242 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
Weighing Apparatus. — Mr. N. R. Hall , 'patentee . — These improve- 
ments in weighing apparatus are based on the principle of the common 
steelyard, inasmuch as the article to be weighed is suspended at the 
short arm of the lever, but differs otherwise ; for instead of ascertaining 
the weight of an article by shifting or sliding a given weight upon the 
long arm until it is perfectly horizontal, the patentee allows this weighing 
apparatus to come to rest in any position, according as the weight of the 
article may draw it more or less from the horizontal line, and he then 
discovers the weight of the article sought by means of a hand which 
points to various figures representing weights, which figures are marked 
upon a circle. This circle is at the extremity of one end of the weighing 
apparatus, and at the centre of this circle or dial the hand moves or plays 
freely upon a stationary pin ; the hand having a heavy tail end it will 
always maintain a perpendicular position when in use, and will there- 
fore be directed to that number which is brought to a vertical position 
with the centre of the circle or dial. At the proper end for attaching the 
articles to be weighed there is a suitable clip with hooks for attaching the 
articles. When this weighing apparatus is hung or held up for use with 
the article properly suspended, the circle or dial will rise more or less, 
and one of the numbers marked upon it will be brought to a vertical 
position, to which number the hand will be directed, and thereby indicate 
the weight of the article. 
Organs, Harmoniums, and Pianofortes. — Messrs. Roberts 4* Naylor , 
patentees . — According to these improvements, the inventors place the 
key-boards, keys, or manuals of organs, harmoniums, pianofortes, German 
pedals, and pedal claviers on springs at the front part, or they suspend 
the same from springs, so that when more pressure is used on the keys 
than is required for playing, the keys yield, and the swell-shutters or 
Venetians open, thereby increasing and regulating the sound. Or, as a 
modification of the same principle, they place a spring of india-rubber 
or other suitable material under each key, and thus obtain the same 
result. 
