Improvements in or relating to Directories, Indexes, and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Directories, Indexes, and the like.
A communication by THE NATIONAL MECHANICAL DIRECTORY COMPANY, having its
principal place of business at Rooms 1 and 2, No. 254, South Broadway, Los
Angeles, in the State of California, United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., Agent for Foreign Patent
Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in the
County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
The object of this invention is to provide a mechanical directory which will be
superior to any directory heretofore provided, in that the seeker after information
can more quickly turn to the desired name. A further feature of superiority
obtained by this invention is the adaptability of the directory for the ready
insertion of additional names and new information, and the convenient recording
and placing in position for ready reference, the frequent changes of addresses
which are constantly occurring. It is practicable with this directory, at nominal
expense, to insert in alphabetical order and from time to time, as often as required
during the year, new names and changes of address. Furthermore, the changes
are so arranged that they are brought to the attention of the user before he
consults the main directory or uncorrected list of names.
This invention is applicable for ready reference to any long lists of names
arranged alphabetically or in series which can be conveniently indexed.
This directory comprises a directory-strip for alphabetically arranged lists of
individual names, an index device with letters of the alphabet arranged thereon
to correspond with said lists and at distances apart less than and proportionate
with the spaces occupied by the directory-lists under the corresponding letters of
the alphabet respectively, reversible means for simultaneously operating the
directory-strip and index device at speeds proportionate with their respective
spacings and in one and the other direction, alternately. By this means it is
possible to arrange for the winding and unwinding of the main directory-strip at
a very high speed; the eye of the operator being upon the index device which is
arranged to move at a low speed so that when the operator finds upon the index
device the character indicating the particular list he desires to consult, he will
operate the directory-strip more slowly, in order to distinguish the characters
thereon; and by the reversible device he will then operate the directory-strip in
one or the other direction, as the case may be, until he will bring the required
information into view.
By preference the index device is in the form of a supplemental directory-strip
corresponding to the main directory-strip, but being much shorter and having its
index characters and the supplemental names relatively spaced to correspond with
the main directory-strip on a shorter scale.

page_text: The invention includes novel reversing mechanism by means of which the
rollers which carry the directory-strips can be instantly and with the utmost ease
and accuracy reversed in operation, so that the operator can perfectly control and
operate the directory by means of a single crank, which rotates on a fixed axis,
thereby giving perfect smoothness and accuracy of operation.
The invention is applicable for greater or less extension to accommodate a
greater or less number of names with one or more indexes and to afford a greater
or less number of kinds or arrangements of information
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.
Figure I shows the invention as applied in a directory having a single main
directory-strip and a single supplemental directory and index strip.
Fig. II is a view of the operative mechanism of the same removed from its
case. Portions of the frame and directory-strip are broken to expose the ribbon-
rollers and guides.
Fig. III is an elevation of the right-hand end of the directory mechanism; the
crank and the end of the case being removed to expose the directory-frame and
mechanism. The case is shown sectioned through the sight-openings substantially
midway between its ends, and the end-piece of the mechanism-holding frame is
broken in order to expose the ribbons or directory-strips.
"
Fig. IV is a plan of the portions of the directory-mechanism which are shown
in Fig. III.
Fig. V is an enlarged detail plan showing the reversing-lever which carries the
driving-wheels, sectioned on line indicated by V-V Fig. III.
Fig. VI is a sectional elevation on line indicated by VI-VI Figs. III and V.
Fig. VII is a perspective view of an extension of the invention by which thiree
supplement-and-index strips are operated simultaneously with a main directory-
strip.
Fig. VIII is an elevation of the right hand end of the operative parts of the
directory shown in Fig. VII.
Fig. IX is a view of the left hand end of the frame and mechanism of the
same.
Fig. X is a fragmental plan showing the operative connections between the
different rollers of the same.
Z
In Fig. I, 1 indicates the directory-case having sight-openings 2, 3 and 4,
through which the desired information is to be seen. These openings are prefer-
ably closed with glass. In Fig. III it will be seen that the opposite sides of the
directory-strip or ribbon 10 are exposed through the sight-openings 2 and 3,
respectively. The frame of the machine is preferably made of two end pieces 5, 6,
held together by suitable means, such as the rods 7. The ribbon-rollers: or guides
hereinafter particularly pointed out are preferably pivoted in the end-pieces 5; 6.
9 indicates a door at the back of the case to allow the frame 5, 6, to be
inserted into and withdrawn from the case. 10 indicates the main directory-
strip having alphabetically arranged lists 11 of individual names thereona as
partially indicated in Figs. I, II and VII. 12 in Figs. I and II indicates
the index device comprising a supplemental directory-strip with letters; of
the alphabet 13 arranged thereon to correspond with said lists 11 and at
distances apart less than and proportionate with the spaces occupied by the
directory-lists 11 under the corresponding letters of the alphabet respectively.
14 and 15 in Figs. II, III and IV indicate the main directory-strip-rollers
mounted parallel with each other and to which the main directory-strip-10 is
fastened at the ends to wind and unwind from roller to roller.
The directory-strips are preferably made of strong thin paper and are detach-
ably fastened at the ends directly to the rollers respectively, or to cloth reinforce-
ments (not shown) which may be fastened to the rollers.
78
16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 indicate ribbon-guiding rods or rollers arranged in a
way heretofore known for guiding the directory-strip or ribbon between the main
rollers 14 and 15 to bring opposite faces of the ribbon into view under the sight-

page_text: openings 2 and 3, respectively, as clearly shown in Fig. III. 22, 23, indicate
wheels for the main ribbon-rollers 14, 15, respectively. The wheels 22 and 23
are fixed to shafts 24 and 25, respectively, of the ribbon-rollers 14 and 15. 26, 27,
indicate wheels for driving said roller-wheels 22 and 23, respectively. 28 indicates
a lever carrying said driving-wheels 26, 27 and pivoted on a crank-shaft 29 to
simultaneously hold one of the driving-wheels in operative engagement with its
roller-wheel and the other driving-wheel out of engagement with its roller-wheel,
and vice versa; the wheels being adjusted so that one driving-wheel escapes from
its roller-wheel just before the other driving-wheel engages its roller-wheel so
that when the lever is at the intermediate position, the roller-wheels 22 and 23
are both free. This allows the wheels to be engaged with and disengaged from
each other freely when the wheels are in the form of cog-wheels as shown in
Fig. III, which is the preferred form, for the reason that by the use of cog-wheels
the operation of the strip is positive, whereas with friction-wheels there is a
tendency to slip, which is wholly done away with by the use of cog-wheels.
30 indicates a master-wheel journaled to revolve and to operate said driving-
wheels 26, 27, and being frictionally connected with the lever 28 to throw the
lever in the direction of the rotation of the master-wheel. The simplest and
preferred form of construction is illustrated in Figs. III, IV, V and VI, in which
the lever and master-wheel are both mounted on the crank-shaft 29 which is to
be operated by the hand-crank 31. The master-wheel 30 is fixed to the crank-
shaft 29, and the lever 28 is mounted sufficiently friction tight upon said crank-
shaft to turn with the crank-shaft unless positively held by some obstruction; so
that when the driving-wheel 26, for instance, is in engagement with the roller-
wheel 22 and the master-wheel is being rotated in the direction of the un-
feathered arrow shown thereon in Fig. III, the master-wheel will rotate the
the
driving-wheel 26, which in turn will rotate
roller-wheel 22, thereby
driving the roller 14 in the direction of the unfeathered arrow and the
friction between the shaft 29 and the lever 28 will hold the lever 28 to hold the
driving-wheel 26 in engagement with the roller-wheel 22 so long as the master-wheel
is being rotated to drive the roller 14. The driving-wheel 27 in the meantime
runs free from the roller-wheel 23, allowing the ribbon or directory-strip 10 to
unwind freely from the roller 15. Upon a reverse movement of the crank 31,
thus rotating the master-wheel 30 in the direction indicated by the feathered
arrow in Fig. III, the friction between the shaft 28 and the lever 29 will throw
the lever in the direction of the feathered arrow, thus bringing the driving-
wheel 27 into engagement with the roller-wheel 23 to rotate the roller 15 in the
direction of the feathered arrow, thus to wind the ribbon onto the roller 15 while
the roller 14 is left free to rotate to allow the ribbon to unwind from roller 14.
In the preferred form the friction between the master-wheel 30 and the reversing-
lever 28 is maintained by a spring. Such spring may be variously arranged. In
the drawings the lever is formed of two spring-bars a, b, journaled on the crank-
shaft 29 and engaging opposite sides of the hub c of the master-wheel and shaft;
and arbors d, e, extend across between the ends of the spring bars to hold the
driving-wheels 26 and 27 in operative engagement with the master-wheel. The
bars are sprung over the hub c of the master-wheel and are fastened by rivets (not
shown) or by screws, as indicated at g in the drawings, to hold the spring bars in
suitable frictional engagement with the hub c.
The screw-heads h form stops on the lever 28 for engaging with the frame
at i, j, respectively, to hold the driving-wheels from meshing too deeply into the
roller-wheels.
32, 33, indicate a set of rollers to which the ends of the supplement or index-
34, 35, indicate small
strip 12 are fastened to wind from roller to roller.
sprocket-wheels respectively on the rollers 14, 15 of the main directory-strip:
these wheels being fixed on the left hand ends of the shafts 24, 25, of said main
rollers. 36, 37, indicate larger sprocket-wheels respectively on the rollers 32, 33,
of the index-strip. 38 indicates a sprocket-chain operatively connecting one of

page_text: the small sprocket-wheels with one of the large sprocket-wheels. 39 indicates a
sprocket-chain operatively connecting the other small sprocket-wheel with the
other large sprocket-wheel. By this arrangement the reversible means for driving
the main set of rollers 14, 15, is made to operate both ribbons 10 and 12, positively
in opposite directions alternately.
The directory-strips or ribbons are preferably made of paper for cheapness, and
in practice the cheapest and thinnest book paper is successfully used, because the
paper is not subject to handling, but is protected by the case.
"
The strip can be printed in any number of columns desired and the directory-
case is provided with a stationary index-plate or space 40 upon which are marked
letters as
"*
A. to F," G to M,' N to Z," to indicate the contents of the list-
columns respectively. In the list-column marked A to F will be printed all of
the names included by these letters, and likewise with the list-columns marked G
to M and N to Z, respectively.
In practice the main directory-strip 10 will be made to contain all of the names
which appear in the directory at the time it is compiled, and when the directory
is first published, the index 12 will be marked with the letters arranged at intervals
in the columns to correspond with the columns of the main directory-strip on a
shorter scale. Then after a suitable interval of time, say in two months, more
or less, a new set of index or supplement strips 12 will be printed, the spaces
between the indexing letters 13 remaining the same and the changes of address
and the names 41 to be added to the directory will be printed on the supplement
in the spaces between the index-letters 13, in alphabetical order and approximately
spaced to appear at the sight openings simultaneously with like names 42 in the
main directory. The supplement-strips may thus be revised and changed from
time to time as found desirable, the frame being removed from the case for this
purpose and the old supplement or index-strip removed from its rollers and the
new being substituted.
When one wishes to consult the directory, he will grasp the crank 31 with the
right hand, and noting the column in which the required name must appear, he
will rotate the crank rapidly in the appropriate direction until the appropriate
index-letter 13 will appear in the sight-opening 4, thus indicating that the main
ribbon is exposing to view in that column, the list which should contain the
name required. He will then turn the crank slowly; or fully stop it. If the
name sought is involved in a change from the main directory, the change will
immediately be brought to his attention in the index. If the name does not
appear in the index supplement, he will then look at the main directory-strip,
and if the name is not in view, he will rotate the crank slowly in one or the other
direction, as may be necessary, to bring to view the portion of the list in which
the name should appear.
By this means the directory can be operated at such a high speed as to allow
the practical use of directory-strips of very great length, containing the names
of the residents of a city of the largest population and the required name can be
found with the greatest facility and the person consulting the directory can turn
from name to name with the greatest ease and with the smallest loss of time.
In small cities of a population, for instance, of 100,000, it will be found usually
desirable to print two classes of information upon the main directory-strip; one
class upon one side of the strip and another class upon the other side of the strip.
For example, on the side of the strip which is exhibited through the sight-open-
ings 3, the individual names would be arranged alphabetically, while on the
side of the strip to be exhibited through sight-openings 2, the same names may
be arranged alphabetically under alphabetically classified heads 131 to indicate
the occupations of the individuals.
