Education and demonstration – Mathematics – Geometry – trigonometry – or physical mathematic model structure
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-30
2001-04-10
Ackun, Jacob K. (Department: 3712)
Education and demonstration
Mathematics
Geometry, trigonometry, or physical mathematic model structure
C434S213000, C434S214000, C434S215000, C434S216000, C033S030500, C033S027010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213779
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of teaching devices, and more particularly to devices for enhancing the understanding of conic sections.
2. Description of Related Art
As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 155,726; 1,109,864; 3,665,610; 4,740,161 and 5,492,472, the prior art is replete with myriad and diverse devices for teaching drafting and math skills.
While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are more than adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have been specifically designed, they are uniformly deficient with respect to their failure to provide a simple, efficient, and practical device for teaching the application of conic section definitions with hands-on visual and interactive encounters.
As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed a longstanding need for new and improved conic section activity boards and the provision of such a construction is a stated objective of the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the present invention provides a variety of laminated plastic activity boards that allow the individual to visualize and have interactive exploration of conic sections and their definitions. This allows for more class time to be spent investigating the concept of conic sections opposed to teachers lecturing and the students having to memorize them. The user is able to notice patterns which develop while drawing specific sets of conic sections by forming conjectures based on the observed outcomes of the activities. Each activity board has a reusable laminated surface which allows the ink used from a marker to be visible but not permanent. The surface can be wiped clean with a moist paper towel once the activity is completed. There are a total of four activity boards which operate independently of each other and contain different concepts. The four boards teach principles relating to the circle, ellipse, parabola and hyperbola. On the underside of the circle and eclipse activity boards is a string container which features a release and a retraction bar. By pressing the desired bar, the string will either be released or contracted. The string is pulled through a hole in the board and extended to a desired length for use on the activity side. The underside of the parabola and hyperbola activity boards carries a sliding tray that acts to pivotally secure a ruler in one of a number of aligned openings.
The purpose of the activity boards is to equip the user with an interactive hands-on and visual encounter which allows exploration and reinforcement of the definitions of conic sections. The activity boards will allow for more class time to be spent investigating the concept of conic sections as opposed to lecturing and memorizing definitions. Users will become familiar with how circular, elliptical, parabolic and hyperbolic shapes are derived through use of concrete evidence of the definitions. The user will notice patterns which develop while drawing specific sets of conic sections and be able to predict the outcomes of future conic sections by forming conjectures based on the observed outcomes of these activities. Each activity board has a reusable laminated surface and is intended to be used with a pen that contains the same fluid as overhead marker pens. The activity board surface can be wiped clean with a moist paper towel after the activity is completed.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5492472 (1996-02-01), Suarez
Campbell Jacqueline B.
Campbell Walter
Ackun Jacob K.
Henderson & Sturm LLP
Miller Bena B.
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