Improved Writing Frame.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 27th July, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 29th Apr., 1889-Accepted, 27th July, 1889
Improved Writing Frame.
JOHN ALFRED WHEELER of No. 34, Lordship Park, Green Lanes, Stoke Newington,
in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to produce a frame that shall help the writer to write
evenly, and at an even distance, and is intended more especially for the guidance of
the blind.
In carrying out my invention I employ a shallow frame or tray, in the centre of
the bottom of which I hinge a piece of thin sheet metal the size of the writing paper,
so that on placing the paper over it and allowing it to lie flat, it will prevent it from
shifting.
I form a moveable rule or guiding rod of thin metal or wood, which I arrange in
such a way that it shall work parallel across the paper, so that it may guide the hand,
and by simply turning the rule over will keep the writing at an even distance apart
the width of the rule regulating the distance.
The rule is worked by a flexible cord on either side of the frame, the cord being
first fixed to the top of the frame and then passed through the rule a little distance
from the extreme ends, allowing sufficient cord for the rule to extend to the bottom
of the paper, I then pass it over and round sufficiently to allow it to unturn to the top
of the paper, I then draw the cord tight and fix the end to the bottom of frame, by
this means I ensure the rule being perfectly secure whilst the fingers are passing
along it, and on releasing the fingers the rule can be easily turned over to form the
distances between the lines, in the action of turning the rule the cord is wound on and
off the rule at the same time, the even winding of the cord being helped by its being
secured to the frame a little slantingly, the sides of the frame keeping the ruler from
any lateral movement. .
DL: ... the 27th Jul 1888
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Writing Frame.
JOHN ALFRED WHEELER of No. 34 Lordship Park, Stoke Newington, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to produce a Writing Frame that shall hold the
ordinary note paper, help the writer to write evenly and at an equal distance
apart, and is intended more especially for the guidance of those who have weak or
failing sight as well as those who have become totally Blind.
In carrying out my invention in its simplest form I employ a shallow frame or box
inside of which I fix a plate of sheet metal, the size of the note paper intended to be
used, this plate has its bottom edge turned over to form a ledge to prevent the
envelope from slipping, and the top is turned over to receive a piece of wire, the ends
of which protrude beyond the plate and are securely fixed to the top of the frame,
the plate being hinged to the wire for the purpose of allowing it to be raised so that
the note paper can be easily placed over it in such a way that one half shall be under the
plate and the other half on top, the plate when lowered being sufficient to keep the
paper in its position. The frame is inade larger than the plate to allow of the latter
being shifted along the wire, to enable the writer to place it as far as he wishes from

page_text: the side of the frame, the side being used to indicate the end of each line. To fix the
plate where desired a piece of sheet metal having one edge turned over to receive the
wire, and a slot cut in its length, is fixed in the top of the plate, a part of the turned
over portion being cut out to receive it, a small screw passed through the slot into
the frame, while allowing the plate to shift either way, will when screwed up secure
it where desired.
I form a movable rule of wire thin metal or wood, grooved or shaped so as to guide
the hand, and which I arrange to work parallel across the paper, and by simply turning
the rule over, or by simply pushing in some forms, will give the distance between
the lines, the width of the rule at the ends regulating the same. The rule is worked
by a flexible cord stretched from top to bottom on either side of the frame. The cord
is first fixed to the top of the frame, and then passed through the rule, a little distance
from the end, sufficient cord being given to allow of the rule reaching to the bottom
of the frame, then it is passed through the rule again, space being allowed for the
winding on of the cord, the cord is then wound on sufficiently to allow of the rule
working to the top of the frame, the end of the cord is then fixed to the bottom of
frame by this means I ensure the rule being secure whilst the fingers are passing
along it, and on releasing the fingers the rule can be easily turned over, to form the
distance between the lines, in the action of turning the rule, the cord is wound on
and off the ends of the rule at the same time, the even winding of the cord being
helped by its being secured to the frame a little slantingly, the sides of the frame
keeping the rule from moving laterally.
Fig. 1 in the accompanying drawings shows the frame in its simplest form, a is
the frame b the plate c the rule d the slotted brass piece e the cord.
Fig. 2 shows a frame without a plate, and consists of two frames hinged together,
the bottom frame having a raised centre a, on which the paper is placed, the top when
closed surrounds the raised portion with the exception of a narrow strip of brass c let
in to the top frame, and which overlaps, and is lined with indiarubber to aid in securing
the paper, the rule working on the top frame exactly as in Fig. 1, the clasp g holds
the frames together.
Fig. 3 is a cross section showing position of frame when shut, a raised portion 6 top
frame c lower d brass piece e rule fhinge g clasp.
The rule for guiding the hand I make in its simplest forms of a narrow piece of
wood, or stamped in metal, having a groove on both sides and tapered at both ends for
regulating the distance between the lines as shown in Fig. 1, and in section Fig. 4,
when made of wire the ends are slightly bent to form the tapered ends, two wires
being joined together at both ends by a piece of flat brass which is soldered on at
both ends, the brass piece being drilled to receive the cord and also grooved to allow
the cord to pass from one hole to the other. The rule in its simplest forms has to be
turned over for every line, but I make another form having a regulating wire, made
of a single length of wire on the ends of which I solder on flat pieces of brass on
both sides of the wire, and on both ends for regulating the distance between the lines,
the ends being drilled with holes for the cord, also with a groove for the cord to pass
from hole to hole, to the centre of this regulating wire I attach the guiding rule, either
by passing it through the rule before the ends are soldered on, or afterwards by a
hinged attachment. This form of rule has the advantage of saving time in bringing
the rule quickly up to the top of the paper, as a gentle push is all that is required to
run it пр to the top, it also allows of a larger surface being used for the rule.
Fig. shows the regulating wire Fig. 6 side view. Fig. 7 a grooved piece of
metal lightly secured to the centre of the regulating wire so that the regulating wire
may turn easily without necessating the turning of the grooved portion. Fig. 8 side
view. Fig. 9 shows one or more wires fixed together and lightly secured to centre
of regulating wire. Fig. 10 side view. Fig. 14 shows a piece of wood attached
to the regulating wire, having a groove and a flat surface. Fig. 13 side view.
Fig. 11 shows a grooved piece of metal having holes cut in its length, and hinged
to the centre of the regulating wire, with side view Fig. 12; This form of rule is
used in connection with a sheet of indiarubber about a sixteenth of an inch in

page_text: thickness, which is secured to the plate 6 fig. 1, by being stretched entirely over it or
by a piece placed on top and secured by the edge of the plate being turned over ;
and in frame Fig. 2 by being lightly tacked on to the raised portion a; This allows
of the writer using a metal style in place of a pen or pencil, and enables him to
write in the Braille system, of raised points.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
The improved writing frame with a plate, and guiding rule, worked as shown
and described herein.
The improved forms of rules, constructed and worked as described and shown herein
with reference to the drawings.
The improved writing frame as shown and described with reference to Figs. 2
and 3 in the accompanying drawings.
A frame with a sheet of indiarubber as described and for the purpose set forth.
A writing frame having a rule to guide the hand, worked by a flexible cord as
described and shown herein, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 29th day of April 1889.