Improvements in Apparatus to Facilitate the Teaching of Writing and Map Drawing.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Sept., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 12th June, 1890-Accepted, 12th July, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus to Facilitate the Teaching of Writing
and Map Drawing.
I, FRANÇOIS OUDOT of 31, Boulevard Henri IV, Paris, in the Republic of France,
School Master, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists in representing the letters in manuscript writing by grooves
or hollows of corresponding shape formed upon the surface of plates of iron or other
suitable metal or on compressed paper or other suitable material.
A sufficient number of these plates will be required according to the different
characters of hand writing which are to be taught. The depressions or grooves
formed as described in the plates are of uniform width, no reduction in width for
the up-strokes being required, the width being however greater at the intersection of
the lines.
The shape of the groove is elliptical in cross-section and of greater depth at each
end of the letters than at the intersection of the lines of the latter. A red or
other coloured point shews the beginning of each letter and a similar point or
bar shews the line which is to be followed at the commencement of the succeeding
letter.
The dimensions of each plate may be varied as found desirable, and they are
provided with holes at their corners by which they can be pinned upon a black
board. Above each letter the corresponding one of the form used in printing is
arranged.
The child to whom writing is to be taught uses the hollow grooves as guides to
form the letters, after which the adjoining flat surface may be used to form similar
letters upon without the assistance of the grooves.
Similarly grooved plates may also be used in the form of maps.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus to Facilitate the Teaching of Writing
and Map Drawing.
I, FRANÇOIS OUDOT, of 31, Boulevard Henri IV, Paris, in the Republic of France,
School Master, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement and accompanying drawing, (that is to say) :-
:-
My invention consists in representing the letters in manuscript writing, by
grooves or hollows of corresponding shape formed upon the surface of plates of
iron or other metal, or on wood, compressed paper, or other suitable material.
The accompanying drawing is in illustration of my invention.
A sufficient number of the plates will be required according to the different
characters of writing which are to be taught.
The letters or figures are cut or formed as described in the plates of uniform width
the width however being greater at the intersection of the lines. The shape of the
groove is elliptical in cross section and of greater depth at each end of the letters. To
indicate the beginning of each letter a black or coloured point is made, or it may be
made in depression or relief upon or at the side of the letter or figure, and arrows
may be similarly made to show the direction which is to be followed in making the
line.

page_text: The first arrow shows the first line to be made and has at its back end a single
point as shewn in letter 1 (figure 3). Where two lines are required to make the
letter two arrows are used, the one shewing the line to be first made having one point
and the one shewing the second line having two points as shewn in letter a (figure 3),
and so on.
It is evident that instead of points and arrows other marks may be used for the
Esame purpose.
Plates made as described in one piece or of several pieces united together by any
convenient means may be of any convenient dimensions and used as copies or portable
slates for children.
The plates may be either hollowed upon one side and flat at the back as shewn in
figure 1, or hollow in the front and in relief at tlie back as shewn in figure 2.
Similarly grooved plates may also be used for maps or drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and the manner in which the same is to be performed; I declare that what I
claim is :-
The improved method of teaching writing by means of plates or tablets having
letters, figures, or other designs sunk in their surface, substantially as described and
shewn in the drawing.
Dated this 12th day of June 1890.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.