A Slide-rule for Timber Calculations, the same being also applicable to other uses.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Oct., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 30th July, 1890-Accepted, 20th Sept., 1890
A Slide-rule for Timber Calculations, the same being also
applicable to other uses.
1, JAMES HUNTER YOUNG, of Priory Park, Castlebead, Paisley, in the County of
Renfrew, North Britain, Timber Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows :-
This invention which relates to a slide rule for timber calculations, and which may
also be applicable to other uses, consists as follows :-
I employ a flat rule or scale having two sliding parts or scales, which slide
longitudinally therein, and made preferably of box-wood, though I may use any other
suitable material.
On the lower inside edge of the main rule or scale, which is next to the lower
sliding scale, form a graduated scale to represent inches thick, and which I call
scale No. 1; and on the lower edge of the lower sliding scale, I also form a graduated
scale to represent inches wide, this 1 call scale No. 2. This sliding scale has another
graduated scale formed on its upper edge, to represent feet long, which I call
scale No. 3, the upper edge of which works against the lower edge of the upper
sliding scale, which has a number of arrows placed at the required positions so as
to point the answers to the calculations required on the two top scales, this I call
scale No. 4. This upper sliding scale is provided on its top edge with a graduated
scale, to represent price per cubic foot, in shillings; and also price per standard in
pounds, this I call scale No. 5; and lastly on the top inside edge of the main scale,
I form a graduated scale to represent paris of cubic feet, or pence, and cubic feet, or
shillings, which scale I call No. 6.
The whole arrangement being such that, supposing 1 had a piece of timber 8 inches
thick, 3 inches wide and 12 feet long, and I desired to ascertain its cubic contents
and price at one shilling per cubic foot, I have simply to slide the lower scale along
so as to bring the 3,--that is 3 inches wide, on No. 2 scale, exactly opposite the 8,-
representing 8 inches thick,-on No. 1 scale, and then to slide the upper scale along
so as to bring the arrow, representing the 144 divisor, on scale No. 4, exactly opposite
the 12-representing 12 feet long-on scale No. 3, and on looking at the scales Nos. 5
and 6, I find that the answers pointed out by the top end of the said arrow are,
contents, two cubic feet, and price two shillings; whilst at the same time a scale is
shown or formed giving the price of that same piece of timber at various rates; or if
the price to be ascertained is at the rate of £8 5/- (eight pounds five shillings,)
per standard, by sliding the upper scale along till the standard arrow on scale 4, comes
opposite the 12- before mentioned-on scale 3, the top end of the arrow points to two
shillings, on scale 6-before mentioned, as the price for two cubic feet at that rate,
there being at the same time a scale shown or formed giving the price of it at various
rates. The foregoing example is in connection with what is known as squared
timber, but the same can be carried out in regard to round timber by using the
183 divisor arrow on scale 4, instead of the 144 divisor arrow, and again for rough
timber by using the 113 divisor arrow on scale 4, instead of 144 divisor arrow,
that both the 183 and 113 divisor arrows which are only single ended arrows rely
on the top end of the 144 divisor arrow, which is double ended for indicating the
answers on scales 5 and 6.
but
Again if the price per running foot is required, at the rate of one shilling per cubic
foot, for a piece of timber 6 inches thick and 2 inches wide, I slide the lower scale
along till the 2-representing 2 inches wide-on scale 2 comes opposite the 6-
representing 6 inches thick-on scale 1, after which I slide the upper scale along, till
the 144 divisor arrow on scale 4, comes opposite the 1,-representing 1 foot long-on

page_text: scale 3. and I find that the answer given on scale 6, is one penny, or if the price to be
ascertained is at the rate of £10 per standard, I slide the upper scale along till the
standard arrow on scale 4 comes opposite the 1-before mentioned-on scale 3, when
I find that the answer indicated on scale 6, is nearly a penny farthing per running
foot the prices at other rates being also shown.
The whole of the said scales may be made to give results up to any required
number, and calculations relating to stone work, earth work, iron work, or anything
of which the cubic contents are to be ascertained, may be worked out by my
slide rule.
'Dated this 20th day of October 1880
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Petitioner's Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Slide-rule for Timber Calculations, the same being also
applicable to other uses.
I, JAMES HUNTER YOUNG of Priory Park, Castlehead, Paisley in the County of
Renfrew, North Britain Timber 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 which relates to a slide rule for timber calculations-and which may
also be applied to other uses has for its object to provide a slide rule, which will shew
at once the cubic contents of any size of timber etc., with price at any rate per
cubic foot or standard; (165) cubic feet; the rate per lineal foot, yard, hundred
feet etc., of any scantling at any rate per cubic foot or standard; the prices of
sarking, flooring etc., at any rate per cubic foot or standard; the superficial contents
of boards etc. and price at any rate per superficial foot; the equivalent rates;
standard, cubie, superficial and lineal; the superficial contents of boxes with price at
any rate per superficial or cuble foot; as also the cubic contents of round timber etc.
either by square of diameter or square of quarter girth with price at any rate per
cubic foot.
In carrying out my said invention I employ a flat rule or scale having two
sliding parts or scales which operate longitudinally therein, the whole being so
arranged as to have five lines of figures or scales, and some arrow heads marked
thereon, so that by setting the different slides to the given dimensions, the required
results are shewn at once. The said slide rule and sliding parts I preferably make
of box wood though I may use any other suitable material.
In order that my said invention may be more readily understood and easily
carried into effect, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the
accompanying drawings..
Figure 1 is a plan of my improved slide rule.
Figure 2 is a cross section of same and
Figures 3 to 10 are part plans illustrating some examples of using my said
slide-rule.
Referring to the said drawings I construct a flat rule or scale G, of box-wood or
other suitable material in such a manner as to permit of the two sliding parts or
scales H, H, working longitudinally therein, preferably as shewn in Figure 2, that is
by means of the central T piece or projection g, and side projections g', and g² working
in female grooves formed in the sides of the two sliding scales H H', which may if
desired be provided with suitable recesses J. Figure 1 on their ends so as to enable
them to be more readily moved by the operator.
On the lower inside edge of the main rule or scale G which is next to the lower
sliding rule or scale H, 1 form a graduated scale A which reads from left to right and
represents inches thick, and on the lower edge of the lower sliding scale or rule H,
I also form a graduated scale B. which reads from right to left, and represents inches

page_text: wide; this sliding scale or rule H having another graduated scale C, formed on its
upper edge so as to read from left to right and which represents feet long. The
upper edge of this scale or rule H, works against the lower edge of the upper
sliding scale or rule H' which has a scale of arrows D, formed thereon at the
required positions, so as, to point the answers to the calculations required on
the two top scales, the said arrows being a double ended one d, representing the
144 divisor for calculations per cubic foot of square timber, etc., a single ended
one d, representing the 113 divisor, and a single ended one d, representing the
183 divisor, both of which are for calculations per cubic foot of round timber etc.;
and a double ended one d³, representing the standard (165 cubic feet) for calculations
per standard in pounds. On the top edge of this sliding scale or rule H¹, I form
another graduated scale E which reads from left to right, and represents either
per cubic foot in shillings, or per standard in pounds, on the right hand side of the
144 divisor arrow d, and pence and fractions of pence per cubic foot on the left hand
side of the arrow d, and lastly on the top inside edge of the main rule or scale G,
I form another graduated scale F, which reads from left to right, and represents from
the extreme left up to 1a, fractions of one penny, from 1 to 1. parts of cubic feet or
pence, and from 1 to the extreme right cubic feet or shillings.
The whole arrangement being such that the required results are shewn on the top
scales E and F, by merely setting the slides to the given dimensions as in the following
examples.
To find cubic contents and price at any rate per cubic foot of a piece of timber etc.,
9 feet long by 8 inches wide by 6 inches thick, the lower slide H, is moved along till
the figure 8 on scale B, is opposite to or in line with the figure 6 on scale A, (as
shewn in Figure 3). The upper slide II', is then moved along till the 144 divisor
arrow d, on scale D, is opposite to or in line with the figure 9 on scale C; the top
end of the arrow d, thus shews the cubic contents on scale F, to be 3 cubic feet.
Simultaneously therewith a price list is formed, the rates per cubic feet in shillings on.
scale E, being opposite to or in line with the price in shillings and pence on scale F,
thus at a shilling per cubic foot the price is three shillings, at two shillings per cubic
foot six shillings, at six pence per cubic foot one shilling and six pence and so on.
To find the cubic contents and price at any rate per standard of say the same piece
of timber, the scales A, B and C, being set as before, but the standard arrow on
scale D brought into coincidence or in line with the figure 9 on scale C, as shewn in
Figure 4 it will be found that the rates per standard in pounds on scale E, will be in
coincidence with the price in shillings on scale F, thus at eight pounds five shillings
the price is three shillings; at thirteen pound's fifteen shillings per standard, five
shillings; at five pounds ten shillings per standard two shillings and so on.
To find the rate per lineal foot at say eleven pounds sterling per standard of a piece
of timber 1 lineal foot long by 6 inches wide, by 3 inches thick the figure 6 on
scale B, is placed in line with the figure 3 on scale A, as shewn in Figure 5, and the
standard arrow mark d³, on scale D is placed in line with the figure 1 on scale C,
thus shewing the price per lineal foot at eleven pounds sterling per standard to be two
pence as shewn on scale F in coincidence with the figure 11 on scale E, while at the
same time a price list at other rates is also shewn.
To find the cubic contents of any number of pieces of same dimensions say 7 pieces:
6 feet by 9 inches by 2 inches, find cubic contents of one piece as before, using the
144 divisor arrow d, on scale D, as shewn in Figure 6, and the. total contents will be
shewn on scale F (as 53 cubic feet) in coincidence with the figure 7 on scale E,
representing the number of pieces, and so on for other numbers.
To find the superficial contents of boards, etc., and price at any rate per superficial
foot. If the board were 12 inches thick, the superficial and cubic contents would be
the same. Therefore assume the board to be 12 inches thick and proceed as before for
example-To find superficial contents of a board 20 feet by 18 inches, and price at
three pence per superficial foot, bring the figure 18 on scale B into coincidence with
figure 12 on scale A as shewn in Figure 7, and the 144 divisor arrow d, on scale D,
into coincidence with figure 20 on scale C, and the answer will be shewn on scale Ę as

page_text: 30 superficial feet, and in coincidence with the figure 3 on scale E the price will be
shewn on scale F, as seven shillings and six pence, as also a price list at other rates is
shewn.
To find equivalent rates, standard cubic and superficial. For example to find rate
per cubic foot at any rate, say thirteen pounds fifteen shillings per standard. Bring
the figure 13 on scale E, into coincidence with the figure 8 on scale Fas shewn
in Figure 8, and on looking at the figure 1 on scale F, it will be seen that it is in
coincidence with one sbilling and eight pence on scale as the price per cubic foot.
Also the rate per superficial foot of any thickness is also shewn on scale E, in
coincidence with the figure representing the thickness on scale F, thus 1 inches
thick would be two pence half penny, 24 inches thick would be three pence three
farthings and so on.
To find the superficial contents and price of a box 29 inches by 20 inches
by 9 inches of inch wood at say three half pennies per superficial foot, find the
superficial contents of each piece as before and add them together when it will be
found that 15 is the answer, then you bring the figure 1 on scale E into coincidence
with the figure 1 on scale F, as shewn in Figure 9 and on looking at figure 15 (the
total contents) on scale F, it will be found to be in coincidence with the price
one shilling and ten-pence half penny on scale E.
To find the contents and price at any rate of round timber, say, by dividing the
square of the diameter by 183, as for example, find the contents and price of a
tree 15 feet 3 inches long, by 9 inches diameter at eight pence per cubic foot; bring
the figures 9 on scales A, B, into coincidence with one another as shewn in Figure 10,
then bring the 183 divisor arrow d², on scale D, into coincidence with the figure 15
on scale C, and on looking at the top end of the 144 divisor arrow d, it will be found
to point to 6 as the cubic contents on scale F, and on looking at the figure 8 on
scale E, it will be found to be in coincidence with the price at that rate, namely four
shillings and six pence on scale F, a price list being also shewn at other rates.
Or the contents of round timber may be found by dividing the square of the
quarter girth by 113 by using the 11 divisor arrow 'd', instead of the 183 divisor
arrow d², as above, the answers in both cases being found in coincidence with the top
end of the 144 divisor arrow d.
The whole of the said scales may be made so as to give results up to any required
number and calculations relating to stone work, earth work, iron work or any other
thing of which the contents and price are to be ascertained, may be worked out by my
said slide rule, as well as timber trade calculations.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is-
First. In slide rules for ascertaining contents and price of timber and other
materials the employment and combination of the duplicate graduated scales E and F,
and arrows d, d, d², d³, all of which are capable of being set so as to show the
contents, and price, at any rate of any given quantities arranged, on the scales A, B
and C, all substantially as and in the manner here before described and shewn in the
accompanying drawings.
Second. The general arrangement, combinati
parts constituting my improved slide rule for asce
and other material, all substantially as and for the
shewn in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 50th of T.... 100
and construction of the various
ing contents and price of timber
hereinbefore described and
of July 1800
JOHNSONS,.
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents..