US648877A - Automatic grain-weighing machine. - Google Patents

Description

No. 648,877. l Patented May I, |900.. A. &. J. H. MCLEOD.

AUTMATIG GRAIN WEIGHING MACHINE.

(Application led June 5, 1899.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet I.,

m fm, 0 1 I@ uw. .o 6M O JE. O Ihr WH o o Mj,

.y 16 Jb /UjJII WIIUCSSCS No. 648,877. Patented May I, |900. A. & J. H. McLEUD.

AUTOMATIC GRAIN WEIGHING MACHINE.

(Application led June 5, 1899.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

No. 648,877. l

Patented May I, |900. A. & J. H. McLEOD.

AUTOMATIC GRAIN WEIGHING MACHINE.

(Application filed June 5, 1899.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 .finge/a5 JCLeo'cZ/I JLeadDzUOBS Joh No. 648,877. Patented May I, |900. A. &. J. H. MCLEOD. AAUTMATIG GRAIN WE/IGHING MACHINE.

(Application led June 5, 1899.) (N0 MOIBL) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Patented May I, |900.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5` Il I.

li/l y( .2i

MSL/(16000 g1/ Mel/e065 A. & J. H. MCLED.

AUTOMATIC GRAIN WEIGHING MACHINE.

(Application led June 5, 1899.) (No Model.)

Wiigsswm 7g-??? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANGUS MCLEOD AND JOHN ll. MCLEOD, OF MARIETTA, KANSAS.

AUTOMATIC GRAIN-WEIGHING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 648,877, dated May 1, 1900. Application filed June 5, 1899. Serial No. 719,469. (No model.)

Be it known that we, ANGUS MCLEOD and JOHN 1I. MoLEoD, citizens of the United States, residing at Marietta, in the county of Marshall and State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful Automatic Grain-Weighing Machine, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in automatic grain-Weighing machines.

One object of the present invention is to improve the construction of graiinweighing machines, more especially that shown and described in Patent No. 587,680, granted to us August S, 1897, and to enable the owof grain or other material being weighed to be partially cut off and reduced to a dribble as the poising-point is reached, so that the in stant the weighing-receptacle receives its full charge the feed will be entirely cut off to prevent more than what is necessary to counterbalance the scale weights frombeing discharged into the weighing-receptacle, thereby insuring great accuracy.

A further object of the invention is to enable the parts to be readily adjusted to cut off the fiow of thc material to the desired extent and to cause such operation to be effected when the machine has received the desired amount of its charge.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple construction whereby the weighing mechanism maybe readily connected with a registeringmechanism, so that the amount of material passed through the machine may be readily ascertained.

The invent-ion consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of an automatic grain-weighing machine constructed in accordance with this invention, the weighing receptacle or bucket being in an elevated position. Fig. 2 is a similar view, partly in section, the weighing receptaclc or bucket being in its discharging position. Fig. 3 is an elevation of one end otl the machine. Fig. Je is a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 5 1s a transverse sectional view.

Fig. fi is a vertical sectional View showing the position of the parts when the bucketcarrying trame is partly raised by the springs to effect the first closing movement of the cutoff mechanism. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of one of the upper cut-offs. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of one of the L- shaped arms of the main cut-ott and the adjacent oscillating bar. Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view of the upper portion of the machine, illustrating the arrangement of the cut-offs. Fig. l0 is a detail side elevation showing the position of the diierent parts of the gate fastener or catch when the bottom gate for the weighing-bucket is in itsopen position. Fig. 11 is a det'ail sectional view of one of the adjustable stops on the line 1l l1 of Fig. 2.

Like numerals of reference designate corre: sponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

l designates a supporting-frame ofsubstantially-rectangular form, constructed of any suitable material and provided at opposite sides with inwardly-extending bearings 2, receiving depending fulcrums 3, of a substantially-rectangular pivotally-mounted bucketframe 4, which carries a bucket or weighingreceptacle 5 and the scale-'weights and which is tilted when the charge of the bucket'or weighing-receptacle overbalances the scaleweights. The bearings 2 consist of substantially L-shaped brackets having their vertical arms bolted or otherwise secured to the sides of the supporting-frame and provided in their horizontal arms with depressions or concavities for the reception ot' the fulcrums 3. The fulcruins 3 consist, preferably, of pointed depending projections or studs formed integral with plates, which are secured to the bottom portion of the bucket-frame. The top portion of the bucket-frame is provided at opposite sides of the machine with upwardly-extending tapering projections 6, constructed similar to the fulcrums 3 and receiving L- shaped bearings '7, which are secured to the bucket or weighing-receptacle at opposite sides thereof. The bearing-brackets 7 have outwardly-extending horizontal arms, which are provided at their lower faces with depressions i or concavities similar to those of the bearings y2.'

j The bucket or weighing-frame is composed IOO of two sides having upper and lower bars 8 and 9 and connected by suitable transverse bars. Each side is substantially U-shaped, the upper and lower bars 8 and 9 being connected at one end by a bend or curved portion 10 and at the other end by a short bar 10. The upper and lower bars of the weighing 0r bucket-carrying frame form tracks or ways forshifting weights 11, consisting, preferably, of peripherally grooved wheels or disks and adapted when the bucket or weighing-receptacle descends under the weight of a charge of material to roll inward toward the said bucket or receptacle, whereby thel latter is retained in its discharging position a sufficient length of time to permit all the contents-to run out.I

The grooved disks or wheels are mounted on the longer arm of the sides of the bucketcarrying frame, which is fulcrumed at apoint between its center and one of its ends, and in order to regulate the movement of the disks or wheels stops 12 and 13 are adjustably mounted on thesides of the bottom band als or portion of the bucket -carrying frame. These stops, which are provided with tapering heads or upper portions, project above the upper edges of the lower bars 9 and are composed of two sides connected at their upper ends by the said heads and provided at their lower ends with bolts 14 or other snitable fastening devices, whereby they are firmly clamped on the said lower bars 9, By adjusting the stops on the frame 4 the amou nt of the charge necessary to operate the machine inay be varied and the return movement of the bucket or weighing-receptacle may be regulated.

When the bucket or weighing-receptacle is in anl elevated position, the pivoted frame rests upon one end of the supporting-frame, and as the bucket or receptacle descends under the weight of a charge the other end of the pivoted frame engages a pair of levers 15, and thereby opens a gate 16 at the bottom of the bucket or receptacle to discharge the contents of the latter. The levers 15, which are fulerumed in suitable brackets or supports at opposite sides of the bucket or receptacle,

have their upper arms arranged at an angle to their lower arms, the said upper arms being disposed in substantially a horizontal postion when the bucket or receptacle is raised and the -lower arms being disposed at an inclnation. The upperarins project outward beyond the bucket or receptacle and are 1ocated between the upperand lower bands of the pivoted frame in position to be engaged by the upper band when the pivoted frame tilts. The lower inclined-arms of the side levers project beyond the opposite side of the bucket and are pivoted to apair of arms 17, extending from the gate 16, which is supported by a pair of long links or hangers 18, extending-from one of the side edges of the gate to a point adjacent to the upper edges of the bucket or receptacle. The bucket or receptaele is provided at one of the side edges of its bottom opening with a depending flange or portion 20, forming a stop, and the gate is provided at its opposite side edge and at its ends with upwardly-extending flanges 1G, whereby the bottom of the bucket or receptacle is effectually closed to prevent any leakage of the material.

The bottom gate 1G for the weighing-bueket 5 is held partially closed by gravity; but to provide for positively holding the gate in its closed position and preventing the same from accidentally jarring open there is employed a fastening or catch device, which during the operation of the machine becomes automatieally locked and unlocked. This fastening or catch device for the gate 416 essentially comprises a gravity latch-bar 90, arranged exterior to the weighing bucket or receptacle and pivoted at one end, as at 91, to the bucket or receptacle, as plainly shown in Figs. 4 and 10 of the drawings. The said gravity latchbar 90 is provided in the lower edge thereof, at a point intermediate its ends, with an engaging notch 92, adapted to engage with a lockingpin 93, located within the guidekeeper 94, fitted to one ofthe swinginghangerlinks 18 of the bottom gate 1G. The unpivoted or free end ot the notched latch-bar 90 plays within the guide-keeper 94, and thereby serves to maintain the latch-bar always in the proper working position, thus obviating all possibility ofthe engaging notch thereof missing the pin 93 as the hanger-link 18, having the pin, swin gs toward the pivotal support of the latch-bar. To provide for automatically disengaging the notched latch-bar from the llocking-pin 93, there is associated with the latch-bar a iixed trip projection 95, fitted to and projecting inwardly from one side of the stationary supporting-frame l of the machine and lying in a plane below the latch-bar 90. With the parts positioned as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings the notched bar 90 is engaged IIO with the locking-pin 93, thereby securely holding the bottom gate 1G in its closed posi-I tion and preventing the same from accidentally opening;- but when the weighing bucket or receptacle receives its load and commences to lower` the latch-bar 90 is carried against the fixed trip projection 95, and thereby elcvated ont of engagement with the lockingpin 93, which action releases the gate 16 and permitsthe same to be freely swung open through the medium of the levers l5 in the manner previously explained.

The weighing-receptacle is provided at 0pposite sides with upwardly-extending arms 2l, arranged lin pairs and connected with a projecting upper por ion of the supportingframe by links 22 and 23. The projecting upper portion of the supporting-frame consists of vertical side pieces 2e and horizontal cross-pieces 25, which support a centrally-arranged spout or hopper 26, adapted to deliver the grain to the Weighing-receptacle. The upper ends of the links 23 are secured to the -terminals ot' the bars 27, which are fastened to the transverse bars 25 of theprojecting outer portion of the supporting-frame and which extend outward from opposite sides of the bars 25, their terminals being provided with quarter-bends and perforated to form ears to receive the pivots of the upper or inner links 23. v

The hopper 26, which is centrally mounted above the weighing bucket or receptacle, is of an upwardly-flaring shape and is provided with al eontracted'neek 29, which extends between the parallel transverse bars 25 and is located centrally above the weighing bucket or receptacle when the latter is in its elevated position. Within thetlaring portion of the hopper 26, above the plane of its contracted neck or spout 29, there is arranged a transverse inverted -V- shaped detiector-strip 30. This detiector-strip 30 is centered within the upper flaring portion of the hopper and intersects the vertical plane of the contracted neck or spout portion 29 thereof, so as to provide for breaking up the body of material introduced therein andcausing a uniform feed through the neekor spout of the hopper and at the same time insuring the material falling into the center of the weighing bucket or receptacle, as will be readily understood by those familiar with the art.

In order to render the weighing-machine exceedingly sensitive and accurate, so that the flow of material into the weighing-receptacle will be cut olf as soon as the said receptacle has received its full charge, the depressed portion of the weighing-frame is partially elevated whlen the weighing-receptacle has received about ninety per cent. ofits full charge, and the feed is then red uced to a dribble. This upward movement of the weighted end of the weighing-frame is eected by means of a pair of counterbalancing-springs 33 and a liftingframe 34. The lifting-frame 34 consists of two sides or arms 35 and a transverse portion 36, which extends beneath the Weighted por tion of the weighing-frame, and the arms 35 are pivoted to the supporting-frame at 37. The springs 33, which are of spiral form, are disposed vertically and are connected at their lower ends to the lifting-frame and at' their upper ends with the top ot' the supportingframe by adjusting devices 38, consisting ot' bolts or other suitable devices for regulating the tension of the counterbalancing-spring, so that the upward movement of the Weighingframe and the partial eut olf of the feed of the material will be effected at the proper time. The adjusting screws or bolts are provided lat their lower ends with open hooks or eyes to engage eyes ofthe upper ends of the springs,

and they are provided with nuts 39-and 40, lo-

cated above and below the top`V rail or bar of each side of the supporting-frame. This upward movement of the weighing-frame brings it nearer the poising-point; lbut before-reaching the same it is relieved of the upward pressure of the counterbalanciiig-springs'by vertically-adjustable stops 42, consisting of vertical rods adj ustably secured to the top of the supporting-frame and having their lower terminals guided on the bottom of the supporting-t rame. vThese rods are provided near their lower ends with angular bends forming horizontal shoulders 43, which are located above the transverse portion of the liftingframe, whereby the upward movement of the same is limited. The upper portions of the rods 42 are threaded for the reception of nuts 44 and 45, located above and below the top rails or bars of the support-ng-frame and adapted to raise and lower the shoulder to limit the upward movement of the weighingframe, so that the completion of such upward movement of the weighted portion of the weighing-frame may take place as quickly as desired to effect a complete cut-off of the feed of the material.

The weighing-frame is provided at opposite sides with upwardly-extending substantially V-shaped brackets or supports 46, to which is secured a main cut-off 47, located above the weighing-receptacle andto one side of the contracted portion of the hopper when the weighing-receptacle is elevated and adapted to be brought directly beneath the discharge end of the hopper by the tilting of the weighing-frame, whereby the feed will be entirely cut od while the weighing-receptacle is dumping its charge.

At a point between the lower end of the hopper and the main eut-off are arranged supplernental eut-otfs 48, located at opposite sides of the lower end of the hopper and adapted to move inward toward each other to reduce the feed of the grain to the desired extent. The supplemental cut-ods, which are connected with the hopper by hangers 49, are dished, being provided at theirends with fianges and having their outer longitudinal or side edges extended upward. The hangers, which are substantially inverted-U shaped, are pivoted at their top at 50 to the hopper, and their depending sides extend downward at opposite sides of the bars 25, each hanger having its inner side or leg arranged between the bars 25, and the said supplemental cut-offs are provided at their ends with outwardly-extending arms 5l and 52. The inner sides of the hangers are secured 4to the end flanges of the supplemental-eut-otfs, and the outer sides of the hangers are secured to the arms-51 and 52.' The arms 52 have weights 53, securedto their outer ends aud`adapted to hold the supplemental eutotfs closed. `These weights 53-act directly upon the adjacent supplemental cut-off and hold the other supplemental cut-od closed and actuate it in closing by means of a frame orlever 54, composed of two sides and a transverse connecting-piece 54u, which-is arranged at the inner edges of the outer sides of the adjacent hangers. The sides of the frame or lever 54 are fulcrumed between their ends on suitable support-s 55, and the upper portions or arms of such sides are connected by links or bars 56 with the outer sides of the other hangers. The lower portion of the lcver-frame 54 is swung inward by the weights whenfthe weighing-frame is actuated by the counterbalanci11g-springs, and the upper portions of the sides of the lever-frame 54 are swung outward, thereby drawing the linkbars 56 and the hangers to which they are pivoted inward.

The supplemental cut-offs are automatically opened, when the weighing-receptacle has discharged itsload, by an arm 57, mounted on the main cut-oit and extending inward and upward andV adapted, when the said main cutott moves away from the hopper, to engage an oscillating bar 58. A pair ot L-sh'aped arms 57 is provided, and each side ofthe Weighingmachine has an oscillating bar 58, which is fulcrumed at its outer end on a horizontal support 59 by a suitable pivot GO. The inner end of each oscillating har 58 is bent upon itself to form a loop or opening 6l, which receives a horizontal guide-bar 62, and the said inner ends of the oscillating bar are arranged at the inner sides of the hangers to which the link-bars 5G are pivoted and are adapted to swing the same outward. This outward movement of the arms of the main cut-ois also opens the supplemental cut-oit which carries the weights, as such movement will be coinmunicated to the weighted cut-off by the frame or lever 54 and the links 5G.

The inward movement of the supplemental cut-'offs is regulated by an adjusting device comprising a transverse bar 63 and adjustingscrews 64. The transverse adjusting-bar, which is located directly above the arms 5l, is arranged to be engaged by the outer side of the adjacent hangers, which are secured to the arms 5l. The adjusting-screws 64, which are mounted on the adjacent cross-bar 25, are provided at the inner and outer faces of the same with nuts U5, and they have openings or loops 6G at their outer ends to receive the end portions of4 the bar 63. The loops G6 are preferably formed by flattening the heads of the screws and bending the same upon themselves, and the said bar G3, which is provided at its ends with openings G7 and 67, is retained in loops or openings of the adjusting-screws by .means of keys (i8. By moving the transverse bar G3 inward and outward the closing movement of the supplemental cut-offs is limited, and the feed of the material may be reduced to any desired extent after the weighted end of the weighing-frame is actuated by the counterbalancing-springs. j

The weighing-machine is provided at one end with registeringmechanism G9, designed to be mounted in a casing 70, as shown, and having an oscillating arm 7l,which is actuated at each weighing operation of the machine, and as the latter may be employed in connection with'various kinds of registering meehanism a detailed description of the latter is deemed unnecessary. The arm 7l is adjustably connected with one arm of an upper longitudinal lever 72, fulcru med between its ends on a suitable bracket or support 73 and having its other arm connected by a pair of links 74 with a lower longitudinal lever 75. The lower longitudinal lever 75 is fulcrumed between its ends on a depending bracket or hanger 7G, and it has one end located beneath the arm 7l and adapted to be engaged by a pin 77, carried by and extending laterally from the weighted end. ol. the wei ghin g-f rame. 'lhe laterally-projecting pin 7T is mounted on the upper bar of the adjacent side of the weighing-frame, and when the weighted end of the latter moves upward the pin 77 engages the lower longitudinal lever 75 and lifts the same. This movement lifts the corresponding end of the upper longitudinal lever and actuates the registeringmechanism. The adjustable connection between the arm 7l and the longitudinal lever 72 consists of a depending link or frame 78 and an adjustingscrew 79. The link or frame 7B is pivoted to the outer end of the arm 7l and depends therefrom, its lower portion being provided with an opening to receive the adjustingscrew, and the latter is provided above and below the bottom of the link or frame and the lever 72 with nuts 8O and S1. This construction enables the longitudinal levers to be readily adjusted to correspond to the movement of the weighing-frame, so that the registering mechanism will be positively operated at each weighing operation ot the machine.

rllhe invention has the following advantages: The weighing-machine, which is positive and reliable in its operation, is exceedingly sensitive and accurate, and it is capable, after the weighing-reeeptacle has received about ninety per cent. of its charge, of cutting oit the feed to a dribble and of moving the weighing-frame in the direction of the poising-point, so that the weighing-receptacle as soon as it receives its full charge will rapidly descend and entirely cut off the feed. The counterbalanci11g-springs which lift the weighing-frame when the weighingreceptacle receives about ninety per cent. of its charge may have their tension readily regulated, and the stops for limiting this first movement of the weighing-frame may beadjusted to make the initial movement of any vlength and bring the weighing-frame as near the poising-point as desired. The supplemental cutiotfs, which are located between the hopper and the main eut-olf, are automatic in their operation, and the adjusting device connected with them regulates their closing movement and enables the feed to be reduced tothe desired extent.

lVhen desired, the weighing-machine may be worked to only one-sixth of its capacity by properly adjusting the supplemental cut-ods. Also the shifting weights, which are in the form of disks or wheels, constitute scaleweights and are designed for weighing ma- IOO terial to one-half the capacity of the weighing bucket or receptacle; but, if desired, the weight-adjusting device described and claimed in my former patent may be utilized. However, the adjustment of the shifting weights through the medium of the stops on the lower bar of the tilting frame will be found amply sufficient to correct the weighing-machine, so that the charge necessary to operate it will range from any desired weight to one-half the capacity of the weighing bucket or receptacle.

The machine is adapted to operate with great rapidity, and a large amount of grain may be measured in a comparatively-short period of time.

Changes in the form, proportion, size, and the minor details of construction within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacricing any of the advantages of the invention,

1. In a weighing-machine, the supportingf-rame, the tilting weighing-frame fulcrnmed within the .supporting-frame, the weighingreceptacle suspended from the weighingframe at one side of the fulcrum of the latter, a swinging lifting-frame having a crossbar engaging beneath the weighing-frame at the opposite side of its fulcrum and beyond the weighing-receptacle, springs connected with the lifting-frame and normally exerting an upward strain thereon, and stops arranged in the path of the cross-bar to relieve the lifting-frame from the weighing-frame during the tilting movement of the latter, substantially as specified.

2. ln a machine of the class described, the combination of a supporting-frame, a weighing-frame, a weighing-receptacle connected with the latter, a pivoted actuating-frame mounted on the supporting-frame and having atransverse portion extending beneath the weighing-frame, springs connected with the pivoted frame and'having adjusting devices for regulating their tension, and the adjustable rods mounted on the supportingframe and provided with angular bends located above and-limiting the movement of the pivoted frame, substantially as described.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a weighing-frame having upper and lower bars forming ways, a weighingreceptacle, a shifting weight mounted in the ways of the weighing-frame, and the adjustable stops mounted on one of the bars of the weighing-frame and provided with heads projecting into the path of the weight, said stops being provided with sides to receive the weighingframe and having adjusting devices for clamping the latter, substantially as described.

4. In a weighing-machine, the supportingframe, an oscillatory weighing frame fulcrumed within the supporting-frame, a weighing-receptacle fulcrumed on the weighingfrarne and having a bottom discharge-opening, a swing-'gate arranged to cover and uncover said bottom opening of the .weighingreceptacle, and a lever mounted on the receptacle and having one arm operatively connected with the gate `and its other arm arranged in the path of movement of the oscillatory weighing-trame, substantially as set forth.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a weighing-frame, a receptacle mounted thereon, a gate located at the bottom thereof, links suspending the gate from the receptacle, arms extending from the gate, and levers fnlcrumed on the receptacle at opposite sides thereof, connected with the said arms and arranged to be engaged by the Weighing-frame, substantially as described.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a hopper or chute, of supplemental cut-ods located beneath the hopper or chute and arranged to swing inward and outward, a lever fulcrumed on a suitablesupport and arranged to swing one of the cut-offs inward to close the same, a weight connected with the other cut-oit and adapted to actuatethe lever, the latter being adapted to move the weightedv cut-oit outward when the supplemental cut-offs are being opened, and means for actuating the cut-ois to open the same, substantially as described.

'7. -In a weighing-machine, the combination of a tilting weighing-frame, a weighing-receptacle fulcrumed within the weighing-frame, a hopper or chute supported in a fixed position above the Weighing-receptacle, a main cut-off carried by the tilting weighing-frame, supplemental cut-offslocated between the main cut-od and the hopper or chute, means for automatically causing the supplemental cut-offs to move toward each other, and a device actuated by the main cut-off for holding the supplemental cut-o-s open or separated when the weighing-receptacle is elevated,substantially as set forth.

8. In a weighing-machine, the combination of a tilting weighing-frame, a weighing-receptacle fulcrumed within the weighing-frame, a hopper or chute supported in a fixed position above the weighing-receptacle, a main cut-olf supported and carried by the tilting weighing-frame, supplemental cut-offs arranged between the main cut-olf andthe hopper or chute, connections between the two supplemental cut-oifs to provide for their movement in unison toward or away from. each other, means for normally closing both of the supplemental cut-offs, and separate means, actuated by the main cut-off, forsefp- .arating or opening the supplemental cut-o s,

substantially as set forth.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a hopper or chute, su pplemental cut-offs located beneath the same, hangers pivotally suspending the cut-ods, a frame or lever fulcrumed between its ends and having one arm or portion engaging one set of IOO IXO

hangers, connections between its other arm or portion and the other set of hangers, means for closing the cut-offs, said means being connected with one of the eut-offs, a weighingframe, and a device connected with and operated by the weighing-frame for holding the supplemental eut-offs open, substantially as described.

10. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a hopper, and a weighing-receptacle, of a weighing-frame, supplemental cnt-offs connected for movement in unison toward and away from each other, means for automatically closing-said cut-ols, a device, operated by the weighing-frame, for holding the supplemental cut-offs open or separate when the receptacle is elevated, and a horizontallyadjustable bar arranged in the path of the hangers of one of the cut-offs to limit the movement of both in one direction, substantially as set forth.

l1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a hopper, and a weighingreeeptacle, of a weighing-frame, supplemental eut-offs located beneath the hopper and provided with hangers and having means for automatically closing them, a d evice operated by the weighing-frame for holding the supplemental eut-oii's open, and an adjusting de vice comprising a bar arranged to be engaged by the hangers of one of the cut-offs, and screws supporting thebar and adapted to move the same inward aud outward, substantially as described.

l2. In a machine of the class described,'the combination with a hopper, of supplemental cut-ods provided with hangers and located beneath the hopper, said eut-offs being connected with each other and provided with means for automatically moving them inward, a weighing-frame earryinga main cut'off, an

oscillating bai-arranged to engage one of thtl hangers to move the saine outward to open the supple mental cnt-offs, and an arm carried by the main cut-ot`f and arranged to engage the oscillating bar, substantially as described.

13. In a machine of the class described, thi` combination with a hopper, and a weighing receptacle, of a weighing-frame, supplemental cut-otls provided with hangers and suspended beneath the hopper, said cnt-offs being connected with each other vand provided with means for automatically moving them inward, guide-bars'located at opposite sides ol' the hopper, oscillating bars fulcrumed at their outer ends and vhaving Itheir inner ends supported by the guide-bars and arranged to cn gage the hangers of one of the supplemental cut-ois, and a main cut-ol carried by the weighing-frame and provided with arms for engaging the oseillatingbars, substantially as described.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination. with the supportingel'rame, of a vertically-movable weighing-receptacle, an automatica] ly-operated gate for the dischargeopening of the receptacle, hangers ,for the gate, one of which is provided .with a lockingpin, a gravity latch-bar pivotally mounted on the weighing-receptacle, and having a notch adapted to engage with said locking-pin, and a fixed trip projection arranged in the path of said latch-har, substantially as described.

'In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have hereto affixed our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

ANGUS MCLEOD. JOIlN Il. MCLEOl).

lVitnesscs:

W.' G. HUNTER, Z.y I'I. MOORE.

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