US1025595A - Mileage-book. - Google Patents

Description

M E. SPARKS.

MILEAGE BOOK.

APPLIQATION FILED JUNE 6, 1910.

1325,2395. Patented May 7, 1912.

' v r Attorneys COLUMBIA PUNOGRAPII 50., WASHINGTON. B. C

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MIRABEAU E. SPARKS, 0F LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-TENTHS TO HERBERT MGCONATHY, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

MILEAGE-BOOK.

This invention relates to mileage books or the like.

In figuring up the mileage to be pulled on a railroad train, the conductor usually adds the number of miles which he intends to draw to the number of miles which have already been extracted from the book and then tears out the mileage down to the proper point. This figuring is usually done with a pencil on the back of the mileage strip, and it is inconvenient not only on account of the time lost in figuring but also on account of the time lost in turning back the mileage sheet to figure on the back thereof. Moreover, the conductors frequently make mistakes and, if they discover them in time are forced to go through the train a second time to correct the error.

The object of the present invention is to provide a mileage book by means of which the number of miles to be extracted can be easily and quickly determined by the conductor without the necessity of figuring with a pencil "and paper.

A further object of the invention is to provide a backing or cover which is particularly adapted for use in connection with the mileage strip of the present invention,

the mileage strip and the back thus co6per-. ating with each other in a very effective manner.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the new and useful arrangement of the strip adapted taching thereof, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of inven-.

tion herein disclosed can be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification :-Figure 1 is a face view of the two end portions of a mile- Speeifieation of Letters Fatent.

Application filed June 6, 1910.

Patented May '7, 1912.

Serial No. 565,256.

age strip arranged in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 'is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a slightly modified construct-ion. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing another modified arrangement of the mileage strip. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a backing which is adapted to cooperate with the mileage strip so as to aid'in determining the point at which it is to be torn off and to assist in the tearing operation.

Like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts in the different figures of the drawings.

The reference numeral 1 indicates a strip which is formed of paper or other suitable material and is intended to be pasted or otherwise secured in a suitable backing as will; hereinafter appear.

In Fig. 1, the outer end of the strip is indicated by the numeral 2 and the inner end which is secured in the backing isindicated by the numeral 3. As is usual in mileage lbooks, thest rip 1 represents 1000 miles and is suitably perforated or otherwise weakened sothat it can be torn off at any suitable point. The strip 1 is provided with a column lettered a which will be referred to as the unit column. This column contains a series of numbers running preferably from l to 1000. Each of these numbers is located on a horizontally detachable section ofthe strip. The strip 1 is also provided with a column Z) which will be referred to as the reverse unit column. While the numbers in the unit column a; start with 1 and run to 1000, the numbers in the column b are reversely arranged so that they start with 1000 and descend to 1. The unit column a is used in the calculation necessary for detaching the appropriate amount of mileage, and the reverse unit column b is used to indicate the amount of mileage remaining in the book.

Each integer in the unit column a has associated therewith a diagonally extending column or series of digits marked 0. The first digit of each auxiliary column preferably is located on the same mile piece or section as the unit to which sai'dauxiliary column relates. For example, the first aux arated from each other by diagonally ex tending lines. These lines however may be omitted if desired as shown for example in Fig. 3 of the drawing. Moreover, the adjacent diagonal columns preferably are printed in contrasting colors. For example, the uppermost diagonal column in Fig. 1 may have the digits thereof printed in red ink, the second diagonal column may have the digits thereof printed in blue ink, the third diagonal column may have the digits thereof printed in red ink and the fourth diagonal column may have the digits thereof printed in blue ink and so on down the stri Iii addition to the unit column a and the reverse unit column Z), the strip 1 preferably is provided with a decimal column fand a memorandum column g. Just after every tenth unit in the column a, the decimal column is divided horizontally by the deep line or other suitable. means it. The different sections of the decimal column f preferably are marked as indicated in the drawing. That is to say, the top section may be left blank, the second section from the top may be marked one ten, the'third sect-ion from the top may be marked two tens, the fourth section may be marked three tens, and so on, the purpose being to indicate the number of tens which have been torn from the book. For example, if the first decimal section remaining in the book is marked say, six tens, it will indicate that at least sixty miles have already been torn out of the book, and in detaching further mileage it is easy to locate quickly the point at which the mileage is to be torn by adding the number of times ten is contained in the number of miles already torn to the number of times ten is contained in the number of miles to be detached, and then turning to the proper block of tens as indicated in column 7". For example, if 64 miles have been detached, column f will indicate (i-10s and if 37 miles are to be torn, the G tens in 64 should be added to the 3 tens in 37, and the resulting sum, 9, indicates that the computation for the detachment must be made in the block marked 910s in column Or, suppose 418 miles have already been torn out column 7 will indicate ll-10s, and if 176 miles are to be torn out, 17 which is the number of tens contained in 176 should be added mentally to 41 and the resulting sum, 58, indicates that the computation for the detachment must be made in the block marked 58 10s, in column As will be further explained hereafter, the point, in the ten block, from which the computation is to be started is indicated by the right hand figure in the unit column, a, which must be the same numeral which appearsat the right of this column (a) in the first untorn mileage piece; that is in the first mileage sect-ion at the top of that portion of the mileage slip which is still left in the book. For instance, in the above illustration, 64: miles have been detached, then 65 is the first untorn mileage section, and of course 5 is the right hand numeral, and there being 37 miles to be torn, the computation must be made from the 910s block (in column f) and from the unit number 95, and the portion must be detached 011 the horizontal line immediately under the numeral 7 in the diagonal column 0 leading from the unit 95 in unit column (1. Further examples of the mode of using the book are hereinafter given.

The memorandum column 9 is intended to receive any. suitable memorandum such, for example as the initials of the railroad on which the mileage is pulled, where mileage is capable of use on more than one road, or the initials of the conductor or any other desired information depending upon the rules of the particular railroad on which the mileage is pulled.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 the digits in each of the diagonal computing columns (2 run from 1 to 9 inclusive. The modified construction illustrated in Fig. 2 is exactly the same as that shown in Fig. 1 except that the digits in the diagonal computing column are the same as the integers to which they relate in the unit column a. In other words all of the digits in the diagonal column relating to the number 1 in. the unit column are numbered 1 and all those relating to the number 2 in the unit column are numbered 2.

In the construction illustrated in Fig. 3, the columns a, 5, f and g are exactly the same as shown in Fig. 1. Each mile piece or section (Z 6', etc., is provided with a horizontally extending series of digits running from 1 to 9. In addition to the horizontally extending digits, the mileage strip is also arranged with diagonally extending digits. For instance, in the first vertical column marked 71/, to the right of the. unit column a, it will be seen that the second mile piece contains the digit 1 corresponding to the number of the preceding mile piece. The third mile piece or section in the second column marked 2' contains the numeral 1. The fourth mile piece or section in the vertical column marked 9 contains the numeral 1 and so on down in diagonal series. It will be seen therefore that the arrangement .of strips shown in Fig. 3 contains vertically, horizontally and'diagonally extending series of digits. The purpose of the horizontally extending digit is to indicate or distinguish the different computing columns. For iiistance the vertical column marked h is the first computing column, the vertical column marked 5 is the second computing column. the vertical column marked 7' is the third computing column and so on according to the digit at the upper end thereof. It is to be noted particularly in Fig. 3 that the diagonally extending series of numbers do not start over each time they reach 9 in number. As shown at the lower end of Fig. 3, the integer 998 is carried down in diagonal series and the integer 999 is carried down in diagonal series and this arrangement is carried out throughout the entire length of the strip.

The mode of using the construction illustrated in Fig. 3 is as follows :-In each instance, the last digit in the number of miles to be detached from the mileage strip, indicates the computing column to be used. For example, if the number of miles to be detached is 11, 21, 31, tl, or any number ending in the digit 1, the column used is indicated by the reference letter h. In other words the first computing column in Fig. 3 is employed. If the number of miles to be detached is twelve, twenty-two, thirty-two or any other number ending in the digit 2, then the second computing column indicated by the reference letter 27 is used. The last digit thus determines the column up to 9., If the number ends in a cipher, it is of course unnecessary to do any more than run down the first column and tear out at the proper point. 1

The following are examples of the mode of using the form of mileage strip shown in Fig. 3: If the number of miles already detached from the strip is 2 1, and llmiles more are to be detached, the decimal 10 is added to the number of miles detached. In other words 10 is added to 24 making 34. The conductor then takes the first column marked 72, and runs down the same until he comes to the number 34 at which point he tears off the mileage. It will be found that the number 34 in the first computing column h is on the same horizontal line with the number 35 in the unit column a and that 11 plus 24 equals 35.

As a further example, if the number of miles already detached is 25, and 37 miles more are to be pulled, add the three decimals in 30, to 25, thus making 55. Then run down the computing column No. 7 until the number 55 is reached and then tear off the strip. It will be found that the number 55 in the seventh vertical computing column is on the same horizontal line with the number 62 in the mileage or unit column a and the result is therefore the same as though the conductor had added 25 and 37 to make 62.

By reason of the fact that each mile piece or section contains the horizontally extending series of digits indicating the digit computing columns, the conductor can always find the proper column to use.

It is to be understood that the mileage strip of the present invention can be printed or arranged with type of any desired shape and character and that different colors of ink can be used to distinguish the different series of numerals from each other. No attempt will be made here to specify the different characters and colors to be used as they maybe varied indefinitely at will.

The mileage strip 1 is secured in a backing consisting of three sections,-11amely an intermediate section 5 to which the inner end 3 of the mileage strip 1 is pasted; an inner end member 6 hinge-connected to the intermediate member 5 at 7 and having at its outer end a tubular metal enlargement or edge 8 provided with integral flanges 9 fitted against opposite sides of the member 6; and an outer end member 10 hingeconnected to the intermediate member 5 at 11 and having across the inner face of its outer end a metal strap or straight edge 12 secured at its ends 13 to the member 10. The mileage strip 1 is folded in the usual zigzag manner on the intermediate member 5 and its extreme end is passed under the straight edge 12. The inner end member 6 is then folded down on the zigzag folds of the mile age strip so as to hold them between the members 5 and 6. Said members 5 and 6 are then folded over on the member 10, so that the bulk of the mileage strip is between the members 5 and 6 and the outer end thereof extends around the tubular end 8 of the member 6 and outward between the members 6 and 10 and under the straight edge. In computing the mileage in the manner previously described, the conductor pulls out the strip until the proper digit is in front of the straight edge and then tears it off.

What is claimed as new is 1. A. mileage book marked transversely to form mile pieces, and provided with a vertical column of designating numerals arranged in arithmetical progression to designate the mile pieces, and a series of parallel diagonally extending auxiliary numbers arranged in arithmetical progression from 1 to 9, the numeral one of each series being disposed horizontally abreast of the designating numerals of the mile pieces, and in juxtaposition thereto.

2. A mileage book marked transversely to form mile pieces, and provided with a vertical column of designating numerals arranged in arithmetical progression to designate the mile pieces, and a series of parallel diagonally extending auxiliary numbers arranged in arithmetical progression from 1 to 9, the numeral one of each series being disposed horizontally abreast of the designating numerals of the mile pieces, and injuxtaposition thereto, each group of ten mile pieces being appropriately designated to indicate ten miles.

3. A mileage book marked transversely to form mile pieces and provided with a vertical column of designating numerals arranged in arithmetical progression to designate the mile pieces, and a series of parallel diagonally extending auxiliary numbers arranged in arithmetical progression from 1 to 9, the numeral one of each series being disposed horizontally abreast of the designating numerals of the mile pieces, and in juxtaposition thereto each group of ten mile 10 pieces being appropriately designated to indicate ten miles and being progressively numbered.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

MIRABEAU E. SPARKS.

W'itnesses E. J. GREEN, S. JENKINS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. C.

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