Patent ID: 6132217
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: G09B

Abstract:
An apparatus for teaching a relationship of trigonometric functions between a unit circle and a rectangular coordinate system, the apparatus comprising:an elongated and flexible primary member having first and second ends and being movable between a series of discrete visual positions and configurations including(i) a first circular configuration in which the primary member is disposed in a circle centered about a center point defining a unit circle, and(ii) a second linear configuration in which the primary member is disposed in a line intersecting an origin point defining a horizontal axis of a rectangular coordinate system; anda plurality of linear and elongated secondary members each removably coupled to the flexible primary member at one of a series of spaced apart attachment points disposed along the primary member and being moveable between a series of discrete visual positions and configurations including(i) a first unit circle position in which each of the plurality of secondary members is oriented with respect to the unit circle to demonstrate a particular trigonometric function, and(ii) a second position in which each of the plurality of secondary members is disposed perpendicularly to the horizontal axis defined by the flexible primary member when the primary member is in the second linear configuration with the first end of each of the plurality of secondary members coupled to the flexible primary member.