and

moves the axis or center 50b to the left of the pin 51a."-

Thus the weight of the charge or load in the bucket 26 is then able to move the hinged bucket closure 27 from theclosed to the open position, and the weighed load is discharged, for example, into the hopper 30 and through the discharge spout 31. As will be clear from Figure 3, the pivoted shutter 27 carries a weight 27x, which tends to move the hinged bucket closure hack to the closed position when it is free from the weight of the discharged material. The control segment 51 also constitutes a weight, and tends to return the hinged bucket closure 27 to its original position. As will be clear, for example, in Figure 3, the control segment 51 is weighted or solid, as at 51x, and is cut away or lightened, as at 51y. Thus, notwithstanding the relative location of the various pivots or centers above discussed, when the load of the bucket has been released, the heavier portion 51x of the control segment cooperates with the weight 27x of the hinged bucket closure to return that closure to closed position, and when it has returned to closed position, with the solenoid plunger 52a in its withdrawn position, the bucket closure control link 50 returns to the position in which it is shown, for example, in Figure 5, and the hinged bucket closure then remains in its closed position until the solenoid 52 is again energized.

In connection with the necessary controls for maintaining the desired sequence of actions or steps, an additional feature of the control segment must be discussed. It carries a permanent magnet 53, shown, for example, in Figure 4. The parts are so proportioned that when the hinged bucket closure 27 is in the closed position in which it is shown in Figure 1, the permanent magnet 53 is in alignment with a mercury switch, generally indicated at 54. This switch includes a glass bulb 54a, a pool of mercury 54b, and a spring member 540, which is normally biased to the open or full-line position in which it is shown in Figure 4. The spring 54c also carries a small plate or metal body 54d, adapted to be attracted by the permanent magnet 53 to move the spring 54c from the full-line to the dotted-line position of Figure 4, and thus to control the circuit. In other words, when the hinged bucket closure 27 is in the closed position, the permanent magnet 53 operates to close the above-dc: scribed mercury switch, the permanent magnet 53 at that closed position.

time being in the dotted-line position of Figure 4, and the bucket 26 being empty. As material is delivered into the bucket 26 and against the still-closed hinged bucket closure 27, the bucket lowers sufiiciently eventually to move the permanent magnet 53 from the initial dottedline position of Figure 4 to the full-line position. When it reaches the full-line position of Figure 4, or some critical position, then the spring 540 returns to the fullline position of Figure 4, and the circuit is broken. The parts are so proportioned that this takes place when the desired or predetermined load is in the bucket. It will be understood, of course, that the parts are precisely formed or adjusted to obtain this result.

As will be clear, for example, from Figures 1, 2 and 7, I provide means for maintaining the bucket 26 in proper vertical position without subjecting it to constraint. 1 illustrate, for example, the upwardly extending post 100 mounted on the arm 6. Pivoted to its upper end, and to the bucket 26, is a link 101. This connection insures that the bucket 26 will be held against any damaging deflection from its desired upright position and movement, while allowing for any uneven weight distribution in the bucket.

In considering the functions or operations of the various structures above described it is well now to consider the wiring diagram of Figure 9. Let us assume that the parts are initially in the position of Figure 1, with the shut-off element 44 in the closed position and with the hinged bucket closure 27 in the closed position, assuming, also, that the bucket 26 is empty. The wiring diagram includes a relay assembly, generally indicated at AA. It includes a coil 60, a movable switch member 60a, contacts 60b and 600, and a spring or biasing means 60d, which normally tends to hold the switch member 60a against the contact 691). When the coil 60 is energized itis'effective against the spring 60a! to move the switch member 60a away from the contact 6012 and against the contact 600. Assume that the hinged bucket closure 27 has moved from the open position of Figure 3 to the closed position of Figure 1. This aligns the permanent magnet 53 in the dotted-line position of Figure 4, and closes the mercury switch. When the mercury switch 54 is closed, the coil 60 is energized and the switch 60a then is in circuit closing relation with the fixed contact 600, and also energizes the coil 45 of the solenoid C. Thus the previously closed shut-off element 44 is moved by the solenoid C to the open position, and material is free to flowinto the bucket 26. As this material continues to flow, the bucket is gravitationally depressed, and the permanent magnet 53is moved from the dotted-line to thefull-line position of Figure 4. The parts are so related thatthis does not take place until a predetermined, precisely controlled, charge of material is in the bucket 26, and is gravitationally resting upon the hinged bucket closure 27. The movement of the permanent magnet 53 from the dotted-line position to the full-line position of Figure 4 permits the mercury switch 54 to break the above described circuit, dc-energizing the relay coil 60. This also de-energizes the coil 45 of the solenoid C, and the shut-oft element 44 moves by its weight into the fully When the coil 60 is de-energized, the movable switch member 60a moves against the contact 60b, and partially completes a circuit through the solenoid 52. This circuit can be completed by closing the manually controllable switch B, B, shown at the right of Figure 9. It will be understood, of course, that,

