A Mechanical Ready Reckoner.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Aug., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 9th May, 1893-Accepted, 5th Aug., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Mechanical Ready Reckoner.
I, EDWIN FRAMPTON of 20 Chelsea Gardens, Pimlico, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
My invention consists of a simple form of calculating machine whereby numbers,
weights, money, etc. etc. can be calculated.
In its simplest form my ready reckoner consists of a circular disc or dial from the
centre of which are described as many concentric circles as may be convenient.
Each of these circles is divided on its circumference into equal parts, the lengths
of the parts in all the circles being the same, so that the number of parts in each
circle differs in proportion to the radius. These parts may represent numbers,
pence, shillings, hours, or anything required. An arm is provided pivoted on the
centre of the disc and capable of being rotated by hand, and the edge of this arm
(which is radial to the circle) is divided into as many parts as there are circles on
the disc, each division of the arm coinciding with one of the circles. The divisions
on the arm are figured proportionately to their distance from the centre. The arm
then being placed in any position, the numbers, sums, or quantities on the circles
that appear at any two of the divisions, stand to each other in the same proportion
as do the numbers or fractions marked at those divisions.
Thus, if the divisions on the circles represent pence, shillings, & pounds, and the
arm be marked off in fractions of its length, the outermost mark being unity, then
the mark on the arm representing unity being placed against any sum of money on
the outer circle, against the other marks on the arm giving different fractions of
unity, will be found the same fractions of this sum of money.
Modifications of this can be used for reckoners of interest, prices per lb.,
wages, etc. etc.
Another form of my invention is a machine constructed in accordance with the
following description:-
I provide a circular table or disc firmly fixed on a spindle, which spindle revolves
in a suitable bearing. In practice the table is horizontal, and I provide a hand-
wheel fitted on a horizontal shaft running under the table and coupled to it and
rotating it either by gearing or friction wheels. The table may be of any suitable
material but I prefer brass or iron with a thin rubber covering. Over the table
and parallel to it I fix a cross bar or bars upon which are two or more indicators
capable of being adjusted in any position along the bars. These indicators are
operated and driven by the revolving table turning small running wheels geared
and connected with the dials of the indicators or the hands moving over them. . I
prefer an indicator actuated by two spur wheels driven from the runner by the
same pinion, but one having one more tooth than the other, so that the advance of
The bar
one wheel over the other registers the amount measured by the runner.
or bars carrying the indicators being then divided off in any required way, and the
indicator dials being marked to show money, weights, or whatever is required,
calculations can then be made as in the simpler form before described, the amounts
registered by the indicators being proportionate to the numbers on the bars where
they are fixed.
Where a great number of rates or sub-divisions on the horizontal bars are
required I prefer to use fine threaded screws in place of the bars mentioned above,
carrying dials or division plates on one end and each having a scale running
parallel to it. The indicators then slide along the screws and each has an index
passing along the scale, but can be put into gear with the screw when required, in

page_text: 1.
any convenient manner. Thus the indicator can be set to any fraction of the pitch
of the screw by means of the division plate, the screw being turned round in its
bearings. Or, in another form the indicator may be fixed in any position and
driven by a spindle, along which the runner slides so that it can be fixed in any
required position. By using different division plates, or division plates with several
different circles of divisions, and having different dials on the indicators, or dials
having several different circles of divisions, the same machine can deal with
different denominations such as numbers, money, weights, etc.
Sometimes I might use extra indicators .showing multiples of the amounts that
the first indicators would show when at the same distance from the centre and with
the same angular rotation of the table.
In some cases also it may be more convenient to divide the edge of the horizontal
disc, or to cut teeth on it, and to use an indicator driven from this in place of one
of the indicators driven by a runner.
My machine may be made having a cone instead of the disc herein before
described, provision being made for varying and adjusting the distance of the
indicators from the apex of the cone.
My machine may also be made with the indicators driven by means of a drum or
drums instead of a horizontal disc, the axis of the runner on each indicator being
capable of being adjusted to any angle with the axis of the drum driving it. Thus
when the axis of the runner is parallel to that of the drum the greatest motion is
given to the former, and when the axes are at right angles no motion at all is given
to it, so that different rates would be given by different angles between these two
extremes.
Dated this 9th day of Avoust 1905
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Mechanical Ready Reckoner.
I, EDWIN FRAMPTON, of 20 Chelsea Gardens, Pimlico, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, 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 :-
My invention consists of a simple form of calculating machine whereby numbers,
weights, money, &c., &c. can be calculated.
In its simplest form my ready reckoner consists of a circular disc or dial from
the centre of which are described as many concentric circles as may be convenient.
Each of these circles is divided on its circumference into equal parts, the lengths of
the parts in all the circles being the same, so that the number of parts in each
circle differs in proportion to the radius. These parts may represent numbers,
pence, shillings, or anything required. An arm is provided pivoted on the centre
of the disc and capable of being rotated by hand, and the edge of this arm (which
is radial to the circles) is divided into as many parts as there are circles on the
disc, each division of the arm coinciding with one of the circles. The divisions on
the arm are figured proportionately to their distance from the centre.
The arm
then being placed in any position, the numbers, sums, or quantities on the circles
that appear at any two of the divisions stand to each other in the same proportion
as do the numbers or fractions marked at those two divisions.
Thus, if the divisions on the circles represent pence, shillings, and pounds, and
the arm be marked off in fractions of its length, the outermost mark being unity,
then the mark on the arm representing unity being placed against any sum of
money on the outer circle, against the other marks on the arm giving different
fractions of unity will be found the same fractions of this sum of money.
Modifications of this can be used for reckoners of interest, prices per lb.,
wages, etc., etc.

page_text: Another form of my invention is a machine constructed in accordance with the
following description. I provide a circular table or disc firmly fixed on a spindle,
which spindle revolves in a suitable bearing. In practice the table is horizontal,
and I provide a handwheel fitted on a horizontal shaft running under the table and
coupled to it and rotating it either by gearing or friction wheels. The table may
be of any suitable material, but I prefer brass or iron with a thin rubber covering.
Over the table & parallel to it I fix a cross bar or bars, upon which are two or
more indicators capable of being adjusted in any position along the bars. These
indicators are operated and driven by the revolving table turning small running
wheels geared and connected with the dials of the indicators or the hands moving
over thein. I prefer an indicator actuated by two spur wheels driven from the
runner by the same pinion, but one having one more tooth than the other, so that
the advance of one wheel over the other registers the amount measured by the
runner. The bar or bars carrying the indicators being then divided off in any
required way, and the indicator dials being marked to show money, weights, or
whatever is required, calculations can then be made as in the simpler form before
described, the amounts registered by the indicators being proportionate to the
numbers on the bars where they are fixed.
When a great number of rates or sub-divisions on the horizontal bars are
required, I prefer to use fine threaded screws in place of the bars mentioned above,
carrying dials or division plates on one end, and each having a scale running
parallel to it. The indicators then slide along the screws and each has an index
passing along the scale, but can be put into gear with the screw when required in
any convenient manner. Thus the indicator can be set to any fraction of the pitch
of the screw by means of the division plate, the screw being turned round in its
bearings. Or, in another form the indicator may be fixed in any position, and
driven by a spindle along which the runner slides so that it can be fixed in any
required position. By using different division plates, or division plates with several
different circles of divisions, and having different dials on the indicators, or dials
having several different circles of divisions, the same machine can deal with different
denominations, such as numbers, money, weights, etc.
Sometimes I might use extra indicators showing multiples of the amounts that
the first indicators would show when at the same distance from the centre and with
the same angular rotation of the table.
In some cases also it may be more convenient to divide the edge of the horizontal
disc, or to cut teeth on it, and to use an indicator driven from this in place of one
of the indicators driven by a runner.
My machine may be made having a cone instead of the disc hereinbefore
described, provision being made for varying and adjusting the distance of the
indicators from the apex of the cone.
My machine may also be made with the indicators driven by means of a drum or
drums instead of a horizontal disc, the axis of the runner on each indicator being
capable of being adjusted at any angle with the axis of the drum driving it. Thus
when the axis of the runner is parallel to that of the drum, the greatest motion is
given to the former, and when the axes are at right angles, no motion at all is given
to it, so that different rates would be given by different angles between these two
extremes.
In order that my invention may be fully understood, I have illustrated on the
accompanying drawings three ways of carrying it into effect.
Fig. 1 shows an example of the simplest form, being a disc and arm by which
wages, prices per cwt., and prices per lb. can be calculated. There are 84 concentric
circles (of which to prevent confusion only every fourth one is shown) starting from
the vertical radius A B, which is the zero line, the distance between every two
consecutive circles being the same. Outside these circles are 3 others, the inner
one having 66 equal divisions set off round its circumference from the zero line to
the radius A C. These divisions represent hours, and each one is sub-divided into

page_text: quarter hours. The second of these circles has 40 equal divisions representing lbs.
and sub-divided into ozs., and the third has 112 equal divisions also representing lbs.
and sub-divided into quarter lbs. The division of the second of these circles
representing 40 lbs. falls on the same radius AD as the division on the inner one
representing 60 hours; and the division on the third representing 112 lbs. falls on
the same radius A E as the division on the inner oue representing 54 hours. The
inner of these circles is used for calculating wages, the second, prices at rates per lb.,
and the third, prices at rates per cwt.
A division on the outermost of the 84 interior circles that falls on the radius A E
represents 42/-, and 42 equal divisions are set off round the circumference to the
zero line A B, each one being sub-divided into twelve pence. The circumferences
of the other 83 circles, and the remainder of the 84th beyond the 42/- division, are
divided off into shillings and pence in the same way from the radius A B to A C,
the division in each circle denoting the same sum being the same length measured
along the circumference. The arm H F KG, which turns on a pin central with
the disc, is double and has on its edge KG 80 divisions coinciding with the
outer 80 of the 84 circles, the divisions being marked off from the centre to denote
sixpences commencing at 2/-, and on its edge F H 26 divisions coinciding with
every third of the circles and marked off to denote halfpence.
at
Now if it is required to ascertain the wages due for any number of hours up to 66
any rate per week of 54 hours up to 42/- by sixpences, if the edge KG be placed
at the required number of hours on the hour circle, at the division on the arm
representing the rate will be found the sum required. In precisely the same way
prices for any number of lbs. and ozs. up to 40 lbs. at any rate per lb. up to 1/2 by
half pence, and for any number of lbs. and quarters up to 112 lbs. at any rate
per cwt. up to 42/- by sixpences, can be found by means of the other two outer
circles, the edge FH of the arm being used for prices at rates per lb., and the
edge KG for prices at rates per cwt. Multiplication and division can also be
performed; for example, if it is required to multiply 1/7 by 19, the division
marked 2 being put to 1/7 on its corresponding circle, opposite the division
marked 38 will be found the product.
As marking figures round the 84 circles would lead to complication, I in practice
colour the disc in two, three, or more colours alternately, or shade it as shown in
the drawing, each band of colour or different shade representing a certain number
of shillings which is marked on the outside circle. The 3ds, 6's, and 9's are marked
by short lines and the intervening pence by lines still shorter; or the 31s &c. can
be shown by lines of one colour and the intervening pence by lines of another.
In order to avoid complication, whilst making the construction clear, I have
shown in the drawing only the first 5 of the shilling bands completed, the lines in
the first divided into 12 pence, the lines in the other 4 only into threepences.
Figs. 2 and 3 show the machine constructed with a rotating disc with two cross
screws, two indicators, and two scales such as before described. A is the rotating
disc constructed of metal & covered with thin rubber or veneer, B its spindle
turning in the bearing C fixed to the table D. A is driven by the hand wheel E
and the rubber covered friction wheel F on the shaft G, H & I are the two screws,
of the same pitch, turning in bearings in the brackets KL, over which move the
sleeves M N carrying the indicators OP. These indicators are such as are herein-
before described, P being fitted with an extra intermediate pinion so that the hands
of each may move in the same direction. The hands for the outer dials are a
fair fit on the spindles and can be set back to zero by hand; the inner dials can
be run back by the motion of the table. The sleeves M N are provided with
toothed catches QR, which engage with the screws when depressed. ST are
the division plates on the ends of the screws, and W X the scale bars fixed
parallel to the screws, and Y Z the pawls for the division plates.
