Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 19th July, 1887.
Specification Accepted, 23rd Aug., 1887.
We TIBERIAS DOUGHERTY of the City and County of Philadelphia, State of
Pennsylvania U.S.A. and GEORGE H. CLARKSON of the same place, Manufacturers
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:-
Our invention consists of an apparatus for teaching kindergarten studies embodying
the representation of objects or subjects, and letters of the alphabet, whereby a learner
may form the word or name of said object or subject, and thus readily acquire the
art of spelling.
It further consists of means for indicating the termination of the apron which
carries the object lesson, so that further operation of said apron and consequent
tearing of the same are prevented.
Reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 represents a partial front view and partial vertical section of an apparatus
for teaching kindergarten studies embodying the invention.
Figures 2 and 3 represent vertical sections thereof, respectively, in lines x, x
and y, y, Figure 1.
Figure 4 represents a view of mechanism thereof on a reduced scale.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
In the drawings, A represents a casing having in front an opening B, and a series
of openings G.
Within the casing there are mounted the drums D and rollers E the drums and
rollers being located respectively one above the other and horizontally arranged.
F represents an apron or sheet which is passed around the rollers E and has its
ends connected with the drums D, D, the location of the drums, rollers, and apron
being such that the portion of the apron that passes from one roller to the other is
seen at the opening B. Connected with each drum is a ratchet G, and engaging with
each ratchet is a detent H, the ratchet of one drum being at the end opposite to that
of the other drum, the detents being vertically guided at opposite sides of the

page_text: casing A, and pivotted at their lower ends to levers H*, which are pivotted to the
casing A and engaged by keys J, J, the latter being pivotted to the casing A and
appearing at the front thereof.
A series of keys K are also pivotted to the casing A and located between the end
keys J, J, said keys J, J, K forming a blank which may be readily operated by a
learner or scholar.
A number of drums L are freely mounted on a horizontal axis or shaft L', the latter
being located below the apron F and secured to the casing A, the peripheries of said
drums appearing at the openings C of the casing.
Connected with the side of each drum is a pulley M and a pawl N, the latter
engaging with a ratchet P which is secured to the shaft L'.
Passing around each pulley M is a cord Q, one end of each of which is secured to
a key K, and the other end is connected with a spring R which is attached to the
casing A.
Pulleys M are freely mounted on the shaft L¹ and have passed around them
cords Qwhich are attached to the keys J, J, and springs R', the latter being properly
connected with the casing.
Attached to a cross bar S on the frame adjacent to the drums D, is a gong or bell T,
and mounted on said bar are two bell-hammers U, which are on opposite sides of said
bell. The heel ends of the haminers U are bifurcated, as at V so as to be engaged
by stops or abutments W secured to a cord ✗, the latter being attached to the
drums D.
Friction springs Y are interposed between the heads of the drums D and the sides
of the casing A for preventing improper motions of said drums.
The apron F has printed, painted, or otherwise marked on it a number of
figures or objects, and the drums L have on their peripheries the letters of the
alphabet.
Now when the apron is to be moved in order to present a figure or object, which
can be seen at the opening B, either of the keys J, J, are depressed by the teacher.
This operates the respective lever H* and detent H and causes the letter to engage
with the proper ratchet G, thus rotating the drum D with which said ratchet is
connected, it being noticed that by the operation of the two drums D, motion may be
imparted to the sheet F in opposite directions.
When a key is depressed, the cord Q₁ follows the same and moves around the
pulley M and raises the spring R¹. When the key is let go, the spring restores
the key to its normal position, the detent being also lowered and cleared of the
ratchet G.
The scholar or learner is now required to spell the word or name of the figure or
object on the apron F, in the present case, that of a ball. For this purpose, the keys K
are successively operated until the letters BALL appear respectively at the openings C,
and thus the word is formed.
When a key K is depressed, the cord Q rotates the pulley M, and with it the
alphabet drum L. The pawl N moves with said pulley or drum and engages with
the ratchet P, whereby return motion of the drum is prevented. When the key is let
go, the spring R is operative, and the former is returned to its first position, the
cord Q sliding over the pulley H, the latter being held by the ratchet and pawl, as
has been stated. Owing to the tension on the cord by said spring, forward motion
of the drum is prevented, and thus the latter remains stationary until the key is again
depressed.
During the operation of the apron F, when the end of the same is about to be
reached, one of the stops W of the cord X enters the bifurcation V of the bell hammer,
and engages therewith, thus drawing back said hammer, and as the cord continues its
motion, the stop clears the bifurcation, and the hammer is released, whereby the bell
is struck, thus indicating the end of the apron, and preventing further unwinding and
tearing of the same.
The detents H are fully cleared of the ratchets G by means of deflectors H¹, which
are wedge-shaped or inclined, and secured to the sides of said detents, Attached

page_text: to the casing are pins or bearing pieces H' against which said deflectors ride, whereby,
as the detents rise, they are permitted to engage with the teeth of the ratchet, and as
they descend, they leave said teeth and occupy proper positions for the next engage-
ment with the teeth when again raised. The upper ends of the detents are located
within guides H³, which are secured to the casing and prevent displacement of the
detents.
When a scholar is required to spell without reference to the figure or object, the
apron or sheet is not necessarily used.
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 :
First. An apparatus for teaching, consisting of an apron with figures or objects
thereon, means for moving said apron, and alphabet drums with means for rotating
the same, said parts being combined and operating substantially as described.
Second. Alphabet drums with operating cords and keys combined substantially as
described.
Third. An apron with figures or objects thereon, winding drums and guide rollers,
devices for operating said drums, consisting of ratchets on the drums, detents engaging
with said ratchets, and keys connected with said detents, and a suitable casing, all
combined substantially as described.
Fourth. In a teaching apparatus, a drum, a pulley cord passing around the same,
a key and spring combined substantially as described, said key and spring being
connected with opposite ends of said cord, whereby said cord operates the drum or
pulley and afterwards creates friction thereon, as stated.
Fifth. In a teaching apparatus, an apron or sheet, and winding devices therefor, in
combination with an alarm which is operated in advance of the complete unwinding
of said apron, and announces the end thereof, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
Sixth. The sheet F and drums D, in combination with the cord X, stops W, a bell,
and bell hammer, the latter having its heel ends adapted to be engaged by said stops,
substantially as described.
Seventh. In a teaching apparatus, an object sheet and dividing drums therefor,
ratchets and detents, in combination with deflectors for said detents, substantially as
described.
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