Patent US3973331A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3973331A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Manual self-teaching apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-06-03
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Granted: 1976-08-10
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Expires: 1994-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A teaching apparatus comprises a unitary plate member presenting a flat, impenetrable upper surface having a plurality of holes therein representing correct answer selections, for example. A pattern of projections on the surface extends upwardly therefrom and receives an instructional sheet having zones thereon for indicating answers selected in response to questions, a stylus being employed by the student to indicate each answer by pushing the stylus against the selected indicator zone. The zones and the areas of the surface therebeneath are aligned so that the stylus meets the surface but does not penetrate the sheet beneath incorrect indicator zones, whereas openings are punched in those zones representing correct answers due to the presence of the holes. The projections, either spaced apart along the boundaries of the areas or formed as a continuous grid, prevent the student from feeling the holes and thereby anticipating the correct answers, but are limited in height so that the stylus penetrates the sheet only at the correct answer zones.
Inventors
- 👤 William Joseph Harte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:29
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B3/00; G09B3/06; G09B3/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
Educational apparatus comprising: an instructional sheet having zones thereon for indicating answers selected in response to questions; a plate member provided with a flat, normally upper surface having a plurality of holes extending into said member from the plane of said surface for representing answer selections of a given type; a pattern of projections on said surface extending upwardly therefrom for receiving said sheet in overlying relationship with said projections; means on said member for holding said sheet on said projections in a correct position where predetermined zones are aligned with said holes in accordance with the answers represented by said zones, said projections supporting said sheet above said surface and spacing said sheet sufficiently therefrom to prevent a student from feeling said holes through said sheet; and a stylus for punching through said predetermined zones into the holes therebeneath, whereby the stylus and the holes cooperate to provide a response feedback, said projections being limited in height so that said stylus will penetrate said sheet only at said predetermined zones overlying said holes, and arranged to permit deflection of said sheet into contact with said surface in response to engagement by the stylus at zones on said sheet other than said predetermined zones.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
Educational apparatus comprising: an instructional sheet having zones thereon for indicating answers selected in response to questions; a plate member provided with a flat, normally upper surface having a plurality of holes extending into said member from the plane of said surface for representing answer selections of a given type; a pattern of projections on said surface extending upwardly therefrom for receiving said sheet in overlying relationship with said projections; means on said member for holding said sheet on said projections in a correct position where predetermined zones are aligned with said holes in accordance with the answers represented by said zones, said projections supporting said sheet above said surface and spacing said sheet sufficiently therefrom to prevent a student from feeling said holes through said sheet; and a stylus for punching through said predetermined zones into the holes therebeneath, whereby the stylus and the holes cooperate to provide a response feedback, said projections being limited in height so that said stylus will penetrate said sheet only at said predetermined zones overlying said holes, and arranged to permit deflection of said sheet into contact with said surface in response to engagement by the stylus at zones on said sheet other than said predetermined zones.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pattern of projections defines the boundaries of a number of discrete, contiguous areas of said surface representing possible answer selections, said holes communicating with certain of said areas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said projections comprise a lattice of intersecting ridges extending along said boundaries.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said projections are spaced from one another along said boundaries.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said projections is of generally conical configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said projections comprise a lattice of intersecting ridges defining the boundaries of a number of discrete, contiguous areas of said surface representing possible answer selections, said holes communicating with certain of said areas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pattern defines the boundaries of a number of discrete, contiguous areas of said surface representing possible answer selections, said projections of said pattern being spaced from one another along said boundaries, said holes communicating with certain of said areas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said projections are integral with said member, the latter and the projections presenting a unitary structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said instructional sheet is one of the pages of a book, said member being constructed to fit between the pages of the book.
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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) | 1979-08-10 | 1980-02-09 | 1980-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-10 | 1984-02-09 | 1984-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-10 | 1988-02-09 | 1988-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |