CA2919735C - Educational ball - Google Patents
Educational ball Download PDFInfo
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- CA2919735C CA2919735C CA2919735A CA2919735A CA2919735C CA 2919735 C CA2919735 C CA 2919735C CA 2919735 A CA2919735 A CA 2919735A CA 2919735 A CA2919735 A CA 2919735A CA 2919735 C CA2919735 C CA 2919735C
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Abstract
An educational ball has a body (10) and multiple operating sets (20). The body (10) has six mounting recesses (11) and six engaging holes (12). The operating sets (20) are connected to the body (10), are mounted in the mounting recesses (11), and each one of the operating sets (20) has a rotating mount (21), two covering plates (22), a sliding groove (25), and multiple sliding sheets (23). The rotating mount (21) is mounted in a corresponding mounting recess (11), and has an engaging jacket (211) and two inserting holes (214). The covering plates (22) are connected to the rotating mount (21), and each has a connecting pipe (221), multiple track grooves (224), and a guiding channel (225). The sliding sheets (23) are mounted in the track grooves (224) and the sliding groove (25) of the operating set (20) to cover the rotating mount (21).
Description
2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
3 1. Field of the Invention
4 The present invention relates to an educational ball, and more particularly to an educational ball that can increase fun and challenge of using the 6 educational ball and can provide multiple spatial arrangements.
7 2. Description of Related Art 8 With the ever-changing technology, currently multiple kinds of 9 conventional educational products can be availed to train mental, spatial concepts and logical thinking. However, the conventional educational products 11 mostly have only a single specific mode of arrangement or a single spatial 12 arrangement of structure, and this cannot enhance interest and attraction for users 13 to use the conventional educational products. In addition, the specific 14 arrangement or the single array structure of the conventional educational products also reduce the challenge of the conventional educational products, and 16 this may reduce the training effect of mental, spatial concepts and logical 17 thinking for the users.
18 To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides an 19 educational ball to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
21 One aspect of the present invention is to provide an educational ball that 22 can increase fun and challenge of using the educational ball and can provide 23 multiple spatial arrangements.
24 The educational ball in accordance with the present invention has a body 1 and multiple operating sets. The body is a square block and has six outer surfaces, 2 six mounting recesses respectively formed in the outer surfaces, and six engaging 3 holes respectively formed through the mounting recesses. The operating sets are 4 connected to the body, are respectively and rotatably mounted in the mounting recesses, and each one of the operating sets has a rotating mount, two covering 6 plates, a sliding groove, and multiple sliding sheets. The rotating mount is 7 rotatably mounted in a corresponding mounting recess, and has an engaging 8 jacket and two inserting holes. The covering plates are connected to the rotating 9 = mount, and each of the covering plates has a connecting pipe, multiple track grooves, and a guiding channel. The sliding sheets are movably mounted in the 11 track grooves of the covering plates and the sliding groove of the operating set to 12 cover the rotating mount.
13 Other advantages and novel features of the invention will become more 14 apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
16 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
17 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an educational ball 18 in accordance with the present invention;
19 Fig. 2A is an exploded perspective view of the educational ball in Fig.
1;
Fig. 2B is an enlarged perspective view of a covering plate of the 21 educational ball in Fig. 2A;
22 Fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional front side view of the educational ball in 23 Fig. 1;
24 Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the educational ball in Fig.
1 1;
2 Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the educational ball in Fig.
1;
3 Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged and operational perspective views of the 4 educational ball in Fig. 1;
Fig. 8 is a top view of a second embodiment of an educational ball in 6 accordance with the present invention;
7 Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of an 8 educational ball in accordance with the present invention;
9 Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an educational ball in accordance with the present invention;
11 Fig. 11 is a partial cross-sectional front side view of the educational ball 12 in Fig. 10; and 13 Fig. 12 is an operational and partial cross-sectional front side view of the 14 educational ball in Fig. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
16 With reference to Figs. 1 and 2A, a first embodiment of an educational 17 ball in accordance with the present invention has a body 10 and multiple 18 operating sets 20.
19 The body 10 is a square block and has six outer surfaces, six mounting recesses 11, and six engaging holes 12. The outer surfaces are connected to each 21 other to form the square body 10. The mounting recesses 11 are respectively 22 formed in the outer surfaces of the body 10, and each one of the mounting 23 recesses 11 has a center. The engaging holes 12 are respectively formed through 24 the centers of the mounting recesses 11.
1 Preferably, the body 10 is composed of two half-casings 13, the 2 half-casings 13 are connected to each other, and each one of the half-casings 13 3 is hollow and has an inner side, an external surface, an opening 131, two 4 connecting tabs 132, and two connecting recesses 133. The inner sides of the half-casings 13 face and contact each other, and each inner side has four edges.
6 The opening 131 is formed through the inner side of the half-casing 13 between 7 the four edges of the inner side of the half-casing 13. The two connecting tabs 8 132 are formed on and protrude from two of the four edges of the inner side of 9 the half-casing 13, and face to each other. In addition, the connecting recesses 133 are formed in the other two edges of the inner side of the half-casing 13.
11 As the half-casings 13 are connected to each other to form the square 12 body 10, the connecting tabs 132 and the connecting recesses 133 of one of the 13 half-casings 13 are respectively connected to the connecting recesses 133 and the 14 connecting tabs 132 of the other half-casing 13. Preferably, one of the half-casings 13 has multiple mounting tubes 134 formed in and protruding 16 outwardly from the half-casing 13 and extending to the opening 131 of the 17 half-casing 13, and the other half-casing 13 has multiple inserting posts 135 18 formed in and protruding outwardly from the half-casing 13. The inserting posts 19 135 are respectively mounted in and connected to the mounting tubes 134 to connect the half-casings 13 securely with each other. Furthermore, four of the 21 engaging holes 12 are formed through the four connecting tabs 132 of the 22 half-casings 13, and the other two engaging holes 12 are respectively formed 23 through the half-casings 13 opposite to the openings 131 of the half-casings 13.
24 With reference to Figs 2A and 21B, the operating sets 20 are connected to 1 the body 10, are respectively and rotatably mounted in the mounting recesses 11, 2 and each one of the operating sets 20 has a rotating mount 21, two covering plates 3 22, and multiple sliding sheets 23.
4 The rotating mount 21 is round, is rotatably mounted in a corresponding
7 2. Description of Related Art 8 With the ever-changing technology, currently multiple kinds of 9 conventional educational products can be availed to train mental, spatial concepts and logical thinking. However, the conventional educational products 11 mostly have only a single specific mode of arrangement or a single spatial 12 arrangement of structure, and this cannot enhance interest and attraction for users 13 to use the conventional educational products. In addition, the specific 14 arrangement or the single array structure of the conventional educational products also reduce the challenge of the conventional educational products, and 16 this may reduce the training effect of mental, spatial concepts and logical 17 thinking for the users.
18 To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides an 19 educational ball to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
21 One aspect of the present invention is to provide an educational ball that 22 can increase fun and challenge of using the educational ball and can provide 23 multiple spatial arrangements.
24 The educational ball in accordance with the present invention has a body 1 and multiple operating sets. The body is a square block and has six outer surfaces, 2 six mounting recesses respectively formed in the outer surfaces, and six engaging 3 holes respectively formed through the mounting recesses. The operating sets are 4 connected to the body, are respectively and rotatably mounted in the mounting recesses, and each one of the operating sets has a rotating mount, two covering 6 plates, a sliding groove, and multiple sliding sheets. The rotating mount is 7 rotatably mounted in a corresponding mounting recess, and has an engaging 8 jacket and two inserting holes. The covering plates are connected to the rotating 9 = mount, and each of the covering plates has a connecting pipe, multiple track grooves, and a guiding channel. The sliding sheets are movably mounted in the 11 track grooves of the covering plates and the sliding groove of the operating set to 12 cover the rotating mount.
13 Other advantages and novel features of the invention will become more 14 apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
16 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
17 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an educational ball 18 in accordance with the present invention;
19 Fig. 2A is an exploded perspective view of the educational ball in Fig.
1;
Fig. 2B is an enlarged perspective view of a covering plate of the 21 educational ball in Fig. 2A;
22 Fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional front side view of the educational ball in 23 Fig. 1;
24 Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the educational ball in Fig.
1 1;
2 Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the educational ball in Fig.
1;
3 Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged and operational perspective views of the 4 educational ball in Fig. 1;
Fig. 8 is a top view of a second embodiment of an educational ball in 6 accordance with the present invention;
7 Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of an 8 educational ball in accordance with the present invention;
9 Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an educational ball in accordance with the present invention;
11 Fig. 11 is a partial cross-sectional front side view of the educational ball 12 in Fig. 10; and 13 Fig. 12 is an operational and partial cross-sectional front side view of the 14 educational ball in Fig. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
16 With reference to Figs. 1 and 2A, a first embodiment of an educational 17 ball in accordance with the present invention has a body 10 and multiple 18 operating sets 20.
19 The body 10 is a square block and has six outer surfaces, six mounting recesses 11, and six engaging holes 12. The outer surfaces are connected to each 21 other to form the square body 10. The mounting recesses 11 are respectively 22 formed in the outer surfaces of the body 10, and each one of the mounting 23 recesses 11 has a center. The engaging holes 12 are respectively formed through 24 the centers of the mounting recesses 11.
1 Preferably, the body 10 is composed of two half-casings 13, the 2 half-casings 13 are connected to each other, and each one of the half-casings 13 3 is hollow and has an inner side, an external surface, an opening 131, two 4 connecting tabs 132, and two connecting recesses 133. The inner sides of the half-casings 13 face and contact each other, and each inner side has four edges.
6 The opening 131 is formed through the inner side of the half-casing 13 between 7 the four edges of the inner side of the half-casing 13. The two connecting tabs 8 132 are formed on and protrude from two of the four edges of the inner side of 9 the half-casing 13, and face to each other. In addition, the connecting recesses 133 are formed in the other two edges of the inner side of the half-casing 13.
11 As the half-casings 13 are connected to each other to form the square 12 body 10, the connecting tabs 132 and the connecting recesses 133 of one of the 13 half-casings 13 are respectively connected to the connecting recesses 133 and the 14 connecting tabs 132 of the other half-casing 13. Preferably, one of the half-casings 13 has multiple mounting tubes 134 formed in and protruding 16 outwardly from the half-casing 13 and extending to the opening 131 of the 17 half-casing 13, and the other half-casing 13 has multiple inserting posts 135 18 formed in and protruding outwardly from the half-casing 13. The inserting posts 19 135 are respectively mounted in and connected to the mounting tubes 134 to connect the half-casings 13 securely with each other. Furthermore, four of the 21 engaging holes 12 are formed through the four connecting tabs 132 of the 22 half-casings 13, and the other two engaging holes 12 are respectively formed 23 through the half-casings 13 opposite to the openings 131 of the half-casings 13.
24 With reference to Figs 2A and 21B, the operating sets 20 are connected to 1 the body 10, are respectively and rotatably mounted in the mounting recesses 11, 2 and each one of the operating sets 20 has a rotating mount 21, two covering plates 3 22, and multiple sliding sheets 23.
4 The rotating mount 21 is round, is rotatably mounted in a corresponding
5 mounting recess 11 of the body 10, and has an inner side, an outer side, an outer
6 periphery, an engaging jacket 211, an engaging ring 212, two cutting slots 213,
7 two inserting holes 214, and multiple notches 215. The engaging jacket 211 is
8 formed on and protrudes from the inner side of the rotating mount 21, extends in
9 one of the outer surfaces of the body 10, and engages one of the engaging holes 12 to hold the rotating mount 21 in the corresponding mounting recess 11 of the 11 body 10. The engaging jacket 211 is hollow and has a free end and an external 12 surface. The free end of the engaging jacket 211 extends in the body 10 via a 13 corresponding engaging hole 12. The engaging ring 212 is formed on and 14 protrudes from the external surface of the engaging jacket 211 at the free end, and abuts against the corresponding outer surface of the body 10.
16 The cutting slots 213 are axially formed through the external surface of 17 the engaging jacket 211 and the engaging ring 212 to enable the engaging jacket 18 211 to deform relative to the corresponding engaging hole 12 of the body
16 The cutting slots 213 are axially formed through the external surface of 17 the engaging jacket 211 and the engaging ring 212 to enable the engaging jacket 18 211 to deform relative to the corresponding engaging hole 12 of the body
10.
19 Then, the engaging ring 212 can be passed through the corresponding engaging hole 12 to abut against the corresponding outer surface of the body 10 to hold the 21 rotating mount 21 in the corresponding mounting recess 11. The inserting holes 22 214 are formed through the outer side of the rotating mount 21 beside the 23 engaging jacket 211. The notches 215 are formed through the outer side and the 24 inner side of the rotating mount 21 at the outer periphery of the rotating mount 21 1 and are spaced apart from each other at intervals, and each one of the notches 215 2 has a width.
3 Preferably, with reference to Figs. 2A and 3, when the engaging jacket 4 211 securely engages the corresponding engaging hole 12 by the engaging ring 212, each operating set 20 further has a T-shaped limiting element 24 mounted in 6 and abutting against the engaging jacket 211 via the free end of the engaging 7 jacket 211 to prevent the engaging jacket 211 from deforming relative to the 8 engaging hole 12 to hold the rotating mount 21 securely on the corresponding 9 outer surface of the body 10. The limiting element 24 has a pushing rod 241 and a limiting board 242. The pushing rod 241 has an end. The limiting board 242 is
19 Then, the engaging ring 212 can be passed through the corresponding engaging hole 12 to abut against the corresponding outer surface of the body 10 to hold the 21 rotating mount 21 in the corresponding mounting recess 11. The inserting holes 22 214 are formed through the outer side of the rotating mount 21 beside the 23 engaging jacket 211. The notches 215 are formed through the outer side and the 24 inner side of the rotating mount 21 at the outer periphery of the rotating mount 21 1 and are spaced apart from each other at intervals, and each one of the notches 215 2 has a width.
3 Preferably, with reference to Figs. 2A and 3, when the engaging jacket 4 211 securely engages the corresponding engaging hole 12 by the engaging ring 212, each operating set 20 further has a T-shaped limiting element 24 mounted in 6 and abutting against the engaging jacket 211 via the free end of the engaging 7 jacket 211 to prevent the engaging jacket 211 from deforming relative to the 8 engaging hole 12 to hold the rotating mount 21 securely on the corresponding 9 outer surface of the body 10. The limiting element 24 has a pushing rod 241 and a limiting board 242. The pushing rod 241 has an end. The limiting board 242 is
11 transversally formed on the end of the pushing rod 241 to form the T-shaped
12 limiting element 24, and is mounted in and abuts against the engaging jacket 211
13 to enable the engaging ring 212 to abut against the body 10 at the corresponding
14 engaging hole 12.
With reference to Fig. 2A, 2B and 4, the two covering plates 22 are 16 connected to the rotating mount 21 at an interval to cover the outer side of the 17 rotating mount 21, and each one of the covering plates 22 is semi-circular and has 18 an inner surface, a flat inner edge, a curved outer edge, an outer side, a 19 connecting pipe 221, an abutting ring 222, two cutting grooves 223, multiple track grooves 224, and a guiding channel 225.
21 The inner surface of the covering plate 22 covers a part of the outer side 22 of the rotating mount 21. The flat inner edge of the covering plate 22 faces the 23 flat inner edge of the other covering plate 22 at an interval. The connecting pipe 24 221 is formed on and protrudes from the inner surface of the covering plate 22, 1 extends in the outer side of the rotating mount 21, and engages one of the 2 inserting holes 214 to hold the covering plate 22 with the rotating mount 21. The 3 connecting pipe 221 is hollow and has a free end and an external surface.
The 4 free end of the connecting pipe 221 extends in the rotating mount 21 via a corresponding inserting hole 214. The abutting ring 222 is formed on and 6 protrudes from the external surface of the connecting pipe 221 at the free end, 7 and abuts against the inner side of the rotating mount 21.
8 The cutting grooves 223 are axially formed through the external surface 9 of the connecting pipe 221 and the abutting ring 222 to enable the connecting pipe 221 to deform relative to the corresponding inserting hole 214 of the rotating 11 mount 21. Then, the abutting ring 222 can be passed through the corresponding 12 inserting hole 214 to abut against the inner side of the rotating mount 21 to hold 13 the covering plate 22 with the rotating mount 21. The track grooves 224 are 14 formed through the curved outer edge of the covering plate 22, are space apart from each other at intervals, align with some of the notches 215 of the rotating 16 mount 21, and each one of the track grooves 224 has a width. The width of the 17 track groove 224 is wider than the width of a corresponding notch 215 of the 18 rotating mount 21. The guiding channel 225 is formed in the flat inner edge of the 19 covering plate 22. in addition, each one of the track grooves 224 of the operating set 20 communicates with one of the track grooves 224 of one of the adjacent 21 operating sets 20.
