GB681056A - Improvements in or relating to instructional devices for teaching arithmetic - Google Patents

Abstract

681,056. Educational appliances. SCHUMANN, K. H. H.. Oct. 2, 1950. No. 24043/50. Class 146 (ii). A device for teaching arithmetic comprises means for exposing a basic number, an arithmetical sign, and, in succession, any one or more numbers to be combined with the basic number and including a small figure, as of a boy or girl, movable by the teacher from a starting position in stages to a final position as each of a series of questions is correctly answered. In one embodiment, not shown, a box is shaped and coloured to represent a river between banks with a series of stepping stones and the figure is movable, by winding a cord on a drum, along a slot through or adjacent to the stepping stones. In the embodiment shown, a figure 16a is movable up a ladder-like structure, mounted on the top 2a of a box 1a, by means of a cord 41 connected to a winding drum. In this embodiment a second ladder-like structure 44 has dowel members 46 sliding in holes 45 and visible through holes 47 to show either a red or green or other colour to indicate a wrong answer, or coloured lights may be electrically operated by the teacher for this purpose. In both embodiments, sets of cards 18 showing different numbers lie in compartments 17 opening into the top 2a of the box 1a and each card can be raised by pressing the appropriate knob 26 of a series of plungers 25 to depress one end 21 of a lever 19, the other end 20 of which moves up in a slot of the compartment 17 to raise the card 18, the levers 19 being pressed by springs 24 to return the card 18 on release of knot 26. The arithmetical signs are provided on a disc 29 mounted on a spindle 30 which can be turned by the teacher to show the sign required in an opening 7 at the front of the box. The basic number is provided on a card 18 which may be removably mounted in a special mounting 27a which may be part of a container structure for spare cards.