Abstract: A freestanding visual aid is disclosed which includes instructional material displayed on multiple sufaces of a geometric object to allow the selective display of indicia representing information, on at least one of the surfaces, in a resting position of the geometric object. The indicia displayed by each face of the freestanding object is preferably related to one of a plurality of modes of operation of an apparatus or system with which the visual aid is used. Each surface, for example, may include an explanation of the key functions and command language applicable to a different computer program when the visual aid is used in connection with the operation of a computer or microprocessor system. The freestanding object allows immediate selection of the appropriate instructional information represented by the indicia on a given surface for the particular program employed by the computing system.

Abstract: A picture book set with play effect, having a plurality of toy elements with modularly dimensioned coupling means. The toy elements may be placed on a picture plane provided with correspondingly dimensioned positioning recesses or elevations, so that a child may play with the toy elements to arrange a three-dimensional representation of the situation described in the story text.

Abstract: Elastic cord interconnected blocks in which each block contains a plurality of deep slots cut to a centrally positioned interior washer-like connecting element having a hole coaxial that can freely pass the elastic cord. The element hole is coaxial with an axial hole formed in the block by the spacing of adjacent block segments, the segment having a spacing for passing a stretched elastic cord and for locking the cord in its relaxed state. Unusual shapes can be formed with several interconnected blocks.

Abstract: This invention deals with a multi-purpose learning device for mathematics, language, logic reasoning, and classification of objects.

Abstract: An improved interconnecting toy which, through its various uses, provides various educational experiences to the user and which comprises a game piece (1) with joined tubular members comprised of connective ends; and which comprises a game piece (2) with joined tubular member comprised of connective ends. The connective ends may be of the male or female type (7 and 6 respectively). The tubular members may be circumferentially configured in any geometric shape, and may consist of any variety of colors; and the tubular members may be imprinted or decalled with numeric, alphabetic, or logo-type designations, all of which enhance the educational experience that results from use of the invention.

Abstract: A device for aiding and encouraging a child to brush his or her teeth regularly. The device is provided with a pair of nonrotatable shafts each of which mounts seven rotatable blocks shaped like a molar tooth, each block representing either the morning or night of a particularly day during which a child should brush his teeth. The front surface faces of the blocks form a frowning mouth with dirty teeth, while the rear surface faces form a pattern of a smiling mouth with white teeth after all of the blocks have been rotated 180 degrees. Each block is rotated to expose a portion of the smile and to remove a portion of the frown after each tooth brushing in the morning and evening of each day.

Abstract: A set of stackable blocks in which there is a subset of blocks each having its center of mass offset from where the center of mass would be located if the block had a uniform mass distribution. In other aspects, the distribution of mass in one block can be shifted, and the blocks bear arbitrary symbols indicative of the characteristics of their mass distributions.

Abstract: Educational sign language blocks are set forth as an educational tool to enable individuals to enhance an understanding of sign language, as typically utilized by hearing impaired individuals. The individual sign language blocks each include a designated letter of the alphabet and an associated symbol corresponding to that letter to reinforce the noted alphabet letter and further including a removable side face including the appropriate sign language designation for the aforenoted letter. The removal faces are each provided with three projections to correspond to three recesses within an associated face of the block. The pattern of recesses and projections are varied for each of the individual blocks whereupon an individual attempting to associate the appropriate sign language symbol with the designation or letter on the block must choose correctly or else the removable face will not mate due to misalignment of the projections and recesses.

Abstract: A metric block toy comprising ten blocks of varying colors, each block being a one tenth of a meter cube, and having indicia designating ten centimeter increments along one edge of each block, together with other legends designating the length of the edge invarying metric terms. The blocks, when placed in aligned relation, indicate the total length of one meter.

Abstract: Sheet material building components or units in the shape of different regular polygons of equal edge length have strips of hook-and-pile fastening materials permanently secured so as to extend along their side edges. Hook type fastening material is disposed toward one end portion of each side edge and pile type fastening material is disposed toward the other end portion of each side edge. The strips of hook type and pile type fastening materials alternate around the circumference of each unit. Different units can be connected substantially edge-to-edge by simply placing the desired edges in contact to form a wide variety of two-dimensional or three-dimensional arrays or shapes.

Abstract: A novelty item comprising a sphere, sphereoid or polyhedron. The surface of the novelty item is divided into a plurality of differently colored areas with the sum of the areas constituting the surface of the item. The size and shape of all the areas is approximately the same and the color of any one area and the color of the adjacent areas are spectrally related having an angular spacing on the color wheel corresponding to the angular spacing between the normals to each of the areas passing through the center of the novelty item. Also, a color mapping method from the two dimensional color wheel to a three dimensional color wheel.

Abstract: An educational game which has predetermined polyhedral bodies. The dimensions of the edges of the polyhedral bodies are ratios substantially equal to 1 and to a whole power of .tau., with ##EQU1## This game also includes (a) at least one polyhedral body for defining a tetrahedral volume;(b) at least one polyhedral body for defining a pyramidal hexahedral volume;(c) at least one polyhedral body for defining a bipyramidal heptahedral volume; and(d) at least one polyhedral body for defining an octahedral volume.The polyhedral bodies of the game allow a non-periodical filling of the space, the formation of homothetic volumes of the volumes and of regular dodecahedral volumes.

Abstract: A block set, each block including a generally cubical portion with a frusto-pyramidal or convex portion, and an oppositely disposed frusto-pyramidally configured mating concave portion for interlocking. Each of the fourteen surfaces or sides thus formed includes a substantially similar pictorial depiction of an object, such as an animal or the like, with a letter imprinted on the object, preferably in a portion of the object which bears a resemblance to the letter. The edges of each side of the block are colored, with each edge being a different color for promoting color awareness, with the like colored edges of adjacent blocks establishing a preferred orientation for pictorial and indicia alignment. The individual pictorial representations on adjacent surfaces of the same block are oriented in different orthogonal directions for enabling reading of a word on the adjoined surfaces of adjacent blocks on at least one other of the adjoined surfaces of the blocks.

Abstract: A geometrical structural system is made up of a plurality of nodes and shape-coded connectors extending therebetween, each node having a plurality of outer polygonal elements. The outer edges of each element are bordered by end edges of other elements and each element has an opening therethrough corresponding to the outer side edges of each element. Each opening extends radially into a hollow space centrally of each node. The connectors are elongated and have opposed connecting ends with a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to a cross-sectional configuration of an opening in one of the element faces for insertion therein.

Abstract: A toy building block and a interactive set of said toy building blocks. Each side of each block is provided with a shape, either raised or recessed. There are three such shapes. Each block has at least one face with each of said shapes. There is only one raised shape portion on each block. The raised portions have a removable snap fit to matching recessed portions on other blocks.A plurality of said blocks, comprising a set, may be assembled by a child to form three dimensional structures. The half portion of each block opposing that side having the raised shape portion is identical to the opposing one half portion of every other block of the set.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a series of building blocks of different shapes, wherein each individual building block unit comprises a horizontal partition plate (2) which divides the unit block into upper and lower compartments, a supporting partition wall (1) wherein on the surface of supporting partition wall (1) at the upper compartment of the unit there is a row of equi-spaced hole. One of the characteristics of the building blocks is that three of the faces of the block are not enclosed by any plate. The block units may have a square, rectangular, semicircular or circular shape. The block units may also have a triangular, sector, trapezium or a truncated sector shape, each of the last four shapes having an angle of either 60.degree., 72.degree. or 90.degree.. Hence, there are altogether 16 types of blocks which can be arranged in many geometric shapes.

Abstract: An educational toy and method for demonstrating characteristics of a latticework of spacepoints including demonstrating (a) the commonality of latticework between tetrahedron configuration latticework and octahedron configuration latticework, (b) that octahedron latticework merges with tetrahedron latticework, (c) the 13-plane structure of the common latticework, (d) how simultaneous twinning in more than one of the 13 planes can form multitudes of combinations of domains of tetrahedrons and octahedrons, and (e) the altering of latticework by appropriately selecting the dimensions of structure members that define spacepoints in the latticework. Preferably, the structure members are similarly dimensioned and oriented ellipsoidal elements which are gravity stacked and optionally connectable and wherein the centerpoint of each ellipsoidal element represents a spacepoint in the latticework.

Abstract: A set of didactic blocks to be used by children is provided and consists of a plurality of different shaped geometric solid members and a plurality of indicia associated with the geometric solid members to stimulate artistic creativity and at the same time teach children mathematics, science, language and the like when the blocks are manipulated in play.

Abstract: Self-Assemble revolving globe using paper board materials in the making.

Abstract: The Visual Communication System of the Krempel Code whereby colors are used instead of letters of the common alphabet for world-wide relaying of messages can also utilize in any modern language the Visual Communication System Devices of colored cubes employed on indicated boards or trays, rectangular beltlike color selectors as well as computer displays for communicative purposes.

Abstract: An educational toy comprising a threaded shaft having blocks rigidly fixed to the opposite ends thereof and rotating and traveling blocks, spaced between the fixed end blocks and containing indicia to be aligned on faces of the rigidly fixed and rotating and traveling blocks.

Abstract: A kind of device on the surface of which numbers, illustrations, or colors are arranged to show the year, month, day, or week is disclosed. Also, puzzles can be provided according to the invention for intellectual play purposes. A plurality of wooden pegs having either a cubic, rectangular, or cylindrical shape are provided wherein on each peg, indicia, such as, numbers, colors, illustrations are placed so as to show the year, month, day, week, or graphical illustrations and/or beautiful designs depending upon the arrangement of the pegs.

Abstract: An instructional toy device for multiplication computation formed by a string of cuboid blocks having an interconnecting elastic string permitting equal segments of multiple blocks to be folded in a back and forth arrangement of aligned rows, the blocks each being individually marked with a number progressing in an ordinary arithmetic series of increasing units from an end block marked 1 to an end block marked with the number of the total blocks in the string, a multiplication computation being represented by a selected number equalling the number of blocks in a segment and a multiple equalling the number of rows, the product of which is the numerical marking of the last block in the segment of the last row.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for making laminate patterns for a resin matrix composite structural component. A sheet of paper (28) is temporarily adhered to a model (26) of the structural component. Pen (13) is positioned on paper (28) with spindle (24) touching the model surface opposite the pen. The pen and spindle are moved along the path that maintains the aforementioned contacts. The resulting line (31) traced on paper (28) is a model constant-thickness locus and provides a pattern for a single lamination of resin-impregnated fabric. The steps are repeated to make other patterns and each time the steps are repeated the distance between the tracer and the spindle is changed to correspond to the thickness of a lamination.

Abstract: A flat pattern is disclosed for forming a three-dimensional structure known as the Great Dodecahedron. The pattern consists of twelve regular pentagons, laid out as for the pattern for a simple dodecahedron on paper or cardboard or similar material. Creases are formed lying along the major diagonals of the twelve pentagons, and the structure is assembled by joining the edges of the pattern with adhesive tape, or tabs, or tabs and slots.

Abstract: A tension model device is disclosed which has: Three struts which cross each other at or near the center portion of each strut; and a plurality of corresponding tension strands. The strands are joined from each end of all the struts to each end of the other struts. To facilitate assembly, a removable block is inserted where the struts cross each other. The block has three notches on its surface that engage the struts and space them from each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for constructing a pyramid. The apparatus comprises a circular piece of material having a circular front face; a circular back face; and a plurality of fold lines formed on at least one of the faces. The fold lines include diameter lines each traversing and passing through the center point of the circular face, and chord lines each shorter in length than the diameter lines, either end of the chord lines and the diameters lines coinciding with a point on the circumference of the face. The pyramid is formed by sequentially folding the circular piece of material along the fold lines.

Abstract: A game and teaching device construction is described to include a plurality of indicia bearing blocks bound together by a pair of flexible straps. Each block is generally shaped in the form of a solid rectangle whereby a first strap is affixed to each block at one end thereof and a second strap is affixed to each block at the other end thereof. Each block includes front and back faces with one of such faces bearing indicia, for example a plurality of dots, and the other face bearing indicia of the number corresponding to the number of dots on the first described face. When stretched out, the construction is such that pushing the first block will cause the collapse of it and all other blocks in sequence. Furthermore, the construction can be used such that a child is interrogated to associate a number with the number of dots showing on a particular block, with the other face of the block being used to verify the child's answer.

Abstract: A new gaming die is an equilateral tetrahedron with each of its four sides in the form of a recessed triangular pyramid. The resulting twelve congruent triangular facets of the novel die may carry numerals, letters or other characters depending on the game for which the die or dice are designed. A unique feature of the tetrahedral die is that it can be cheaply produced by the injection molding of a thermoplastic.

Abstract: A series of interrelated sets of tetrahedron blocks. Each set is capable of assembly into a cube with all the cubes being identical in size. Typically, there are at least three such sets, though there may be more; and when there are three sets, for example, one set contains twice as many tetrahedron blocks as the second set and four times as many as the third set. The tetrahedrons are preferably hollow and each of them has a magnet for each face, e.g., affixed to the interior walls of its faces, the magnets being so polarized that upon assembly into a cube or pyramid, the magnets of facing faces attract each other. Preferably, the blocks are colored in such a way that faces of the same size and shape are colored alike and each size and shape has a different color.

Abstract: A series of interrelated sets of tetrahedron blocks. Each set comprises twelve blocks capable of assembly into a rectangular parallelepiped using all twelve blocks, and is also capable of assembly into an eight-block pyramid and a four-block tetrahedron. The pyramid and parallelepiped of all sets are the same height. The tetrahedrons are preferably hollow and each of them has a magnet for each face, e.g., affixed to the interior walls of its faces, the magnets being so polarized that upon assembly into a cube or pyramid, the magnets of facing faces attract each other. Preferably, the blocks are colored in such a way that faces of the same size and shape are colored alike and each size and shape has a different color.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amusement device which is formed of a plurality of differently shaped modular units which can interfit to form a solid equilateral tetrahedron. Each of the modular units is a single solid piece having a shape which is defined by the integral combination of one or more solid equilateral octrahedrons and one or more solid equilateral tetrahedrons. The modular units can also interfit to form random three-dimensional sculptural shapes.

Abstract: An educational toy, teaching device and puzzle block combination comprising a plurality of sets of blocks of decreasing dimensions so related one to another as to complete an overall design. Preferably these comprise three sets of cubes color coded so that the combination defined by the cubes may be realized by assembling the cubes in a particular order. To this end there are seven cubes of a given dimension, seven cubes of an intermediate dimension and eight cubes of a smaller dimension. The cubes define three horizontal planes of decreasing size and three vertical planes of a first orientation and of decreasing size and three vertical planes of a second orientation and of decreasing size. The cubes are colored so as to define a pair of matching patterns in each of the nine planes so defined. Each cube, therefore, will be colored on anywhere from three to six of its sides. In the preferred arrangement the colored patterns are circles and all exposed sides of the fully assembled cubes are plain.

Abstract: Toy apparatus for the formation of 2- and 3-dimensional geometrical structures and including a plurality of substantially spherical connector members each having a plurality of radial sockets or prongs arranged around a central point in the connector member, a plurality of slender connecting members in groups of different lengths and having opposite ends to fit in the sockets or to receive the prongs, said sockets or prongs of each connector member body being arranged in patterns that enable the connector members to be interconnected by the connecting member to form tetrahedron, octahedron and cube structures.

Abstract: A series of interrelated sets of tetrahedron Each set is capable of assembly into a cube with all the cubes being identical in size. Typically, there are at least three such sets, though there may be more; and when there are three sets, for example, one set contains twice as many tetrahedron blocks as the second set and four times as many as the third set. The tetrahedrons are preferably hollow and each of them has a magnet for each face, e.g., affixed to the interior walls of its faces, the magnets being so polarized that upon assembly into a cube or pyramid, the magnets of facing faces attract each other. Preferably, the blocks are colored in such a way that faces of the same size and shape are colored alike and each size and shape has a different color.

Abstract: A geometrical structural system is made up of a plurality of nodes and shape-coded connectors extending therebetween, each node having a plurality of outer polygonal elements. The outer edges of each element are bordered by end edges of other elements and each element has an opening therethrough corresponding to the outer side edges of each element. Each opening extends radially into a hollow space centrally of each node. The connectors are elongated and have opposed connecting ends with a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to a cross-sectional configuration of an opening in one of the element faces for insertion therein.