Teaching machine using electrically conductive training cards

Claim 2

A teaching machine comprising: means defining a plurality of normally open electric current paths, each said current path including only three normally open switches; actuatable indicating means electrically connected to each of said current paths operative when actuated to provide a sensuous indication in response to closing of any one of said normally open electric current paths; a training card positionable in a playing position over said plurality of normally open electric current paths to effect closure of one normally open switch in each of said electric current paths; and means coacting with said training card when same is in said playing position for selectively closing individual pairs of the remaining two normally open switches in each said normally open electric current path in accordance with a predetermined program to actuate said indicating means.

Claim 3

A teaching machine comprising: means defining a plurality of normally open electric current paths, each said current path including three normally open switches; actuatable indicating means electrically connected to each of said current paths for providing a sensuous indication in response to closing of any one of said normally open electric current paths; means for selectively closing individual ones of said normally open electric current paths in accordance with a predetermined program comprising a training card positionable in a playing position overlying said current paths, means defining a plurality of electrically conductive paths disposed on said training card in accordance with a predetermined program operative to close only one of said normally open switches in each of said current paths when said training card is in said playing position, and means defining a plurality of apertures in said training card each overlying onE of said remaining normally open switches when said training card is in said playing position; and a pair of plugs manually insertable through said apertures effective to selectively close the remaining two normally open switches in one of said electric current paths to actuate said indicating means.

Claim 4

A teaching machine comprising: means defining a plurality of normally open electric current paths, each said current path including three normally open switches; actuatable indicating means electrically connected to each of said current paths for providing a sensuous indication in response to closing of any one of said normally open electric current paths; means for selectively closing individual ones of said normally open electric current paths in accordance with a predetermined program comprising a training card positionable in a playing position overlying said current paths, means defining a plurality of electrically conductive paths disposed on said training card in accordance with a predetermined program operative to close only one of said normally open switches in each of said current paths when said training card is in said playing position, and means defining a plurality of apertures in said training card each overlying onE of said remaining normally open switches when said training card is in said playing position; and a pair of plugs manually insertable through said apertures effective to selectively close the remaining two normally open switches in one of said electric current paths to actuate said indicating means.

Claim 5

A teaching machine according to claim 2; wherein each of said normally open switches not closed by said electrically conductive paths on said training card comprises a pair of spaced apart electrical contacts; and wherein said pair of plugs each have an electrically conductive portion dimensioned to fit between said spaced apart electrical contacts to close said switch.

Claim 6

A teaching machine according to claim 2; wherein each of said normally open switches not closed by said electrically conductive paths on said training card comprises a stationary electrical contact and a flexible electrical contact spaced apart from said stationary contact and movable into electrical contact therewith by one of said plugs.

Claim 7

A teaching machine according to claim 2; wherein each of said electric current paths has a positive terminal and a negative terminal; and wherein said indicating means comprises means defining a source of electric potential, electrically actuated indicator means electrically connected to said source for indicating when one of said normally open electric current paths is closed, and means including another switch for electrically connecting said positive and negative terminals to said source to effect actuation of said indicator means through said another switch when one of said normally open current paths is closed.

Claim 8

A teaching machine according to claim 5; wherein said another switch comprises a transistor having conductive and nonconductive modes of operation.

Claim 9

A teaching machine according to claim 6; wherein said electrically actuated indicator means includes an electrical relay electrically connected between said source and transistor operative when said transistor is operating in its conductive mode to actuate said indicator means.