DE20305340U1 - Game with threads for children is a book with pictures of animals which can be connected by threading string into holes - Google Patents

Abstract

The game (1) with threads (5-8) for children is a book (2,3,4) with pictures of animals which can be connected by threading string into holes (15-18) to connect the relevant animals with their homes.

Description

P27934

Arrangement for performing a threading game

The present invention relates to an arrangement suitable for carrying out a threading game.

A variety of arrangements for threading games are known from the state of the art. Such threading games are often used as educational games for small children, for example for children aged three and above.

A threading game arrangement is known from US patent 3,604,127, in which several task fields and several corresponding solution fields are provided on a card. A cord is attached to each task field and each solution field has a hole through which one of the cords can be threaded. The cords are different colors. To play the game, a solution field must be assigned to a task field by threading the cord of the relevant task field through the hole of the relevant solution field. To make it possible to check which tasks have been solved, the card has color markings on the back around the holes, for example, which - if the task is solved correctly - correspond to the color of the cord threaded through.

In order to be able to handle several different task units, according to US 3,604,127, in one embodiment, an envelope-like

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Card holders with windows should be provided. Several cards, each with different task units, can be inserted into these one after the other. When the card is inserted, the task and solution fields on the card are visible through the windows of the card holder. In this example, the strings are not attached to the card itself, but to the card holder, each attached to a task field window. The holes assigned to the solution fields go through the card holder and the card. In this case, the card can be moved a little in the card holder to check the solution. This makes the color markings visible for checking the solution.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a locking device is provided on the card holder, with which an inserted card can be fixed in the card holder. To prepare for the game, a card with a task unit must first be inserted into the card holder. In a next step, the locking device is then activated so that the card is fixed in the card holder. After this preparation, the actual threading game of the first task unit can be carried out. To do this, the cords are threaded through the corresponding holes in the manner described. Finally, to check the solution, the locking device is set to the unlocking position and the card is moved a small distance so that the color marking fields become visible. After completing the solution check, the cords must be pulled back out of the holes and finally the card is removed from the holder to return to the starting state. The

next cards with the second task unit are inserted, etc.

This means that a relatively high level of effort is required to prepare for the execution of a second task unit on a second card after the game of a first task unit on a first card has been completed. In addition, the various cards with the different task units and the card holder are loose parts, which means there is a risk that these individual parts will be lost. Furthermore, it can be assumed that when the game is used by small children, an adult is required to carry out the steps described in connection with the game. Finally, the locking mechanism leads to a certain risk of injury when operating the game.

The object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement with which a threading game can be carried out particularly easily and in a child-friendly manner. In particular, the disadvantages mentioned above should be avoided.

According to the invention, the arrangement comprises a booklet with several pages and several differently colored cord elements that are attached to a first side, for example the first side of the booklet. At least two other sides of the booklet each have several holes of the same size. These holes are dimensioned such that one of the cord elements can be threaded through them. On the back of each page, the holes each have color markings, wherein the color markings can each be assigned to a color of a cord element.

In the booklet, there can be task fields on one page, each of which is assigned to a string element, and on the opposite, following page there can be solution fields, each of which is assigned a hole. In this way, a unit of tasks is visible when the booklet is opened.

To play the game, the strings must be threaded through the holes of the corresponding solution fields. To check the solution, simply turn over or fold over a page of the booklet. This immediately makes the color markings visible so that you can check the correct solutions. The two (following) pages that the booklet is open in this state can in turn contain task and solution fields that represent a second or further task unit. This means that you can start playing the next task unit without any further ado and immediately after checking the solution to one task unit.

In order to facilitate production, it is advantageous to arrange the holes on the pages in such a way that when the booklet is folded, two holes on adjacent pages are aligned. This allows several pages to be punched in one operation. However, it should be stressed that this is not a necessary feature; other considerations, such as those based on educational considerations, may prevail in certain cases and lead to a different arrangement of holes being considered more appropriate.

It is advantageous if the pages of the booklet are made of a sturdy material, such as cardboard.

This makes threading easier and also makes turning or folding pages easier. It also prevents the holes from tearing.
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If the number of task and solution fields is the same, the number of string elements should correspond to the number of holes on each side.

In order to facilitate the threading process, the cord elements can each have a threading element at their free end, in which case the holes are dimensioned such that the threading elements can be threaded through the holes.

The holes can be round or rectangular, for example. When using a threading element, the dimensions or shape of the holes can also be advantageously adapted to the cross-section of a threading element.

The threading element can be made of wood, plastic or cardboard, for example.

The use of threading elements makes the threading process itself easier and, in particular, enables handling that is suitable for children.

The booklet can be bound using a wire spiral binding, a plastic spiral binding or a binding with rings or ribbons. Various materials can be used for this.

Further features, advantages and properties will now be explained using a detailed description of embodiments and with reference to the figures in the attached drawings. They show: 5

Fig. 1a to 1c show a first embodiment of the threading game arrangement according to the invention in three different game play states;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the threading game arrangement in the folded state;

Fig. 3 shows a threading play arrangement according to a second embodiment;
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Fig. 4a and 4b Fastening options for the cord elements on the handle; and

Fig. 5a and 5b show different embodiments of threading elements.

In the figures 1a, 1b and 1c a first embodiment of the threading game arrangement 1 according to the invention is shown in three successive game sequence states.

Fig. la shows a top view of the threading game arrangement 1, which in particular comprises a handle 2, 3, 4 and cords 5, 6, 7, 8. According to this embodiment, the handle has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. However, this is only an example. Another outline shape can also be provided for the handle, for example a substantially round shape. In any case, it is advantageous with regard to the user group to form corners in a rounded shape.

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In the illustrated state of the booklet 2, 3, 4, the first page 2 is opened. According to this embodiment, this first page 2 is identical to the booklet cover 2. The remaining pages are stacked opposite the booklet cover 2. The topmost one is visible as the second page 3. The booklet cover 2 and the remaining booklet pages are connected to one another by a spiral binding 4.

Four cords 5, 6, 7 and 8 are attached to the outer edge 20 of the booklet cover 2 opposite the spiral binding 4. Options for attaching the cords to the booklet are discussed in more detail below with reference to Figures 4a and 4b. The four cords 5, 6, 7 and 8 have different colors. This is shown schematically in Figure 1a by different patterns.

On the inside of the booklet cover 2, four task fields 10 are visible, which are arranged in such a way that each task field 10 is clearly assigned to a string 5, 6, 7, 8. Solution fields 11 are shown on the front side of the second booklet page 3 opposite the booklet cover 2. Each solution field 11 is assigned a hole 15, 16, 17 and 18. Each of the solution fields 11 indicates a correct solution for one of the task fields 10. The described tasks 11 and solution fields 12 form a task unit.

To solve the task described, which can be a first task to be carried out, the user threads the four cords 5, 6 and 8 in the correct order through one of the holes 15, 16, 17 and 18.

Strings 5, 6, 7, 8 can be called "solution strings".

Fig. Ib shows the game state after threading through all four cords 5, 6, 7 and 8.

To check the correct assignment, i.e. to check the solution, the second page 3 of the booklet is turned over or folded over. Fig. 1c shows the state of the threading game arrangement 1 in this state of the game. The back of the second page 3 of the booklet and the cords 5, 6, 7 and 8 threaded through the holes 15, 16, 17, 18 can be seen. A color marking 25, 26, 27 and 28 is printed around the holes 15, 16, 17 and 18 on the back of the second page 3 of the booklet. In this way, a solution check is possible immediately and easily.

It is particularly advantageous according to the invention that in this game state according to Fig. 1c a new task unit is immediately shown. This is shown by further task fields 30 and further solution fields 31. The further task fields 30 are on the back of the second booklet page 3 and the further solution fields 31 are on the front of the third booklet page 9.

The further task fields 3 0 are arranged with reference to the holes 15, 16, 17, 18 in such a way that each string 5, 6, 7, 8 is assigned exactly one task field 3 0. Accordingly, each further solution field 31 is assigned a hole 35, 36, 37 and in the third side 9.

The holes 35, 36, 37, 38 are arranged in such a way that when the booklet is folded up they coincide with the holes 15, 16, 17, 18 and thus result in holes that extend through two adjacent pages. However, this is only an example. A different arrangement of the holes - for example one that varies from one page to the next -'■ is also possible.

Obviously, this arrangement principle according to the invention can be extended to any number of pages.

In principle, any number of task units, i.e. tasks in an open state of arrangement 1, can be connected in the manner described. In particular, no further steps are necessary between playing or solving the individual task units. The cords 5, 6, 7 and 8 also do not have to be led back out of the holes 15, 16, 17, 18 and the following congruent holes on the following pages. The cords 5, 6, 7 and 8 only have to be led back out of the holes again after the last task unit has been completed in order to reach the starting state of the game.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the threading game arrangement 1 in the folded-up, so to speak "tidy" state. The cords 5, 6, 7 and 8 are tied together in an orderly manner (the representation of the pattern or the "colors" of the cords 5, 6 and 8 has been omitted in Fig. 2).

The cords 5, 6, 7, 8 are, as shown above in Fig. la, attached to the outer edge 20 of the booklet cover 2. In this way, a complete closure

of the booklet without cords 5, 6, 7, 8 becoming trapped between the pages.

Alternatively, however, it is also possible to attach the cords 5, 6, 7 and 8 to another location on the booklet cover 2, for example, with reference to Fig. 1a, below the task fields 10. For example, the attachment points can be selected such that they coincide with the holes 15, 16, 17 and 18 when the booklet is folded up.

Furthermore, the cords 5, 6, 7 and 8 can also be used to hold the threading game arrangement 1 together in the folded state by tying them together or the like.

It is also possible to arrange the cords 5, 6, 7, 8 with reference to Fig. 1a on the right and left outer edges of the booklet cover 2, for example the cords 5 and 6 can be attached to the left outer edge and the cords 7 and 8 to the right outer edge. This makes it particularly easy to bind the closed booklet together.

It should also be mentioned that the cords 5, 6, 7 and 8 do not necessarily have to be attached to the booklet cover 2. They can also be attached to the second or third booklet page, for example. It is also possible to attach the cords to a page that is located approximately in the middle of the booklet, for example, with some of the cords being intended for task units that are located "behind" the attachment page and the remaining cords for task units

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which are located "in front" of the fastening side.

Instead of the cords 5, 6, 7, 8, bands can also be provided. The term "cord element" in this context should also include bands.

With regard to the fastening of the cords, it should also be mentioned that the cords do not necessarily all have to be fastened on one and the same side.

For example, two cords can be attached to a first side (and accordingly the first task unit consists of two tasks) and another cord can be attached to another side, whereby, for example, the corresponding task unit comprises a further task, i.e. a total of three tasks.

Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of a threading game arrangement according to the invention. According to this embodiment, the booklet is made of cardboard book binding. In another difference to the first embodiment, the holes 35, 36, 37 and 38 are not arranged in a line, but are positioned differently across a page. Their arrangement results in something like a semicircle or trapezoid shape.

In terms of production, it is best to produce the holes on each side in the same position by punching. However, this is only an example. A different arrangement of the holes is also possible.

Furthermore, Fig. 3 indicates that the solution fields do not necessarily have to be fields

which are clearly separated from their surroundings. Rather, "solution areas" or "areas" can also be provided, as long as the assignment to one of the holes 35, 36, 37, 38 is clear. The same applies, of course, to the "task fields".

Fig. 4a and 4b show various ways of attaching the cord elements 5, 8, 47 to the booklet. For example, the booklet cover can be designed in a sandwich structure and have two outer layers, for example made of 230 gram cardboard, and a middle layer, for example made of 2 mm grey cardboard. Punchings are provided in the middle layer to accommodate the cord elements 5, 8, 47.

In Fig. 4a, the middle layer 40 can be seen with a wave-shaped punch 41 which, in the area of the opening 44, changes into a linear section which runs at right angles to the outer edge 45 of the middle layer 40. As an alternative embodiment, a further punching form 42 is shown in Fig. 4a, which has a larger recess in its inner area, which is intended to accommodate a knot of the corresponding cord 8.

The cords 5, 8 are glued between the outer layers as shown in Fig. 4a. The cords 5, 8 can be, for example, round cords, for example with a diameter of 3 mm made of plastic or natural fiber.

As already briefly described above, the cord elements can also be band-shaped elements. As shown schematically in Fig. 4b, 47

For example, the middle layer 40 may have two elongated rectangular punched holes 46 through which the band-shaped element 47 is passed.

The fastening options outlined in Fig. 4a and 4b are suitable for a TÜV-safe fastening of the cord elements.

Fig. 5a shows various examples of threading elements. These can be, for example, a wooden or plastic ball 51, a molded part 52 or a stuffed animal 54. An extended plastic sleeve 53 can also serve as a threading element. For the threading elements outlined in Fig. 5a, round plug holes are suitable as holes, which have a diameter that is matched to the cross section of the threading element used.

In Fig. 5b, a threading element 59 in connection with a band 47 is shown in the middle of the figure in plan view, and in the right half of the figure in cross section. The threading element 59 can be a part made of cardboard, for example with a thickness of 500 grams per square meter. The cardboard is folded up, for example, as indicated in the cross-sectional sketch, and the band 47 is glued in between.

In Fig. 5b on the far left, a part 57 that can only be inserted halfway is shown, with insertion resistance 58 and snap-in bulge.

In conjunction with the threading elements shown in Fig. 5b, rectangular slots of corresponding dimensions can be used as holes.

The advantages of the invention can be summarized as follows:

· The assembly has no loose parts. Accordingly, no parts of the assembly can be lost.

• After solving a task unit, another task unit can be identified without any further action.

• The cords can be used for multiple task units.

· The arrangement can be made in a child-friendly form and from appropriate materials.

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&Rgr;27934

List of reference symbols 5

1 Threading arrangement

2 book covers

3 second page

4 spiral binding 5 first cord

6 second cord

7 third cord

8 fourth cord

9 third page 10 Task areas

11 solution areas

15 first hole

16 second hole

17 third hole 18 fourth hole

2 0 Cover outer edge

2 5 first color marking

2 6 second color marking

2 7 third color marking 2 8 fourth color marking

3 0 further task areas 31 further solution areas

3 5 first hole (second embodiment)

3 6 second hole (second embodiment)

3 7 third hole (second embodiment)

3 8 fourth hole (second embodiment)

4 0 Middle layer, e.g. made of grey cardboard

41 Punching according to first embodiment

42 Punching according to second embodiment 44 Mouth of the punching channel

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45 Outer edge of the middle layer

46 Rectangular punches for tape fixation

47 volumes

51 Threading element in the form of a wooden or plastic ball 52 Threading element in the form of a molded part

53 Threading element in the form of an extended

Plastic cover

54 Threading element in the form of a plush toy 57 Insertable part 58 Insertion resistance 59 Threading element made of cardboard

Claims (8)

1. Arrangement ( 1 ) suitable for carrying out a threading game, comprising a) a booklet (2, 3, 4) with several pages (2, 3, 9), and b) several differently coloured cord elements ( 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ) attached to a first side ( 2 ), wherein - at least two further sides (3, 9) each have several holes ( 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ) of the same size, - the holes ( 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ) are dimensioned such that the cord elements ( 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ) can be threaded through them, and - the holes ( 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ) each have a color marking ( 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ) on the back of a side (2), wherein the color markings ( 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ) can each be assigned to a color of a cord element ( 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ). 2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the holes are arranged such that when the booklet (2, 3, 4) is folded together, two holes ( 15 , 35 ), ( 16 , 36 ), ( 17 , 37 ), ( 18 , 38 ) of adjacent pages (3, 9) coincide. 3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sides (2, 3, 9) are made of cardboard. 4. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the number of cord elements ( 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ) corresponds to the number of holes ( 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ) of one side (2). 5. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cord elements ( 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ) each have a threading element ( 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 59 ) at their free end, and the holes ( 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ) are dimensioned such that the threading elements ( 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 59 ) can be threaded through the holes ( 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ). 6. Arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the holes ( 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ) are adapted in their dimensions and their shape to the threading elements ( 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 59 ). 7. Arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the threading elements ( 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 59 ) are made of wood, plastic or cardboard. 8. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the binding of the booklet (2, 3, 4) is either a wire spiral binding, a plastic spiral binding or a binding with rings or bands.