These scale bars are square, so that they can have a different scale on each
face, and either face can be brought uppermost. Also the outer dials on the

page_text: indicators are removable, whilst the inner ones show multiples of the highest
indications on the outer ones. Thus different denominations can be dealt with.
For example; for calculation of wages, let the outer dial of indicator O be
divided into 120 parts each denoting a penny, and the outer dial of P into
40 parts each denoting hour; also let the scales be divided into parts equal
If then
to the pitch of the screw and numbered accordingly from the centre.
both O and P are placed at the 108th division from the centre and the table is
rotated until any required number of hours and quarters is shown on O, P will
show the corresponding amount of wages due at 54/- per week of 54 hours. If O
be placed one division of the scale nearer the centre, wages at 53/6 per week of
54 hours will be given, and so on.
If on the other hand Ŏ remains on the 108th
division and P be moved one division near the centre, wages at 54/- per week of
53 hours will be given, and so on.
5
Again if both O and P show money, but P both. of the amount shown by O for
equal movement of the runners, and if P can be placed by its screws and division
plate to th. of the radius of the table, then, O being at the outside end of its
scale, P will show the interest at 1% of any amount shown by O for any number
of days up to 365 according to its position on its scale. If O be moved half way
up its scale, P will show 2% in the same way, and so on.
Figs. 4 and 5 show a somewhat simpler machine. Table A rotates on a pin B
fixed to the bottom of casing C and is turned by the finger, a part of the casing
being cut away for that purpose as shown. The indicating gear consists of a
runner D having a parallel part inside divided into 60 divisions, each one denoting
a penny. On the runner spindle is a worm E driving a worm-wheel F, above which
is fixed the disc G divided into 20 parts each part denoting 5/-. The frame H
carrying the indicator gear can be lifted up and slid along scale I, there being an
opening in the casing for this purpose. K is a rack into which a shorter rack L
engages when the frame H is lowered into its place to bring runner D in contact
with table A. Three circles of divisions are marked on the outermost part of the
table and are read as shown through the openings M, N, and O in the casing. One
of these circles is divided off to denote 60 hours and quarters, another to denote
40 lbs. and ozs., and in both these the divisions go completely round the circle.
The third is divided to denote 112 lbs. and quarters, but the division denoting 112 lbs.
falls on the same radius with the division denoting 54 hours on the hour circle, and
the rest of the circle is left blank. The scale, which is square, is divided on its top
and front side, on the top into 84 parts denoting sixpences and marked accordingly
from the centre, and on the side into 28 parts denoting halfpence. The rack K
has the same pitch as the scale I. Now if the indicator be set to any rate on the
top scale, and the table be rotated till a certain number of hours and quarters
appears at the index at the opening M, the amount of wages due for that number of
hours at the rate for a 54 hour week will be shown by the indicator. In the same
way prices for numbers of lbs. and quarters up to 112 lbs. at different rates per cwt.
up to 42/-, and prices for numbers of lbs. and ozs. at different rates per lb. up to
are found.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
:-
1. A mechanical ready reckoner consisting of a disc having divisions and
indications as hereinbefore set forth, in combination with a moveable graduated
arm, the marking on the disc and the graduation of the arm giving when this
latter is operated the calculations required, substantially as set forth and illustrated
in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.
2. The modification hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of
the drawings, in which the required calculation is obtained by setting the indicators
for the required result in suitable relation to their respective scales, then actuating
the table to operate the runner and move the hands substantially as described.

page_text: 3: The modification hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of
the accompanying drawings.
4. A mechanical ready reckoner constructed, combined, and arranged to operate
as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 9th day of May 1893.
EDWIN FRAMPTON.