Appiano facilitating ՆԵ Turning of Single Leaves in a Book or the Turning or Lifting of Single Sheets of Paper.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Mar., 1887
Complete Left, 17th Dec., 1887
Complete Accepted, 20th Jan., 1888
44
Appiano facilitating ՆԵ Turning of Single Leaves in a
Book or the Turning or Lifting of Single Sheets of Paper.
ROBERT SHANKS, Insurance Agent 33 Shiprow Aberdeen Scotland, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The Invention consists of a Ring and spoon-shaped blade or Protector combined.
The Ring to fit the finger at the first joint, and the thin spoon-shaped blade or
protector extends to the point of the finger on the inside or fleshy part of same.
On the outside of the spoon-shaped blade or protector a piece of Rubber is firmly
attached, which-by the free use of the finger in the ordinary way-you are able
to turn over, or lift leaves, or Sheets of Paper whether in Ledger, Books, Bank-
notes, or tissue paper Letter-file.
It does its work easily, cleanly. and exactly and does not interfere with the free use
of the Pen or Pencil.
The thin spoon-like blade starts out from the ring at an acute angle, causing it to
lie very compactly to the finger, and as the ring does not go beyond the first finger-
joint the finger has entire freedom to act.
It allows you to dispense with the wet sponge commonly used in counting Bank-
notes; and also with the not very attractive custom of wetting the finger at the
mouth, which is for want of a better method-almost universally adopted.
It neither breaks nor soils the paper.
It is simple, cheap, and effective, and may be worn the whole day without in any
way interfering with the ordinary work of the office while it may be removed from
the finger as easily as a thimble.
It may be worn on any finger, and made from any solid substance.

page_text: An Appliance for Facilitating the Turning of Single Leaves in a
Book or the Turning or Lifting of Single Sheets of Paper.
ROBERT SHANKS, Insurance Agent, No. 33 Shiprow, Aberdeen do hereby declare
the nature of this invention for TURNING OR LIFTING LEAVES OR SHEETS OF PAPER
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The invention consists of a ring and small spoon-shaped blade, or protector combined.
This thin, spoon-like blade starts out from the ring with the concave, or hollow side of
spoon facing the ring, and bending slightly over it.
The ring to fit the finger between the top of finger-nail, and first finger-joint, with
the blade extending towards the point of the finger, the front, or fleshy part of which,
lies compactly in the hollow or concave blade. On the outer, or convex side of tho
blade a small piece of rubber is firmly attached by a strong adhesive. The rubber
being applied to the surface of the paper by the free use of the finger in the
ordinary way, you are thus enabled to turn over single leaves, separate, or lift, single
sheets of paper no matter how thin or fine the paper may be-with ease, speed and
exactness impossible to the unassisted fingers.
This appliance differs from that frequently used in the rapid handling of single
sheets of paper, which consists of a piece of rubber encircling the finger simply, and
which, on account of it requiring to be tight, is frequently painful to the finger,
difficult to place on, or remove, from the same, and altogether too clumsy to be used
for office or general reading purposes; whereas my Invention only requires the rubber
surface neccessary to come in contact with the surface of the paper. It is also a
distinct improvement to any instrument which has been used for turning leaves in
books, which had to be picked up before-and laid aside after-turning a single leaf, as
may. be kept on the finger the whole day, in the counting-house, office, warehouse
or factory, where the rapid handling of single sheets of tissue or other paper is
necessary, without in any way interfering with the ordinary work of the office,
including the free use of the Pen or Pencil.
it
As the ring does not go beyond the first finger-joint, the finger has entire freedom
to act, and when fitted to the middle finger, the pen or pencil may be used with equal
freedom.
By useing this leaf-lifter, books suffer no disfigurement by there being frequently
read, or examined, as it neither breaks nor soils the paper.
The rings may be made any size-to fit the finger most suited to the particular
circumstances of the wearer-and removed from the finger as easily as a thimble.
They may be made from any solid substance but metals would be preferable.
The rubbers, when worn, can be replaced at will.
Fig. I. shows the combined Ring and blade A. B. in which the hollow, or concave
side of blade is shown.

page_text: Fig. II. represents the outer or convex side of blade with the Rubber C. attached.
The Drawings are enlarged for the purpose of illustration.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
That my own Invention is the combined ring and spoon-like blade projecting from
it, so adjusted, that the blade lies compactly to the finger, and on which you are able
to secure the rubber; substantially as herein described and shewn in the Drawings
whereby you are enabled effectually to turn over, lift, or separate, single leaves or
sheets of Paper.
ROBERT SHANKS.