US980898A

US980898A - Computing-scale.

Info

Publication number: US980898A
Application number: US35501307A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert D H Anderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1907-01-31
Filing date: 1907-01-31
Publication date: 1911-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 1928-01-10

Description

R. D. H. ANDERSON. COMPUTING SGALE; PPLIULTION Hman un. 31, 19m.

980,898. Patented Jan 1o, 1911.

a SHEETS-sum1 111.11. 11. ANDERSON;

CQMPQTING SCALE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31. 1907.

980,898. Patented 'Jau 10,1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

n.71). H. ANDERSON.

COMPUTING SGALB. rrLIuuioN FILED n.131, 1901.

Patented Jan.10,1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

c. l 'mr mulls Vanns cca.. vusnmaron'rn'.

ROBERT D. H. ANDERSON, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

COMPUTING-SCALE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT D. H. AN- DERsoN, a citizen of the United States of America, and a Iresident of Cincinnati, in

the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio,

have invented certainnew and useful Im provements in Computing-Scales, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certainimprovements in computing scales or balances and more part-icularl` in that class of such devices which areladapted for substantially automatic operation for indicating both weight and price,-the latter calculat-ed upon an arbitrary price per pound,-of the article or commodity weighed, and the object of the invention is to provide a scale or balance of this general character of a com paratively simple and inexpensive nature and of a compact, strong and durable construction, and which shall present certain features of novelty whereby accuracy of indication may be conveniently attained.

The invention consists in certain novel features of the construction and combinations and arrangements of the several parts of the improved computing scale or balance, whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device is rendered simpler,

cheaper and otherwisebetter adapted and more convenient for use, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

The novel features of the invention will be carefully defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings which serve to illustrate my improvements Figure 1 is a side elevation of a scale or balance constructed according to my invention, portions at opposite ends thereof being broken 0 away to show certain details of construction 0 construction to be hereinafter referred to;

Fig. L1 is an enlarged fragmentary detail View showing certain features of construe tion of the adjustable-connection between the scale-beam and the chart or indicator of the computing mechanism; Fig. 5 is an Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led January 31, 1907.

Patented Jan. 10, 1911.

Serial No. 355,013.

enlarged fragmentary view showing certain details of said adjustable-connection in end elevation; Fig. 6 is a face view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view showing a preferred form of retaining means for preventing dis lacement of the driving cam or pulley o the improved scale or balance; Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view showing in sectional side elevation, the preferred form of end-bearing for the indicator or chart of the computing mechanism; Fig. 9 is a sectional detail view taken at right-angles to the plane of the section in Fig. 8, and illustrating further features of said end-bear ing; Fig. 1() is a detail view similar to Fig. 9, but showing a modified formation of the end-bearing for the indicator or chart of the computing mechanism; Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the indicator slit or opening of the casing of the device, together with certain features of the indieator or chart within the same; Fig. 12 is a sectional detail View taken in the plane indicated by the line time in Fig. 11, and show ing certain features of the indicating mechanism in section; Fig. 13 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 11, but illustrating a modified formation of the indicating mechanism; F 111 is a sectional view, similar to Fig. 12, but taken, as indicated by line b-Z) in Fig. 13, through the modified form of indicating mechanism illustrated in the latter figure; Fig. 15 is a vertical section enlarged and taken through the casing of the computing mechanism of the improved scale or balance in the plane indicated by the line c-c in Fig. 1; Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken transversely and horizontally through the barrel of the retarding device of the improved scale, the plane of the section being indicated by the line d-cl in Fig. 15, and Fig. 17 is an enlarged sectional detail view showing a modified formation of retarding device as will be hereinafter described.

As herein illustrated, the improved scale or balance is constructed in the form of a counter scale, being mounted upon a basesupport presenting certain features of novelty and advantagefor use upon counters and in similar situations, but it will be evi dent that the employment of said base-supportis inessential to the present invention, and I do not, therefore, desire to be understood as limiting myself'to the employment of my improvements in counter scales alone, since it is obvious that, with slightmodication and without material departure from its principles and spirit, the invention may be applied with advantage to various other forms of scales and balances.

1 indicates the base-support, herein shown as constructed in elongated form with an enlarged and rounded or circular central portion 2, the top surface of which is made with a depressed bearing portion 3 also of circular form, and having at its base' a groove or ball-race 4, wherein are seated balls 5 the upper sides of which protrude above the groove 4 and are engaged in a corresponding groove or ball race 10, produced in the under-surface of a central circular bearing portion 8 integrally produced at the lower part of the metallic frame of the improved scale or balance and adapted to turn within the recessed bearing portion 3 of the base-support 1, so that the operative devices of the scale or balance are adapted to be readily turned or rotated upon said base-support so as to permit of being more conveniently used without requiring the device to be lifted from the counter or other supporting surface.

In order to permit of using a minimum number of the

balls

5, 5, in the race-ways 4 and 10 of the bearing

portions

3 and 8 of the base-support and frame, I employ means for spacing said balls apart. As herein illustrated, said spacing means comprises a metal strip or wire 4a, extended in annular form within the lower groove or race-way 4 and having bent portions 4b, 4", at suitable intervals, within which the said balls 5 are held and by means of which said balls are held against displacement without, however, interfering with their free movement in unison along the grooves or race-ways when the frame of the scale or balance is turned or rotated upon the base-support 1.

Within the bearing portion 3, the central circular portion 2 of the base-support 1 is provided with a spider 6, having a central opening in which is engaged for free turning movement a stud 7, centrally projecting from the underside of the bearing portion 8 of the scale frame and having at its lower end an enlargement or head 9, secured in any preferred way and engaged beneath the spider 6 in such a way as to form a secure connection between the scale frame and basesupport 1, so that the -entire device may be lifted from place to place when desired, without dislocation of the several parts.

The scale frame has end portions 11 and 12, oppositely extended from the circular bearing portion 8 and adapted for the support of the operative devices of the weighing and computing mechanisms, the end portion 11 of said frame having an integral standard 13, from the outer side of which is extended an arm 14, whereon is fulcrumed a` scale beam 15, having connection in a well known way, with a stem 18, guided for vertical movement in the standard 13 and carrying at its upper end a suitable frame 16, whereon is held a platter, scoop or equivalent device, as shown at 17, for receivin the article to be weighed. The outer en of the scalebeam 15, beyond its fulcrum at the arm 14 --is preferably counterbalanced as shown at 20, and when desired a tare-beam 19 may be connected with the said scale-beam 15 in a well known way, affording compensation for a container rested upon the platter 17 for holding the commodity to be weighed.

The end of the scale beam 15, opposite to the counterpoise 20 is depressed as shown at 21 and is extended within the adjacent end of a casing or housing 22, mounted upon the opposite extended end portion 12 of the scale frame and wherein is contained the connections between the scale-beam'and the computing and indicating mechanism, as will be hereinafter explained. The casing or housing 22 may be conveniently formed from sheet metal or similar material, with lower edge portions lapped outside of the lateral and end surfaces of the frame extension l2 and detachably held thereto by screws 23 or the like. Within said casing or housing 22, the depressed extremity 21 of scale-beam 15 has connection with the lower end of a chain 25 or similar flexible connection, the upper end of which has connection with a band or'tape 26, preferably of flexible metal, and vwhich is extended upwardly across the curved face of a cam-like actuating member 28, to the upper part of which said tape 2G has connection, as shown at 27, by means of a screw or the like. The said actuating member 28 has a frame 29 at its rear part and from which are extended opposite and

alined trunnions

34, 34, the extremities of which have knife-

edges

30, 30, suitably engaged in seats at the upper ends of the forks of a supporting frame or lug 31, mounted on the frame extension 12, whereby the actuating member is supported for free pivotal or rocking movement. The forks of the frame or lug 31 carry

retaining devices

33,33, upon their adjacent sides, said retaining devices being in the form of thin metal washers perforated for the passage of the

trunnions

34, 34, and serving to prevent dislocation of the knife-

edges

30, 30, from their seats in case the scale or balance be jarred or moved about. Said forks of frame or lug 31 are also provided with

end stops

32, 32 of resilient or other material, secured at their outer faces and adapted, by engagement with the knife-

edges

30, 30, at their pivotal points to maintain the cam-like member 28 accurately centered between said forks of the supporting frame or lug 31.

The frame 29 of the actuating member 28 has a pendent arm 29a the lower part 0f which carries a counterpoise 32 and said frame 29 is also provided with a rearwardly and upwardly inclined arm 35, between which and the counterpoise 32 -is extended a segment-rack 36 having a toothed rack surface 37 upon its inner side concentric with the pivotal support afforded by the knife edges B0, 30 for the cam-like actuating member 28.

38 represents a pinion or spur-wheelof small diameter' held upon one end portion of a shaft 39 horizontally extended between

bearing studs

40, 40, adjacent to opposite ends of the casing 0r housing 22 and having

spiders

41, 41, mounted near its ends for the support of a rounded or cylindrical indicator or chart 42, whose periphery is pro vided with suitable price and weight indicating graduations visible at a sight aper ture 43 in one side of the casing or housing 22 and surrounded by an escutcheon-plate 44 in a well known way. By preference the location of the sight aperture or slit 43 in cas ing or housing 22 will be such as to permit the graduations upon chart 42 to be read with the greatest ease by a person standing before the scale, and in the case of a counter scale of the character to which my improvements are herein shown applied, the line of vision of a person so standing may be considered as approximating 55 and the sight aperture will therefore be preferably located at a correspoding situation in the easing or housing 22.

In order to facilitate the turning movement of the cylindrical indicator or chart 42, -I preferably mount the shaft 39 thereof in anti-friction bearings, the preferred formation of which is illustrated in Figs. 1, S and 9, the extremities of said shaft being made conical o1.' tapered and received for free turning` movement. in sockets produced in the inner ends or tips of screws 45, passed through the end supports or

lugs

40, 40, while anti-friction rollers or disks 4G, 4G, mounted to turn in brackets on said end supports -l-O, 40, are engaged beneath the end portions of said shaft 39 to effectively support the same with as little frictional resistance as possible. In certain cases, however, this form of end bearing may be replaced by the construction shown in Fig. 10 with good results. As shown in the latter view, the anti-friction rollers or disks 46 are dispensed with, and the end portions of shaft 39 rest in (piadrant-shape yokes 47, mounted for free swinging movement upon the inner sides of the supports 40.

In order to prevent needless oscillation of the parts, and to cause the indicator or cylindrical chart 42 to quickly assume a position of rest when the device is operated in weighing, I provide a retarding mechanism, shown in Figs. 1, 15, 1G and 17, and comprising a paddle wheel or similar rotative part held upon a shaft 51 having bearings at opposite ends of a tight barrel or shell 52, supported upon one of the end supports 40 for the indicator shaft. The shaft 51 carries at its upper end and outside the barrel or shell 52, a gear pinion 50, meshing with a crown gear surface 53 carried by the adjacent spider 41 on indicator shaft 39, in such a manner that, as said chart or indicator 42 is rotated, its movement will be imparted to shaft 51, serving to rotate the paddle wheel within the tight shell or barrel 52. The said shell or barrel is adapted to contain a supply of some suitable Huid, as oil, glycerin, or the like, affording such a resistance to the rotation of the paddle wheel as will tend to retard the movement of the indicator or chart 42 and prevent oscillation thereof, so that in the weighing operation the said indicator or chart will quickly assume a position of rest. The paddle wheel within the barrel or shell 52 may have flat blades or wings, as shown at 49 in Figs. 15 and 16, or if desired, the wings or blades of said wheel may be given a spiral formation as shown at 49a in Fig. 17.

By the construction so far described, it will be evident that when an article to be weighed is rested upon the platter 17, the scale-beam 15 will be depressed so that its extremity 21 will draw downwardly upon the ftexible band or strap 26 and impart partial turning movement to the actuating mem ber 2S, and by reason of the gear connection of the segment 36 with the pinion 3S, such rotative movementof the actuating member will be communicated to the shaft 39 to rotate the same in its bearings, whereby the cylindrical indicator or chart 42 is caused to turn within the casing or housing 22 so that the graduations upon the perimeter of said chart may be read at the sight aperture 43 of the casing.

In scales or balances of this general character, it has hitherto been extremely difficult to attain an accurate readng of the successive graduations around the perimeter of the indicator or chart, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide means oit' a comparatively simple and inexpensive nature, conssting of an adjustable connection between the scale-beam and the indicator or chart, whereby the movement of the latter in unison with the scale-beam may be regulated in aconvenient and effective manner for securing aeeu racy of indication of the graduations at the sight aperture of the casing. As herein shown, such adjusting or regulating means consists in a novel structure of the cam-like driving or actuating member 2S, the body portion 29 of which has upper and lower cam segments 60, GO, spaced apart from each other and connected at opposite sides by lateral plates or

parts

62, 62, held to said segments by screws 61 or the like in such manner as to produce between said

plates

62, 62 and

segments

60,60, a space or chamber wherein is received a multiplicity of thin slides or segmental parts 68, 63, the forward ends of which are extended from said space or chamber to form the cam-like peripheral surface of the member 2S between the

Isegments

60, 60, and are adapted, in the operation of the improved scale or balance, to be engaged by the flexible strap or band 26, the upper end of which is held by screw 27 to the uppersegment 60, ,when said band or strap is drawn upward by the return of the cylindrical chart or indicator 42 to its zero position after the completion of the weighing operation.

The slides or segments 63, 68, have their respective rear parts engaged by

screws

65, 65, suitably supported upon the body portion 20 of the member 28, in such manner as to permit each of said slides or segments to be independently adjusted on loosening of the corresponding screw 65,whereby the projecting forward edge portion of said slide or segment is caused to project at a greater or lesser distance from the pivotal axis of said member 28, the said screws serving, when tightened into engagement withthe segments or slides, to hold the corresponding slides or segments securely in adjusted position. By this construction it will be evident that the slides or

segments

63, 63, may be adjusted to secure any desirable configuration of the cam-like peripheral surface of the member 2S.whereon the band or strap 27 is wound in the return of the parts to the zero-position after the weighing operation, and it will consequently be evident that the extent of movement, through a. given arc, imparted to the member 28 upon depression of the scalebeam in the weighing` operation, may be thereby effectively made to conform to the extent of movement through a similar arc 'desirable to be imparted to the cylindrical chart or indicator 42 to cause the graduations upon the perimetral surface thereof to appear in accurate succession at the sight aperture 43.

The escutcheon plate 44 preferably carr`es a. el ass or other transparent plate 70, extended across the sight aperture 43 to protect. the graduated perimetral surface of the chart or indicator 42, and said surface has its graduatio-ns produced in circumferentially extended series. side by side` one o't' such series, as indicated at 75 at the right in Figs. 1 and 11, being' designed to indicate weight, while the remaining series of graduations 77, 77, are designed to indicate prices computed at different rates per pound.

71 represents a plate extended alongthe upper part of theI sight aperture 43 and having suitable index characters 7 2, and 73, 73 alined with the Yseveral seriesv of weight and price indicating graduations 75 and 77, 77.

In scales or balances of this general character a correct reading of the indications at the sight aperture can only be attained by a person viewing the graduated surface in an arbitrary direction, and one of the ob'- jects of the present invention is to provide a more perfect index means whereby the location of said direction of view is facilitated so that a correct reading of the indications may be more quickly and conveniently accomplished and as shown in Figs. 1, 11, and 12, said means consists in a fiat plate 7 4 of thin 'metal extended lengthwise along the central part of the sight aperture 43, with its inner edge closely adjacent to but not actually touching the graduated periphery of chart 42. Said plate 7 4 is so set as to be alined with the direction of vision of the person reading the chart, as represented by the line a: in Fig. 12, and the inner and outer edge portions of said plate therefore form parts adapted when alined with said directien of vision to permit the correct reading to be known by the appearance of a thin line, representing merely the thickness of the strip 74, across the graduations. Should one attempt to read the indication at an im,- proper angle, it is evident that the flattened top or bottom of plate 74 will be interposed at a greater or less angle in the line of vision, whereby a line of great-erwidth will appear across the graduations, warning the person reading` of his error.

In some cases it may be desirable to replace the flat index plate 74 above described, with inner or outer wires or threads 80, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, these inner and outer threads or wires acting, similarly to the inner and outer edge portions of strip 74 to make known the correct reading when by their alinement with the line of vision, they present a narrow index line, and to give warning of an incorrect reading by the appearance of either a wider index line or of two separate lines when they are out of alinement with the direct-ion of view.

In the use'of scales or balances of this general character, confusion sometimes arises, due to the appearance of a multiplicity of graduations at the sight aperture, and in Figs. 13 and 14, I have illustrated means, forming part. of the present inventicn, whereby this disadvantage may be overcome. As shown in said views, the sight aperture 43 is divided vertically by guides S1. S1, into a series of guide-ways each of which is alined in front of one of the series of

graduatiens

72, 73, 73, upon the indicator or chart 42, and is adapt-ed to be traversed by a. slide or shutter S2, normally upheld by springs S4, in position to cover up the corresponding series of graduations l; upon theihjart or indl'lcate se to obscure and prevent the same vfrom being read.

`Each slide or shutter 82 has upon its outer face an index character 73 corresponding to the price per pound upon which the graduations of the underlying series upon chart 42 are calculated, and the lower part of each such slide or shutter is punched or otherwise formed, as shown at S3, to produce a handle.

by means of which the person using the scalesv may conveniently depress said slide or shutter against the tension of its supporting springs 8st, to uncover the graduations of the underlying series upon the chart or indicator 42. The punched out part of the slide or shutter at the handle 83 also affords a shoulder 85 adapted, when the slide or shutter is drawn downward as seen in Fig. 14, to be engaged beneath the outer end or arm of a detent 86 whereby the slide or shutter is effectively held in lowered position against the tension of its springs. Detent 86 has an inner arm 87 directed toward the periphery of chart 42 and in the path of a flange or projection 88 extended across the said chart and designed to engage and rock the detent when the chart is returned to its zero position after each weighing operation. By this arrangement when the weight and price of a commodity are to be ascertained, the operator draws down the proper' slide or shutter S2, disclosing at escutcheon it only the series of graduations of the chart based upon the price per pound of the article to be weighed, and the detent 86, serves to retain said slide or shutter in lowered position until the weighing operation is completed and the article removed from the platter. .Vhen the article is so removed, however, and the chart e2 is returned to its zero position, its flange or projection 88 will contact with the inner arm 87 of detent 86, rocking the detent sutliciently to disengage its outer end from the shoulder 85 of the shutter, whereby said shutter is released and the springs SLL are permitted to lift the same to again hide the underlying graduations of the chart.

The improved scale or balance constructed according to my invention is of an extremely simple and comparatively inexpensive nature, and is especially well adapted for use by reason of the accuracy of indication afforded and also by reason of the convenience afforded and of the compact structure attained by the employment of the internal gear surface of the driving or actuating member', with which the pinion of the chart shaft is engaged and which permits of employing a chart and inclosing chart casing of much less diameter than would be required were another form of gear employed in lieu thereof, and it will be obvious from the above description that the improved scale or balance is capable of considerable modification without material departure from -set forth in carrying out my invention in the principles and spirit of the invention and for this reason 1 do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the precise form and arrangement of the several parts herein practice.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. A scale having a movable pan 0r platter to receive an article to be weighed, indicating means comprising a movable part, an actuating member mounted to turn and connected to opera-te the movable part of the indicating means, a iieXible part connected to and arranged to wind upon the perimeter of the actuating member and having operative connection with the pan or platter and a plurality of segments in close relationV at the perimeter of the actuating member and adjustable for causing their outer parts to engage the ieXible part at greater or less distances from the pivotal axis of the actuating member.

2. A scale having a movable pan or platter to receive an article to be weighed, indicating means comprising a movable part, an actuating member mounted to turn and connected to operate the movable part of the indicating means, a flexible part connected to and arranged to wind upon the perimeter of the actuating member and having operative connection with the pan or platter, devices mounted at the perimeter of the actuating member and adjustable toward and from the pivotal axis thereof for variable engagement with said iieXible part and means for holding said respective devices in adjusted position.

3. A scale having a movable pan or platter to receive an article to be weighed, indicating means comprising a movable part, an actuating member mounted to turn and connected to operate the movable part of the indicating means and comprising a body portion having spaced upper and lower segments, a series of intermediate segments held between said spaced segments of the body portion and adjustable to vary the projection of their perimetral parts beyond the pivotal aXis of the actuating member and a. tiexible part affording driving connection from the pan or platter to the actuating member and arranged to wind over said adjustable segments.

et. A scale having a movable pan or platter to receive an article to be weighed, an actuating member mounted to turn, a flexible part affording driving connection from the pan or platter to the actuating member and arranged to wind thereon, a cylindrical indicator rotatively mounted and inclosing the actuating member and gearing comprising an internal gear surface connected with the actuating member and a spur gear con- 130 79/ @0K3 Wake 727,1?? H 2575? fr Mawr f 5,253 7&5

am, 'me ff cae/w 7 A scale comprising a casing having a QOH;

,gf/H fr nected With the indicator for operating the 35 latter from said actuating member. sight aperture, an indicator chart mounted 5. A computing-scalel having a movable to turn therein and having circumferential pan or platter adapted to receive articles to series of graduations, side by side, upon its be weighed, an actuating-member mounted perimeter, slides movable in and out of posito turn, a flexible member affording drivingtion across the sight aperture and register- 40 connection from the pan or platter to the ing, respectively, with the several circumactuating-member and arranged to Wind on ferential series of graduations upon the inthe latter, a horizontal, cylindrical indicator dicator chart, detents for holding the rerotatively-mounted and inclosing its said spective slides When moved in one direction actuating-member Which is suitably engaged across the sight aperture, means for disen- 45 therewith, and an indicator retarding or gaging the detents from the slides upon the cushioning device comprising a vertical cylreturn of the chart to normal position after inder carrying a supply of oil and a bladedeach operation thereof, and means for mov- Wheel mounted to turn therein and having ing the slides reversely across the aperture,

driving gear-connection with the indicator When released by the detents. 50 to prevent undue oscillation thereof. 8. In computingscales of the character 6. A computing-scale comprising therein described, platform supporting means, rotaa horizontal .cylindrical casing having a lontable indicator means including a shaft gitudinal sight-aperture, a transparent lltherein carrying a pinion indicator-actuating in `such aperture, an indicatorchart ing means, connections between said indica- 55 mounted to turn Within said casing and havtor-actuating means and said platform suping thereon peripheral graduations in anporting means for operating the former from nular series, a positive indicating means the latter and an open, skeleton frame carried comprising inner and outer Wires extended by said indicator-actuating means and comor stretched longitudinally along the inner prising therein a counterbalance-Weight and 60 and outer faces, respectively, of said filling an internally-toothed curved rack bar or in the sight-aperture, the inner Wire being segment meshing With said pinion. 1;,-

` adjacent but not touching the graduated pe- Signed at lVheeling, Wr. Va., this 14th riphery of the indicator-chart and the outer day of January 1907.

Wire being adapted for alinement with said ROBERT D. H. lANDERSON. inner Wire to readily and positively permit lvitnesses:

a correct line of vision for reading said in- H. E. DUNLAP,

dicator-chart. C. A. MATHENEY.