IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SCHOOL SLATES, AND THEIR APPURTENANCES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Morris Roberts, of Aber, in the County of Carnarvon,
School Slate Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
RELATING TO SCHOOL SLATES, AND THEIR APPURTENANCES."
Sealed the 29th December 1877, and dated the 4th July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Morris Roberts at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th July 1877.
MORRIS. ROBERTS, of Aber, in the County of Carnarvon, School Slate Manu-
facturer. « IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SCHOOL SLATES AND THEIR
APPURTENANCES."
In the case of ordinary school slates the pencils, rulers, sponges, and pencil
sharpeners are very liable to get lost, or, if tied to the slate, broken, and are not to
be found when wanted. My Invention is designed to remedy this; it consists,
First. In forming with the frame a case for holding the implements in question,
preferably at the end of the slate. For this purpose a double end is made to the
frame with a hollow space between the two cross bars for the implements in
question, with the exception of the pencil sharpener.
This latter consists of a plate with a sharp grooved edge at each end, fastened
transversely to the outer edge of the outer cross bar, the sharp grooved edge of
the plate projecting a little above and below the sides of the slate hinged, pivotted,
or sliding in grooves; on each side of the slate over the hollow space between the
two cross bars I place a thin slab of wood or other suitable material. These act
as bottom and lid of the box or hollow space, and also as sheaths or protectors for
the grooved plates, the implements being securely held between them. These slabs
can be held down with a spring catch or otherwise, and can be opened with ease,
and a pencil abstracted or sharpened on the edged plate. A lock can be fitted if
desirable. The end of the slate has a handle fixed to it, preferably by two eyes and
in the form of a loop, so that it can be hung up.
The ruler I prefer to be made in the square form, and attached to it on one side
I affix a pad of velvet or other material, or this latter can be placed on an inde-
nendent Hat stick.

page_text: Sometimes I place an india-rubber or other smaller chamber in the case for con-
taining a sponge, the object of lining the chamber with india-rubber, shellac, or other
similar material, being to render it waterproof, and so keep the sponge moist, and
prevent it rotting the frame.
Sometimes also I pad the chamber containing the implements to prevent them
shaking together and rattling while being carried.
On the ruler I sometimes inscribe various useful tables.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
"
the said Morris Roberts in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd January
1878.
»
MORRIS ROBERTS, of Aber, in the County of Carnarvon, Slate Manufacturer.
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SCHOOL SLATES AND THEIR APPURTENANCES.'
Figure 1 is a view in isometrical perspective.
Figure 2, elevation of combined ruler and slate cleaner; Figure 3, section of same.
In the case of ordinary school slates the pencils, rulers, sponges, and pencil'
sharpeners are very liable to get lost, or, if tied to the slate, broken, and are
not to be found when wanted. My Invention is designed to remedy this; it
consists,
1st. In forming with the frame a case for holding the implements in question
preferably at the end of the slate.. For this purpose a double end is made to the
frame with a hollow space between the two cross bars A and B for the implements
in question, with the exception of the pencil sharpener.
2nd. This latter consists of a plate C with a sharp grooved edge at each end
fastened transversely to the outer edge of the outer cross bar, the sharp grooved
edge of the plate projecting a little above and below the sides of the slate, hinged,
pivotted, or sliding in grooves, in one or both; on each side of the slate over the
hollow space, between the two cross bars, I place a thin slab D of wood or other
suitable material. These act as bottom and lid of the box or hollow space, and
also as sheaths or protectors for the grooved plates or sharpener C; the implements
being securely held between them. These slabs can be held down with a spring
catch or otherwise, and can be opened with ease and a pencil abstracted or sharpened
on the edged plate; a lock can be fitted if desirable. I usually only fit a single
slab D, working on a pivot at E, and which is locked by a spring F carried by it
springing into a mortise in the upper and lower cross bars A and B, as shown in the
Drawing. The end of the slate has a handle fixed to it, preferably by two eyes and
in the form of a loop, so that it can be hung up, but this is not essential and is not
shewn.
The ruler I prefer to be made in the square form, and attached to it on one side I
affix a pad of velvet or other material; or this latter can be placed on an independant
flat stick.
A plan which I have found greatly superior, however, is that shewn in the
Drawings at Figure 2 and 3, and which consists in forming a longitudinal groove in
the ruler, and inserting a strip or preferably several strips of felt or other absorbent
material on edge secured by pins or wire as shown. This takes the place of a sponge
for cleaning the slate.

page_text: Sometimes I place an india-rubber or other smaller chamber in the case for con-
taining a sponge, the object of lining the chamber with india-rubber, shellac, or
other similar material, being to render it waterproof, and so keep the sponge moist
and prevent it rotting the frame, but the plan of making the ruler shewn
obviates the necessity of a sponge.
This ruler can be also used independently
of my slate, and will be found a useful substitute for the sponge so frequently used
in schools.
Sometimes also I pad the chamber containing the implements to prevent them
shaking together and rattling while being carried.
On the ruler I sometimes inscribe various useful tables.
This Invention applies equally to slates made of material other than the mineral
bearing that name, and the details can be varied indefinitely; for instance, the case
might be attached to the sides or bottom of the slate instead of to the top, or a
caso might be attached to two or more sides of the slate, or the pencil sharpener
might be attached in another position to that shewn, therefore I do not bind myself
to the exact details shewn.
Having now described my Invention, and the best modes known to me of carrying
it into effect, I beg to say that I am well aware that slates have been attached to
portable desks furnished with drawers, for containing drawing implements or pencils,
and I do not claim such, but what I believe to be new and desire to claim under the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1st. The construction in a school slate of one or more cases or receptacles
forming a part of or addition to the frame, for the purpose of holding the writing or
drawing implements and other appurtenances connected with the same, substantially
as described.
2nd. The combination with a school slate of a pencil sharpener, substantially as
described and arranged, so that the edge or sharpening portion of the same shall be
protected from injury when not being used.
3rd. The improved appliance or ruler furnished with a strip or strips of absorbent
material for cleaning school slates, substantially as described.
4th. The general arrangement of school slate and its appurtenances, substantially
as and for the purposes described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Morris Roberts, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Second day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight and seventy-eight.
MORRIS ROBERTS. (L.S.)