22 With reference to Fig. 1, when the covering plates 22 are mounted on the 23 rotating mount 21, the operating set 20 has a sliding groove 25 formed between 24 the guiding channels 225 of the covering plates 22, and the sliding groove 25 1 aligns with two of the notches 215 of the rotating mount 21. That is, the notches 2 215 of the rotating mount 21 align with the sliding groove 25 and the track 3 grooves 224 of the covering plates 22. Furthermore, the sliding groove 25 of the 4 operating set 20 communicates with the two sliding grooves 25 of two of the adjacent operating sets 20. Preferably, each one of the covering plates 22 has a 6 color.
7 The sliding sheets 23 are movably mounted in the track grooves 224 of 8 the covering plates 22 and the sliding groove 25 of the operating set 20 to cover 9 the rotating mount 21. Each one of the sliding sheets 23 is a curved and rectangular sheet and has an outer surface and a mark 231. The outer surface of 11 the sliding sheet 23 is exposed from one of the track grooves 224 or the sliding 12 groove 25 of the operating set 20. The mark 231 is formed on the outer surface of 13 the sliding sheet 23, and the mark 231 can be a numeral or an English alphabet as 14 shown in Fig. 8.
Additionally, the mark 231 of the sliding sheet also can be a pattern of 16 Chinese Animal Zodiac, Constellations, Poker or Numerology. Furthermore, 17 the outer surface and the mark 231 of the sliding sheet 23 have different 18 colors.
Preferably, the color of the outer surface of the sliding sheet 23 is 19 same or different from the colors of the two covering plates 22. The amount of the sliding sheets 23 of one of the operating sets 20 is fewer than amount 21 of the other operating sets 20 to form a gap on the operating set 20, and this 22 can enable the sliding sheets 23 of the operating set 20 to move to another 23 operating set 20 via the gap.
24 In use, with reference to Fig. 5, a user can turn the educational ball over 1 to enable the operating sot 20 that has fewer sliding sheets 23 to move to a top of 2 the educational ball. In the first embodiment of an educational ball, the gap is 3 formed in the sliding groove 25 of the corresponding operating set 20.
With 4 reference to Fig. 6, the user can rotate one of the adjacent operating sets 20 to enable one of the sliding sheets 23 of the adjacent operating set 20 to align with 6 the gap. Then, the user can push the corresponding sliding sheet 23 to move into 7 the gap to fill the sliding groove 25 of the operating set 20 that has fewer sliding 8 sheets 23 as shown in Fig. 7, and the gap is moved and formed on the adjacent 9 operating set 20.
According to the above-mentioned operation, the user also can rotate 11 two adjacent operating sets 20 to enable the gap to align with one of the track 12 grooves 224 of one of the two adjacent operating sets 20 to form different spatial 13 arrangements. In addition, each one of the operating sets 20 can be rotated 14 relative to the four adjacent operating sets 20 to move the sliding sheets 23 between the operating sets 20. Furthermore, the user can move the sliding sheets 16 23 in the track grooves 224 annularly according to the order and sequence of 17 numerals or English alphabets or move the sliding sheets 23 in the sliding 18 grooves 25 to align with each other according to the order and sequence of 19 numerals or English alphabets. In addition, the user also can push the sliding sheets 23 with same colors to move in the track grooves 224 and the sliding 21 groove 25 of one of the operating sets 20. Therefore, the educational ball in 22 accordance with the present invention can provide different spatial arrangements 23 and modes of operation, and this can increase operational variability, fun and 24 challenge of using the educational ball. Then, the training effect of mental, 1 spatial concepts and logical thinking for the users can be improved by the 2 educational ball of the present invention.
3 With reference to Fig. 8, a second embodiment of an educational ball in 4 accordance with the present invention is substantially the same as the first 5 embodiment except for the following features. Only one of the operating sets 20 6 has a sliding groove 25, and the mark 231 of each one of the sliding sheets 23 is 7 an English alphabet.
8 With reference to Fig. 9, a third embodiment of an educational ball in 9 accordance with the present invention is substantially the same as the first 10 embodiment except for the following features. Each rotating mount 21A of the 11 operating sets 20A does not have the engaging ring 212 and the cutting slots 213, 12 and the engaging jacket 211A cannot be deformed. In addition, each limiting 13 element 24A
further has an engaging head 243A formed on the limiting board 14 242A opposite to the pushing rod 241A. The engaging head 243A is resilient and is securely mounted in the engaging jacket 211A to enable the limiting board 16 242A to abut against the body 10. Then, the rotating mount 21A can be mounted 17 on the corresponding mounting recess 11 of the body 10. Preferably, glue is 18 coated on the engaging head 243A and is connected to the engaging jacket 211A
19 to increase the structural strength between the rotating mount 21A and the body 10.
21 With reference to Figs. 10 and 11, a fourth embodiment of an 22 educational ball in accordance with the present invention is substantially the 23 same as the first embodiment except for the following features. Each rotating 24 mount 21B of the operating sets 20B does not have the engaging ring 212, the 1 cutting slots 213, and the notches 215. The engaging jacket 211B cannot be 2 deformed, and each one of the sliding sheets 23B is movably mounted in the 3 track grooves 224B of the two sliding grooves 225B of the operating set 20B to 4 cover the rotating mount 21B. In addition, each limiting element 24B has a limiting mount 241B, a spring 242B, and a connecting seat 243B.
