An Improved Abacus or Instrument for Rapid Calculation.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd May, 1898-Accepted, 6th Aug.,
1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Abacus or Instrument for Rapid Calculation.
I, RAPHAEL KABALKIN, of 61, Mark Lane, London, E.C., Corn Merchant, 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 improved device for calculating purposes, and has
for its object to provide means whereby sums of money, quantities of articles or
the like, can be quickly added up or deducted from, without the necessity of having
to work such problems out on paper. The invention also provides for the work-
ing out of all kinds of calculations and problems, where figures are concerned, the
various combinations of which the device is capable, being innumerable.
In order that this my said invention may be the more readily understood and
carried into practical effect, reference is hereby made to the accompanying sheet
of illustrative drawings, wherein is shewn a plan view of the device complete.
Referring to the drawing, a is a frame formed of wood, metal or other suitable
material, such frame being of rectangular, square, or other convenient form.
Fixed transversely in the said frame a are a number (preferably eleven) of
metal or other rods or cross-bars b, 1, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 610, on which are
threaded bone, ivory, or other dises or counters c, each capable of freely sliding
along their respective rods or cross-bars. In practice, the discs or counters con
rod b may conveniently represent farthings; the ones on rod b', be equal to half-
pennies; those on rod 62 the equivalent of pennies, and so on in this order through-
out the series, i.e., one of the discs or counters on rod 6 representing a half penny,
is equivalent to two of the discs or counters (representing farthings) on rod b,
while one of the discs or counters representing shillings on rod 3 is equal to
twelve of those on rod 62. Each of the discs or counters con rod b* represents
in value twenty times that of each disc or counter on rod 63, while those discs or
counters on rod 65 are ten times the value of those on rod b. This latter ratio
applies throughout the discs or counters from rod b to the top one 10. To assist
in the process of calculation, each row of discs or counters (where there are more
than two in number) may have one or more discs or counters of a different colour
to the others, which are preferably uniform.
In practice, when a calculation has to be arrived at, the discs or counters repre-
senting the numbers to be added together or deducted from, are preferably moved
to the right hand side, apart from the main body of such discs or counters. In
the example illustrated, the discs or counters c are so arranged as to represent,
when added up, the total of one million, four hundred and thirty four thousand,
five hundred & thirty two pounds, five shillings, and four pence three farthings.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise form of
device shewn and described, but may vary same as found desirable or convenient,
without departing from the spirit of my invention.

page_text: 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.-
The improved device for calculating purposes, comprising a frame having a
number of transverse bars, on which are loosely threaded a number of discs or
counters, those on the lower bars representing a certain proportion of the value
of the discs or counters on the bars immediately above them, all arranged, com-
bined, and operating substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated.
Dated this 23rd day of May 1898.
HUGHES & YOUNG,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for Applicant.