US4609356A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rearrangeable form board with sensory feedback
Assignee: GILDEN DEBORAH B
•
Filing: 1985-03-20
•
Granted: 1986-09-02
•
Expires: 2005-03-20
Abstract
Abstract An educational toy comprises a tray (12, 14) having a plurality of templates (16) positioned thereon in a rearrangeable pattern. Each template has a hole therethrough of a unique shape. A corresponding plurality of mating male forms (20) are provided. The toy is used by placing the forms into their mating templates. Upon placement of a form into its mating template, a magnet (30) in the base of the form becomes positioned close enough to close a reed switch (32) under the tray. Closure of the reed switch activates a timing circuit (FIG. 7) which activates a moving, sounding toy (22) for a brief interval, thereby indicating to the child that he or she has made a correct placement. The templates can be easily rearranged in many patterns on the tray so that the child will not get bored with the game.
Inventors
- 👤 Deborah B. Gilden
- 👤 John E. Marciszewski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:15
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B19/00; A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/06; A63F9/0666; G09B21/00; G09B21/001; G09B21/007; A63F9/0001; A63F2009/0003; A63F3/00; A63F3/00643
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
An educational toy comprising a tray, a plurality of templates which can be positioned on said tray in a variety of different positions, each template having a hole therethrough which has a unique plan shape, a corresponding plurality of male form blocks, each having a shape which matches the hole in a respective template, and indicating means for providing a sensible indication when a template is positioned on said tray and a mating form block is inserted into said template.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
An educational toy comprising a tray, a plurality of templates which can be positioned on said tray in a variety of different positions, each template having a hole therethrough which has a unique plan shape, a corresponding plurality of male form blocks, each having a shape which matches the hole in a respective template, and indicating means for providing a sensible indication when a template is positioned on said tray and a mating form block is inserted into said template.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The educational toy of claim 1 wherein the number of said templates is sufficient to occupy substantially all of the available area on said tray.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The educational toy of claim 1 wherein said indicating means comprises a corresponding plurality of magnetic switches mounted under said tray and a plurality of magnets mounted in said form blocks.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The educational toy of claim 3 wherein said indicating means also comprises an electrical timing circuit which is activated for a predetermined interval when one of said magnetic switches is closed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The educational toy of claim 4 wherein said indicating means also comprises a device which emits a sensible indication when said timing circuit is activated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The educational toy of claim 5 wherein said device comprises a toy which moves and emits sounds when said timing circuit is activated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The educational toy of claim 1 wherein said templates each comprises a rectangular block, said tray is rectangular in shape, and said tray comprises the top of a box, said indicating means being at least partially mounted in said box.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The educational toy of claim 7 wherein said indicating means comprises a timing circuit mounted in said box and a device for producing sensible indications mounted externally of said box.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The educational toy of claim 8 wherein said timing circuit is arranged to activate said device for a predetermined interval whenever one of said form blocks is inserted into its mating template, and wherein said device is arranged to produce audible and visual indications.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
An educational toy comprising a box having a flat top which is bounded by an upstanding ledge, a plurality of template blocks which can be positioned on said top in a variety of different positions, each template having a hole therethrough which has a unique plan shape, a corresponding plurality of male form blocks, each having a shape which matches the hole in a respective template, and indicating means for providing a sensible indication when a template is positioned on said tray and a mating form block is inserted into said template.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
92 words
An educational toy comprising a box having a flat top which is bounded by an upstanding ledge, a plurality of template blocks which can be positioned on said top in a variety of different positions, each template having a hole therethrough which has a unique plan shape, a corresponding plurality of male form blocks, each having a shape which matches the hole in a respective template, and indicating means for providing a sensible indication when a template is positioned on said tray and a mating form block is inserted into said template.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The educational toy of claim 10 wherein said indicating means comprises a timing circuit and means for providing a sensible indication in response to actuation of said timing circuit, said timing circuit being responsive to insertion of any of said form blocks into the hole in its mating template.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The educational toy of claim 11 wherein said timing circuit is arranged to provide a timed output of about 10 seconds in response to said insertion of any of said form blocks, said means for providing a sensible indication comprising a device which provides visible and auditory indications.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The educational toy of claim 12 wherein said device comprises a toy figure which moves and emits sounds upon activation thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The educational toy of claim 13 wherein said template blocks are shorter in height than said form blocks said template blocks and said box being rectangular.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The educational toy of claim 14 wherein said form blocks each have a magnet therein and wherein said box has a plurality of magnetic switches positioned therein, said magnetic switches and said magnets constituting part of said indicating means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The educational toy of claim 15 wherein said box contains said timing circuit and an energy source to energize said timing circuit, said toy being connected to said box by an electrical wire.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
114 words
An educational device comprising, in combination: a box, said box having a flat top, said top having a plurality of upstanding sides around the edges thereof, a plurality of template blocks positioned on said top, said template blocks being rearrangeable in a plurality of locations and orientations on said top, each of said template blocks having a uniquely-shaped through hole, a corresponding plurality of form blocks, each form block having a unique shape so that it can be inserted in the hole in one only of said templates, a device for providing a sensible indication, and control means for actuating said device when one of said form blocks is inserted into its mating template.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
114 words
An educational device comprising, in combination: a box, said box having a flat top, said top having a plurality of upstanding sides around the edges thereof, a plurality of template blocks positioned on said top, said template blocks being rearrangeable in a plurality of locations and orientations on said top, each of said template blocks having a uniquely-shaped through hole, a corresponding plurality of form blocks, each form block having a unique shape so that it can be inserted in the hole in one only of said templates, a device for providing a sensible indication, and control means for actuating said device when one of said form blocks is inserted into its mating template.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The educational toy of claim 17 wherein said control means comprises a corresponding plurality of magnetic switches below said template and a corresponding plurality of magnets positioned in said form blocks.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The educational toy of claim 18 wherein said control means comprises a timing circuit which is arranged to actuate said device for a predetermined interval whenever one of said magnetic switches is actuated.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The educational toy of claim 19 wherein said device comprises a toy figure which is arranged to move and sound upon actuation thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2416959A
Cited
US2673404A
Cited
US3008246A
Cited
US3015895A
Cited
US3362103A
Cited
US3568336A
Cited
US3961794A
Cited
US4176470A
Cited
US4237650A
Cited
US4385762A
Cited
US4348191A
Cited
US4349197A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-09-01 | 1990-03-03 | 1990-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-01 | 1994-03-03 | 1994-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-01 | 1998-03-03 | 1998-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |