US3748748A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Voice puzzle game
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-30
•
Granted: 1973-07-31
•
Expires: 1991-12-30
Abstract
Abstract The essence of the invention resides in a voice puzzle having a board with a plurality of varied shaped openings therein. Each of said varied shaped openings having a word, sound or phrase associated therewith. A lower housing member supports said board. A plurality of varied shaped puzzle pieces having the same shapes of the varied shaped openings as provided are insertable therein. Each puzzle piece is adapted to fit into only one opening in the board having the same shape as the puzzle piece, each of said puzzle pieces having a word, sound or phrase associated therewith. A pressure responsive means is in communication with each of said openings and is adapted to be actuated by said puzzle piece associated with the opening when pressure is applied to the puzzle piece. A voice storage means is disposed within said lower housing member having stored thereon in discrete sections a vocal representation of each word, sound or phrase associated with each puzzle piece. A voice pick-up means is in communication with each pressure responsive means for each puzzle piece and is selectively engageable with said discrete sections on said voice storage means. A motor is in communication with said voice storage means with electrical circuit means for activating said voice storage means engageable with said pressure responsive means and also means is connected to the voice pick-up means for transmitting audible sound which is stored on said voice storage means to the user, by way of an amplifier and/or speaker.
Inventors
- 👤 J Bevan
- 👤 B Bevan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 01:01
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; G09B5/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A sound puzzle comprising a board having a plurality of varied shaped openings therein, said board being releasably supported by a lower housing member, a sound reproduction system disposed in said lower housing member, a plurality of varied shaped puzzle pieces insertable in their matching varied shaped openings and adapted to activate said sound reproduction system, and means for activating said sound reproduction system including at least one sound pick-up means and a sound storage means, each of said varied shaped puzzle pieces being adapted to communicate with said sound pick-up means, a sound amplifier being in communication with said sound pickup means, a sound transmission means being connected between said sound pick-ups means and said sound amplifier, said sound transmission means including a transmission member having laterally extending sound transmission arms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A sound puzzle comprising a board having a plurality of varied shaped openings therein, said board being releasably supported by a lower housing member, a sound reproduction system disposed in said lower housing member, a plurality of varied shaped puzzle pieces insertable in their matching varied shaped openings and adapted to activate said sound reproduction system, and means for activating said sound reproduction system including at least one sound pick-up means and a sound storage means, each of said varied shaped puzzle pieces being adapted to communicate with said sound pick-up means, a sound amplifier being in communication with said sound pickup means, a sound transmission means being connected between said sound pick-ups means and said sound amplifier, said sound transmission means including a transmission member having laterally extending sound transmission arms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
220 words
A voice puzzle comprising a board having a plurality of varied shaped openings therein, a lower housing member supporting said board, a plurality of varied shaped puzzle pieces having the same shapes of the varied shaped openings, each puzzle piece adapted to fit into only one opening in the board having the same shape, each of said puzzle pieces having a word, sound or phrase associated therewith, voice pick-up means adapted to be activated by downward pressure applied to said puzzle pieces inserted in said varied shaped openings, a voice storage means disposed in spaced relationship with said voice pick-up means, said voice storage means having thereon discrete sections of vocal representations of each word, sound or phrase associated with a respective puzzle piece, a sound amplifier disposed remotely from said voice storage means, sound transmission means connected between said voice pick-up means and said sound amplifier to transmit sound from said voice storage means to said sound amplifier, said sound transmission means including a main transmission member having laterally extending sound transmission arms, a motor in communication with said voice storage means, and circuit means disposed between said inserted puzzle piece and said voice pick-up means for closing an electrical circuit, to activate said motor when said electrical circuit is closed by means of a source of electrical energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
220 words
A voice puzzle comprising a board having a plurality of varied shaped openings therein, a lower housing member supporting said board, a plurality of varied shaped puzzle pieces having the same shapes of the varied shaped openings, each puzzle piece adapted to fit into only one opening in the board having the same shape, each of said puzzle pieces having a word, sound or phrase associated therewith, voice pick-up means adapted to be activated by downward pressure applied to said puzzle pieces inserted in said varied shaped openings, a voice storage means disposed in spaced relationship with said voice pick-up means, said voice storage means having thereon discrete sections of vocal representations of each word, sound or phrase associated with a respective puzzle piece, a sound amplifier disposed remotely from said voice storage means, sound transmission means connected between said voice pick-up means and said sound amplifier to transmit sound from said voice storage means to said sound amplifier, said sound transmission means including a main transmission member having laterally extending sound transmission arms, a motor in communication with said voice storage means, and circuit means disposed between said inserted puzzle piece and said voice pick-up means for closing an electrical circuit, to activate said motor when said electrical circuit is closed by means of a source of electrical energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 2 wherein when said puzzle piece is depressed a word, sound or phrase associated with said depressed puzzle piece will be emitted through said sound amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 3 wherein a cover plate is disposed between said board and said plurality of voice pick-up means, said cover plate having a plurality of holes therein in registry with each of said voice pick-up means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 4 wherein each of said varied shaped openings has a lip formed in the bottom thereof defining a hole and a bottom surface to said oddly shaped opening, said hole being in alignment with said hole in said cover plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 5 wherein each puzzle piece is provided with an upper section being oddly shaped and having a downwardly extending protrusion which is engageable in said hole formed by said lip.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 6 wherein a plurality of leaf springs are connected to each of said transmission arms, each of said leaf springs having its rear edge connected to said transmission arms and its distal end being in alignment with said holes in said board and said cover plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 7 wherein an upwardly extending grommet is connected to the upper surface of said leaf spring at its distal end, said grommet having an upper end, a rod connected to said upper end and extending upwardly therefrom, said rod extending through said hole in said cover plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
A voiCe puzzle according to claim 8 wherein a cap is connected to the upper end of each rod, said cap being electrically conductive, said cover plate having electrically conductive conduits disposed on the upper surface thereof, said electrical conductive elements forming a switch arrangement in conjunction with said cap, said electrically conductive elements being connected between said motor and said electrical source of energy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 9 wherein each of said leaf springs are provided with a voice pick-up member depending from the lower surface thereof at its distal end, said leaf spring being bendable downwardly when said cap is depressed under downward pressure from said puzzle piece, said voice pick-up member contacting said voice storage means under said downward pressure of said puzzle piece.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 10 wherein said leaf sprng acts to disengage said voice storage means from said voice pick-up means when said puzzle piece is released.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 11 wherein the downward movement of said cap contacts the said electrical conduits closing said electrical circuits causing said motor to be activated and rotating said voice storage means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 12 wherein each puzzle piece has an electric circuit associated therewith the depression of said puzzle piece closes said circuit to activate said voice storage means, said electric circuit being opened when said depression of said puzzle piece is released.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 13 wherein each of said voice pick-up members are disposed in alignment with discrete sections on the voice storage means such that the contacting of the voice pick-up means with said voice storage means will transmit only that voice representation disposed beneath said voice pick-up means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 14 wherein said voice storage means and board are changeable, said lower housing being provided with means for the removal and insertion of voice storage means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 15 wherein said voice pick-up means is a needle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 16 wherein said voice storage means is in the form of a record disc.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 17 wherein said lower housing means is provided with a slot therein into which a record may be slid and a support plate in communication with said slot.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 18 wherein said drive motor is adapted to rotate a drive shaft which is disposed beneath said support plate, said support plate having a hole therein in alignment with said drive shaft.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 19 wherein said record disc is provided with a downwardly protruding hub with an aperture therethrough, said hub being engaged in said hole in said support plate, said hub adapted to enage said drive shaft to permit the rotation of said record when said motor is activated.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
47 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 20 wherein a springloaded retractable pin extends through said board and into said lower housing means and is adapted to pass through said hole in the said record hub engaging said drive shaft to maintain the rotative motion of the record.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
57 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 21 wherein a guide means is disposed within said lower housing means on said support plate and is adapted to guide said record in position when the record is inserted in the slot such that the downwardly extending hub of the record becomes engaged in the hole in the support plate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 22 wherein said drive shaft is provided with an upper end having ratchet teeth disposed thereon, said ratchet teeth engageable with said hub such that when said drive shaft rotates said record disc will rotate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 23 wherein an ejector mechanism is adapted to disengage said record disc from said hole in said support plate when it is desired to change saiD record disc.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 24 wherein said record disc is slidable out of said slot in said lower housing when said retractable pin is urged upwardly out of enagement with said hole in said record hub and said ejector mechanism is activated.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 15 wherein said voice storage means is a tape belt.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 26 wherein a magnetic head comprises said voice pick-up means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 27 wherein a pair of rollers are mounted within said lower housing and are adapted to releasably support said tape belt.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 28 wherein said tape belt is provided with discrete sections of audibly translated sound, each of said discrete sections being in alignment with its respective magnetic head.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 29 wherein each of said magnetic heads is connected to said sound amplifier.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 30 wherein a motor is in communication with one of said rollers to activate the movement of said one of said rollers when a puzzle piece is depressed.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 31 wherein said lower housing is provided with a removable front wall, said front wall being removed to permit the removal of said tape belt and the insertion of another tape belt.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
65 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 32 wherein an idler roller is disposed between said pair of rollers and is movable between a loaded position and a removal position such that said tape belt is loosened on said pair of rollers for removal of said tape belt and is tightened on said pair of rollers when said idler roller is moved to its loaded position.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 15 wherein said puzzle pieces are releasably engageable in their respective varied shaped openings and are movable in their respective oddly shaped openings between a rest position and a depressed position.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
44 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 34 wherein a plurality of rods are horizontally movably engageable in each of said oddly shaped openings, each of said rods is adapted to engage within a vertical slot in said downwardly extending protrusion in said puzzle piece.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
44 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 35 wherein a center rod controls the movement of said rods such that all of said rods are disengageable from said slots in said puzzle pieces and said puzzle pieces thereby become removable from said oddly shaped openings.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 2 wherein said puzzle pieces take the form of objects and the voice storage means has provided thereon audible information identifying said object.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 2 wherein said puzzle pieces are colored and the voice storage means has provided thereon audible information identifying said colors.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 2 wherein said puzzle pieces are provided with protrusions thereon and said voice storage means has provided thereon audible information identifying said protrusions.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
34 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 2 wherein said puzzle pieces are provided with words imprinted thereon and said voice storage means has provided thereon the translation of the respective words into another language.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
36 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 2 wherein each of said puzzle pieces are provided thereon with a mathematical problem and said voice storage means is provided thereon with an audible solution to the mathematical problem.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
40 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 2 wherein each of said puzzle pieces take the form of a physical object which has three dimensional form and said voice storage means has provided thereon an audible identification of said physical object.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 2 wherein each of said puzzle pieces has a word imprinted thereon and said voice storage means is provided thereon with audible definitions of said imprinted words.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
44 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 15 whErein said board is provided with an over extending edge about each of said oddly shaped openings forming a channel between said over extending edge and said lip around the inner periphery of each oddly shaped opening.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
65 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 44 wherein each of said oddly shaped puzzle pieces are provided at the lower edge of the upper portion thereof with an outwardly flared rim such that the puzzle piece may be snap-fitted into said opening and move vertically within the limits of the channel formed between said over extending edge of said oddly shaped opening and said lip.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 2, including at least one leaf spring pivotally connected to at least one of said sound transmission arms.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
69 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 46 wherein a apring is connected between the distal end of said leaf spring and said at least one sound transmission arm to urge said leaf spring in one direction, a stop disposed on said at least one sound transmission arm contiguous to said leaf spring adapted to limit the pivotal movement of said leaf spring in the direction urged by said spring.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 2 wherein pivotable clips are disposed adjacent each of said oddly shaped openings to maintain said puzzle pieces in said openings.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
33 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 2 wherein each of said puzzle pieces have a word in braille thereon and said voice storage means is provided thereon with audible definitions of said word.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
A voice puzzle according to claim 2 wherein each of said puzzle pieces have a letter thereon and said voice storage means is provided thereon with audible sounding of said letter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |