GB2115706A

GB2115706A - Word forming device

Info

Publication number: GB2115706A
Application number: GB08305027A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Fieldhouse
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-03-04
Filing date: 1983-02-23
Publication date: 1983-09-14
Also published as: GB8305027D0

Abstract

A plurality of letter bearing wheels (22) are mounted on a common axle (18). The letters (34) of the alphabet appear in order on the rims (30) of the wheels and are visible one at a time through a corresponding window (38) in a cover (14). Each wheel has a radially outwardly extending flange (36) projecting through a slot (40) next to the appropriate window for turning the wheels. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Word forming device Background of the Invention This invention relates to word forming devices and particularly to devices useful for such games as crossword puzzles.

In the typical crossword puzzle game, the object is to identify words with the aid of clues as to the meaning of the word. As the game progresses, letters are discovered to be at certain positions in the word sought for. Often the player is faced with the word in which only one or two letters are missing, but finds it difficult to visualize and review all the potential words that exist when different letters are plugged into the gap.

One solution to the problem is to provide a mechanical device in which the known letters are placed on view in a series of windows. The letters of the alphabet can be run through the window corresponding to the gap to see if the visual impact of the words thereby formed helps the crossword puzzle player. Such a word device is shown in U.S. Patent 2,848,824 where strips bearing the letters of the alphabet in order are movably mounted behind a cover having perforations through which the letters on the strips can be viewed. Some educational toys have also used letters on the edges of wheels to be manipulated in one way or another and viewed.

The means for manipulating the wheels to bring different letters into view vary and could be improved upon.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved word forming device that is compact, inexpensive to produce, and simple. It is another object to provide such a device in which it is easy and efficient to manipulate the letter bearing wheels.

Summary of the Invention The word forming device of the invention comprises containing means, at least one axle mounted in said containing means, and a plurality of letter bearing wheels rotatably mounted on the axles, each letter bearing wheel including a peripheral portion bearing the letters of the alphabet in order and a peripheral flange portion for rotating the wheel, the containing means defining window means for which a letter on a corresponding wheel beneath the window means can be seen, and the containing means further defining access opening means through which the flange portions may be reached by the fingers and rotated to rotate the wheels.

In a preferred embodiment the wheels are rotatably mounted in parallel on a single axle and the peripheral portion of each wheel comprises an outwardly facing peripheral rim portion bearing the letters of the alphabet. The containing means defines windows through which a letter on a corresponding wheel beneath the window can be seen and slots adjacent the windows through which the flange portions of the wheels project.

The flange portion of each wheel is perpendicular to the rim portion, extending radially beyond the rim portion.

Brief Description of the Drawing Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, including the drawing thereof, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device embodying the invention, showing a base of a container and the letter bearing wheels, with the cover of the container removed; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the cover of the container; Fig. 3 is a top view of the device with the cover in place; and Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the device.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment As shown in the drawings (Fig. 4), the word forming device includes a plastic container 10 having two parts, a bottom base compartment 1 2 (see Fig. 1) and a cover 14 (see Fig. 2).

The bottom compartment 12 has molded as part of the inside of each side wall 12a,b axle supports 1 6 for receiving a metal axle 1 8 extending from one side 1 2a to the other 1 2b of the bottom compartment 12. The axle 1 8 is generally square in cross section, though the edges 20 of the axle 1 8 are rounded.

Seven wheels 22 (see Fig. 1) are rotatably mounted in parallel on the common axle 18 Each wheel (see Fig. 4) has a central hub 24 with a cylindrical inner surface 26 rotatable about the axle edges 20. Each wheel 22 has a web portion 28 extending from the hub 24 to a peripheral rim 30. The rim has an outwardly facing surface 32 on which are imprinted, in order, the letters 34 of the alphabet. There is, preferably, one additional location on the rim surface 32 for a blank or mark indicating the absence of a letter.

Each wheel 22 also includes a flange 36. The flange 36 is perpendicular to the rim surface 32 and extends radially outwardly beyond the periphery of the rim surface 32, terminating in an outer edge surface 37.

The container cover 1 4 (see Fig. 2) snaps onto the bottom compartment 1 2 to form a container 10 for the device. The cover 1 4 has seven windows 38 arranged in a row. The location of the windows 38 is selected so that when the cover 14 is placed over the bottom compartment 12 the windows 38 overlay the letter bearing rim surfaces 32 of the seven wheels 22, respectively.

The size of the windows 38 is selected so that only one letter 34 on each wheel 22 is visible at a time through each window.

Furthermore, an elongated slot 40 is formed in the face 42 of the container cover 1 4 adjacent each window 38. In the embodiment shown each adjacent slot 40 and window 38 form a continuous single opening, for each of molding, but the slot and window may be separated.

Alternatively, all the windows and slots could be formed from a continuous opening. A portion 44 of each flange 36 of a wheel 22 projects through a corresponding slot 40. In this position, each flange edge surface 37 may be used to rotate the corresponding wheel 22 and bring the desired letter 34 to view.

A small spacer disc 46 is rotatably mounted on each end of the axle 1 8 between the closest wheel 22 and the axle support 16.

The device is assembled by first slipping each wheel 22 (the wheels are identical to each other) onto the axle 1 8. Then a spacer disc 46 is placed at each end of the axle 1 8 after the seven wheels 22 are mounted. The axle 18 is then dropped into the axle supports 1 6 of the container bottom compartment 12. The container cover 14 is then added to enclose the wheels 22 and hold them in place.

The device in the form shown in this description can be used to assist a crossword puzzle fan in determining words of up to seven letters. Each letter wheel 22 can be rotated by pressing the flange edge surface 37 of the flange portion 44 projecting through the slot 40 next to a letter window 38. Known letters 34 are selected for appropriate windows 38 (see Fig. 3). The letter wheel 22 under the window 38 corresponding to the sought for letter can then be rotated and each letter of the alphabet will appear under the window 38 for a visual check of its suitability. In this way the possibility of each letter forming the sought for word can be tested visually.

Some modifications of the embodiment shown besides those mentioned could be made by those skilled in the art without detracting from the spirit of the invention, the full scope of which is described in the following claims.

Claims

1. A word forming device comprising: containing means, at least one axle mounted in said containing means, a plurality of letter bearing wheels rotatably mounted on said axle, each said letter bearing wheel including: a peripheral portion bearing the letters of the alphabet in order, and a flange portion for rotating said wheel, said containing means defining window means through which a letter on a corresponding wheel beneath said window means can be seen, said containing means further defining access opening means through which said flange portions may be reached by the fingers and rotated to rotate said wheels.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of letter bearing wheels are rotatably mounted in parallel on a single axle mounted in said containing means, and said peripheral portion of each said wheel comprises an outwardly facing rim portion bearing the letters of the alphabet.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said containing means defines slots, each said flange portion projecting through one of said slots.

4. A word forming device comprising: containing means, an axle mounted in said containing means, a plurality of letter bearing wheels rotatably mounted in parallel within said containing means on said axle, each said wheel having: a peripheral rim portion with an outwardly facing surface bearing the letters of the alphabet in order, and a peripheral flange portion perpendicular to said rim portion, extending radially beyond said rim portion surface, said containing means defining: windows through which a letter on a corresponding wheel beneath the window can be seen, and slots adjacent said windows through which said flange portions of said wheels project, whereby different letters on each said wheel can be brought into view under a window by rotation of a projecting part of the flange portion of said wheel.

5. A word forming device constructed and arranged substantially as herein described and shown in the drawing.