An Improved Hymn Indicator, also applicable for other purposes.
Year: 1891

page_text: ** Date of Application, 8th Sept., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Mar., 1892-Accepted, 21st May, 1892.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.”
An Improved Hymn Indicator, also applicable for other purposes.
I, JOHN HARRY BUCHANAN, M.A. of Holy Trinity Vicarage, Ilkeston in the
County of Derby, Clerk in Holy Orders, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an apparatus for exposing the numbers of hymns to be
sung in churches and other places of public worship. The inconvenience of the
usual form of hymn boards is well known, inasmuch as each single figure has to be
separately manipulated and hang on a nail or hook, or inserted in a slide, such
operation occupies considerable time, and the cards rapidly become dirty and worn
at the edges, and often get lost.
According to this invention I provide a case of suitable form in which are
arranged as many sets of indicating apparatus as there are hymns to be used in the
service, with one for the day of the month. Each set of apparatus consists of as
many pairs of rollers as there are figures in the highest number required to be
exhibited, arranged in two horizontal lines, one consisting of the upper, and the
other of the lower rollers of each pair. Each pair of rollers carries a band of
linen faced paper or other suitable flexible material, one end of which is secured
to one roller and the other end to the other roller of the said pair. The said
bands are each marked with the figures 0 to 9 with a blank space at one end, so
arranged that the said blank space or any of the figures may by the rotation of
the rollers be brought opposite an opening in the case situated between the level
of the upper and lower lines of rollers. The spindles upon which the rollers are
mounted work in, bearings in the sides of the case and in longitudinal divisions
arranged therein to separate each pair of rollers. The spindles for the outer pair
of rollers are made tubular so as to allow of the passage therethrough of the
spindles of the inner rollers carrying the bands for the middle figures of the
numbers. The outer end of each spindle is provided with a knob or button by
means of which the bands may be manipulated to present the required numbers ou
each band at the opening in the case. The apparatus for showing the day of the
month consists of one band bearing the numbers from 1 to 31, and mounted on a
pair of rollers. By providing the case with three or more sets of this apparatus,
as many hymns can be almost instantaneously shewn, and any hymn can be
changed during the progress of the service without the least fuss or disturbance.
In a modified arrangement applicable for educational purposes, I arrange the
apparatus in the form of a blackboard, upon which any number of figures, with
or without "s-d" "tons-cwts.-qutrs. ;" or the like, may be readily and
almost instantaneously shown by similar mechanism to that herein described.
Dated this 8th day of September 1891.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Hymn Indicator, also applicable for other purposes.
I, JOHN HARRY BUOHANAN, M.A., of Holy Trinity Vicarage, Ilkeston, in the
County of Derby, Clerk in Holy Orders, 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 :-
This invention relates to an apparatus for exposing the numbers of the hymns
to be sung in churches, and other places of public worship; the menu in hotels
and dining rooms; the score in cricket, billiards, and other games; or in shooting
and other competitions, and for like purposes.
The inconvenience of the usual form of hymn boards is well known, inasmuch
as each single figure has to be separately manipulated and hung on a nail or hook,
or inserted in a slide, such operation occupies considerable time, and the cards
rapidly become dirty and worn at the edges, and often get lost.
According to this invention I provide a case of suitable form in which are
arranged as many sets of indicating apparatus as there are hymns to be used in the
service, with one for the day of the month. Each set of apparatus consists of as
many pairs of rollers of wood or metal as there are figures in the highest number
required to be exhibited, arranged in two horizontal lines, one consisting of the
upper, and the other of the lower rollers of each pair. Each pair of rollers
carries à band of linen faced paper, or other suitable flexible material, one end of
which is secured to one roller, and the other end to the other roller of the said
pair. The said bands are each marked with the figures 0 to 9 with a blank space
at one end, so arranged that the said blank space or any of the figures may by
the rotation of the rollers be brought opposite an opening in the case situated
between the level of the upper and lower lines of rollers. The spindles upon which
the rollers are mounted work in bearings in the sides of the case and in longitudinal
divisions arranged therein to separate each pair of rollers.
The spindles for the outer pair of rollers are made tubular so as to allow of the
passage therethrough of the spindles of the inner rollers carrying the bands for
the middle figures of the numbers.
The outer end of each spindle is provided with a knob or button by means of
which the bands may be manipulated to present the required numbers on each band
at the opening in the case. The apparatus for showing the day of the month
consists of one band bearing the numbers from 1 to 31, and mounted on a pair
of rollers.
By providing the case with three or more sets of this apparatus, as many hymns
as may be required can be almost instantaneously shewn, and any hymn may be
changed during the progress of the service without the least disturbance.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood and carried into
practice, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accom-
panying sheet of drawings of which
Figure 1 is a front elevation; Figure 2 a sectional elevation; Figure 3 a section
at the line X Y Figure 1 of a hymn-indicator constructed according to this
invention, and
Figure 4 an enlarged view of a portion of the same partly in section.
Within a case a of suitable form are arranged as many sets of hymn indicating
apparatuses as there are hymns to be used in the service, and one set for indicating
the day of the month. Each set of apparatuses consists of three vertical pairs of
horizontal rollers b, a, e, f, and d, g, for exhibiting the bymns, and one pair h, i, for
shewing the day of the month. Each pair of rollers carries a band of linen faced
paper or other suitable flexible material j, one end of which is secured to one
roller and the other end to the other roller of the pair. The said bands are each
marked with the figures 0 to 9 with a blank space at one end, so arranged that

page_text: the said blank space, or any of the figures may, by the rotation of the rollers,.bg
brought opposite an opening in the front of the case a situated between the level
of the upper and lower lines of rollers.
The spindles upon which the rollers are mounted work in bearings in the sides
of the case and in longitudinal divisions arranged therein to separate each pair of
rollers from those of the same set.
The outer rollers d, g, are made tubular so as to allow of the passage there
through of the spindles of the inner rollers c, f, carrying bands for, the middle
figures of the numbers. The outer end of each roller, or its spindle mi in the case
of the inner rollers, is provided with a knob or button n by means of which the
bands may be manipulated to present the required numbers on each band at the
openings in the case.
It will be readily understood that for exhibiting the numbers of hymns numbered
from 1000 to 9999 four pairs of rollers will be required to form each set, in which
case the outer rollers on both sides of the apparatus will be made tubular to allow
of the passage of the spindles of the inner rollers therethrough.
In the arrangement shewn in the drawing, it will be seen that the knobs or
buttons on the right hand side of the figures 1 and 2 are double or compound in
order that two rollers may be controlled by each double button as will be readily
understood on reference to Figure 2. The knobs or buttons on the other side of
the figures as well as those connected with the date rollers h, i, each consist of one
piece and control one roller each, though for the sake of uniformity they are shaped
like those controlling two rollers. It is obvious that the number of pairs of rollers
may be multiplied according to requirements, and two or more tubular spindles
passed through the outer rollers. The apparatus for shewing the day of the month
consists of one band; bearing the numbers from 1 to 31 mounted upon a pair of
rollers, i. The face of the apparatus bears the words "day" and "hymns"
shewn at Figure 1. Figure 4 shews the manner in which the spindle m of the
roller c is passed through the roller d.
19
as
When the apparatus is to be employed for exhibiting the menu in hotels and
dining rooms; the score in cricket, billiards, and other games; or in shooting and
other competitions, and for like purposes, the face of the apparatus is made to bear
such wording as may form a permanent portion of the subject-matter to be displayed,
indicated, or exhibited.
Such wording may consist of the name of the hotel, or other place where the
indicator is to be used, with the titles of the several courses; or such words as
"Wicket Down ;" "Last Man's Score ;"" Present Total;" "Required to Win," and
the like. Below each of these permanent indications are arranged a number of
openings which allow of the exposure of such indications as may require to be
changed from time to time. These indications consist of the names of the various
dishes constituting a course in the case of a menu indicator, or of figures in the case
of a score indicator.
In a modified arrangement applicable for educational purposes, I arrange the
apparatus in the form of a black-board, upon which any number of figures, with or
without "-s-d;" "tons-cwts.-qrs. ;" or the like, may be readily and almost
instantaneously shown by similar mechanism to that herein described.
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 :-
(1). In an indicating apparates the employment of a series of rollers arranged
in pairs carrying flexible bands upon which are marked the different words or
numbers to be exposed in any combination with one another and with the permanent
indications marked upon the face of the apparatus substantially as and for the
purpose hereinbefore set forth and described.
(2). In an indicating apparatus in which three or more vertical series of rollers

page_text: are employed the extension of the spindles of the rollers of the inner series longi
tudinally through the centre of the outer tubular rollers in order that both series
of rollers may be operated from the outside of the casing, suitable knobs or buttons
being secured to the outer ends of the roller spindles for this purpose substantially
as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and described.
(3). The general arrangement and construction of adjustable or variable
indicators substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and described.
Dated this 2nd of Mawih 1809
CASTLE SMITH,
"Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.