Improvements applicable to School Slates and the like.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 18th May, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 9th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 10th Mar., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements applicable to School Slates and the like.
I, WILLIAM SEATON MCLENNAN, of Maryville, Victoria Road, Ashton,.
Gourock, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain, Photographer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows, that is to say :-
My said invention has for its object, by means of improved attachments or
appliances applicable to school slates and the like to provide for cleaning such
slates in an easy, convenient, and satisfactory manner, and, when the invention
is fully availed of, avoiding the ordinary insanitary and objectionable use of
saliva.
In carrying out my invention according to one modification I provide a rubbing
block of wood or other suitable material of an oblong rectangulär, or circular, or
other suitable simple form and of a size to be conveniently grasped in the hand of
the user.
The rubbing block is made with a clip or clips capable of opening
outwards to allow of the insertion of a sponge or equivalent to be held by them.
The sponge can be used to rub out marks on the slate with the aid of moisture and
the other surface or surfaces may be covered with felt, or with cloth having pile,
or with other suitable material and used for finishing the operation and drying the
slate. If preferred instead of clips being used the block may be provided with
permanently attached coverings to be used one for rubbing out marks and the other
or others for finishing and drying the slate.
The rubbing block may be made with a perforation through it through which
extends an elastic cord; and the ends of the elastic cord are fastened in any con-
venient way to the frame of the slate. The cord may be fixed at whatever points
of the slate frame are thought desirable but it is believed that the middles of the
ends will be found best. The rubbing block can be moved backwards and forwards
along the elastic cord; and this cord will stretch sufficiently to allow the rubbing
block to be moved from side to side and to reach every part of the slate. When
a side of the slate has been cleaned the rubbing block may be transferred to the
other side or back, the elastic cord stretching sufficiently to allow of the transfer.
When thus placed at the back the rubbing block remains close at hand although
not in the way; and can be brought round again instantly if required to again
operate on the same side as before. Where desired a suitable length of string may
be substituted for the elastic cord.
In its complete form the rubbing block is made with an aperture or recess coated
with shellac or other suitable varnish and used for holding water, such recess being
provided, with a cork, stopper or cap, suitably attached to the block to prevent loss
and being made with a small perforation which whilst not allowing water to issue
ordinarily, will allow of a few drops being ejected on the slate when a suitable
jerking motion is applied. When desired a bottle or tube may be inserted in the
recess for holding the water. Or the body of the rubbing block may be made of
metal and hollow so as itself to serve as a receptable for water.
Any side or surface of the rubbing block not used for rubbing may have sand
paper or the like fixed on it to serve for sharpening the pencil; or a suitably

page_text: roughened or toothed metal plate may be provided for that purpose, the plate being
made with sharp points by which to fix it in the block.
Dated this Seventeenth day of May 1893.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements applicable to School Slates and the like.
I, WILLIAM SEATON MCLENNAN, of Maryville, Victoria Road, Ashton,
Gourock, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain, Photographer, 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, that is to say :-
My said invention has for its object, by means of improved attachments or
appliances applicable to school slates and the like to provide for cleaning such
slates in an easy, convenient, and satisfactory manner; and when the invention
is fully availed of, avoiding the ordinary insanitary and objectionable use of
saliva.
In carrying out my invention according to one modification I provide a rubbing
block of wood or other suitable material of an oblong rectangular or circular, or
other suitable simple form, and of a size to be conveniently grasped in the hand of
the user.
The rubbing block is made with a clip or clips capable of opening
outwards to allow of the insertion of a sponge or equivalent to be held by them.
The sponge can be used to rub out marks on the slate with the aid of moisture and
the other surface or surfaces may be covered with felt, or with cloth having pile,
or with other suitable material and used for finishing the operation and drying the
slate. I however find that when the sponge is dry and only a small but sufficient
quantity of water used, the slate can be cleaned and rendered quite dry without
employing a separate drying appliance. If preferred instead of clips being used
the block may be provided with permanently attached coverings to be used, one for
rubbing out marks and the other or others for finishing and drying the slate.
The rubbing block may be made with a perforation through it through which
extends an elastic cord; and the ends of the elastic cord are fastened in any con-
venient way to the frame of the slate. The cord may be fixed at whatever points
of the slate frame are thought desirable but it is believed that the middles of the
ends will be found best. The rubbing block can be moved backwards and forwards
along the elastic cord; and this cord will stretch sufficiently to allow the rubbing
block to be moved from side to side and to reach every part of the slate. When a
Bide of the slate has been cleaned the rubbing block may be transferred to the
other side or back, the elastic cord stretching sufficiently to allow of the transfer.
When thus placed at the back the rubbing block remains close at hand although
not in the way; and can be brought round again instantly if required to again
operate on the same side as before. Where desired a suitable length of string may
be substituted for the elastic cord; or the cord may be dispensed with, the block
being quite detached from the slate.
An in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same may
be properly understood I hereunto append a sheet of explanatory drawings to be
hereinafter referred to, and showing the application of my improvements.
Figures, 1, and, 2, of the drawings are views as at right angles to each other of
a school slate, as fitted with one modification of my improved appliances.
In these drawings the same reference letters are used to mark the same or like
} arts wherever they are repeated.
In carrying out my invention I provide a rubbing block, A, of wood or other
suitable material and of a size to be conveniently grasped in the hand of the user.

page_text: The rubbing block, A, is made with a pair of wire clips, B, having their ends.
entered into the ends of the block and capable of turning outwards, as shown in
Figure, 5, to allow of the insertion of a sponge, C, or equivalent to be held by
them, the block being made with a shallow groove into which part of the sponge is
pressed by the clips when they are turned inwards so as to fix it securely. The
sponge, C, can be used to rub out marks on the slate, D, with the aid of moisture;
and it can be easily removed at any time for renewal or for being thoroughly
cleaned.
The rubbing block, A, is made with a perforation, E, through it, through which
extends an elastic cord, F, the ends of the elastic cord being fastened to the
frame, G, of the slate, D. The rubbing block, A, can be moved backwards and
forwards along the elastic cord, F, and this cord, F, will stretch sufficiently to
allow the rubbing block, A, to be moved from side to side and to reach every part.
of the slate, D.
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 I make no
claim to the form of cleaning block or appliance but what I claim is :-
1. The combination with a school slate or the like of a cleaning block connected
thereto in a manner to allow of its application to all parts, the said block having
clips to hold a sponge or the like and being made with an internal receptacle for
water substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this Eighth day of February 1894.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.