IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COUNTING AND REGISTERING OR PAGING
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Thomas, of Hackney, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR COUNTING AND REGISTERING OR PAGING."
Sealed the 17th September 1858, and dated the 22nd March 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Thomas at the
⚫ Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 22nd
March 1858.
I, JAMES THOMAS, of Hackney, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR COUNTING AND REGISTERING OR PAGING," to be as follows:-
The object of my Invention is to effect the operations of counting and in-
dicating or registering the results (in some cases by printing the same, as in
paging books, &c.,) by means of more simple and durable machinery than here-
tofore employed for those purposes. To this end I make use of circular discs
or wheels, each of which has its circumference divided into ten equal parts,
marked as follows, namely, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. At each of the divisions
is formed a notch or ratchet tooth, whereby the wheel or disc may be moved,
as herein-after explained. Each disc, with the exception of the one intended
to represent the highest denomination, is also provided with a rim or flange
slightly larger in diameter than the disc, and having only one notch, which
notch corresponds with notch 9 of the disc. Any number of these wheels or
discs (according to the number of figures contained in the highest denomina-

page_text: tion required to be indicated or registered) are placed side by side with the
line of their axes coinciding. The first disc on the right hand (representing
units) is attached to and revolves with an axis of its own, the remaining discs
are situated and revolve upon a stud or axis attached to the framing, and are
kept from contact with each other by means of washers fixed upon the stud.
Above the row of discs or wheels is placed a corresponding series of palls or
clicks, carried and capable of being moved forward simultaneously by suitable
levers working upon the axes of the discs. These palls (with the exception of
that one which takes into the teeth of the units' wheel) rest upon the rims or
flanges before mentioned, thus, the pall for actuating the tens' wheel rests upon
the rim attached to the units' wheel, the pall for the hundreds' wheel upon the rim
of the tens' wheel, the pall of the thousands' wheel upon the rim of the hundreds'
wheel, and so on. The palls are farther provided with pins or other projec-
tions, whereby any one of the palls resting on and kept out of work by the rim
or flange of its neighbouring wheel is made to support all the palls lying to its
left, or, in other words, to support the palls of all the wheels registering higher
denominations than its own. Hence, before any particular pall can be at
liberty to fall and act upon its wheel, it is necessary that all the palls to its
right shall be at the 9th division of their respective wheels. It will now be
understood that if the discs be set, so that the whole of the zero characters
may be situated in the same line, and read together (all the palls, with the
exception of the units, resting upon the rims or flanges of the discs, as
explained), and a forward motion equal to one division be given to the palls,
the only wheel moved thereby will be the units, which will advance one
division. The same may be repeated until the units' wheel marks 9, when the
catch of the tens' wheel will immediately fall into the notch cut in the rim of
the units' wheel, and will thereby be allowed to act upon its own wheel, so
that at the next movement of the levers it will move the tens' wheel one
division forward, after which it will be again raised and kept out of its
wheel by the rim of the units' wheel until the 9th division again comes up,
when it will be moved another tooth, and so on until it has been moved 9
divisions, when the pall of the hundreds' wheel will drop into the notch of the
tens' wheel rim, and at the next stroke move its wheel one division in the
same way as the tens' wheel had previously been acted upon by its pall falling
into the notch in the rim of the units' wheel. The thousands' wheel will be
similarly acted upon at the tenth movement of the hundreds' wheel, and so on
throughout the series of wheels. The wheels or discs before and after being
moved as described are retained in their position by suitable catches provided
for the purpose.

page_text: In employing my Invention for paging or other purposes in connection
with which it is required to print or take impressions from the numbers,
presented, I make use of an arrangement of palls, notches, &c., acting in a
manner similar to that already described, but placed (instead of externally).
in suitable recesses formed within the wheels or discs, thereby leaving the
outer circumferences or edges of the discs available for giving impressions as
required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Thomas in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd September 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
THOMAS, of Hackney, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-first year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said James Thomas, Her special licence that I, the said
James Thomas, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said James Thomas, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at
all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COUNTING AND REGISTERING OR PAGING,".
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said James Thomas, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be.
performed, and cause. the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Thomas, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-.
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement.

page_text: The object of my Invention is to effect the operations of counting and in-
dicating or registering the results (in some cases by printing, the same as in
paging books, &c.,) by means of more simple and durable machinery than
heretofore employed for those purposes. To this end I make use of circular
discs or wheels, each of which has its circumference divided into ten equal
parts marked as follows, namely 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. At each of the
divisions is formed a notch or ratchet tooth, whereby the wheel or disc may
be moved, as herein-after explained. Each disc, with the exception of the
one intended to represent the highest denomination, is also provided with a
rim or flange slightly larger in diameter than the disc, and having only one
notch, which notch corresponds with notch 9 of the disc. Any number of
these. wheels or discs (according to the number of figures contained in the
highest denomination required to be indicated or registered) are placed side
by side with the line of their axes coinciding. The first disc on the right
hand (representing units) is attached to and revolves with an axis of its own;
the remaining discs are situated and revolve upon a stud or axis attached to
the framing, and are kept from contact with each other by means of washers
fixed upon the stud. Above the row of discs or wheels is placed a corresponding
series of pallscarried and capable of being moved forward simultaneously by
suitable levers working upon the axes of the discs. These palls (with the
exception of that one which takes into the teeth of the units' wheel) rest upon
the rims or flanges before mentioned, thus, the pall for actuating the tens'
wheel rests upon the rim attached to the units' wheel, the pall for the
hundreds' wheel upon the rim of the tens' wheel, the pall of the thousands'
wheel upon the rim of the hundreds' wheel, and so on. The palls are further
provided with pins or other projections, whereby any one of the palls resting
on and kept out of work by the rim or flange of its neighbouring wheel is
made to support all the palls lying to its left, or, in other words, to support
the palls of all the wheels registering higher denominations than its own.
Hence, before any particular pall can be set at liberty to fall and act upon its
wheel, it is necessary that all the palls to its right shall be at the 9th division
of their respective wheels.
It will now be understood that if the discs be set so that the whole of the
zero characters may be situated in the same line and read together (all the
palls with the exception of the units resting upon the rims or flanges of
the discs, as explained), and a forward motion equal to one division be given
to the palls, the only wheel moved 'thereby will be the units, which will
advance one division. The same may be repeated until the units' wheel
marks 9, when the catch of the tens' wheel will immediately fall into the

page_text: notch cut in the rim of the units' wheèl, and will thereby be allowed to act
upon its own wheel, so that at the next movement of the levers it will move
the tens' wheel. one division forward, after which it will be again raised and
kept out of its wheel by the rim of the units' wheel until the 9th division
again comes up, when it will be moved another tooth, and so on until it has
been moved 9 divisions, when the pall of the hundreds' wheel will drop into
the notch of the tens' wheel rim, and at the next stroke move its wheel ono
division in the same way as the tens' wheel had previously been acted upon
by its pall falling into the notch in the rim of the units' wheel. The thou-
sands' wheel will be similarly acted upon at the tenth movement of the
hundreds wheel, and so on throughout the series of wheels. The wheels or
dises before and after being moved as described are retained in their position
by suitable catches provided for the purpose.
In employing my Invention for paging or other purposes in connection
with which it is required to print or take impressions from the numbers
presented, I make use of an arrangement of palls, notches, &c., acting in
a manner similar to that already described, but placed (instead of externally)
in suitable recesses formed within the wheels or discs, thereby leaving the
outer circumferences or edges of the dises available for giving impressions as
desired.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 of Sheet 1 represents an end elevation of a machine for the purpose
of counting; Fig. 2, a front elevation of the same; Fig. 3, an elevation of
the right hand or units' end of the machine; Fig. 4, a plan; Fig. 5, a longi-
tudinal vertical section through the lines A of Figs. 3 and 4; Fig. 6, a
transverse vertical section through the lines B of Figs. 2 and 4; and Fig. 7,
a horizontal section through the lines C of Figs. 2 and 3. a represents the
framing of the machine; the axis b revolves in a bearing formed in the
framing, and carries the units' wheel or disc c, having its circumference divided,
as before explained, into ten equal parts; the remaining discs d, e, f, g,
and h having their circumferences similarly divided, are supported by and
revolve upon the stud i fixed to the framing. The palls j, k, l, m, n, and o
work freely upon a pin p carried by levers 2 working upon the axis of the
discs, and connected by means of the rod Qwith any action or movement, the
repetition of which is required to be enumerated. The point of the pall j
rests upon the units' wheel or disc c, the remaining palls resting upon the
flanges j' of the wheels c, d, e, f, and g. Each of the palls k, l, m, and n is
provided with a pin ?, which takes into a corresponding notch formed in the

page_text: next adjoining pall of higher denomination, so as to support it in the manner
before explained until the whole of the palls to its right shall have fallen into
the notches of their respective wheels. The disc c is held in position before
and after each movement by a notched detaining wheel and spring s, the
remaining discs being similarly held by pins or catches t situated in the stud i,
and taking into suitable notches u formed in the discs. The washers v, beld
from revolving by means of a notch in the stud i, are inserted between the
discs for the purpose of keeping them from contact with each other.
represents a metallic or other case (in which the machine may be enclosed)
having an opening a covered with glass, through which the indications of the
machine may be read off.
พ
In commencing to work the machine the whole of the zero characters of
the respective discs are brought into one line, as shewn at Fig. 2; the point
of the pall resting in the zero (0) or top notch of the units' disc c, and the
points of the remaining palls upon the flanges ; of the respective discs.
Upon a forward movement equal to one division being now given to the palls,
the units' wheel alone will be moved forward one division, then indicating 1,
and will be held by its catch in that position during the return stroke of the
palls, which on again moving forward will carry the units' wheel another divi-
sion forward, bringing the figure 2 into line with the zero figures of the other
dises. This may be repeated until the units' wheel marks 9, when upon the
return stroke of the palls the pall (k) of the tens' disc will drop into the notch
of the units' wheel flange, and at the next stroke move its wheel one division
forward, after which it will again be raised and kept out of its wheel by the
rim of the units' wheel until the 9th division has again passed, when it will
again move its wheel another tooth, and so on; the remaining wheels being
in their turn similarly acted upon, as before explained.
Fig. 1, Sheet 2, represents a side elevation of a machine constructed
according to my Invention, 'for paging and other similar purposes; Fig. 2, a
front elevation, partly in section; and Figs. 3 and 4, detached views of parts
of the same.
In this arrangement, the framing a of the machine carries a stud b forming
the fulcrum of a lever c, carrying a stud d upon which work the wheels or
discs e, f, g, h, and i, each having ten internal notches for detaining them in
their successive positions (as described with reference to all the discs, with the
exception of the units of the preceding machine) and carrying ten dies or
types j, bearing the characters 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. To the units' disc or
wheel e are attached the wheel k (shewn in blue), having its circumference
divided into ten equal divisions or ratchet teeth; and the whcel 1 (shewn in

page_text: red) set slightly in advance of the former and similarly divided, both capable
of being actuated by the click or pall m carried by the stud n, and kept to its
work by means of the spring o, as shewn. A third ratchet wheel p (shewn in
black), also having ten teeth, the bottom of each alternate tooth being on the
same line of circle as the tops of the teeth of the wheel 7, is fitted without being
keyed upon the stud d, and is provided with a spring q and friction piece 7,
giving it a certain amount of grip or hold upon the stud, which prevents its
revolving thereon, excepting as required. To the interior of the units' wheel e
is attached the spring pall or clicks (see Figs. 2, 3, and 4,) having its point
bent over at right angles so as to bear upon the guide washer t keyed upon
the stud d (between the units' and tens' discs or wheels), and having a portion
or segment of its circumference removed so as to permit the return angle or
point of the pall or clicks to act upon and move the ratchet wheel u attached
to the tens' disc, one-tenth forward, simultaneously with the completion of each
revolution of the units' wheel. The tens' disc or wheel is fitted with a similar
spring pall, or click, which bears or rides in the same manner on a fixed
washer t, situated between the tens' and hundreds' wheels, and thus moves the
bundreds wheel one-tenth forward at each revolution of the tens' wheel, the
thousands' wheel being acted upon in a similar manner, and so forth.
The levers working upon the stud d carry the inking roller w working upon
the circular inking table or plate x (having a portion cut away around the lower
die or type j,) and retained in contact therewith by india-rubber or other
suitable springs. To the levers v are jointed the connecting links y, having
their opposite ends jointed to the printing table z. A is an adjustable pillar
or stop for the purpose of regulating the amount of movement of the lever c.
The action of the machine is as follows:-Let it be supposed that we require
to print alternate numbers as usual in paging, in which case (the 1 having been
printed) the pall m is set as shewn in the Drawing, that is to say, it is moved
backward upon its stud, so as to act only on the ratchet wheel k (shewn in blue);
the lever c is then raised into the position shewn in dotted lines, thereby
causing the wheel k, and with it the units' disc e to be moved by the pall m;
through two-tenths of a revolution, thus bringing the type 3 forward in
readiness for printing, and causing the inking roller to traverse its table and
pass over the face of the number to be printed. The page or sheet being laid
upon the table 2, the lever c is drawn down and the impression given; when
the next stroke will again move the units' wheel two-tenths, and thus bring
forward the 5, and so on, each stroke moving the units' wheel two-tenths until
the 9 has been brought down, when at the next stroke the pall s will be
allowed by the flat portion of the guide washer t to act upon and to move

page_text: the tens' wheel one division; the tens' wheel (after making nine movements)
in its turn acting.similarly upon the hundreds' wheel, and so on.
For printing consecutive numbers, the pall m is moved sidewise, so as to
rest and act only upon the wheel 1 (red lines), in which position, on the lever c
being raised as before, it will slide almost the entire length of a tooth, or one-
tenth of the wheel's circumference without giving motion thereto, but will then
catch and move it rather more than one-tenth, an inaccuracy that will be
rectified by the action of the detaining notches and spring catches or springs,
which will draw the wheel back into its correct position. The same is repeated
at every stroke, the movement being communicated through the series of
wheels or discs, in the manner before described.
In order to print duplicate numbers, or, in other words, to print the same
number twice over, the pall m is placed so that a portion of its width rests
upon the wheel p (black lines), having each alternate tooth situated at a
greater distance from the centre than those of the wheel 7; the other portion
of the width of the pall overhanging or resting upon the wheel (red lines).
The number 1 having been once printed, the lever c is raised as before, the
point of the pall m resting upon the lower portion of the tooth B of the wheel
p, partly situated beyond the circle of the wheel l, will slide along it during
nearly one-tenth of the circumference of the wheel without moving it. It will
then commence to turn the wheel p on the stud d, and will continue doing so
during rather more than one-tenth of a revolution without affecting the wheel
1, out of which it is kept by the greater radius of the wheel p. After its return
stroke, (which takes place in printing the impression,) the pall m again slides
along nearly the entire length of a tooth of the wheel 7 without moving it, when
(as the tooth in which it will then be working is at the same radius as the
teeth of the wheel 1) it will move the wheel rather more than one-tenth
round (the error being corrected by the action of the pins and notches, as
previously described with reference to printing consecutive numbers), thus
bringing the next number forward; at the next stroke, the pall will again rest
upon and be kept clear of the teeth of the wheel 1, by a larger radius of the
wheel p as before, the succeeding stroke again causing it to rest on a low
tooth of the wheel p, and to move the wheel 1, &c., one-tenth forward as
before.
This machine may be worked either by hand or by power.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same may be performed, I would remark that I do
not confine myself to the precise details or arrangements represented, but that
what I claim as of my Invention is,-

page_text: Firstly, attaching the units' wheel in the construction of counting machines
to an axis of its own with which it revolves, in order thereby to obviate its
tendency to become deranged by wear.
Secondly, driving each separate numerating wheel or disc directly by a pall
of its own used in connection with raised flanges, as described.
Thirdly, the use or employment of rims or flanges in connection with
numerating wheels or discs and palls, for the purpose of supporting or keeping
the palls or clicks out of work until they are required to act, as described.
Fourthly, the use of pins or other projections and notches, for the purpose
of enabling the palls to support each other, as described.
Fifthly, the use of pins or other projections and notches in combination with
rims or flanges for supporting the palls.
Sixthly, the general combination and arrangement of parts constituting a
machine for the purpose of counting, as described.
Seventhly, the combination (with reference to the printing machine) of three
ratchet wheels (k, l, p,) on one axle, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
Eighthly, the combination of ratchet wheels, guiding washers, and spring
palls or clicks, for the purpose of actuating the wheels or discs of paging or
other counting or enumerating machines.
Ninthly, the general arrangement and combination of parts constituting a
machine for paging, or otherwise enumerating and printing, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Thomas, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Witness,
FRANCIS WISE, Patent Agent,
108, Fleet Street, London.
JAMES (L.S.) THOMAS.