A READY-REOKONING MACHINE
Year: 1847

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
JEAN BARANOWSKI, of Number 3, Rue Neuve Clichy, Paris, Gentleman, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Eleventh day of November, in the eleventh year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Joseph Jean Baranowski, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
His especial license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said
Joseph Jean Baranowski, my executors, administrators, and assigns, and such
others as I, the said Joseph Jean Baranowski, my executors, administrators, or
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times during the term of years therein mentioned should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within Her Islands of Guernsey, Jersey,
Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her Colonies and Plantations
abroad, my Invention of "A READY-REOKONING MACHINE;" in which said Letters
Patent is contained a proviso obliging me, the said Joseph Jean Baranowski,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, particularly to describe
and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's

page_text: High Court of Chancery within four calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the
same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Joseph Jean Baranowski, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say) :-
My Invention of a Ready Reckoning Machine has reference to certain
apparatus and arrangements for ascertaining with facility the results of calcu-
-lations or reckonings required to be made in various commercial and other
establishments, in which similar results have frequently or from time to time
to be determined, such, for instance, as the charge for the conveyance of
different loads various distances at a given rate, or the assessment of Govern-
ment taxes at a given percentage, or reckonings of interest, or foreign money
exchanges, or amounts of wages, or other like purposes wherein readiness and
accuracy are essential, and wherein the result to be obtained is capable of
being ascertained from sums or numbers previously calculated and arranged in
a tabular form. The object of my Invention is thus to facilitate the use of
commercial tables or "ready reckoners," by adapting thereto apparatus and
arrangements so constituted as to render the operation of calculating therewith
mechanically certain, in place of being, as now, comparatively uncertain and
liable to error; and this accuracy and freedom from uncertainty and error is
principally insured in practice by exhibiting to the operator by simple
mechanical means those sums or numbers only which are necessary to or form
part of the required result. Such being generally the object in view, I would
premise, for the purpose of presenting as clearly as I am able the principles
upon which my Invention depends, that in all calculations certain numbers
must be given or known from or by means of which certain other numbers are
to be found or ascertained. Thus, for example, the multiplicand and multi-
plier, or the dividend and the divisor, being given, the product or quotient
respectively are to be ascertained; and any two of the numbers, multiplicand,
multiplier, and product, or dividend, divisor, and quotient, being given, the
third may be found or ascertained by well-known processes of arithmetic.
Now, these numbers may be arranged in tables, and tables so arranged con-
stitute what are known by the names of commercial tables, ready reckoners, or
by other similar names; and the use of such tables, as well as the liability to
error in their use, are well known. My Invention of a ready-reckoning machine

page_text: consists of a commercial table or ready reckoner, containing the various results
previously calculated and arranged consecutively in units, tens, hundreds, et
cetera, (as well as in fractional parts when desired,) of suitable apparatus for
bringing the numbers of such table into view, of a face plate with openings
formed in it to admit of any portion of such commercial table or ready
reckoner being seen when required, and lastly of a number of accurately-
fitted slides, any number of which can be withdrawn for the purpose of
exhibiting the numbers constituting the required result, the other numbers not
required for the result to be ascertained being concealed from view. The
slides and the face plate are so adapted and arranged that the operator may
readily see from the front of the machine which slide to withdraw, in order to
disclose any required result. The operation of the machine then consists in
the display of the particular result required, on the withdrawal of the proper
slide by the operator, when such result is to be exhibited by a single number
or sum on the tabulated surface; but when the result is to be exhibited by or
consists of two or more numbers, then two or more proper slides have to be
withdrawn, by which the two or more numbers are displayed, which, being
added together, give the final result; and the same principle is to be followed
to any extent required, the machine being of course adapted to the particular
kind of tabulated surface to be used with it. Thus, the ascertainment of the
result by means of the machine becomes reduced to the simple operation of
exhibiting to view the number constituting the result required, or the numbers
to be added together for such result, with the greatest facility.
And in order that the mode of carrying my Invention into effect may be
fully understood I will proceed now to describe the accompanying Drawings,
which exhibit my ready-reckoning machine as adapted and applied to various
purposes.
The first application I shall describe is for the purpose of ascertaining the
charge for the carriage of a quantity of coals different distances, the machine
or instrument being supposed to be adapted to the principal existing stations
on the London and South-western Railway. Figure 1 is, a front view of the
machine; Figure 2, a vertical section of the same, taken transversely ;
Figure 3 represents the slides and face plate of the machine (which I prefer to
be of metal), as they would appear when viewed from the inside; and Figure 4
is a horizontal suction of the face plate and slides. In all these Figures
similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts. a, a, is the box or
case of the machine, in which is fixed the face plate b. This plate, it will be
seen, has a long slot formed in it, through which a portion of the slides c, c,
may be seen; and when the slides are withdrawn, the previously-calculated

page_text: results engraved or marked upon the tabular surface behind them are exhi-
bited to view. The face plate has also an opening or slot, through which may
be seen the multiplicand or constant number or sum to be operated upon,
which in the present instance shews the rate of charge per ton for conveying
coals from London to Kingston; and likewise another opening or slot at the
lower part, shewing the name of the station. It is manifest that any suitable
information may in this manner be displayed for the guidance of the operator.
The slides c, c, are made to work readily between guides at the back of the
face plate b, and correspond in number and arrangement with the results on
the tabulated surface placed behind them. Each slide has attached to it a
stud or button e, the stem of which protrudes through a slot in the face plate,
with a collar working against that plate. The stud is fixed in its place by a
nut or collar in the back of the slide c. This will be seen most clearly on
reference to the detached Figure 5, which is a representation in vertical
section on an enlarged scale of a few of the slides c, and a portion of the face
plate b. These slides c, c, are fitted as shewn (see Figure 3), one over
the other, with their edges coming together, and are retained in their
horizontal position by the stem of the stud or button e at one end, and
by resting against the edges of the slide above and below, the two out-
side slides and two intermediate ones being supported by having a slot
formed upon them, through which a pin or screw is passed into the fixed
guide f. g is another fixed guide, extending like the guide f across the
whole number of the slides c. It will be observed, on reference to Figure 1,
that each stud or button e has a figure upon it, and that the whole of such
studs or buttons are arranged in columns of units, tens, hundreds, et cetera,
and fractions of units (hundredweights in this case), the numbers indicated
by such studs being the multipliers for the product to be exhibited to view
on the tabulated surface h. By this arrangement the operator can disclose
any result he pleases by the withdrawal of the slide which conceals it from
view, such operation being entirely mechanical, except so far as regards
attention to the figures and quantities seen on the front of the machine. The
extent of the slides race is controlled by the slots i, i, through which the stems
of the studs or buttons e, e, are passed. k, k, (Figure 3) are two pieces of
cloth (colored red for the sake of distinction), fixed on the face plate 6 in
order to give ease to the motion of the slides c in their passage to and fro, and
to prevent friction between them and the plate b. The tabulated surface h
consists of a roller of fourteen sides, on which are fixed thirteen cards, one for
each station. On each single card are marked the products of the multipliers
in units, tens, bundreds, et cetera, (as well as in fractions of tons, (namely,)

page_text: hundredweights, into the multiplicand, which in the present instance (as shewn
in Figure 1) is the rate of charge per ton for the conveyance of coals from
London to Kingston.
At
In the Drawing Figure 2 the figures are shewn on the cards sufficient to
exemplify the mode in which they are arranged. The tabulated surface or
roller h is mounted in bearings at 1, from which it may be easily removed so
as to allow a change of tabulated results being placed behind the slides.
m is a dial, applied to which is an index n. This dial is divided out into
spaces corresponding with the numbers of stations, and one blank space is
left, as shewn at Figure 1, in order to point out, through the index n, when
the machine is at rest. The index n forms a handle, and is fitted into the
square end of the axis o, by which means on turning the said index handle
motion is communicated to the axis, and through it to the tabulated surface
or roller h, by the wheels p, q. r is a ratchet or star wheel on the axis o,
with a number of divisions on the dial m and roller h, so that when the index
handle n is turned from one division of the dial to another the index is made
to point to the name of the station on the dial, and the card containing the
tabulated results referring to the said station is brought into its proper position
behind the slides c. The regulation of these movements is effected by the
spring pall or clicks dropping into the tooth of the wheel r, and retaining it,
thereby preventing both the roller h and the index n from proceeding beyond
its assigned place. Now in order to render the operation of the machine
evident, I have shewn in the Drawing, Figures 1 and 3, the position of the
buttons or studs e and the slide c, when the charge for the conveyance of six
hundred and forty-two tons of coals from London to Kingston is to be
ascertained. It will thus be seen that the studs or buttons number 6 in the
column of hundreds, number 4 in the column of tens, and number 2 in the
column of units, have been moved along to the reverse ends of their slots in
the face plate b, through which their stems pass. It will also be seen, on
reference to Figure 3, that the slides c, to which the said studs or buttons
are affixed, have been moved, so that the spaces formed in them come opposite
the long slot in the face plate b, and thus the figures on the card behind are
allowed to be seen, as is represented at Figure 1. Thus all that has now to
be done is to add together the three products shewn, and the total result is
given.
Having thus described one arrangement of my Invention as it might
be specially adapted to the existing stations on the London and South-
western Railway, it will be obvious that the names of the stations may be

page_text: wholly omitted, all that is required to be brought to view being the multi-
plicand and the products. Hence, instead of the names of places being exhibited
at the top, and engraved around the dial plate, the sums of money constituting
the multiplicand only will be necessary. Thus suppose any quantity of
materials is to be sent between two particular stations, the attendant will look
to the charge per ton or other measure that may be adopted for that distance,
the number indicating that charge will be brought up to view, and the slides
being moved according to the number of tons the total charge will be
exhibited to view, as already described. Furthermore, the above arrangement
of a ready-reckoning machine is adapted for ascertaining the total amount of
any transaction whereof the multiplicand consists of one of the sums of money
on the table at the head of the columns of products, and the multiplier is
expressed in units, tens, and hundreds, and up to one thousand inclusive, and it
is obvious that the extent of such ready-reckoning machine may be increased at
pleasure. It is also to be observed that the numbers to be exhibited may be
dividends, divisors, and quotients, instead of multiplicands, multipliers, and
products, and that the arrangements above described may be applied to such
purposes, or to a table properly constructed, in which the multiplicands are
quantities of goods, and the multipliers various rates of money, the slides being
arranged according to pounds, shillings, and pence, instead of units, tens, and
hundreds of tons, as in the present case. The modifications of the apparatus
described above are numerous; for instance, instead of a card or series of cards,
or tabulated surfaces fixed on a roller, mounted as shewn and described, a
more simple form might be adopted, if preferred, consisting merely of a flat
card, placed in the machine behind the slides, as shewn at Figure 6. In such
case it would be necessary to insert a fresh card for each station or multi-
plicand or dividend, as already described. It will also be evident that any
cards or tabulated surfaces whereon the results tabulated are in the relation
of multiplicand, multiplier, and product, or dividend, divisor, and quotient, so
that the same may be conveniently and accurately read on the withdrawal of
the slides, may be adapted to and employed in my ready-reckoning machine.
At Figure 7 is represented in front or face view another arrangement and
application of my ready-reckoning machine, which is intended to be employed
for reckoning workmen's wages. In this instance the number or factor which
has been called the multiplicand is placed upon the dial m, and indicates the
rate of wages per day, and the number or factor which has been called the
multiplier is contained in the series of numbers of days, weeks, and hours
shewn on the buttons of the slides c and the face place b. Hence it will be

page_text: evident that in order to operate with this machine the index handle n must
be turned to the given rate of wages per day, by which operation the
corresponding tabulated surface will be brought behind the slides c, and the.
required result disclosed in the same manner as above described. The mecha-
nism for producing these movements in this machine being the same as that
already described, needs no further mention here. It will be observed that
in the present instance there are two dials instead of only one, and that the
slides care.elongated in order to be worked as just described in connection
with either dial. The object of this arrangement is to increase the number
of multiplicands capable of being operated upon in the same machine, without
inconveniently increasing the diameter of the roller containing the tabulated
surfaces.
With a
Figure 8 represents a front or face view another arrangement and application
of my ready-reckoning machine, which is intended to be employed for
reckoning foreign exchanges, the exchange of London upon Paris being
exhibited in the Figure as an example. In this case the number or factor,
which has been called the multiplicand, is marked on the dial, and indicates
the course of exchange of London upon Paris in all its presumable varia-
tions, from the rate of twenty-five francs up to that of twenty-six francs, in
amounts of two and a half centimes each, and the number or factor, which has
been called the multiplier, is contained in the series of numbers in units, tens,
et cetera, of pounds, shillings, and pence, shewn on the buttons of the slides c
and face plate 6, and intended to represent the sums to be exchanged. In
order to operate with this machine the index handle n has to be turned to the
given rate of exchange marked on the dial, and the required result may then
be ascertained by withdrawing the proper slides, as above described.
view, however, of rendering the use of this machine for its purpose the more
evident, I have shewn as an example the mode in which the machine would
indicate the exchange of two thousand six hundred and forty-five pounds
twelve shillings and threepence upon Paris, at the exchange of twenty-five
In order to
francs forty-seven and a half centimes for one pound sterling.
effect this operation on reckoning it is only necessary in the first place to point
the index n to that rate of exchange, (that is to say,) to place it upon that
division in the dial which indicates 25,47. The table relating thereto, with
all the results of that exchange, calculated before hand, for the whole scale of
the machine, by units, tens, et cetera, of pounds, shillings, and pence, is by
such operation placed simultaneously behind the slides c, so that it only
remains to push the several buttons e, e, representing together the aforesaid
sum of two thousand six hundred and forty-five pounds twelve shillings and

page_text: which separate items added together produce the general result, which amounts
to the sum of sixty-seven thousand three hundred and ninety-six francs
ninety-seven centimes and eight hundred and forty-four milliemes, equal to
that which would be obtained by multiplying together by the usual process
two thousand six hundred and forty-five pounds twelve shillings and three
pence and twenty-five francs forty-seven and a half centimes. The mechanism
for producing the said movements in this machine may be similar to that
already described, the diameter of the roller containing the tabulated surfaces
being suitably increased in order to include the greater number of tables upon
it. The machine represented in front or face view at Figure 8, is not, however,
of suitable form to admit of its being worked by mechanism such as that
described, with a roller of increased diameter; but it may be worked by em-
ploying instead thereof a fabric wound upon or passing over suitably-adjusted
rollers, such fabric carrying the several previously calculated tables, and by the
aid of suitable gearing driven by the index handle n being made to present
the required table behind the slides c. This carrying fabric might be arranged
so as to be wound and unwound upon the rollers, or it might be formed as an
endless fabric passing or travelling over the rollers; but the latter I prefer, as
it would obviate the necessity for springs to the rollers. By this arrangement
it will be evident that an increased number of tables may be used by simply
increasing the depth of the machine, so as to afford adequate space for an in-
creased length of the carrying fabric. The adaptation of the gearing so as to
cause the carrying fabric to pass or travel over a greater space than the index
handle n is necessary in this arrangement of machine; but this is so well
understood by all persons acquainted with clock work and such like mechanism
as to require no particular description.
Figure 9 is a front or face view of a ready-reckoning machine, intended to
be employed for reckoning interest on different sums of money, the number or

page_text: factor answering to that which has been called the multiplicand including in
this instance both the rate per cent. and also the time of interest, and the
number or factor which has been called the multiplier being contained in the
units, tens, et cetera, of pounds, shillings, and pence on the buttons e and
face plate b, as before. This machine is applicable for calculations or
reckonings of interest from one, two, three, four, five, six, et cetera, per cent.,
or with as many subdivisions of rates as may be desired, and for such or such
number of days to run or days of interest. In order to make use of this
machine it is sufficient to prepare beforehand the tables comprising the results
of all these different rates of interest calculated always for the whole extent or
range of the machine by units, tens, hundreds, thousands, et cetera; to print or
mark these tables upon paper or other substance so as to adapt them to the
mechanism employed; and to have the machines furnished with dials indicating
as many days as may be desired; for instance, the dials from one to thirty days,
from thirty-one to sixty days, and from sixty-one to ninety days, as represented
at Figure 9, and so on successively and inclusively, the results classified in
a tabular form corresponding to such or such number of days, and according
to the given rate of interest. It is only necessary to place the index n upon the
division of the dial indicating the given number of days, in order to place
simultaneously behind the slides the table relating thereto, and so soon as it is
thus placed the only remaining operation to perform is to push the several
buttons e, representing the principal of which the interest is required to be
ascertained, in order to cause all the results sought for immediately to appear,
always series by series, namely, by units, tens, hundreds, thousands, et cetera.
These respective items added together form the result required.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, and having pointed out some of the many various
useful purposes to which such an apparatus may be applied, I would have it
understood that I do not confine and limit myself to such forms and applica-
tions, inasmuch as the same will vary according to the kind of table employed
and result to be indicated; and I also would have it understood that I do not
claim as of my Invention or the exclusive use of the slides and face plate
represented and described, except when such slides and face plate are used in
combination with a commercial table or ready reckoner for the purposes of my
said Invention. But what I claim as the Invention intended to be secured to
me by the above in part recited Letters Patent is a ready-reckoning machine
constructed and arranged so that commercial tables or ready reckoners may be
used and read for the purposes for which they are intended, by bringing into
view by a simple mechanical operation such of the symbols or numbers only

page_text: as are necessary for or form part of the particular calculation or result to be
ascertained, the rest of the numbers on the table being at the same time
concealed from view.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Jean Baranowski, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.