A Geographical Modelling Tray and Charts for Teaching the Elements of Geography.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Jan., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 18th Oct., 1899-Accepted, 18th Nov., 1899
A Geographical Modelling Tray and Charts for Teaching the
Elements of Geography.
VINCENT THOMAS MURCHÉ, "Haslemere," 8, Love Walk, Denmark Hill, London,
S.E., Schoolmaster, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
A wooden tray, 3 ft. by 2 ft. with border or frame about 4 inches high, and a
second bottom (movable at will) to rest on a ledge round the frame. The inside
of the lid when open will serve as a black-board, on which plans may be drawn
in chalk of all the models made in the tray. The tray itself is for modelling
purposes with clay or any other plastic material, and sand and water, and it will
also contain made-up models of the different forms of land and water, e.g., moun-
tains, islands, rivers, lakes &c. Among the models are a volcano, lighthouses and
a light-ship, in full working by means of electricity, and a geyser capable of
throwing up a jet of hot water. The models will be further illustrated by means
of toy ships and boats, a life-boat, a railway-train, magnets, a magnetic needle,
a compass, a weather-cock, and each model will also be represented in the form
of a picture so that the two may be shown side by side.
1000
A Geographical Modelling Tray and Charts for Teaching the
Elements of Geography.
I, VINCENT THOMAS MURCIÉ, of Haslemere,-8,- Love-Walk, Denmark Hill,¯¯¯
London, S.E., Schoolmaster, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to the object teaching of the elements of geography and
consists in a receptacle conveniently in the form of a double tray hinged together,
so as to form a box when closed and out of use, such trays or parts of the recep-
tacle or box being adapted to represent surfaces upon and under which models
in relief can be constructed or, which can act as a black board for map delineation
upon the same plane as the models with receptacles below for models, such models
in conjunction with explanatory charts being also adapted to admit of any
required disposition to show details of geography or to exemplify the operation of
natural phenomena.

page_text: And in order that my invention may be the better understood I now proceed
to describe the same with reference to the drawings hereto annexed and to the
letters and figures marked thereon.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of my receptacle or box the trays being laid
open for exemplification of the elements of geography.
Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section through the same.
Figure 3 is a vertical section, showing arrangements for the exemplification
of an active volcano.
Figure is a vertical section showing arrangements for the exemplification of
a geyser in actual operation.
For convenience as to portability and security of contents when not in use, I
provide a box of convenient size of which the two parts A and B are hinged
together, so that, when open, they afford two shallow receptacles along side one
another.
In each of these receptacles is fitted a removable diaphragm or tray C, D; of
which one, C, may be of polished metal so as to represent the surface of water or
a sea. The other D may be a black board or slate, upon which the teacher may
place diagrams or draw delineations to simultaneously illustrate in a flat pro-
jection, that which he is illustrating in relief upon the adjoining tray.
The lower part of the box A under the sea diaphragm C may be utilized for
building up in sand E or other convenient modelling material, the contour of
submarine valleys to show coast promontory or island formations.
The upper portions FF of the contour models above the sea diaphragm, are
formed of hollow felted material, papier maché, or other suitable material, and
are placed as desired on the upper surface of the sea diaphragm C, the modelling,
below being built up to meet them and continue the same below sea level. The
sea diaphragm C may be withdrawn with the upper models after the surface char-
acteristics have been explained, and the submarine contour with the upper
models FF replaced on the lower built-up contour E will then be exposed so as
to show the entire submarine and terrestrial formation, after the sea diaphragm C
has been removed.
The lower part of the other portion of the box B may be utilized by partitions G,
to contain the various models H such as hills, houses, churches, light-houses, ships,
etc. required for the more realistic laying out of the surface models on the other
half of the box or tray. Charts drawn to illustrate and to direct the teacher as
to the contour models that may be set up in the tray or trays, are used in con-
junction with the model tray, and may be packed as at K under or upon the
black board D.
To give a more perfect realisation of the purpose of light-houses M and the like,
they may be illuminated by an incandescent lamp, connected by wires L L to a
dry or any convenient battery Q, by which the said incandescent lamps may be
illuminated.
Similarly the appearance of a volcano in action may be simulated, as in Figure 3,
by providing a circular metal box P in the mouth of the model vulcano, the under
part of which, N, divided by a diaphragm from the upper part P receives a supply
of black treacle, and is closed by a cork X.
Z&Z are two packets of easily combustible material such as powdered potas-
sium chlorate mixed with charcoal, held in tissue paper soaked in salt petre.
L are the wires from a battery connected by a loop of platinum L', hanging on
a cotton cord W, soaked in salt-petre, and connecting the two combustible
bodies Z Z. N¹ is a spout or trough leading to the outside of the model the
lower compartment N having an orifice P¹, above this trough closed temporarily
by wax.
Upon the completion of the circuit the cord W burns by contact with
the white-hot platinium wire L', and breaks, allowing the wires to fall out of
the way, and the flame is communicated both ways by the cord W to the
packets Z and Z. The former packet Z simulates the flames and smoke of the
volcano, whilst the heat of Z¹, which is small in quantity, melts the wax P¹, and

page_text: permits the treacle to issue from the trough N and thus to produce an apparent
overflow of lava from a fissure from the volcano.
Similarly the action of a geyser spring may be simulated, as in Figure 4, by
a tube R connecting the basine of a geyser S to the water receptacle T (such
as a kettle) heated by a spirit lamp U. Thus either by the accumulation of steam
pressure, or by the sudden induction from an elastic ball V, which may be com-
pressed by the hand, and which may be provided with suitable inlet and outlet
valves, sudden eruptions may be produced from the geyser, of sprayed hot
water and steam.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1st. A shallow tray having one or more removable horizontal diaphragms, con-
tour models above and below such removable diaphragms, adapted to illustrate
the essential features of physical geography to be used in conjunction with charts
or delineations in the horizontal plane for the teaching of the elements of
geography, substantially as described.
2nd. The combination of two shallow trays hinged together to form a closed box
when out of use, both parts being adapted by removable horizontal partitions to
present a sea surface, and a black board, for model and graphic illustration on
the same plane, of the elements of geography, and to provide accommodation and
facilities for the display of model contours and charts and for their packing and
conservation when not in use, substantially as described.
3rd. In a model contour display apparatus, the combination with model light-
houses, light-ships, or similar structures of means for the electric lighting of the
same, substantially as described.
4th. In a model contour display apparatus the combination with a model vol-
cano, of a metal crater, having an open chamber for a readily combustible sub-
stance; a metal receptacle connected therewith, adapted to contain a dark viscous
substance, such as treacle, with an exit to the exterior of the model; a wax closed
vent from treacle receptacle to exit trough; a combustible substance thereunder;
and means for igniting the said readily combustible substances, substantially as
described.
5th. In a model contour display apparatus, the combination with a model geyser
basin of a tube therefrom, connected to a hot water receptacle, having means for
the supply of hot water and the generation of steam, and a device for producing an
inductive air pressure to produce an eruption of hot water or steam, substantially
as and for the purposes described.
101
1900
FELL & JAMES,
1, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant