Training device for teaching digital logic operations

Claim 1

A training device of the type displaying the operation of digital logic circuits comprising; a panel display means including a panel board, input indicator lights at the top of said panel board and output indicator lights at the bottom of said panel board; input and output verTical terminal posts positioned on said panel board adjacent, respectively, said input and output indicator lights; a plurality of digital logic modules capable of being removably attached to said panel board having vertical terminal posts placed on said front surface of each of said logic modules and electrically connected to said logic modules for facilitating interconnection with other of said logic modules and said input and output terminal posts on said panel board, each logic module having indicia on said front surface to indicate its electrical function; a source of bias voltage for energizing said logic modules; switch means provided on said panel board and connected to said source of bias voltage whereby a voltage signal may be transmitted to said input terminal posts and also activate said input indicator lights, said output indicator lights adapted to provide a visual readout of the digital value at said output terminal posts; a plurality of helical wire spring conductors capable of varying lengths attaching to said vertical terminal posts to selectively, mechanically and electrically interconnect said logic modules and said vertical posts on said panel board, each spring conductor formed of a single helical wire terminating in a hook at each end; circuit means to selectively interconnect said logic modules; an input voltage supply means for providing digital input signals to said interconnected logic modules, wherein said logic modules are affixed to said panel board and operatively interconnected to perform a desired logic operation; a plurality of apertures arranged in at least two columns and rows disposed on said panel board; an inverted U-shaped channel member placed immediately behind and extending the length of each column of said apertures and having a base positioned on the back of said panel board and a pair of resilient sides extending out from the base and towards each other, said base having holes in alignment with said apertures in said panel board; electrical connection means for connecting said channel members to the positive and ground terminals of said bias voltage source, whereby channel members will be sequentially positive and ground biased, and at least a pair of solid constant diameter cylindrical plug members protruding from the back surface of each of said logic modules, whereby said logic modules may be inserted respectively through said apertures and said base holes of at least two adjacent channel members to mechanically spread and to electrically contact said sides and thereby provide both a mechanical support for said logic modules and electrical connection between said logic modules and said bias voltage source.