US978995A - Accounting device. - Google Patents

Description

WQELLIS. ACCOUNTING DEVICE,

Patented Dec. 20, 1910. 2. Exams-sunny I v ill Hut APPLICATION IILEi) 'J'AH.22; 1908.

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Patented Dec. 20, 1910.

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WILLIAM ELLIS, OF PHOENIXVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

ACCOUNTING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 20, 1910.

Application filed. January 22, 1908. Serial No. 412,103.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lVILLIAM ELLIs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Phoenixville, in the county of Chester and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Accounting Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to accounting devices, especially adapted to use in retail establishments to facilitate the entry of charges against customers, and to materially lessen the work of book-keepers.

The invention comprises a directory board containing the names of customers, preferably arranged in alphabetical order, each name being numbered, and a plurality of leaves or shutters suitably supported and provided with pockets bearing numbers corresponding to the numbers opposite the names of the customers upon the directory board.

The construction of the improved device will be fully described hereinafter, in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification, and the novel features of the invention will be set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawing :Figure l is a view in perspective of the improved accounting device applied to a desk. Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modified embodiment of the invention adapted to be secured to a wall or like support. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a slightly modified embodiment of the directory board and pivoted leaves or shutters, and Fig. 4 illustrates three different forms of cards or tickets employed.

The reference numeral 1 designates a desk or like support for a vertical directory board 2, provided at its upper edge with an overhanging horizontal flange 3, from the center of which depends a pivot-pin 4, in vertical alinement with a pivot-pin 5 projecting from the desk 1. Upon the board 2 are im printed or arranged the letters of the alphabet in their order spaced apart to afford room below them for the entry of names and numbers. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the space 6 between the rows of letters upon the directory board accommodates a plurality of leaves or shutters 7, secured together by hinges 8 at one edge as shown in Fig. 3. The central leaf, .Fig. 3 is provided at top and bottom with openings 10 to receive suitable pivot pins. Each side of each of the hinged shutters 7 is divided by ver-- tical ribs 11 and transverse ribs 12 into pockets 13 to contain cards or slips of paper, and each of said pockets is partially covered by a cover 14 of celluloid or other transparent material which permits the entry upon the outer card or slip within the pocket to be read without removal from the pocket. The several pockets 13 are numbered in consecutive order from number one up, said numbers corresponding to those opposite the names upon the directory board.

In connection with the board and hinged shutters I employ three different varieties of cards or entry slips designated respectively by the numerals 15, 16 and 17. The slip 15 is a printed form preferably bearing the name or advertisement of the merchant, and ruled to provide columns for dollars and cents. The card or slip 16 is blank, and of a different color from the slip 15, preferably red, the slip 15being preferably white. The card or slip 17 is blank and preferably white in color.

The utility of the device will be readily understood. The names of customers are entered, upon the directory board under the appropriate letter, and to each name is affixed a numbercorresponding to one of the numbered pockets. lVhen a customer makes a purchase a slip corresponding to the slip 15 is given him, and a duplicate is placed in the pocket bearing the number corresponding to that opposite the name of the customer upon the board. In that way the various charges against the customers are kept for stated periods and'the board serves as a ready index.

The red card 16 is employed to divide or separate the slips due, or for a stated period, from current slips, and the blank slips 17' are used to enter small purchases made by customers who do not care to wait to receive a charge slip. Slips thus made out are placed in front of the red slip 16, so that when the same customer makes another purchase the items on the slip 17 may be entered upon the regular entry slip 15, together with the items of the new purchase.

It will be apparent that my invention dispenses "with the usual blotter or entry book, and avoids the necessity of consulting a book index before making entries.

To facilitate the selection of the desired pocket I provide index numerals upon the edges of the leaves or shutters correspond ing to the number of the pockets on the leaves, as from 1 to 18 19 to 36 and 37 to 55, &-c., as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

lVhile I prefer to support the hinged shut ters upon a desk and in front of the directory board as shown, it is obvious that they might be pivotally secured upon a wall or other support.

To adapt the directory board to be attached to a wall or like support I provide the board with perforated lugs 2 to receive securing screws and the board is also provided at its top and bottom edges with perforated lugs 3 to receive pins P projecting from one of the hinged leaves.

Having thus described my invention what I desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim is 1. A device for keeping accounts, comprising a stationary directory board bearing names arranged in alphabetical order and each having a different number adjacent thereto, and a plurality of leaves or shutters hinged together and pivotally supported on said board, each shutter being provided with pockets bearing numbers corresponding to the numbers opposite the names on the board.

2. The combination with a desk or like support, of a directory board thereon bearing names arranged alphabetically, and numbers opposite said names, a flange projecting from the upper portion of said board, a plurality of leaves or shutters hinged together, and provided with pockets, supporting means projecting from said desk and flange, and brackets projecting from one of said shutters and formed with openings to receive said supporting means.

\VILLIAM ELLIS.

In presence of- W. E. BUSHONG, JAS. P. HARLEY.

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