An Improved Word Building Apparatus or Frame, by means of which Words can be Built up from Letters.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 24th Jan., 1893-Accepted, 25th Feb., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Word Building Apparatus or Frame, by means of
which Words can be Built up from Letters.
.
I, JOHN HENRY SUTCLIFFE, Board School House, in the Township of
Felliscliffe, near Ripley, in the County of York, Schoolmaster do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
This word building apparatus consists of a four-sided wooden frame.
From the top side of this frame there are suspended a number of strong wires or
thin rods, not fastened at the bottom, and so fastened or hinged at the top as to
allow them to be swung, working on this top joint.
On each of these wires I place seven cubes or solid oblongs of wood, by means
of holes bored through the centres of these blocks, in such a manner as to allow
them to be moved easily up or down or twisted round these wires. On each of the
four vertical sides of these blocks I place a letter of the alphabet. About the
middle of the frame, and parallel with the top and bottom pieces or sides, I place
another piece of wood about the same size and width as the top and bottom sides,
having previously cut out on the edge which is to the back of the frame,
triangular-shaped indentations to hold the wires in position as they hang from
the top. On this middle cross piece, the particular cubes or blocks containing the
letters wanted, rest, with the desired letter of the four on that block turned to the
front of the frame.
The wires and frame are long enough to allow all or any of the blocks on the
wires to be above or below this middle cross piece, and to get the blocks from
below to above, or from above to below this cross piece, the wire with its blocks
has to be pulled out towards the back, working on the joint at the top. The front
of the frame is covered, except an open strip across the frame horizontally about
the middle, immediately above the middle cross piece.
This opening is about wide enough to expose to view only one row of blocks
that may be resting on the middle cross piece.
Dated this 10th day of November 1892.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Word Building Apparatus or Frame, by means of
which Words can be Built up from Letters.
I, JOHN HENRY SUTCLIFFE, of Board School House, in the Township of
Felliscliffe, near Ripley, in the County of York, Schoolmaster, 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 my invention is to provide apparatus whereby words cau be
formed or built up from letters, such apparatus being of simple but of efficient
character.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood, I will proceed to describe
> same with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters refer to
like parts in all the figures.

page_text: According to my invention I provide a suitable frame or box casing A, which
may be of any convenient size. From the top underside of the frame or casing A
1 suspend any required number of wires or rods B, which rods may be provided
with hooked ends B' taking into loops B2 as shewn in the drawings. These rods B
are thus fastened or hinged at the top so as to allow same to be swung or moved
outwards at their lower or free ends.
On each of these wires or rods B I place an oblong block C, which is preferably
square in section. Holes are bored through the centre of these blocks C, through
which holes the rods B pass, such blocks C being free to move up or down, or be
turned round upon their rods B, at will. On each of the four vertical sides of
these blocks C, I place the letters of the alphabet, preferably arranged in order as
shewn in the drawings.
The front of the frame or casing A is covered up by the front plate or board D,
except at or about the centre, where an opening D¹ is provided, which opening
runs across from side to side of the frame or casing A and is of such a width as to
only expose to view one row of letters at a time.
Laths or strips H may be provided between each letter at the opening 'D',
thereby separating such letters, the strips H at the same time having the effect of
keeping the blocks C in position when set against the opening D¹.
The wires or rods B and frame or casing A are of such a length as to allow all
or any of the blocks C on the rods B to be moved up or down, so as to expose to
view any given letter or letters, and also to have such blocks C clear of the
opening Daltogether.
In order that the blocks C may be adjusted to any required position on their
rods B, I provide such blocks with the pins C fixed at their lower ends and at
each side thereof, which pins C¹ rest upon the rails or bars E arranged at suitable
intervals apart. The rails or bars E run across from side to side of the frame or
casing A, and their distance apart is equal to the distance from one letter to the
other on the blocks C.
The lower or free ends of the wires or rods B are preferably screwed, and carry
a nut B³ thereon, which nuts B³ regulate the distance the blocks C shall fall, and
such wires or rods B are kept in their proper position by the triangular shaped
indentations in the crosspiece A¹.
In arranging any given word or words at the opening D', the wires or rods B
are swung or drawn outwards upon their hinged ends, when the blocks Care
moved up or down and turned round upon their rods B as required, and on
returning same into position, the pins C carrying the blocks C are placed upon
their respective rails or bars E as shewn in the drawings, thus exposing to view
through the opening D', the given word or words.
If desired the blocks C can be separated between each other, in which case I
employ the cross piece A¹ at or about the middle of the casing A; so that any
particular block or blocks could be moved up their rods B and placed upon this
frame or crosspiece A¹, thus shewing to view the required letter or letters,, through
the opening D'. This opening D' may when desired be covered or closed up, when
the front of said apparatus could be used as an ordinary "black board."
Rests Fare provided, on which may be placed any book, slate, or other object.
Any marks or signs other than the alphabet may be displayed by apparatus
constructed according to my invention.
I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the exact details
herein set forth, as the same may be variously modified without departing from the
distinctive features thereof.
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 I
clain is :
1. The blocks C mounted on the wires or rods B, on which they are free to turn

page_text: 2. The combination of the rods B, blocks C, and blackboard D, having
opening D', substantially as described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
3. The combination of the frame or casing A, wires or rods B, blocks C, board D
with its opening D' and strips H, rails or bars E, pins C³, cross piece A¹, and
rests F, all substantially as and for purposes herein set forth.
4. The arrangement, construction, and combination of the various parts forming
the word-building apparatus, together with any mere modification or modifications
thereof, substantially as herein set forth.
Thou s
1002
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for Applicant.