Apparatus for Constructing Various Sentences and Puzzles by Combining Certain Selected Words, Letters, Figures, Characters, and Plotures, for Purposes of Conversation, Amusement, Education, and Competition.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Feb., 1893-Accepted, 15th Apr., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Constructing Various Sentences and Puzzles by
Combining Certain Selected Words, Letters, Figures, Characters,
and Plotures, for Purposes of Conversation, Amusement,
Education, and Competition.
I, ALFRED JOHN GASKING of Beech Lodge The Ridgeway Enfield, Middlesex,
Manufacturer of Machine Driving Belting 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 :-
I tako a cylinder constructed of wood cardboard metal or any other suitable
material, and made either solid, or partially or entirely hollow, and upon the samo
I arrange a number of cylindrical rings side by side, of such a size and in such a
manner that they will each and all revolve upon it separately from each othor. I
secure them in position upon the cylinder by a fixed or movable collar or shoulder
or studs at either or both ends thereof; or by any other device suitable for the
purpose.
Upon each of the movable cylindrical rings I place certain words letters figures
characters pictures or combinations thereof, and these constitute the component
parts from which a number of sentences or hieroglyphical pictures etc. etc. may be
constructed.
The face of each ring is divided into spaces upon which the words etc. are placed ;
and one or more of these spaces on each ring is usually, but not invariably, left
quite blank, for a purpose hereafter explained.
These rings may be constructed of wood metal cardboard bone ivory vulcanite or
any other suitablo material or combination of materials; and the words etc. may be
printed impressed branded embossed or attached thereto in any way and manner
most suitable and convenient.
The rings and the subject matter thereon may be made in various colours shapes
sizes and patterns; and either plain or ornamented; and the cylinders upon which
the rings revolve may also be finished off in a variety of ways both ornamental and
useful; and in cases where they are constructed wholly or partially hollow, may be
used as boxes or receptacles to contain various articles.
When the rings are arranged side by side upon the cylinders in their proper and
relativo position I affix two rods or bara placed at a proper distance from each
other so as to mark out a straight open space lengthways across the cylinder and
above the faces of the rings. Or instead thereof I affix a plate having a long
straight slot therein to answer the same purpose.
I term these bars rods or plates "markers" and in some cases I may affix more
than one to the same cylinder.
These markers may be constructed of metal wood cardboard or any other suitable
material or combination of materials and in various fancy shapes and sizes; and
may be affixed or secured in proper position in any way or manner most suitable
and convenient.
In some cases I dispense with these "markers," and instead thereof place a stud
or some distinguishing indicator or mark at each end of the cylinder, and between
these two points the words of the various sentences that may be constructed must
be brought into position in a straight line. In some cases I make one or more or
all of the rings with some or all of the spaces on their face entirely blank in order
that the user may be able to fill in any words marks, etc. that may be desired;
which words marks etc. may subsequently be removed, and others substituted in
their place.

page_text: Having now particularly described the forms and construction of my invention I
proceed to explain and enumerate the objects and purposes for which it is intended;
and the proper manner of its use.
It is intended for a means of carrying on private or silent conversation or
correspondence between two or more persons. Sentences of various kinds and
questions answers, etc. etc. can be constructed upon the cylinder by means of the
revolving rings, and then passed from one person to another, and after being read
can instantly be broken up, and a reply or some new sentence etc. be constructed in
its place.
As a source of amusement at balle parties pic-nics outings and meetings of various
kinds its use is obvious. It can also be used in a variety of ways for business and
private purposes where written messages might be undesirable. It can be used
with great success as a means of imparting instruction in a variety of subjects to
young people and to children, who find much pleasure in searching out and making
up the various and numerous combinations that are possible.
For purposes of competition for prizes, or gifts, etc. its value is apparent ; as an
almost indefinite number of sentences etc. can be constructed from any particulur
set of well chosen words, etc. that may be placed upon the rings.
The proper manner of its use is as follows. The words of the sentence to be
constructed are found upon the particular rings on which they occur, and are then
brought one at a time in their proper order into line under the marker which then
becomes a framework enclosing the sentence and enabling it to be read with great
facility. Where no marker is attached, the words must be brought into line
between the two studs or marks at the ends of the cylinder.
Should the sentence contain a less number of words than there are rings upon
the cylinder then one of the blank spaces upon each ring which is not used in
constructing the sentence must be revolved into position under the marker, or
between the studs or marks, so as to fill up the line. For example, if a cylinder
contain seven rings-and the desired sentence only contain five words, then the
complete line under the marker, or between the studs or marks, would be occupied
by two blank spaces and the five words.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and easily carried into
practice by any competent person I have appended hereunto a sheet of drawings
which will serve to illustrate the principle.
Fig. 1. is a representation of one form of the complete article, showing the solid
wooden cylinder-c-covered by seven rings-a' aª aª a' aª aª a'—which revolve
thereupon. and 6' are the two collars which hold the rings in their places upon
the cylinder. d' and d' are two rods or bars called "markers" which are pinned
down upon the cylinder by their two ends.
Fig. 2 represents one form of plate which may sometimes be used instead of the
rods-d' and d'—the words of the sentence being brought into line under the long
slot-f.
Fig. 3. shows a hollow oylinder-g. 9.-with one collar—¿'—and two rings—a¹
and a slipped loosely npon it, but not fixed in position.
The blank space usually left on every ring is seen at h. h.
Fig. 4 represents another style of the complete article, with ornamental onds and
collars-oo-upon which are placed the indicators-m² m²-instead of any
marker as in Fig. 1.
Various kinds of rings are also shown. and are here made with all their
spaces entirely blank and ready to be filled up in any required manner by the user.
and have several, but not all of their spaces blank; a' has only the usual
one blank space while a' has no blank space at all.
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 what 1
claim is :-

page_text: selected words letters figures characters and pictures for purposes of conversation
amusement education and competition, etc. etc. substantially as herein set forth.
Dated this Second day of February 1893.
ALFRED JOHN GASKING,
Beech Lodge, The Ridgeway, Enfield, Middlesex.