Improvements in Marking or Measuring Devices for Shop Counters or the like.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Nov., 1890-Accepted 13th Dec.
4000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Marking or Measuring Devices for Shop Counters
or the like.
A communication from abroad by JOSEPH G. PARKINSON, of Chicago, in the County
of Cook, and State of Illinois, United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in the
County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
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:-
The ordinary method in use for measuring fabrics upon counters is by means of tacks
driven into the upper surface of the counter at or near its inner edge, to mark the divisions
of long measure into yards or parts thereof. The tacks used for this purpose have
round, convex shaped heads and are so driven that their heads are loft projecting above
the upper surface of the counter. If they work loose, as they frequently do, the edges of
the fabric are apt to get caught beneath them as it is handled and pushed about on the
counter, and thus become torn.
In measuring fabrics with these tacks, the clerk or salesman presses with the thumb
of one hand an end or point in the fabric upon the head of the tack which marks one
end of the measure to be taken, and slides the thumb and fingers of the other hand
along the edge of the fabric to the tack-head marking the other end of such measure
or a division thereof, and fixes and marks this upon the fabric by placing the side of
the thumb, or the thumb nail over the top of the tack, as near as he can, locating it by
the sense of touch.
The use of tacks of this character as a means for measuring fabrics in the manner
stated, is objectionable in this, to wit; first it is impracticable to settle with certainty
the centre of the tack-head that marks the exact terinini of the measure to be taken,
especially in measuring thick or unyielding fabrics; second, in this, that the location
of the tacks is changeable at pleasure, and may be effected without leaving any
satisfactory trace or evidence by which it may be determined by mere ocular
nspection, without testing by measurement, whether their position has been changed;
hird, should the tacks work loose, as they frequently do, the edges of the fabric, as
lready stated, are apt to get caught beneath them as it is handled and pushed about
he counter, and thus become torn.
The object of this invention is to provide a measuring apparatus for counters, which
vill do away with these objections, and said invention will be understood from the
nsuing description taken in connection with the drawings, in which,
Figure 1 represents an edge elevation of so much of a counter embodying the
mprovement as is sufficient to an understanding thereof;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the said counter, and
Figure 3 a modification.
It is proposed, instead of round-headed tacks referred to in the preamble, to employ
nife edges, or rather sharp or well defined edges, marking the termini or division of
e measure; and, furthermore, to apply said edges or points to the counter in such
anner that they cannot be removed without leaving a permanent mark, so that it may
seen by ocular inspection whether any change of location of any of these markers
points has been made, and thus avoid occasion for periodical retestings under
tutes requiring sealers of weights and measures to make tests thereof.
To this end transverse channels are formed in the top of the counter A, at the inner
ge thereof, which may be either of dovetailed form as at a to receive the dovetail
se, a', of the knife-edge a³, or may be merely mortises, rectangular in cross-section
D

page_text: as at 6 to receive the rectangular base 1, of the knife-edge 62, which can then be
secured by tacks or screws, or otherwise. When of dovetailed form, a tack or screw
may be employed to confine the knife-edges after it has been settled into place, or if
the base is made of sufficient size it may be driven in and held by wedging against the
walls of the channel or mortise, or it may be secured in any other desirable or perma-
nent manner.
When thus applied it is obvious that it cannot be removed without leaving a plainly
visible opening in the counter, and that if this opening is thereafter filled up, the
outlines will still be visible and cannot possibly be concealed.
These knife-edges will of course project above the upper edge of the counter, and if
flanked by their bases, as shown, the top of the counter will be made to come flush
with the upper surface of the latter.
With the arrangement above described it is evident that goods can be accurately
measured and that there will be no danger of giving short measure.
So far as the use of mortises, channels, or grooves is intended to prevent or check
attempts at surreptitious displacement of markers or divisions of the measure, it is
immaterial to the generic features of the invention whether the bases entering into such
mortises, channels, or grooves are provided with knife-edges or markers of other
outline, for instance the notch a³, shown in 3rd figure of drawing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination substantially as hereinbefore set forth, with a counter, of a series
of knife-edges marking the termini and divisions of a long measure.
2. The combination substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a counter having
transverse grooves, mortises or channels in one of its upper edges, marking termini or
divisions of a long measure, and a series of markers having bases fitted into such
grooves, mortises or channels.
3. The combination substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a counter having
transverse mortises, grooves or channels in one of its upper edges and a series of
knife-edges having bases fitted into such mortises, grooves or channels, said knife-edges
marking the points of termini and divisions of long measure.
Dated this 10th day of November 1890.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.