Improvements in Cheques and other Monetary Documents.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Apr., 1892
Complete Specification Left. 25th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 25th Mar., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cheques and other Monetary Documents.
I, MANNING AUGUSTUS DREW, of 69 Park Street, Lynn, Essex County,
State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Advertising Agent, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates especially to means for preventing alterations in the
amounts indicated on cheques, deposit slips, hotel cheques and the like, after
having been made; and it consists in certain novel features hereinafter fully set
forth the object being to produce a simple, cheap and effective device of this
character.
The nature and operation of the improvement will be readily understood by all
conversant with such matters from the following explanation:
The faces of the improved cheque and stub are imprinted with the name of the
bank, date and amount-spaces, in the ordinary manner.
The cheque is connected with its stub by a sheet, the face of said sheet being
divided by vertical and transverse lines into spaces.
Vertical columns are thus formed which are indicated by the words, " units,"
"tens," "hundreds," and "thousands," three columns being in the present instance
employed for each denomination.
In the set of three columns denominated thousands, the nine digits are arranged
as follows reading transversely from left to right "3, 2, 1," in the first transverse
line; "6, 5, 4," respectively in the spaces directly below the first three numerals,
and "9, 8, 7," in the third transverse line below the second set of three numerals.
A like arrangement of digits is imprinted in the second three columns denominated
"hundreds," and like arrangements in the third and fourth columns denominated,
respectively, "tens," and "units," each block of digits being arranged vertically
below and at the right of the preceding block so that the series runs diagonally
from the upper left hand corner of the sheet, to the lower right hand corner.
For convenience, at the top of each block of digits, excepting that of the
highest denomination, a zero is imprinted in each of the three vertical columns.
The lines forming the spaces and the line separating the cheque from the sheet,
may be indented or perforated, if desired, to enable said sheet to be more readily
torn on said lines.
The name of the payee and amount payable being filled out on the face of the
cheque-body, and stub, in the ordinary manner, the sheet is torn or cut on the lines,
in such way that the numeral in the lower outer corner of that portion of each
block of numerals which is left on the part of the sheet, attached to the cheque-
body, when read consecutively will indicate the amount for which said cheque is
drawn. For example, if the cheque is drawn for fifteen hundred and forty-eight
dollars and seventy-three cents ($1548.73). The maker in separating the cheque
from the stub cuts the sheet, vertically downward, and laterally in such manner
that the numeral "1" of the block of digits in the thousands column is separated
from the remainder of its block.
The lateral dividing line is continued until it meets the vertical dividing line on
the first column of the hundreds block which is continued downward and the sheet
again cut transversely separating the numeral "5" from its block. The division
is continued separating the numeral "4" in the tens block and "8" in the unit
block thus showing in the lower outer corners of the notches of that portion of
the sheet which remains attached to the body of the cheque, that said cheque has
been drawn for one thousand five hundred and forty-eight dollars ($1548.00).

page_text: The corresponding spaces left on that portion of the sheet attached to the stub,
show at once that such numerals have been removed. The stub may be provided
with divisions for indicating cents if desired but it is not deemed essential.
It will be seen that by arranging the digits, as described and the digits in the
corners on the sheet portion remaining attached to the cheque-body, being
employed to indicate the amount, that said amount cannot be "raised" or made
larger by tearing off any of the numerals after the cheque has been separated from
its stub. And that in such case the removal of any numerals from the sheet
portion left on the stub would indicate a larger amount than that for which the
cheque was drawn.
The arrangement of the numerals in each of the blocks may be varied so long
as they read from the largest numeral at the left to the smallest numeral at the
right, and said blocks are arranged diagonally on the sheet, as described.
I find it more convenient, however, to arrange said numerals in squares of three
numerals on a side.
In another form a deposit slip is connected with a duplicate or stub-slip by the
sheet.
In this application of the system the numerals are arranged in each block in
diametrically opposite order from that described for the cheque, the smaller
numerals being disposed in the lower transverse line of each block and reading
in their natural order from left to right.
The total amount indicated on the deposit slip and stub is also shown at a glance
on that portion of the sheet remaining on the deposit slip, in the same manner as
on the cheque.
The reversal of the numerals for use on said deposit slip is for the purpose that,
should any of said numerals be cut from the slip portion of the sheet, after it is
separated from its stub, it will of necessity indicate a larger amount than the face
of said slip thus preventing said amount from being reduced.
The system, as described, may be applied in like manner to cheque for any
purpose, as for use in restaurants, hotels, and similar places, preventing any change
in the cheque after having been separated from its stub and before its return.
Books for use by savings banks and similar institutions may also be prepared
by the same system whereby danger from officials or others entering false amounts
in either the books of the bank or the pass book may be guarded against.
Any number of divisions may be formed on the sheet, to include fractional
parts of amounts; or other symbols may be substituted for the numerals in the
spaces on said sheets.
These sheets may also be interposed between the stubs and certificates of
stock-certificate books to guard against raising and over issues of stock, and
are applicable to pay rolls and for similar uses.
It will be understood that I do not confine myself to connecting the stub to the
cheque by sheet, to the left of said checks, as if deemed necessary for convenience,
it may be attached at either of the other three sides, in which case the diagonal
arrangement of the blocks of numerals would be varied to conform, but the
arrangement of the numerals in said blocks would remain the same in relation to
the stub.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cheques and other Monetary Documents.
I, MANNING AUGUSTUS DREW, of 69 Park Street, Lynn, Essex County,
State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Advertising Agent 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:
My invention relates especially to means for preventing alterations in the amounts
indicated on checks, deposit slips, hotel checks and the like after having been made;
and it consists in certain novel features hereinafter fully set forth the object being
to produce a simple, cheap and effective device of this character; in the accom-
panying drawings:-
Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved safety bank check, the body of the
check being represented as separated from the stub and
Figure 2 a like view showing the application of the system to a deposit slip.
The nature and operation of the improvement will be readily understood by all
conversant with such matters from the following explanation.
In Figure 1 of the drawing A represents the body of the check and B the stub.
The faces of the improved check and stub are imprinted with the name of the
bank, date and amount-spaces, in the ordinary manner.
The check is connected with its stub by a sheet, C, the face of said sheet being
divided by vertical and transverse lines b, d, into spaces, h.
66
Vertical columns are thus formed which are indicated as shown in Figure 1 by
the words, units,'
73 66
tens," "hundreds" and "thousands," three columns being in
the present instance employed for each denomination.
In the set of three columns denominated thousands, the nine digits are arranged,
as follows reading transversely from left to right "3, 2, 1," in the first transverse
line; "6, 5, 4," respectively disposed in the spaces h, directly below the first three
numerals, and "9, 8, 7," in the third transverse line below the second set of three
numerals. A like arrangement of digits is imprinted in the second three columns
denominated "hundreds," and like arrangements in the third and fourth columns
denominated, respectively, "tens," and "units," each block of digits being
arranged vertically below and at the right of the preceding block so that the series
runs diagonally from the upper left hand corner of the sheet, C, to the lower right
hand corner.
66
For convenience, at the top of each block of digits, excepting that of the
highest denomination, a zero imprinted in each of the three vertical columns.
The lines b, d forming the spaces h, and the line i, separating the check from the
sheet, C, may be indented or perforated, if desired, to enable said sheet to be more
readily torn on said' lines.
The name of the payee and amount payable being filled out on the face of the
check-body, A, and stub, B, in the ordinary manner, the sheet C, is torn or cut on
the lines b d in such way that the numeral in the lower outer corner of that portion
of each block of numerals which is left on the part of the sheet, C, attached to the
check-body, A, when read consecutively will indicate the amount for which said
check is drawn. For example, if the check represented in Figure I is drawn for
fifteen hundred and forty-eight dollars and seventy-three cents ($1548.73). The
maker in separating the check from the stub cuts the sheet, C, vertically down-
ward, and laterally in such manner that the numeral "1" of the block of digits
in the thousands column is separated from the remainder of its block.
The lateral dividing line is continued until it meets the vertical dividing line on
the first column of the hundreds block which is continued downward and the sheet
again cut transversely separating the numeral "5" from its block. The division

page_text: is continued separating the numeral "4" in the tens block and "8" in the unit
block thus showing in the lower outer corners of the notches of that portion of the
sheet, C, which remains attached to the body of the check, that said check has
been drawn for one thousand five hundred and forty-eight dollars ($1548.00).
The corresponding spaces left on that portion of the sheet, C, attached to the
stub, B, show at once that such numerals have been removed. The stub may
be provided with divisions for indicating cents if desired but it is not deemed
essential.
33
It will be seen that by arranging the digits, as described and the digits in the
corners on the sheet portion remaining attached to the check-body, being employed
to indicate the amount, that said amount cannot be " raised or made larger by
tearing off any of the numerals after the check has been separated from its stub.
And that in such case the removal of any numerals from the sheet portion
left on the stub would indicate a larger amount than that for which the check was
drawn.
The arrangement of the numerals in each of the blocks may be varied so long as
they read from the largest numeral at the left to the smallest numeral at the right,
and said blocks are arranged diagonally on the sheet, as described.
I find it more convenient, however, to arrange said numerals in squares of three
numerals on a side in the manner shown.
In Figure 2 a deposit slip, D, is connected with a duplicate or stub-slip E, by the
sheet, C.
In this application of the system the numerals are arranged in each block in
iametrically opposite order from that described for the check, the smaller numerals
being disposed in the lower transverse line of each block and reading in their
natural order from left to right.
The total amount indicated on the deposit slip and stub is shown at a glance on
that portion of the sheet C, remaining on the deposit slip, D, in the same manner
as on the check.
The reversal of the numerals for use on said deposit slip is for the purpose that
should any of said numerals be cut from the slip portion of the sheet, C, after it is
separated from its stub it will of necessity indicate a larger amount than the face
of said slip thus preventing said amount from being reduced.
The system, as described, may be applied in like manner to checks for any
purpose, as for use in restaurants, hotels and similar places, preventing any change
in the check after having been separated from its stub and before its return.
Books for use by savings banks and similar institutions may also be prepared
by the same system whereby danger from officials or others entering false amounts
in either the books of the bank or the pass book may be guarded against.
Any number of divisions may be formed on the sheet, C to include fractional
parts of amounts, or other symbols may be substituted for the numerals in the
spaces on said sheets.
These sheets, C, may also be interposed between the stubs and certificates of
stock-certificate books to guard against raising and over issues of stock, and are
applicable to pay rolls, and for similar uses.
It will be understood that I do not confine myself to connecting the stub to the
check by sheet C, to the left of said checks as, if deemed necessary for con-
venience, it may be attached at either of the other three sides, in which case the
diagonal arrangement of the blocks of numerals would be varied to conform, but
the arrangement of the numerals in said blocks would remain the same in relation
to the stub.
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. A check or other paper representing value comprising a body and stub con
2

page_text: arranged in blocks each comprising the nine digits, said blocks being arranged in
series diagonally to the sheet, substantially as described.
2. A check or other paper representing value comprising a body and stub con-
nected by a sheet; numerals imprinted on said sheet, and arranged in groups or
blocks each consisting of the nine digits, said blocks being arranged diagonally to
the sheet, substantially as described.
Dated this 25th dox of February 1893
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.