A Tot Frame Containing Revolving or Moveable Rectangular Wooden Blocks.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Oct., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 4th July, 1891-Accepted, 6th-Nov., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Tot Frame Containing Revolving or Moveable Rectangular
Wooden Blocks.
Alcester
I ERNEST HANLEY PROTHEROE of Great Alne Schools, near
Warwickshire, Schoolmaster do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
A rectangular wooden or metal frame with slotted, grooved, or ploughed sides,
within which are any number (usually 14) of moveable or revolving rectangular
wooden blocks working by means of wooden or metal pivots in the slots or grooves."
The edges of the blocks may be bevelled to facilitate rotation.
Upon the four equal faces of each block are painted or pasted (by means of
printed paper or linen slips) or cut or inlaid, lines of figures representing ⚫sums of
money, weights and measures &c. &c.
The face of each block is a line of a column of figures which column consists of as
many lines of figures as there are blocks working in the slots.
By bringing a different side of one or any number of the blocks to the front a
different combination of lines is obtained, thus presenting a different column of
figures. To turn one of the blocks I raise the block or blocks above the one
desired to be turned and rest them or it on the wrist or back of the hand, while
turning the block desired to turn, or I may have the blocks made with a knob at
either end which could be used for turning the blocks.
As the order of the blocks may be altered as desired the number of different
columns of figures that can be obtained becomes almost incalculable.
To produce columns of figures of shorter length any one or more of the blocks
may be removed from the frame, or I may make any number of columns of figures
by placing in the frame at equal or variable distances a block or blocks with plain
surfaces (which surface I prefer to be black) on which the total of the preceding
column of figures is made.
Two or more blocks with plain surfaces placed at intervals as before mentioned
give a greater distinction between the total of the preceding column of figures, and
the subsequent column of figures.
Dated this Third day of October 1890.
I. J. WOODHALL,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Tot Frame Containing Revolving or Moveable Rectangular
Wooden Blocks.
I, ERNEST HANLEY PROTHEROE of Great Alne Schools, near Alcester,
Warwickshire 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 :-
A rectangular, wooden or metal frame A with slotted, grooved, or ploughed
sides B, within which are any number (usually 14) of moveable or revolving
rectangular wooden blocks C working by means of wooden or metal pivots in the
slots or grooves B.
The edges of the blocks may be bevelled to facilitate rotation.
Upon the four equal faces of each block C are painted or pasted (by means of

page_text: printed paper or linen strips) or cut or inlaid, lines of figures D representing sums
of money, weights and measures &c. &c.
The face of each block C is a line.of a column of, figures which column consists
of as many lines of figures as there are blocks C working in the slots B.
By bringing a different side of one or any number of the blocks C to the front a
different combination of lines is obtained, thus presenting a different column of
figures. To turn one of the blocks CI raise the block or blocks C above the one E
desired to be turned and rest them or it on the wrist or back of the hand, while
turning the block desired to turn, or I may have the blocks C made with a knob at
either end which could be used for turning the blocks.
I can vary the position of any block or blocks C by means of a small slot F on
either side of the frame at right angles with the main slot, thus allowing the block
or blocks C to be taken out of the frame and replaced as desired. As the order of
the blocks may be altered as desired the number of different columns of figures that
can be obtained becomes almost incalculable.
To produce columns of figures of shorter length any one or more of the blocks C
may be removed from the frame A, or I may make any number of columns of
figures by placing in the frame at equal or variable distances a block or blocks
with plain surfaces (which surface I prefer to be black G) on which the total of
the preceding column of figures is made. Two or more blocks with plain surfaces
placed at intervals as before mentioned give a greater distinction between the
total of the preceding column of figures and the subsequent column of figures.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
A rectangular wooden or metal frame with slotted grooved or ploughed sides in
which are any number (usually 14) of moveable or rectangular wooden blocks
working by means of wooden or metal pivots in the slots or grooves; each block
having upon the four equal faces thereof a line of figures representing sums of
money, weights and measures &c. &c. That by bringing a different side of one or
any number of the blocks to the front a different column of figures is obtained.
That I may turn the block or blocks by means of a knob at either end of the
blocks, or I may raise the block or blocks and rest them or it on the wrist or back
of the hands while turning the block desired to be turned. That I may vary the
position of any block by means of a small slot on either side of the frame at right
angles with the main slots, thus allowing the block or blocks to be taken out of the
frame and replaced as desired. That I may produce several columns of figures in
the frame by having a plain surface on any one of the blocks at equal or variable
distances which plain surface can be brought to the front in manner hereinbefore
described on which the total of the preceding column of figures may be made.
Dated this 3rd day of July 1801
I. J. WOODHALL,
Agent for Applicant.