US3902255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rapid feedback test board
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-02-19
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Granted: 1975-09-02
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Expires: 1994-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A test board is disclosed which has a flat surface with a number of holes therein that provide a response feedback when a student, using a stylus, attempts to punch openings through answer zones on an instructional sheet overlying the surface. The test board is a plate member, preferably of unitary construction, formed with a pattern of upwardly projecting, tapered support components that presents the surface, such components defining the boundaries of a number of discrete, recessed areas representing possible answer selections. In the preferred embodiment, the support components comprise a lattice of intersecting ridges. Correct answer selections are represented by deep holes provided by those areas in communication with pronounced cavities in the member, whereas incorrect selections are represented by other areas defined by shallow recesses. Each of the ridges of the lattice (preferably a uniform grid) has a peak and a pair of ramps on opposite sides of the peak for guiding the stylus into the recessed area bounded by a particular ramp at the point at which it is engaged by the stylus. This eliminates nonresponse space which would otherwise be present. Although preferably opaque, the plate member may be composed of a translucent material having sufficiently uninform light-transmitting properties to prevent visual differentiation between the shallow and deep holes when covered by the overlying instructional sheet. Special gripping devices at the corners of the plate member hold the sheet in place as the stylus is punched through the zones and withdrawn, and an integral peripheral flange arrangement on the member provides clearance for the devices when it is desired to stack a number of the test boards on top of one another for storage purposes. An alternative form of the invention utilizes a special stylus for indicating the correctness of the selected answers, in contrast to feedback primarily obtained from observing the presence or absence of punched openings, or the shape thereof, in the instructional sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 James Richard Harte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:05
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B3/00; G09B3/06; G09B3/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
Educational apparatus comprising: an instructional sheet having a normally upper face provided with zones thereon for indicating answers selected in response to questions; a plate member provided with a flat surface for receiving said sheet, and having a pattern of upwardly projecting, tapered support components presenting at least a portion of said surface and defining the boundaries of a number of discrete, contiguous, recessed areas representing possible answer selections, said member having relatively deep cavities therein communicating with certain of said areaS to represent answer selections of a given type, each cavity having a mouth in register with the entire area with which the cavity communicates; means on said member for holding said sheet in overlying relationship with said surface supported on said components in a predetermined position where said zones are aligned with corresponding areas in accordance with the answers represented by said zones, said holding means engaging said sheet at locations out of interfering relationship with said zones and being arranged to provide free access without obstruction to the entire upper face portion of said sheet containing said zones; and a stylus for punching through selected zones into the cavities beneath those zones that correspond to answers of said type, whereby penetration of the stylus provides a response feedback, each of said components having a peak and ramp means diverging from said peak for guiding the stylus into the recessed area bounded by a particular component at the point at which it is engaged by the stylus, whereby to eliminate nonresponse space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
254 words
Educational apparatus comprising: an instructional sheet having a normally upper face provided with zones thereon for indicating answers selected in response to questions; a plate member provided with a flat surface for receiving said sheet, and having a pattern of upwardly projecting, tapered support components presenting at least a portion of said surface and defining the boundaries of a number of discrete, contiguous, recessed areas representing possible answer selections, said member having relatively deep cavities therein communicating with certain of said areaS to represent answer selections of a given type, each cavity having a mouth in register with the entire area with which the cavity communicates; means on said member for holding said sheet in overlying relationship with said surface supported on said components in a predetermined position where said zones are aligned with corresponding areas in accordance with the answers represented by said zones, said holding means engaging said sheet at locations out of interfering relationship with said zones and being arranged to provide free access without obstruction to the entire upper face portion of said sheet containing said zones; and a stylus for punching through selected zones into the cavities beneath those zones that correspond to answers of said type, whereby penetration of the stylus provides a response feedback, each of said components having a peak and ramp means diverging from said peak for guiding the stylus into the recessed area bounded by a particular component at the point at which it is engaged by the stylus, whereby to eliminate nonresponse space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pattern defines a uniform grid in which said areas are of the same size.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said member presents a base at each of said areas other than said certain areas, said bases defining the bottom of the respective recessed areas from which said components project.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said bases lie in a plane parallel to and closely spaced from the plane of said surface to provide shallow recesses therein presented by said bases.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said components comprise a lattice of intersecting ridges, each of said ridges presenting said peak and having a pair of ramps on opposite sides of said peak presenting said ramp means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said lattice is uniform, whereby said areas are of the same size.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said member presents a base at each of said areas other than said certain areas, said bases defining the bottoms of the respective recessed areas from which said ridges project and lying in a plane parallel to and closely spaced from the plane of said surface to provide shallow recesses therein presented by said bases.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the opposed ramps of each of said ridges form a predetermined angle with the plane of said surface, and wherein said member has internal wall surfaces defining said cavities and forming an angle with the plane of said bases substantially greater than said predetermined angle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said member includes a removable plate element underlying said lattice and having apertures therein registering with said certain areas to provide said cavities.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said components are spaced apart along said boundaries and each is of conical configuration, presenting said peak and said ramp means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said components are spaced apart along said boundaries and each is of pyramidal configuration and has a plurality of sides presenting said ramp means, each side being disposed to guide the stylus exclusively into one particular recessed area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said components are spaced apart and comprise a segmented lattice of intersecting ridges, each of said ridges presenting said peak and having a pair of ramps on opposite sides of said peak presenting said ramp means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holding means includes a plurality of hold-down devices on said surface for gripping said sheet, and wherein said member has a peripheral flange adapted for engagement with an underlying supporting surface and providing clearance for said devices when stacking a plurality of said members on top of one another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
136 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holding means includes a device for gripping said sheet, said device including a hold-down lever having a pair of opposed ends, one of said ends being engageable with said sheet, pivot means intermediate the ends of said lever and mounting the latter adjacent said surface, a coil spring between said pivot means and the other of said ends of the lever biasing said one end thereof toward said surface, and a shiftable locking dog for said lever extending through said spring to provide a guide therefor, said dog having a short throw within said spring between a locking position engaging said lever and an unlocked position releasing the lever for movement of said one end thereof into engagement with said sheet under the action of said spring.
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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) | 1978-09-01 | 1979-03-03 | 1979-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-01 | 1983-03-03 | 1983-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-01 | 1987-03-03 | 1987-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |