Improvements in and relating to Combined Dividers and Computing Scales.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 24th Sept., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Combined Dividers and Computing
Scales.
I, RUDOLF FRITZ OSWALD, of 6, Friedrich Strasse, Haynau, in the Empire of
Germany, Chemist, 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 combined dividers and computing scales.
This invention consists in constructing a two-legged measuring instrument or
dividers with a sliding centre on one leg and a fixed pivot on the other, a suitable
reading arm swinging upon the said pivot while its other end carries an index which
slides in suitable grooves on the other leg, both legs being semicylindrical, joining
at their diameter when closed, and having upon their surfaces suitable scales by
which the functions of the measured unit may be determined according to the
position of the reading arm.
The accompanying sheet of drawings illustrate in a partially diagrammatic
manner the method of carrying this invention into effect as follows:-
Figure 1 is a side elevation showing in dotted lines the working of the
instrument.
Figure 2 is a sectional plan of the same.
Figures 3 and 4 are elevations of the scales marked upon the respective legs.
Figures 5 and 6 are elevations from the side of junction of both compass legs
showing the hollow interior utilised as a receptacle for pens or like articles.
Figures 7 and 8 are the respective sectional plans of the preceding Figures 5
and 6.
Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 are details of the construction hereinafter referred to."
Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 and 10 of the drawings. A pair of dividers
usually made about 12 cm. long and 12 mm. diameter are pivotted at x, and have
two legs b, k, meeting when closed at the measuring points h h. Upon the
leg b a reading arm a (diagrammatically shown in the drawings) is pivotted at c,
while the other end of the arm a which carries an index d slides in a groove f
formed on the back of the compass leg and clearly shown in Figures 9 and 10 of
the drawings. Scales m, n, are formed on the surfaces of the respective legs b, k, of
the compasses, these scales being divided into suitably graduated columns e¹, e², es,
U, F, O, etc., so that when a measurement is taken by the dividing points h h, it
is indicated on the scale e¹ by the index on the reading arm which has been
angularly displaced in the act of measuring, then by reading up the scales opposite
the index, the various functions of that measurement can be at once determined,
as, for example, e² the square, e³ the cube, U the arc, F the area of a circle whose
radius is represented by the measurement, O the surface of a sphere whose
radius is represented by the measurement found, and so on, according to what
quantity the measurement represents, and the function required.
Referring to Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 and 12 of the drawings, the hollow interior
of the legs bk, may be utilised as a holder for drawing material such as the pen p,

page_text: pencil r, or pricker 9 (shown on Figures 5 and 6), and to protect the points and
secure the material within when not in use a cap N, (Figures 11 and 12) is
employed to slip over the dividers ends.
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.-A combined measuring and calculating instrument consisting of a pair of
dividers provided with a reading arm pivotted to one leg and sliding in a groove
on the other, the legs being graduated with suitable scales so that in virtue of
the angular displacement of the reading arm when a measurement is taken, the
functions of that measurement can be at once determined from the position of the
index, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
2. The improved measuring and calculating instrument herein before described
and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 25th day of September 1897.
MARKS & CLERK,
Agents for the Applicant.