GB2070837A - Calligraphy learning aid - Google Patents

Abstract

The main problem encountered by a left-handed child writing from left to right is the lack of visual feedback when executing a line of writing, due to the fact that what has just been written is progressively obscured by the child's left hand as he continues along the line. Continuous visual comparison with anything just written is therefore quite out of the question as the line of writing is executed. An aid for assisting left-handed writers comprises a hollow desk having a sloping top 13 and an aperture 17 through which the interior can be seen. The paerture is covered with transparent material such as glass and one or more tapes 20 are placed across the covering. Inside the desk there is a respective long narrow mirror for each tape 20. Each mirror is angled to face the respective tape and reflects back the image of the underside of the respective tape when viewed through the aperture. The reflection is located above the respective tape. Each tape is of tracing cloth or the like. When a tape is written on, the reverse image of the writing shows through the underside of the tape and that reverse image is reflected by the respective mirror so that a true image of what is written can be seen above the tape. Thus, a left- handed writer will be able to see words which at that time may be covered by his hand or arm. The device is of course similarly useful for right-handed writers writing from right to left. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Left-handed calligraphy learning aid This invention relates to a method of and device for assisting the learning of left-handed calligraphy.

One of the basic skills, fundamental to education to be taught to children is that of hand writing. In countries where writing is from left to right, the left-handed writer is at a considerable disadvantage.

The converse is, of course, true in countries where hand writing is from right to left and the principles set forth herein apply equally where this is the case.

The main problem encountered by a left-handed child writing from left to right is the lack of visual feedback when executing a line of writing, due to the fact that what has just been written is progressively obscured by the child's left hand as he continues along the line. Continuous visual comparison with anything just written is therefore quite out of the question as the line of writing is executed.

From the Gestalt viewpoint he probably does not see "whole" words as frequently as a right-handed child. They are probably less frequently exposed to him on account of the advancing and obscuring left hand. This may have a wider and more generally harmful effect on both reading and spelling.

Consistency as to height, breadth, shape and orientation of the various letters in the line of writing, an essential factor in calligraphy, has to be achieved without the assistance of the sense which is the most important for achieving same, namely the sense of sight. Consequently, the frustrations of a left-handed child attempting to execute acceptable hand writing must be considerable.

An object of the present invention is to obviate the aforesaid problem encountered by a left-handed child writing from left to right.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for use as a left handed calligraphy learning aid, comprising a working surface in which a transparent portion is provided, a tape overlying said transparent portion and which when written upon will show the image of the writing on its underside, a mirror below the transparent portion and angled to face said tape so that an image on the underside of said tape can be seen above said tape when viewed through the transparent portion, whereby writing on the tape will show through the tape and the mirror will reflect said reversed image as a true image.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method a device for use as a left handed calligraphy learning aid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a top perspective view of the device from one side; Figure 2 is a sectional side view on the line ll-ll of Figure 1; and Figure 3 illustrates the device in use.

Referring to the drawings, the device comprises a hollow portable desk 10 having a base 11, a relatively high rear wall 12 and a top 13 sloping forward to a low front wall 14. The sides may be open or enclosed.

The top 13 of the desk includes an upper panel 15 of transparent material such as giass or, as in the preferred embodiment perspex (Registered Trade Mark) and a iower panel 16 of opaque material, such as plywood. The lower panel has an aperture 17 which is relatively large and rectangular and extends longitudinally of the top.

Tapes 20 are placed on the upper panel to overlie the aperture, there being in this embodiment three parallel tapes spaced apart and extending longitudinally of the top. The tapes are of tracing cloth, tracing paper or like material.

The writing instrument used may be a pen or crayon which marks the tape such that the markings show through to the underside because of the transparancy of the tape material; the writing instrument may be a ball-point, pen or pencil which marks the tape such that the tape is indented and the indentations show through on the underside of the tape.

Within the desk, mounted along the base are long narrow mirrors 21, angled so as to face towards the aperture. The undersides of the tapes can be seen by a person looking down through the aperture and because of the positioning of the mirrors relative to the sloping top, the image of the tapes appear to be above the tapes.

In use, writing on the tracing cloth will show through (reversed) on the underside of the cloth. The respective mirror will reflect the writing, reversing it so that the person writing on a tape will see a true image of what has been written.

Thus, a left handed child (writing from left to right) will be able to see a true image of his writing which at that time may be covered by his hand or arm.

Instructions on how to use the device may be provided in the plywood panel 16.

Depending on the type of writing instrument used the tape may be cleaned by use of a rubber or damp cloth, or replaced by a fresh tape. Rolls of tape may be provided each for gradual winding across the aperture from one spool to another.

One or more light bulbs may be located within the desk interior to illuminate the images. The lights may be connected to a battery or to the mains supply.

The upper panel 15 of the top may be removable to allow access to the desk interior (if the desk sides are enclosed) and for cleaning purposes.

In a modification, the desk top may be a single firm plastics sheet which is opaque over part of its area and has a transparent portion to serve as the aperture. The desk top may be horizontal.

One or more tapes can be provided, there being a mirror for each tape.

The desk is preferably portable as in the preferred embodiment, but school desks can also be made or adapted to have the features hereinbefore described.

It will be appreciated that the device may equally be used by a right handed person writing from right to left.

Claims (8)

1. A device for use as a left handed calligrahy learning aid, comprising a working surface in which a transparent portion is provided, a tape overlying said transparent portion and which when written upon will show the image of the writing on its underside, a mirror below the transparent portion and angled to face said tape so that an image on the underside of said tape can be seen above said tape when viewed through the transparent portion, whereby writing on the tape will show through the tape and the mirror will reflect said reversed image as a true image.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 comprising a hollow portable desk top of which incorporates said transparent portion, and the interior of which mounts the mirror.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which a plurality of mirrors are provided in parallel spaced relation and an equal number of tapes are provided to overlie the transparent portion.

4. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 in which the or each tape is of tracing cloth or tracing paper.

5. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which the or each tape is in the form of a roll carried by a pair of spools.

6. A method of assisting calligraphy teaching of a left handed person comprising the steps of forming a reverse image of the person's writing on the underside of a tape as the person writes on the tape and reflecting said image in a mirror which is angled relative to the tape such that the writer can see above the line of writing on the tape a true image of what has been written.

7. A device for use as a left handed calligraphy learning aid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A method of assisting calligraphy teaching of a left handed person substantially as hereinbefore described.