Improved Means for use in Teaching Arithmetic.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Sept., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Nov.. 1890-
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for use in Teaching Arithmetic.
SAMUEL ROBINS Wesleyan Day School Ulverston Lancashire do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
First. "Lists.'
A. "Number list." On a sheet of linen paper or other material is marked a number
of horizontal and vertical straight lines. The spaces between the horizontal lines are
called lines," between the vertical lines "columns." Each of the spaces thus
enclosed between horizontal and vertical lines is occupied by one of the arithmetical
figures 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 0 which are variously distributed.
"
Around the outside of the list of numbers thus formed run series of quotation
numbers (or letters or distinctive marks)-two similar horizontal "quotation numbers
and two similar vertical "quotation numbers." At the top or bottom or top and
bottom may also be placed a description of each column e.g. ones (units) tens etc.
Miniature illustration-
B. Other lists.
Hunds. Tens Ones
"
"
The other lists viz. "Money. list" Capacity list" Weight list" "Length list"
Area list" "Volume list" "Time list" are formed in a similar way, and are marked
off at the top and bottom as "£ s. d." "Qr. bh. pk. gall. qt. pt. gill" etc.
C. These sheets may be used singly and alone, or with a frame (see Sec. 2).
D. When used in a frame the quotation marks and description are shown on a bar
of the frame and not on the list.
Second. "Frame" and "rods" "bars" and "boards."
Any of the aforesaid "lists" less the horizontal quotation marks and description,
may be formed into a continuous sheet to revolve on horizontal rollers. Thus mounted
it is placed behind a rectangular frame so that each line comes into view as the rollers
are turned. The vertical sides of the frame are divided into spaces corresponding
with the "lines on a "list."
"
Rods are placed vertically or horizontally across the frame to separate "columns"
or "lines" thus setting various exercises.
Bars are movable strips of wood placed vertically or horizontally' across the frame
and supported by it. They are used (a) to give quotation numbers and description
DQ71

page_text: of columns and (b) to mark off if desired any part of the list shown in the frame
and (c) to vary the number in any "line" or column."
<<
+
Boards are variously shaped pieces of material used to shut out of view any given
parts of the list.
Third. Copy of answers.
"
"
The great number of answers obtainable by this method are recorded in lists like
those already described, and the numbers "to carry"
or numbers over are written
in smaller type in the column whence derived left or right respectively..
Ex. Answer to addition sums
Full instructions for setting exercises would be given in an arithmetic book. The
following is an illustration-
(1) Add together five lines col. 1, or 2-1 etc. the first sum beginning with the
first line, the second sum with the second line, and so on.
(2) For individual work a simple list would be used. For collective work the
frame would be used.
D
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COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for use in Teaching Arithmetic.
SAMUEL ROBINS Wesleyan Day School Ulverston Lancashire Teacher. I 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
First apparatus. The apparatus consists of "lists" "frames
"boards "squares" and "copies of answers."-
1. "Lists.'
23 66
" "bars
rods
"
(1) "Number list." On a rectangular sheet of linen or other material is marked
at regular intervals a number of intersecting horizontal and vertical straight lines.
The spaces between horizontal lines are called "lines," the spaces between the vertical
lines are called "columns." The horizontal and vertical lines are merely convenient
features.
Each of the spaces thus enclosed between horizontal and vertical lines-is-occupied
by one of the arithmetical "figures " 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 which are variously
distributed.
"Around the outside of the list of numbers thus formed, run series of quotation
numbers (or letters or other distinctive marks) viz. two similar horizontal series one
above the other below, and two similar vertical series one on each side. By means
of these any "line" of figures or column (or columns) of figures may be readily
quoted.
•
At the top or bottom, or top and bottom may also be placed a description of each
column e.g. ones (units) tens hundreds etc. Cp. diagram 1" sheet of drawings "which
is a miniature illustration.

page_text: The "quotation numbers" and description may be placed on the "frame" hereafter
described if the list is mounted on rollers.
":
""
(2) Other lists. Other lists may be similarly constructed e.g. for " money weights
and measures," 25 66
money lists," "capacity list" and lists for weight" "length
"volume" "time" and angular measure, having columns of farthings, pence,
shillings, pounds, gills pints etc. etc.
area
22 66
Vacant spaces may occur in these lists.
The "number list" may also be used to denote farthings pence etc..or gills etc. etc.
by means of "bars."
2. Frame. The lists whether formed into continuous sheets (without horizontal
quotation marks) and mounted on horizontal rollers or not, may be placed within a
rectangular frame, divided into spaces corresponding with those on the list and
serving to quote "lines" or columns" of figures. As the rollers are turned, the
various lines come into view successively.
"
Frames may be long or short according to the amount of class exercise required.
3. Rods. The "rods" are narrow pieces of wire or other material, which may be
placed on the frame vertically or horizontally. They serve to separate "lines
"columns."
or
4. Bars. The "bars" are pieces of wood or other material wider than the rods,
which may be placed on the frame vertically or horizontally.
They serve-
(a) To cover any line or column.
(b) To give quotation number of any given column or line.
(c) To describe any line or column, or
(d) To denote some arithmetical process, or
Mark off decimal fractions.
They have bevelled edges. See diagrams (horizontal and vertical) 2 a b c d sheet
of drawings.
"
5. Boards. The "boards are various irregularly shaped pieces of wood or other
material used to cover any given spaces on the "list." They are used to secure
greater variety in exercises, as in addition sums. The letter F on
"sheet of
drawings " diagram 3 will serve as an illustration of a board.
6. Squares. The "squares" are small pieces of wood which may slide between the
bars. They are of the same size as the spaces in the list. They are used in teaching
"notation."
The lists, frames, rods, bars, boards and squares may be large for class use or small
for individual scholars.
7. Copies of answers. The numerous answers obtained by this system are recorded
in lists, like those previously described, the numbers to " carry or the numbers
23
"over
being written in smaller type in the column whence derived, left or right
respectively.
Ex. Required totals of. col. 1 col. 2-1 col. 3-1, col. 4-1 in "miniature
illustration."

page_text: Vary this exercise by means of vertical bars marked with "1" or "0," or by means
of "squares."
2. Find the total of 4 lines commencing with 1st line 2nd line etc.
3. Find the difference between each line and the next in col. 1, col. 2-1 etc.
4. Multiply the rest of each line by the number denoted by the first three figures
(multiply col. 9-1. by col. 12-10).
5. Divide the rest of each line by the number in col. 12-10:
6. Call col. 2-1 fours, and reduce them to threes.
7. Find G.C.M. or L.C.M. or powers or roots. Or use for fractions.
8. For "cross totals" place rods between columns or bars with plus sign.
9. For exercises in money weights and measures with "number list" place various
bars at head of list.
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 which I
claim is
1. A new method of setting in small space a great number of permanent exercises
in arithmetic, and .
2. A new method of recording in small space a great number of answers to
exercises set as above.
Dated this 20th day of September 1890.
SAMUEL ROBINS.