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US4487418A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Educational game device

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-04-30
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Granted: 1984-12-11
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Expires: 2004-04-30
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Abstract

Abstract An educational apparatus is disclosed including a base, a question/answer disc, a cover disc and a pointer all disposed on a post screw stacked from bottom to top in the order listed. The base displays a circle of numbered question/answer blocks which may be seen around the question/answer disc. The question/answer disc displays radial question/answer segments corresponding to the numbers in the question/answer blocks on the base. The question/answer segments are divided radially into a single question subsegment and a single answer subsegment. The cover disc has a window through which to view a single question displayed radially within the question subsegment. After the answer to the question has been attempted, the window in the cover disc is moved clockwise to reveal the correct answer in the answer subsegment. This answer is compared with the attempted answer. The question/answer discs are exchangeable. The apparatus may be used by a single person or may be used to play a competitive multiplayer game.

Inventors

  • 👤 Earl E. Allen, Sr.

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 16:53
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F5/00; A63F5/04; A63F9/00; A63F9/18; A63F3/00173; A63F3/00261; A63F2003/00264; A63F2003/00268; A63F2003/00277; A63F11/00; A63F11/0011; A63F2011/0016

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim 235 words
An educational apparatus comprising: a base having a border with a plurality of question numbers therearound; a question disc sized for mounting within said border on said base, said question disc being divided radially into a plurality of question segments, each of said question segments having a question printed therein, said questions being uniquely numbered by said question numbers; an answer disc rotatably mounted on said base over said question disc and sized to cover said questions, said answer disc having a plurality of answer numbers around its periphery and being further divided radially into a plurality of answer segments, each of said answer segments having an answer printed thereon to one of said questions, said answers being uniquely numbered by said answer numbers to correspond to said numbered questions, said answer disc having a first window for viewing a selected one of said questions through said answer disc; a cover disc rotatably mounted on said base over said answer disc and sized to cover said answers, said cover disc having a second window for alignment with said first window to view said selected question and for alignment with said answer number on said answer disc to view the numbered answer to said selected question; means for securing said discs to said base; and means for fixing said question disc with respect to said base to provide proper alignment between said question numbers and questions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 235 words
An educational apparatus comprising: a base having a border with a plurality of question numbers therearound; a question disc sized for mounting within said border on said base, said question disc being divided radially into a plurality of question segments, each of said question segments having a question printed therein, said questions being uniquely numbered by said question numbers; an answer disc rotatably mounted on said base over said question disc and sized to cover said questions, said answer disc having a plurality of answer numbers around its periphery and being further divided radially into a plurality of answer segments, each of said answer segments having an answer printed thereon to one of said questions, said answers being uniquely numbered by said answer numbers to correspond to said numbered questions, said answer disc having a first window for viewing a selected one of said questions through said answer disc; a cover disc rotatably mounted on said base over said answer disc and sized to cover said answers, said cover disc having a second window for alignment with said first window to view said selected question and for alignment with said answer number on said answer disc to view the numbered answer to said selected question; means for securing said discs to said base; and means for fixing said question disc with respect to said base to provide proper alignment between said question numbers and questions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 46 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said question disc, answer disc, and cover disc are circular, said question and answer discs having the same diameter and said cover disc having a smaller diameter so as to expose said answer numbers on said answer disc after assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said question disc includes question segments and questions on each side thereof and said answer disc includes answer segments and answers on each side thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 40 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each side of said question and answer discs are individually marked to differentiate between the set of questions and answers on one side from the set of questions and answers on the other side.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base, question disc, and answer disc are individually marked to designate the order of assembly thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including replacement question discs and replacement answer discs for exchanging with said question and answer discs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said questions and answers are printed radially inwardly extending from the periphery of said question and answer discs to the center thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 59 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including a scoring device to keep track of the questions answered correctly, said device including: a track having a plurality of lanes; said track having a start position and a finish position; said track having scoring positions marked with numbers, said numbers identifying the number of points accumulated by answering a question correctly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 136 words
An educational apparatus comprising: a question/answer disc having a border with a plurality of question/answer numbers therearound said question/answer disc being divided radially into a plurality of question/answer segments, each of said question/answer segments being subdivided into a question subsegment and an answer subsegment, each of said question subsegments having a question printed therein and each of said answer subsegments having an answer to said question in said question/answer segment printed therein, said questions and answers being numbered by said question/answer numbers; a cover disc rotatably mounted over said question/answer disc and sized to cover said questions and answers, said cover disc having a window to view said selected question and then to align with and view said corresponding answer through said cover disc; and means for rotatably mounting said question/answer disc and said cover disc.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 136 words
An educational apparatus comprising: a question/answer disc having a border with a plurality of question/answer numbers therearound said question/answer disc being divided radially into a plurality of question/answer segments, each of said question/answer segments being subdivided into a question subsegment and an answer subsegment, each of said question subsegments having a question printed therein and each of said answer subsegments having an answer to said question in said question/answer segment printed therein, said questions and answers being numbered by said question/answer numbers; a cover disc rotatably mounted over said question/answer disc and sized to cover said questions and answers, said cover disc having a window to view said selected question and then to align with and view said corresponding answer through said cover disc; and means for rotatably mounting said question/answer disc and said cover disc.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further including a pointer rotatably mounted on said cover disc and having a radial length equal to the width of said question disc.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 38 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said mounting means includes a post screw passing through common apertures in said base and discs, said cover disc being rotatably mounted on said post screw for rotation on said question/answer disc.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further including at least one bonus position between two of said question/answer numbers on said question/answer disc.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further including a base, said question/answer disc being sized for mounting on said base.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 38 words
The apparatus of claim 13 further including means for holding said question/answer disc in place on said base, said holding means including at least one projection on said base engaging at least one notch in said question/answer disc.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said question/answer disc includes question and answer subsegments and questions and answers on each side thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 15 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said question subsegments and answer subsegments are alternately colored.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further including replacement question/answer discs for exchanging with said question/answer discs.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said questions and answers are printed radially inwardly extending from the periphery of said question/answer disc to the center thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 556 words
An educational apparatus comprising: a base having a circular border thereon which is sectioned radially into ninety-eight equally sized question blocks each having an inner edge and an outer edge, said circular border having two bonus blocks in 180° opposition being marked with the word "BONUS" and separating said circular border into two halves, said question blocks marked with numbers 1-49 forming one-half of said circular border and said question blocks marked with numbers 50-98 forming said other half of said circular border between said bonus segments, one of said bonus segments being a start position having the word "START" written inward radially from said inner edge of said bonus segment, said bonus segments having variant colors and each alternate question block therefrom also having such variant colors, said base having a central aperture and having the words "DISC ONE" displayed near said central aperture; a question/answer disc sized for mounting within said circular border on said base, said question/answer disc having an outer edge and a central aperture with a subcircle inscribed around said central aperture and the words "DISC TWO" displayed within said subcircle, said question/answer disc being divided radially on both sides into one hundred equally sized question/answer segments, said question/answer disc having a start segment displaying the word "START" written inward radially from said outer edge of said question/answer disc and having a side segment in 180° opposition to said start segment displaying the words written inward radially from said outer edge of said question/answer disc designating a certain side of said question/answer disc, said radial question/answer segments having an inner end and an outer end, said outer end having the same width as said inner edge of one of said question blocks in said circular border on said base, said question/answer segments being divided into two equal subsegments, one subsegment being a question subsegment and one being an answer subsegment, said question subsegment displaying a single question written inward radially from said outer edge of said question/answer disc and said answer subsegment displaying an answer corresponding to said question written inward radially from said outer edge; a cover disc rotatably mounted on said base over said question/answer disc to cover said questions and answers, said cover disc having a central aperture and having a window the size of a single question/answer subsegment on said question/answer disc, said window extending to a distance from said central aperture equal to the radius of said subcircle on said question/answer disc; a pointer rotatably mounted on said cover disc having a rounded end and a pointed end, having an aperture through said rounded end, said pointer having a radial length equal to the radius of said question/answer disc; means for securing said discs and pointer to said base comprising a post screw passing through common apertures in said base and discs, said post screw having a nut and bolt, said bolt having a threaded pin and a larger diameter head, said nut having a cylinder and a larger diameter head, said cylinder being threaded at its interior to engage said threads of said pin, said larger diameter heads securing said base, question/answer disc and pointer therebetween; and means for fixing said question/answer disc with respect to said base comprising at least one projection on said base engaging at least one notch in said question/answer disc.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 556 words
An educational apparatus comprising: a base having a circular border thereon which is sectioned radially into ninety-eight equally sized question blocks each having an inner edge and an outer edge, said circular border having two bonus blocks in 180° opposition being marked with the word "BONUS" and separating said circular border into two halves, said question blocks marked with numbers 1-49 forming one-half of said circular border and said question blocks marked with numbers 50-98 forming said other half of said circular border between said bonus segments, one of said bonus segments being a start position having the word "START" written inward radially from said inner edge of said bonus segment, said bonus segments having variant colors and each alternate question block therefrom also having such variant colors, said base having a central aperture and having the words "DISC ONE" displayed near said central aperture; a question/answer disc sized for mounting within said circular border on said base, said question/answer disc having an outer edge and a central aperture with a subcircle inscribed around said central aperture and the words "DISC TWO" displayed within said subcircle, said question/answer disc being divided radially on both sides into one hundred equally sized question/answer segments, said question/answer disc having a start segment displaying the word "START" written inward radially from said outer edge of said question/answer disc and having a side segment in 180° opposition to said start segment displaying the words written inward radially from said outer edge of said question/answer disc designating a certain side of said question/answer disc, said radial question/answer segments having an inner end and an outer end, said outer end having the same width as said inner edge of one of said question blocks in said circular border on said base, said question/answer segments being divided into two equal subsegments, one subsegment being a question subsegment and one being an answer subsegment, said question subsegment displaying a single question written inward radially from said outer edge of said question/answer disc and said answer subsegment displaying an answer corresponding to said question written inward radially from said outer edge; a cover disc rotatably mounted on said base over said question/answer disc to cover said questions and answers, said cover disc having a central aperture and having a window the size of a single question/answer subsegment on said question/answer disc, said window extending to a distance from said central aperture equal to the radius of said subcircle on said question/answer disc; a pointer rotatably mounted on said cover disc having a rounded end and a pointed end, having an aperture through said rounded end, said pointer having a radial length equal to the radius of said question/answer disc; means for securing said discs and pointer to said base comprising a post screw passing through common apertures in said base and discs, said post screw having a nut and bolt, said bolt having a threaded pin and a larger diameter head, said nut having a cylinder and a larger diameter head, said cylinder being threaded at its interior to engage said threads of said pin, said larger diameter heads securing said base, question/answer disc and pointer therebetween; and means for fixing said question/answer disc with respect to said base comprising at least one projection on said base engaging at least one notch in said question/answer disc.
Claim 23
Independent Claim 154 words
A method of playing an educational game, said game including a rotatable pointer, a question/answer disc with a circular border of question blocks displaying numbers which surround and number questions and their corresponding answers, said questions and answers displayed radially in radial segments on the circular question/answer disc, a cover disc covering said question/answer disc and having a window therethrough to view said questions and answers, comprising the steps of: a. selecting a question number by spinning the pointer; b. moving the window in the cover disc adjacent to the left half of the question/answer block displaying the number selected; c. viewing the question through the window; d. attempting an answer to the revealed question; e. moving the window in the cover disc adjacent to the right half of the question block displaying the number selected; and f. viewing the correct answer through the window and comparing said revealed answer to said attempted answer.
Claim 24
Independent Claim 154 words
A method of playing an educational game, said game including a rotatable pointer, a question/answer disc with a circular border of question blocks displaying numbers which surround and number questions and their corresponding answers, said questions and answers displayed radially in radial segments on the circular question/answer disc, a cover disc covering said question/answer disc and having a window therethrough to view said questions and answers, comprising the steps of: a. selecting a question number by spinning the pointer; b. moving the window in the cover disc adjacent to the left half of the question/answer block displaying the number selected; c. viewing the question through the window; d. attempting an answer to the revealed question; e. moving the window in the cover disc adjacent to the right half of the question block displaying the number selected; and f. viewing the correct answer through the window and comparing said revealed answer to said attempted answer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 81 words
The method of playing an educational game as set forth in claim 20 further including the steps of: a. tallying points in favor of the player or team for each correct answer given; b. repeating steps a-g until an incorrect answer is given; c. changing players or teams in selected order when an incorrect answer is given; and d. repeating steps a-g until a predetermined total score is attained by one player or team, said player or team winning the game.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 74 words
The method of playing an educational game as set forth in claim 20 wherein said order of players or teams is chosen by: spinning the pointer to select one number for each player or team; designating the player or team selecting the highest number as the first player or team, the player or team with each successively lower number being ordered sequentially; designating the player selecting the lowest number as the neutral tallying monitor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 116 words
The method of playing an educational game as set forth in claim 20 wherein said game further includes a scoring device having a plurality of lanes with scoring positions, further including the steps of: a. assigning a numbered lane to a player; b. inserting peg into holes in the device at the start position; c. advancing and inserting the peg in a hole located at the appropriate scoring position each time a correct answer is given; d. repeating steps (a-c) until an incorrect answer is given; and e. repeating steps (a-c) for each successive player until one player reaches a predetermined score, or reaches a finish position on the scoring device, that player winning the game.

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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) 1987-12-11 1988-06-11 1988-12-11 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-12-11 1992-06-11 1992-12-11 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-12-11 1996-06-11 1996-12-11 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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