US3869992A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clusterable learning module
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-09-11
•
Granted: 1975-03-11
•
Expires: 1992-09-11
Abstract
Abstract An educational module, having removable panels, the individual modules being capable of being clusterd into different groupings. Six vertical poles and two fixed end panels provide support for a writing surface approximately midway of the length of the poles. The majority of the writing surface is enclosed by panels extending between the poles from slightly below the writing surface to the tops of the poles. Five panels are provided, with several of the panels being removable and interchangeable without dismantling the module.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward J Kramer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:17
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; G09B5/02; A; A47; A47B; A47B41/00; E; E04; E04B; E04B2/00; E04B2/74; E04B2/7407; E04B2/7416; E04B2/7433; E04B2/7437; E04B2002/7483
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
311 words
An educational module, comprising: a generally horizontal writing panel of generally arcuate configuration in plan having a concavely configured edge presented adjacent a seated user, a convexly configured edge opposite from the user, and end edges joining said convexly and concavely configured edges and converging toward each other in the direction of the seated user, said convexly configured opposite edge comprising an intermediate edge portion directly opposite said seated user, and respective connecting edge portions between respective adjacent end edges and said intermediate edge portion, thereby defining six corners; upright support leg members positioned at each of said six corners; five upright panels successively connected to and extending between the successive leg members, two of said upright panels being rigidly secured to the leg members and extending adjacent said end edges, said rigidly secured upright panels and their associated leg members forming first and second panel combinations respectively, the remaining panels extending adjacent said connecting edge portions and said intermediate edge portion and being removably secured to and extending between associated support leg members; first bracket means secured to at least each of the two leg members adjacent said intermediate edge portion and also secured to said writing panel; and, second bracket means secured to each of said first and second panel combinations, and also secured to said writing panel, said first and second bracket means cooperating to maintain said leg members in an upright position and said writing panel in a generally horizontal position, and in relation to each other such that portions of said leg members and said upright panels extend substantially above said horizontal writing panel at least to approximate head level of the user sitting at said concave edge, and further cooperate to maintain said leg members and said writing panel in position when one or more of said removably secured panels are removed from the module.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
311 words
An educational module, comprising: a generally horizontal writing panel of generally arcuate configuration in plan having a concavely configured edge presented adjacent a seated user, a convexly configured edge opposite from the user, and end edges joining said convexly and concavely configured edges and converging toward each other in the direction of the seated user, said convexly configured opposite edge comprising an intermediate edge portion directly opposite said seated user, and respective connecting edge portions between respective adjacent end edges and said intermediate edge portion, thereby defining six corners; upright support leg members positioned at each of said six corners; five upright panels successively connected to and extending between the successive leg members, two of said upright panels being rigidly secured to the leg members and extending adjacent said end edges, said rigidly secured upright panels and their associated leg members forming first and second panel combinations respectively, the remaining panels extending adjacent said connecting edge portions and said intermediate edge portion and being removably secured to and extending between associated support leg members; first bracket means secured to at least each of the two leg members adjacent said intermediate edge portion and also secured to said writing panel; and, second bracket means secured to each of said first and second panel combinations, and also secured to said writing panel, said first and second bracket means cooperating to maintain said leg members in an upright position and said writing panel in a generally horizontal position, and in relation to each other such that portions of said leg members and said upright panels extend substantially above said horizontal writing panel at least to approximate head level of the user sitting at said concave edge, and further cooperate to maintain said leg members and said writing panel in position when one or more of said removably secured panels are removed from the module.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
311 words
An educational module, comprising: a generally horizontal writing panel of generally arcuate configuration in plan having a concavely configured edge presented adjacent a seated user, a convexly configured edge opposite from the user, and end edges joining said convexly and concavely configured edges and converging toward each other in the direction of the seated user, said convexly configured opposite edge comprising an intermediate edge portion directly opposite said seated user, and respective connecting edge portions between respective adjacent end edges and said intermediate edge portion, thereby defining six corners; upright support leg members positioned at each of said six corners; five upright panels successively connected to and extending between the successive leg members, two of said upright panels being rigidly secured to the leg members and extending adjacent said end edges, said rigidly secured upright panels and their associated leg members forming first and second panel combinations respectively, the remaining panels extending adjacent said connecting edge portions and said intermediate edge portion and being removably secured to and extending between associated support leg members; first bracket means secured to at least each of the two leg members adjacent said intermediate edge portion and also secured to said writing panel; and, second bracket means secured to each of said first and second panel combinations, and also secured to said writing panel, said first and second bracket means cooperating to maintain said leg members in an upright position and said writing panel in a generally horizontal position, and in relation to each other such that portions of said leg members and said upright panels extend substantially above said horizontal writing panel at least to approximate head level of the user sitting at said concave edge, and further cooperate to maintain said leg members and said writing panel in position when one or more of said removably secured panels are removed from the module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
311 words
An educational module, comprising: a generally horizontal writing panel of generally arcuate configuration in plan having a concavely configured edge presented adjacent a seated user, a convexly configured edge opposite from the user, and end edges joining said convexly and concavely configured edges and converging toward each other in the direction of the seated user, said convexly configured opposite edge comprising an intermediate edge portion directly opposite said seated user, and respective connecting edge portions between respective adjacent end edges and said intermediate edge portion, thereby defining six corners; upright support leg members positioned at each of said six corners; five upright panels successively connected to and extending between the successive leg members, two of said upright panels being rigidly secured to the leg members and extending adjacent said end edges, said rigidly secured upright panels and their associated leg members forming first and second panel combinations respectively, the remaining panels extending adjacent said connecting edge portions and said intermediate edge portion and being removably secured to and extending between associated support leg members; first bracket means secured to at least each of the two leg members adjacent said intermediate edge portion and also secured to said writing panel; and, second bracket means secured to each of said first and second panel combinations, and also secured to said writing panel, said first and second bracket means cooperating to maintain said leg members in an upright position and said writing panel in a generally horizontal position, and in relation to each other such that portions of said leg members and said upright panels extend substantially above said horizontal writing panel at least to approximate head level of the user sitting at said concave edge, and further cooperate to maintain said leg members and said writing panel in position when one or more of said removably secured panels are removed from the module.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said rigidly secured panels includes a surface presented adjacent an end edge of said writing panel, and wherein said second bracket means extends substantially entirely across said surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said upright panels have a lower peripheral edge located below said horizontal writing panel when said upright panels are in place in said module, and wherein said removably secured panels are removable directly vertically at least until said lower peripheral edge of each panel being removed is abOve said horizontal writing panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus of claim 1, wherein said upright panels extend below said writing surface at least one-fourth of the distance between said writing panel and a surface on which said leg members rest.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
103 words
An apparatus of claim 3, wherein said removably secured panels and said leg members have slot and pin connecting elements thereon, respectively, the edges of said removably secured panels adjacent associated support leg members having longitudinal grooves and lateral notches therein to accommodate said slot connecting elements and to pass the pin connecting elements upon panel removal, said grooves permitting displacement of the panel endwise of the leg members until at least the lower edge of the panel being removed is above the horizontal writing panel, said notches then permitting panel displacement transversly of the leg members, when the module is otherwise assembled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus of claim 1, wherein said end edges are straight and at right angles to each other, and wherein said connecting edge portons adjacent said respective end edges are straight and at right angles to said respective end edges, and are at 45* to said intermediate edge portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of said removably secured panels includes instruction means for presenting information to the seated user.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |