An Appliance for Use in Teaching Arithmetic.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Appliance for Use in Teaching Arithmetic.
FREDERICK JOHN COTMAN, 19, Windsor Road, Upper Holloway, Cellarman,
WILLIAM GEORGE WALKER, 29, Wingford Road, Brixton, S.W., Foreman of
Joiners, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
Consists of an ordinary slate frame, (a school slate) the side lengths of the
frame being perforated inside, at equal distances apart, allowing spindles to fit
same, the wires so fixed are parallel to each other, these same wires are fitted
with square blocks of wood or other material, the blocks are perforated at their
two ends, allowing these wires to pass right through, so the blocks can revolve
on spindle. These blocks having four sides are figured on each side entirely
different to each other, being no limited number of blocks. By simply drawing
the frame and all complete over a table or desk, causes each block to revolve,
and show different figures, the idea is to show instantaneously different sums
namely addition and substraction. The bottom of frame holds a slip of slate,
to write answer on.
Dated this 90th dave of Santambar 1807
F. J. COTMAN.
W. G. WALKER.
An Appliance for Use in Teaching Arithmetic.
We, FREDERICK JOHN COTMAN, 19, Windsor Road, Holloway, London,
Cellarman, and WILLIAM GEORGE WALKER, 29, Wingford Road, Brixton Hill,
London, S.W., Foreman of Joiners, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Consists of a wooden frame A it is optional, whether it is of small or large size,
its two side lengths on the inside, are drilled, or bored at equal distances apart,
wires or wooden spindles B are fitted into these prepared holes, so placed they
run parallel to each other, a number of solid or hollow blocks or cubes C, of any
suitable material, are perforated through their two ends, and threaded on each
length of wire B either three or four faces of each cube C are figured, by being
stencilled, painted, or inlaid, or otherwise, each face on every cube C are figured
different. The whole of these figures, shewn on the face of this appliance, re-
present one sum in simple and compound addition, and the two bottom lines,
Price 8d1

page_text: represent sums in simple and compound substration. There are no limited
number of blocks C, or wires B, the bottom rail of frame A, can be ebonised, or a
slip of slate inserted, either, chalk, or slate pencil, can be used, on this slip, to
put down the answer, to any sum, that may be set.
Frame A, is attached to frame D, by means of four metal slips E.
loosely screwed to the edges of the frames A and D, the side stiles
run in
of D, only, are slotted, or grooved, a sliding back board F
these slots, with a up and down movement, with a play of an inch or more.
On to this board F the blocks or cubes C rest, when any change of sum is disired,
it is necessary to raise frame A, to the full extent of metal slips E, thus allowing
blocks C to have free liberty to turn, then releasing frame A, the blocks C, again
come in contact, with the board F, which throw the blocks C, flat and square
on their several faces, should not all the blocks C lay flat by this movement, the
using of knob G fastened to board F with a up and down movement, will
not fail to bring them so, thus thousands of changes can be made.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
Two wooden frames, the top one fitted with wires or wooden spindles, running
in parallel rows to each other, each length of wire is threaded with several solid
blocks or hollow ones of any suitable material, three or four faces of each cube,
are figured different, the whole of the figures shewn on the face of the appliance,
represent one sum in simple or compound addition, and the two bottom lines,
represent sums, in simple and compound substration, thousands of changes can
be made by turning cubes on their different faces, the bottom rail of front frame
is ebonised, or a slip of slate inserted, to write the answer on, to any sum set.
The underneath frame is affixed to the top one, by means of four slips of metal,
the frame is grooved or slotted, in the side stiles, with a slide board of smooth
surface, working in these grooves, with a up and down movement, with a play
of an inch or more. This slide is to throw the cubes square and flat after they
have been turned on their several wires.
Dated this 28th day of June 1898.
FREDERICK JOHN COTMAN.
WILLIAM GEORGE WALKER.