US3795989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Education apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-02-21
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Granted: 1974-03-12
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Expires: 1993-02-21
Abstract
Abstract An instructional device or educational toy having a question and answer format cooperating with a tone generator for generating a series of tones resulting in a recognizable melody in response to the user correctly answering a series of problems arranged in a predetermined sequence.
Inventors
- 👤 L Greenberg
- 👤 G Hyman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:21
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B7/00; G09B7/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
An educational apparatus comprising in combination: tone generating means for generating a plurality of selected tones, a plurality of switch means associated with said tone generating means for actuating the latter to produce a selected tone in response to operator actuation of the corresponding one of said switch means, switch designating means including a plurality of symbolic representations each different from the remaining ones and each associated with a corresponding one of said switch means, instruction means comprising a series of symbolic representations in predetermined sequence, each of the symbolic representations of said instruction means having at least one characteristic which relates it more closely to one of the symbolic representations of said switch designating means than to any of the other of said symbolic representation of said switch designating means but being of a different species than said related one of said symbolic representation of said switch designating means, and said predetermined sequence of the symbolic representations on said instruction means being such that when the user correctly correlates each of the symbols on the instruction means with the related symbol on the switch designating means and actuates the switch means in the sequence shown by the instruction means a recognizable melody is produced by the apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
An educational apparatus comprising in combination: tone generating means for generating a plurality of selected tones, a plurality of switch means associated with said tone generating means for actuating the latter to produce a selected tone in response to operator actuation of the corresponding one of said switch means, switch designating means including a plurality of symbolic representations each different from the remaining ones and each associated with a corresponding one of said switch means, instruction means comprising a series of symbolic representations in predetermined sequence, each of the symbolic representations of said instruction means having at least one characteristic which relates it more closely to one of the symbolic representations of said switch designating means than to any of the other of said symbolic representation of said switch designating means but being of a different species than said related one of said symbolic representation of said switch designating means, and said predetermined sequence of the symbolic representations on said instruction means being such that when the user correctly correlates each of the symbols on the instruction means with the related symbol on the switch designating means and actuates the switch means in the sequence shown by the instruction means a recognizable melody is produced by the apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a plurality of interchangeable instruction means, each of which is in the form of a card member having symbolic representations printed thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switch means are substantially located in a given plane, said apparatus comprising a plurality of interchangeable switch designation means each of which is in the form of a card member having symbolic representations printed thereon and each of which card members is adapted to be positioned in overlying relationship with the given plane of said switch means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 3 comprising a housing for said tone generating means, said housing having alignment means for interchangeably receiving a selected one of said switch designation cards in a position in which the symbols on the received card will be in registry with corresponding ones of said switch means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each said switch means comprises a pair of closely adjacent but normally spaced electrical contacts adapted to be pressed into contact with one another by relAtively light pressure of the user''s finger.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said switch designating card member is comprised of flexible material adapted to overlie said switch means so that finger pressure applied to a selected symbol on the overlying flexible switch designating card member will be transmitted therethrough to that one of the switch means located directly beneath such symbol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said switch means are arranged in a grid pattern and the symbols on said card member are arranged in the same grid pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
102 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said switch means comprises a sheet of rubber or rubber-like material, a layer of electrically conductive material on the back face of said sheet, a plurality of contacts arranged in a grid pattern in a given plane underlying said conductive layer, and a thin spacer sheet interposed between said given plane and said conductive layer and having cutouts in registry with the respective ones of said contacts whereby an electrical circuit is completed by depressing a portion of the rubber material in registry with a cutout, through the corresponding cutout, into engagement with the corresponding contact.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
97 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comrising a plurality of interchangeable instruction means in the form of instruction card members and a plurality of interchangeable switch designation means in the form of keyboard card members, each of said keyboard card members being associated with at least one of said instruction card members to form together therewith a pair of card members cooperable with one another and with said tone generating means for producing a recognizable tune in response to the student giving the correct responses to each one of the series of questions on the associted instruction card.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein different pairs of associated cards carry symbolic representations from different fields of endeavor for teaching different subjects.
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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) | 1977-03-11 | 1977-09-10 | 1978-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-11 | 1981-09-10 | 1982-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-11 | 1985-09-10 | 1986-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |