GB2340986A

GB2340986A - Alphanumeric educational display device

Info

Publication number: GB2340986A
Application number: GB9818292A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Michael Walker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-08-22
Filing date: 1998-08-22
Publication date: 2000-03-01
Also published as: AU5435299A; WO2000011632A1; GB9818292D0

Abstract

A display device useful for numeracy instruction has at least one stack 4, 6, 8 of members such as cards numbered from one to nine which are hingedly 10 coupled together along their common axis. Each card in the stack has a corresponding projecting tab 4a, 6a, 8a bearing a symbol identical to that on the corresponding card and the tabs 4a, 6a, 8a on each card are disposed such that each tab on a stack of cards stack can be seen simultaneously and all cards above any selected tab can be raised simultaneously to reveal the symbol on a card corresponding to that on the selected tab.

Description

2340986 DISPLAY APPARATUS The present invention relates to display

apparatus, in particular but not exclusively, for educational purposes.

In order to test the numeracy of primary school children, it is proposed to provide each child in the class with a pack of cards, each bearing a different number, and to ask all the children in the class to display their answer to a mathematical question simultaneously by holding up a card bearing the correct answer. This allows the teacher to establish more quickly, than when the question is asked on a one to one basis, which child has been able to answer the question correctly and which child has a problem. Remedial work can then be targeted fairly quickly at the children who need it.

A major problem with this system is that providing each child in the class with a pack of cards. can prove somewhat chaotic, cards can fall on the floor or be otherwise disposed of, and the task of collecting and checking the cards at the end of each lesson can be significantly time consuming.

Furthermore, when a two digit answer is required, children will have a problem in ensuring the cards are displayed in the correct side by side positions when the cards are turned away from them and towards the teacher.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved display apparatus.

According to the present invention there is provided display apparatus comprising a stack of laminar members each bearing a different alphanumeric character, the members of the stack being hingedly coupled together along one side, each member having a projecting tab bearing a replica of the alphanumeric character carried thereon, the tabs being arranged so that the replicas of a stacked set of laminar members can be viewed simultaneously and so that all the members above any selected tab can be raised simultaneously to expose the member associated with the selected tab.

The laminar member may be in the form of flexible cards. Preferably, the stack is supported on a backing or base member. The base member is advantageously rigid and extends to a position in which it does not underlie the tabs, so that the tabs can be subject to flexure when being engaged to exposed a selected member.

The base member may instead be flexible and underlie the tabs so that it will flex with the tabs when the tabs are flexed.

Preferably, the backing member supports a plurality of similar said stacks of laminar members arranged in a row with their hinged axes being coaxial.

Advantageously, the members of the or each stack are hingedly interconnected by a wire spiral ring, extending through punched holes in the laminar members.

Each laminar member may comprise a sheet of paper or card laminated between two layers of plastics.

The apparatus can comprise three, four, five or six said stacks in a row on a common base member.

A display device embodying the present invention, will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure I is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device; and Figure 2 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the device.

As shown in Figure 1, the device comprises a rectangular base member 2 supporting three stacks of cards 4, 6 and 8 lying side by side on the member 2 just slightly spaced from one another. Each stack comprises twelve cards respectively carrying in large script the numbers zero to nine, the pound symbol and the decimal point or the percentage symbol. The cards are connected by a spiral wire 10 to the base member 2 which allows each card to be flipped over through substantially 360'. The cards and the base member 2 have a series of punched holes along one edge through which the spiral wire extends. A rectangular cover member 12 of the same size as the base member 2 is also secured to the base member 2 by the spiral wire 10 which wire also extends through a series of punched holes along one edge of the cover member 12.

Each card is provided with a projecting index tab 4A, 6A and 8A on a side thereof opposite that which is engaged by the spiral wire. The index tabs 4A to 8A on different cards, are of different width so that when the cards are stacked, a portion of each index tab in the stack is visibly exposed. Each exposed portion bears a replica of the data carried by its associated card.

In operation, to display a number, the finger of one hand is placed on the index tab bearing the desired number and pressure applied to bend the selected tab downwardly. This then produces a gap between the selected tab and the tab immediately above it. The other hand is then used to engage the gap and lift all the cards above the selected card and flip them through 3600 to fully expose the desired number.

Where a multiple digit number is required, the requisite numbers of stacks are operated in similar manner. Thus, when a child is given a mathematical question to solve, he can select the answer by flipping the appropriate number of cards from an appropriate number of stacks. The displayed answer can then be held up for the teacher to see.

It will be appreciated that the index tabs must have a certain degree of flexibility to aid manipulation. The base member 2 is thus preferably also flexible to avoid any significant resistance to the index tabs being flexed. Instead, the base member 2 may be stiff but shorter than the cards so that no part of the base member 2 under lies the index tabs.

Each card is preferably of plastics laminated cardboard.

It will be appreciated that instead of a spiral wire holding the cards in flippable engagement with the base member 2, any other mechanism can be used, for example a ring binding mechanism.

The device shown in Figure 2 is similar to the device shown in Figure 1 except that instead of three stacks of card, five stacks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 are used and a wire ring binder 14 is provided rather than a spiral wire binder. As can be seen, the central three stacks are appropriately flipped over to display the number 760.

Of course, instead of numerals, the device can be used to display characters or symbols as required, While the index tabs are shown on a side of the stack opposite to the hinged side, it will be appreciated that they can be provided on other sides of the stack. Other forms of indexation can be provided such as finger holes through the reverse side of the stack with different finger holes exposing parts of different cards in the stack.

Also, it will be appreciated that the facing surfaces of any two cards can be inscribed with the same number so that when cards are flipped over through 360' the answer can be read from both sides of the device. On one side, however, the number will be back to front and so the background of the back to front display should be differently coloured or provided with some other indication to warn the teacher to reverse the order of the numbers to obtain the given answer on the reverse side as viewed by the pupil.

In yet another modification, the numbers on the cards can be oriented through 900 so that the answers can be read along a vertical column. This then avoids the back to front problem when facing surfaces of the cards bear the same digit.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Display apparatus comprising a stack of laminar members each

bearing a different alphanumeric character, the members of the stack being hingedly coupled together along one side, each member having a projecting tab bearing a replica of the alphanumeric character carried thereon, the tabs being arranged so that the replicas of a stacked set of laminar members can be viewed simultaneously and so that all the members above any selected tab can be raised simultaneously to expose the member associated with the selected tab.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said laminar members comprise flexible cards.
3. Apparatus according to Claim I or to Claim 2, including a backing or base member supporting said stack 15
4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the base member is rigid and extends below the stack to a position in which it does not underlie the tabs, so that the tabs can be subject to flexure relative to the base member when being engaged to exposed a selected member. 20
5. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the base member is flexible and underlies the tabs so that it will flex with the tabs when the tabs are flexed.
6. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the backing member supports a plurality of similar said stacks of laminar members arranged in a row with their hinged axes being coaxial.
7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the members of the or each stack are hingedly interconnected by a wire spiral ring, extending through punched holes in the laminar members.
8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each laminar member may 10 comprise a sheet of paper or card laminated between two layers of plastics.
9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a three, four, five or six said stacks in a row on a common base member.
10. A display device substantially as herein before described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A display device substantially as herein before described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows I. Display apparatus comprising a stack of larninar members each bearing a different alphanumeric character, the members of the stack being hingedly coupled together along one side, each member having a projecting tab located equidistant from the axis of the hinged coupling and bearing a replica of the alphanumeric character carried thereon, the tabs being arranged so that the replicas of a stacked set of laminar members can be viewed simultaneously and so that all the members above any selected tab can be raised simultaneously to expose the member associated with the selected tab.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said laminar members comprise flexible cards.

3. Apparatus according to Claim I or to Claim 2, including a backing or base member supporting said stack 15 4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the base member is rigid and extends below the stack to a position in which it does not underlie the tabs, so that the tabs can be subject to flexure relative to the base member when being engaged to exposed a selected member. 20 5. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the base member is flexible and underlies the tabs so that it will flex with the tabs when the tabs are flexed.

00 6. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the backing member supports a plurality of similar said stacks of laminar members arranged in a row with their hinged axes being coaxial.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the members of the or each stack are hingedly interconnected by a wire spiral ring, extending through punched holes in the larninar members.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each laminar member may 10 comprise a sheet of paper or card laminated between two layers of plastics.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a three, four, five or six said stacks in a row on a common base member.