IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COUNTING, NUMBERING, AND LABELLING
Year: 1850

page_text: JEAN BARANOWSKI; of London, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-third day of
April, One thousand eight hundred and fifty, in the thirteenth year of Her'
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Joseph Jean Baranowski, my exors, adññiors, and assigns, Her
especial licence, full power, sole privilege and, authority, that I, the said
Joseph Jean Baranowski, my exors, admors, and assigns, and such others as I,
the said Joseph Jean Baranowski, my exors, adñors, or assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no. others,, from, time to time and at all times
during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed, in the Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and Man,
and in all Her said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my In-
vention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COUNTING, NUMBERING, AND
LABELLING;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said
Joseph Jean Baranowski, should cause a particular description of the nature of
my said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in

page_text: and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.
NOW. KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Joseph Jean Baranowski, do hereby declare that, the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are
described and ascertained in manner. following (that is to say) :-
-
My Improvements in Machinery for Counting, Numbering, and Labelling
consist especially of a particular arrangement of wheels or plates, which will be
rendered intelligible by the following description:-The wheels or plates d
and b, Figure 2, turn on their centres B and A, and when the tooth e falls
into one of the notches in b, it moves b round one tenth of its circumference,
as there are ten notches in the wheel b. The spaces between the notches in b
are arcs of the same circle as d, so that bis always stationary and fixed,
except when moved by the tooth in d once for each revolution of d. b is
fixed to a, the edge of which is engraved with the figures from 0 to 9, as
shewn in Figure 1. The cogged wheel c is also fixed to a, and works into a
cogged wheel of the same size f, turning on the same centre as d, the edge of
which is also shewn in Figure 1. dis fixed to this last cogged wheel f, and
is of the same form and size as d. is fixed to a', the edges of which are
shewn in Figure 1, and is of the same form and size as b. Again, Figure 1,
, is fixed to a³, and is turned by d, which is fixed to f', working into the cog
wheel c. and d² are also of the same size and form as b and d. a' and a³
have also the figures from 0 to 9 engraved upon their edges. All the plates
or wheels move freely on their cylinders or centres A and B respectively,
although it will be seen that no one of them can move without moving all the
others at intervals of time dependant upon the number of notches in the
wheels b, b', and 65 respectively, and also upon their respective distances in
the arrangement from the first mover d. The operation of counting proceeds
thus: The first revolution of d moves a one tenth, or puts the unit in the
place of the cipher on a; ten revolutions of d or one of a, that is one revolution
of d (for the cogged wheels are equal in size) moves a¹ one tenth, or puts
unity in the place of the cipher on a', or shows ten where there is 0, 0, 0, in
Figure 1 one revolution of a', that is one revolution of d³ (for the cogged
wheels are of the same size) moves a³ one tenth, or puts unity in the place of
the cipher on a², or shews one hundred where there is 0, 0, 0, in Figure 1;
and so on till the arrangement shews 9, 9, 9, where there is 0, 0, 0, in Figure 1.
It is obvious that the notches in b, b, b³, need not be each ten in number, nor
need there be precisely three such wheels, but there may be, for instance, only
two, see Figures 3 and 4, 6 having twelve notches, and b' twenty notches, and

page_text: in such a case the numbers on the edges of a and a' might represent shillings
and pounds. It will also be seen by examining the Figures 1 and 3, that
Figure 3 differs slightly from Figure 1 without affecting the peculiar character
of the arrangement; the same letters shew the same parts in both Figures;
b, the unit wheel, a and d', are all fixed to the axle A, which turns upon its
centres. In Figure 1 the corresponding wheels are loose on A. d works
into b', as in Figure 1; and as f is fixed to b¹ and c to a¹, and f and c are of
the same size and work into each other, every complete revolution of a is.
attended with a partial revolution of a', through a space measured by the
distance between any two notches in 6', Figure 4.
The object of this variation in the Figures 1 and 3 is to bring the numbers
on the edges of a and a close together. Again, if. d had two teeth, two
notches of b would be moved round at each revolution of d, and the odd or
even numbers on a would be represented from time to time where there is
now 0, 0, 0, Figure 1, according as the arrangement was started with 1.
or 2. If started with 1 it would skip 2, 4, 6, &c., and show 1, 3, 5, &c.
If started with 2 it would skip 1, 3, 5, &c., and shew 2, 4, 6, &c. The Roman
method of notation, or any other signs or symbols expressive of numbers, can
be substituted for the Arabic figures, and can by means of this arrangement
(modified so as to facilitate and vary its application) be made to appear at
0, 0, 0, Figure 1.
Some of the most useful applications of this arrangement may be conve-
niently placed under the separate heads of
Firstly, Counting Machines, in which a sum or amount is indicated from
time to time, but not registered as in the gas meter index, and the voting box,
and the hand seal, herein-after described.
Secondly, Numbering Machines, in which the sum or amount is stamped,
or both stamped and registered in passing, as in the stamping machines,
the machine for printing numbers on cheques and their counterfoils, and for
printing railway or other tickets herein-after described.
Thirdly, Labelling Machines, in which signs are used in the place of figures
or their equivalents, being any series of signs according to some known law,
such as A (100), B (100), or A, B, C, &c.
Figure 5 shews this arrangement applied as an index to a gas meter.
P is.
the shaft or axle to be revolved by the action of any metre in the usual way.
On P is an endless screw which works into the wheel, whose pinion turns
u: In u' is a pin W, which comes in contact with the projection or weight y
on x, once each revolution of u. It will be seen from Figure 6, that a is
the d of Figure 2, and that y being a weight entirely on one side of its centre

page_text: will keep it always at rest and in the same position, except at the moment
when the pin W has, by lifting, just passed the projection y. Then x will drop
one half of its circumference, and being of the same shape as d, Figure 2,
its tooth will fall into one of the notches of s, Figure 6, and turning s one
tenth of its circumference instantly resume its previous position till acted on
again by the pin W, as just described. The weight y may be suspended at
some distance from the centre of the wheel a by a short piece of brass wire,
and this distance adjusted by a screw tapped thereon. The rest of the index
is the same in construction and effect with the form of the arrangement shewn
in Figure 1. Figures 7 and 8 shew the voting box; Figure 7 being the
front and Figure 8, the back of the voting box. Figure 9 shews its interior
when the front is removed; and Figure 10 is a Drawing of the same when
the top of the box is taken off. It will be seen on the examination of the
three arrangements of wheels and plates which turn on the axis D, Figure 9,
that they are the same as the arrangement in Figure 1, with the following
modifications: The wheels and plates marked a, a', and a², in Figure 1 are,
in Figure 9, on the upper axis marked D instead of on the lower axis, as in
Figure 1. The motion given by d to b, Figure 1, as shewn in Figure 18
(which is an end view of Figure 9), is passed to the first or unit figure wheels
of each of the end arrangements by the cogged wheels a and, as shewn in
Figure 9, and Figure 12 another end view of Figure 9. And, lastly, the
middle or centre arrangement of wheels and plates has neither the wheels d
nor of Figure 2, but receives its motion from the axle E by the cogged
wheels x and z¹. In all other respects these three arrangements are identical
with that shewn in Figure 1. They are put in motion by simply moving the
button i, Figure 7, to the right or left, when, as the machine now stands in
the Figure 7, if the vote was "yes," we should have 204 instead of 203; if
"no," 146 instead of 145; but in either case the total shewn at the back of
the box would be 349 instead of 348, because the machinery is so constructed
that, whenever either of the outside arrangements is moved, the middle is
always moved, but the outside arrangements never move together. The button
i is fixed on the frame F, F, Figure 9. This frame is kept in the centre of
the box by the worm spring I, Figure 11. When the button is pushed to
the right, the inclined plane Q, Q, raises a frame marked l', l', in Figure 9
and Figure 14. When the button is pushed to the left, a like inclined plane
Q¹, Q¹, raises a like frame 1, 1, (marked in red) at the other end of the box,
As either of these last-mentioned frames is raised as just described, the click ?,
Figure 14, is made to occupy the place of the block P. As soon as the button
flies back to the centre of the box the spring H, Figure 14, drives the frame

page_text: down, and with it the click r already in a tooth of the wheel m next behind
the one it had just left. This descent of the frame and click advances or turns
the wheel' m a tooth, or one tenth of its circumference, and by the cogged
wheels and just mentioned turns the unit wheel or plate of either of the
outside or end arrangements one tenth, that is, one figure, according as the
button has been pushed to the right or to the left; and thus the counting of
any number up to 999 is effected in the same way as already shown in
Figure 1. The click o, Figure 14, is merely to regulate the safe escape of
each tooth of the wheel m. It has been stated that the middle arrangement
is always moved when either of the outside arrangements are acted upon, and
this important object is attained in the following manner:-Two precisely
similar ratchets, one of which is marked q, and shown in Figure 14, are bolted
to the shaft or axle E, E, Figure 9, by the pins s, s, and the cogged wheel x¹
which turns z', fixed to the unit figure wheel of the middle arrangement, is in
like manner bolted to the shaft E by the pin t. All the other wheels or plates
of these three arrangements move freely on the axles D and E respectively,
each set of wheels or plates being only constrained and regulated in its motion
by the peculiar arrangement already shown in Figure 1. Suppose then the
button is moved to the right the action of the inclined plane Q, Q, will be to
turn the wheel m, in Figure 14, one tenth of its circumference, and thus by
the small click working in the ratchet to turn the axle or shaft E a like dis-
tance, and to move the middle arrangement as far as the one on the right of
the box has been moved, in fact to move them both one tenth. Again, if the
button be moved to the left the wheel m¹ will in like manner be turned one
tenth of its circumference, and the middle arrangement moved with the
arrangeinent on the left one tenth. It must be remembered it is the blows
which the frames 1, 1, and 1, P, give m and m' alternately that move each
end arrangement, and also the middle with each; when the one to the right
is used the one to the left is at rest, and conversely, for the small click which
works in the ratchet q turns the axle E, when the frame , l, is moved, but
allows it to turn without affecting the wheel m, when ,, is moved, and con-
versely. The button always returns after each voting to the centre of the box
by the pressure of the spring I, I, Figure 11, and is retained there by the
catch y, Figure 13, which then enters by the force of the spring t into the
notch v, Figure 9. When it is desired to use the voting box the button must
be unfixed by pushing inwards the knob k, Figures 8 and 13, this raises the
catch y, and as the catch s¹, s, keeps it up the button is free to be moved:"
In the progress of the button, that is of the frame to the right or left, the
inclined planes L, L, Figure 9, press down the end of the catch s', and

page_text: unlock y², which is thereby ready to fall into the notch v, Figure 9, when the
button returns to the centre of the box. There are screws at G, G, Figure 9,
to adjust the depth of the cogged wheels on the axles D and E. The upper
axis D is fixed in the frame o, o, and may be removed with its wheels from the
box, and the figured wheels run round to o, o, o. To give a warning when a
person has voted a small bell is shown at M, Figures 9 and 12. The hammer
rod of this bell, Figure 12, moves on a centre W; at each shift of the unit
figure wheel on the middle arrangement one of the ten pins y, y, Figure 9,
therein strikes the shorter arm of the hammer rod, and, as the hammer resumes
its perpendicularity, the bell is sounded. The uses of this instrument or
machine are quite obvious. Figure 15 shows what may be called the front
of the hand stamp, and Figure 16 a similar view of the side. The
cylinder R, R, moves freely up and down at one end in the bottom of the case
of the stamp, and at the other in the stirrup d, Figure 15. The axles g and h
carrying the arrangement are supported by this stirrup, as shown in Figure 15.
To the upper end R, R, is fixed the crutch b, b, which acts into the teeth of
the wheel c, c. Figures 15 and 16, a is a click also working in the wheel c, c.
The spiral spring on R, R, keeps the under side of the crutch in contact with
the stirrup d, d. The seal on the end of R, R, may be a name or particular
number, or any device desired, and may be fixed by the screw m. The seal
should have a hole in its centre, so that the end of S, S, which is part of the
case, should be flush with the surface of the seal whenever b, b, acts on the
wheel c, c, as about to be described. At the top of the hand stamp there is a
long narrow opening, which shows the figures as they are presented from time
to time by the arrangement, for every time the seal is struck or indented
R, R, is pushed in so as to carry up the crutch 6 and the click a, on which the
latter falls into another tooth of c, c, and as R, R, returns by the force of the
spiral spring the wheel c, c, will be turned the distance of one tooth, that is
one tenth of its diameter, and the number of stamps or blows made will be
indicated from time to time at the long opening just mentioned; but if the
device on the end of S, S, do not appear upon the impression the use of the
seal in that instance will not have been registered. The arrangement differs
slightly in form from that shown, Figure 1, that the figures may be close
together. To effect this the unit figure wheel is fixed to c, and the cogged
wheel c¹ to the axle g, c¹ works into the cogged wheel (f), moving loosely on
the axle h. The one toothed wheel d¹ is fixed to this last cogged wheel f.
The ten-notched wheel 61, and the cogged wheel c², are fixed to the cylinder or
pipe marked red, all as shewn in Figure 16º, on which the tens figure wheel a
turns. The cogged wheel c³ turns f¹, which is fixed to the one toothed wheel de.

page_text: The ten-notched wheel 2 is fixed to the hundreds figure wheel which turns upon
the cylinder or pipe to which the wheels and care fixed, so that each com-
plete revolution of c, c, that is of the unit figure wheel a, turns b', that is a¹, one
tenth of its circumference every revolution of 6', that is every revolution of d³
turns b³, and consequently a², one tenth of its circumference, and thus the
revolution of ċ produces precisely the same results as the revolution of d, as
shown in Figures 1 and 2.
The second class of applications of the arrangement shewn in Figure 1
are numbering machines, in which the sum or amount is stamped, or both
stamped and registered in passing, as in the stamping machines, the
machine for printing numbers on cheques and their counterfoils, and
for printing railway and other tickets about to be described.
Figure 17 shows a sectional view of the side of the stamping machine, by
which the number is stamped and registered, and not merely indicated from
to time as in the last class of machines. Here R, R; is moveable up and
down in the frame S, S, and the top P upon which the blow with the hand
is to be given is always kept up some distance above S, S, by the spiral spring
upon R, R. The whole of the machinery forms part of R, R, and moves up
and down with it, except the rack X and the clicks band d which are fixed
to S, S. When R, R, is struck down a tooth of the wheel c passes beyond b,
and when R, R, rises again to its place the wheel c is turned one tooth by the
position and resistance of b. d is a click to keep c fixed as R, R, descends: The
arrangement here is the same as shown in Figure 1, only there are four wheels
with figures on them instead of three as the number shown is any short of ten
thousand. There are also two sets of figured or marked wheels one above the
other, and made to move at the same time by the cogged wheels on the middle
axle g, Figures 17 and 18. On the lower set the numbers project to be used
as stamps, the neighbouring parts being cut away, as shown in the wheel h,
Figure 17. The upper set appear at H, Figure 19, so that each number from
time to time is both stamped and registered. The segment of a wheel W,
Figure 17, to which is fixed an arm carrying a small elastic roller T, works
into the rack X, and at each descent of R, R, is thereby carried over the
under side of the apparatus Z, Z; and this surface, being charged with printing
ink, the roller T inks each projecting figure before it reaches the paper below.
Figure 20 shows another modification of a stamping machine planned so as
to be especially applicable to stamping numbers on the leaves of ledgers and
other books. This machine stamps but does not register, the application of the
Invention to numbering the leaves of books not needing any register. The
figured wheels are also moved by a winch or key, and not by each rise and fall

page_text: of the machinery, as in the last description, since it is frequently requisite
to print the same number several times. Figure 20 is a side view, and
Figure 21 an end view of this machine. The same letters show the same parts
in each Figure. A, A, Figure 20, is the framework of the machine, and
B, B, a lever of one entire piece of iron or other metal moving on the
centres C, C, the weight to the right of the figure being sufficiently heavy to
keep the other end of the lever always up, except when pressed down by the
hand on the handle B'. The printing figure wheels (see e', Figure 20,) pro-
ject beyond H, H, and are inked as the lever rises to its place of rest by the
passage of the inking roller E, first over the inked surface E¹, and then over
the printing figures, as in the last machine. This motion of the inking roller
is obtained by the combined action of the fork G, G, and of the rod or tie F,
as the lever rises. It has been already stated that the up and down motion of
the lever B, B, does not change the number stamped, and that this is effected
by turning a key or winch on the axle n, Figure 22, one entire revolution as
often as required. If even numbers are to be stamped the one-toothed wheel a,
Figure 21, must be put into gear with the wheel (6), if odd the doubled
toothed (a), by sliding them on the axle (n) and (a), or (a), and the other
wheels on (n) may be taken out of gear with those on N, by turning P,
Figure 23, which works into the notch (p). The figure printing wheels can
be then put at 0, 0, 0, by a winch or key on the square Q, Figure 21.
It will be seen on the examination of Figure 22 that four figured
wheels e¹, e, c, e, are moved by the driving wheels (a) or (a), thus
b, fixed to N, is moved by either of these wheels a tenth for cach
entire revolution of (n), that is of a or a¹. e¹ and a² are fixed to N along
with (b). a drives 6¹ a tenth of its circumference, and with it the cogged
wheel (c), which works in one of the same size fixed to e, therefore e is moved
one tenth for each revolution of a² or e¹. The one-toothed wheel f is also
fixed to this last-mentioned cogged wheel, and at each revolution of drives
63 one tenth of its circumference, and 62 being fixed. to c, which works into
a corresponding wheel below of the same size, fixed to e, e³, is turned one
tenth for every revolution of e. The one-toothed wheel f' is also fixed to this
lower cogged wheel, so that every revolution of turns 3 and c³, which working
into a cogged wheel on e turns it one length for every revolution of e³.
Figure 24 shows a front view of the machine for printing numbers
on cheques and their counterfoils. Figures 25, and 26 are side views.
G, G, Figure 24, is a drum fixed on the axle H, H, and B, B, are rollers
fixed on the axle F, F. The drum and the rollers are of the same
diameter. The Figure wheels turn upon the axle A, which is fixed in three

page_text: of the rollers B, B, B. The other wheels of the arrangement which is of the
same kind as employed in the hand stamp turn upon the axle F, F. The
figures project and are used for printing. On the axle N, N, are two elastic
rollers M, M, charged with printing ink for the figured wheels. The motion
of these three axles H, F, and N, are connected by the wheels K, K', and Q,
and H is turned by a winch as shown in Figures 25 and 26. D¹ and C,
Figures 24 and 25, are the d and b of Figure 2. D is fixed to the frame of
the machine, with its single tooth, as shewn in Figure 25, about 90° from the
highest point of its circumference. a, Figures 25 and 26 is a board or table,
upon which the paper to be printed is laid. If we suppose the winch to he
in the position shown Figure 25, the wheel C will have just passed the
one-toothed wheel D', and have 'been turned one tenth of its circumfèrence, as
the winch travels round the figures will be next inked ready for use. The
drum G, G, and the rollers B, B, are covered with flannel, except the space of
two inches x, x, Figure 26, which is always apparent just above the board (a).
whenever the winch hangs downwards, as shewn in Figure 26. A slight
motion of the winch in the direction of the arrows will draw the paper to be
printed between the drum and the rollers, and its continued motion or revolu-
tion will carry the paper through the machine till the figures on. the printing
wheels are printed at L, the point of contact of the drum and the rollers.
The arrangement then passes on to be shifted at P, Figure 25, to be inked at
N and printed again at L. The paper in the meantime, if it be of a con-
tinuous length, and not a single piece, will have travelled through the machine
a distance equal to the circumference of the drum G. The winch should
always be in the position shown in Figuré 26 on the starting of the machine.
Figures 27, 28, 29, 30, show the machine for printing railway and other
tickets. Figure 27 is a perpendicular and Figure 28 an horizontal section.
The same letters show the same parts in each Figure.. A, A, are two circular
plates fixed to the axle M, and carrying the figured wheels on the axle O¹, and
N binds the plates A, A, together on the other side of the axle M. As A, A,
are turned by a winch on M, the figured wheels d', d³, d³, and e¹, e, e³, Figure
30 are shifted simultaneously by the one-toothed wheel (6) fixed to the frame
of the machine, and working into the ten-notched wheel a on the axle
Q, in like manner to that shown in Figure 2. This mode of shifting the
figure wheels being the same as already shown in Figure 24, the use therefore
of the wheels a¹, a², b; b, b, c, &, &, and ff, respectively will be remem-
bered, and it will be easily seen by the sectional Figure 28 that the figured
wheel turns with the figured wheel e', fixed on the ends of a tube shown

page_text: by the dotted lines as revolving on. the axle O¹. In a similar manner d³ turns
with e, and d³ with e¹. The Figures on e¹, e, e³, project and are to be used for
printing, and those on d¹, d³, d³, for registering from time to time the number
of tickets printed. On the circumference of the plates A, A, is fixed a stereo.
plate W, Figure 27, in contact with the roller C, which is covered with flannel,
and pressed against the stereo plate by the screw C. B, B, is a hopper to con-
tain the plain tickets to be printed, a portion of the bottom of this hopper
is removed, and supplied by a sliding piece marked t, t, Figures 27 and 29.
When this piece t, t, is drawn out (in the way about to be described) one
of the cards drops low enough to be pushed between the stereo plate W and
the roller C by the sliding piece t, t, as it returns within the bottom of the
hopper. The space t, Figure 27, is only just the thickness of one card, so
that no more than one can drop at each withdrawal of the slide t, t. Figures
28 and 30 show a wheel D on the axle M, which drives a wheel of the same
size on the axle Q. On Q there is an excentric motion F, Figures 28, 30,
and 29, which carries the arm H, moving on the centre G, backwards and
forwards, and as the rack K at the top of the arm H works into a correspond-
ing rack fixed to the slide piece t, t, the slide piece is withdrawn from and
returned to the bottom of the hopper at each revolution of D; at the same
time the click 1, fixed to the arm H turns the ratchet toothed wheel L, a
distance of one of its teeth. L is fixed to a cylinder moving in a bath of
printing ink, and being in contact with the distributing roller R, and R being
in the like contact with the inking roller S, the last roller will always be well
and equally charged with ink. The action of the whole machine is now
apparent. During the revolution of M, the stereo plate W, and the project-
ing figures on e¹, e, e, which appear through an opening in the plate, are
inked by contact with the roller S. About the same time the arm H, moved
by the excentric F, has pushed one of the cards within the grasp of the stereo
plate W and the roller C, and as M revolves the card is thereby drawn out
of the hopper, and brought between the stereo plate and the figures on
e¹, e², and e³, and the roller c, and printed not only with the particular number
on the figure wheels, but also with the words, letters, or symbols on W. The
card is then discharged or thrown from the machine, and the same series of
operations repeated by the continuous revolution. of M. When it is desired
to bring the figures back to 0, 0, 0, the wheels on the axle O, Figure 30, may.
be put out of gear with those on the axle O', by turning the nut P, which
works in a rack (p) as shewn in Figure 27.
The third class of applications of the arrangement require no specific

page_text: examples, as they consist solely in the substitution of signs for figures, and in
such cases the machines described would be said to label rather than
number.
I do not claim solely as my Invention the several machines for counting,
numbering, and labelling just described; but I claim separately and especially
the particular arrangement of wheels or plates, shown and described by Figures
1 and 2, whereby the driving or prime moving wheel d, Figure 2, at all times
controls the revolution and fixes the position of every other wheel or plate in
the arrangement although it only alters their relative position suddenly at each
of its revolutions, and I do not confine myself to the exact position of the
several wheels or plates, as shewn in Figures 1 and 2, provided these peculiar
features and characteristics of my Invention be maintained.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Jean Baranowski, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty.