LETTER-NAME PERCEPTION AND DISCRIMINATION GAME APPARATUS

• US 3,853,321 A
• Filed: 03/29/1974
• Issued: 12/10/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bruce A. Claffie
• Original Assignee: Bruce A. Claffie
• Inventors: Claffie, Bruce A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Strappello, Harry G.
• Application Number:
  US05/456,228
• Time in Patent Office: 256 Days
• Field of Search: 273/1R,1M,13R,13A,13E,136E,137AE,140 35/22A,31F,31D,31G,35H,35J,69,70,71,72,73
• US Class Current: 273/239
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/0423 Word games, e.g. scrabble electric A63F3/0421; two-dimensional puzzles with rotating rings or discs A63F9/0811, A63F9/0819
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0098 Word or number games A63F3/0415, A63F3/0421, A63F3/0423 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/34 Games using magnetically moved or magnetically held pieces, not provided for in other subgroups of group A63F9/00

Abstract

A game to facilitate the learning of the alphabet includes the combination of a game board having a plurality of cut-outs corresponding in configuration to letters of the alphabet, a plurality of metallic letter pieces adapted to be fitting within the cut-outs of the game board, a magnetic pick-up device, and a grid structure on which the letter pieces are initially placed. Utilizing the pick-up device, the player attempts to engage a letter piece and pass it through the grid structure, and having successfully completed that operation, the player then positions the letter piece in the appropriate cut-out in the game board. The steps of manipulating the letter piece through the grid structure and subsequently fitting the letter piece in the appropriate cut-out provides the player, especially a child, with desired exercises to facilitate learning and recognition of letters.

Claims

1. A game apparatus for improving the letter-name perception and discrimination capabilities of a player comprising the combination of:

a game board having a plurality of cut-outs corresponding in configuration to the letters of the alphabet;

a plurality of letter pieces corresponding in configuration and size to said cut-outs in said board, each letter piece being at least in part made of a magnetically metallic material;

a grid structure means including a grid spaced from a platform by a post, with the letter pieces being initially placed on said platform; and

a magnetic pick-up device which is used by the player for engaging a letter-piece disposed on the platform and lifting same through the grid, after which the player inserts the letter piece in the corresponding cut-out in the game board.

2. A game apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the cut-outs in the game board are of the lower case letters of the alphabet, and wherein indicia is provided on the game board consisting of the capital letters of the alphabet, with each capital letter being disposed adjacent to its corresponding lower case cut-out, and wherein an indicia border is provided around each pair of lower and upper case letters.

3. A game apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the capital letter indicia and the cuT-outs of the lower case letters are colored, with the colors of the same letters being identical.

4. A game apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the upper half portion of each letter piece is colored in a vivid color so as to distinguish the upper half of each letter piece from the lower half thereof.

5. A game apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the metallic portion of the letter piece is disposed on the lower portion of the letter piece.

6. A game apparatus as in claim 1 wherein each letter piece includes a number.

7. A game apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the openings in the grid are generally oblong.

8. A game apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the openings in the grid are triangularly shaped.

9. A game apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the openings in the grid are generally circular.

10. A game apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the upper surface of the platform of the grid structure means is painted white to increase the contrast between the platform and the letter pieces placed thereon.

11. A game apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the magnetic pick-up device is partially transparent so as to aid the player in viewing the letter pieces.

12. A game apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the openings in the grid are rectangular.