if I wish, I may provide other means, automatic, or not, for closing this circuit. However, Figure 9 illus- :trates-an operative circuit in which all that the operator has to do, to maintain a sequence of precisely weighed charges of material, is to press the manual button 65 when -hewishes the bucket 26 to discharge. It should be kept in mind that when the plunger 52a strikes the pin 51e of the control segment 51 it rotates the control segment in a'position in which the permanent magnet 53 is removed from the metal plate 54d on the spring 546 in the mercury switch 54, and does not operate it. It is not until the control segment 51 has again been rotated through a retrograde rotation that the permanent magnet 53 is again alignable with the mercury switch 54, with the control segment in the position in which it is shown in Figure 5.

Whereas I have described and shown a practical and operative structure, it will be understood that many changes may be made in size, shape, number and disposition of parts. It will be understood, also, that whereas I have described a practical method of feeding, weighing and discharging very precisely weighed charges of material, I may also vary the nature and order of the steps taken to obtain the'dcsired result.

The use and operation of the invention are as follows:

The simple mechanism herein described can be supported on any suitable support, for example, the upright frame member or post 1. The lower bracket A supports the weighing beam, and the bucket or weighing container 26, together with the control mechanism for controlling the hinged bucket closure 27. The upper bracket B supports the receiving or feed hopper 35 with its shutoff element 44 and its associated parts and control. Initially, a charge of material delivered through the hopper 35 is caused or allowed to build up above the shutoff element 44, when that gate is in the closed position. The shut-off element can only open when the hinged bucket closure 27 is in the closed position. When it does open, for example, by action of the solenoid C, it delivers a charge of material through the flexible apron 46 into the top of the bucket or weighing container 26. Since this feeding action can take place only when the hinged bucket closure 27 is closed, the material in the space above the shut-oif element 44, and the material which continues to be fed from or through the hopper 35, build up weight in the bucket or weighing container 26. Since the bucket is mounted in the fork of a weighing beam, the beam is gradually elevated, and the bucket 26 gradually lowers. Any sudden movement is prevented by the dasli-pot 7 with its dash-pot bell 7a. The desired weight is adjusted or controlled by movement of or setting of the weight 18. Additional balancing weights or adjusting weights 18x may be employed, on the U-shaped support 18y, shown in Figure 7. But whatever means are employed, it will be understood that the continuing feed of material-into the bucket 26 gradually lowers the bucket, and, with it, the control segment 51 mounted thereon. Since the control segment, when the hinged bucket closure 27 is closed, is in such position as to align the permanent magnet 53 with the metal body 54d on the spring 54c of the mercury switch 54, that switch is kept closed until the bucket 26 has been gravitationally lowered by the increasing weight in the bucket to a point at which the permanent magnet 53 ceases to attract the metal body 54d. When this critical point is reached, the spring 54c moves to the full-line position of 54, and the mercury switch 54 is then open. In effect, the opening of the switch 54 conditions the hinged bucket closure 27, or arranges the circuits to permit opening of the closure. The closure 27 will stay, against gravity, in its closed position, as long as the control segment 51 remains in the position in which it is shown in Figures 1, 5 and 8. However, if the user then elects to dump the charge, or if suitable automatic or intermittently operating means are provided, the control segment 51 is moved to the release position in which it is shown in Figure 3, and the weight of the charge of material being weighed is then effective to move the hinged bucket closure 27 to the open position in which it is shown in -Figure'3. I find one convenient way to open the closure 27 and to release the charge is to provide electromagnetic means for moving the control segment 51 to the release position. I illustratively show, to attain that purpose, asolenoid-52 with its plunger 52a. The coil of the solenoid 52 can be energized, as shown in Figure 9, by closing the switch B, B. This push-button control is perfectly practical, but any other suitable control or actuating means can be employed. As soon as the hinged bucket closure 27 has swung to the release or discharge position of Figure 3, it is freed from the gravital thrust of the discharged material. It then swings to the closed position, due to the operation of its weight 27x and the weighted portion 51x of the control segment 51. This returns the permanent magnet 53 to the dottedline position of Figure 4, and, until a flow of material into the bucket has again lowered the bucket or weigl1- ing container 26, the permanent magnet 53 holds the mercury switch 54 closed.

It should be kept in mind that no material escapes the shut-off element 44 unless and until the hinged bucket closure 27 is in the closed position. It should also be kept in mind that, as soon as the permanent magnet 53 releases the mercury switch 54 to the open position, the shut-off element 44 drops to the closed position, and no further discharge of material into the bucket 27 takes place until after the release of the weighed charge and the return of the hinged bucket closure 27 to the closed position.

I claim:

1. In a weighing assembly, a base, a weighing beam pm said base, a bucket body on said weighing beam, means for feeding into the bucket body charges of the material to be weighed, a bottom closure movably mounted on the bucket body, a link pivoted at its lower end to the movable closure, a control member pivoted to the bucket body, the upper end of the link being eccentrically pivoted to the control member, the so formed pivotal connections having parallel axes, the pivotal connection between the link and the movable closure, and between the control member and the bucket body being so related that when the movable closure is in the closed position, the pivotal connection between the upper end of the link and the control member is over center with relation to the pivotal connection between the control member and the bucket body, and the movable closure is thereby held against unintended release by action of gravity from its closed position, and electromagnetic means for moving the control member to the release position, and for thereby moving the bottom closure to the open position, whereby to permit the discharge of weighed material from the bucket body, said electromagnetic means being operative when a predetermined weight of material is in the bucket body.

2. The structure of claim 1 characterized by and including manually operable means for actuating the electromagnetic means for moving the control member to the release position.

7 l3. The structure of claim 2 characterized by and including a circuit for the electromagnetic means for moving the control member to the release position, means responsive to the weight of material in the bucket body adapted to condition said circuit for the operation of said electromagnetic means, in response to a predetermined weight of material in the bucket body, and additional means for actuating the electromagnetic means after the circuit is thus conditioned.

4. The structure of claim 3 characterized by and including a circuit for the electromagnetic means for moving the control member to the release position, means responsive to the weight of material in the bucket body adapted to condition said circuit for the operation of said electromagnetic means, in response to a predetermined weight of material in the bucket body, and additional means for actuating the electromagnetic means after the circuit is thus conditioned, said additional means being manually operable.

5. In a weighing assembly, a base, a weighing beam on said base, a bucket body on said weighing beam, means for feeding into the bucket body charges of the material to be weighed, a bottom closure movably mounted on the bucket body, a link pivoted at its lower end to the movable closure, a control member pivoted to the bucket body, the upper end of the link being eccentrically pivoted to the control member, the so formed pivotal connections having parallel axes, the pivotal connection between the link and the movable closure, and between the control member and the bucket body being so related that when the movable closure is in the closed position, the pivotal connection between the upper end of the link and the control member is over center with relation to the pivotal connection between the control member and the bucket body, and the movable closure is thereby held against unintended release by action of gravity from its closed position, a feed delivering member on said base, having a delivery aperture adapted for the delivery of material into the bucket body, a cut-01f gate having a portion adapted to close said delivery aperture, electromagnetic means for moving the control member to the release position, and for thereby moving the bottom closure to the open position, whereby to permit the discharge of weighed material from the bucket body, said electromagnetic means being operative when a predetermined weight of material is in the bucket body, a circuit for said electromagnetic means, means responsive to the weight of material in the bucket body adapted to cause the movement of the cut-off gate to closed position and to condition said circuit for the operation of said electromagnetic means, and additional means for actuating the electromagnetic means after the circuit is thus conditioned.

6. In combination, in a weighing assembly and control means therefor, a weighing support, a charge weighing bucket on said support, said bucket having an opening and a movable closure therefor, means for delivering to the bucket material to be weighed, a control member movable on the bucket and an actuating connection between the control member and the closure, the control member having a magnet thereon, a switch positioned adjacent the path of movement of the bucket, the switch having a contact responsive to the magnet, the magnet being opposed to and aligned with the switch and switch contact when the closure is in closed position and the bucket is empty, the parts being positioned and ad 'pted for the movement of the magnet to inoperative position in relation to the switch in response to the movement of the bucket by a predetermined weight of material in the bucket.

7. In combination, in a weighing assembly and control means therefor, a weighing support, a charge weighing bucket on said support, said bucket having a discharge opening and a movable closure therefor, means for delivering to the bucket material to be weighed, a control member movable on the bucket and an actuating connection between the control member and said closure, and means for controlling the flow of material to the bucket initiated by changes in the position of the control member.

8. In combination, in a weighing assembly and control means therefor, a weighing support, a charge weighing bucket on said support, said bucket having a discharge opening and a movable closure therefor, means for delivering to the bucket material to be weighed, a control member movable on the bucket, an actuating connection between the control member and sai closure, and means for controlling the flow of material to the bucket in response to changes in position of the control member, said means being formed and adapted to prevent the initiation of flow of material to the bucket when said closure is in partly opened position.

9. The structure of claim 8 characterized by and including means for preventing the initiation of How of material to the bucket when said bucket is below its unloaded position of maximum elevation.

10. In combination, in a weighing assembly and control means therefor, a weighing support, a charge weighing bucket ,on said support, said bucket having a discharge opening and a movable closure therefor, means for delivering to the bucket material to be weighed, a control member movable on the bucket and an actuating connection between the control member and said closure, and means for controlling the flow of material to the bucket responsive to changes in position of the control member with the bucket.

11. In a feed cut-off assembly for Weighing devices and the like, a feed delivering member having wall portions defining a delivery aperture, a flexible depending apron surrounding and extending below said aperture, said apron including flexible wall members extending about three sides of the said delivery aperture, and a cut-off gate transversely movable into and out of said apron at a point substantially above the lower edge of the apron, said cutoff gate being positioned and dimensioned to maintain a sealing contact with the flexible apron.

12. The structure of claim 11 characterized by and including an additional flexible member positioned to overlie and contact the upper surface of the cut-off gate when the cut-off gate is moved into its cut-ofl position in contact with the flexible apron, said additional flexible member being positioned and adapted, with the flexible apron, completely to surround the path of material delivered from the passage aperture, and closely to overlie the cutoff gate whereby, upon withdrawal of the cut-off gate, said last mentioned flexible member wipes the upper surface of the cut-off gate.

13. The structure of claim 11 characterized in that the I cut-ofl gate is generally arcuate and is pivoted for movement about an axis aligned substantially above the delivery aperture, whereby the cut-ofl? gate itself, in cooperation with the flexible apron, is positioned and adapted to prevent the unintended escape of material delivered through said aperture when the cut-off gate is in non-feeding position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 774,777 Polte Nov. 15, 1904 943,012 Edtbauer Dec. 14, 1909 1,075,872 Steiner Oct. 14, 1913 1,346,684 Richardson July 13, 1920 1,432,346 Lorenz Oct. 17, 1922 1,942,617 Saurbrey Jan. 9, 1934 2,097,522 Hanique Nov. 2, 1937 2,327,367 Nowak Aug. 24, 1943 2,406,934 Williams Sept. 3, 1946 2,497,015 Richardson Feb. 7, 1950 2,595,871 Morley May 6, 1952 2,650,791 Adams Sept. 1, 1953 2,679,375 Smith et al. May 25, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 609,232 Germany Feb. 11, 1935

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