Improvements in Apparatus for Facilitating Arithmetical Calculations.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Feb., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 21st Nov., 1892-Accepted, 31st Dec., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Facilitating Arithmetical
Calculations.
CHARLES EDWIN LAYTON, and EDWIN JAMES LAYTON, both of the firm of
Charles and Edwin Layton, of 56, Farringdon Street in the City of London,
Printers and Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of our invention is to produce an improved device or apparatus
which can be used to easily, rapidly and accurately add together any numerals and
which will not be liable to get out of order, being simple in its construction and
being composed of but few moving parts.
Our said invention comprises a front and back plate which are fastened together
a suitable distance apart and which with side pieces form the case or box for
containing the moving parts hereinafter referred to.
In the top plate we make openings for the purpose of enabling numerals to be
read which numerals are printed or otherwise provided on discs or wheels mounted
on arbors journalled in the front and back plates.
These wheels or discs serve for tens, hundreds, thousands and so on, or for pounds
and shillings, or for like indications. A large circular opening is also formed in the
front plate to enable a main wheel or disc (for units, pence or the like) mounted on
an arbor or pin secured to the back plate, to be turned on the said pin. Around
the edge of the said larger opening numerals are painted or formed in any con-
venient manner, these numerals being arranged in the reverse order to those
beneath the main wheel or disc. In the main wheel or disc an opening is provided
through which may be seen one of a series of numerals 0 to 9, printed or otherwise
marked on a stationary part beneath the said disc, so that by revolving or turning
the said main wheel or disc on its pin any one of the numerals beneath it can be
seen through the opening in the disc, but only one at a time.
The said main wheel or disc above mentioned is provided with ten finger marks
consisting of indentations or depressions, or of projections, studs or the like, to
facilitate the manipulation of the said wheel or disc, each mark corresponding with
one of the numerals on the front plate outside the large opening in which the main
wheel or disc is visible and revolves. The said main wheel or disc is also provided
with ratchet-teeth, with which is adapted to engage a spring or pawl for preventing
rotation of the said wheel or disc in the wrong direction. A stop is provided on
the front plate to enable the operator to know by the touch when he has turned the
said wheel or disc through the required angle.
"
The "tens disc is provided with teeth so placed that a spur on the main wheel
or disc will cause the "tens" disc to move through a tenth of a revolution for each
complete revolution of the main wheel or disc. The "tens "disc is moreover
provided with a spur arranged to engage with teeth formed on the "hundreds "
disc so that when the "tens" disc has completed a revolution, the "hundreds" disc
will be advanced one step.
Rotating the main wheel or disc through a complete revolution, therefore, causes
the "tens "disc to move one step, and rotating the main wheel until the "tens" disc
has completed one revolution, causes the "hundreds " disc to advance one step.
In adding units by our improved device, constructed as above explained, the main
wheel or disc is, by means of the aforesaid finger marks, moved from the number
to be added, as seen on the front plate, until the operator's finger comes in contact
with the said stop. In adding tens or hundreds, the "tens or the "hundreds
"
"

page_text: disc, as the case may be, is, by means of a milled head or other convenient device
on a continuation of its arbor through the front plate, turned through the required
angle.
The method of manipulation is as follows, viz. :-Assuming that the main and
secondary wheels are at zero, the finger is placed on the finger mark opposite to
the figure to be added, as seen on the front plate, (say, for example, the figure 6)
and the wheel turned round to the stopping place. The number added, (namely, 6)
will then be visible through the hole in the main wheel. To add, say 3, to the
number thus indicated, the main wheel is turned from the numeral 3 on the front
plate to the stop, the numeral visible through the opening in the main wheel will
then be 9, that is to say, the total of the two numerals added together. Should
the total be ten, or more than ten, the said total will be shewn by the numeral seen
through the aperture above the "tens" disc, together with that seen through the
main wheel or units disc. By continuing until the "tens" wheel has completed one
revolution the result will then be shown by the numerals appearing through the
apertures above the "hundreds" and "tens" discs and through that of the main
wheel or disc.
The secondary discs or wheels are held in their proper position by suitable
springs which enter the spaces between the teeth of such wheels.
We prefer to arrange our device in a frame work of wood or other suitable
material in which may be fitted a slate or other slab or tablet, for convenience of
noting the result of calculations arrived at, when it is desired to return the
calculating wheels back and commence afresh. This frame work we find it
advantageous in some cases to make in two parts hinged together in such a manner
that the frame work when closed, will protect the calculating apparatus from
injury.
The plates for the front and back of our improved device may be conveniently
stamped in metal, as also may the discs or wheels, or we may make them of wood,
card-board or other suitable material.
We find it advantageous to form the main wheel or disc with the ratchet teeth,
the aperture and the finger marks, from a single piece of sheet-metal, by stamping
by means of suitable dies. We also find it advantageous to make the secondary
wheels from sheet-metal by stamping, the spur or projection being formed by cutting.
and suitably bending the metal if necessary, and the teeth being formed by cutting
the metal and being bent so that they are at right angles, or nearly so, to the body
of the wheel.
It is obvious that if any other number of figures were used with an equal
number of finger marks on the main wheel, and the secondary wheels were properly
provided with numbers, the figures seen through the holes could be made to record
summations of any desired kind, such as additions of money, weights or measures.
Thus if 12 figures and finger marks were provided on the main wheel and twenty
teeth given to the second wheel and any convenient number to the succeeding
wheels, the figures seen through the holes would record the results in pounds,
shillings and pence, the pence through the hole in the main wheel, shillings
through that above the second wheel, and pounds through those above the
succeeding wheels.
For adding pounds, shillings and pence, or for weights and measures, it is
sometimes convenient to provide the secondary wheels, or some of them, with figures,
finger marks, openings, ratchets and pawls like the main wheel, so that each wheel
can be worked as required.
Dated this 19th day of Wah 1000
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Facilitating Arithmetical
Calculations.
We CHARLES EDWIN LAYTON and EDWIN JAMES LAYTON, both of the firm
of Charles and Edwin Layton of 56 Farringdon Street in the City of London,
Printers and Manufacturers, 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 object of our invention is to provide an improved arithmometer, that is to
say, an improved device or apparatus which can be used to easily rapidly and
accurately add together any numbers, either simple or compound, and which will
not be liable to get out of order, being simple in its construction and being composed
of but few moving parts.
Our improved arithmometer comprises a main or primary rotary disc or wheel
arranged in combination with two stationary concentric series of numerals one of
which serves for enabling the operator to adjust the said disc or wheel, and the
other of which serves for the indications of the units, which are seen through a hole
in the said disc or wheel. These series of numerals commence at 0 or zero and
extend around in opposite directions, that is to say, the zero of one series is
opposite that of the other series, but the numerals of the one series are arranged in
the reverse order to those of the other series. Therefore by turning the said disc
through an angle equal to the distance from one or other of the numerals of the one
series to the 0 or zero thereof, it will be caused to indicate upon the other series a
numeral corresponding to the particular number selected on the first series, or
corresponding to the sum of this number plus the number previously indicated.
We combine, with the said stationary concentric series of numerals and with the
said primary rotary disc or wheel, one or more secondary numerical discs or wheels,
one of which will be turned through a predetermined angle in each revolution of the
primary disc or wheel, and will, in completing each revolution, turn the next
secondary disc or wheel through a predetermined angle. And we provide the said
secondary discs or wheels with means whereby they may be rotated independently
of each other and of the main disc or wheel. We can arrange these wheels and
the series of numerals in such a manner that they will serve for the addition of
dollars and cents, francs and centimes, marks and pfennigs, pounds, shillings and
pence, or other moneys, or for the addition of weights or measures.
We also provide for preventing accidental movement of the said discs or wheels,
and for preventing movement of the main or primary disc or wheel in the wrong
direction.
Our said invention, moreover, comprises the formation of each of the said wheels
with the teeth and other adjuncts by stamping the same from a single piece of sheet-
metal as hereinafter more particularly described.
In another form or modification of our improved apparatus, we provide the rotary
disc or wheel with a series of numerals corresponding with the stationary series;
and we sometimes arrange in combination with the said disc or wheel a fixed index
or pointer which indicates the total or the units of the total on the series of
numerals on the said disc or wheel; or we employ a stationary plate or disc
provided with an aperture through which the total or the units of the total may
be seen.
In some instances, we arrange in combination with each other two or more of our
improved rotary discs or wheels and two concentric series of numerals for each of
such discs or wheels. For example, we employ four concentric stationary series of
numerals and two rotary discs or wheels one arranged within the other as herein-
after more particularly described.
"

page_text: In the accompan
urawings we have shown
HUY
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a plan of one form or arrangement of our improved apparatus.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same, the top or front plate being removed.
Figure 3 is a plan of the bottom or back-plate with the retaining springs and pawl
attached thereto.
Figure 4 is a central transverse section of the primary rotary disc or wheel.
Figure 5 is a sectional side elevation showing one of the secondary numerical
discs or wheels.
Figure 6 is a plan shewing another form or modification of our improved
apparatus.
Figure 7 is a sectional elevation, showing a detail of construction.
Figure 8 is a plan showing a further modification of our said apparatus, and
Figure 9 is a plan showing a still further modification thereof.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
a, a¹ are front and back plates which are fastened together at a suitable distance
apart, and which with side pieces a² form the case or box for containing the moving
parts hereinafter referred to.
In the top or front plate a is formed a large circular opening 6 in or below which
is arranged the main or primary rotary disc or wheel c for units, pence or the like
which disc or wheel is mounted on a stud or arbor f. The said plate a is also
provided with openings 1, 2 through which may be seen numerals printed or other-
wise marked on secondary discs or wheels d, e, mounted on arbors f, journalled
in the front and back plates. These discs or wheels serve for tens and hundreds,
or for pounds and shillings or for like indications. Other discs or wheels may,
moreover, be added if required, for thousands, tens of thousands, and so on. The
apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 5 is adapted for indicating units, tens and
hundreds, and can, therefore, be conveniently employed for summations of decimal
coinage.
The main disc or wheel c is, as above stated, mounted upon a pin or stud f secured
in the back plate a', so that the said disc or wheel can be turned about its axis on
the said pin or stud. Around the edge of the larger opening bis painted or marked
in any convenient manner, a circular series of numerals, for example, from 0 to 9.
A corresponding concentric series of numerals is also printed or otherwise marked
in the reverse order to those of the other series, on the back-plate a¹ as shown
in Figure 3. In the said main disc or wheel is provided an opening through
which may be seen one or other of the numerals of the inner series. Therefore
by revolving the main disc or wheel c, the opening e', therein may be moved into
position to permit any one of the numerals beneath or behind the said wheel to
be seen through the said opening, but only one at a time.
The said main wheel or disc c is provided with ten finger-marks g which may
consist of indentations or depressions, or of projections, studs or the like, or of
apertures, and which facilitate the manipulation of the said wheel or disc; these
marks correspond respectively to the numerals of either series. The said main
wheel or disc is also provided with ratchet-teeth h, with which is adapted to engage
a spring pawlj; this pawl prevents rotation of the said wheel or disc in the wrong
direction, and retains the said disc or wheel in any position to which it may be
adjusted, so as to prevent accidental movement. thereof. A stop is provided on
the front plate a to enable the operator to know by the touch when he has turned
the said wheel through the required angle, and to arrest the movement of the said
wheel at the proper time. The main disc or wheel c is further provided with a
radial spur or tooth m adapted to enter the spaces between the teeth d¹ on the
secondary disc or wheel d for the purpose of causing the latter to move through a
distance equal to the pitch of its teeth in each complete revolution of the main disc
or wheel. The disc or wheel d is, moreover, provided with a radial spur or tooth
arranged to enter the spaces between the teeth e' formed on the secondary disc or
wheel e, so that, when the disc or wheel d completes a revolution, the disc or

page_text: engage
with
wheel e will be thereby advanced one step. j¹² are springs adapted to
the teeth of the secondary discs or wheels d, e respectively, for the purpose of
retaining these wheels in any position to which they may be adjusted, so as to
prevent accidental movement of the said wheels.
Our improved calculating apparatus or arithmometer constructed as above
described is operated as follows, that is to say :-In adding units, the operator
places his finger in the finger-mark g opposite the number to be added as seen on
the outer series, and turns the said disc or wheel about its axis until his finger comes
in contact with the stop k. By this partial rotation of the said disc or wheel, the
aperture c¹ therein is brought into such a position that the number visible through
the said aperture is the number which is thus added to the total, or is a number
representing the units of the total after the addition of the desired number.
The rotation of the main disc or wheel through a complete revolution, causes the
"tens" disc or wheel d to move one step, and the rotation of the said disc d through
a complete revolution, causes the "hundreds" disc e to advance one step.
In adding tens or hundreds, or other increments to which the secondary discs
correspond, the disc d or the disc e, as the case may be, is turned through the
required angle by means of a milled head p or other convenient device on a
continuation of its arbor extending through the front plate a.
The following is an example of the method of manipulation :-Assuming that all
the discs are at zero and that the number 6 is the first to be indicated, the operator
places his finger on the finger-mark opposite the figure 6 in the outer series on
the front plate, and turns the main wheel c in the direction indicated by the arrow
in Figure 1, to the stopping place, that is to say until his finger comes against the
stop k. The number 6 will then be visible through the aperture c¹ in the said main
wheel c.
To add say 3 to the number thus indicated, the operator places his finger
on the finger-marky opposite the numeral 3 of the outer series and moves the main
wheel e until his finger comes against the stop k, the numeral visible through the
opening in the main wheel c will then be 9, that is to say, the sum of the two
numbers 3 and 6 thus added together. Should the total be ten or more than ten,
it will be shewn by the numeral seen through the aperture 6¹ over the "tens
If the
disc d, together with that seen through the aperture c' in the main wheel c.
wheel has completed
addition is continued as above described until the "tens
one revolution, the result will then be shown by the numerals appearing through
the apertures 6², b¹, c¹.
"
"
We sometimes arrange our device in a frame-work of. wood or other suitable
material, in which may be fitted a 'slate or other slab or tablet for convenience of
noting the result of calculations arrived at, when it is desired to return the
calculating wheels to zero and commence a fresh calculation.
We find it advantageous, in some cases, to make this frame-work in two parts
which are connected by a hinge-joint in such a manner that the frame-work, when
closed, will protect the calculating apparatus from injury.
The plates a, a¹ for the front and back of our improved device may be
conveniently stamped from sheet-metal, as also may the discs or wheels c, d, e; or
we may make them of wood, cardboard or other suitable material.
We find it advantageous to form the main wheel or disc c with the ratchet-
teeth, the aperture c and the finger-marks y from a single piece of sheet-metal
by stamping by means of suitable dies. We also find it advantageous to make the
secondary numerical wheels with the teeth and, if necessary, with the radial
projection or spur n, from a single piece of sheet-metal by stamping, the said radial
projection or spur being formed by cutting and, if necessary, suitably bending the
metal, and the teeth being formed by cutting the metal and bending it so that they
are at right angles or nearly so, to the body of the wheel.
It is obvious that, by varying the number of figures used in the two stationary
series, and providing the main wheel with an equal number of finger-marks, and
the secondary wheels with suitable series of numerals, the apparatus may be

page_text: adapted for effecting summations of any desired kind, such as additions of money,
weights or measures..
For adding weights and measures it is sometimes convenient to provide the
secondary wheels or some of them with finger-marks, openings, ratchet-teeth and
pawls, and to arrange the same, like the main wheel in combination with concentric
series of numerals, so that each wheel can be worked as required.
In Figure 6 we have shewn a modification of our invention wherein a secondary
rotary disc or wheel q constructed and arranged like the primary wheel c surrounds
the latter and is combined with two stationary concentric series of numerals. In
this modification, the finger-marks g of both wheels c, q consist of apertures, and
the stationary series of numerals are arranged beneath the said wheels. The
projection or spur m of the wheel c is mounted upon a spring m¹, and an inclined or
curved piece is attached to the plate a beneath the wheel so that, near the
termination of each revolution of the wheel e, the spur m will ride up the said
inclined piece and engage with the adjacent tooth of the wheel q and will
advance the said wheel one step and then drop from the said inclined piece. The
wheel q is provided with a projection or spur n¹ which, in each revolution of this
wheel, advances the wheel d one step. To prevent undue movement of the wheel
under the action of the spur m, a stop s is pivoted at s¹ to the plate a and is held
by a spring s² in the position indicated in Figure 7. The wheel c is provided with
a projection adapted to press down the end of the stops and thus raise
the other end thereof when the spur m has moved the wheel y through nearly the
required angle. The said stop will then enter the space between two of the
teeth of the wheel q and hold the said wheel until the spur m. has moved clear of
the inclined piece r. The spur m, projection and stop s will then occupy the
positions shown in the drawing. The apparatus constructed in this manner may
be adapted for summations of pounds, shillings, and pence, or of weights and
measures.
In Figure 8 we have shown a further modification of our invention wherein,
instead of arranging a stationary series of numerals beneath the wheel c, we paint
or otherwise mark a series of numerals upon the said wheel in the same order as
those of the outer series. We prefer, in this case to provide a fixed index or
pointer t which serves, in conjunction with the series of numerals on the wheel c,
for effecting the required indications for the units.
In some instances we make the improved apparatus of small dimensions, in which
case the wheels may be turned by means of any suitable pointed rod instead of by
the finger. In Figure 9 we have shewn an apparatus of this kind. The stop k,
in this case, is simply the edge of a hole or slot in the plate below the wheel. In
the apparatus shewn in this figure, moreover, five rotary discs or wheels are
employed, all of which are constructed like the primary rotary disc or wheel
hereinbefore described..
The three wheels at the top of this apparatus may serve for units, tens and
hundreds of pounds, the centre wheel for shillings and the lowermost wheel for
pence. Or they may serve for other coinage, or for weights or measures.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we wish it understood
that we do not claim generally or irrespectively of our improvements hereinbefore
described, an arithmometer provided with a rotary disc or wheel arranged in
combination with circular series of numerals, as we are aware that various
arrangements of this character have heretofore been devised; but the object of our
invention is to make a new combination which will be simple, cheap, effective, and
durable; and we claim :-
First. The combination of two concentric stationary series of numerals arranged
in reverse order, a rotary disc or wheel provided with projections, depressions, or
apertures corresponding to the numerals of one series, and with an aperture

page_text: through which one or other of the numerals of the other series may be seen, and a
stop between the 0 or zero and the highest figure of the first series of numerals,
substantially as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Second. The combination of the two concentric stationary series of numerals,
the primary rotary disc or wheel provided with the projections, depressions or
apertures corresponding to the numerals of one of the said series and with the
aperture through which the numbers indicating the units are visible, and having
the ratchet-teeth and the projection or spur, a retaining pawl adapted to engage
with the said ratchet-teeth, a stop for arresting the movement of the said disc or
wheel, and a secondary numerical disc or wheel arranged to be operated by the
said projection or spur, substantially as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Third. The combination of two concentric stationary series of numerals arranged
in reverse order, a rotary disc or wheel provided with the apertures 9 and with an
aperture c¹ through which one or other of the numerals of one of the said series
may be seen, two concentric stationary series of numerals surrounding the aforesaid
series, a rotary disc or wheel corresponding to the two outer series of numerals and
having the apertures 9 and an aperture c' through which one or other of the
numerals of one of these series may be seen, a projection or spur on the inner wheel
adapted to engage, in each revolution of this wheel, with the outer wheel and move
the same one step, and a stop serving for both of the said wheels, substantially as,
and for the purposes, above specified.
Fourth. The rotary disc or wheel formed by stamping from a single piece of
sheet-metal, with the projections, depressions or apertures g, the aperture c', the
ratchet-teeth, and the projection or spur m, substantially as, and for the purposes,
above specified.
Fifth. The secondary numerical disc or wheel formed by stamping from a single
piece of sheet-metal, with the teeth at right angles thereto and with the radial
projection or spur, substantially as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Sixth. The improved arithmometer consisting of the parts constructed and
combined substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 or with
reference to Figures 6 and 7 or Figure 8 or Figure 9 of the drawings, and operating
as above specified.
Dated the Twenty-first day of November 1892.
CHAS. E. LAYTON.
EDWIN J. LAYTON.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.