Patent US3554556A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3554556A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Talking learning puzzle
Assignee: Mattel Inc
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Filing: 1969-03-05
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1989-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A teaching device having a phonograph record containing a plurality of sound tracks in interleaved grooves selectively playable in response to a rotatable and depressable dial, the dial coacting with locking means preventing depression of the dial, the housing having means for receiving a selected puzzle having an indexing portion for aligning the puzzle with respect to the housing and a detent for receiving a portion of the dial, the puzzle disengaging the locking means allowing the depression of the dial so that the portion thereof engages the detent whereby the sound track corresponding to the selected puzzle is reproduced.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph H Stewart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 05:15
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; G09B5/06; G09B5/062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
In a teaching device, the combination comprising: housing means; means within said housing means containing a plurality of segments of recorded information to be taught to a user of said device; drive means coupled to said recorded information means; sound reproducing means engageable with said recorded information means for reproducing said segments of recorded information; manually controlled means movable in one direction between a first and a second position, said manually controlled means being movable in another direction for selecting a predetermined segment of recorded information; locking means engaging said manually controlled means for locking said manually controlled means in said first position; and a plurality of display means removably attachable to said housing and adapted for coacting with said housing means and said locking means to release said manually controlled means for movement to said second position when said manually controlled means is moved in said other direction to a setting for a predetermined segment of recorded information corresponding to said particular display means, said manually controlled means in said second position actuating said drive means to reproduce said predetermined segment of recorded information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a teaching device, the combination comprising: housing means; means within said housing means containing a plurality of segments of recorded information to be taught to a user of said device; drive means coupled to said recorded information means; sound reproducing means engageable with said recorded information means for reproducing said segments of recorded information; manually controlled means movable in one direction between a first and a second position, said manually controlled means being movable in another direction for selecting a predetermined segment of recorded information; locking means engaging said manually controlled means for locking said manually controlled means in said first position; and a plurality of display means removably attachable to said housing and adapted for coacting with said housing means and said locking means to release said manually controlled means for movement to said second position when said manually controlled means is moved in said other direction to a setting for a predetermined segment of recorded information corresponding to said particular display means, said manually controlled means in said second position actuating said drive means to reproduce said predetermined segment of recorded information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said locking means includes means releasing said manually controlled means to move to said second position in the absence of said display means when said manually controlled means is moved in said other direction to one setting corresponding to a predetermined segment of recorded information having an instructional sound sequence.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said removable display means is a puzzle having a plurality of interlocking segments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein said housing means has a puzzle-receiving portion and a positioning tab within said puzzle-receiving portion, and said puzzle having a cutaway portion engaging said positioning tab for orienting said puzzle within said puzzle-receiving portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said manually controlled means is a dial and said locking means includes a flexible sleeve formed into a cylindrical configuration with the ends thereof overlApping, said sleeve being interposed between the undersurface of said dial and a cup-shaped recess in said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
The combination according to claim 5 wherein said display means is a puzzle formed of a plurality of interlocking pieces, said pieces being so configured to define a circular aperture in said puzzle when assembled, said circular aperture being of a smaller diameter than said sleeve, said puzzle compressing said sleeve, the undersurface of said dial being configured for permitting depression of said dial when said sleeve is compressed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
The combination according to claim 5 wherein said sleeve has a plurality of slots in the upper edge thereof and said dial has a plurality of bosses in the undersurface thereof, said slots and said bosses being so dimensioned and so configured to permit slidable engagement of said bosses with said slots to operate said dial to said second position when said dial is rotated to said setting for predetermined segment of recorded information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said recorded information means is a phonograph disc record having recorded thereon a plurality of sound sequences, each of said sound sequences being recorded in a separate spiral groove, said spiral grooves being interleaved on said record with the beginning of each sound sequence being adjacent to the outer periphery of said record.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination according to claim 8 wherein said sound-reproducing means includes a tone arm pivotally secured to said housing means, said tone arm having a needle at the free end thereof for traversing said grooves.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination according to claim 5 wherein said sleeve includes a plurality of tabs on one edge thereof and said cup-shaped recess in said housing has a plurality of slots adapted for slidable engagement with said tabs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination according to claim 6 wherein each of a plurality of said puzzles has a cutout at one preselected location and said dial has a protuberance for engaging said cutout to permit said dial to be operated to said second position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination according to claim 11 wherein said housing means is provided with a circular indentation, said indentation being positioned for at least partially accepting said protuberance of said dial in said second position when said dial is rotated to any one of said settings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination according to claim 1 including means for returning said manually operable means to said first position after reproducing said predetermined segment of recorded information.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a teaching device, the combination comprising: means containing a plurality of segments of recorded information to be taught to a user of said device and means for reproducing the same; selectively settable means for selecting a segment of recorded information to be reproduced and also for initiating reproduction thereof; and plural display means, each corresponding to one of said segments of recorded information and being selectively positionable for controlling operation of said selecting means, said display means including means coacting with said selecting means preventing reproduction of said recorded information except when said selecting means is set for a predetermined segment of recorded information corresponding to said display means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a teaching device, the combination comprising: means containing a plurality of segments of recorded information to be taught to a user of said device and means for reproducing the same; selectively settable means for selecting a segment of recorded information to be reproduced and also for initiating reproduction thereof; and plural display means, each corresponding to one of said segments of recorded information and being selectively positionable for controlling operation of said selecting means, said display means including means coacting with said selecting means preventing reproduction of said recorded information except when said selecting means is set for a predetermined segment of recorded information corresponding to said display means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
61 words
A teaching device as defined in claim 14 wherein said selectively settable means is movable in a first direction to initiate reproduction and movable in a second direction for selecting said predetermined segment of recorded information, said display means physically obstructing movement of said settable means in said first direction except when said settable means is set for said predetermined segment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
A teaching device as defined in claim 15 wherein said settable means is a member rotatable about an axis and slidable along said axis, said first direction being along said axis and said second direction being about said axis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A teaching devicE as defined in claim 14 including means for positioning and holding said display means in predetermined position and orientation relative to said settable means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3383114A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |