IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO THE METHOD OF PLACING COPY SLIPS USED IN THE ART OF TEACHING CALIGRAPHY, AND FRAMES TO BE USED WITH SUCH COPY SLIPS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Coutie, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO THE METHOD OF
PLACING COPY SLIPS USED IN THE ART OF TEACHING CALIGRAPHY, AND
FRAMES TO BE USED WITH SUCH COPY SLIPS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Coutie at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th December 1879.
GEORGE COUTIE, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster. “IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND RELATING TO THE METHOD OF PLACING COPY SLIPS USED IN THE ART OF
TEACHING CALIGRAPHY, AND FRAMES TO BE USED WITH SUCH COPY SLIPS."
My. Invention has for its object an improved method of placing copy slips upon
books or sheets of paper used in the art of teaching caligraphy, with a view to
prevent the pupil from copying his own writing instead of the copy that is set
for him.
Heretofore in the art of teaching caligraphy it has been the usual practice of the
teacher to write the first line of the copy book on each page thereof, or it has been
the practice that such first line should be lithographed either on the book or on
copy slips, which slips it has been the habit to place on the desk in a suitable
position above the copy book. The main defect in the before mentioned practices
has been that after writing and copying the first line from the copy or copy slip,
it is more natural for the pupil to copy the following lines from his own writing
than from the copy which is set him, the pupil's writing naturally becoming worse
as he proceeds.
According to my Invention I use a copy slip frame, which is arranged to receive
the written or lithographed copy slips, either singly or in a series. This frame is
constructed by preference of metal, although wood, papier maché, or other material
may be used. The frame is provided with a groove or turned over edge at each
end, and the bottom is provided with a ledge to receive the copy slip. Underneath
the frame I provide feet or projections which raise the frame from the writing so
that it will not blot or smudge the writing.
In operation, after each line is written by the pupil, it is the duty of the pupil
to cover over such written line by the removal of the frame from the line above
[Price Bdl

page_text: and placing of the same over the line just written. By this means the pupil has
always before him, and under his first notice, the copy, and the objectionable
practice of the pupil copying his own writing is rendered remote. The copies
which are written or lithographed upon slips of paper or like material, are, as
required, placed or changed in the frame when the copy is set and the pupil
commences to write.
The further carrying out of my Invention consists in having a series of flaps of
iron or other material connected by a wire rod hinge to the front side of the
frame to be used for showing the slant and direction of the writing, and also
for indicating the space between the lines of writing when ruled books are not
employed.
A modification consists in having on the other side of the frame a case or
receptacle for holding a collection of slips. The whole frame is so planned as to
protect the undried writing from being smeared or blotted by the hand of the
writer.
I further employ a box constructed with divisions arranged in alphabetical order
for holding the various kinds of writing slips to be used in the slip frames, also the
principle of fixing on calico or other kind of cloth a connected series of slip lines
for the purpose of being placed in the slip frame so as to show only one line to the
eye of the writer at once.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Coutie in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th June
1880.
GEORGE COUTIE, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster. “IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND RELATING TO THE METHOD OF PLACING COPY SLIPS USED IN THE ART OF
TEACHING CALIGRAPHY, AND FRAMES TO BE USED WITH SUCH COPY SLIPS."
My Invention has for its object an improved method of placing copy slips upon
books or sheets of paper used in the art of teaching caligraphy with a view to
prevent the pupil from copying his own writing instead of the copy that is set
for him.
Heretofore in the art of teaching caligraphy it has been the usual practice of the
teacher to write the first line of the copy book on each page thereof, or it has been
the practice that such first line should be engraved either on the book or on copy
slips, which slips it has been the habit to place on the desk in a suitable position
above the copy book. The main defect in the before mentioned practices has
been that after writing and copying the first line from the copy or copy slip it
is more natural for the pupil to copy the following lines from his own writing
than from the copy which is set him, the pupil's writing naturally becoming worse
as he proceeds.
According to my Invention I use a copy slip holder, which is arranged to receive
the written or engraved copy slips either singly or in series. This holder or frame
is constructed by preference of metal, although wood, papier maché, or other
material may be used. The holder is provided with a groove or turned over edge
at one end, or both ends and the bottom is provided with lugs or flaps to receive
the copy slip. Underneath the frame I provide claws or projections which
raise the holder from the writing so that it will not blot or smudge the writing.
In operation, after each line is written by the pupil, it is the duty of the pupil to
cover over such written line by the removal of the holder from the line above, and
placing the same over the line just written. By this means the pupil has always
before him and under his first notice the copy, and the objectionable practice of the
pupil copying his own writing is rendered remote. The copies, which are written
or engraved upon slips of paper or like material, are as required placed or changed
in the frame when the copy is set and the pupil commences to write.
The further carrying out of my Invention consists in having a series of flaps of iron
or other material connected by a wire rod hinge to the front side of the holder to
be used for showing the slant and direction of the writing, and also for indicating
the space between the lines of writing when ruled books are not employed.
A modification consists in having on the other side of the holder a case or
receptacle for holding a collection of slips. The whole frame is so planned as to
protect the undried writing from being smeared or blotted by the hand of the
writer. The frame is also designed to be used for holding manuscripts and
drawing models.
I further employ a box constructed with divisions arranged in alphabetical order
for holding the various kinds of writing slips to be used in the slip frames, also the
principle of fixing on calico or other kind of cloth a connected series of slip lines
for the purpose of being placed in the slip frame, so as to show only one line to the
eye of the writer at once.
I
In order that my Invention may be properly understood, I will now proceed to
more particularly set forth the system, mode, or manner, in or under which the
same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, and for that purpose
have hereunto attached a Sheet of Drawings illustrative of my Invention,
marked with letters and figures of reference corresponding with those in the
following explanation. In all the Figures the same letters of reference indicate
the same or corresponding parts.

page_text: Figure 1 is a plan, being a front view of a copy slip holder according to my
Invention.
Figure 2 is an elevation of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a section at X, Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a section of a copy slip holder arranged with a case or receptacle for
holding a collection of copy slips.
Figure 5 is a plan of a copy slip holder according to my Invention arranged to
carry a continuous band, having a connected series of slip lines.
Figure 6 is an end view of Figure 5.
In the accompanying Drawings, A represents the copy slip holder, the side edges
of which are turned over to form grooves B, and the bottom of which is provided
with turned over lugs C to receive the copy slip, which is represented by the
letter D. Underneath the holder A at the front thereof I provide feet or
projections of a pointed form E, and at the back of the holder A. I provide feet or
projections F. If desired, the underneath portion of the holder A may be utilized
as a receptacle for copy slips not in use, as at H, Figure 4.
In the arrangement of holder represented at Figures 5 and 6, the copy slip
consists of a continuous band D, the ends of which are fastened on the rollers J, K,
and the copy slip band is wound on the rollers J, K, so that by winding the
roller J or K any copy on the continuous band may be displayed on the holder A.
In operation, in the first instance, the holder A with its copy slip D is placed at
the head of the page on which the pupil is to write and copy the writing on the
slip. After writing each line it is the duty of the pupil to move the holder A
down, so as to cover the line just written. The pointed feet E and F prevent the
holder A. from blotting the writing. The operation of moving the holder down is
repeated after writing each line until the copy page is finished.
Having thus described the nature, object, and purposes of my Invention, and
shown how the same may be put into practical operation, I would have it clearly
understood that I do not confine myself to the exact details or dimensions of the
holder, as shown, as the same can readily be altered without departing from my
Invention; I would also have it understood that although I have particularly
defined my Invention to be used as a copy slip holder, it is also applicable to be
used for holding manuscripts, drawing copies, and for other similar purposes; what
I claim as my Invention, and secured to me by Letters Patent, as aforesaid, is,—
Firstly. The method of placing copy slips used in the art of teaching caligraphy
by means of a holder, such as A, arranged to receive a copy slip, such as D, as
herein set forth, and in manner such as illustrated in the Drawings hereto
annexed.
Secondly. The arrangement and construction of a copy slip holder, such as A,
with turned over edges or grooves, such as B and C, to receive a copy slip, such
as D, the holder being provided with feet, such as E, F, substantially as herein before
described and illustrated at Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly. The arrangement and construction of a copy slip holder, such as A,
provided with rollers, such as J, K, to receive a continuous copy slip band, sub-
stantially as herein before described and illustrated at Figure 6 of the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Coutie, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirty first day of May, in the year of our Lord One