Improvements in or connected with Apparatus applicable for Teaching, and for Puzzles and Toys.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Apr., 1895
"Complete Specification Left, 3rd Feb., 1896-Accepted, 21st Mar., 1896
Improvements in or connected with Apparatus applicable for
Teaching, and for Puzzles and Toys.
We, ELLEN MARY BELL of Modena College, Peckham Rye, in the County
of London, Principal of College for Girls and Kindergarten, and CHARLES
THOMAS ABBOTT, and STEPHEN WALTER ABBOTT, trading as Abbott Brothers
of Southall, in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturers, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This present invention for improvements in or connected with apparatus
applicable for teaching and for puzzles, and toys, refers to improvements upon an
apparatus of similar character, forming the subject of a Patent granted to Ellen
Mary Bell and dated 11th June 1894 No. 11304.
The apparatus described in the Specification of the last mentioned Patent was
composed of a "Kindergarten tablet" or work board and a number of blocks, which
latter could be adjusted to the board and given a temporary fixture thereto, whereby
the designs and combinations produced by the blocks were rendered less liable of
derangement and more permanent, than had generally been the case with similar
kindergarten work heretofore. The board as shown was formed with a number of
holes or apertures into which projecting pegs on the blocks were adapted to be
fitted. Now the object of our invention is to render the manufacture of such
apparatus easier, and cheapen the production, and this without in any way
derogating from the usefulness and efficiency of the article in question.
According to our invention we form grooves extending entirely across the board
such grooves being at a proper distance apart; the blocks we form each with a
projecting rib adapted to take into and be temporarily held within the aforesaid
grooves of the board.
The grooves in the board may if desired be formed somewhat taper in order that
the ribs of the blocks may be held the more securely, also the grooves may extend
across the board in any required direction or directions and such grooves may.as it
were, cross each other.
The blocks may and generally are formed from a length of material of a suitable
cross section say of T section, afterwards divided to form suitable sized blocks
with projecting lower ribs to take into the grooves.
The upper surfaces of the blocks are marked with the signs, letters, or figures
required, or with differing colours or the like.
A larger illustrative or teacher's board is provided having a hinged or jointed
or collapsible shelf or box for the blocks.
The tops of the blocks may be shaped or figured, or both, and be adapted to be
fitted together as puzzles and the like.
Dated this 5th day of April 1895.

page_text: Improvements in or connected with Apparatus applicable for
Teaching, and for Puzzles and Toys.
We, ELLEN MARY BELL, of Modena College, Peckham Rye, in the County
of London, Principal of College for Girls and Kindergarten, and CHARLES
THOMAS ABBOTT, and STEPHEN WALTER ABBOTT, trading as Abbott Brothers
of Southall, in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturers, 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 :—
This present invention for improvements in or connected with apparatus
applicable for teaching, and for puzzles, toys, and the like, refers to improvements
upon an apparatus of similar character, forming the subject of a Patent granted to
Ellen Mary Bell and dated 11th June 1894 No. 11,304.
The apparatus described in the Specification of the last mentioned Patent, was
'composed of a "Kindergarten tablet" or work board, and a number of blocks,
which latter could be adjusted to the board, and given a temporary fixture thereto,
whereby the designs and combinations produced by the blocks, ware rendered less
liable of derangement, and more permanent, than had generally been the case with
similar kindergarten work heretofore. The board as shown was formed with a
number of holes or apertures, into which projecting pegs on the blocks were
adapted to be fitted. Now the object of our invention is to render the manfacture
of such apparatus easier, and cheapen the production and this without in any way
derogating from the usefulness and efficiency of the article in question.
According to our present invention we form grooves extending entirely across
the board, such grooves being at a proper distance apart; the blocks we form each
with a projecting rib adapted to take into, and be temporarily held within, the
aforesaid grooves of the board.
In order that our invention may be more fully understood, and readily carried
into effect we will further describe same with reference to the accompanying
drawing.
Fig. 1 is a transverse section of such a grooved board one of the blocks being
shown in position.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the board and blocks, and
Fig. 3 shews, also in perspective, a box or tray adapted to contain a set of the
blocks.
Similar letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures of the
drawings.
A (Figs. 1 and 2) is the board, and B are the grooves formed therein. These
grooves B are generally of rectangular cross section, but if desired such grooves
may be tapered as for example is shewn at B₁ Fig. 1. Although the grooves are
shewn extending across the board in a parallel manner, yet it will be understood
that they might extend across the board A, in any required direction, or directions,
and such grooves may as it were cross each other. In the construction shewn the
grooves are formed, and side pieces A' A¹, Fig. 2, are afterwards fixed to close
the ends.
C are the blocks, and C' the projecting ribs or tongues thereof. These blocks
we generally form from a length of material of a suitable cross-section, say of
T section, afterwards divided to form suitable sized blocks with the projecting 4
lower ribs C to take into the grooves B.
The upper surfaces of the blocks C are marked with the signs, letters, or figures
required, or with differing colours or the like.
A larger illustrative or teacher's board should be provided, having a hinged or
jointed or collapsible shelf or box for the blocks.
5

page_text: The tops of the blocks may be colored, shaped, or figured, or both, and be
adapted to be fitted together as puzzles and the like, in which latter case the blocks
when in proper order, form a picture or design.
The blocks are supplied for the childrens use in sets each contained in a box as
for example is shown at Fig. 3.
By our invention not only do we improve the manufacture but the erect position
of the characters especially letters & figures is mechanically maintained by the
construction described.
our
A short explanation of the use of apparatus constructed according to
invention, when applied to teaching young children, will enable parents, teachers,
and others, to somewhat appreciate the advantages of employing, what we may
call, (when so employed) a "Word builder" and "Sum maker."
A. class of children must be imagined, each supplied with board and blocks.
The teacher commences her lesson, by say, placing the letter O on her enlarged
board. The children do the same. This may be followed by G, which may first
of all be placed in front of O, when the children will not fail to recognise a
familiar word. Then the letter is placed after O forming a sound which is not
a word. The children may be encouraged to suggest a letter which, placed
before O, will make a word. We presume D is thought of-the teacher places D
before the O, and again the children do the same, the word DOG will then
appear on the board. It will be clearly seen that the letters F, H and L may, in
turn take the place of D, forming FOG, HOG and LOG. Finally the
formation of the plural number may be shewn by the addition of the S.
Arithmetic may be similarly taught.
The blank blocks are colored, and with them the children are taught colour,
counting, and form. These blocks are also valuable in teaching the children to
connect a number with the sign of the number. For instance two coloured blocks
are placed to the left of the board, the figure 2 in the centre, and the Roman.
figure II. to the right-hand side.
It will be well to note that it is most essential that the children should never be
permitted to anticipate the teacher, which they are often eager to do as soon as
they have guessed what is coming. To ensure a successful lesson, the teacher
must be at liberty to direct the movements of her little pupils while they
simultaneously lift up the block out of the box with their right hand, and place
it in position on the board. The progress of the children can be followed by
occasionally directing them to revise and turn the boards for inspection.
The advantages of the employment of the apparatus may be summarized as
follows:-
It combines "individual teaching" with "class tuition."
It ensures perfect "discipline because the entire class is kept busy and
interested.
It teaches "reading" as well as "spelling," inasmuch as the "look" of the word
is imprinted on the child's memory as well as the "sound."
It cultivates "observation" and "exactness," for the children must watch the
teacher most carefully, in order to reproduce exactly on their own boards, that
which she has just placed on hers.
It makes "order" imperative, for to avoid confusion the letters must always be
returned to their right places in the box.
It affords endless amusement, as the blocks form perfect bricks for designing and
construction, both of which should be encouraged.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
ion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is as follows :-
1. In apparatus applicable for teaching and for puzzles, toys, and the like,
he board A formed with grooves extending across same, such grooves being

page_text: intended to receive and give temporary fixture to blocks, shaped, marked, or
colored, as desired, and as set forth.
2. In apparatus applicable for teaching, and for puzzles, toys, and the like, the
blocks composed of an upper horizontal part, and formed with an under projecting
rib, or tongue, or ribs, or tongues, as set forth.
3. The general construction and combination of the blocks and board, whereby
the manufacture is simplified, and the erect or proper position of the characters,
especially figures or letters, is mechanically acquired and maintained, substantially
as and for the purposes described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 3rd dex of Fahman 1906
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for Applicants.
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for Applicants.