Patent GB-190301689-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Tally Devices or Indicators for Performing Operations of Addition and Subtraction of Figures in connection with Cheque Books, Account Books and otherwise.
Inventor: FROST LEONARD LEEDS
Filed: 1903-01-23
Granted: 1903-11-19
Abstract: 1689. Frost, L. L. Jan. 23. Calculating apparatus, which may be used in connection with chequebooks or accountbooks, to facilitate addition and subtraction and to indicate the state of an account. Fig. 1 shows a portion of the device in one of its forms. A board A is formed with grooves in which slide indicators O, N, the board between the grooves being marked with columns of figures. The large figures in the column to the left represent thousands of pounds, and the small figures beside them indicate hundreds. The next two columns indicate tens of pounds and pounds, and the columns to the right show shillings and pence. The indicators O, as they stand, show the amount standing to the credit of the account to be sixtythree pounds eight and threepence. Assuming that nineteen pounds one and fivepence is withdrawn, the operator first moves the slide N up to indicate seven and threepence, and then moves it further through five divisions to subtract the pence, five clicks being heard as a pawl on the slide N passes over five ratchet teeth in the groove. The nineteen pounds are next subtracted by moving up the slide N' to fifty-three pounds and then through a further space while nine clicks are heard. The position of the slides N, N' now shows that fortyfour pounds six and tenpence is the amount remaining to the credit of the account. If one of the indicators N passes in the operation to the top of the column and back through zero at the bottom, a unit must be carried on to the next column. Fig. 3 shows another form of the device, arranged for use with decimal figures. The figures in the columns B', C<1> are permanent, as are those in the two right-hand columns of the sliding strip D'. The figures in the column E<1> have to be written in before each operation. The sliding plate G<1> carries two sets of figures ; those in the column g are permanent, and those in the column g<1> are written in. In a modification of this form, there are three movable strips D' and three sliding plates G<1>. Fig. 7 shows a form of the device bound up as part of a cheque-book or the like. In this case, pegs 16 are placed in holes 15 in the tablet 5 marked with columns of numerals. On the back of the tablet numerals are marked in the reverse order, and from the projecting ends of the pegs the state of the account can be ascertained. If the account is opened with the even sum of ten thousand dollars, the figures in the columns shown in Fig. 7 are all that are required. If, on the other hand, any other amount is paid in, figures are written in by hand alongside the permanent figures. For six thousand dollars, for instance, 0 would be written opposite 6 in the left-hand column, 1 opposite 7, and so on. In a modification of this device, the supplementary numbers are not written but are marked on blocks which slide in grooves between the fixed numbers. Instead of pegs, indicating- pieces are used, which slide in narrow slots inter. secting the columns of fixed numbers. In the device shown in Fig. 14, there are four columns of fixed numerals, and four slides 33 bearing numerals in the reverse order. Fig. 15 shows an apparatus on the same principle in a circular form for mounting on a cheque-book. Rings 36 carry the main set of numerals and rings 37 the subsidiary numerals in reverse order. Another form of device is described, which is similar in action to that shown in Fig. 1 but is provided with means for carrying forward one column to the next in order. This is effected bv a bar sliding in a slot in the higher column and having an arm crossing the top of the lower column. The bar works below the indicator ; its motion is limited to one degree of the scale.