US570294A - Weighing-machine - Google Patents

Description

4 SheetsSheet 1.

(No Model.)

I. H. RICHARDS. WEIGHING MACHINE.

No. 570,294. Patented Oct. 27, 1896.

Wz'znesses: Ewen/602:

I "a OWUZM (No Model.) 4 SheetsSheet 2. P. H. RICHARDS.

WEIGHING MAGHINE.

No. 570,294. Patented Oct. 27, 1896.

In 0672 zar Witnessas:

%M A9. fl

ms Nonms PEYERS co. PHoTouma, wAsHmcnm o o (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.4

P. H. RICHARDS.

WEIGHING MACHINE.

No. 570,294. Patented Oct. 27, 1896.

With asses: 1220622502:

m: NORRIS PETERS co, PHm'ouT-w, WASHINGTON, my C.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets- 811991; 4. F. H. RICHARDS.

WEIGHING MAGHINE.

No. 570,294. Patented 0013.27, 1896.

Fig. f4

Witnesses: Ina/672K02 f; OMUZM 4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

WElGHlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 570,294, dated October 27, 1896.

Application filed May 9,1896. Serial No. 590,926. (No model.)

To a whom it may concern." Be it known that I, FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State v of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in \Veighing-lla chines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to weighing-machines, an object of the invention being to provide an improved machine of this charac ter comprehending eflicient means for maintaining a continuous, unbroken stream of material to the bucket or load-carrying receptacle at the proper period in its operation,- the invention being adapted for use in connection with machines for weighing sub stances of various classes, but more especially those of a sluggish or slow-running nature,

such as cotton-seed meal, flour, and the like.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a weighing-machine comprising my improvei'nents in the preferred form thereof, illustrating the positions occupied by the various operative parts at the commencement of operation, the valve being open and the feeder supported thereby in 1no tion, and the bucket closer or closers in the shut position. Fig. 2 is an end elevation as seen from the left in Fig. 1, with the parts in position corresponding therewith,the chute and valve being partially broken away to illus trate more clearly certain peculiar features of construction. Fig. 3 is a similar view, the valve being closed and the feeder supported thereby at rest, and the bucket-closers open for discharging the bucket load. Fig. & is a plan view with certain parts of the framing removed, the parts being in positions corresponding, respectively, with Figs. 1 and 2.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

The framework for supporting the operative parts of the weighing-machine may be of suitable or preferred form; and it is herein illustrated comprising the two side frames or members 2 and a, mounted upon the base 3 and connected at the top by the beam or plate 5, which latter suitably carries the supply chute or hopper H, which will be hereinafter more particularly described.

The bucket, which is designated in a gensingle-chambered type, and as also having its receiving opening or inlet in alinement with the descending column or stream of material from the chute or hopper II. The bucket G is also illustrated as having the inclined bottom 30, leading toward the discharge-outlet 30', at one side thereof, said bottom being at such a disposition or angle as to permit the free flow or gravitation therefrom of the bucket contents on the opening of the bucket closer or closers. By reason of such inclined bottom. it serves positively as a stream-brake, so that the force of the descending stream of material from the chute or hopper cannot be directed against the closer or closers.

As a means for su 'iporting the bucket the beam mechanism illustrated may be employed, and will now be described. The base is illustrated carrying the V-shaped bearing 20 at one side thereof, the opposite side being similarly equipped, said V-shaped bearings constituting a convenient means for supporting the scale-beam 13.

The scale-beam 13 is illustrated comprising the arms 10 and 19, connected by the combined counterweight and shaft IV. The arm 10 of the scale-beam B is shown equipped with a knife-edge 15, supported by the V-shaped bearing 20, carried by the base of the machine, the opposite arm of said scale-beam B being also provided with such a knife-edge. The two connected arms 19 and 1!) of the scale beam will be also provided with a second pair of knife-edges, constituting bucket-supports, one of which is shown at 15 pivotallysupporting the V-shaped bearing 17, suitably connected to one end of the bucket, it being understood that the opposite end of the bucket will be also provided with a similar bearing.

As a means for balancing the peculiar form of bucket herein illustrated, a pair of supplemental beams are illustrated at B and B, respectively, and as also operatively connected with the beam B; and as they are the same in construction and mode of operation, it is deemed necessary to describe but one of said supplemental beams in detailfor example the beam B. The base 3, near the extreme outer edge thereof, is illustrated carrying the V-shaped bearing which constitutes a convenient means for supporting the said beam, the latter being illustrated provided with the knife-edge l7 resting on said bearing or beamsupport. The beam B is also shown provided with a bucket-support 24, consisting in the present instance of a pivot or knife-edge, the bucket G suitably carrying the V-shaped bearing 10, resting on said pivot or knife-edge.

The closer mechanism for the bucket comprises two closers or valves, (designated in a general way by L and L, respectively) and which consist of the closers proper or plates 75 and 75, respectively, said closers being illustrated pivoted at 76 and 76 adjacent to the opposite walls of the discharge-outlet of the bucket.

The closers or valves 75 and 75, respectively, will be opened in unison, this action being caused by the weight of the bucket contents when said closers are released at the proper point in the operation of the machine.

The closerplate 75 is illustrated as being approximately ilat, so that when it reaches the limit of its opening movement, as indicated in Fig. 3, it will assume a position approximately in parallelism with the bucketbottom 30, whereby it constitutes practically a continuation of said bottom. \Yhen in such position, the pressure of the discharging mass acting against said closer 75 prevents the closing movement thereof until the last particles of the mass have passed below the discharge edge or lip 75 of said closer, when it may be shut, it being clearly evident that during this peculiar operation said closer serves practi cally as a regulator.

The closer 75 being operatively connected with its mate 75, it will be apparent that the premature shutting movement of said lastmentioned member will be likewise prevented. One of the closer members or valves will preferably overlap the other when in a shut or normal position, as indicated in Fig. 2, so that a tight joint will be provided and the accidental escape of material positively prevented.

One of the closers will have an accelerated or multiplied shutting movement in advance of the other, so that the last-mentioned member may overlap the same, and the means illustrated for effecting this result will be hereinafter described.

The pivot of the closer 75 is illustrated having the rock-ar1n 77 suitably affixed thereto, to which is pivotally connected the link 77, the opposite end of the latter being likewise attached to the closer 7 5 at a point preferably intermediate its edges.

As a means for sustaining the bucket-closer an. inverted toggle is herein illustrated. This toggle in the form shown consists of the rocker 550, pivotally connected to thebucket adjacent to the upper rearward side thereof, and the relatively long connecting-rod 596, operatively connected to the closer mechanism, being shown pivoted to the connectinglink 77, and in such a manner that when the closers are in the shut or normal position thereof, as indicated in Fig. 2, the three toggle-pivots will be a1 )proximately in line with, and the upper pivot of the connecting-rod or toggle member will be above, the rockerpivot.

It will be evident that by such. organization when the rocker is engaged by a suitable device it may be held against oscillatory movement by a minimum pressure thereon. For thus iholding the rocker against rocking movement, and hence the connected closers 75 and 75 against opening movement during the loading period, the latch 82, pivotallysupported by the bucket G, is herein illustrated. In the form illustrated this latch 82 swings upward for engaging the rocker 550 or the arm 550 thereof, the latch being provided with a suitable detent for engaging a cooperating detent on the rocker-arm 550 when the parts are in the closed position illustrated in Fig. 9. For effecting this upward movement of the latch 82 a counterweight 823 is illustrated, suitable stops being also employed for limiting the oscillation of said latch.

When the latch 82 is depressed, its detent will be disengaged from the cooperating detent formed on the rocker-arm 550, so that the rocker is free to swing about its pivot. The weight of the bucket contents may then force the closer or valve 75 open, simultaneously opening the closer 75 by virtue of the operative connections thcrebetwcen, and to the position illustrated in Fig. 3. For effecting the closing movement of the two valves 75 and 75 the last-mentioned member is illustrated provided with a counterweight 7S, and when the discharged mass has passed below the lip or dischz'irge-edge 75 of the closer 75, the latter, and hence the connected closer 75', is free to shut, this movement being effected by the counterweight '78. As the two closers approach their normal or shut positions the return movement of the rocker 550 will be caused by the connecting-rod 596, so that when said closers have resumed the normal position thereof the rocker-arm 550 may be again engaged by the latch 82.

The supply chute or hopper is illustrated having formed interiorly thereof the blades or partitions 231 and 32, set at an inclination therein and extending from end wall to end wall thereof and preferably in parallelism with the top and bottom plate 33 and 31-, respectively, of said chute. The two said plates 31 and 32, together with. the bottom wallv or plate ll of the chute, constitute an efficient means for breaking the force of a descending stream of material, so that the full volume thereof cannot be directed against the front wall 35 and hence against the valve 70, as, where a stream of very large volume is impacted against said valve, it is rendered somewhat nncertain in its action. The wall 35 preferably disposed at an angle to the series of plates hereinbefore mentioned, so that the course of the stream will be changed thereby and its force further broken, said stream being directed toward the rear of the valve and away from its front or discharge edge, whereby the power necessary to close the same is materially reduced. The bottom wall 3a of the chute is illustrated as extended downward, as at 34, and serves as an effectual guard for preventing rearward spattering of the material during the operation of the machine.

The valve is of the oscillating type and is substantially similar in construction and mode of operation to the improved valve disclosed in Letters Patent No. 535,727, granted to me March 12, 1895, to which reference may be had. The top plate 5 is illustrated having formed thereon the arms or brackets 5 and 5, between and to which the valve 70 is pivot ally supported. The valve is also a balanced valve, so that when in its closed position, as indicated in Fig. 3, it has in itself no tendency to move in either direction, the balanceweight being illustrated for this purpose. WVhen the valve 70 is in its closed position, as indicated in said figure, it is adapted for supporting the mass in the chute or hopper.

As a means for opening the valve 70 the mechanism illustrated may be conveniently employed, and will now be described. A connecting-rod is shown at 558 pivotally suspended from the valve at a point to the rear of its axis or center of movement, the lower end of said rod being normally in engagement with the beam 13 or with a projection, as the antifriction-roll 19, extending from its arm 19.

The scale-beam B has the usual bucket poising and bucket-counterpoising portions 12 and 12, respectively, located at each side of its fulcrum or pivot, and hereinafter when the ascending and descending movements of the scale-beam are referred to the bucketpoising side 12 will be meant, unless otherwise specifically stated, said bucket-poising side of the beam ascending and descending in unison with the bucket G. As the bucket and beam B, and hence the connected beams B and B, descendwhich action is caused by the flowof the supply-stream into the bucketthe valve 70 may be closed by suitable means, the beam B, which is in engagement with the connecting-rod 558, serving as a suitable means for limiting or checking the too rapid closing movement of the valve. The parts will be so organized that when the beam B has reached the limit of its descending movement the valve will be closed. On the return movement of the beam B an upward thrust will be imparted to the connecting-rod 558 and directed toward the rear of the valve, being sufficient for opening the same to cause the flow of the supply-stream.

As a means for actuating the valve 70 to close the same the mechanism illustrated may be employed, which is substantially similar in construction and mode of, operation to that disclosed in Letters Patent No. 548,843, granted to me October 29, 1895, to which reference may be had, and which will now be de scribed.

A cam is shown at 500 as oscillatory with the valve 7 0, being preferably formed integral with the balance-weight 00 thereof. The cam-surface of said cam is in position to be engaged by a suitable devicesuch as the counterweighted lever 504:one of the arms thereof being preferably provided with an antifriction-roll 500, the other arm having the weight 507, so that on the downward movement of said counterweighted arm said antifriction-roll 506 will be caused to ride along the cam-surface of said cam, and the force of said counterweighted arm thereby transmitted to the connected valve 70 to effect its closing movement.

The main stream will be cut off by the valve 70, and as a means for furnishing the dripstream a feeder will be employed, said feeder being preferably supported by the valve and movable therewith, the Valve constituting practically a carrier for the feeder. The feeder, which is designatedin a general way by F, is shown as being of the screw type, the blade thereof being suitably connected to the supportingshaft 36, said blade being also rotative in the concavity or pocket 37, formed in the valve-pan.

The shaft 36 is illustrated journaled in the rear wall 36 of said concavity, and will be also suitably connected with a power device for effecting the operation of said feeder F. On rotation of the feeder it will be evident that it is operable for screwing forward a portion of the supply of material. WVhen the valve has reached a predetermined point in its closing movement, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, it will have cut off the main or gravitating stream of material issuing from the chute or hopper H. It will be apparent, therefore, that when the valve has reached such a position, its bottom plate 70 being approximately horizontal, the mass cannot flow over said bottom plate. On the movement of the feeder at this point it will be evident that it may feed from the body of material 011 the valve a stream of relatively small volume, which constitutes the drip-stream and which is necessary to complete the partial load in the bucket.

A power device or pulley is shown at P suitably affixed to the relatively short shaft 38 by keying or otherwise, said shaft being j ournaled in the standard or support 3, extendin g upward from the base 3 of the machine. The pulley P in practice will be connected with a suitable motor (not shown) by belting or otherwise, as desired. The powerdevice P will be operatively connected with the feeder F, and for this purpose the extensible shaft 39 is illustrated, said extensible shaft being shown connected, respectively, with the feeder-shaft 36 and with the pulley-shaft 38, the connection between these members being preferably a universal 0110, as indicated at 39 and 39", whereby a rotative movement through a suitable clutch may be imparted to the feeder F until the valve has reached its extreme closed position, when. the clutch members may be uncoupled thereby, and hence the feeder F stopped.

The feeder mechanism embodies a clutch, which may be of any suitable type. That herein illustrated, and which is designated in a general way by C, is a pin-clutch.

The extensible shaft 30 is illustrated comprising two members, one of which is telescopically connected with the other, the tubular member being designated by 40 and the other member by t0, and each of these members will carry one of the clutch members, so that when the last-mentioned parts are coupled together, as indicated in Fi g. 2, a rotative movement may be transmitted by the power device P to the connected feeder F in an obvious manner. The action of the valve in closing slowly disengages the clutch members, this operation being completed when the valve reaches the limit of its closing movement.

The clutch, it will be remembered, has been described as constituting two members, which are designated by il and i1 ,respectively, suitably secured to the sections 40 and 40 of the extensible shaft 39. The clutch member 5 .1 has suitably formed in its opposite edges recesses for receiving the pins 42 and 42, projecting rearward from the preferably circular clutch member 41 and at diametrically opposite sides thereof.

At a predetermined point in the operation of the machine, or at the commencement of the poising period, the further closing movement of the valve will be intercepted by suitable devices, the valve-plate 70 at this time being approximately disposed at a horizontal position, so that the feeder F becomes operable for supplying the hereinbefore-mentioned dripstream to the bucket. For thus intercepting the valve devices substantially similar to those disclosed in Letters Patent No. 5iS,SiO, granted to me October 29,1895, are herein illustrated, and will now be described.

A depending rod is illustrated at 569, and is also oscillatory with the valve, being suitably connected with the valve balance-weight At a predetermined point in. the closing movement of the valve this red will be engaged by a stop-such as 570suitably connected to the beam B, and the valve thus held, it being then in the position illustrated by the dotted line in Fig. 2, the clutch members tl and ti being nearly uncoupled. The valve 70 is thus momentarily held against closing movement, and when released-due to the descent of the beam Bwill be given a final closing movement by the counter-weighted lever 50 i in the manner previously described. 1) uring this last-mentioned action the two clutch members 41 and 41 willbe uncoupled, thereby stopping the movement of the feeder F.

are carried into contact with the pin 4-3 during the final closing movement of the valve, whereby the tubular shaft member 40, and hence the connected feeder F, may be instantly stopped in their rotative movements by the pin or check device l3.

The bucket mechanism comprises a shiftable bucket-discharge member or members, which have been .hercinbefore described as the closers L and L, respectively, normally held against movement by a suitable latch. For depressing or tripping said latch means extraneous of the weighing mechanism will be preferably employed, so that the accuracy of the machine will not be vitiated, as is frequently the case when this result is obtained. by a movable or reciprocatory member of the weighing mechanism. For thus tripping or releasing said shittable member means preferably operated by the feeder mechanism will be employed, and the form herein illustrated for obtaining this result will now be described.

The standard or support 3 is illustrated. having formed thereon the bracket or arm 6,which is shown supporting the angle-lever 45, the latter being pivoted to said arm at its angle. The arm or member 45 of said angle-lever is illustrated pivoted to the relatively long connecting or thrust rod to, the opposite end of the latter being preferably connected with a relatively fixed part of the machine by a suitable guide or other means to thereby maintain said rod in an operative position throughout its reciprocal movements. The rod 4.6 has a movement in an inclined plane, and is shown having formed thereon the projection or lug 46, which has a movement into engagement with a suitable device, as the pin 82, formed on the latch, so that 011 the downstroke of said connecting-rod at) the projection 46 thereon is operable for engaging the pin 82' to thereby trip the latch 82.

The weight \V of the scale-beam B is illustrated having formed thereon the lug or car at? to which is pivoted the upward-extendin g rod 4C7, said rod being shown operatively connected with the angle-lever i5 by the link 48, pivotally attached to the angle-lever arm to and to the rod 47 at a suitable point thereon. The connection between said link 4-8 and rod i7 is preferably a sliding one.

The rod t7 is shown having formed therein the longitudinal slot i7,through which is passed the headed screw or stud 48, lixed to said red. It will be apparent, by virtue of such sliding connection between the link 48 and the rod 47, that the latter may have a free vertical movement without by such action affecting the relation of the connected angle-lever 45 and thrust-rod 46. The upper end of the rod 47 is interposable into the path of movement of a suitable device operated by and constituting a part of the feeder mechanism, so that a lateral blow may be imparted to said rod 47 sufficient through the hereinbefore-described connections for effecting the downstroke of the rod 46, the depression of the latch 82 by the projection 46 thereon, and hence the release of the bucket-closers 7 5 and 75, respectively.

The clutch member 41 is illustrated provided with the radial arm or extension 49, which constitutes a means for imparting the hereinbefore-mentioned lateral blow to the rod 47 for effecting the release of the two closers.

The operation of the closer-releasing means will be clearly obvious from an inspection of the drawings.

As the mass of material flows into the bucket, this of course descends, the poising portion 12 of the scale-beam B descending therewith, the counterpoising side 12 of said scale-beam ascending, and the rod 47 will be moved therewith. At the commencement of the poising period, or when the bucket-load has been nearly completed, the valve '70 will have cut off the main or gravitating stream, it being at this time in the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. The feeder F on the valve is then operable for feeding from said Valve a relatively fine or drip stream. The clutch members 41 and 41 will be nearly disengaged, as also shown by the dotted lines in said Fig. 2. On the completion of the bucket load the valve will be instantly closed, this action uncoupling the clutch members 41 and 41, the feeder F being instantly stopped. Succeeding the final closing movement of the valve 7 O and the stoppage of the feeder F, the rod 47 will be thrust upward by the scale-beam B, and when it has intersected the plane of movement of the clutch-arm 49, the latter on its rotation may engage the upper end of said rod, rocking it to what is illustrated as the right in Fig. 4, and thereby, through the angle-lever 45, forcing the rod 46 downward with its projection '46 into contact with the latch-pin 82, so that the latch 82 may be tripped on such movement.

For securing the return movement of the rod 47 and hence the return of the parts connected thereto, said rod will be preferably counterweighted. The rod is shown provided with a laterally-eXtending arm 50, preferably integral therewith, and having the counterweight 51, which may be adjustable thereon. l V hen said rod 47 has been released by the arm 49 on the descent of the scale-beam weight WV, said rod 47 will be caused by said weight 51 to resume or drop to its normal position, and hence the connected rod 46 will be moved upward and its projection 40 out of engagement with the latch-pin S2 concurrently therewith.

The operation of a weighingunachinc com.- prising the hereinbel'ore-described improve ments is as follows: On reference to Fig. l, which shows the normal positions occupied by the respective parts of the machine at the commencement of operation, the valve 70 is illustrated as being in its full open position and the closers locked in the shut position thereof by means of the latch 82, which engages the closer-connected rocker 550. The supply-stream is then caused to flow into the bucket partly by gravitation and the rotative action of the feeder F. \Vhen a certain proportion of the load has been received by the bucket, it will descend, the beam mechanism moving in unison therewith, the weight V, and hence the rod 47, being caused to move upward. During this operation the poising side of the scale-beam B is descending, and the projection 19 falling from under the connecting-rod 558 permits the closing movement of the valve 7 O by the counterweighted lever 504. At the commencement of the poising period the further closing movement of the valve 7 0 will be intercepted by the stop 570, which engages the depending rod 509 oscilla tory with said valve. At this point the valve will be in the position illustrated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, it having nearly uncoupled the clutch members 41 and 41, as also indicated by the dotted lines in said figure. The valve at this point having cut off the stream which gravitates from the chute or hopper H, the feeder F is operable for feeding the drip-stream into the bucket to complete its lead. 011 the completion of the bucketload it will have a further descending movement, the poising side of the scale-beam B descending therewith, the stop 570 thereon releasing the rod 569, so that the valve 70 may be instantly closed, the clutch members 41 and 41 disengaged, and the rod 47 moved upward, whereby it may be imparted a blow by the arm 49 of the clutch member 41, this action swinging said rod, and hence the link 48, to the right in Fig. 4, so that the thrustrod 46 will be forced downward with its proj ection 46 into contact with the latch-pin S2, and the latch 82 thereby tripped.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claima 1. The combination with a chute, of a stream-controlling valve; a feeder supported thereby; and feeder-actuating mechanism.

2. The combination with a chute, of a valve therefor having a concavity formed therein; a feeder supported by said valve and operable in said concavity; and feeder-actuatin g mechanism.

The combination with a chute, of an oscillatory valve; a feeder supported by said valve; a power device; and a clutch operatively connected with said power device and feeder, whereby at a predetermined point in IIO the movement of said valve the clutch members will be uncoupled.

4c. The combination with a valve, of a feeder supported by said valve; a power device; and an extensible fecder-operatin g shaft connecting said feeder and said power device.

5. The combination with a valve, of a feeder supported by said valve; a tubular member connected to the feeder; a power device; and a shaft connected to said power device and slidin in said tubular member.

6. The combination with a bucket and with a chute for supplying a stream of material thereto, of streamcentrolling means consisting of a valve and a feeder supported by said valve; and a power device operatively connected with said feeder by a universal joint.

7. The combination with a feeder, of a power device; and an extensible membe'rbetween said parts and attached to one of said parts by a universal connection.

8. The combination with a valve, of a feeder supported thereon; a power device; and an extensible connection between said feeder and power device.

9. The combination with a valve, of a feeder supported by said valve; a power device; an extensible shaft connected, respectively,with said power device and feeder and comprising two sections; and a clutch, each of the members of which is attached to one of said shaftsections.

10. The combination with a valve, of a power device; a feeder supported by said valve; an extensible shaft connected, respectively, to said power device and feeder by a universal joint and comprising a tubular section, the other section sliding therein; and a clutch embodying two members, each of which is attached to one of said shaft-sections.

11. The combination with a chute, of an oscillatory valve therefor having a concavity; a feeder supported by the valve operable in said concavity; a pulley; a telescopic shaft comprising two sections connected, respectively, with said pulley and feeder by a universal connection; and a clutch embodying two members, each of which is attached to one of said shaft-sections.

12. The combination with a chute having an inclined bottom and a series of plates in parallelism therewith, of a valve for said chute; and valve-actuating mechanism.

13. The combination with a chute having an inclined bottom and a series of plates in parallelism thereto, and having also a front plate disposed at an angle to said series of plates; of a stream-controlling valve; and valve actuating mechanism.

14. The combination with bucket mechanism comprising a shiftable bucket-discharge member normally held against movement; of feeder mechanism embodying a feeder operable for supplying a stream of material to the bucket; and means operated by said feeder mechanism for releasing said shiftable lnicket-discharge member.

15. The combination with a bucket having a closer, of a latch normally operative for holding the same against openingmovement; feeder mechanism comprising a feeder operable for feedin a stream of material into said bucket; and latch-tripping means operated by said feeder mechanism.

10. The combination with a bucket mechanism comprising a shiftable bucket-discharge member, of a latch normally operative for holdin said member against movement; a shaft having a device rotative therewith and provided with an arm; latch-tripping means; and a member )1i)eratively connected with said lzu1ch-trip1inng means and interposable into the path of movement of said arm.

17. The combination withbucket mechanism comprising a shiftable bucket-discharge member, of a latch normally operative for holding the same against movement; a latchtripping device; a shaft comprising a pro jecting arm; and a 1novably-supported member operatively connected with said latchtripping device and interposable into the path of movement of said projecting arm.

18. The combination with a scale-beam, of bucket mechanism supported thereby and embodying a shiftable bucket-discharge member normally held against movement; a device operable for releasing said shiftable member; a rod carried by the scale-beam and operatively connected with said device; and means for operating said rod.

19. The combination with a scale-beam, of bucket mechanism supported thereby and comprising a shiftable bucket-discharge member normally held against movement; a device for releasing said shiftable member; a rod operatively connected to the scale-beam; an angle-lever connecting said rod and releasing device; and means for operating said rod.

20. The combination with bucket mechanism comprising a shiftable bucket-discharge member, of a latch normally operative for holding the same against movement; alatchtripping device; a counterweighted rod operatively connected with said latch-tripping device; and means for operating said rod.

21. The combination with a scale-beam, of bucket mechanism comprising a shiftable bucket-discharge member normally held against movement; means for releasing said shiftable bucket-discharge member; a rod connected to said scale-beam; a link in sliding engagement therewith and operatively connected to said releasing means; and means for operating said rod.

22. The combination with a scale-beam, of a bucket supported thereby having a closer; a latch normally operative for holding the same against opening movement; a thrust-rod having a projection for tripping said latch; a rod operatively connected with said scale beam; and operative connections between said last-mentioned rod and the thrust-rod.

23. The combination with a scale-beam, of a bucket supported thereby and having a closer; a latch normally operative for holding the same against opening movement; a thrustrod having a projection for tripping said latch; a rod operatively connected to said scalebeam; an an gle-lever connected to said thrustrod; and a link connected, respectively, to said angle-lever and to the scale-beam connected rod.

24. The combination with a feeder, of a power device connections between said members embodying a clutch, one of the members of which is provided with an arm; bucket mechanism comprising a shiftable bucket-discharge member normally held against movc ment; means for releasing the same; a rod operatively connected with said releasing means, and interposable into the path of movement of said arm.

25. The combination with abucket having a discharge-outlet, or two overlapping closers therefor, one of which is provided with a rockarm; a link connected to said rock-arm and to the other closer; a rod attached to said link; a rocker connected with the rod and means for holding said rocker against movement.

26. The combination with a scale-beam, of a bucket therefor having an inclined bottom wall leading toward its discharge-outlet, a pair of overlapping closers for said outlet, one of which is provided with a rock-arm; a link connecting said rock-arm with the other closer; a rod connected to said link; a rocker connected with the rod; and means for holding said rocker against movement.

FRANCIS ll. RICHARDS.

\Vitnesses:

FRED. J. DOLE, HENRY BIssELL.

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