An educational toy type-printing device and type therefor

Abstract

 An educational toy type-printing device is disclosed comprising a type support member (10) having an elongated opening, and one or more nests (26) for receiving type. The type (28) is preferably L-shaped, and has a correct reading character such as a letter on one side of each leg (38), and a raised character (40) on the other side of each leg that is a mirror image of the correct reading character. A transparent type holding member (44) holds the type in the nests with the raised characters extending through the support member opening. The raised characters are adapted, when inked and pressed against a receiving sheet, to make a correct reading print.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a novel educational toy type-printing device. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a type-printing device in which each type has a correct reading character on one side and a mirror image character on the opposite side for making a print. By properly arranging the correct reading character(s) in a type support member to form one or more correctly assembled words clearly visible to the operator, correct printing of the word(s) is achieved by the mirror image characters on the opposite side.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel educational toy type-printing device that facilitates accurate type setting for printing correct reading character(s) or word(s).

[0003] In one aspect of the invention, the type printing device comprises type removably mounted in a type support member. The type has a first character on one side that is readable from that side, and a second character on the opposite side that is a mirror image of the first character when read from the opposite side. The type is mounted within the support member with the second character extending through an opening in the support member for making a correct reading print when the second character is inked and moved into engagement with a receiving sheet. The type support member further has means for releasably holding the type therein, and see-through means in the type holding means through which the first character can be viewed to assure that the type is correctly mounted in the type support member to make a correct reading print.

[0004] In another aspect of the invention, the type support member has one or more nests for receiving the type.

[0005] In still another aspect of the invention, each type is L-shaped and has first and second capital letters on opposite sides respectively of one leg, and first and second small letters on opposite sides respectively of the other leg. Each leg of the type is selectively mountable within a nest for printing the letter thereon onto a receiving sheet.

[0006] In more specific aspects of the invention, the type holding means comprises a pressure plate movable between an open position to allow placing type in the nests in the type support member, and a closed position for engaging and holding the type in the nests. The see-through means comprises a transparent portion of the pressure plate. The transparent portion is in register with the letters on the type when the plate is in its closed position.

[0007] An advantage, for example, of the type-printing device of this invention is that it solves the problem of improperly setting the type while attempting to achieve a correct reading print of one or more words. Where the type is set by viewing the mirror image of the correct letters or words from the printing side of the type, it is easy, particularly for a child, to improperly set the type. This problem is eliminated by setting the type in accordance with the correct reading letters or words on the type viewed from the side opposite the printing side. This printing device further sharpens the reading and spelling skills of the user.

[0008] The invention and its advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description of the invention presented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In the detailed description of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a toy type-printing device with a type holding means thereof shown in closed and open positions;

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the type-printing device of Fig. 1 with the type holding means in the closed position;

Fig. 3 is a section view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the type used in the type-printing device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the type of Fig. 4 taken from line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the type of Fig. 4 taken from line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the type of Fig. 4 taken from line 7-7 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the type of Fig. 4 taken from line 8-8 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a type usable in this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Referring to Figs. 1-3, a preferred embodiment of a type-printing device of this invention comprises a box-like type support member 10 preferably formed from any suitable plastic material. Support member 10 has front and side walls 12, 14 respectively extending upwardly from a bottom wall 16. bottom wall 16 has front and rear shelves 18, 20 respectively extending the full length of the support member, and defining an elongated opening 22 therebetween. Each of the shelves 18, 20 has spaced ribs 24 which cooperate to provide side-by-side nests 26 for receiving type 28, now to be described.

[0011] With reference to Figs.3-8, a preferred embodiment of type 28 is shown comprising an L-shaped member having outwardly extending legs 30, 32. Type 28 is formed from any suitable, preferably flexible material, such as rubber or polymeric. Leg 30, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 6, has a correct reading character 34 (the small letter "p") imprinted on the inner surface thereof by any suitable means. On the outer surface of leg 30, as best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, a raised character 36 is provided which is a mirror image of the small letter "p". If the raised character is inked and pressed into engagement with a receiving sheet, not shown, a small, correct reading, letter "p" is printed thereon. Leg 32, as best shown in Figs. 4, 7 and 8, is similar to leg 30 except that it has a correct reading character 38 (capital letter "P") on the inside surface thereof (Fig. 7), and a raised character 40, which is a mirror image of the capital letter "P" on the outer surface thereof (Fig. 8).

[0012] With reference to Figs. 1 and 3, a type holding means is disclosed for releasably holding type manually placed within nests 26 in support member 10. The type holding means, as best seen in Fig. 3, comprises an elongated box-like member 42 having a transparent, see-through pressure plate 44 for engaging and firmly holding type 28 in nests 26, and to allow viewing of the correct reading character 38 on the type, as best seen in Fig. 1.

[0013] The entire box-like member 42 is preferably formed from a clear, transparent plastic material. Alternatively, the box-like member may be formed from an opaque material, and the pressure plate provided with an elongated opening extending therethrough, not shown, or a window, not shown, to allow viewing of the correct reading cnaracter(s) on the inside surface of the leg(s).

[0014] The box-like member 42 further has rearwardly extending flanges 46 having lateral spindles 48 insertable within complementary blind holes in side walls 14 of support member 10 for pivotally connecting the box-like member to the support member for movement between open and closed positions.

[0015] In the operation of this invention, to print a word such as "SPEAR", for example, the toy operator initially moves box-like member 42 to its open position, and then selects the type 28 from any suitable tray, not shown, containing the type arranged in nests in the tray. Since the inner surface of each type contains a correct reading letter 34, 38, arranging and placing the type in nests 26 of support member 10 is facilitated. After the type 28 is properly loaded in support member 10, box-like member 42 is closed, ink is supplied to the raised letters extending through support member opening 22 by an ink applicator, pad or other means, not shown, and the support member and raised inked letters are applied as a unit to a receiving sheet, not shown.

[0016] Since raised letters 36, 40 extend through support member opening 22 below the lower surface of bottom wall 16 (Fig. 3), the facilitate fully seating type 28 into nests 26, it is preferable to provide a loading platform 50 for support member 10 having a cavity 52 into which the raised letters can extend, as shown in Fig. 3. Referring to Fig. 9, another embodiment of a type 28 for use in this invention is disclosed in which parts similar to parts in the previous figures are denoted by the same numerals primed. Type 28' comprises a substantially square member having small letters 34', 36' on opposite sides and capital letters 38', 40' on the remaining opposite sides. The member is preferably solid and formed from any suitable resilient material. With this form of type, the box-like member 42 has to be completely redesigned, and may comprise a transparent strap, not shown, one end of which is attached to one side wall, and the opposite end releasably secured by a clip or the-like, not shown, to the opposite side wall.

[0017] While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described with particularity, it will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one having ordinary skill in the art upon being apprised of the present invention. It is intended to encompass all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An educational toy type-printing device comprising:

a type support member having an opening;

a type removably mounted in said type support member, said type having a first character on one side that is readable from said one side, and a second character on the opposite side that is a mirror image of said first character when read from said opposite side, said second character extending through said opening for making a readable inked print when said second character is inked and moved into engagement with a receiving sheet;

means for releasably holding said type in said type support member; and

see-through means in said type holding means through which said first character can be viewed to assure that said type is correctly mounted in said support member to make a correct reading print.

2. A printing device according to claim 1 wherein said type support member has a nest for receiving said type.

3. A printing device according to claim 2 wherein said type is L-shaped, and has first and second capital letter characters on one leg and first and second small letter characters on the other leg, and each leg thereof is selectively mountable within said nest for printing, when inked, the letter theren onto a receiving sheet.

4. A printing device according to claim 3 wherein said see-through means comprises a transparent portion of said type holding means.

5. A printing device according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said type holding means comprises a pressure plate movable between an open position to allow mounting type in said type support member, and a closed position in engagement with said type.

6. A type for an educational toy type-printing device comprising:

an L-shaped member having legs joined at one end;

a first character on one side of one of said legs that is readable from said one side; and

a second character on the opposite side of said one leg that is a mirror image of said first character when read from said opposite side.

7. A type according to claim 6 wherein said first and second characters are capital letters, said type further having a first small letter character on one side of said leg that is readable from said one side, and a second small letter character on the opposite side of said other leg that is a mirror image of said first small letter character when read from said opposite side.

8. A type according to claims 6 or 7 wherein said L-shaped member is formed from a flexible material.

Drawing