6 The limiting mount 241B is mounted around the engaging jacket 211B
7 that extends into the corresponding half-casing 13 and abuts the inner side of the 8 corresponding half-casing 13B. The limiting mount 241B has an abutting board 9 244B and at least two limiting rods 245B. The abutting board 244B is mounted around the corresponding engaging jacket 211B and abuts the inner side of the 11 corresponding half-casing 13B. The at least two limiting rods 245B are formed 12 on and protrude from the abutting board 244B opposite to the inner side of the 13 corresponding half-casing 13B at spaced intervals.
14 The spring 242B is mounted around the corresponding engaging jacket 211B between the at least two limiting rods 245B and abuts the abutting board 16 244B. The connecting seat 243B is inserted into and connected to the 17 corresponding engaging jacket 211B, abuts the spring 242B, and has a 18 connecting head 246B and a pressing board 247B. The connecting head 246B
is 19 inserted into the corresponding engaging jacket 211B via the spring 242B
and the abutting board 244B. The pressing board 247B is formed on the connecting head 21 246B opposite to the abutting board 244B and abuts the spring 242B.
22 In use, with reference to Fig. 12, when rotating one of the operating sets 23 20B, the corresponding operating set 20B may be moved outwardly relative to 24 the adjacent operating sets 20B, and the connecting seat 243B is moved with the 1 corresponding engaging jacket 211B relative to the half-casing 13B. Then, the 2 pressing board 24M is moved toward the at least two limiting rods 245B, and the 3 spring 242B is compressed between the abutting board 2448 and the pressing 4 board 247B. When the corresponding operating set 20B is moved outwardly relative to the adjacent operating sets 20B, the corresponding operating set 6 may be rotated smoothly without rubbing against the adjacent operating sets 20B.
7 After rotating the corresponding operating set 20B, when releasing the 8 corresponding operating set 2013, the compressed spring 242B may provide a 9 force to the connecting seat 243B to move the corresponding operating set back to the original positions between the adjacent operating sets 20B.
With reference to Fig. 2A, 2B and 4, the two covering plates 22 are 16 connected to the rotating mount 21 at an interval to cover the outer side of the 17 rotating mount 21, and each one of the covering plates 22 is semi-circular and has 18 an inner surface, a flat inner edge, a curved outer edge, an outer side, a 19 connecting pipe 221, an abutting ring 222, two cutting grooves 223, multiple track grooves 224, and a guiding channel 225.
21 The inner surface of the covering plate 22 covers a part of the outer side 22 of the rotating mount 21. The flat inner edge of the covering plate 22 faces the 23 flat inner edge of the other covering plate 22 at an interval. The connecting pipe 24 221 is formed on and protrudes from the inner surface of the covering plate 22, 1 extends in the outer side of the rotating mount 21, and engages one of the 2 inserting holes 214 to hold the covering plate 22 with the rotating mount 21. The 3 connecting pipe 221 is hollow and has a free end and an external surface.
The 4 free end of the connecting pipe 221 extends in the rotating mount 21 via a corresponding inserting hole 214. The abutting ring 222 is formed on and 6 protrudes from the external surface of the connecting pipe 221 at the free end, 7 and abuts against the inner side of the rotating mount 21.
8 The cutting grooves 223 are axially formed through the external surface 9 of the connecting pipe 221 and the abutting ring 222 to enable the connecting pipe 221 to deform relative to the corresponding inserting hole 214 of the rotating 11 mount 21. Then, the abutting ring 222 can be passed through the corresponding 12 inserting hole 214 to abut against the inner side of the rotating mount 21 to hold 13 the covering plate 22 with the rotating mount 21. The track grooves 224 are 14 formed through the curved outer edge of the covering plate 22, are space apart from each other at intervals, align with some of the notches 215 of the rotating 16 mount 21, and each one of the track grooves 224 has a width. The width of the 17 track groove 224 is wider than the width of a corresponding notch 215 of the 18 rotating mount 21. The guiding channel 225 is formed in the flat inner edge of the 19 covering plate 22. in addition, each one of the track grooves 224 of the operating set 20 communicates with one of the track grooves 224 of one of the adjacent 21 operating sets 20.
22 With reference to Fig. 1, when the covering plates 22 are mounted on the 23 rotating mount 21, the operating set 20 has a sliding groove 25 formed between 24 the guiding channels 225 of the covering plates 22, and the sliding groove 25 1 aligns with two of the notches 215 of the rotating mount 21. That is, the notches 2 215 of the rotating mount 21 align with the sliding groove 25 and the track 3 grooves 224 of the covering plates 22. Furthermore, the sliding groove 25 of the 4 operating set 20 communicates with the two sliding grooves 25 of two of the adjacent operating sets 20. Preferably, each one of the covering plates 22 has a 6 color.
7 The sliding sheets 23 are movably mounted in the track grooves 224 of 8 the covering plates 22 and the sliding groove 25 of the operating set 20 to cover 9 the rotating mount 21. Each one of the sliding sheets 23 is a curved and rectangular sheet and has an outer surface and a mark 231. The outer surface of 11 the sliding sheet 23 is exposed from one of the track grooves 224 or the sliding 12 groove 25 of the operating set 20. The mark 231 is formed on the outer surface of 13 the sliding sheet 23, and the mark 231 can be a numeral or an English alphabet as 14 shown in Fig. 8.
Additionally, the mark 231 of the sliding sheet also can be a pattern of 16 Chinese Animal Zodiac, Constellations, Poker or Numerology. Furthermore, 17 the outer surface and the mark 231 of the sliding sheet 23 have different 18 colors.
Preferably, the color of the outer surface of the sliding sheet 23 is 19 same or different from the colors of the two covering plates 22. The amount of the sliding sheets 23 of one of the operating sets 20 is fewer than amount 21 of the other operating sets 20 to form a gap on the operating set 20, and this 22 can enable the sliding sheets 23 of the operating set 20 to move to another 23 operating set 20 via the gap.
24 In use, with reference to Fig. 5, a user can turn the educational ball over 1 to enable the operating sot 20 that has fewer sliding sheets 23 to move to a top of 2 the educational ball. In the first embodiment of an educational ball, the gap is 3 formed in the sliding groove 25 of the corresponding operating set 20.
With 4 reference to Fig. 6, the user can rotate one of the adjacent operating sets 20 to enable one of the sliding sheets 23 of the adjacent operating set 20 to align with 6 the gap. Then, the user can push the corresponding sliding sheet 23 to move into 7 the gap to fill the sliding groove 25 of the operating set 20 that has fewer sliding 8 sheets 23 as shown in Fig. 7, and the gap is moved and formed on the adjacent 9 operating set 20.
According to the above-mentioned operation, the user also can rotate 11 two adjacent operating sets 20 to enable the gap to align with one of the track 12 grooves 224 of one of the two adjacent operating sets 20 to form different spatial 13 arrangements. In addition, each one of the operating sets 20 can be rotated 14 relative to the four adjacent operating sets 20 to move the sliding sheets 23 between the operating sets 20. Furthermore, the user can move the sliding sheets 16 23 in the track grooves 224 annularly according to the order and sequence of 17 numerals or English alphabets or move the sliding sheets 23 in the sliding 18 grooves 25 to align with each other according to the order and sequence of 19 numerals or English alphabets. In addition, the user also can push the sliding sheets 23 with same colors to move in the track grooves 224 and the sliding 21 groove 25 of one of the operating sets 20. Therefore, the educational ball in 22 accordance with the present invention can provide different spatial arrangements 23 and modes of operation, and this can increase operational variability, fun and 24 challenge of using the educational ball. Then, the training effect of mental, 1 spatial concepts and logical thinking for the users can be improved by the 2 educational ball of the present invention.
3 With reference to Fig. 8, a second embodiment of an educational ball in 4 accordance with the present invention is substantially the same as the first 5 embodiment except for the following features. Only one of the operating sets 20 6 has a sliding groove 25, and the mark 231 of each one of the sliding sheets 23 is 7 an English alphabet.
8 With reference to Fig. 9, a third embodiment of an educational ball in 9 accordance with the present invention is substantially the same as the first 10 embodiment except for the following features. Each rotating mount 21A of the 11 operating sets 20A does not have the engaging ring 212 and the cutting slots 213, 12 and the engaging jacket 211A cannot be deformed. In addition, each limiting 13 element 24A
further has an engaging head 243A formed on the limiting board 14 242A opposite to the pushing rod 241A. The engaging head 243A is resilient and is securely mounted in the engaging jacket 211A to enable the limiting board 16 242A to abut against the body 10. Then, the rotating mount 21A can be mounted 17 on the corresponding mounting recess 11 of the body 10. Preferably, glue is 18 coated on the engaging head 243A and is connected to the engaging jacket 211A
19 to increase the structural strength between the rotating mount 21A and the body 10.
21 With reference to Figs. 10 and 11, a fourth embodiment of an 22 educational ball in accordance with the present invention is substantially the 23 same as the first embodiment except for the following features. Each rotating 24 mount 21B of the operating sets 20B does not have the engaging ring 212, the 1 cutting slots 213, and the notches 215. The engaging jacket 211B cannot be 2 deformed, and each one of the sliding sheets 23B is movably mounted in the 3 track grooves 224B of the two sliding grooves 225B of the operating set 20B to 4 cover the rotating mount 21B. In addition, each limiting element 24B has a limiting mount 241B, a spring 242B, and a connecting seat 243B.
6 The limiting mount 241B is mounted around the engaging jacket 211B
7 that extends into the corresponding half-casing 13 and abuts the inner side of the 8 corresponding half-casing 13B. The limiting mount 241B has an abutting board 9 244B and at least two limiting rods 245B. The abutting board 244B is mounted around the corresponding engaging jacket 211B and abuts the inner side of the 11 corresponding half-casing 13B. The at least two limiting rods 245B are formed 12 on and protrude from the abutting board 244B opposite to the inner side of the 13 corresponding half-casing 13B at spaced intervals.
14 The spring 242B is mounted around the corresponding engaging jacket 211B between the at least two limiting rods 245B and abuts the abutting board 16 244B. The connecting seat 243B is inserted into and connected to the 17 corresponding engaging jacket 211B, abuts the spring 242B, and has a 18 connecting head 246B and a pressing board 247B. The connecting head 246B
is 19 inserted into the corresponding engaging jacket 211B via the spring 242B
and the abutting board 244B. The pressing board 247B is formed on the connecting head 21 246B opposite to the abutting board 244B and abuts the spring 242B.
22 In use, with reference to Fig. 12, when rotating one of the operating sets 23 20B, the corresponding operating set 20B may be moved outwardly relative to 24 the adjacent operating sets 20B, and the connecting seat 243B is moved with the 1 corresponding engaging jacket 211B relative to the half-casing 13B. Then, the 2 pressing board 24M is moved toward the at least two limiting rods 245B, and the 3 spring 242B is compressed between the abutting board 2448 and the pressing 4 board 247B. When the corresponding operating set 20B is moved outwardly relative to the adjacent operating sets 20B, the corresponding operating set 6 may be rotated smoothly without rubbing against the adjacent operating sets 20B.
7 After rotating the corresponding operating set 20B, when releasing the 8 corresponding operating set 2013, the compressed spring 242B may provide a 9 force to the connecting seat 243B to move the corresponding operating set back to the original positions between the adjacent operating sets 20B.
Claims (11)
1. An educational ball, characterized in that the educational ball has:
a body being a square block and having six outer surfaces connected to each other to form the body;
six mounting recesses respectively formed in the outer surfaces of the body, and each one of the mounting recesses having a center; and six engaging holes respectively formed through the centers of the mounting recesses; and multiple operating sets connected to the body, respectively and rotatably mounted in the mounting recesses, and each one of the operating sets having a rotating mount rotatably mounted in a corresponding mounting recess of the body, and having an inner side;
an outer side;
an outer periphery;
an engaging jacket formed on and protruding from the inner side of the rotating mount, extending in one of the outer surfaces of the body, and engaging one of the engaging holes; and two inserting holes formed through the outer side of the rotating mount beside the engaging jacket;
two covering plates connected to the rotating mount at an interval to cover the outer side of the rotating mount, and each one of the covering plates having an inner surface covering a part of the outer side of the rotating mount;
a flat inner edge facing the flat inner edge of the other covering plate at an interval;
a curved outer edge;
an outer side;
a connecting pipe formed on and protruding from the inner surface of the covering plate, extending in the outer side of the rotating mount, and engaging one of the inserting holes to hold the covering plate with the rotating mount;
multiple track grooves formed through the curved outer edge of the covering plate and spaced apart from each other at intervals; and a guiding channel formed in the flat inner edge of the covering plate; and a sliding groove formed between the guiding channels of the covering plates;
multiple sliding sheets movably mounted in the track grooves of the covering plates and the sliding groove of the operating set to cover the rotating mount, and each one of the sliding sheets being curved and having an outer surface exposed from one of the track grooves or the sliding groove of the operating set;
a mark formed on the outer surface of the sliding sheet; and wherein amount of the sliding sheets of one of the operating sets is fewer than amount of the other operating sets to form a gap on a corresponding operating set.
a body being a square block and having six outer surfaces connected to each other to form the body;
six mounting recesses respectively formed in the outer surfaces of the body, and each one of the mounting recesses having a center; and six engaging holes respectively formed through the centers of the mounting recesses; and multiple operating sets connected to the body, respectively and rotatably mounted in the mounting recesses, and each one of the operating sets having a rotating mount rotatably mounted in a corresponding mounting recess of the body, and having an inner side;
an outer side;
an outer periphery;
an engaging jacket formed on and protruding from the inner side of the rotating mount, extending in one of the outer surfaces of the body, and engaging one of the engaging holes; and two inserting holes formed through the outer side of the rotating mount beside the engaging jacket;
two covering plates connected to the rotating mount at an interval to cover the outer side of the rotating mount, and each one of the covering plates having an inner surface covering a part of the outer side of the rotating mount;
a flat inner edge facing the flat inner edge of the other covering plate at an interval;
a curved outer edge;
an outer side;
a connecting pipe formed on and protruding from the inner surface of the covering plate, extending in the outer side of the rotating mount, and engaging one of the inserting holes to hold the covering plate with the rotating mount;
multiple track grooves formed through the curved outer edge of the covering plate and spaced apart from each other at intervals; and a guiding channel formed in the flat inner edge of the covering plate; and a sliding groove formed between the guiding channels of the covering plates;
multiple sliding sheets movably mounted in the track grooves of the covering plates and the sliding groove of the operating set to cover the rotating mount, and each one of the sliding sheets being curved and having an outer surface exposed from one of the track grooves or the sliding groove of the operating set;
a mark formed on the outer surface of the sliding sheet; and wherein amount of the sliding sheets of one of the operating sets is fewer than amount of the other operating sets to form a gap on a corresponding operating set.
2. The educational ball as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is composed of two half-casings, the half-casings are connected to each other, and each one of the half-casings is hollow and has an inner side facing and contacting the inner side of the other half-casing, and the inner side having four edges;
an opening formed through the inner side of the half-casing between the four edges of the inner side of the half-casing;
two connecting tabs formed on and protruding from two of the four edges of the inner side of the half-casing, and facing to each other; and two connecting recesses formed in the other two edges of the inner side of the half-casing; and wherein the half-casings are connected to each other to form the square body, the connecting tabs and the connecting recesses of one of the half-casings are respectively connected to the connecting recesses and the connecting tabs of the other half-casing.
an opening formed through the inner side of the half-casing between the four edges of the inner side of the half-casing;
two connecting tabs formed on and protruding from two of the four edges of the inner side of the half-casing, and facing to each other; and two connecting recesses formed in the other two edges of the inner side of the half-casing; and wherein the half-casings are connected to each other to form the square body, the connecting tabs and the connecting recesses of one of the half-casings are respectively connected to the connecting recesses and the connecting tabs of the other half-casing.
3. The educational ball as claimed in claim 2, wherein four of the engaging holes are formed through the four connecting tabs of the half-casings, and the other two engaging holes are respectively formed through the half-casings opposite to the openings of the half-casings; and the mounting recesses are formed in two external surfaces of the half-casings.
4. The educational ball as claimed in claim 3, wherein one of the half-casings has multiple mounting tubes formed in and protruding outwardly from the half-casing and extending to the opening of the half-casing; and the other half-casing has multiple inserting posts formed in and protruding outwardly from the half-casing and respectively mounted in and connected to the mounting tubes to connect the half-casings securely with each other.
5. The educational ball as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the engaging jacket of the rotating mount of each one of the operating sets is hollow and has a free end extending in the body via a corresponding engaging hole; and an external surface;
the rotating mount of each one of the operating sets has an engaging ring formed on and protruding from the external surface of the engaging jacket at the free end of the engaging jacket, and abutting against a corresponding outer surface of the body; and two cutting slots axially formed through the external surface of the engaging jacket and the engaging ring to enable the engaging jacket to deform relative to the corresponding engaging hole of the body.
the rotating mount of each one of the operating sets has an engaging ring formed on and protruding from the external surface of the engaging jacket at the free end of the engaging jacket, and abutting against a corresponding outer surface of the body; and two cutting slots axially formed through the external surface of the engaging jacket and the engaging ring to enable the engaging jacket to deform relative to the corresponding engaging hole of the body.
6. The educational ball as claimed in claim 5, wherein the rotating mount of each one of the operating sets has multiple notches formed through the outer side and the inner side of the rotating mount at the outer periphery of the rotating mount and spaced apart from each other at intervals, and each one of the notches having a width;
each track groove of each one of the covering plates of each one of the operating sets has a width wider than the width of one of the notches of a corresponding rotating mount that is connected to the covering plates; and the track grooves of the two covering plates and the sliding groove of each one of the operating sets align with the notches of the rotating mount of the corresponding operating set.
each track groove of each one of the covering plates of each one of the operating sets has a width wider than the width of one of the notches of a corresponding rotating mount that is connected to the covering plates; and the track grooves of the two covering plates and the sliding groove of each one of the operating sets align with the notches of the rotating mount of the corresponding operating set.
7. The educational ball as claimed in claim 6, wherein the connecting pipe of each covering plate of each one of the operating sets has a free end extending in the rotating mount via a corresponding inserting hole; and an external surface; and each covering plate of each one of the operating sets has an abutting ring formed on and protruding from the external surface of the connecting pipe at the free end of the connecting pipe, and abutting against the inner side of the rotating mount; and two cutting grooves axially formed through the external surface of the connecting pipe and the abutting ring to enable the connecting pipe to deform relative to the corresponding inserting hole of the rotating mount.
8. The educational ball as claimed in claim 7, wherein the outer surface of each one of the sliding sheets of each one of the operating sets has a color; and the mark of each one of the sliding sheets of each one of the operating sets has a color different from the color of the outer surface of the sliding sheet.
9. The educational ball as claimed in claim 8, wherein each covering plate of each one of the operating sets has a color different from the colors of the outer surfaces of the sliding sheets of the corresponding operating set.
10. The educational ball as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rotating mount of each one of the operating sets has multiple notches formed through the outer side and the inner side of the rotating mount at the outer periphery of the rotating mount and spaced apart from each other, and each one of the notches having a width;
each track groove of each one of the covering plates of each one of the operating sets has a width wider than the width of one of the notches of a corresponding rotating mount that is connected to the covering plates; and the track grooves of the two covering plates and the sliding groove of each one of the operating sets align with the notches of the rotating mount of the corresponding operating set.
each track groove of each one of the covering plates of each one of the operating sets has a width wider than the width of one of the notches of a corresponding rotating mount that is connected to the covering plates; and the track grooves of the two covering plates and the sliding groove of each one of the operating sets align with the notches of the rotating mount of the corresponding operating set.
11. The educational ball as claimed in claim 1, wherein each one of the operating sets has a limiting element mounted in and abutting against the engaging jacket of the corresponding operating set to hold the rotating mount securely on the body and having a limiting mount mounted around the engaging jacket of the corresponding operating set and having an abutting board around the engaging jacket of the corresponding operating set and abutting the body; and at least two limiting rods formed on and protruding from the abutting board opposite to the body at spaced intervals;
a spring mounted around the engaging jacket of the corresponding operating set between the at least two limiting rods and abutting the abutting board; and a connecting seat inserted into and connected to the engaging jacket of the corresponding operating set, abutting the spring, and having a connecting head inserted into the engaging jacket of the corresponding operating set via the spring and the abutting board;
and a pressing board formed on the connecting head opposite to the abutting board and abutting the spring.
a spring mounted around the engaging jacket of the corresponding operating set between the at least two limiting rods and abutting the abutting board; and a connecting seat inserted into and connected to the engaging jacket of the corresponding operating set, abutting the spring, and having a connecting head inserted into the engaging jacket of the corresponding operating set via the spring and the abutting board;
and a pressing board formed on the connecting head opposite to the abutting board and abutting the spring.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| TW104202455U TWM507289U (en) | 2015-02-13 | 2015-02-13 | Puzzle ball with a variety of arrangements |
| TW104202455 | 2015-02-13 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2919735A1 CA2919735A1 (en) | 2016-08-13 |
| CA2919735C true CA2919735C (en) | 2020-01-28 |
Family
ID=54340497
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2919735A Active CA2919735C (en) | 2015-02-13 | 2016-02-03 | Educational ball |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2919735C (en) |
| TW (1) | TWM507289U (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TWI630017B (en) * | 2017-04-28 | 2018-07-21 | 楊儒勳 | Multi-axis rotating puzzle educational toys |
-
2015
- 2015-02-13 TW TW104202455U patent/TWM507289U/en unknown
-
2016
- 2016-02-03 CA CA2919735A patent/CA2919735C/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| TWM507289U (en) | 2015-08-21 |
| CA2919735A1 (en) | 2016-08-13 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20181001 |