An Improved Abacus.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Nov., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 3rd July, 1891-Accepted, 22nd Aug., 1891
PROVISIONAL
SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Abacus.
1, GEORGE LINGER KEEP, of Theberton School, Saxmundham, in the County
of Suffolk, Schoolmaster, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide an improved abacus whereby the
teaching of notation may be combined with that of numerical calculation.
In my improved abacus the counters are of a hemispherical shape with an oval or
oblong hole parallel with the flat face so that when hung on a wire either the flat
or rounded face can be shewn as desired. The flat faces of the counters are painted
black, the manuscript numerals being painted in white thereon or rice versa, and arc
arranged in order in ten rows of ten each, therefore each row marks a step in
notation, that is to say, in one row are all the numbers from 1 to 10, in the next
11 to 20 etc.
The wires on which the counters are hung are strained through the side of the
frame, and the plain part of the frame, or the "blind," is utilized as a small black
board so that the sums etc. may be worked on it. Around the edges of the frame
are painted the names of the numbers opposite to each, for example, one, two, three,
ten, twenty etc.
The counters are enamelled or painted in the ten commonest shades and the name
of cach colour is shewn opposite to it.
Dated this 3rd day of Navambian 1000
SPECIFICATION.
COMPLETE
An Improved Abacus.
I, GEORGE LINGER KEEP, of Theberton School, Saxmundham, in the County
of Suffolk, Schoolmaster, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer
tained in and by the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to provide an improved abacus whereby the
teaching of notation may be combined with that of numerical calculation.
In my improved abacus the counters are of a hemispherical shape with an oval or
oblong hole parallel with the flat face so that when hung on a wire either the flat or
rounded face can be shewn as desired. The flat faces of the counters are painted
black, the manuscript numerals being painted in white thereon or vice versa, and are
arranged in order in ten rows of ten each, therefore each row marks a step in
notation, that is to say, in one row are all the numbers from 1 to 10, in the next
11 to 20 etc.
The wires on which the counters are hung are strained through the side of the
frame, and the plain part of the frame or the "blind is utilized as a small black-
board so that the sums etc. may be worked on it. Around the edges of the frame
are painted the names of the numbers opposite to each, for example, one, two, three,
ten, twenty, etc.

page_text: The bodies of the counters are enamelled.or painted in the ten commonest shades
and the name of each colour is shewn opposite to it.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 shews a front view of .an abacus (constructed in accordance with my
invention, and
Figure 2 shews a modification thereof.
Figure 3 shews enlarged views of one of the counters detached.
Each counter is pierced with an oblong hole B parallel to the flat face, and sets
of ten counters are strung on the wires C C secured to the frame D. The plain
part or "blind" E of the frame is prepared so that it may be used as a blackboard
upon which the teacher may work out sums for the instruction of the pupils. The
bodies of all the counters in one vertical row are painted or enamelled the same
colour, and all the rows are different colours. For example, the counters having
the manuscript numerals 3. 13. 23. 33. etc. will be painted or enamelled blue,
while 8. 18. 28. etc. will be painted or enamelled an orange colour, and so on as
shewr by the printed names of the colours along the bottom edge of the frame D.
This device will greatly aid the pupils in distinguishing the precise position of any
integer and will also teach them to distinguish colours.
In use the abacus is used as with ordinary abaci the pupil being required to count
the number of counters drawn along from behind the board E, say the top row,
when the last counter so drawn may be turned over with its flat face to the pupils
to shew the correct numeral. In the illustration shewn in Figure 1 the exposed
numbers in each row are added together and their sum is written in chalk the
upon
blackboard E.
Figure 2 shews an abacus provided with an additional blackboard G which is
hinged to the blackboard E, on to which it is turned over and secured with a hook
and eye when the abacus is to be used. When the abacus is not required the
additional blackboard G is turned back into the position shewn in Figure 2, so that
the board may now be used as an ordinary blackboard.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what .I
claim is
(1) For an abacus the use of hemispherical and reversible counters with manu-
script or other numerals painted or otherwise impressed thereon and having oval or
oblong holes parallel with the flat faces of the counters by means of which said holes
the counters are strung on wires in the frame, substantially as described and shewn
and for the purpose stated.
(2) The combination of a blackboard with an abacus having hemispherical and
reversible counters substantially as and for the purpose herein described and
illustrated.
(3) My improved abacus substantially as described.
Dated this 3rd day of July 1891.
::
CASTLE SMITH,
Per F. W. Golby,
Invention Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.