US3886671A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Linguistic self learning device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-05-02
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1994-05-02
Abstract
Abstract Linguistic self-learning device comprising mounted in a case a motor driven needle head attached to a loud speaker which is rocked in an arcuate path, the forward half cycle being actuated by the force transmitted from a motor through a clutch means, a limit-switch serving to open the circuit when the extremity of the forward half cycle is reached, and the return half cycle being completed by a return spring anchored to a clutch release rod. The said needle protrudes from the case through an arcuate slot and plays on a card having multi-sound recording tracks on one side and a corresponding picture on the other side, the card being selectively placeable on top of the needle to produce vocal effects of different languages. Pushing the releasing rod, disengages the clutch means to retract the needle head and return same to the starting position to enable repetitive playing.
Inventors
- 👤 Hsing-Ching Liu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:06
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B19/00; G09B19/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
Linguistic self-learning device comprising a case, a recess on top of said case having cuttings therein, a record card to be played for insertion in said recess and having multi-track recording of a plurality of language pronunciations on one side and a picture and words of corresponding languages printed on the other side, said card having position selective projections to match desired ones of said cuttings, a playing unit in said case under said recess movable between first and second positions and having a needle movable in an arcuate slot in said recess, a spring biasing said unit to said second position, a loud speaker swivelly connected to said needle, a shaft connected to said needle, driving means for said shaft comprising an electric motor operatively connectable with a friction disc at the end of said shaft, manually operable clutch means operatively associated with said driving means, and an electric circuit including a limit switch for said motor biased to closed position, whereby when said card is inserted in said recess with said multi-track recording in position to be engaged by said needle and said clutch means is operated, said playing unit is moved to said second position by said spring and said limit switch is moved under its bias to cloSed position to commence a playing cycle, said playing unit then moving to said first position and said limit switch being operated to open position to open said circuit and complete the playing cycle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
245 words
Linguistic self-learning device comprising a case, a recess on top of said case having cuttings therein, a record card to be played for insertion in said recess and having multi-track recording of a plurality of language pronunciations on one side and a picture and words of corresponding languages printed on the other side, said card having position selective projections to match desired ones of said cuttings, a playing unit in said case under said recess movable between first and second positions and having a needle movable in an arcuate slot in said recess, a spring biasing said unit to said second position, a loud speaker swivelly connected to said needle, a shaft connected to said needle, driving means for said shaft comprising an electric motor operatively connectable with a friction disc at the end of said shaft, manually operable clutch means operatively associated with said driving means, and an electric circuit including a limit switch for said motor biased to closed position, whereby when said card is inserted in said recess with said multi-track recording in position to be engaged by said needle and said clutch means is operated, said playing unit is moved to said second position by said spring and said limit switch is moved under its bias to cloSed position to commence a playing cycle, said playing unit then moving to said first position and said limit switch being operated to open position to open said circuit and complete the playing cycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
245 words
Linguistic self-learning device comprising a case, a recess on top of said case having cuttings therein, a record card to be played for insertion in said recess and having multi-track recording of a plurality of language pronunciations on one side and a picture and words of corresponding languages printed on the other side, said card having position selective projections to match desired ones of said cuttings, a playing unit in said case under said recess movable between first and second positions and having a needle movable in an arcuate slot in said recess, a spring biasing said unit to said second position, a loud speaker swivelly connected to said needle, a shaft connected to said needle, driving means for said shaft comprising an electric motor operatively connectable with a friction disc at the end of said shaft, manually operable clutch means operatively associated with said driving means, and an electric circuit including a limit switch for said motor biased to closed position, whereby when said card is inserted in said recess with said multi-track recording in position to be engaged by said needle and said clutch means is operated, said playing unit is moved to said second position by said spring and said limit switch is moved under its bias to cloSed position to commence a playing cycle, said playing unit then moving to said first position and said limit switch being operated to open position to open said circuit and complete the playing cycle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
245 words
Linguistic self-learning device comprising a case, a recess on top of said case having cuttings therein, a record card to be played for insertion in said recess and having multi-track recording of a plurality of language pronunciations on one side and a picture and words of corresponding languages printed on the other side, said card having position selective projections to match desired ones of said cuttings, a playing unit in said case under said recess movable between first and second positions and having a needle movable in an arcuate slot in said recess, a spring biasing said unit to said second position, a loud speaker swivelly connected to said needle, a shaft connected to said needle, driving means for said shaft comprising an electric motor operatively connectable with a friction disc at the end of said shaft, manually operable clutch means operatively associated with said driving means, and an electric circuit including a limit switch for said motor biased to closed position, whereby when said card is inserted in said recess with said multi-track recording in position to be engaged by said needle and said clutch means is operated, said playing unit is moved to said second position by said spring and said limit switch is moved under its bias to cloSed position to commence a playing cycle, said playing unit then moving to said first position and said limit switch being operated to open position to open said circuit and complete the playing cycle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
Linguistic self-learning device according to claim 1, wherein the driving means has a forwarding friction force which is always greater than the spring returning force, so as to enable the playing unit to complete the playing cycle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
Linguistic self-learning device according to claim 1, wherein the record card has a magnet inserted in the position selective projections serving to tightly hold against the bottom of said recess as well as to attract a magnetic sensitive switch means to a closed position to keep the electric circuit normally closed as long as the card remains in the recess.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Linguistic self-learning device according to claim 3, wherein the magnetic sensitive switch means is comprised of a multi-prong fork-like contact and a curved contact.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
Linguistic self-learning device according to claim 1, wherein the shaft is L shaped and rotatably mounted with its vertical portion inserted in a sleeve having at the end of its horizontal portion said needle and speaker, the latter being in contact with a reflector to amplify the sound.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
Linguistic self-learning device according to claim 5, wherein said clutch means comprises a clutch push rod, said spring being connected to the horizontal portion of said L shaped shaft and anchored to said clutch push rod, and there is provided a stopper on the vertical portion of said shaft positioned to contact the top end of said sleeve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
Linguistic self-learning device according to claim 1, wherein the driving means further comprises a belt driven by the motor and connected to a friction pulley, motion being transmitted from the said pulley to the friction disc at the end of the shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
Linguistic self-learning device according to claim 7, wherein the clutch means comprises a clutch push rod having its upper end extending from the top of the said case as a push button and an equalizer bar connected to the lower end of the push rod with one end of the bar being connected to said pulley and adapted to decouple the pulley against an uplift spring unit and the other end of the bar being movable against another uplift spring unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
Linguistic self-learning device according to claim 8, wherein the said uplift spring units comprise a bushing, a coil spring outside the bushing with one end bearing against the case and the other end retained under the end of said equalizer bar.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
Linguistic self-learning device according to claim 3, wherein the electric circuit comprises a drycell, wiring from drycell to said limit switch, wiring from the limit switch to the multi-prong fork-like switch, wiring from the fork-like switch to the motor, and wiring from the motor to the dry cell.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
Linguistic self-learning device according to claim 1, wherein the limit switch comprises a first contact and a spring biased second contact having a rod body slidably mounted in a guide means.
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) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |