Patent GB-416699-A (GB)
Abstract: 416,699. Changing signs. EBERHARDT, A., 70, Oppenheimerlandstrasse, Frankfort-on- Main, Germany. June 26, 1933, No. 18186. Convention date, June 25, 1932. [Class 3 (i).] In a device for finding a single note from a number of notes which are applied one behind the other according to certain characteristics, for example in numerical or alphabetical order, on a band circulating for display below a window, the notes on the band are divided into main groups, which in turn are subdivided into sub-groups, which again may be subdivided into further sub-groups, longitudinal sections of the band corresponding to the groups and subgroups being recognizable on the band by means of different optical characteristic means for each degree of subdivision, and finder-stripes being also applied on or near the window transversely to the band, which stripes are coordinated as a whole and in sections to certain groups and sub-groups of the notes on the band and are so characterized that, when the band is fed under the window, the required groups and sub-groups can be recognized. The device is adapted to be used for finding addresses, accounts, tables, price lists, code data, &c. Fig. 1 shows an arrangement in which the subdivision of the notes on a movable band E is effected according to groups of figures, the band being wound from one cylinder on to another under a window ABCD by cranks attached to the cylinders. Bars F1-F10 situated on two opposing sides of the window are each coloured to denote main groups, and each bar is divided into sub-groups. In the same sequence of colours as the bars correspondingly coloured and preferably transparent strips such as H5a, H5b are applied on the band E, each of a width of one part section of the bars, and of a length corresponding to the length of a subgroup formed on the band, so that for each sub-group of a particular main group there is arranged on the band a strip of colour, such strips being arranged in succession and each displaced laterally across the width of the band. In the example shown the strip H5a registers with the sub-group 42,000 of the correspondingly coloured bar F5, and the strip H5b registers with the sub-group 43,000 of the same bar. Further narrower and auxiliary bars Le are arranged on the two opposite sides of the window, each divided into two further subgroups, and finder-strips and lines Un are arranged on the band for co-operation with these two sub-groups. In the example shown the number 42,958 has been found, the strip H5a giving 42,000, the strip Un giving 900, and the line to the right giving 50. Finally the last figure 8 is sought on the band within the range of the line 50. Further sub-division may be arranged within each sub-group. The adjustment of the finder-strips and lines to the auxiliary marking bars Le is facilitated by pull-out strips St. The marking of the main groups may be effected on the band by colouring it the entire width, and in this case the finder strips on the band are shaded or coloured in some other manner to render them conspicuous. In a modification the rigid marking-bars F1-F10, and in some cases the bars Le, are dispensed with, and an endless band arranged to be displayed through an auxiliary and preferably narrow window is marked and coloured in the same manner as the marking-bars. Instead of employing numbers, an alphabetical subdivision may be utilized in the device, and where the auxiliary band is used, instead of arranging the coloured groups F1-F10 side by side, each section or sub-group of a group may be displaced laterally in order that only the required sub-group is exposed in the auxiliary window, also the auxiliary bars Le may be printed on the auxiliary band between the main working bars or sections thereof. Where rigid marking-bars are employed a covering device in the form of a coloured and preferably transparent endless band provided with a window may be arranged over each marking-bar, so that only the part section of the bar directly below the window is conspicuous; in this case an empty section is preferably provided at one end of each bar over which the window is located when the bar is not being used. In a further modification the marking- bars are not coloured, but any desired section of a bar may be covered by a transparent coloured strip adapted to slide along a rod ; the coloured strip may be provided with a foldable extension which in its folded position covers the coloured strip, and in its unfolded position acts as a guide for the desired strip on the movable band. In another modification, shown in Figs. 8 and 8a, an adjacent pair of coloured marking-bars Fa, Fb has a series of double hinged flaps, the upper of each of these flaps having on the uncoloured inner side a the sign according to the part section of the upper coloured bar, say for example the letter A, and the lower flap having on its lower uncoloured inner side b the corresponding part section of the lower coloured bar, say G. The outer side c of the upper flap bears the colour and mark of the corresponding part section of the upper coloured bar Fa, and the outer side d of the lower flap is provided with the colour and sign of the lower coloured bar Fb. If, therefore, the lower flap is swung up over the upper flap, two sections appear side by side (for example at L) in the colour and with the marks of the exposed section of the lower coloured bar ; when the upper flap is folded down (for example at B) two sections provided with corresponding letters and of the same colour as the upper coloured bar appear the one above the other. By this arrangement co-ordination between the bars and strips Ha on the movable band E is facilitated. Where an alphabetical arrangement is employed the sections of the bars arranged on one side of the window may carry the vowels, and the sections at the other side may carry the consonants. A mixed arithmetical and alphabetical arrangement may be used.