Patent US3788541A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3788541A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computation device and method
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-09-15
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1992-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A computation device for performing the mathematical operations of multiplication and division is disclosed. The device has a housing in which an indicator is fixedly located. There is a first logarithmic scale mounted in the housing so as to be movable with respect to the indicator. A second logarithmic scale is mounted so as to be movable adjacent the first scale and a gearing arrangement is provided which is engageable with the first and second scales for fixing the positions of the scales with respect to each other and for jointly moving the scale with respect to the indicator. The computation device can be used for converting a value in one set of units directly into a value in another set of units by providing a third logarithmic scale movable in fixed relation with the first scale. A method of converting from a value in one set of units to a value in another set of units using the computation device according to the invention is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 N Garner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:10
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06C; G06C15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
373 words
A device for multiplying and dividing comprising a housing, an indicator fixedly located at said housing, first movable scale means mounted in said housing for displaying a first logarithmic scale movable with respect to said indicator, second movable scale means mounted in said housing for displaying a second logarithmic scale adjacent said first scale, said second scale being movable with respect to said indicator and said first scale, gear means engageable with said first and second scale means for fixing the positions of said scales with respect to each other and for jointly moving said scales with respect to said indicator, and two shafts in parallel spaced relation to each other rotatably mounted in said housing; said first movable scale means comprising two first reels fixedly mounted on said shafts respectively so as to be rotatable therewith, first reel connecting means for mutually connecting said two first reels so as to cause a rotation of both of said first reels when one of said first reels is driven, a first tape having two end portions wound on said reels respectively so as to movably support said tape between said reels and beneath said indicator, and first logarithmic scale means disposed on said first tape so as to be movable therewith and with respect to said indicator; said second movable scale means comprising two second reels slidably mounted on said shafts respectively, second reel connecting means for mutually connecting said two second reels so as to cause a rotation of both of said second reels when one of said second reels is driven, a second tape having two end portions wound on said second reels respectively so as to movably support said second tape beneath said indicator and between said second reels adjacent said first tape, and second logarithmic scale means disposed on said second tape so as to be movaBle therewith and with respect to said indicator; said gear means comprising a first gear fixedly connected to one of said shafts, a second gear fixedly connected to one of said second reels, and a drive gear rotatably and slidably mounted in said housing so as to selectively engage one of: said first gear, said second gear, and said first and second gears simultaneously.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
373 words
A device for multiplying and dividing comprising a housing, an indicator fixedly located at said housing, first movable scale means mounted in said housing for displaying a first logarithmic scale movable with respect to said indicator, second movable scale means mounted in said housing for displaying a second logarithmic scale adjacent said first scale, said second scale being movable with respect to said indicator and said first scale, gear means engageable with said first and second scale means for fixing the positions of said scales with respect to each other and for jointly moving said scales with respect to said indicator, and two shafts in parallel spaced relation to each other rotatably mounted in said housing; said first movable scale means comprising two first reels fixedly mounted on said shafts respectively so as to be rotatable therewith, first reel connecting means for mutually connecting said two first reels so as to cause a rotation of both of said first reels when one of said first reels is driven, a first tape having two end portions wound on said reels respectively so as to movably support said tape between said reels and beneath said indicator, and first logarithmic scale means disposed on said first tape so as to be movable therewith and with respect to said indicator; said second movable scale means comprising two second reels slidably mounted on said shafts respectively, second reel connecting means for mutually connecting said two second reels so as to cause a rotation of both of said second reels when one of said second reels is driven, a second tape having two end portions wound on said second reels respectively so as to movably support said second tape beneath said indicator and between said second reels adjacent said first tape, and second logarithmic scale means disposed on said second tape so as to be movaBle therewith and with respect to said indicator; said gear means comprising a first gear fixedly connected to one of said shafts, a second gear fixedly connected to one of said second reels, and a drive gear rotatably and slidably mounted in said housing so as to selectively engage one of: said first gear, said second gear, and said first and second gears simultaneously.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
238 words
The device according to claim 1 for converting a value in one set of units directly into a value in another set of units comprising third movable scale means mounted in said housing for displaying a third logarithmic scale adjacent one of said scales, said third movable scale means comprising two third reels fixedly mounted on said shafts respectively so as to be rotatable therewith, a third tape having two end portions wound on said third reels respectively so as to movably support said third tape beneath said indicator and between said third reels adjacent at least one of said first and second tapes, and third logarithmic scale means disposed on said third tape so as to be movable therewith and with respect to said indicator, said scale of said first movable scale means having a plurality of groups of logarithmic divisions disposed linearly one next to the other representing one set of units, said scale of said third movable scale means having a plurality of groups of logarithmic divisions disposed linearly one next to the other representing another set of units, said first mentioned plurality of groups of divisions being preset in alignment with said last-mentioned plurality of groups of divisions, and said scale of said second scale means having a group of logarithmic divisions representative of factors for converting a value from said one set of units to a value in said other set of units.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device according to claim 2, said indicator being a transparent window mounted in said housing and having a hairline extending thereacross perpendicular to said first, second, and third logarithmic scale means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
230 words
The device according to claim 3 for converting an amount in one currency to an amount in another currency, said one set of units being units of a first currency, the first group of said first scale extending from the lowest unit of said first currency to a multiple of ten thereof, the remaining groups of said first scale each successively extending from the highest value of the last preceding group to a multiple of ten thereof, said other set of units being units of a second currency, the first group of said third scale extending from the lowest unit of said second currency to a multiple of ten thereof, the remaining groups of said thrid scale each successively extending form the highest value of the last preceding group to a multiple of ten thereof, and said factors of said second scale being factors for converting a value of said first currency to a value in said second currency, said first scale being preset with respect to said third scale, so that when the index of the second scale is set with respect to a given value of the first currency on the first scale, and the first and second scales are moved together until the appropriate conversion factor appears under said indicator, the correct value of the second currency is readable from the third scale directly under the indicator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device according to claim 4, said scale of said second scale means having an additional group of logarithmic divisions representative of factors for converting a value of said second currency to a value in said first currency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
150 words
The device according to claim 4 for converting an amount in said first currency into an amount in at least one further currency, said third logarithmic scale means having a further plurality of groups of logarithmic divisions disposed linearly one next to the other representing units of the further currency, the first group of said further plurality of groups extending from the lowest unit of said further currency to a multiple of ten thereof, the remaining groups of saId further plurality of groups each successively extending from the highest value of the last preceding group to a multiple of ten thereof, and said scale of said second scale means having an additional group of logarithmic divisions representative of factors for converting a value of said first currency to a value in said further currency, said further plurality of groups of logarithmic divisions being preset with respect to said first scale.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device according to claim 4, each of said groups of logarithmic divisions of said scales being provided with decimal points for indicating appropriate numerical values, and said second scale being marked so as to indicate the starting index thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
218 words
The device according to claim 3 for converting an amount in area to an amount in volume, said one set of units being units of area, the first group of said first scale extending from the lowest unit of said area to a multiple of ten thereof, the remaining groups of said first scale each successively extending from the highest value of the last preceding group to a multiple of ten thereof, said other set of units being units of volume, the first group of said third scale extending from the lowest unit of said volume to a multiple of ten thereof, the remaining groups of said third scale each successively extending from the highest value of the last preceding group to a multiple of ten thereof, and said factors of said second scale being factors for converting a value of said area to a value in said volume, said first scale being preset with respect to said third scale, so that when the index of the second scale is set with respect to a given value of the area on the first scale, and the first and second scales are moved together until the appropriate conversion factor appears under said indicator, the correct value of the volume is readable from the third scale directly under the indicator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device according to claim 8, said scale of said second scale means having an additional group of logarithmic diversions representative of factors for converting a value of said volume to a value in said area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
The device of claim 1, said first reel connecting means comprising a first ancillary gear fixedly connected to the other of said shafts, and an idler gear coupling said ancillary gear to said first gear, and said second reel connecting means comprising a second ancillary gear mounted on the other one of said second reels, and a second idler gear coupling said second ancillary gear to said second gear.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
371 words
A device for multiplying and dividing comprising a housing, an indicator fixedly located at said housing, first movable scale means mounted in said housing for displaying a first logarithmic scale movable with respect to said indicator, second movable scale means mounted in said housing for displaying a second logarithmic scale adjacent said first scale, said second scale being movable with respect to said indicator and said first scale, gear means engageable with said first and second scale means for fixing the positions of said scales with respect to each other and for jointly moving said scales with respect to said indicator, and two shafts in parallel spaced relation to each other rotatably mounted in said housing; said first movable scale means comprising two first reels fixedly mounted on said shafts respectively so as to be rotatable therewith, a first tape having two end portions wound on said reels respectively so as to movably support said tape between said reels and beneath said indicator, and first logarithmic scale means disposed on said first tape so as to be movable therewith and with respect to said indicator; said second movable scale means comprising two second reels slidably mounted on said shafts respectively, a second tape having two end portions wound on said second reels respectively so as to movably support said second tape beneath said indicator and between said second reels adjacent said first tape, and second logarithmic scale means disposed on Said second tape so as to be movable therewith and with respect to said indicator; said gear means comprising two first gears fixedly connected to said shafts respectively, two second gears fixedly connected to said second reels respectively, a first gear rotatably and slidably mounted in said housing so as to selectively engage one of: one of said first gears, one of said second gears, and said one of said first gears and said one of said second gears simultaneously; and a second drive gear rotatably and slidably mounted in said housing so as to selectively engage one of : the other one of said first gears, the other one of said second gears, and said other one of said first gears and said other one of said second gears simultaneously.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
371 words
A device for multiplying and dividing comprising a housing, an indicator fixedly located at said housing, first movable scale means mounted in said housing for displaying a first logarithmic scale movable with respect to said indicator, second movable scale means mounted in said housing for displaying a second logarithmic scale adjacent said first scale, said second scale being movable with respect to said indicator and said first scale, gear means engageable with said first and second scale means for fixing the positions of said scales with respect to each other and for jointly moving said scales with respect to said indicator, and two shafts in parallel spaced relation to each other rotatably mounted in said housing; said first movable scale means comprising two first reels fixedly mounted on said shafts respectively so as to be rotatable therewith, a first tape having two end portions wound on said reels respectively so as to movably support said tape between said reels and beneath said indicator, and first logarithmic scale means disposed on said first tape so as to be movable therewith and with respect to said indicator; said second movable scale means comprising two second reels slidably mounted on said shafts respectively, a second tape having two end portions wound on said second reels respectively so as to movably support said second tape beneath said indicator and between said second reels adjacent said first tape, and second logarithmic scale means disposed on Said second tape so as to be movable therewith and with respect to said indicator; said gear means comprising two first gears fixedly connected to said shafts respectively, two second gears fixedly connected to said second reels respectively, a first gear rotatably and slidably mounted in said housing so as to selectively engage one of: one of said first gears, one of said second gears, and said one of said first gears and said one of said second gears simultaneously; and a second drive gear rotatably and slidably mounted in said housing so as to selectively engage one of : the other one of said first gears, the other one of said second gears, and said other one of said first gears and said other one of said second gears simultaneously.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
238 words
The device according to claim 11 for converting a value in one set of units directly into a value in another set of units comprising third movable scale means mounted in said housing for displaying a third logarithmic scale adjacent one of said scales, said third movable scale means comprising two third reels fixedly mounted on said shafts respectively so as to be rotatable therewith, a third tape having two end portions wound on said third reels respectively so as to movably support said third tape beneath said indicator and between said third reels adjacent at least one of said first and second tapes, and third logarithmic scale means disposed on said third tape so as to be movable therewith and with respect to said indicator, said scale of said first movable scale means having a plurality of groups of logarithmic divisions disposed linearly one next to the other representing one set of units, said scale of said third movable scale means having a plurality of groups of logarithmic divisions disposed linearly one next to the other representing another set of units, said first mentioned plurality of groups of divisions being preset in alignment with said last-mentioned plurality of groups of divisions, and said scale of said second scale means having a group of logarithmic divisions representative of factors for converting a value from said one set of units to a value in said other set of units.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device according to claim 12, each of said groups of logarithmic divisions of said scales being provided with decimal points for indicating appropriate numerical values, and said second scale being marked so as to indicate the starting index thereof.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
367 words
A device for multiplying and dividing comprising a housing, an indicator fixedly located at said housing, first movable scale means mounted in said housing for displaying a first logarithmic scale movable with respect to said indicator, second movable scale means mounted in said housing for displaying a second logarithmic scale adjacent said first scale, said second scale being movable with respect to said indicator and said first scale, gear means engageable with said first and second scale means for fixing the positions of said scales with respect to each other and for jointly moving said scales with respect to said indicator, and two shafts in parallel spaced relation to each other rotatably mounted in said housing; said first movable scale means comprising two first reels fixedly mounted on said shafts respectively so as to be rotatable therewith, a first continuous tape looped taut on said reels respectively so as to movably support said tape between said reels and beneath said indicator as well as to mutually connect said two first reels so as to cause a rotation of both of said first reels when one of said first reels is driven; and first logarithmic scale means disposed on said first tape so as to be movable therewith and with respect to said indicator; said second movable scale means comprising two second reels slidably mounted on said shafts respectively, a second continuous tape looped taut on said second reels respectively so as to movably support said second tape beneath said indicator and between said second reels adjacent said first tape as well as to mutually connect said two fiRst reels so as to cause a rotation of both of said second reels when one of said second reels is driven; and second logarithmic scale means disposed on said second tape so as to be movable therewith and with respect to said indicator; said gear means comprising a first gear fixedly connected to one of said shafts, a second gear fixedly connected to one of said second reels, and a drive gear rotatably and slidably mounted in said housing so as to selectively engage one of: said first gear, said second gear, and said first and second gears simultaneously.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
367 words
A device for multiplying and dividing comprising a housing, an indicator fixedly located at said housing, first movable scale means mounted in said housing for displaying a first logarithmic scale movable with respect to said indicator, second movable scale means mounted in said housing for displaying a second logarithmic scale adjacent said first scale, said second scale being movable with respect to said indicator and said first scale, gear means engageable with said first and second scale means for fixing the positions of said scales with respect to each other and for jointly moving said scales with respect to said indicator, and two shafts in parallel spaced relation to each other rotatably mounted in said housing; said first movable scale means comprising two first reels fixedly mounted on said shafts respectively so as to be rotatable therewith, a first continuous tape looped taut on said reels respectively so as to movably support said tape between said reels and beneath said indicator as well as to mutually connect said two first reels so as to cause a rotation of both of said first reels when one of said first reels is driven; and first logarithmic scale means disposed on said first tape so as to be movable therewith and with respect to said indicator; said second movable scale means comprising two second reels slidably mounted on said shafts respectively, a second continuous tape looped taut on said second reels respectively so as to movably support said second tape beneath said indicator and between said second reels adjacent said first tape as well as to mutually connect said two fiRst reels so as to cause a rotation of both of said second reels when one of said second reels is driven; and second logarithmic scale means disposed on said second tape so as to be movable therewith and with respect to said indicator; said gear means comprising a first gear fixedly connected to one of said shafts, a second gear fixedly connected to one of said second reels, and a drive gear rotatably and slidably mounted in said housing so as to selectively engage one of: said first gear, said second gear, and said first and second gears simultaneously.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
236 words
The device according to claim 14 for converting a value in one set of units directly into a value in another set of units comprising third movable scale means mounted in said housing for displaying a third logarithmic scale adjacent to of said scales, said third movable scale means comprising two third reels fixedly mounted on said shafts respectively so as to be rotatable therewith, a third continuous tape looped taut on said third reels respectively so as to movably support said third tape beneath said indicator and between said third reels adjacent at least one of said first and second tapes, and third logarithmic scale means disposed on said third tape so as to be movable therewith and with respect to said indicator, said scale of said first movable scale means having a plurality of groups of logarithmic divisions disposed linearly one next to the other representing one set of units, said scale of said third movable scale means having a plurality of groups of logarithmic divisions disposed linearly one next to the other representing another set of units, said first mentioned plurality of groups of divisions being preset in alignment with said last-mentioned plurality of groups of divisions, and said scale of said second scale means having a group of logarithmic divisions representative of factors for converting a value from said one set of units to a value in said other set of units.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device according to claim 15, each of said groups of logarithmic divisions of said scales being provided with decimal points for indicating appropriate numerical values, and said second scale being marked so as to indicate the starting index thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
134 words
The method of converting from a value in one set of units to a value in another set of units with the device of claim 2 including the steps of said drive gear to engage said first gear, turning said drive gear until a given value of the one set of units appears on said first scale under said indicator, moving said drive gear to disengage said first gear and to engage said second gear, turning said drive gear until the index of said second scale appears below said indicator, moving said drive gear to engage both said first and second gears, and turning said drive gear until the desired conversion factor appears beneath said indicator, whereby the value in said other set of units appears on said third scale directly below said indicator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |