Amusement devices: games – Board games – pieces – or boards therefor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-07
2001-07-31
Graham, Mark S. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Board games, pieces, or boards therefor
C273SDIG002
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267374
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a Braille game device and more particularly, relates to a board which may be used for various games utilizing Braille.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of Braille is becoming increasingly widespread as the population lives longer due to the numerous advancements in medicine. However, the loss of eyesight or diminishing visual acuity is an ever increasing problem for the elderly.
The number of devices available for use by the blind is limited. An increasing demand is for devices which can be used for amusement such as is available to the sighted population. Such amusements or diversions include crossword puzzles, hidden word puzzles, mystery word puzzles, and the like.
While certain learning devices have been available in the past, they have generally been limited to those which have been directed to teaching devices for children. One such device is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,384 to Murphy wherein there is shown an apparatus which comprises a plurality of blocks, each of the blocks having a two by three matrix of dots. While suitable for the teaching of children, the board would not be appropriate for the type of puzzles or other uses described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a board which is adaptable for use with such puzzles as crossword puzzles, hidden word puzzles, mystery word puzzles, and which may also function as a general writing board for Braille characters.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a Braille device comprising, in combination, a Braille board and a plurality of indicating devices, the Braille board having at least one major face, a plurality of longitudinally and transversely extending dividers on the major face to thereby divide the major face into a plurality of longitudinally and transversely aligned rows of cells, at least six recesses formed in each of the cells, the indicating devices comprising a plurality of pins, each of the pins having a shaft sized to fit within one of the recesses, each pin having an enlarged head portion located at one end thereof.
The board may be formed of any suitable material and thus, could be of a conventional wood material having the recesses drilled therein or alternatively, it could be formed of injection molded plastic. Similarly, the pins can either be formed of a wood, metallic or plastic material.
The recesses formed in each cell are preferably arranged in the traditional three by two pattern used in Braille.
In lieu of using a plurality of single pins, pin combinations may also be used. Thus, there could be a three pin device, a two pin device, and a one pin device which could form any of the combinations used in Braille. Preferably, there would also be a filler piece to maintain a square empty such as may be useful in crosswords or other word games. The piece could be designed to have one or more pins extending therefrom to fit within the recess or alternatively, it could just sit on any particular cell surface.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2053598 (1936-09-01), Blau
patent: 2464146 (1949-03-01), Mohler
patent: 2536188 (1951-01-01), Kulakusky
patent: 3746343 (1973-07-01), Shapiro
patent: 4684136 (1987-08-01), Turner
patent: 5407206 (1995-04-01), Cohen
Fincham Eric
Gorden Raeann
Graham Mark S.
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