IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR ILLUSTRATING OBJECTS FOR THE TEACHING OF READING, NOTATION, ARITHMETIC, Music,
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ezra Sykes and Otho Giles Abbott, of Huddersfield, in
the County York, Educational Apparatus Manufacturers, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR ILLUSTRATING
OBJECTS FOR THE TEACHING OF READING, NOTATION, ARITHMETIC, Music,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ezra Sykes and Otho Giles
Abbott at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th November
1881.
EZRA SYKES and OTHO GILES ABBOTT, of Huddersfield, in the County of
York, Educational Apparatus Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD
OF AND APPARATUS FOR ILLUSTRATING OBJECTS FOR THE TEACHING OF
READING, NOTATION, ARITHMETIC, MUSIC, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL MATTER."
The object of this Invention is to facilitate the teaching of the alphabet, and of
forming letters into words and sentences, to teach the points of notation and numbers,
and the art of numbering, also music characters, symbols, and other educational
matters.
For this purpose we employ a series of discs, wheels, or rollers, in each of which
is formed a number of recesses or openings corresponding to the number of letters
in the alphabet, the marks of punctuation, the numerals, and other characters or
figures which may be required.
Within each of these recesses or openings are placed tablets or loose pieces capable
of being slided in and out, and having marked thereon the various letters, marks,
numbers, characters, or figures. The discs or wheels are placed loosely on a shaft
or stud, and can revolve independently of each other. The whole of the discs or
wheels are placed within a box or receptacle, part of which is made moveable
so as to expose the various letters, marks, and numbers. When it is required
to form words, and denote marks of punctuation, and numerate figures or other
characters, the tablets having the various shapes thereon are withdrawn from
ID 21

page_text: their respective recesses and exposed in a line, so that the words, marks, numbers,
or characters may be seen at a glance. The recesses containing the tablets are
placed in their alphabetical, numerical, or other systematic order; and in order that
each loose piece may be easily found the space between each recess is marked with
its respective letter, mark, number, or character. Suitable stop pieces are provided
so as to ensure the discs stopping in such positions that the various letters, marks,
and numbers shall be exposed in a straight line. Springs or other devices are
provided within the recesses to prevent the tablets falling out as the disc
revolves.
When required the tablets may be dispensed with, and the various letters, marks,
numbers, and characters may be placed on the periphery of the disc or wheels.
So as to adapt the apparatus to work out arithmetical sums on a larger scale,
slides placed in a horizontal position are employed, the slides being placed opposite
the tablets, so that in working out an arithmetical sum the tablets are withdrawn
from their recesses and placed in the slides in a straight line one under another
parallel to each other, by which means arithmetic may be easily taught and learnt.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Ezra Sykes and Otho Giles Abbott in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 12th May 1882.
EZRA SYKES and OTHO GILES ABBOTT, of Huddersfield, in the County of
York, Educational Apparatus Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD
OF AND APPARATUS FOR ILLUSTRATING OBJECTS FOR THE TEACHING OF
READING, NOTATION, ARITHMETIC, MUSIC, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL MATTERS."
The object of this Invention is to facilitate the teaching of the alphabet, and of
forming letters into words and sentences, to teach the points of notation, and
numbers and the art of numbering, also music characters, symbols, and other
educational matters.
For this purpose we employ a series of discs, wheels, or rollers, in each of which
is formed a number of recesses or openings, corresponding to the number of letters
in the alphabet, the marks of punctuation, the numerals, and other characters or
figures which may be required.
Within each of these recesses or openings are placed tablets or loose pieces
capable of being slided in and out, and having marked thereon the various letters,
marks, numbers, characters, or figures. The discs or wheels are placed loosely on a
shaft or stud, and can revolve independently of each other. The whole of the
discs or wheels are placed within a box or other receptacle, part of which is made
moveable so as to expose the various, letters, marks, and numbers. When it is
required to form words and denote marks of punctuation, and numerate figures or
other characters, the taplets having the various shapes thereon are withdrawn
from their respective recesses and exposed in & line so that the words, marks,
numbers, or characters may be seen at a glance. The recesses containing the
tablets are placed in their alphabetical, numerical, or other systematical order; and
in order that each loose piece may be easily found the space between each recess is
marked with its respective letter, mark, number, or character.
Suitable stop
pieces are provided so as to ensure the discs opening in such positions that the
various letters, marks, and numbers shall be exposed in a straight line. Springs
or other devices are provided within the recesses to prevent the tablets falling out
as the disc revolves.
Such being the nature and object of our Invention, we will now by aid of the
accompanying Drawings proceed more fully to describe same.
Fig. 1 represents elevation, and Fig. 2 cross section of a machine or apparatus
constructed for the purpose of teaching the alphabet, and of forming letters into
words and sentences, and also to teach the points of notation. A are discs or wheels
mounted loosely upon a shaft B. In each disc any suitable number of openings or
recesses are formed for the insertion of loose tablets or pieces C, which are capable
of being slided in and out, and having marked thereon the various letters and
points of notation. On the periphery of each disc and between the space of each
opening the letters or other devices are marked in their alphabetical or other
systematical order, so that each tablet may be easily found. As each tablet
is withdrawn from its recess the disc is turned around until the projecting tablet is
brought against the stop piece D, which holds the disc in its place and exposes the
letters in a line, so that the letters and words may be seen at a glance, as shewn in
the Drawings.
It will be seen and at once understood that by an increased number of discs this
apparatus may be employed to form words and sentences on a much larger scael
than what is shewn on the Drawings, the example we have been giving being
sufficient to explain and illustrate our Invention.

page_text: In order to prevent the tablets falling out of their recesses when the discs are
being turned around, a flat spring a is employed (shewn in Fig. 3), which presses
against the inside of the recess; a knob or projection bis also employed so as to
enable the person in charge of the apparatus to withdraw the tablets more readily.
In Fig. 4 I have shewn how the same apparatus may be employed to teach the
numerals, and Fig. 5 shews its application in regard to music. So as to adapt the
apparatus to work out arithmetical sums on a larger scale, slides placed in a
horizontal position are employed, the slides being placed opposite the tablets, so
that in working out an arithmetical sum the tablets are withdrawn from their
recesses and placed in the slides in a straight line one under another, parallel with
each other, by which means arithmetic may be easily taught and learnt.
This construction of apparatus is shewn in Fig. 6, where A are the discs placed
upon a vertical shaft B; a frame E is employed and provided with openings, into
which the tablets C are slided and exposed. We have in the Drawings illustrated
a simple subtraction sum which is sufficient to shew the method of illustrating the
various numbers.
It must be understood that these revolving discs and sliding tablets may be
employed to illustrate other objects than those shewn on the Drawings, such for
example as fishes, animals, and other characters.
If necessary the tablets may be dispensed with, and the various figures, characters,
and symbols placed on the periphery and exposed on a line through a slit or long
parallel opening.
Having now shewn and described our Invention and the manner in which the
same is to be performed and carried into practice, we would have it understood
-that-we-do-not confine ourselves to the exact details herein shewn and described,
as they may be somewhat varied, but what we consider to be new and therefore
claim as our Invention is,―
Firstly. The employment of a series of revolving discs for the purpose of
illustrating objects for the teaching of reading, notation, arithmetic, music, and
other educational matter, substantially as herein shewn as described.
Secondly. The employment of a series of revolving discs in combination with
loose tablets for illustrating objects for the teaching of reading, notation, arithmetic,
music, and other educational matter, substantially at herein shewn and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Otho Giles Abbott, for and on behalf
of myself and the said Ezra Sykes, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Tenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
OTHO GILES ABBOTT. (L.S.)