Improved Method of and Form for Keeping Accounts.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Dec., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 13th Sept., 1893-Accepted, 21st Oct., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Form for Keeping Accounts.
I, THEODORE MILES BROWN of Cazenovia, in the County of Pipe Stone and
State of Minnesota, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention is embodied in a page or sheet ruled and inscribed in the manner
hereinafter described and shewn in the accompanying drawings, forming part of this
Specification, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of such sheet or page with the
permanent inscription thereon, and Figures 2, 3, and 4, shew each a portion of the
same magnified, having entries illustrating the use of the invention in the practical
keeping of accounts as hereinafter particularly described.
с
Each
The object I have in view is to lessen the labor involved in keeping accounts in
the usual way and in carrying out my invention I rule a page or sheet (preferably
a double page sheet) so that it has ten or more special columns a arranged vertically
parallel for recording individual accounts and parallel to, and at the right of, such
columns a are two more similar ones a¹ a³ for totals, the column a¹ being for totals
of debits and credits for each day and the other a' for grand totals of all preceding
accounts at the close of a certain period, say a month, as will be hereinafter
described. In the space above the columns a¹ a are placed the permanent headlines
"Daily Totals" and "Grand Totals," as shewn. The footing column a is sub-
divided having at the head of its division the permanent headings "Footings" and
"Grand Footings." These twelve vertical columns a a' a' are sub-divided by
heavy horizontal lines c into twenty-seven parts or subdivisions a corresponding to
the greatest possible number of business days that can occur in any month.
such space or subdivision is in turn subdivided by a vertical line, to separate debits
from credits and the debit and credit spaces thus formed are again divided
horizontally by two faint parallel lines whereby spaces are provided for the
following purposes. The long space which is directly below a heavy horizontal
line c is for the entry of names of parties (when required) with whom accounts are
opened. The two middle spaces are for posting daily debit or credit balances
which is in practice done with red ink so that the balance of each particular
account for each day may be readily ascertained by inspection. In this instance
the entries are distinguished by "surface shade "lines as will appear from inspection
of Figures 2, 3, and 4. The two lower spaces in each sub-division are for debits
and credits of an individual account. In the broad space at the head of the sheet
is entered the general heading or title of the company or party to whom the account
belongs and by whom it is kept. At the head of each column is a small space y
for entry of the business and address of the parties with whom the dealings occur
and with whom the debit and credit accounts are kept, and below these spaces y
and above the vertical columns a are placed the names of such parties.
I will now illustrate the method of using this form in keeping accounts in actual
business and for that purpose will refer to Figures 2, 3, and 4 in succession.
The headings "The Blank Omnibus Co." indicates the party keeping the
accounts. The titles entered in spaces y indicate the several kinds of dealings or
of indebtedness incurred and also the address of the parties with whom accounts
are kept and whose names appear in the large spaces below. Thus (see Figure 2)
the entry "Hardware ""Anacostia" in the space y of the last of the columns a
indicates the business and place of business of "Geo. W." whose name appears
below. Again in Figure 3 the title "Blacksmith " Georgetown" in the third
a column is entered in the y space and indicates the business and place of business
of "E. D."
66

page_text: By referring to Figure 2 it will be seen that an account is opened February 1st
1891 by "The Blank Omnibus Co." with "Geo. W." and that on that date he
incurs an indebtedness of $100 and also makes a payment of $200 on the same day..
The amounts ($100 and $200) are placed in the respective debit and credit spaces
of the first sub division below the upper horizontal line c.
This transaction
leaves a credit balance of $100 in "W's "favor which is accordingly entered on the
credit side in the middle space of the second day, as shewn by "surface shaded
numerals. On the 2nd day of February "W" is debited with $200 and thus has
a debit balance of $100 which is entered on the debit side of the middle space of the
third day to indicate the state of "W's account with the beginning of that day.
In the column a' for "Daily Totals" the entries are necessarily as follows;
"
On February 1st $100 debit and $200 credit ;
On February 2nd $200 debit-no credit ;
On the 3rd February $400 debit and no credits.
"
The third column for "Grand Totals would, of course, correspond exactly
to the second column a² if the same were filled in. But as the account with "W."
is not closed, but continued into March, as shewn in Figure 3, no entries are made in
such column a². The footings of column a¹ (Figure 2) and of the column a of the
individual account will correspond, and they are $700 debit and $200 credit, leaving
a balance of $500 against "W." which debt is duly entered (see "surface shaded
numerals) in the middle (debit) space at foot of the individual account, also below
the grand total column. The debit and credit entries ($700 and $200) are also
made in the column a³ of "Footings" at the bottom of the page. The debit
balance $500-is the amount to be transferred to the March account, Figure 3.
In other words that balance is entered on the debit side of "W's" account which is
continued into March.
As appears from Figure 3 "W" incurs a further indebtedness of $200 on the
first of March and this sum added to the amount ($500) brought forward gives a
debit balance of $700 which is entered in the middle or debit balance space of the
2nd (March) day. On the same day "W-" becomes further indebted in the
sum of $125 and this gives a debit balance of $825 entered (as shown) in balance
(debit) space of 3rd day. On the same day, the 3rd, he adds $300 to such balance.
Thus we have $625 as the sum of his new indebtedness incurred in March, while
the amount of his entire indebtedness is $1125 as indicated in the debit space at
foot of the first (March) column a. Still referring to Figure 3 it appears that on
March 1st an account is opened with "E. D." blacksmith, in Georgetown and he'
incurs a debt of $30 on that date and $15 on the 3rd day.
Again "J. D. F." engaged in sale of drugs on Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. becomes indebted $500 on March 1st and pays $100 on account
on March 2nd leaving thus a debit balance of $400, as indicated by the proper
entry in (debit) balance space of 3rd day. It is clear that "D's" account will
foot up $45 and "F's" $500 leaving a debit balance for F of $400.
The daily totals colum a' (Figure 3) expresses the transaction for the entire month
of March as follows:-
..
A debit of $730 was incurred to the "Blank Omnibus Co.," on the 1st day, another
of $125 on the 2nd day, with an offsetting credit of $100 and another of $315 on
the 3rd day.
The entries in the daily totals column and grand totals column a correspond.
In Figure 4. "E. R. P" has an account with $40 debit and $60 credit on
March 1st and $30 on March 2nd. The credit balance of $20 with which the first
day closes is entered in credit balance space of 2nd day.
W. M." also has an account as shown. In the daily totals column a' (Figure 4)
the aggregate for March 1st of "P" and "M-S"
accounts are $140 debit and
$260 credit, for March 2nd, $30 debit and $10 credit, and for the third day $100
debit and $800 credit. The footings of column a' are accordingly $770 debit and
$1070 credit as shown, leaving a credit balance of $300. Now supposing all
accounts to be closed and a grand balance struck, the grand totals colum a

page_text: (Figure 4) contains the following entries namely: on 1st day a debit balance of
$500 brought forward from "W's" account and the debit aggregate of $870 (obtained
by adding $730 see Figure 3, to $140 see Figure 4). Opposite this entry of $87,0
is a credit entry of $260 ($60 +$200). This leaves a credit balance of $111,0
to begin the 2nd day. The debit entry for the 2nd day is $155,-the aggregate
of $125 and $30 (see Figures 3 and 4). Then on the 2nd day there is a credit of
$110 to begin the 3rd day, when grand aggregates of $915 debit and $800 credit are
entered.
The footings of the grand totals column a³ (Figure 4) are therefore $1940 debit
and $1170 credit-leaving a grand debit balance of $1270 at closing of the
accounts.
The entries in the grand footings place correspond to those of the column
The horizontal base column a' also expresses the footings of the several accounts, as
will be readily. understood by inspection.
It is apparent from the foregoing that this forin of account effects a great
saving of labor and time in keeping daily debits and credits and ascertaining and
recording daily balances. The daily payments and receipts in business transactions
are indicated so as to be ascertainable at a glance, as are also the totals, debits
and credits accrued and given each day as well as during the whole period business
has been carried on.
_ Dated this 20th day of December 1892.
T. M. BROWN,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
$6
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Form for Keeping Accounts.
I, THEODORE MILES BROWN of Cazenovia, in the County of Pipe Stone and
State of Minnesota, United States of America, Gentleman, 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 is embodied in a page or sheet ruled and inscribed in the manner
hereinafter described and shewn in the drawings accompanying my Provisional
Specification, in which Figure is a plan view of such sheet or page with the
permanent inscription thereon, and Figures 2, 3, and 4, shew each a portion of
the same magnified, having entries illustrating the use of the invention in the
practical keeping of accounts as hereinafter particularly described.
The object I have in view is to lessen the labor involved in keeping accounts in
the usual way and in carrying out my invention I rule a page or sheet (preferably
a double page sheet) so that it has ten or more special columns a arranged vertically
parallel for recording individual accounts and parallel to, and at the right of, such
columns a are two more similar ones a' a' for totals, the column a' being for totals
of debits and credits for each day and the other a² for grand totals of all preceding
accounts at the close of a certain period, say a month, as will be hereinafter
described. In the space above the columns a' a' are placed the permanent headlines
Daily Totals" and "Grand Totals," as shewn. The footing column a is sub-
divided having at the head of its division the permanent headings "Footings" and
"Grand Footings." These twelve vertical columns a a¹ a² are sub-divided by
heavy horizontal lines c into twenty-seven parts or subdivisions æ corresponding to
the greatest possible number of business days that can occur in any month. Each
such space or subdivision is in turn subdivided by a vertical line, to separate
debits from credits and the debit and credit spaces thus formed are again divided
horizontally by two faint parallel lines whereby spaces are provided for the
following purposes. The long space which is directly below a heavy horizontal
line c,is for the entry of names of parties (when required) with whom accounts are

page_text: opened. The two middle spaces are for posting daily debit or credit balances which
is in practice done with red ink so that the balance of each particular account for
each day may be readily ascertained by inspection. In this instance the entries
are distinguished by "surface shade" lines as will appear from inspection of
Figures 2, 3, and 4. The two lower spaces in each sub-division x are for debits
and credits of an individual account. In the broad space at the head of the sheet
is entered the general heading or title of the company or party to whom the account
belongs and by whom it is kept. At the head of each column is a small space y
for entry of the business and address of the parties with whom the dealings occur
and with whom the debit and credit accounts are kept, and below the spaces y and
above the vertical columns a are placed the names of such parties.
accounts.
I will now illustrate the method of using this form in keeping accounts in
actual business and for that purpose will refer to Figures 2, 3, and 4 in succession.
The headings "The Blank Omnibus Co." indicates the party keeping the
The titles entered in spaces y indicate the several kinds of dealings or
of indebtedness incurred and also the address of the parties with whom accounts
are kept and whose names appear in the large spaces below. Thus (see Figure 2)
the entry "Hardware" "Anacostia" in the space y of the last of the columns a
indicates the business and place of business of "Geo. W." whose name appears
below. Again in Figure 3 the title "Blacksmith" " Georgetown" in the third
a column is entered in the y space and indicates the business and place of business
of "E. D."
This
By referring to Figure 2 it will be seen that an account is opened February 1st
1891 by The Blank Omnibus Co." with "Geo. W." and that on that date he
incurs an indebtedness of $100 and also makes a payment of $200 on the same
day. The amounts ($100 and $200) are placed in the respective debit and credit
spaces of the first subdivision below the upper horizontal line c.
transaction leaves a credit balance of $100 in "W's" favor which is accordingly
entered on the credit side in the middle space of the second day, as shewn by
surface shaded" numerals. On the 2nd day of February "W" is debited with
$200 and thus has a debit balance of $100 which is entered on the debit side
of the middle space of the third day to indicate the state of "W's" account with
the beginning of that day. In the column a' for "Daily Totals" the entries are
necessarily as follows;
On February 1st $100 debit and $200 credit ;
On February 2nd $200 debit-no credit ;
On the 3rd February $400 debit and no credits.
The third column for "Grand Totals" would, of course, correspond exactly to
the second column a² if the same were filled in. But as the account with "W." is
not closed, but continued into March, as shewn in Figure 3, no entries are made in
such column a². The footings of column a¹ (Figure 2) and of the column a of the
individual account will correspond, and they are $700 debit and $200 credit,
leaving a balance of $500 against "W." which debt is duly entered (see "surface
shaded" numerals) in the middle (debit) space at foot of the individual account,
also below the grand total column. The debit and credit entries ($700 and $200)
are also made in the column a³ of "Footings" at the bottom of the page. The
debit balance-$500-is the amount to be transferred to the March account,
Figure 3. In other words that balance is entered on the debit side of "W's"
account which is continued into March.
As appears from Figure 3 " W" incurs a further indebtedness of $200 on the
first of March and this sum added to the amount ($500) brought forward gives a
debit balance of $700 which is entered in the middle or debit balance space of the
2nd (March) day. On the same date "W" becomes further indebted in the sum
of $125 and this gives a debit balance of $825 entered (as shown) in balance (debit)
space of 3rd day. On the same day, the 3rd, he adds $300 to such balance.
Thus we have $625 as the sum of his new indebtedness incurred in March, while
the amount of his entire indebtedness is $1125 as indicated in the debit space at

page_text: foot of the first (March) column a. Still referring to Figure 3 it appears that on
March 1st an account is opened with "E. D." blacksmith, in Georgetown and he
incurs a debt of $30 on that date and $15 on the 3rd day.
Again J. D. F." engaged in sale of drugs on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Washington, D.C. becomes indebted $500 on March 1st and pays $100 on account
on March 2nd leaving thus a debit balance of $400, as indicated by the proper entry
in (debit) balance space of 3rd day. It is clear that "D's" account will foot up $45.
and "F's" $500 leaving a debit balance for F― of $400..
The daily totals column a' (Figure 3) expresses the transaction for the entire
month of March as follows:-
A debit of $730 was incurred to the "Blank Omnibus Co.," on the 1st day,
another of $125 on the 2nd day, with an offsetting credit of $100 and another
of $315 on the 3rd day.
The entries in the daily totals column and grand totals column a² correspond.
In Figure 4. "E. R. P." has an account with $40 debit and $60 credit on
March 1st and $30 on March 2nd. The credit balance of $20 with which the first
day closes is entered in credit balance space of 2nd day.
"W. M." also has an account as shown. In the daily totals column a¹ (Figure 4)
the aggregate for March 1st of "P" and "M-S" accounts are $140 debit
and $260 credit, for March 2nd, $30 debit and $10 credit, and for the third
day $100 debit and $800 credit. The footings of column a¹ are accordingly
$770 debit and $1070 credit as shown, leaving a credit balance of $300. Now
supposing all accounts to be closed and a grand balance struck, the grand totals.
colum a (Figure 4) contains the following entries namely: on 1st day a debit
balance of $500 brought forward from "W's" account and the debit aggregate.
of $870 (obtained by adding $730 see Figure 3, to $140 see Figure 4). Opposite
this entry of $870 is a credit entry of $260 ($60 +$200). This leaves a credit
balance of $1110 to begin the 2nd day. The debit entry for the 2nd day is $155,-
the aggregate of $125 and $30 (see Figures 3 and 4). Then on the 2nd day there-
is a credit of $110 to begin the 3rd day, when grand aggregates of $915 debit and
$800 credit are entered.
The footings of the grand totals column a³ (Figure 4) are therefore $1940 debit
and $1170 credit-leaving a grand debit balance of $1270 at closing of the
accounts.
The entries in the grand footings place correspond to those of the column a².
The horizontal base column a' also expresses the footings of the several accounts,
as will be readily understood by inspection.
It is apparent from the foregoing that this form of account effects a great saviug
of labor and time in keeping daily debits and credits and ascertaining and recording
daily balances. The daily payments and receipts in business transactions are
indicated so as to be ascertainable at a glance, as are also the totals, debits and
credits accrued and given each day as well as during the whole period business has
been carried on.
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. The improved form for accounts, arranged as herein shown and described for
the purpose set forth.
2. The improved form for accounts, consisting of the parallel vertical columns
divided by transverse lines c, to form spaces corresponding to days of the month
and which are sub-divided for original debit and credit entries and for debit and
credit balances, and two other vertical columns a¹ a* arranged alongside the former,
and similarly sub-divided respectively for totals of daily debits and credits and for
grand totals of all preceding debits and credits, and being provided at the top of
columns a' a, with the readings "Daily Totals" and "Grand Totals," as shown
and described.

page_text: 3. The improved form for accounts, comprising a sheet having the following.
characteristics, to wit: a series of parallel vertical columns a divided by transverse
lines to form spaces corresponding to days of the month, which spaces are sub-
divided into smaller spaces for debits and credits and other special entries, as
specified, the said columns having spaces or headings indicating the kinds of
business, and the addresses of parties, also spaces beneath said headings for entry
of names of the parties carrying on the several kinds of business indicated by
the headings, the two side columns al and a' for respectively indicating the totals
of each day's debits and credits and the grand totals of debits and credits for
the whole preceding time in which business has been transacted; and provided
above said columns a' a² with the headings "Daily Totals " and " Grand Totals,"
spaces for monthly footings; and a horizontal foot column a³, sub-divided for
entry of monthly footings or totals of individual accounts and their aggregates, and
spaces for entering the grand aggregate of all the debits and credits of an entire
month, and provided above the said divisions with the heading "Daily Totals"
and "Grand Totals," as shown and described.
Doted this 12th der of Cantambou 1902
T. M. BROWN,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.