Abstract: An album (50) for photographic prints includes a front cover (52); a back cover (54); a binder member (56) attached between the front and back covers; an elongated, partially cylindrical shell member (78) attached to the binder member, the shell member having opposite ends (80, 82) and opposed longitudinal edges (90, 92), the longitudinal edges being attached to the binder member; and at least one album page (94) movably attached to the shell member, the page having opposed portions (96, 98) which extend around the opposite ends, whereby the page can be moved circumferentially around the shell member from a first position near one of the covers to a second position near another of the covers. The album may include a sensing device (30, 32) to detect movement of the at least one page and a produce a signal; and a system (124-160), responsive to the signal, for playing back sound messages or displaying text messages, or both, associated with photographic prints carried by the at least one page.

Abstract: A book having at least one fold out page with a metal insert which assists the placement or arrangement of magnetic manipulatives onto a page of the book.

Abstract: A child educational system comprises a support member having a generally flat rectangular support face having a top edge, a row of numbers disposed in a horizontal row along the top edge, a vertical column disposed below each of the numbers, each column having multiple pairs of position indicators therein, a permanent magnet disposed behind each of a plurality of the position indicators, and a plurality of magnetic responsive markers for positioning on the position indicators, whereby the markers are retained by the permanent magnets.

Abstract: An album includes a plurality of pages and another portion such as a front and/or back cover, or a binder. A plurality of magnets are positioned at respective relative locations on one of the album portion or the plurality of pages. A plurality of magnetic field sensor means, such as Hall effect sensors, are positioned at respective relative locations on the other of the album portion or the plurality of pages which substantially match the respective locations of the plurality of magnets for sensing the position of each page relative to the other portion.

Abstract: Pieces of a conventional jigsaw picture puzzle are cut to fit within a frame and over a base. Each piece has a suitable actuator (e.g., a magnet) embedded therein. The base has a switch (e.g., a magnetic switch) located below the location of the magnet of a particular piece when that piece is properly positioned within the frame to "solve" the puzzle. The switches are wired in series with a source of power, a melody generator and an amplifier. When the puzzle pieces are in proper position, the melody generator produces a tune appropriate for the picture of the puzzle. Several different puzzles may be provided fitting within the same frame. For each puzzle there is a key piece. For different puzzles the switch actuator of the key piece of located in a different location. A separate switch is located on the base below each actuator of the key piece and is wired to generate a different tune by being in series with a different melody generator. Instead of generating tunes, the device may actuate lights or speech.

Abstract: An educational device adapted to use interchangeable card members having comparable informational indicia thereon is provided comprising a casing having interchangeable dielectric panel members having upper and lower surfaces removably secured to the casing. A plurality of pairs of normally open electric current paths are associated with the lower surface of the panel member, each of the current paths having a pair of normally open magnetic switches thereby forming a corresponding pair of magnetic switches. A source of electrical energy is connected to the open electric current paths operative when activated to provide a sensurous indication when a corresponding pair of normally open switches is closed.

Abstract: An educational toy comprises a tray (12, 14) having a plurality of templates (16) positioned thereon in a rearrangeable pattern. Each template has a hole therethrough of a unique shape. A corresponding plurality of mating male forms (20) are provided. The toy is used by placing the forms into their mating templates. Upon placement of a form into its mating template, a magnet (30) in the base of the form becomes positioned close enough to close a reed switch (32) under the tray. Closure of the reed switch activates a timing circuit (FIG. 7) which activates a moving, sounding toy (22) for a brief interval, thereby indicating to the child that he or she has made a correct placement. The templates can be easily rearranged in many patterns on the tray so that the child will not get bored with the game.

Abstract: An educational toy for teaching small children alphanumeric characters and their positions on a conventional keyboard includes a flat base unit having a plurality of surface slots extending partially through the base and second slots between the bottom of the surface slots and the bottom surface of the base to a metallic bottom plate. Keys are represented on the top surfaces of bars having exterior shapes that fit within the surface slots and with magnet tipped extensions that fit within the second slots. The slots and keyboard bars are uniquely shaped so that each bar can only fit into its respective slot to form a completed assembly similar to a conventional keyboard.

Abstract: A toy is provided including individual receiving means each having magnetic means, and being marked with an identifying indicia. The receiving means are adapted to receive insertion means having magnetic means and are marked with identifying indicia matching the identifying indicia of at least one of the individual receiving means, such that the magnetic means of receiving and insertion means having matching identifying indicia repel one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic sound-emitted self-learning toy characterized by effectively emitting the sound "YES" while the selected answer card coincides with the question card on the base sheet, and "NO" while the two are not in accordance with each other. The answer card, question card and basic sheet are provided with a magnet, when the corresponding magnets are located so as to be attracted to each other, the tape recorder within the rear body connected to the mechanism under the basic sheet will selectively emit the sounds "YES" or "NO" so that children may learn calculation while playing the toy.