US2571174A

US2571174A - Code device

Info

Publication number: US2571174A
Application number: US548287A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wilfred C Washcoe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1944-08-05
Filing date: 1944-08-05
Publication date: 1951-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 1968-10-16

Description

@ c-L 11% a. WASHCOE CODE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 5, 1944 FIGURE 2' FIGURE 62 FlUEE 5 FIGURE VWLFREU C. i/VA5HCOE INVEN roe .L/QQ

(ML 16 W. c. WASi-ECGE I 2,517LW4 coma; DEVICE Filed Aug. 5, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W/L FEED L W4 SH'COE INVENTOE Patented Oct. 16, 1951 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 5 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to the cryptographic art, and, particularly, is a light weight, portable code device.

One object of the invention is to provide a code device utilizing a central information sheet and two sliding strips for establishing coordinates on the sheet with means for positively holding all elements in their proper relationships.

Other objects will appear from the following description and claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the base member of the code device of my invention in its open condition.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the structure of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view of the right end of the device of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section taken on line |4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the inner member of the cipher device.

Figure 6 shows the device assembled and ready for use.

Referring to the drawings, l and H represent the two main elements of the base of the code device. Their principal dimensions are the same as they are intended to fold one upon the other. Considering the two portions Ill and H as a single element, the central portion thereof is cut away at |2 to provide a recess for an information sheet or card. On the upper edge of the base member is formed a slot, I3, and on the lefthand edge a slot, l4. Indicators, as l5, are engraved or otherwise provided along the two edges of the recess l2. These merely assist in lining up the rows and columns of information on the sheet which is to be used with the device. The right-hand edge of I I is cut away at I6 somewhat below the rest of the periphery of the base member (see Figure 3) for a purpose which will be explained, and a further recess, I1, is provided in the right-hand edge of I. The base member is formed, preferably, of an opaque plastic. Synthane or Bakelite may be used.

With reference to Figure 5, the inner member of the code device comprises two substantially similar portions, 20 and 2|, hinged in the center at 22. This inner member, including the hinge 22, is formed of some tran parent and flexible 2 material, preferably a plastic, not susceptible to breakage. Cellulose acetate is suitable. This inner member, it will be understood, is to be cemented, screwed, or otherwise secured to the base member so in general its size and form must agree therewith.

Along the top edge of the inner member, two clips, 25 and 26, may be seen. These are formed by slotting the material of the inner member, as at 21 and 28. The portion between the slots or cuts can then be readily forced out of the plane of the inner member itself. The clips are bent upwardly and then downwardly, the treatment bein performed with the application of heat, and the result being that the lower surfaces of the clips are approximately flush with and parallel to the upper surfaces of members 20 and 2|. Similar clips, 30 and 3|, are provided along the left-hand edge of the inner member. As will be apparent, these clips are not cemented to the base along with the inner member proper. With all members assembled in the manner described (see Figure 6), the halves of the code device can be folded, one upon the other, leaving a small space therebetween representing the diameter of hinge 22 and the protrusion of the

clips

25, 26, 30 and 3|.

To operate the device, an information sheet is inserted between the base and inner members through the slot in the right side of the device at Hi. It drops down below the peripheral wall of member The sheet is made to fit snugly within recess l2 so far as length and width are concerned; the recess is deep enough, however, that two or more sheets can be retained therein. The peripheral wall prevents the sheets from falling out of the device.

With a sheet in place, a portion of its righthand edge will extend outside of the code device proper at I! where it can be grasped easily for removal from the device.

A sliding strip as long as desired, but normally twice the length of the information sheet, less one information column, is inserted between the base member and the inner member so that it will lie in slot l3, and its two ends are then brought up and over the face of the inner member and secured beneath

clips

25 and 26. A substantially similar strip, normally twice as long as the Width of the central sheet less one information row, is inserted in the left-hand edge of the device so that it will lie in slot I4, and its ends are brought up and secured below clips 30 and 3|.

The information sheet and the sliding strips determines the column to be used in the crypto graphic process, the column being, for instance,

that under J on the sliding strip. As soon as the strip is properly located, its ends are secured under

clips

25 and 26. The side strip is then located and secured in a similar fashion.

