US163973A - Improvement in indexes - Google Patents

Description

c. H. BRADLEY.

Indexes.-

Patented June I, 1875.

INVENTOR WITNESSES my, %r a ATTORN EY$ THE GRAPHIC COPHO H.39Bn4l PARK P n'rcrnn ST T S 1; A'IEN FFICE.

' IMPROVEMENT IN INDEXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1 63,973, dated June 1, 1875; application filed April 11, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CALEB H. BRADLEY, of Coatesville, in the county of Chester and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Indexes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawing is a representation of my index. I

This invention has relation to indexes for ledgers, books of record, or any other species or description of book in which an index would facilitate reference by name to any account or deed.

The nature of my invention and improvement on this class of books consists in .a tabular arrangement of the alphabet in three horizontal columns, and in two perpendicular columns, in combination with figures, being numbers of the pages of the book to be indexed, and in combination therewith of letters and figures hereinafter to be explained, by which, in cases where the christian names of the same initial are numerous, I can distinguish particular names of that initial by a double or triple set of figures in the perpendicular column under said initial, by means of which I am quickly enabled to find the number of the page on which any desired deed or account has been entered.'

In the annexed drawing, a a a designate the three horizontal columns, and b b the two perpendicular columns, of the alphabet, arranged in order from left to right in the horizontal, and from top to bottom of the form 'or table in the perpendicular, columns 0 c 0, the figures arranged in series from left to right of said form or table. I) designates a page of an ordinary ledger, on which are to be found the personal accounts desired.

I use my invention in the following manner: Having occasion to consult the account of Chauncey Appleton, I examine either of the three horizontal columns of letters until I find the letter C, the initial letter of the christian name of the desired person; then, running the finger down or up the perpendicular columns on either side of the table, I find the letter A, the initial of the surname. Where the horizontal and perpendicular columns meet, at the square formed by the intersection thereof, will be found the number of the page on which the name of Chauncey Appleton will be found.

In carrying out my invention I lay off in a scientific manner any ledger or book of accounts or deeds requiring an index in the following manner: Taking George Smiley, with whom an account is to be opened, or for whom a deed is to be recorded, I see it should be put on page 159, by seeking G in the horizontal, and S in the perpendicular, columns, and tracing them to their square of intersection, Gr downward and S across the page.

Christian names beginning with J being more numerous than any other, I divide as follows: I distinguish the name J ohn from all other names beginning with J, or I may at pleasure distinguish in like manner one or more names in addition, at will, by inserting in the perpendicular column of that initial J) as many repetitions of figures perpendicularly arranged as I have made subdivisions of christian names under the initial J, and all other names of this initial, such as James or Joseph, Jane or Julia, are put to themselves. This device I use by locating all names other than John of this initial on the page indicated by the uppermost figure in each square, and the name John at the figure which is lowest. Any farther subdivisions would be indicated by the intermediate figures, should said divisions be deemed requisite.

In the application of my invention I do away with the marginal letters usually applied to ledgers, and thus avoid mutilating many pages which can be made as serviceable for purposes of entry or record as any others of the book, being a noteworthy saving in ex pense, as my table may be pasted inside the cover of the volume, thus avoiding the waste of a single page which might be more profitably employed.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- Three horizontal alphabetical columns of letters, representing initial letters of christian names, and the two perpendicular alphabet- In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence CALEB H. BRADLEY.

Witnesses SAML. GREENWOOD, ENOGH DUNLAP.

Images