US731823A - Coin-operated weighing-machine. - Google Patents

Description

No. 731,823. PATENTED JUNE 23, 1903. G. E. VAN GUYSLING & J. G. W. ROMANS. 00m GPBRAITED WEIGHING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 19, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETSSHEBT 1.

INVENTORS No. 731,823. PATENTED JUNE 23, 1903. G. E. VAN GUYSLING & J. G. W. ROMANS.-

COIN OPERATED WEIGHING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 19, 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEY H0 MODEL.

WITNESSES:

PATENTED JUNE 23, 1903.- G. E. VAN GUYSLING & J. G. W. ROMANS.

COIN

OPERATED WEIGHING MACHINE. APPLICATION IILED'SEPT. 19, 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

N0 MODEL.

" ATTORNEY Y No. 731,823.

, UNITED STATES Patented June 23, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. VAN GUYSLING, OF BOSTON, AND JOHN G. W. ROMANS, OF WEYMOUTI-I, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS TO LE ROY WV. BALDWIN,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

COIN-OPERATED W EIGHING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 731,823, dated June 23, 1903.

Application filed September 19,1902. Serial No. 124,072. on] model.')

T0 at whom it may concern:

Belt known that we, GEORGE E. VAN GUYS- LING, a resident of Boston, county of Suffolk, and JOHN G. W. ROMANS, a resident of Weymouth, county of Norfolk, State of Massachusetts, citizens of the United States of America, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin-Operated Weighing-Machines,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to coin-released indicating mechanism,and is specifically designed to produce mechanism of this class adapted particularly for use in connection with a weighing-scale.

The object of the invention is to reduce such mechanism to its simplest practical form without impairing its accuracy, durability, or effectiveness in operation.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout the several views of which like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts.

'In the drawings, Figure 1 is a View in elevation of an automatic weighing-machine, thecoin-released indicating mechanism thereof being represented by dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the indicating mechanism removed from the head-casting of the machine. Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view taken lengthwise of the index-shaft. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional View showing-the eccentric cone-bearing of the verge-shaft, and Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view ofthe coinoperated trip-arm.

Referring to the drawings, '1 represents a hollow standard or column rising from the base-castin g of the scale-platform (not shown) as a support for'the head-casting 2, within which there is mounted ordinary twin weighing-springs 3 3. These springs are secured at their lower ends to the T- head 4 of a vertical rod 5, extending through and having free play within the column as a connection between the weighing-springs and the platform-levers. The parts above referred to constitute the counterbalancing mechanism, which, however, as it forms no part of the present invention, will not be described in greater detail. It suffices to say that any well-known or suitable form of such mechanism may be employed.

' The indicating mechanism is mounted complete in a frame 6, removably secured in the head-castin g of the machine. A through-shaft 7, hereinafter to be termed the index-shaft, is jourualed in suitable bearings in the frame 6 and carries secured upon its outer end an index or pointer 8, which cooperates with a circular scale upon a dial 9 to indicate any weight to which the mechanism may become adjusted. Loosely mounted upon this shaft there is sleeve 10, having formed in part with it a pinion 11, which latter meshes with a rack-bar 12. This rack-bar has a free upand-down movement between guide-rollers 13 13 13, working in grooves 14 14, formed in opposite sides of the bar. Normally or when the index is at the zero-point 0f the scale the rack-bar is sustained in an elevated position by a locking device to be later on described. When the locking device is disengaged and the bar is free to fall, its downward movement is limited in the usual manner by a cushioned stop 15 upon the weighing-rod 5, above referred to. The shaft-locking device consists of two oppositely-toothed ratchet-disks 16 17, keyed thereon, and two pawls 16 17, cooperating with the disks. The pawls are loosely mounted upon a shaft 18 and are movable independently of each other. When the machine is not in operation, the index-shaft is locked against movement in either direction. The pawl 16 engaging the disk 16, serves to preventrotation thereof toward the right or in a direction to indicate weight, and the pinion abutting against a shoulder of the rack-bar renders it incapable of moving in the opposite direction. At such times the pawl 17 is elevated clear of its disk by a cam-arm 19 inJpart with the pinion-sleeve, which arm cooperates with the pawl in a manner to be described as an auto- 9 matic trip in disengaging the same to release the index-shaft and permit the return of the pointer from a weight-indicating position to the zero-point of the scale. As the rack-bar descends the index-shaft and ratchet-disks solid and without spokes.

fast thereon are rotated by the arm 19, engaging a stud 20, projecting from the side of the adjacent disk. Such rotation of the shaft is in opposition to a coil-spring 21, by which the shaft, pointer, 850., when released are returned to their normal position. The indicating mechanism is released by a coin-operated trip consisting of a lever 22, loose upon the pawl-shaft 18. The short arm 23 of this lever is weighted and provided with an extension 23, which projects under the pawls, and its long arm carries a coin-pan. As the lever is rocked by a coin falling into the pan the short arm 23 thereof in moving upward carries the pawls clear of the ratchet-disks, and the rack-bar being free to fall descends until checked by the stop upon the weighingrod, and in its descent rotates the pinionsleeve. This motion is transmitted, through the cam-arm 19, stud 20, and disk 17, to the index-shaft, which latter is thereby caused to rotate and carry the pointer over the dial to a point indicating the weight upon the scale-platform. In order to prevent the immediate return of the pawls into locking engagement with the disks and provide an interval of time necessary for the travel of the index from zero to the weight-indicating position, a retarding device is employed which is operatively connected to cooperate with the short arm of the trip. This device, as shown, may consist of a well-known form of escapement, the toothed wheel 24lof which is mounted fast upon the pawl-shaft 18 and the 00- operating verge 25 upon a second shaft below the same. There is also mounted upon the verge-shaft a balance-wheel 25", which is preferably of the disk typethat is to say, For convenience in adjusting the verge the outer end of the verge-shaft is eccentrically journaled on an olfset cone-bearing of a stud 25 secured by a set-screw in a boss of the frame, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 6. By loosening the set-screw and turning the stud toward the right orleft the verge may be shifted relatively to the escapement-wheel. The trip-lever is operatively connected with the retarding device by a pawl 26, mounted on the extension 23 of the short arm thereof and engaging the toothed wheel of the escapement. One face of this pawl is beveled to permit the same to ride freely over the teeth of the escapementwheel when the trip-lever is rocked to elevate the locking-pawls; but the opposite face is square to engage and lock into the toothed wheel, the result being that the parts are sustained thus elevated, and the pawls are thereby prevented from immediately reengaging. The short arm of the trip is weighted, as shown in Fig. 7, and a stud 27, projecting from the extension thereof on which the pawl 26 is mounted, extends above the pawls to limit their upward movementandinsure their return into locked relation with the disks. In the operation of the indicating mechanism the cam-arm 19, which normally holds the ciliation.

pawl 1'7" out of engagement with its ratchetdisk, is moved around by the rotation of the pinion-sleeve, so that on the return of the pawls both enter into locked engagement with the disks and secure the pointer in a weightindicating position against movement in either direction. As the weight is removed from the scale-platform and the parts tend to resume their normal position under the action of the weighing-springs in contracting the rack-bar is carried upward by the stop on the weighing-rod; but the locking-pawls remain in engagement until the rack has practically resumed its normal position. Their release is eifected by the return of the cam-arm 19, which engages a bevel-lug 17 on the pawl 17 and forces the latter out of engagement with its disk,whereupon the retractile spring of the index-shaft acts to rapidly return the shaft to the normal position with the pointer at zero. If a person contrary to directions should first insert a coin before steppingupon the platform, the effect would be to release theindexshaft for an interval of time necessary for thelocking-pawls to be tripped and return under the action of the retarding device into locked relation with the ratchet-disks. There would be no movement of the pointer, and the coin having performed itsintended function could not be recovered. In order to prevent the loss of coins to patrons in this manner, a verge-brake is employed, the same consisting of an arm 28, pivoted on an extension of the frame and extending normally into engagement with the verge to prevent its os- The brake-arm is operated by a stud 29 on the ratchet-disk 16. This stud normally engages the outer inclined edge of the hook-like end of the brake-arm and forces the opposite end into contact with the verge, preventing oscillation thereof and rotation of the escapement-wheel. Consequently it will be seen that as the retarding device is locked against operation the pawls when tripped by a coin inserted before the person has stepped upon the platform will be elevated and sustained until the connterbalancing mechanism becomes adjusted. Then the rack-barwill descend and the index-shaft will rotate, carrying the stud 29 clear of the brake-arm and freeing the verge. On the rotation of the index-shaft toward the right through a full revolution the stud enters a notch in the end of the arm and prevents further movementof the pointer.

As the operation will be generally understood from the foregoing description, we shall describe the same briefly.

Assuming the mechanism to be in its normal position, as shown in the drawings, when a person steps upon the scale-platform the counterbalancing mechanism becomes adjusted to his weight, and in order to obtain an indication of the amount thereof he inserts a coin in the slot, which suitably guided strikes and rocks the trip, thereby disengaging the locking-pawls and releasing the index-shaft and rack. The rack falls by its own weight until checked by the stop upon the weighingrod and rotates the pinion meshing therewith, which latter through the cam-arm l9 and stud 20 imparts its motion to the in deX-shaft, causing the pointer to move from zero to a position indicating the weight upon the platform. The interval of time necessary for this movement of the pointer is provided for by the action of the retarding device in preventing the pawls from immediately reongaging with the ratchet-disks. Under the action of the escapement the pawls gradually descend and again lock the shaft against movement in either direction, in which position the parts are sustained until the person steps from the platform or the weight thereon is decreased sufficiently to permit the return of the parts and the camarm to disengage the locking-pawl in the manner described, and thereupon the various parts resume their normal position.

Some of the main advantages of the invention are as follows: All complication is avoided. The mechanism is extremely simple, cheap, and effective and being so is not likely to get out of order or require frequent overhauling and repair, and while employing a comparatively small number of parts of exceptionally simple construction the accuracy and effectiveness of the indicator in opera tion is not impaired. I

It will be understood that we do not wish to limit ourselves to the exact construction and arrangement of parts shown and described, as various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the indicator might be used in connection with other mechanisms to register the force of a blow or the strength of the grip or the lifting power, &c. Other devices might be employed instead of the rack-barand pinion for transmitting motion to the indicating mechanism. The coin-operated trip might be dispensed with and the same operated by hand. The oppositely-toothed ratchet-wheels might be replaced by a single spur-wheel and only one pawl employed instead of two pawls, as shown, or other changes not specifically described might be made, but all such we consider obvious and immaterial variations of form and not of substance and still within the meaning and scope of the present invention.

Having therefore described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an indicating mechanism, the combination of an index-shaft, a device for locking the shaft against rotation in either direction in both its normal and adjusted positions, a coin-actuated trip cooperating directly with the locking device to disengage the same and means for retarding its reongagement, said means comprising an escapement consisting of a toothed wheel, a verge cooperating therewith, a disk mounted as a balance-wheel on the verge-shaft and a pawl carried by the trip engaging the toothed wheel to operatively connect the trip and retarding device.

2. In an indicating mechanism, the combination of an index-shaft, oppositely-toothed disks fast upon the shaft, a locking-pawl engaging each disk, a coin-actuated trip cooperating directly with said pawls to disengage the same and means for retarding their re* engagement, said means comprising an escapement consisting of a toothed wheel, a verge cooperating therewith, a disk mounted as a balance-wheel on the verge-shaft and a pawl carried by the trip engaging the toothed wheel to operatively connect the trip and retarding device.

'3. In an indicating mechanism, the'combination of an index-shaft, two oppositely-' toothed disks fast upon the shaft, lockingpawls engaging the disks, a trip cooperating directly with the pawls and adapted when actuated by a coin to elevate and sustain the same, to release the shaft when in its normal position, an automatic trip for disengaging the pawls to release the shaft when in an adjusted position and a retarding device controlling the return of the coin-actuated trip, said retarding device comprising an escapement consisting of a toothed wheel, a verge cooperating therewith, a disk mounted as a balance-wheel on the verge-shaft and a pawl carried by the coin-actuated trip, said pawl engaging the escapement-wheel and operatively connecting the trip and retarding device.

4. The combination, in an indicating mechanism,of an indeX-shaft,a shaft-locking pawl, a coin-actuated trip for disengaging the pawl and releasing the shaft and a retarding device controlling the trip in its return to its normal position, and comprising an escape ment consisting of a toothed wheel, a verge cooperating therewith and a disk mounted as a balance-wheel on the verge-shaft, together with a pawl carried by the trip engaging the escapement-wheel and a verge-brake actuated from the index-shaft.

Signed at Boston this 12th day of September, 1902.

GEORGE E. VAN GUYSLING. JOHN G. W. ROMANS. Witnesses:

W. 1-1. PUMPHREY, ANDREW KENNEDY.

Images