The invention can be usedin the followingfashion to authenticate messages, that" is; to: es

tablish the bona fides of cryptograms, assuming the two strips located in the grooves I3 and M are provi'ded with normal English alphabets, as

B", C, D,- et'ci, and the information sheet for the recess I2 is provided withnine vertical columns of six code words each, as ERCP'I, FRAND, GHOLP; TQEGA, etc., the vertical spacings of the several words being such as to align them with the bench marks adjacent groove l4, and assuming that the sender and the recipient of any messagehaveestablisheda procedure for both to fol- 10w: the letter A on one sliding stripis aligned with the rightmost bench mark adjacent groove I"-3 and the letter A of' the other sliding strip is aligned with the lowermost bench mark" adjacent groove- M". A code word is then found at the intersection of coordinates established by- H (on the one strip) and'C'(onthe'other'strip), This code word maybe; for example,,XZ'JKQ{and is inserted in the crypto gram beforetransmission. The recipient of the message who, ashas'been explained, is familiar with the proper alignments of the stripsand the" identification of the information card can check the authenticity'of a message by establishing the same coordinates on a duplicate card. If the authenticating group is not the same as thatfound in the message,- therecipient' knows that v the message isnot genuine or that: a mistake has been made.

Many othenwa'ys ofcusingthe device of this invention: will be apparent to tho'se skilled in: the artof cryptography:

If itis desired to removertheinformation sheet from the device. its right-hand edge is: grasped at recess l1, and the sheet is removed: through slot I 6 It may then be replaced in the device beneath the sheet which istobe next'employed.

The above description. isin specific terms, and it should be understood thatthe invention is not limited to the exact form shown and. described but instead includes such. modifications and equivalents as fallproperly within the scope of the appended claims.

Lclaim:

1. In. a device of the. character described, two elements foldable one upon. the other, forming when: unfolded a substantially rectangular body member, recesses in the said elementstcommunieating only when: the. elements are unfolded with each other and communicating with the) exterior of one of said elements throughaslot: in one edge thereof, an interior groove in each of said elements adjacent an. edge thereof-l and communieating only when the elements are unfolded with extending for substantially the width of one of said first mentioned recesses and communicating at both ends through slots with the exterior of said element.

2. In a device of the character described, a laminated body member foldable one half upon the! other; one layer of said body member being substantially opaque and the inner layer thereof being formed of substantially transparent material, an interior groove in each half of said body member adjacent one edge thereof communicating and extending substantially the length thereof'only'when the parts are in unfolded condition and communicating through slots with the exterior of said body member, a second interior groove. extending substantially the width of said body member adjacent another edge thereof and communicating with the exterior thereof through slots, and two clips substantially transverse of each of said grooves formed each by two adjacent parallel slots cut through said inner member.

3: Ina device of the character described, a substantially rectangular body member, having an indentation in one edge thereof, a substantially rectangular recess therein forming a wall about the periphery of the body member except atsaid indentation, the said wall being diminished in height on both sides ofsaid indentation, the said recess being adapted to inclose an information sheet within said body member'exoept at said indentation, means for releasably holding a sliding strip adjacent one edge of said body member and partially Within the same, and means for releasably holding a sliding' strip adjacent another edge of said bodyw member and partially within the same. 7

4'. As an article of manufacture, a first body element and a second body element the twoforming when disposed in predetermined side-by-side relationship a substantially flat body member having a shallow depression therein with a groove adjacent one edge thereof and another groove adjacent another edge thereof, a third edge being depressed to, a part of the depth of the said depression and being partially recessed. from the margin of, the element into said depression, two further elements hinged together and forming when. in. open. side-by-side relationship a surface substantially similar in shape and size to the said body member, and. means for securing the said surface upon the said body member.

5". As an article of manufacture, a first body element and a second body'element the two forming when disposed in predetermined side-by-side relationship a substantially, flat body member having a shallow depression thereinwith a groove adjacent one edge. thereof, and another groove adjacent another edge thereof, a third edge being depressed to a part of the depth of the said depressionv and being partially recessed from the margin of the element into. said depression, two further elements hinged together and. forming when. inopen. side-by-side relationship a surface substantiallysimilar in size and shape to the said body member but. with notches in, the. corners thereof corresponding to the ends of the said grooves in said body member and a further notch in one edge corresponding, in location to the said recess, and means for securing thesaid surface upon the saidbody member.

WILFRED C. WASHC-OE.

(References on following page) REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Flamm Aug. 17, 1875 Wier -1 Apr. 7, 1891 Speckman Aug. 9, 1904 MacBeth et a1 Aug. 22, 1916 Cohen Oct. 17, 1916 Story Sept. 18, 1917 Bienvaux Aug. 20, 1918 Meyers July 4, 1922 Number Name Date Lawrence Feb. 6, 1923 Corrie Nov. 4, 1924 Critchfield June 20, 1939 Bailey Mar. 21, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain June 9, 1932 France Nov. 6, 1936