US323484A - Index - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

R. H. WYMAN.

INDEX.

Patented Aug. 4, 1885.

Invenor:

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UNITED STATES PATENT Erica,

, RICHARD H. XVYMAN, OF vEVANSTON, ILLINOIS.

INDEX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 323,484, dated August 4, 1885 Application tiled September 16, 18811. (No model.)

To fz/Z5 whom it may concern: Y

Be it known that I, RICHARD H. W'YMAN, of Evanston, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have inventedanew and Improved Index, of which the following isadescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which the figure is a perspective view of a blank-book containing said index.

The. object of my invention is to provide an index or key adapted to be used in connection with the ordinary sight7 or marginal index employed in blank-books, and Which may beY A blank letter-book, in the front portion of which are the usual indexpages,a a, having arranged upon their margin, in the usual manner, the customary sightindex letter, a. The pages a are preferably shortened at the top, as clearly shown in the drawing, and an extra leaf, B, is inserted between them and the first page of the numbered blank pages, said leaf being of the full size of the book. That portion of the leaf B shown above the index-leaves c is divided into spaces by horizont-al and verti cal lines, substantially as shown, the Width of the verticalispaces being governed, as hereinafter shown, by the number of pages in the book. The left-hand vertical column contains the Words Pagcj Da-y,7 and Month, respectively,while eachverticai column thereafter is intended to represent one day, and serves as a key of reference to the letters copied in said book for that day. At the end of the day, after all the letters are copied in the book for that day, the names of those to whom they are addressed are indexed in the usual manner upon the pages a, with the numbers, respectively, of the pages upon which they appear. The number of the last page used is then placed in the lower space of one of said vertical columns marked Page in the margin, While the date is indicated by tivo igures in the respective spaces above. Assuming, for example, that an extensive correspondence is being carried on with A. II. Hall, and one is desirous of consulting a letter to him of February 8, if the page-numbers on the page care numerous, it would be necessary to examine each page successively in order to find the required letter; but,npon reference to the key, he nds that the letters copied on that date (indicated by the figures 2 and 8, respectively) extend from page 90 to page 114. Referring to the index, he sees that but one number within that range appears after the naine given-viz., 10G-and hence he is enabled to refer to the proper page at once, regardless of what other numbers may appear upon the index-page c. Other examples might be given, but this is deemed sufficient to illustrate the principle. Afurther advantage of said key is that it enables one to determine at a glance the extent to which said letter-book has been posted or indexed. Assuming the book to show the names and figures given in the drawing, and that letters are copied upon two hundred pages of said book, the Writer would know at once that eighty-six pages had not been posted,-

and that the last letter indexed was written on February 8, and copied on page 1.14. Should the number of pages in the boolrbelunusually large, and the correspondence moderate, it is obvious that a larger number of vertical spaces may be needed, in which event said index-pages may be made still shorter, and said key continued in like manneratthe bottom,

of the page, or at the top below that shown;-

but I should prefer to place it at the bottoni to avoid possible confusion. Instead of said key being placed upon a separate leaf, it may be upon a continuation of the last indexdeaf, which may, if preferred, be made the full size of the book, or all the index-pages may be of full size, and the key placed upon a separate leaf immediately preceding or following said index Without varying the essential principle of my invention. Should said index-leaves be shortened or cut off at the top or bottom, or both,one or more pads or blocks,

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c, of paper, f the thickness of said initial sheets, may be glued or otherwise secured to the cover of the book A, as shown, to compensate for the thickness of saidindeX-sheets, 5 so that in taking an impression the letters or bills may be copied equally Well over the entire page.

It is obvious that said index may be used with equal facility and advantage in billio books as well as in letter-books.

Having thus described my invention, I elaim- 1. As a new article of manufacture, a blank letter or impression copying book provided I 5 with the usual marginal or sight index, the pages of Which latter are made smaller than RCHARD I-I. WVYMAN.

Vitnesses:

D. H. FLETCHER, XV. L. BAKER.

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