Improvements in Calculating Apparatus.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 10th Aug., 1893-Accepted, 14th Oct., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Calculating Apparatus.
LEONARD RUSSELL HIGGINS of 35, Boundary Road N.W. in the County of
London Stock Broker do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
ollows:-
The object of my invention is to provide means of calculating the conversion of
prices of stocks of one nation into another at the varying rates of exchange with
greater facility than heretofore. And to carry my invention into effect I construct
my apparatus as follows:-I make a suitable frame of wood or metal which frame
s mounted upon four short uprights upon a wooden base. Upon one side of the
frame a scale is fixed suitably divided. Turning upon a centre so arranged that
the vortex of a right-angled triangle is always formed by it and the before
mentioned scale a second scale works also suitably divided, the free end of the
second scale works against an arc (divided also) so that the moving scale may be
et at any angle within its limits and may read (by an index) the divisions upon
The frame is
the arc; a clamp is provided to hold this scale in position when set.
arranged so as to allow of a cross bar or cursor to ride under the two scales, this
cursor slides easily into any desired position and forms a varying base to the
triangle.
The principle of the apparatus is based upon the fact that a line drawn parallel
to the base of a triangle, bisects the other two sides in equal proportions (Euclid
Book VI Prop. 2).
The
The perpendicular and hypotenuse are formed by two scales meeting at the
vortex. The line or varying base is formed by the sliding bar or cursor.
perpendicular and hypotenuse scales are of unequal length and are divided each
into certain equal divisions known as a line of lines (the divisions of the first scale
however being unequal to the divisions of the second) and not being divided into
progressive spaces as usual with slide rules. The angle of the base and perpendicular
is a right angle and the hypotenuse is variable according to the position to which it
is moved upon the arc. The are is marked in progressive divisions with the rates
of exchange at which the prices of one country are to be converted into those of
another. The method of using the apparatus is as follows:-
The hypotenuse is set with its index reading upon the arc, at the rate of exchange
required, and then clamped, the cursor or sliding base is then moved along the
scales to the price required to be converted upon the fixed scale, and the corre-
sponding parity or price equivalent is read off where the cursor cuts the
moveable scale.
"
Various modifications may be made; the arc can be divided into the rates of
exchange of as many different countries as desired, the scales may be of any length
but when required very long I prefer to make the scales four sided and arrange
them so that they can revolve; by this means a scale 16 inches long would be equal
to a 64 inch scale.
Any suitable materials may be used, always preserving the essential features of
my. invention.

page_text: COMPLETE-SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Calculating Apparatus.
LEONARD RUSSELL HIGGINS of 35 Boundary, Road, N.W. in the County of
London, Stock Broker do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following. statement:-
The object of my invention' is to provide means of calculating proportions
generally within a given limit and especially the conversion of prices of stocks of
one nation into another at the varying rates of exchange with greater facility than
heretofore.
:-
And to carry my invention into effect I construct my apparatus as follows:-
I make a suitable frame of wood or metal which frame may be mounted on four
short uprights upon a wooden base. Upon one side of the frame a scale is fixed
suitably divided. Turning upon a centre so arranged that the vertex of a right
angle triangle is always formed by it and the before mentioned scale or lying
parallel to such a line as would form a vortex a second scale works, also suitably
divided. The free end of the second scale works against an arc (divided also) so
that the moving scale may be set at any angle within its limits and may read (by an
index) the divisions upon the arc, a clamp is provided to hold this scale in position
when set.
The frame is arranged so as to allow a cross bar or cursor to ride under the two
scales, this cursor slides easily into any desired position and forms a varying base to
the triangle.
The principle of the apparatus is based upon the fact that a lind drawn parallel
to the base of a triangle, cuts the other two sides in equal proportions (Euclid,
Book VI Prop. 2).
The perpendicular and hypotenuse are formed by two scales meeting at the vertex
but the moving scale may be arranged so as to lie parallel to such hypotenuse. The
line or varying base is formed by the sliding bar or cursor. The perpendicular and
hypoteuuse scales are of unequal length and are divided each into certain equal
divisions known as a line of lines, the divisions of the first scale however being
unequal to the divisions of the second and not being divided into progressive spaces
as usual with slide rules.
The angle of the base and perpendicular is a right angle and the hypotenuse is
variable according to the position to which it is moved upon the arc. The arc is
marked in progressive divisions with the terms of the proportion or the rates of
exchange at which the prices of one country are to be converted into those of
another.
The method of using the apparatus is as follows:-
The hypotenuse is set with its index reading upon the are at the rate of exchange
required and then clamped, the cursor or sliding base is then moved along the
scales until the thin line drawn on the cursor cuts the price required to be converted
upon the fixed scale and the corresponding "parity" or price equivalent is read off
where the cursor cuts the moveable scale.
Various modifications may be made, the arc can be divided into the rates of
exchange of as many different countries as desired, the scales may be of any length
but when required very long I prefer to make the scales three sided and arrange
them so that they can revolve; by this means a scale 16 inches long would be equal
to a 48 inch scale.
Any suitable materials may be used; always' preserving the essential features of
my invention.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. represents a plan of one form of my calculator. A is the stand, B Ba
fuama

page_text: perpendicular scale, D the hypotenuse scale which moves upon a centre E let into
the frame and so arranged that the vertex of the triangle is in the centre of the
centre, F is the arc upon which the free end of the hypotenuse moves, this arc is
divided to the different rates of exchange or proportions desired. G is the sliding
cursor or bar which forms the varying base, this bar slides upon each side of the
frame B and under scales C and D.
Fig. 2, is an elevation of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 shews a simpler form of the apparatus, A, is the base preferably made of
wood, H, is a T grove running the length of the base board into which is fitted the
sliding cursor or bar G. The scales C and D are just raised above the base board
to allow G to slide under them. F is the arc which is simply screwed on to the
base board this has a tongue on its inner edge over which the ends of D works and
is clamped by screw J.
Fig. 4 is a section of Fig. 3, through a. b.
Fig. 5 is a plan of my appuratus constructed with triangular tubes or bars with
arrangements for revolving same, the different sides being divided into continuous
scales, thus equalling a scale three times the length of the bars, in this case the arc
would have a number of progressive scales upon its surface corresponding with the
number of different currencies to be dwelt with and the end of the moveable scale
would preferably carry a cover I arranged to slide with it over the arc, the said
cover having holes or window openings properly placed to read the various rates of
exchange divided upon the arc, each window being labelled with the countries
to which they refer, but this cover may be dispensed with and the scales remain
open.
The bars may be square or other shape if desired. To allow these three sided
bars to be revolved together, I preferably attach a set of cog wheels at one end.
The centres upon which the bars revolve being mounted in spring bearings which
allows the bars to raise sufficiently to pass their angles and spring them down again
when turned flat upon the cursor, but any convenient method may be used, such as
an india rubber band passing round pullies attached to each bar and instead of the
bars being made to raise against springs, the cursor may be hinged to allow of its
depression against a spring or the cursor may be made to take off while the bars C
and D are being revolved.
Fig. 6 shews a section of the bars CD of Fig. 5 at c d and Fig. 7 an elevation of
one end of the moveable bar, with spring bearing mounted upon the centre the bar
moves upon.
Similar letters denote corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In calculating apparatus the combination of evenly divided scales arranged to
form a triangle with a sliding or moveable base the hypotenuse of which triangle
moves upon a centre at the vertex or its equivalent, to allow it to be placed
at various angles the free end having an index reading to an arc suitably
divided.
2. The use in combination with calculating apparatus as described of scales,
suitably divided for the purpose of the conversion of prices of one nation into those
of other countries at the varying rates of exchange.
3. The improved calculating apparatus substantially as herein described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
H. T. TALLACK,
10, Great Turnstile, Holborn, London, Agent for Applicant.