A NEW OR IMPROVED VISITORS' TABLET
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Annie Eliza Scott at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd June 1880.
ANNIE ELIZA SCOTT, of Queensgate, South Kensington. "A NEW OR IMPROVED
VISITORS' TABLET."
This Invention has for its object an improved visitors' tablet, by which it may
at once be readily perceived whether a visitor or other person is at home or not.
To carry out my Invention I proceed as follows:-Upon a suitable baseplate
I mount a face piece in such a manner that the top and right hand sides are left
open to allow of name and index slides being slipped between as presently
mentioned.
In the upper portion of such face piece any convenient number of suitable
apertures are made, placed opposite each other in two columns, and divided from
each other both vertically and horizontally by suitable division pieces or ribs.
Behind the apertures in the left hand column a vertical slide piece is inserted
corresponding in length to the number of apertures in such left hand column. On
this vertical slide piece the name or names of the person or persons using the
tablet is printed or inscribed, while on those portions of the base plate visible
through the apertures in the right hand column the word "Out" is printed or
inscribed, thus forming a permanent index as to when the person or persons whose
name or names appear in the opposite column is out, while in order to indicate
when they are within a number of separate index slides corresponding to tho
number of apertures in the right hand column are provided, having the word "In"
inscribed thereon, and furnished with a button or other suitable device to allow of
each such slide being readily moved to and fro. Thus when the person whose
name appears in the left hand column is in, it is only requisite to slip in one of such
index slides in the opening left in the right hand edge between the face piece and
the base plate, and vice versa when a person is going out to slip out such index
slide and place it in a pocket, with which the tablet is provided at the bottom, and
Dision S11.

page_text: which also serves as a receptacle for cards and other articles. If desired, the tablet
can be furnished with any number of extra name and index slides, while two or
more pockets may be provided thereto as required.
On the extreme left hand side a writing tablet is inserted whereon the names of
callers and other memoranda may be inscribed relating to the person whose name
appears in the left hand aperture opposite thereto.
In order to facilitate so doing a pencil is attached in any convenient manner to
the tablet on the left side or otherwise, which pencil is placed in a pocket piece
provided for its reception and fitted to or formed on the left edge of the tablet, and
a suitable eraser is also attached thereto.
My improved visitors' tablet may be made of any dimensions and pattern, and
either to be suspended or to stand on a table or elsewhere as desired.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, and of
an Order of the Lord Chancellor, filed by the said Annie Eliza Scott in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd January 1881.
ANNIE ELIZA SCOTT, of Queensgate, South Kensington. "A NEW OR IMPROVED
VISITORS' TABLET."
This Invention has for its object an improved portable visitors' tablet, by which
it may at once be readily perceived whether a person is at home or out, and if
absent when he will return, together with other advantages as presently described.
And in order that my said Invention may be better understood and readily carried
into effect, I will now with the aid of the accompanying Drawings proceed to fully
describe the same.
To carry out my Invention I proceed as follows:-I take a piece of cardboard,
wood, or any other suitable material, and form thereout a backboard of any
convenient shape and dimensions. I then mount upon such backboard a face piece
made of leather or other suitable material corresponding in size and outline with
the backboard; I fit such face-piece with two slates or writing tablets which are so
placed as to leave a central vacant space between them, in which space I make
two or any other convenient number of square or other suitably formed apertures,
placed opposite each other in two columns, and separated both vertically and
horizontally by divisional ribs.
A suitable pocket is formed behind the apertures in the left column wherein a
vertical name slide made of leather or other suitable material is inserted through
an opening left at the top of the tablet for that purpose between the backboard
and the face piece. Such vertical name slide corresponds in length and width to
the number of apertures in such left column, and has printed or inscribed thereon
the name or names of the person or persons using the tablet, while on that portion
of the backboard which is visible through the apertures in the right hand column
'a vertical strip of leather or other suitable material is mounted, having the word
"Out" printed or inscribed thereon as many times as there are apertures, thus
forming a permanent index to indicate when one or more of the person or persons
whose name or names appear in the opposite column is or are absent. If preferred,
the vertical name slide may be made fixed instead of movable, and in this case the
pocket for its reception may be dispensed with.
In order to indicate when the user or users of the tablet are within, a number of
separate movable index slides, corresponding to the number and size of the
apertures in the right band column are provided having the word "In" printed
or inscribed thereon, and each furnished with a tab or other suitable device to allow
of such slides being readily moved to and fro. Each such index slide is so fitted
between the backboard and face-plate that on drawing it backwards by the tab it
slides into a recess provided for its reception either behind the pocket wherein the
name slide is inserted, or if the latter be a fixture, behind such name slide itself.
Thus, when a person is in, it is only requisite to pull out the index slide fitted to
that division opposite to which the name appears when the word "In" appears
opposite such name, while when a person is out or is going out it is only necessary
to draw such index slide backwards when the word "Out" appears opposite the
name.
One of the two slates or writing tablets already mentioned as being fitted to
the face piece has the word "Return" inscribed on or above the saine, and is for
the purpose of noting thereon the time when the absent person will return, while
the other has the word "Memoranda" inscribed on or above the same, and is
for the purpose of making memoranda thereon relating to the person or persons
using the tablet.

page_text: In order to facilitate so doing a pencil is attached to the tablet and placed in a
pocket fitted to or formed on one side of the tablet, while a suitable eraser is
also provided for the purpose of cleansing such slates or writing tablets.
The base of the face piece is provided with a pocket which serves as a receptacle
for cards and other articles.
If desired, the tablet, when fitted with a movable name slide, can be furnished
with any number of extra name slides, so as to allow of its being used by several
persons.
My improved visitors' tablet may be made of any convenient dimensions,
pattern, and materials, and either to be susponded or to stand on a table, or
clsewhere.
It may also be provided with a reversible flap, which not only serves to support
the tablet when standing, but also to protect, it from injury when closed, such
reversible flap may also be fitted internally with an expanding pocket similar to
an ordinary portfolio, for the convenience of placing papers therein.
;
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
In the accompanying Drawings (wherein similar letters of reference indicate
corresponding parts), Figures 1 and 2 shew plan views of the backboard and fuce
piece respectively; Figures 3 and 4 shew similar views of the vertical name slide
and movable horizontal index slide; Figure 5 is a plan view of the face of one of
mý improved visitors' tablets as it appears when complete; Figure 6 is a view in
end clevation of the same when standing open and furnished with a reversible
flap and Figure 7 is a plan view of a visitors' tablet made on my improved
principles, having the slates or writing tablets placed horizontally and otherwise
arranged for the use of a single person. In these various Figures a is the back-
board; b, the face-picce; c; slates; d, name apertures; ', index apertures; e, hori-
zontal division ribs; c', vertical division ribs; f, pocket for name slide; f¹, name
slide, permanent index strip; h, movable index slide; i, tab thereto; j, pencil;
, pocket for same; 1, pocket at base of face piece for cards and other articles;
m, rings whereby to suspend the tablet; n, reversible tablet:
Having thus described my said Invention of an improved portable visitors'
tablet, I would bave it understood that I claim as my Invention,-
and
The improved construction of visitors' tablet combining therein,
Firstly. A permanent index strip and a movable index slide.
Secondly. A permanent or movable name slide or slides.
Thirdly. Two slates or writing tablets.
Fourthly. An eraser and a pocket provided with a pencil attached to the tablet,
Fifthly. A receptacle for cards and other articles, and fitted, when desired with
a reversible flap, either with or without an expanding pocket, all substantially in
the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Annic Eliza Scott, have hereunto set my hand
and scal, this Twenty Second day of January, in the year of our Lord
:1
ANNIE ELIZA SCOTT. (L.S.)