An Improved Apparatus for Teaching Addition and Subtraction.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left. 22nd May. 1891-Accepted, 27th June, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Teaching Addition and Subtraction.
ALFRED COOPER Schoolmaster Stonham Aspal Suffolk do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Addition. The apparatus consists of a frame, made of wood, or of any other
material, and divided into a certain number of divisions, more or less, for the
reception of the cards or tablets hereafter described. The tablets are made of
card-board, or of any other material, and cn each tablet is inscribed there-on, or
affixed there-to, a figure, with its corresponding value denoted thereon, by marks
or signatures, arranged in a decimal order, or any other order. Other tablets have
no figure inscribed there-on, or affixed thereto, but only the marks or signatures
(arranged in the previously mentioned decimal order) denoted thereon.
The position and arrangement of the marks, or signatures, in the decimal order
previously mentioned, will be fully explained in the Complete Specification.
Subtraction. For subtraction the marks or signatures mentioned above are
represented by blocks of wood, or of any other material, arranged in the decimal
order previously mentioned, with, or without, a figure inscribed thereon, or affixed
thereto, representing its corresponding value in the previously mentioned decimal
order.
These blocks are movable sliding to and fro on a rod, or rods, of steel, or of any
other material, as may be required by the teacher or pupil.
Two series of these blocks are used, arranged in the previously mentioned
decimal order.
L 1
1000
ALFRED COOPER,
Schoolmaster, Stonham Aspal, Suffolk.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Teaching Addition and Subtraction.
1, ALFRED COOPER, Schoolmaster, Stonham Aspal, Suffolk 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 :-
This invention has reference to improved apparatus for teaching addition and
subtraction, especially adapted for schools and other places where a number of
children are taught at once.
My improved apparatus consists of a convenient frame supporting one or more
series of parallel, horizontal wires or rods, which serve as supports for tablets or
blocks, which blocks are numbered appropriately and preferably coloured in series,

page_text: otherwise. In the sides of this frame are secured wires or rods & in parallel series
and on each is strung a block here numbered consecutively from 1 to 40. The
construction of these blocks will be better understood by reference to Figs. 3 and 4,
the block being slotted at so as to permit the wire passing thereinto, and then the
block is locked on to the wire by crossing the cross-pin & through two holes in the
block, and this pin then forms the supporting rest for the block on the wire,
permitting of its easily sliding to and fro, the preponderance of weight below
keeping the block in its vertical position.
In Fig. 2 are shown the like arrangements of wires or rods in two series, ench
series being enclosed within the panel of the frame.
The apparatus forms, as already stated, a simple and convenient contrivance for
teaching infants and others the theory and practice of adding and subtracting.
For those who hase their teaching on series of tens. this apparatus will be found
particularly helpful.
The blocks or counters are numbered on one side and ench series of ten blocks or
counters is divided into two groups of five blocks to correspond with the five fingers
on each haud. The number of the blocks above any selected one is at once shewn
by the figure on it without counting.
The subtraction frame has the division down the middle and there are on one side
the numbers 1 to 10 and on the other side the ten blocks from which we borrow.
Now we take the subtrahem from the burrowed 10 and add the remainder to the
minuend as commonly practised by teachers using the series of 10 system with the
additional advantage that this apparatus can be held before the class and manipulated
in the sight of the children.
As a simple illustration of how the apparatus may be employed the teacher
might proceed as follows;
4+2+3+1+5
Arrange counters 1-4 on right hand side of frame then counters 5 & 6 on left
hand side of frame and proceed in a similar manner placing the number of counters
in each succeeding group alternately on each side of the frame.
2-
Arrange counters 1 and 2 close to the dividing piece in middle of subtraction
frame (pupils will then plainly see that it is impossible to take 4 from 2) now bring
the borrowed ten counters in other panel close to the previously mentioned dividing
piece and take the subtrahend 4 from the borrowed ten by removing the four
highest counters to the further side of panel, then add the remainder 6 to the
minuend 2.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
ton, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is:
In apparatus for use in teaching addition and subtraction, the combination and
arrangement of parts-blocks, wires or rods and frames-all substantially as and for
the purpose hereinbolove set forth,
the 21st day of May 1801.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.