US4228596A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminated teaching device and board game
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-03-30
•
Granted: 1980-10-21
•
Expires: 1998-03-30
Abstract
Abstract An illuminated teaching device and board game comprising a square receptacle having opaque side walls and bottom and a top wall formed with a plurality of orifices each of which receives a pushbutton switch for completing an electrical circuit from a battery to a lamp positioned beneath each section of the receptacle defined by vertical partitions arranged in normal relation to each other. Opposed side walls are formed with confronting channels which slidably receive the edges of a panel which performs different functions in providing aids to education. For teaching purposes, this removable panel includes sections of different colors and indicia, such as the names of colors, arithmetical figures or representations of such objects as pets. When used as a game board, each pushbutton switch may be depressed to turn on a light which is kept illuminated until the particular game or step thereof being played is completed.
Inventors
- 👤 Linda A. Daniel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:26
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/00003; A63F3/00094; A63F3/04; G; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; G09B5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
343 words
An educational device comprising in combination: a. a plurality of separate compartments each having an opening defined by walls of that compartment, said openings being substantially co-planar; b. a plurality of light sources disposed, respectively, in said compartment; c. power source means for supplying electrical power to said plurality of said light sources; d. a plurality of switches for controllably connecting said power source means to said respective ones of said light sources; and e. a flexible information bearing panel through which light can pass disposed over said plurality of compartments, said flexible information bearing panel including pieces of information corresponding to separate ones of said compartments, each of said plurality of switches being disposed in respective ones of said compartments, said flexible information bearing panel having a plurality of force receiving points located so that when a deforming force is applied to a first one of said force receiving points, said flexible information bearing panel deforms to actuate a first one of said switches, turning on a first one of said light sources, causing certain information of said flexible information bearing panel to become clearly visible to a user of said teaching device, said certain information being relatively invisible to the user of said educational device before said turning on of said first switch, said flexible information bearing panel being translucent, said flexible information bearing panel including a first information bearing section aligned over a first one of said compartments, said first information bearing section containing first information which is clearly externally visible to a user of said educational device whether or not the one of said lighting sources in said first compartment is turned off, said first information bearing section being disposed on an outer surface of said flexible information panel, said flexible information bearing panel including a second information bearing section aligned over said first compartment, said second information bearing section containing second information which becomes clearly visible to a user of said educational device only when said one of said lighting sources in said first compartment is turned on.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
343 words
An educational device comprising in combination: a. a plurality of separate compartments each having an opening defined by walls of that compartment, said openings being substantially co-planar; b. a plurality of light sources disposed, respectively, in said compartment; c. power source means for supplying electrical power to said plurality of said light sources; d. a plurality of switches for controllably connecting said power source means to said respective ones of said light sources; and e. a flexible information bearing panel through which light can pass disposed over said plurality of compartments, said flexible information bearing panel including pieces of information corresponding to separate ones of said compartments, each of said plurality of switches being disposed in respective ones of said compartments, said flexible information bearing panel having a plurality of force receiving points located so that when a deforming force is applied to a first one of said force receiving points, said flexible information bearing panel deforms to actuate a first one of said switches, turning on a first one of said light sources, causing certain information of said flexible information bearing panel to become clearly visible to a user of said teaching device, said certain information being relatively invisible to the user of said educational device before said turning on of said first switch, said flexible information bearing panel being translucent, said flexible information bearing panel including a first information bearing section aligned over a first one of said compartments, said first information bearing section containing first information which is clearly externally visible to a user of said educational device whether or not the one of said lighting sources in said first compartment is turned off, said first information bearing section being disposed on an outer surface of said flexible information panel, said flexible information bearing panel including a second information bearing section aligned over said first compartment, said second information bearing section containing second information which becomes clearly visible to a user of said educational device only when said one of said lighting sources in said first compartment is turned on.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The educational device of claim 1 wherein each of said switches includes a switch element which is engaged by a respective portion of said flexible information bearing panel when a respective predetermined one of said force receiving points is pressed by the user of said educational device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The educational device of claim 2 wherein each of said switches is connected to turn on and off the one of said light sources located in the same compartment as that switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The educational device of claim 3 wherein said flexible information bearing panel is conveniently removable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The educational device of claim 4 further including a rigid panel overlying the openings of said compartments, said panel having a plurality of apertures aligned over said respective openings, said flexible information bearing panel being disposed adjacent said rigid panel, said force receiving points being aligned with said apertures and said switch elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The educational device of claim 1 wherein said first information bearing section is disposed on an outer surface of said flexible information panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The educational device of claim 1 wherein said second information bearing section is disposed on an inner surface of said flexible information bearing panel.
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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) | 1983-10-21 | 1984-04-21 | 1984-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-10-21 | 1988-04-21 | 1988-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-10-21 | 1992-04-21 | 1992-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |