US3879860A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic teaching aid
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-10-04
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1993-10-04
Abstract
Abstract A device capable of being used as a teaching aid and multiple choice testing equipment has an outer cover with a plurality of holes defined therein. A positionable (and changeable) answer key of substantially the same shape as the outer cover telescopically fits inside therof and has holes alignable with certain ones of the holes in the outer cover. An associated electric probe has a tip at one end with a light bulb on the other end. When the tip of the probe extends through both the outer cover and the answer key holes (as would be the case with the selection of a correct answer) the circuit to the light bulb will be completed and the bulb will be illuminated. Conversely, if the probe is inserted into a hole in the outer cover not having an aligned answer key hole, the circuit will remain broken and the light bulb will not illuminate.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L Litle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:51
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B7/00; G09B7/06; G09B7/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
An apparatus for indicating answers corresponding to multiple choice or true and false questions, said apparatus including: an outer member comprising a plurality of sides, each of said sides having a plurality of holes therethrough corresponding to possible answers to said questions, the holes in each side being arranged symmetrically in rows and columns; an inner member having a plurality of faces corresponding to the number of sides in said outer member, each of said faces containing a plurality of passages extending thereinto and arranged in an irregular pattern, the number of passages being less than the number of holes, said inner member being removably supportable within said outer member with each of said passages aligned with one of said holes, said inner member being rotatable and invertible with respect to said outer member to respectively align each of said passages with at least one hole in each of said sides; and a probe insertible in said holes and operable to indicate which of said holes are aligned with a passage, whereby the correct answers to said questions may be ascertained.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
181 words
An apparatus for indicating answers corresponding to multiple choice or true and false questions, said apparatus including: an outer member comprising a plurality of sides, each of said sides having a plurality of holes therethrough corresponding to possible answers to said questions, the holes in each side being arranged symmetrically in rows and columns; an inner member having a plurality of faces corresponding to the number of sides in said outer member, each of said faces containing a plurality of passages extending thereinto and arranged in an irregular pattern, the number of passages being less than the number of holes, said inner member being removably supportable within said outer member with each of said passages aligned with one of said holes, said inner member being rotatable and invertible with respect to said outer member to respectively align each of said passages with at least one hole in each of said sides; and a probe insertible in said holes and operable to indicate which of said holes are aligned with a passage, whereby the correct answers to said questions may be ascertained.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said holes and passages are arranged to enable one of said passages to align with one of said holes in each of said rows.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, including an electrical circuit comprising: an electrically conductive core disposed inwardly of said inner member and positioned adjacent the inward ends of the passages thereof; a battery mounted interiorly of said core and electrically coupled thereto; an indicator on said probe electrically coupled to said battery and operable to emit a signal upon receiving current; and an electrically conductive tip on said probe, said tip being electrically coupled to said indicator and insertible through an aligned hole and passage to contact said core and thereby complete said circuit to actuate said indicator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as in claim 3, including means for supporting said probe within said core when not in use.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |