GB2354871A

GB2354871A - Human body learning aid with organ moulds.

Info

Publication number: GB2354871A
Application number: GB9922351A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karen Alison Tonkin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-09-21
Filing date: 1999-09-21
Publication date: 2001-04-04
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-21
Also published as: GB2354871B; GB9922351D0

Abstract

A human body learning aid comprises a shell structure 1 providing a scale model of a human body and a plurality of mould structures (Figs. 7-16) for use in producing mouldings representing different body organs 9, 11, 16. The shell structure is provided with a plurality of cavities (12, Fig. 1) located and dimensioned to correspond to body organs. Organs 9, 11, 16 moulded by means of the moulds can be accommodated within the cavities. The shell is preferably formed in two halves (1, 2 Fig. 1) from a transparent, lightweight and durable plastic. The organs may correspond to the seven major body organs; the heart 9, liver 11, stomach 16, kidneys (10, Fig. 5) lungs (5, Fig. 4), bladder (3, Fig. 4) and brain (7, Fig. 4). Upon completion, the body organs can be seen in perspective and in relation to one another.

Description

2354871 HUMAN BODY LEARNING AID This invention relates to a human body

learning aid to provide basic education concerning major body organs.

Health education for children assumes certain anatomical knowledge and understanding with regards to the names, positioning and functions of the major organs of the human body. Observations of children's recall of such knowledge suggests that transferring two-dimensional images of the position and relation of these organs into a three-dimensional working format is not well understood, and concepts such as spatial positioning and relations between the various organs, which are the real basics for building relevant and reliable health promotion initiatives, is being hampered. It is therefore considered desirable to provide a human body learning aid that can be used to provide basic education concerning major body organs.

According to the present invention there is provided a human body learning aid comprising a shell structure providing a scale model of a human body, the shell structure having a plurality of cavities located and dimensioned to correspond to a plurality of body organs, and a plurality of mold structures for use in producing mouldings representing different said body organs which can be accommodated within said cavities.

Preferably the shell structure is of transparent material.

Advantageously the shell structure is of a two-piece construction to facilitate access to the cavities for the molded representations of the body organs.

Preferably each of the mold structures comprises a two-piece mold. Advantageously each mold structure has its two pieces hingedly connected to one another.

One preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a 'hands-on', tactile two-piece, transparent scale model of a human body shell with shaped cavities at the locations of the major body organs. This shell is used in conjunction with a set of eight hinged organ moulding block pairs, by which children make the various body organs 2 themselves using suitable moulding material, e.g. a moulding material such as that available under the Trade Mark "Plasticine". These 'formed' organs are then inserted into their corresponding cavities in the body shell. The transparent material used to make the body shell of this embodiment is a lightweight, durable plastic, such that the molded representations of body organs (when inserted) can be clearly seen in relation to one another and thereby enhancing spatial awareness of the positioning and relationships of the major body organs to one another. Preferably the hinged moulding block pairs are coloured, with a different colour for each organ or pair of organs, for ease of reference and matching.

By way of example one embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figures 1-6 relate to the Human Body Shell Component.

Figure I is a side view from the right of the two matching body shell sections, showing organ hollows for receipt of corresponding moulded organ parts. and Figure 2 is a side view from the left of the two body shell sections.

Figure 3 shows the Front half section of the body shell, illustrating the external surface. and Figure 4 shows the Front half section of the body shell, illustrating the internal surface, with two locating holes.

Figure 5 shows the Back half section of the body shell, illustrating the external surface. and Figure 6 shows the Back half section of the body shell, illustrating the internal surface, with two locating pegs.

Although the Figures 1-6 illustrate a body shell with no arms, the shell can be made to either specification (with or without arms).

3 Figure 7 shows in perspective, an open moulding block pair, which is hinged across its top surface; and Figure 8 illustrates corresponding details of the subsequent Figures 9-16 of each moulding block pair; sequentially:- Inner surface of left block, then the closed block viewed from below, and finally the inner surface of the matching right block.

Figures 9-16 relate to the individual paired organ moulding block pairs.

Figure 9 illustrates the left and right blocks which together form the stomach.

Figure 10 illustrates the left and right blocks which together form the heart.

Figure I I illustrates the left and right blocks which together form the left and right kidney.

Figure 12 illustrates the left and right blocks which together form the bladder.

Figure 13 illustrates the left and right blocks which together form the right lung.

Figure 14 illustrates the left and right blocks which together form the left lung.

Figure 15 illustrates the left and right blocks which together form the liver.

Figure 16 illustrates the left and right blocks which together form the brain.

Referring to the drawings, the body shell consists of two component halves, a fi7ont section I as shown in Figures 3 and 4, and a back section 2 shown in Figures 5 and 6, which are joined together along their inner surfaces, illustrated in Figures I and 2, by means of two locating pegs 14 located on the back section 2, as seen in Figure 6, which fit into the two corresponding holes 13, on the front section 1, seen in Figure 4.

The location of each of the aforementioned body organs is hollowed out in the body shell, to allow insertion of an anatomically accurate, scale moulded organ piece, which is made by the corresponding hinged organ moulding blocks. These combinations are listed below: - 4 Front Section External Surface, as illustrated in Stomach 16, Figures 2 and 3, made from Blocks 21 and 22, illustrated Figure 9.

Heart 9, Figures 1-3, made from Blocks 23 and 24, illustrated Figure 10.

Liver 11, Figures 1-3, made from Blocks 31 and 32, illustrated Figure 15.

Front Section Interior Surface as illustrated in Figures 1,2 and 4 and Back Section Interior Surface as illustrated in Figures 1,2 and 6 Brain 7 & 8, made from Blocks 33 and 34, illustrated Figure 16.

Left Lung 17 & 18, made from Blocks 29 and 3 0, illustrated Figure 14.

Right Lung 5 & 6, made from Blocks 27 and 28, illustrated Figure 13.

Bladder 3 & 4, made from Blocks 19 and 20, illustrated Figure 12.

Back Section External Surface, as illustrated in Right Kidney 10, made from Blocks 25 and 26, illustrated Figures 1 and 5.

Left Kidney 15, made from Blocks 25 and 26, illustrated Figures 2 and 5.

Using Figures 7 and 8 as an example; To make an organ, the moulding block pair 19 and 20 is opened and moulding material, such as plasticine, in placed in each hollow 3 and 4. The blocks, held together by a hinge 3 5 running across the top of the two blocks, are then closed shut, so the moulding material in hollows 3 and 4 meet and join together. When the moulding blocks are separated, a moulded 'bladder' is produced, which is then removed and inserted in the bladder cavity, either 3 in Figure I or 4 as seen in Figure 2. This process is repeated using all eight moulding block pairs, until all the organ cavities have been filled with their corresponding moulded organs. Once this has been achieved, the Front I and Back 2 body shell sections can be joined together, to complete the tactile learning process.

To finish, all plasticine is removed from the organ cavities and can be recycled for future use.

Claims

1. A transparent, lightweight and durable plastic shell of the human body, comprising of two halves with hollows present to locate the position and shape of the major body organs, is used in conjunction with eight moulding block pairs, whereby, using suitable moulding material, children are able to make replica major body organs themselves and then locate them within the corresponding organ cavities within the body shell.

2. Due to the transparent nature of the body shell as claimed in Claim 1, children are able to view the major body organs in relation to one another, without other less relevant body parts obscuring or distracting them.

3. The hinged moulding block pairs as claimed in Claim 1, means each child can produce uniquely formed replica organs.

4. The hinged moulding block pairs, as claimed in Claims I and 3, may be coloured - a different colour being used and defined for each major organ or pair of organs, to facilitate colour coding as an aid.

5. The uniquely formed moulded organ, as claimed in 1, 3 and 4, provides a child with a tactile learning opportunity which requires them to subsequently locate the corresponding shape and position on the body shell, before insertion of the organ can be made.

6. The body shell and moulded body organs, as claimed in Claims 1, 3 and 5, are anatomically correct and to scale.

7. A transparent shell of the human body, with specified hollow organ cavities, used in conjunction with eight coloured moulding block pairs, corresponding to the major organs of the body as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

6 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A human body learning aid comprising a shell structure providing a scale model of a human body, the shell structure having a plurality of cavities located and dimensioned to correspond to a plurality of body organs, and a plurality of mould structures for use in producing mouldings representing different said body organs which can be accommodated within said cavities.

2. A human body learning aid as claimed in Claim I wherein it is transparent, children are able to view the major body organs in relation to one another, without other less releyarLt body parts obscuring or distracting them.

3. A human body learning aid as claimed in Claims I and 2 wherein it is of lightweight and durable plastic.

4. A human body learning aid as claimed in Claim I wherein there are eight mould structures allowing children to produce uniquely formed replica organs.

5. A human body learning aid as claimed in Claims I and 4 wherein each of the mould structures comprises a two-piece mould.

6. A human body learning aid as claimed in Claims 1, 4 and 5 wherein the mould structures are coloured, with a different colour being used and defined for each major organ or pair of organs, to facilitate colour coding as an aid.

7. A human body learning aid as claimed in Claims 1, 4, 5 and 6 wherein the uniquely formed moulded organ provides a child with a tactile learning opportunity which requires them to subsequently locate the corresponding shape and position on the body shell, before insertion of the organ can be made.

8. A human body learning aid as claimed in Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 wherein the shell structure and uniquely formed organs are anatomically correct and to scale.

9. A human body learning aid as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.