In Figs. I to IV, inclusive, only one index device and supplement is shown;
but in Figs. VII, VIII, IX and X, provision is made for a plurality of index
devices and supplements. In these views the parts which correspond to like parts
in Fig. III are indicated bv like characters. 32 and 33 indicate the rollers for

page_text: the index or supplement-strip 12. In addition to this supplement-strip there_are
provided two other supplement-strips 120 and 121. 43, 44, indicate the rollers
for the directory-strip 120, and 45, 46, indicate the rollers for the strip 121.
47, 48, 49 and 50 indicate guide-rods or rollers for holding the strips 12, 120
and 121 in appropriate position before the sight-openings 4, k and 52. In this
form the supplemental-strips may be used for any desired purpose. In large
cities the strip 12 will preferably be used as an index to the first half of the main
alphabetical directory, as from A to K, and the names for this half of the directory
will be printed on one side of the directory-strip. The strip 120 will be used
as an index and supplement for the second half of the main directory which will
be printed on the other side of the main strip 12 and will be exposed through
the sight-opening 2. The strip 121 may be used for information of a still different
character, such for instance as a classified business-directory.
In Fig. VII the strip 121 is shown as applied for an index classified business
directory.
m indicates the case designed for the directory having a plurality of indexes
or supplements. This case is stepped and sloped to provide faces at different
angles for the sight-openings k, 52, 2, 3 and 4. The supplement-rollers 32, 33,
43, 44, 45 and 46 are respectively provided with large sprocket-wheels 36, 37, 53,
54, 55 and 56. In this form the roller-shaft 24 of the roller 14 is provided with
three small sprocket-wheels 34 and the roller-shaft 25 of the roller 15 is provided
with three small sprocket-wheels 35. The large sprocket-wheel 37 is connected
with a small sprocket-wheel 35 by the sprocket-chain 39 the same as in the single
form, and one of the small sprocket-wheels 34 is connected with the large sprocket-
wheel 36 by the sprocket-chain 38 the same as in the single form. 57 indicates a
sprocket-chain connecting another of the small sprocket-wheels 35 with the large
sprocket-wheel 54, and a sprocket-chain 58 connects another of the small sprocket-
wheels 34 with the large sprocket-wheel 53. A sprocket-chain 59 connects another
of the small sprocket-wheels 35 with the large sprocket-wheel 55, and a sprocket-
chain 60 connects the small sprocket-wheel 34 with the large sprocket-wheel 56.
By arranging the sprocket-chains and wheels in this manner the supplements will
all be driven at the slow speed while the main directory-strip is being driven at
the high speed.
Furthermore, the index-strip 12 which pertains to the list shown through
sight-openings 3 will move in the same direction as said list and also in the
direction of rotation of the crank, while the index-strip 120 and its list seen
through sight-openings and 2 will move in the same direction with each other
and opposite to the rotation of the crank. The strip 121 will move in the same
direction as the crank.
The crank 31 extends through a hole 61 in the case and is detachable from its
shaft 29 and the shaft is wholly inside the case so that by removing the screw 62,
and removing the crank from the shaft, the directory-frame can be readily with-
drawn from and inserted into the case.
The door will be appropriately fastened shut by a lock or any other suitable
means, no shown. When the door is shut, it preferably engages the frame to
hold it firmly in position.
The crank is provided with a gain to fit into a notch p in the end of the
master-wheel-shaft 29 to hold the crank rigid on the shaft.
The crank-shaft 29 is journaled at the inner end in the end-piece 6 of the
frame and at the outer end in a bar q which is attached to the frame-piece 6 by
posts and screws s.
t indicates flanges on the ends of the ribbon-rollers.
Referring to Figs. I and II the bi-monthly supplement of changes shows that
J. Iba and L. Ilk have changed their addresses; J. Iba having moved from 14
Clay Street to 19 Day Street, and L. Ilk having moved from 7 Bay Street to
5 Sun Street. Ilk's names is not in view on the main list 11 in Fig. 1; being
bidden by an opaque bar u of the case.

page_text: 1 J
In Fig. VII the name and correct address of J. Able appears in the bi-monthly
supplement of changes from A. to K. His former address is visible in the list 11
and in the classified directory. The name of S. Long appears in the supplement
of changes from L to Z, but his name in the list 11 is not yet in view.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A directory comprising a directory-strip having alphabetically arranged
lists of individual names; an index device with letters of the alphabet arranged
thereon to correspond with said lists and at distances apart. less than and pro-
portionate with the spaces occupied by the directory-lists under the corresponding
letters of the alphabet, respectively; and reversible means for simultaneously
operating the directory-strip and index device at speeds proportionate with their
respective spacings in one and the other direction, alternately.
2. A directory.comprising a main directory-strip having alphabetically arranged
lists of individual names; an index-strip with letters of the alphabet arranged
thereon to correspond with said lists and at distances apart less than and pro-
portionate with the spaces occupied by the directory-lists under the correspond-
ing letters of the alphabet, respectively; and reversible means for simultaneously
operating the directory-strip and the index-strip at speeds proportionate with
their respective spacings, and in one and the other direction, alternately.
3. A directory comprising a directory-strip haying alphabetically arranged
lists of individual names; a supplemental directory-strip having a less number of
individual names than the main strip, the same being alphabetically arranged
and relatively spaced to correspond with the main strip on a shorter scale; and
reversible means for simultaneously operating the said strips in either direction
at speed's proportionate with their respective spacings, and in one and the other
direction, alternately.
4. The combination of two rollers mounted parallel with each other; a flexible
strip connected at one end with one of the rollers and at the other end with the
other roller to be wound and unwound from roller to roller; wheels for said
rollers, respectively; wheels for driving said roller-wheels, respectively; a lever
carrying said driving-wheels and pivoted to simultaneously hold one of the driving-
wheels in operative engagement with its roller-wheel and the other driving-
wheel out of engagement with its roller-wheel and vice versa; a master-wheel
journaled to revolve and operatively engaging with said driving-wheels and being
frictionally connected with the lever to throw the lever in the direction of the
rotation of the master-wheel; and means for rotating the master-wheel.
5. The combination of two rollers mounted parallel with each other; a master-
wheel; a flexible strip connected at one end with one of the rollers and at the
other end with the other roller, to be wound and unwound from roller to roller;
wheels for said rollers; respectively; a lever comprising two spring bars journaled
on the shaft of the master-wheel on opposite sides of said master-wheel, and
contacting with the hub of the master-wheel; arbors between said bars at the
ends thereof, respectively; said bars being sprung friction tight against the hub
of the master-wheel; wheels for driving said roller-wheels, respectively; journaled
on said arbors and meshing with the master-wheel; and means for rotating the
master-wheel.
6. A directory comprising a main directory-strip having alphabetically arranged
lists of individual names and addresses; a set of rollers for operating, said directory-
strip; an index-strip; a set of rollers for operating the index-strip; small sprocket-
wheels, respectively, on the rollers of the main strip; larger sprocket-wheels,
respectively, on the rollers of the index-strip; a sprocket chain operatively con-
necting one of the small sprocket-wheels with one of the large sprocket-wheels;
a sprocket chain operatively connecting the other small sprocket-wheel with the

page_text: other large sprocket-wheel; and reversible means for driving the rollers of one
of said sets of rollers in one and the other direction, alternately.
7. The combination of two main rollers mounted parallel with each other; a
master-wheel; a flexible strip connected at one end with one of the rollers and at
the other end with the other roller to be wound and unwound from roller to
roller; wheels for said rollers, respectively, at one side of the machine; small
sprocket-wheels fastened to the main roller-shafts, respectively, at the other side
of the machine; a plurality of sets of supplemental rollers; flexible supplemental
strips, one for each set of supplemental rollers, each supplemental strip being
connected at its ends respectively with the rollers of its set to be wound and
unwound from roller to roller; large sprocket-wheels on the ends of the supple-
mental rollers at the same side of the machine with small sprocket-wheels:
sprocket-chains connecting the sprocket-wheels of one of the main rollers with one
sprocket-wheel, respectively, of each of the sets of supplemental rollers; sprocket-
chains connecting the sprocket-wheel of the other main roller with the otlier
sprocket-wheel of the respective sets of supplemental rollers; wheels for driving
said main roller-wheels respectively: a lever carrying said driving-wheels and
pivoted to simultaneously hold one of the driving-wheels in operative engagement
with its roller-wheel and the other driving-wheel out of engagement with
its roller-wheel, and vice versa; a master-wheel journaled to revolve and
operatively engaging with said driving-wheels and being frictionally connected
with the lever to throw the lever in the direction of the rotation of the master-
wheel;
and means for rotating the master-wheel.
Dated this 22nd day of December 1899.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.