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Howe Scale Company
| Name | Howe Scale Company |
| Ortssitz | New York City |
| Art des Unternehmens | Waagenfabrik |
| Anmerkungen | - |
| Quellenangaben | [Bishop: History of American manufacturers 3 (1868) 165] |
| Zeit |
Ereignis |
| 15.01.1856 |
Zwei begabte Mechaniker aus Neu-England, F. M. Strong und Thomas Ross, erhalten ein Patent für die bessere Herstellung von Tafelwaagen. |
| Produkt |
ab |
Bem. |
bis |
Bem. |
Kommentar |
| Waagen |
1868 |
[Bishop: Hist. of Amer. manuf. I (1868)] |
1868 |
[Bishop: Hist. of Amer. manuf. I (1868)] |
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| ZEIT | 1868 |
| THEMA | Firmenbeschreibung |
| TEXT | Though their principal establishment is in Brandon, Yermont, have their warehouse and a branch manufactory in New York city, and as a correct and reliable standard for weighing commodities is a subject of very great importance to manufacturers, it may not be amiss to give, in this place, some account of one of the two great Scale manufactories of the United States. On the 15th of January, 1856, two ingenious New England mechanics, F. M. Strong and Thomas Ross, received a patent for an improved-method of making Platform Scales. This afterward became widely known as the "Strong and Ross Patent." The improvement consisted in dispensing with check rods, which are liable to be affected by frost and other circumstances; in requiring no pit, or a very shallow one, for the foundation of the largest Scales; the substitution of balls under the end of the platform beams, by which friction from the movement or working of the platform on the "knife-edges" or bearings, is avoided, and general simplicity of construction without diminution of strength. Technically described, the principle of this Scale consists in extending across each of its ends a shaft whose extremities are enlarged in such a manner as to admit the insertion of knife-edges. These rest upon suitable bearings attached to the foundation or frame, and are so inserted in the shaft that they form the axis on which it partially rotates with the least possible friction. These enlargements project inwardly from the shaft, forming short cranks, and in these are inserted other knife-edges parallel to, and equidistant from, the first mentioned. At the extreme front end of the shafts, arms are secured which extend to the centre of the front side of the scale, where they meet, and are both attached to the "beam" in the usual manner. To the under side of the ends of the platform timbers are secured plates or "shoes", in which are concavities; these rest upon balls contained in corresponding concavities, in suitable plates, from which project downward the bearings that rest on the knife-edges inserted in the cranks projecting from the shafts; consequently, any weight placed upon the platform tends to turn the shafts and depress the ends of the arms secured to them, which in turn actuate the beam where the weight is indicated. This method of connecting the platform with the levers allows it to move freely in any direction, when receiving any impulse, without producing any shock or wear on the knife-edges, which would necessarily take place if the connection was rigid. The knife-edges consequently retain their fineness and accuracy. The advantages which these Scales possessed attracted the attention of Mr. John Howe, Jr., of Vermont, himself an ingenious and intelligent gentleman, who purchased the patent, engaged the inventors for a term of years, and commenced their manufacture in the town of Brandon. Before, however, embarking extensively in their manufacture, he submitted them to the severest tests, and exhibited them at the principal State Fairs, where they were tested in competition with others, and the result was that in one year, within sixty days, they received seven first class premiums. Eminent ftrms in New York city and elsewhere were induced to purchase them; among others, Robert Hoe & Co., the Printing-press manufacturers who bought one that would weigh eight tons, and finding it extremely accurate ordered another of the same class. It was found that a copper cent laid on the platform of a Scale with a capacity of weighing fourteen hundred pounds lifted the beam, and four pennies would turn a Hay Scale of six tons' capacity. One peculiarity of this Scale is that it will operate as accurately on an inclined plane as on a level. The Morris Canal Company purchased one seventy feet long and of two hundred tons' capacity, and placed it so that one end was seven feet higher than the other end. After seventeen months' use in weighing many hundreds of tons, they certify to its accuracy and extreme sensitiveness. Repeated and severe tests having thus established its reliability as a standard of weights, combined with the advantages of a great simplicity of construction, Mr. Howe, in association with his energetic brother, Col. Frank E. Howe, of New York city, entered extensively into the manufacture. They enlarged their Works, employed the best mechanics that the highest wages could command, and are now producing, in large numbers, Scales of all sizes and capacities, constructed on the principles that have been detailed; each year increasing their popularity and extending their sales, not only to all parts of this country, but to Russia, China, Japan, and South America. The firm of Howe & Bouvier, who are the Agents in New York for the Howe Scale Company, have also a Manufactory in the city where they make fine Gold and Druggists' Scales, Even-Balance Scales Weighmasters' Beams, etc |
| QUELLE | [Bishop: History of American manufacturers 3 (1868) 165] |
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