System of modules for composing alphanumerics

• US 4,877,405 A
• Filed: 03/07/1988
• Issued: 10/31/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark R. Stewart
• Original Assignee: Mark R. Stewart
• Inventors: Stewart, Mark R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Van Patten, Michele A.
• Application Number:
  US07/165,180
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 434/96, 434/156, 434/157, 434/159, 434/160, 273/156, 273/157 R, 40/447, 52/105, 52/311
• US Class Current: 434/160
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0098 Word or number games A63F3/0415, A63F3/0421, A63F3/0423 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/10 Two-dimensional jig-saw puzzles
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 1/16 the elements each bearing a plurality of different symbols, signs, or combinations of symbols and signs, only one symbol, sign, or combination thereof, of each element to be used at a time
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/14 Constructional features of the symbol bearing or forming elements

Abstract

A system of composing alphanumeric characters and/or decorative designs from modules containing line segments. There are eight different module types (I-VIII), each different module type containing a differently shaped or positioned line segment. Most characters are formed by placing six modules in an array of three high by two wide; those of the module types which are needed to create the desired character are used in the array. Some character require an array only three modules high, while others require an array of three modules high by three modules wide. This embodiment has application in the fields of signage, tiling, games, and educational toys.

In another embodiment a system for composing alphanumeric characters and/or decorative designs from compound modules is provided. These compound modules, (XI, XII), are formed by superimposing some of the lines of the eight different module types in one module and then making these lines differentially visible through such means as a LED, LCD, gas-discharge tube, etc.

Claims

1. A system of modules for constructing alphanumeric characters and decorative and figurative designs by assembling such modules in a coplanar array, comprising:

a group of modules, each being shaped so that said modules can be assembled in a coplanar array in an adjacent manner, each module having a major surface circumscribed by a plurality of straight edges,

each module having at least one line segment thereon which extends from a fixed point on at least one of said straight edges intermediate the ends thereof and which contrasts with the rest of said major surface,

said modules being of seven different types and having respectively seven different line segment patterns thereon, said seven different line segment patterns having the following configurations;

(a) a straight line transversing said major surface from a point between the ends of one edge to an opposite edge,

(b) a straight line transversing said major surface from a point between the ends of one edge to an opposite edge and another straight line extending from a point between the ends of said first straight line at approximately a right angle to said line and extending to an edge not intersected by said first straight line,

(c) two straight line segments, each originating at a point between the ends of two adjacent edges and meeting at approximately a right angle at a point spaced from the edges of said major surface,

(d) a straight line originating at a point between the ends of one edge and extending at approximately a right angle to such edge, said line segment terminating at a point spaced from the edges of said major surface,

(e) a curved line having an end at a point between the ends of each of two adjacent edges, said curved line providing an arc which contains substantially one quadrant of said major surface,

(f) two curved lines, each originating at a point between the ends of each of two opposite edges and providing an arc from said points to a point between the ends of one edge between said opposite edges, each said arc substantially containing an adjacent quadrent of said major surface, and

(g) a straight line extending from a point substantially in the middle of one edge to a point substantially in the middle of an adjacent edge, said line extending at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to each of said edges, and such that said line will line up with any line on any of said modules,

whereby, by using only said seven types of modules, one can form any Latin alphabetic character or any Arabic numeral in a coplanar array.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said modules are assembled in a coplanar array so as to form a plurality of alphanumeric characters.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said alphanumeric characters are constructed with said modules so that certain corners of said alphanumeric characters are rounded, thereby creating a rounded font.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said alphanumeric characters are constructed with said modules so that certain corners of said alphanumeric characters are square, thereby creating a square font.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein said line segments on said modules contrast with the rest of said major surface on said modules by a characteristic selected from a group consisting of color, texture, relief, intaglio, and a combination of these characteristics.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein said modules are constructed of a hard material, said modules being permanently affixed to a surface, so as to create a permanent informational and decorative display.

7. The modules of claim 2 wherein said modules include means for affixing them temporarily and interchangeably on a surface, thereby creating an interchangeable informational and decorative display device.

8. A system of modules for constructing alphanumeric characters and decorative and figurative designs by assembling such modules in a coplanar array, comprising:

a group of modules, each being shaped so that said modules can be assembled in a coplanar array in an adjacent manner,

each module having a major surface circumscribed by a plurality of straight edges,

each module having at least one line segment thereon which extends from a fixed point on at least one of said straight edges intermediate the ends thereof and which contrasts with the rest of said major surface,

said modules being of six different types and having respectively six different line segment patterns thereon, said six different line segment patterns having the following configurations;

(a) a straight line transversing said major surface from a point between the ends of one edge to an opposite edge,

(b) a straight line transversing said major surface from a point between the ends of one edge to an opposite edge and another straight line extending from a point on said first straight line from a point between the ends thereof at approximately a right angle to said line and extending to an edge not bisected by said first straight line,

(c) two straight line segments, each originating at a point between the ends of two adjacent edges and meeting at approximately a right angle at a point spaced from the edges of said major surface,

(d) a straight line originating at a point between the ends of one edge and extending at approximately a right angle to such edge, said line segment terminating at a point spaced from the edges of said major surface,

(e) a straight line extending from a point substantially in the middle of one edge to a point substantially in the middle of an adjacent edge, said line extending at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to each of said edges, and such that said line will line up with any line on any of said modules,

(f) two straight line segments, each origination at a point between the ends of one edge and extending a angles of approximately 45 degrees to a point between the ends of opposite edges, whereby, by using only said seven types of modules, one can form any Latin alphabetic character or any Arabic numeral in a coplanar array.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein a plurality of said modules are assembled in a coplanar array so as to form alphanumeric characters.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said alphanumeric characters are constructed with said modules so that certain corners of said alphanumeric characters are of acute angles, thereby creating a gothic font.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein said line segments contrast with the rest of said major surface by a characteristic selected from the group consisting of color, texture, relief, intaglio, and a combination of these characteristics.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein said modules are constructed of a hard material, said modules being permanently afffixed to a surface, so as to create a permanent informational and decorative display.

13. The modules of claim 9 wherein said modules include means for affixing them temporarily and interchangeably on a surface, thereby creating an interchangeable informational and decorative display device.

14. A system of modules for constructing alphanumeric characters and decorative and figurative designs by assembling such modules in a coplanar array, comprising:

a group of modules, each being shaped so that said modules can be assembled in a coplanar array in an adjacent manner,

each module having a major surface circumscribed by a plurality of straight edges,

each module having at least one line segment thereon which extends from a fixed point on at least one of said straight edges intermediate the ends thereof and which contrasts with the rest of said major surface,

said modules being of eight different types and having respectively eight different line segment patterns thereon, said eight different line segment patterns having the following configurations;

(a) a straight line transversing said major surface from a point between the ends of one edge to an opposite edge.

(b) a straight line transversing said major surface from a point between the ends of one edge to an opposite edge and another straight line extending from a point between the ends of said first straight line at approximately a right angle to said line and extending to an edge not intersected by said first straight line,

(c) two straight line segments, each originating at a point between the ends of two adjacent edges and meeting at approximately a right angle at a point spaced from the edges of said major surface,

(d) a straight line originating at a point between the ends of one edge and extending at approximately a right angle to such edge, said line segment terminating at a point spaced from the edges of said major surface,

(e) a curved line having an end at a point between the ends of each of two adjacent edges, said curved line providing an arc which contains substantially one quadrant of said major surface,

(f) two curved lines, each originating at a point between the ends of each of two opposite edges and providing an arc from said points to a point between the ends of one edge between said opposite edges, each said arc substantially containing an adjacent quadrent of said major surface, and

(g) a straight line extending from a point substantially in the middle of one edge to a point substantially in the middle of an adjacent edge, said line extending at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to each of said edges, and such that said line will line up with any line on any of said modules,

(h) two straight line segments, each origination at a point between the ends of one edge and extending a angles of approximately 45 degrees to a point between the ends of opposite edges.

whereby, by using only said seven types of modules, one can form any Latin alphabetic character or any Arabic numeral in a coplanar array.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein a plurality of said modules are assembled in a coplanar array so as to form a plurality of alphanumeric characters.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said alphanumeric characters are constructed with said modules so that certain corners of said alphanumeric characters are rounded, thereby creating a rounded font.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein said alphanumeric characters are constructed with said modules so that certain corners of said alphanumeric characters are square, thereby creating a square font.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein said alphanumeric characters are constructed with said modules so that certain corners of said alphanumeric characters are of acute angles, thereby creating a gothic font.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein said line segments on said modules contrast with the rest of said major surface on said modules by a characteristic selected from a group consisting of color, texture, relief, intaglio, and a combination of these characteristics.

20. The system of claim 15 wherein said modules are constructed of a hard material, said modules being permanently affixed to a surface, so as to create a permanent informational and decorative display.

21. The modules of claim 15 wherein said modules include means for affixing them temporarily and interchangeably on a surface, thereby creating an interchangeable informational and decorative display device.