US2871005A - Scale totalizer - Google Patents

Description

H. BOURASSA SCALE TOTALIZER Jan. 27, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 23, 1952 m m m m f/ua'usa Bot/R4864 Jan. 27, 1959 H. BOURASSA SCALE TOTALIZER 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 25, 1952 INVENTOR.

#06056 Soc/RAMA 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 23, 1952 IN VEN TOR.

Huousa Bau/rA-ssA BY %fiatafiflm,

ATTORNEYS Jan. 27, 1959 H. BOURASSA SCALE TOTALIZER 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 25, 1952 IN VEN TOR.

BY. @ZM 4 0 ATTORNEYJ Jan. 27, 1959 Filed Jan. 25, 1952 H. BOURASSA SCALE TOTALIZER EEUIEEEEEEEED 3 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

flaw/as BdI/RAJSA H. BOU RASSA SCALE TOTALIZER Jan. 27, 1959 Filed Jan. 23, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent SCALE TOTALIZER Hugues Bourassa, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The Atlas Bolt & Screw Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio This invention relates to improvements in a material handling system and more particularly to scale totalizers with means for individually totalizing the weights of successive charges of materials delivered to a container or hopper of either the stationary or movable type.

While this invention is adaptable for a variety of purposes, it is especially desgned for use in charging a blast furnace. As is well known to those skilled in the iron making arts, predetermined charges of raw materials such as coke, limestone, iron ore, etc., are conveyed from a receiving zone to the skip hoist of the furnace, which elevates it to a hopper at the furnace top. The molten iron is tapped off near the bottom of the furnace. The process is a continuous one, over relatively extended periods, and as the charged material settles to the molten zone, fresh charges are periodically added. It is necessary that the amounts of the several ingredients be carefully predetermined in the light of various operating factors, and the weight and character of each charge should therefore be controlled and recorded, preferably in such a manner as to eliminate the human error of the unskilled operator.

The need has arisen for an automatic means which indicates and records the weight of each ingredient comprising a total charge, and in addition, is capable of automatically segregating and totalizing the amount of each single ingredient added during a working period which comprises a plurality of successive charges, such as for example the total amount of iron ore, and/or coke, and/or limestone added to a continuously operated blast furnace within a 24-hour operating period. An object of the present invention is to satisfy this need by providing novel and improved scale means which identifies and individually records the weight of each ingredient added to a charge, and which totalizes the weight of each individual ingredient over a succession of charges in a continuous time period.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, in a material handling system having a plurality of containers wherein each supplies one of the batch components into a hopper having a weighing scale for the batch of the type described, means for individually totalizing the weight of each component supplied to said hopper.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a material handling system having a totalizing means as set forth above, wherein said totalizing means includes a follower member movable in the same path as the indicator on said scale to control the totalizing operation while not creating a drag on said indicator which might cause an erroneous scale reading.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, in a material handling system having a plurality of spaced containers wherein each supplies one of the batch components into a movable hopper having a weighing scale for the batch of the type described, means for totalizing the weight of each component supplied to the hopper and means for preventing the movable hopper from moving unless a totalizer indicates the exact weight of the component supplied.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, in a material handling system having a plurality of containers wherein each supplies one of the batch components into a hopper having a weighing scale for the batch of the type described, a plurality of totalizers, one for each container, and selectable means for making each totalizer record the weight supplied by its respective container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide automatic control mechanism for a material handling system of the type described adapted for use on a moving container or hopper, such as a dump car, in which the scale mechanism parts operate as usual while the totalizing parts are controlled to differentiate between component materials but nevertheless may be associated with the car operating mechanism to work in harmony therewith.

Other features of this invention reside in the arrangement and design of the parts for carrying out their appropriate function. Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and description and the essential features will be set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a movable scale car in the material handling system;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged end view taken from the left side of Fig. 1 with the cover plate removed from the scale totalizer mechanism shown at the upper left in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along line 33 of Fig. 2 with the follower member and scale indicator in registration at the 0 position;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the follower member and micro switch taken-along the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 4A is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the line 4A4A of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged bottom view of the electric motor and drive unit taken along the line 55 of Fig. 2 and having a portion of the clutch broken away;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the pawl and ratchet wheel brake mechanism taken along the line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the solenoids for operating the totalizing counters taken along the line 77 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the counters and the solenoid operative clutches therefor taken along the line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 8 through the counter or totalizer mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a wiring diagram of the scale totalizer.

While the invention is capable of use on either sta tionary or movable weighing containers or hoppers, as previously stated, for purposes of illustration and in no sense of limitation it has been shown applied to a dumping type scale car such as is used in conveying raw materials to the skip hoist of a blast furnace. The indicating, recording and totalizing devices are carried on the car which is also provided with electromotive driving means under the control of an operator who rides the car. The conventional scale car, generally shown at 10 in Fig. 1, has wheels 11 for carrying it along a track by the motive power provided by an overhead wire or wires 12 supplying electricity to the scale car through trolley or trolleys 13. The car shuttles on the track between a plurality of loading stations and a dumping or delivery station. A plurality of spaced apart dispensing containers or storage bins occupy the respective loading stations. Each dispensing container is adapted 'to dispense any desired weight of material into the hopper when the scale car is located at the station corresponding to the cdntainer. The scale car receives loads of ingredients at the respective successive loading stations. As will appear, the increments of :increasing carload are automatically recorded and to the car hopper 14 through a weight responsive lever system for indicating the total weight of the hopper and its contents. The hopper 14 has bottom gates or other type dumping or discharge means. The lever system 18 is connected to a vertically movable rack 19, as .seen in Fig. 3, which in turn rotates a pinion 21. The lever system 18 pulls the rack 19 downwardly as the weight in the hopper 14 increases and the rack 19 acts against "the tension spring 20. This tension spring 20, attached at its upper end to the scale housing 25, is properly calibrated so that the pinion 21 rotates the scale indicator hand'through the shaft 22. Shaft 22 is rotatably mounted in the scale housing 25 and has fixed thereon the pinion 21 and the indicator hand 23. Although the scale indicator is shown as an indicator hand 23, it should be understood that the scale indicator may take other forms, if desired. In this disclosure, the indicator hand 23 points to any one of a sequence of numbers on the scale face 24. The indicia on this stationary scale face are the same as found on any conventional scale having a suitable weight range.

A recording means may be used with the scale totalizer disclosed herein, if desired. The U. S. Patent No. 1,909,724, entitled Recording Means for Material Handling Systems, granted to E. W. Schellentrager, discloses a recording means adapted to be combined with the structure disclosed in this application. In Fig. 3 of the present application a printing or mounting wheel 26 is attached to and driven by the shaft 22. This wheel has a series of type figures on its periphery corresponding to the range of weights to be handled and to the indicia found on the scale face 24. This printing wheel corresponds to the printing or type wheel 12 in the aforementioned patent. The coupled Selsyns and the other appurtenant structure in the patent could very readily be added to the present disclosure so that a printed strip having the weight of each material supplied to the hopper and a printed indication -of the material could be obtained.

The structure has been described for indicating the total weight of the charge and recording the individual weight of each ingredient comprising a total charge or hopper load. In addition, the scaletotalizer is capable of automatically segregating and totalizing the amount of each single ingredient added during a working period which comprises a plurality of successive charges or hopper loads. Each material, ingredient or supply container has a corresponding weight totalizer or counter, as shown at 28, 28a, 28b, etc., in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The principal part of the present disclosure primarily concerns the selectable engaging means for operatively connecting the scale indicator 23 and one of the counters 28, 28a or 28]) corresponding to the material being loaded into the hopper 14 whereby the weight of material dispensed into the hopper 14 from the container corresponding to the selected counter moves the scale indicator 23 and the selected totalizing counter a distance corresponding to the weight dispensed by the corresponding container into the hopper 14 of the scale car.

= Most of the mechanism is-enclosed in a housing at-' hf. tached to the rear of scale housing 25, as seen in Fig. 3. The rear of the scale housing has bosses 25a, three in number, welded or otherwise secured to its outer surface. These bosses surround the printing wheel 26 which is carried by shaft 22 extending rearwardly through a hole in the rear face of the scale housing 25. A three-armed web 29 is secured to the rear surface of bosses 25a by screws. An internaL'bell-shaped hous ing member 30 is secured to the web 29, as seen in Fig. 3, and the internal sleeve housing member 31 is in turn se'enred to the bell housing member 30, 'the re spective parts again being secured together by screws. Surrounding-the web 29' and housing members 30 and 31 is a peripheral plate 34 welded or otherwise secured to edge angle members 32 and 33. Angle member 32 is screwed onto the rear face of the scale housing 25 while an end plate 35 is bolted onto the other angle member 33. Counters 28, 28a, etc., are supported-on flow of material when the properweight has been dis pensed. The scale indicator 23 has moved an angular amount corresponding to the increase in the hopper weight. Then, the scale 'car operator energizes the motor 4t) (Fig. 5) which in turn rotates-the follower'member 72,Figs. 3 and 4, clockwise an angular distance equal to the. movement of the scale indicator 23 and also drives the counter '23, 28a, etc., of "Fig. Z-corresponding to the material dispensed into the hopper. The counter is driven" or rotated an angular amount directly proportional to the angular movement of the follower member 72 sothat the increase in weight of'thehopper is accurately recorded on the proper totalizer or "counter.

The drive between them'otor'tl'and the follower member 72 will be first described. The motor 40 is not a continuously running motor but is intermittently driven andis energized only when driving the follower member '72 and the proper counter or totalizer. The motor control'wiil be described later inthe specification. Screws 41'are'provided to secure the motor 40 to the web 29, as seen in Fig. 5. The motor shaft 42 of motor40 drives a shaft 43 through a clutch to be described later in the specification. The shaft 43 is rotatably'supported on a bracket integrally formed on 'the bell-shaped housing member 30. Bearings 44 and '45 are provided for the shaft 43 in the bracket. A spur gear 46 is secured 'on shaft 43 by a set screw 46a and drives another spur gear 47 secured by a-set screw 47a to a shaft 48, which latter shaft is also rotatably mounted in the bell-shaped hens ing member 30. A worm '49, in 3, is'secured to shaft 43 by key 50. Shaft '48 is rotatably supported by two bearings 51 and 52 in the bell housing 3ft, and a cap plate 53 is secured to one end of the housing to support the shaft 48and to permit the assembly and disassembly of the worm and bearings. Worm 49 meshes with a worm wheel 56 of Fig. 3. This worm wheel 56 is se cured by Woodruff key 57 and a set screw 6% to a female cone member 61. This. female cone clutch member '61 is rotatably supported inthe 'web29 and the bell housing member 30 by hearing members'58 and 59. A male cone clutch member 63 coacts with the female'clutching surface on the left end of the female cone'clutch' member 61. A means is provided to keep the cone clutch members normally in engagement. A threaded stud 64- is screwed into the male cone clutch member 63 and is rotatably supported within thefernale cone clutch membe y ari a 6 T e right a d 6f the stud 64 has a telescoping end thrust sleeve69 slidably supported in a coaxial bore in the sleeve housing member 31. A spring 68 forces against the bearing 66 and urges v the end thrust sleeve 69 toward the right into engagement with the locklng nuts 70 on the right end of the stud 64 so that the cone clutch members 61 and 63 are normally held in driving engagement. The follower member 72 is drivingly connected to the male cone clutch member 63. This driving or operative connection between the members 63 and 72 will be described in more detail later in the specification. The clutch member 63 rotates about an axis coaxial with the scale shaft 22 so that the follower member 72 moves in the same path as the scale indicator hand 23. They are adapted to register with each other in the zero weight position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, or in any other scale weight position. A counter weight 73 is provided on the follower member 72 so that the member will be perfectly balanced and will turn freely and easily.

As motor 40 drives the follower member 72, it also drives the proper counter 28, 28a or 28b of Fig. 8 through the shaft 43 (Figs. 5 and 8). Shaft 43 in Fig. 8 is secured to shaft 81 by means of the coupling 77. A set screw 78 secures the coupling 77 to the shaft 43 and a locknut 79 firmly holds the set screw 78 in position. A tapered pin 80 is driven through aligned holes in the coupling 77 and shaft 81 to form the other connection. A bearing 82 in the adapter member 37 rotatably supports the shaft 81. A bevel gear 83 is secured to the left end of shaft 81 by a pin 84. Spacers 85 properly locate the bevel gear 83 with respect to a bevel gear 87 secured to a drive shaft or motion transmitting means 86 by means of a tapered pin 88. A hearing 89 is provided at each end of the drive shaft 86 to support the shaft in the adapter member 37.

A clutching arrangement is provided between each counter and the drive shaft or motion transmitting means 86. Since the clutching mechanism is similar for each counter, only that for counter 28 will be described. A spring housing and shaft support 90 is firmly secured to the adapter member 37 by screws. The shaft 86 is rotatably supported in the support 90 by the bearing 91.

A male cone clutch member 92, secured to drive shaft 86 by tapered pin 93, will be drivingly engaged with the female cone clutch member 94 when the coil spring 95 urges the clutch member 94 downwardly into driving engagement. A thrust washer 96 is provided between the bevel gear 97 and the female cone clutch member 94 and is designed to take the end thrust exerted by the spring 95. Clutch member 94 and the bevel gear 97 are keyed together to permit limited axial relative movement while they rotate as a unit and are rotatably supported on the drive shaft 86 by the bearing 98. Spacers 99, 100 and 101 are provided to properly locate the bevel gears and the clutch members. A bevel gear 102 is secured to the shaft 103 of the counter or weight totalizer 28. Hence, the motor drives the counter 28 through the shaft 43 and the coacting gear train and clutch.

A clutch actuator is also provided. Clutch members 92 and 94 in Fig. 8 are normally disengaged since spring 108 in the spring housing 90 is stronger than the spring 95 and rotates the bell crank 107 in a clockwise direction about its pivotal mounting on adapter member 37 so that the yoke arm 107a of Fig. 9 normally disengages the cone clutch members 92 and 94. When solenoid 105 is energized, its armature 106 moves to the left in Fig. 8, overcomes spring 108, and rotates bell crank 107 in a counterclockwise direction so that spring 95 will cause the cone clutch members 92 and 94 to be moved into driving engagement. The normal position of the parts with the solenoid deenergized is shown in Fig. 8.

A micro switch 110 (Figs. 3 and 4) on the follower member 72 controls the motor 40 in Fig. 5 by energizing or deenergizing it. The motor 40 is energized only when 6 the follower member 72 is out of registration with the scale indicator 23. Then, the micro switch tripper 111 on the type wheel 26 does not engage the micro switch 110. The tripper 111 comprises a bracket 111a bolted to the type wheel 26 and the tripping screw 111b threaded clockwise until it is again in registration with the scale indicator 23 so that the tripper 111 closes the contacts in micro switch and stops the motor 40.

The closing of the micro switch to deenergize and stop the motor also energizes a brake for stopping the movement of the counter. This brake prevents over-travel of the counter driving mechanism. Figs. 2, 5 and 6 disclose a ratchet wheel 112 secured to the shaft 43 by a tapered pin 113 in the ratchet wheel hub. A coacting braking pawl 114 engages the ratchet wheel 112 to stop the counter drive mechanism when solenoid 120 is energized by the closing of the micro switch 110. A sleeve bearing 115 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 43 and has an arm 116 engaging its outer surface with a press fit. A shoulder 115a on the sleeve bearing 115 separates the arm 116 from the ratchet wheel 112. A pawl holding block 117 is secured to the arm 116 and has a slotted upper arm portion 117a to receive the pawl 114. Screw 118 secures the pawl holding block 117 to the arm 116 and also pivotally mounts the pawl 114 in the pawl holding block 117. A second screw 119 is provided to secure the block and arm together. The solenoid 120, secured to the arm 117a, forces the pawl 114 into engagement with the ratchet wheel 112 when it is energized. A spring 122 in block 117 presses a pin 121 against the lower end of pawl 114 to normally keep the pawl disengaged from the ratchet wheel by forcing the pawl in a clockwise direction. An adjusting screw and locknut are provided at 123 to adjust the tension of spring 122 and to lock the parts in this relationship.

Means is provided to absorb the shock of braking or suddenly stopping the rotating parts. A lug 116a is integrally formed on the distal end of the arm 116. A corresponding lug is formed at 30a on bell housing'30 in Fig. 6. A bolt and nut 126 passes through aligned holes in the lugs and secures a compression spring 125 between the lugs. When pawl 114 engages the ratchet wheel 112 in braking, arm 116 tends to rotate clockwise and to compress the spring 125. This spring absorbs the inertia of the moving parts and then moves the arm 116 counterclockwise until the bolt and nut 126 firmly engages against the top of lug 116a and the bottom of lug 30a to serve as a positive stop. The counter drive will always stop at substantially the same point after the solenoid is energized because arm 116 is always returned against this positive stop by spring 125.

Means is also provided for varying the angle of contact between the pawl 114 and the ratchet wheel 112 so that braking will be efficiently performed. The block 117 may be firmly secured on arm 116 at any one of a plurality of angles within a limited range. The hole in block 117 surrounding screw 119 has a bore substantially larger than the outside diameter of the screw so that the block 117 may pivot to some extent around the other screw 118. A washer is provided underneath the head of screw 119 so that the screw 119 may be tightened to firmly secure the block 117 to the arm 116 regardless of their relative position. Locking screws 124 and 124a engage the lower surface of the block 117 to secure it in place. The lug 1161) projects laterally outwardly from the lower surface of arm 116 and is welded or otherwise member 63 and the sleeve 134.

secured thereto. Screw 124 is threaded in a hole in the lug and engages against the lower surface of the block 117 while screw 124a slidably fits in ahole in lug 1161) and is threaded into the block 117 topull the block 117 downwardly toward the lug 116b. If a greater adjustment is desired, an arcuate slot may be'provided in the block 117 for the reception of screw 119-with the center of the arc coinciding with the axis of screw 118.

Means is also provided to move the follower member 72 back to the no-load or zero position while the charge is being dumped from the hopper 14. Some of this means is shown in Fig. 3. The solenoid 127 is attached by screws to the right end of the sleeve housing 31 and has an armature extending into the housing and bearing against a cup member 123. When the solenoid 127 is energized, the cup member'128, mounted for axial movement in the housing 31, moves to the left and forces the endthrust sleeve 69 to the left to overcome the force of spring 68. Then, cone clutch members 61 and 63 are no longer biased into driving engagement by the spring 68, and the spiral spring 129, attached at one end to the web 29 and at the other to the male cone 63, is free to rotate the follower member 72 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 4) until the follower member engages the stop pin 130 secure in the web 29. When the follower member 72 reaches the position shown in Fig. 4, it will be in registration with the scale indicator 23 when the latter points to the zero scale reading, and tripper 111 will engage the micro switch 110 to close the contacts.

Means is provided to prevent damage to the cone clutch member '63, follower member 72 and the stop pin 130 which might be causedby the inertia of the rotating parts, the force of spiral spring 129, and the sudden stopping of the rotation by the stop pin 131). It should be noted that, as disclosed in Fig. 4, the follower member or arm 72 has been hollowed out to some degree so as to reduce the weight and inertia of the arm 72 while still maintaining its resistance to bending and deflection. The driving connection between the male cone clutch member 63 and the follower member or arm 72 includes a helical torsional spring 131 (Fig. 3) secured at one end to the follower member 72 and at the other end to a cap 132, which cap in turn is secured by screws to the cone member 63. The sleeve 134 is welded or otherwise secured to the follower member 72 andsurrounds in coaxial relationship the clutch member 63 and is mounted for rotation relative thereto. In Figs. 4 and 4A, a key 133 is provided on the periphery of the male cone member 63 and engages in an enlarged key way 134a in the bore of sleeve 134. This enlarged keyway 134a is larger in the circumferential direction than the key 133 so that only limited relative rotatable movement may take place between the male cone clutch When the motor 40 of Fig. 5 is driving the follower member 72 of Fig. 4 clockwise and is driving the totalizer of Fig. 8, the key 133 and the keyway 134a are in the position shown in Figs. 4 and 4A so that there is a substantially fixed connection between the male cone clutch member 63 and the follower member 72. When the spiral spring 129 is rotating the follower member 72 in a counterclockwise direction to return it to the zero position shown in Fig. 4 and when the follower member engages the stop pin 1311, the key 133 will move counterclockwise in the keyway 134a to permit a limited overtravel of the male cone clutch member 63 and a limited loading of the helical torsional spring 131. Since the effective force of spring 131 tending to move clutch member 63 in a clockwise direction in Fig. 4A is greater than the effective force of spring 129 tending to move clutch member 63 in the counterclockwise direction when follower member 72 is substantially at the zero position (Fig. 4), spring 131 will move'the'parts to their equilibrium position (Figs.

4and.4A) ;=so-that-followermember 72 remains in the zero positionagainst stop pinand :key 133 in keyway -134a is in, position to drive follower member 72 by motor 40 when the next material is fed to the hopper 14 and totalized.

The Fig. 4A construction and spring 131 also serve as means to absor-b the shock of braking or suddenly stopping rotating follower member. 72 by energizing brake solenoid 120. The inertia of arm 72 may cause overtravel by rotating clockwise after braking, and spring 131 will return it to the normal driving position in Fig. 4A.

7 In Fig. 5, a slip clutchis provided between the motor 40 and the ratchet wheel 112 of the brake so that the brake need not instantly stop the high inertia motor parts while it is instantly stopping the totalizer or counter drive. A male cone 1 35is secured to the motor drive shaft by a set screw 135a. A female cone member 136 is keyed to the shaft 43 .by key 137 so that the cone member136 may move longitudinally with respect to the shaft 43 but will rotate therewith. A spring 139 forces the female cone member 136 in driving engagement with 'the malecone member 135. This spring engages against the left side of a collar 138 loosely mounted on the shaft 43 and pressing against the left side of the bearing 44. Spring 139 is designed so that the force exerted by-it will permit slippage between the cone clutch members 135 and 136 when the pawl 114 is moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel 112. It should be apparent that any slight slippage that might occur when the motor "40 is driving the follower member 72 and the selected counter will not interfere with the accuracy of the scale totalizer since the stopping of motor 40 and the engagementof brake (pawl 114) are controlled by the micro switch 110 of the follower member 72.

The electrical diagram of the scale totalizer is disclosed in Fig. 10 of the drawings. This diagram has a power circuit shown in heavy lines at the top of Fig. 10, for moving the scale car between spaced loading and dumping stations and has a control circuit shown in the remainder of Fig. 10.

The power circuit is eifective or energized when the line relay 'ordo'uble pole line contactor 140 is energized by the control circuit. Then, the electric circuit is completed from the lowermost of the two overhead wires 12 through the trolley 13, contact 1413b, line 144, drum controller 142, line 141, contact 146a, the upper trolley 13, and the uppermost power line 12. The drum controller 142 controls the electricity supplied to the field and armature of the car traction motor 143 through this same circuit.

The control circuit is energized from the trolleys 13. 13 when the main, double throw, control switch 145 is closed. Since this switch 145 is closed in normal operation, the control circuits hereafter described will be traced from the lower side of this switch.

The operation of individually totalizing the weight of each type of material dispensed from the spaced containers into the hopper 14 of the movable scale car will he first described. Assumed the scale car hopper 14 empty and the follower member or arm 72 in registration with the scale indicator hand 23 reading zero weight, then the micro switch 110 on the follower member 72, shown at the upper left in Fig. 10, has its contacts in closed position. Also, the micro switch relay 146, at the bot tom of Fig. 10, is energized. An electrical control circuit exists from maincontrol switch 145 through line 147, line 148, line 149, line 150, closed contacts of micro switch 110 (micro switch 11% is normally open but is now closed by the tripper 111 since the follower member 72 and the scale indicator hand 23 are in registration), line 151, micro switch relay 146, line 152, line 153, line 154,'line 155,line 156, and line 157.

A manuab's elector means or selector switch 158 is provided at the lower left in Fig. .10 and has a plurality of stations, one for each totalizer and loading station (one corresponding to each of the materials making up the charge delivered to the blast furnace). A station is also provided for dumping and emptying the hopper and another is provided for reset (the latter to be described in more detail later in the specification). This selector switch 158 identifies the proper material to be weighed and at the same time energizes the proper solenoid to operate the proper counter, for example, solenoid 105 and counter 28 in Fig. 8. The selector switch has a movable arm 159 pivotally located at the center of the switch and movable between any of the circumferentially spaced stations on the selector switch 158, some of the stations having pairs of contacts, for example, 160 and 161 while one of these stations (the reset station) has only one contact 160r engageable with the movable arm 159. When the selector switch arm 159 is at the first station and engaging contacts 160 and 161, it is pointing to the selector station for the first material, for example, coke, the operator wishes to put into the hopper 14. This energizes the coke solenoid 105 in Fig. 8 and clutches the coke counter 28 to the drive shaft 86. An electrical circuit exists from the main control switch 145 through the line 147, line 148, line 149, line 162, selector switch arm 159, contact 160, line 163, solenoid 105, line 164, line 155, line 156, line 157, and main control switch 145.

After the coke begins to flow into the hopper 14, the scale indicator hand 23 of Fig. 3 rotates clockwise with respect to the follower member 72 of Fig. 4, the contacts of micro switch 110 open, and the micro switch relay 146 is deenergized or drops out. After the car operator has drawn the proper weight of coke, as indicated by the scale indicator hand aligned with the proper indicia on scale face 24, he pushes the record push button 166 to make a record of this fact. Push button 166 is shown in its normal position in Fig. 10 with contacts 166a closed by the cross bar and the contacts 166k open. The normally open contacts 166k on the push button 166 are closed and the totalizer motor relay or motor contactor 167 is energized. An electrical circuit is completed from the main control switch 145 through line 147, line 148, contacts 166]) (now closed but normally open), line 168, line 169, motor relay or contactor 167, line 170, line 154, line 155, line 156, and line 157. The normally open contact 167a is closed when the motor relay or contactor 167 is energized. Thiscloses the totalizer motor circuit and the motor 40 starts. The electrical circuit is completed from the main control switch 145 through the line 147, line 148, closed contact 1670, line 172, motor 40, line 173, line 174, line 155, line 156, and line 157. The normally open interlock for contact 16% of the motor relay or contactor 167 forms a maintaining circuit to keep motor 40 energized after release of the record push button 166. This maintaining circuit from the main control switch 145 is along the line 147, line 148, closed contact 167b, line 175, normally closed contact 1461; of deenergized micro switch relay 146, line 176, line 169, motor relay or contactor 167, line 170, line 154, line 155, line 156, and line 157. The motor 40 drives the follower member 72 and the micro switch 110 thereon along with the coke counter or totalizer 28 until the contacts of the micro switch are closed by'engagement with the tripper 111. Then, the follower member 72 and the scale indicator hand 23 are in registration, and the follower member 72 has moved the same angular distance as'scale indicator hand 23 when the hopper 14 was loaded with coke.

Closing of the contacts of micro switch 119 "by the tripper 111, deenergizes the motor 40 shown in Fig. and energizes the brake means shown in Fig. 6. As the contacts of micro switch 110 :close, they energize the micro switch relay 146 by completing the electrical circuit first described in explaining the control circuits.

10 The micro switch relay 146, when it is energized, opens the normally closed contact 1461;. This operation opens the circuit to the motor contactor relay 167 since the normally closed contact 1461) was in the maintaining circuit for this motor relay. Deenergizing motor relay 167 opens contact 167a which in turn opens the electrical circuit to deenergize the motor 40. It should be noted that the motor 40 is of the intermittent driving type since it only drives during operation of the totalizer and rotation of the follower member or arm 72. The motor and brake control means, specifically here shown as micro switch 110, on the follower member coacts with the scale indicator 23 and the tripper 111 only at the beginning and end of the movement of the follower member 72 for controlling the extent of movement of the selected counter so that thescale mechanism is never subjected to any drag by the control means and the rest of the scale totalizer mechanism and so that the extent of movement of the selected counter is always directly proportional to the movement of the scale indicator. The driving means (including the motor) move together the proper counter and the follower member 72 in response to this control member or micro switch 116.

The brake means in Fig. 6 is also engaged or energized by the closing of the contacts in the micro switch at theend of the movement of the follower member 72. Energization of the microswitch relay 146, by closing of the contacts in the micro switch 110, closes the contact. 1460 and energizes the brake solenoid so that the pawl 114 pivots counterclockwise into engagement with the ratchet wheel 112 driven in a clockwise direction by the electric motor 411. The brake promptly stops the coke counter 28 and the clockwise rotation of the follower member arm "72. The electrical circuit is completed from main control switch through line 147, line 178, closed contact 1460 (normally open), line 179, ratchet solenoid 120 of the brake, line 180, line 174, line 155, line 156,. and line 157. The pawl remains engaged until the contacts of micro switch 110 are opened when the next charge component is put into the hopper. There is no danger that follower arm 72 or the totalizer drive will accidentally move with the brake engaged.

It should now be evident that the exact weight of coke dispensed into the hopper 14 is added to the previous: total on totalizer 28 to show a new total weight of coke dispensed into hopper 14 and charged into the blast furnace since the last time the counter 28 was set back to zero. This completes the recording of the weight of coke put into the scale car hopper 14. All succeeding hopper filling and weight totalizing operations will be similar to that previously described. Each of the components of the charge-coke, limestone and iron ore-is loaded into the hopper 14 and moves the scale indicator hand 23 a portion of the Way across scale face 24. The scale totalizer mechanism, with the aid of follower member 72, individually adds the weight of each component to the proper, corresponding totalizer.

Means is also provided for emptying the hopper 14 and for moving the follower member 72 in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. 4 until the micro switch 110 is positioned for coaction with the tripper 111 and the follower member 72 is in registration with the scale indicator hand 23 at the no-load or zero scale position. The specific dumping means disclosed herein comprises air-operated discharge gates on the hopper 14. With the arm 159 of selector switch 158 in the dump position, the air solenoid valve 181 is energized and air will pass into the gate operating cylinders (not shown) for operating the discharge gates. An electrical circuit from the main control switch 145 is completed through line 147, line 148, line 149, line 162, selector arm 159, contact line 182, line 183, solenoid air valve 181, line 156, and line 157. With the selector switch arm 159 in any other position, it is impossible to open the discharge gates.

Means is also provided responsive to the discharge means or the air pressure for returning the follower member 72 to the zero position. Asair pressure is built up, the bar of the normally open pressure switch, shown in normal open position in Fig. 10, moves upwardly and closes contacts 184b while opening contacts 1840. This energizes the release solenoid 127 which in turn releases the cone clutch in Fig. 3 and allows the follower member 72 in Fig. 4 to rotate counterclockwise back to its zero position against stop pin 139 in registration with the scale indicator 23 at the zero position. The electrical circuit is completed from the main control switch 145 through line 147, line 148, line 149, line 162, selector switch arm 159, contact 169p, line 182, line 1%, release solenoid 127, line 185, closed contacts 18412, and line 157. After the gates are closed, the pressure switch drops back to its normal position.

The control circuit described up to this point is satis factory for a stationary hopper wherein the different batch or charge components are merely added to the hopper, each component individually totalized, and a movable car is not needed. If contacts 1411a and 141th are kept in their closed position, the power circuit may be added to the control circuit described up to this point to make a satisfactory scale totalizer mechanism and moving means for a scale car. However, other parts may be added to the control circuit to provide a more desirable sequence of operation for a movable scale car.

The control circuit may have means for preventing the drum controller 142 from moving the car unless the counter has registered the exact weight corresponding to the movement of the scale indicator hand 23 (indicated by the alignment of the micro switch 110 with the tripper 111) and from moving the car unless the scale car operator has moved the selector switch arm 159 to the next station. This latter will guarantee against any human error in the manual selection by selector switch arm 159. For example, the scale car operator might load several different kinds of materials into the hopper 14 without moving the selector switch arm 159 to a different station corresponding to the other materials. This Part of the control circuit forces the operator to operate the totalizer mechanism correctly. Otherwise, the scale car cannot be moved from one loading station to another loading station or to the dumping station. He cannot move the scale car after a dumping or after a loading and totalizing operation until'the selector arm 159 has been moved to the reset stationon contact 16hr and then the arm 159 is moved to any station on selector switch 158 and preferably the station corresponding to the next operation, dumping or loading, to be performed.

The scale car cannot be moved unless the line relay 140 is energized and the contacts 140a and 14131) are closed. The right hand side of Fig. also discloses that the contact 18712 of the reset relay 187 must be closed if the line relay is to be energized since they are in series. Therefore, the reset relay 187 must also be energized if the car is to be moved. The selector arm 159' of the selector switch 150 must be moved to the reset position or station to energize the reset relay 187. Then, an electrical circuit is completed from the main control switch 145 through the line 147, line 148, line 149, line 162, selector switch arm 159, contact 1661', line 188, line 189, reset relay 187, line 190, line 153, line 154, line 155, line 156, and line 157. The selector arm 159 must be set at the reset station to energize the reset relay 187. Energizing the reset relay 187 closes the contacts 187a and 1871').

A maintaining circuit is formed to keep the reset relay energized after the selector arm 159 is moved off of the reset contact 1601'. This maintaining circuit extends from the main control switch 145 through line 147, line 148, line 149, contacts 166a of the record push button 166 (contacts 166a normally closed), line 191, contacts 134a of air pressure switch 134 (contacts 184a normally closed).- line 192, closed contact 187a (reset relay 187 is 12 energized), line 193, line 189, reset relay 187, line19tl, line 153, line 154, line 155, line 156, and line. 157.

Even with the reset relay 187 energized, the line relay 14-9 will not become energized until the selector switch arm 159 has been moved from the reset position into contact with one of the contacts 161, 161a, etc. in one of the loading positions or the dump position and until the contacts of the micro switch are closed by the tripper member 111. Then, an electrical circuit is formed from the main control switch 145 through the line line 148, line 149, line 162, selector switch arm 159, one of the contacts in the 161 series, line 195, closed contact 146:: (normally open but closed when micro switch relay 146 is energized after the contacts of the micro switch 110 are closed in the manner set forth by the first circuit described in the description of the electrical diagram in Fig. 10), line 196, closed contact 137k (reset relay 187 is energized), line 197, line relay or contactor 140, and line 198. It should now be clear that when the next station has been selected by selector switch arm 159, the power circuit is energized and the operator may move the car to the next station, either a dumping or a loading station.

When the scale car operator pushes the record push button 166 to totalize the weight added to the hopper and consequently opens the contacts 166a or when the hopper load is dumped and the air pressure switch opens the contacts 184a, the maintaining circuit, previously described, for keeping reset relay 187 energized is broken and cannot be formed again until the selector switch arm 159 has been moved to the reset position. Since contact 13712 opens on deenergization of the reset relay .187, the line relay or contactor is also deenergized and the car cannot be moved. Hence, the scale car operator must always move the selector switch arm 159 to the reset position after each loading and totalizing operation or dumping operation before he can move the scale car. Contacts 166a of the record push button 166are opened during the totalizing operation while contacts 184:: of air pressure switch 184 are opened during the dumping operation.

As previously mentioned, the line relay or contactor 140 cannot be energized unless the contacts are closed in micro switch 110. They are closed when follower member 72 is in registration with the scale indicator 23. Hence, the car operator cannot move the car after dispensing material into the hopper unless he has pushed the record push button 166 and totalized the proper weight. For the same reason, he must fully dump the load at the dumping station. If he partially clumps the load, the contacts in micro switch 116 will not be closed and he cannot move the car.

Various changes in details and arrangement of parts can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a material handling system having weight totalizers, a plurality of spaced apart containers for storing material, a scale car movable between stations corresponding to said containers, said scale car having a material receiving hopper and having a scale operatively connected to said hopper with a scale indicator member for indicating the total weight of said hopper and its contents, each container being adapted to dispense any desired weight of material into said hopper when said scale car is located at the station corresponding to said container, a plurality of weight totalizing counters, one counter for each container and station unit, a motion transmitting means, means for selectively connecting the motion transmitting means to one of said counters, a control means for energizingthe motion transmitting means until the selected counter registers in response to the position of said scale indicator member an amount equivalent to the weight of material dispensed into the 2. In a system, as set forth in claim 1, said control means including position responsive means on one of said members coacting with said other member for controlling the extent of movement of said selected counter so that the extent is always directly proportional to the movement of said scale indicator member and for preventing said car moving means from moving said car unless said counter has registered the exact deflection of said scale indicator member.

3. In a system, as set forth in claim 1, means for discharging the entire load of material from said hopper, and means responsive to said discharge means for returning said follower member into registration with said scale indicator member at the hopper-empty-no-load position, said control means including position responsive means on one of said members coacting with the other of said members when said follower member and scale indicator member are in registration for controlling the extent of movement of said selected counter so that the extent is always directly proportional to the movement of said scale indicator member and for preventing said car moving means from moving said car unless said counter has registered the exact deflection of said scale indicator member or unless said hopper has discharged its entire load and said follower member and scale indicator member are in registry at said hopper-empty-noload position.

4. In a material handling system having weight totalizers, a plurality of spaced apart containers for storing material, a scale car movable between stations corresponding to said containers, said scale car having a material receiving hopper and having a scale operatively connected to said hopper with a scale indicatormember for indicating the total weight of said hopper and its contents, each container being adapted to dispense any desired weight of material into said hopper when said scale car is located at the station corresponding to said container, a plurality of weight totalizing counters, one counter for each container and station unit, a motion transmitting means, a manual selector means having a plurality of stations, one station for each totalizing counter, means for drivingly connecting the motion transmitting means and a counter when the selector means is set at the corresponding station, a follower member connected to the motion transmitting means, which follower member is registrable with said indicator member and movable in a path parallel to the path of said indicator member, position responsive means carried by one of said members and coacting with the other of said members during registration, means responsive to a registration of said other member and position responsive means for holding said follower member as said indicator member moves away, means for moving said car between said stations, and means for preventing said car moving means from moving said car unless said position responsive means is coacting with said other member.

5. In a system, as set forth in claim 4, a reset station on said selector means, and means coacting with said reset station and any one of said selector means counter stations for preventing said car moving means from moving said car unless said selector means has been moved from said one counter station to the reset station and then to a counter station.

6. In a material handling system providing weight registering, a hopper; a scale operatively connected to said hopper with a scale indicator member for indicating the total weight of said hopper and its contents; a weight registering device; and a mechanism including a motion transmitting means and including a control means for energizing the motion transmitting means until the weight registering device registers in response to the position of said indicator member an amount equivalent to the weight of material dispensed into the hopper; said control means including a follower member registrable with said indicator member and movable in a path parallel to the path of said indicator member, including means for holding said follower member as said indicator member moves 'away from a first registered position in response to the weight of a material dispensed into said hopper, and including means for energizing said motion transmitting means and for moving together the weight registering device and follower member with the latter moving along its path until a second registration with said indicator member takes place with the extent of movement controlled by a position responsive means on one of said members coacting with the other of said members only during registration.

7. In a system, as set forth in claim 6, said motion transmitting means including a driving motor rotatively driving said follower member and said weight registering device but deenergized by said position responsive means upon said second registration, said control means including brake means for stopping said rotative drive in response to actuation of said control means and including rotational energy absorbing means for absorbing the rotational inertia in the drive by permitting overtravel and then returning the drive upon deenergization of the motor back against a positive stop to provide accuracy in said weight registering device.

8. In a system, as set forth in claim 6, said motion transmitting means including a driving motor rotatively driving said follower member and said weight registering device, said control means including brake means for stopping said rotative drive in response to actuation of said control means, said mechanism including slip clutch means between said motor and brake means so that the brake means does not have to stop the inertia of said motor.

9. In a system, as set forth in claim 6, said motion transmitting means including a driving motor rotatively driving said follower member and said device, said mechanism including a clutch between said motor and said follower member so that said follower member can move back toward the hopper-empty-no-load position independently of motor rotation.

10. In the system set forth in claim 9, wherein said clutch has annular engagement surfaces to permit the driving of said follower by said motor at hopper-emptyno-load position by clutch reengagement without movement of said motor.

11. In a system, as set forth in claim 6, said motion transmitting means including a driving motor rotatively driving said follower member and said device, said mech anism including means operable independently of motor rotation for moving the follower member back to a hopper-empty-no-load position against a positive stop by disengagement of the drive therebetween and for subsequently reengaging said drive between said motor and follower member for moving them together again, said last mentioned means including a clutch between said motor and said follower member and including a torsion spring to provide the return movement.

12. In the system set forth in claim 11-, wherein said clutch has annular engagement surfaces on coaxial members to permit clutch reengagement at said no-load position without return movement of said motor.

13. In a system, as set forth in claim 6, said motion transmitting means including a driving motor rotatively driving said follower member and said device, said mechanism including means operable independently of motor rotation for moving the follower member back to a hopper-empty-no-load position against a positive stop by disengagement of the drive therebetween and for subsequently reengaging said drive between said motor and follower member for moving them together again, said last mentioned means including a clutch between said motor and said follower member .and including a torsion spring to provide the returnmovement, resilient means being provided in the drive between said follower memher and clutch to cushion .the impact against said stop.

14. In a material handling system, asset forth in claim 13, wherein said resilient means is stronger than .and opposes said torsion spring so as to position said follower member for positive driving .action .by said motor in equilibrium position.

15. In a system, as setforth in:claim 6, said motion transmitting means including a driving motor rotatively driving said follower member and saiddevice, said mechanism comprising. means for moving thefollower'member back to the hopper-empty-no-load position against a positive stop independent of motor rotation including a clutch in the drive between said motor and said follower member and including a torsion spring to provide the return movement, the drive between said follower member and clutch including an elongated arcuate slot portion and key portion coacting together .to' permit relative movement between said follower member and clutch, and resilient means urging said key portion and one end of said slot together with said portions adapted to separate upon stop impact so that said resilient means will cushion said impact, said resilient means being stronger than and opposing said torsion spring so that said clutch and. follower member will be positioned for positive drive after equilibrium is reached.

16. In a material handling-system having weight totalizers, a hopper, a scale operatively connected to said hopper with a scale indicator member for indicating the total weight of said hopper audits contents, a plurality of containers, each container being adapted to store and to dispense any desired weight of material into said hopper, a plurality of weight totalizing counters, .one counter for each container, a motion transmitting means, means for selectively connecting the motion transmitting means to one of said counters, and a control means for energizing the motion transmitting means until the selected counter registers in response to the position of said scale indicator member an amount equivalent to the weight of material dispensed into the hopper from the container; said control means including a follower member registrable with said indicator memberand movable in a.

path parallel to the path of said indicator member, :i11- cluding means for holding said follower member as said indicator member moves .away from. a first registered position in response to the weight of a'material dispensed into said hopper, and including means for energizing said motion transmitting means and for'moving together the counter corresponding toasaid material and said ,follower member with the latter moving along its path until a second registration with said indicatormember takes place with the extent of movement controlled by a position responsive means on one of said members coacting with the other of said members only during registration.

17. In a system, as set forth in claim 16, said control means including brake means responsive to said posi tion responsive means for stopping said rotative drive in response to actuation of said'position responsive means and for holding said follower member until said indicator member moves away from said second registered position in response to the weight of a second material being dispensed into said hopper.

18. In the system set forth in claim 17, wherein said position responsive means is an electrical switch carried by said ollower member.

19. in system, as set forth in claim 16, said control means includin .means for holding said follower member as said indicator member moves away from said second registered position in response to the weight of a second material dispensedinto said hopper, and including means for energizing saidmotion transmitting means and for moving together-thecountercorresponding to the second material and said follower member with tent of movement controlled by said position responsive means.

20. In-thesystem set forth in, claim 19, wherein said position responsive means is an electrical switch carried by said followermember.

21. In a system as set forth in claim 16, means for emptyingsaid hopper after .the weight .of said other material has been totalizedand moving said follower memher until said position responsive means coacts with said other member at the hopper-empty-no-load position.

22. In a material handlingsystem having weight totalizers, a plurality of spaced. apart containers for storing materials, a scale carmovable between stations corresponding to said containers,.said scale car having a material receiving hopper and having a scale operatively connected to .said'hopper with a .scale indicator for indicating the total weight of said hopper and its contents, each container beingadapted to vdispense any desired weight of'material into said hopper when said scale .car is located, at the station'corresponding ,to said container, a plurality ofweight totalizing counters, one counter for each assembly including a corresponding container and station, a motion transmitting means, means for selectivelyconnecting the motion transmitting means to one of said counters, a control means for energizing the motion transmitting means until the selected counter registers in response to the;position,of ,said scale indicator an amount equivalent to the weight of material dispensed into the hopper from the container, at least one of said aforementionedmeans including means for. actuating a position responsive unit having actuated and idle positions, means for moving said-scale car between said stations, and means responsive to the idle position of said unit for preventing said last means from moving said car unless said counter has registered the exact weight corresponding to the movementof said scale indicator.

23. In the system set forth in claim 22, wherein said unit is a control switch.

24. In a material handling system having weight totalizers, a plurality of spaced apart containers for storing materials, a scale car movablebetween stations corresponding to said containers, said scale car having a material receiving hopper and having a scale operatively connected to said hopper .witha scale indicator memher for indicating the total weight of said hopper and its contents,-each container being adapted to store and to dispense any desired weight of material into said hopper when said scale car is located at the station corresponding to said container, a plurality of weight totalizing counters, one counter for each container and station unit, a motion transmitting means,- means for selectively connecting the motion transmitting means toone of said counters,

.a control means for energizing the motion transmitting means until the selected counter registers in response to the position of said scale indicator member. an amount equivalent to the weight of material dispensed into the hopper from the container, said control means including a follower member movable in a path parallel to the path of said indicator for controlling with said indicator the energization of said motion transmitting means, means responsive to at least partial emptying of said hopper for moving said follower member back to the hopperempty-no-load position, means .for moving said. scale car between said stations, and means responsive to the presenCe of said scale indicator member at saidno-load position for preventing said last means from moving said car unless said hopper has been fully dumped with said scale indicator member and follower member in registration at said hopper-empty-uo-load position.

25. In the system set forthin clairn'24, wherein said last-mentioned means includes a control switch coacting with a tripper with one carried by said scale indicator member and the other carried by said follower member.

In a material handling system, as set forth in claim 17 24, wherein said lastmentioned means includes a sensing means on one of said members responsive to the other of said members for detecting registration between said members.

27. In a material handling system having weight totalizers, a plurality of spaced apart containers for storing material, a scale car movable between stations corresponding to said containers and a hopper load discharge station, said scale car having a material receiving hopper and having a scale operatively connected to said hopper with a scale indicator for indicating the total weight of said hopper and its contents, each container being adapted to dispense any desired weight of material into said hopper when said scale car is located at the station corresponding to said container, a plurality of weight totalizing counters, one counter for each container and station unit, a motion transmitting means, means for selectively connecting the motion transmitting means to one of said counters, a control means for energizing the motion transmitting means until the selected counter registers in response to the position of said scale indicator an amount equivalent to the weight of material dispensed into the hopper from the container, means for moving said scale car between said stations, said hopper having a means for discharging its entire load of material, means responsive to said last-mentioned means for returning said control means into operative association with said scale indicator at the hop'per-empty-no-load position, and means responsive to the presence of said scale indicator at said no-load position for preventing said car moving means from moving said car unless said counter has registered the exact weight corresponding to the movement of said scale indicator or said load has been completely dumped.

28. In a material handling system having weight totalizers, a plurality of spaced apart containers for storing material; a scale car movable between stations corresponding to said containers; sai-d scale car having a material receiving hopper and having a scale operatively connected to said hopper with a scale indicator for indicating the total weight of said hopper and its contents; each container being adapted to dispense any desired weight of material into said hopper when said scale car is located at the station corresponding to said container; a plurality of weight totalizing counters, one counter for each container and station unit; manually selectable mechanism, having a manually movable portion for selecting a counter corersponding to a given container, for moving a selected'totalizing counter a distance corresponding to the weight dispensed from the corresponding container; said mechanism including a motion transmitting means, means for selectively connecting the motion transmitting means to one of said counters, and a control means for energizing the motion transmitting means until the selected counter registers in response to the position of said scale indicator an amount equivalent to the weight of material dispensed into the hopper from the container; means for moving said scale car between said stations; and means for preventing said last means from moving said car unless said counter has registered the exact weight corresponding to the movement of said scale indicator and the scale car operator has moved said manually movable portion of said manually selectable mechanism away from one station and into position for use at any one of said stations.

29. In a material handling system having weight totalizers, a hopper, a scale operatively connected to said hopper with a scale indicator for indicating the total weight of said hopper and its contents in one load and for returning to zero position upon dumping said contents in preparation for receiving the following load, a plurality of containers, each container being adapted to store and to dispense any desired weight of material into said hopper, a plurality of weight totalizing counters, one counter for each container, and mechanism for to- 18 talizing on one counter the weight of one material fed from one container into said hopper and for totalizing on another counter the weight of another material fed from another container into said hopper containing said one material; said mechanism including a motion transmitting means, means for selectively connecting the motion transmitting means to one of said counters and a control means for energizing the motion transmittingmeans until the selected counter registers in response to the position of said scale indicator an amount equivalent to the weight of material dispensed into the hopper from the container; said control means including a follower member movable in a path parallel to the path of said indicator, said mechanism including a non-reversible driving motor in said motion transmitting means rotating in always the same direction during the period from the beginning of dispensing one load into said hopper to the beginning of dispensing the following load into said hopper and rotatively driving said follower member and the appropriate counter so that the material weights are always accurately totalized on the counters.

30. In a material handling system having weight totalizers, a hopper, a scale operatively connected to said hopper with a scale indicator for indicating the total weight of said hopper and its contents, a plurality of containers, each container being adapted to store and to dispense any desired weight of material into said hopper, a plurality of weight totalizing counters, one counter for each container, and mechanism for totalizing on one counter the weight of one material fed from one container into said hopper and for totalizing on another counter the weight of another material fed from another container into said hopper containing said one material; said mechanism including a motion transmitting means, means for selectively connecting the motion transmitting means to one of said counters, and a control means for energizing the motion transmitting means until the selected counter registers in response to the position of said scale indicator an amount equivalent to the weight of material dispensed into the hopper from the container; said control means including a follower means movable in a path parallel to the path of said indicator, said mechanism including in said motion transmitting means a driving motor rotatively driving said follower member and counter, said mechanism including a disengageable clutch in the drive between said motor and said follower and counters so that said follower may return back toward the hopper-empty-no-load position without rotation of said motor and said counters.

31. In a material handling system providing weight registering, a hopper, a scale operatively connected to said hopper with a scale indicator member for indicating the total weight of said hopper and its contents; a weight registering device; a motion transmitting means; a control means for energizing the motion transmitting means until the weight registering device registers in response to the position of said indicator member an amount equivalent to the weight of material dispensed into the hopper; said control means including a follower member registrable with said indicator member and movable in a path parallel to the path of said indicator member, including means for holding said follower member as said indicator member moves away from a first registered position in response to the weight of material dispensed into said hopper, and including a position responsive means on one of said members; said motion transmitting means including an electric motor for moving together the weight registering device and said follower member with the latter moving along its path until a second registration takes place with the extent of movement controlled by a position responsive means on said one member coacting with the other of said members only during registration; and means responsive to emptying of said hopper for moving said follower member back toward the hopper-empty-no-load position'withou't movement of said weight registering device or motor. V a

32. In a material handling "system having weight 'totalizers, a'plurality of spacedapart containers "forstoring materials; a scale car movable 'between'stations corresponding to said containers; said'scale "car "having a material receiving hopper and 'having a s'cale operatively connected to said hopper with 'a'sc'aleindi'c'at'or member for indicating the total Weight of said hopper and "its contents; each 'containe'r being adapted 'to store and to dispense any desired weight of material into said hopper when said scale 'car'is located 'atth'e station corresponding to said container; a plurality of weight totalizing counters, one counter for'ea'ch container and stationunit;

'a motion transmitting means; means forselectively connecting the motion transmitting means to one of said eounter'sj'acontr'ol meansfofener'gizin'g'the motion transmittingmea'nsnntil the'sele'ct'ed counter registers in re sponse'to'the'position of said scale'indi cato'r member an "of said indicator member, including means for holding said follower member as said indicator member moves away from a firs't registered position in responseto the weight of afirst material dispensed into said hopper, and including manually initiated means for energizing "said motion transmitting means an'd'for moving together the counter corresponding to the first material and said fol- 20 lower member with-the latter moving along its path until as'econd registration with said indicator "member takes placewith -t'he extent'of=mov'ement controlled by a position responsive means on one of saidmembers coacting 'with'the 'otherof said members only during registration; means for "moving 'said scale car between said stations; 'andme'ans responsive to said position responsive means for preventing said last 'means from moving said car 'aftermate'rial isdispensed into said hopper unless manual initiation of follower member and counter movement has o'ccurred and 'saidcounter has registered the exact weightcorresponding to' the movement of said scale indicator member.

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNiT-EDSTATES PATENTS 1 ,066,656 Richardson July 8, 1913 1,163,678 'Messiter Dec. 14, 1915 1,893,243 :Rees Jan. 3, 1933 1,909,724 :Schellentrager May 16, 1933 2,083,783 Haegele June 15, 1937 .'2-,'172 6'l'8 Kuppe'nbender et'al. Sept. 12, 1939 2,189,802 Karlsson-Yg'ger Feb. 13, 1 940 2,610,843 Schellentrager "Sept. 16, 1952 2,614,786 Caron Oct. 21, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS #56550 Great Britain Nov. 17, 1936

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