Abstract:
The Christian learning tool is an educational toy having a base in the shape of an open Bible, the top surface of the base being divided into a left side and a right side. The left side has a cradle defined therein receiving a pair of praying hands attached to the base by a tether and having a plurality of apertures for emitting sound from a speaker. The right side has three sets of buttons disposed thereon, including a set of category selector buttons for selecting either the Ten Commandments or the Beatitudes, a set of ten topic selector buttons in the form of a telephone keypad for selecting one of the Ten Commandments or one of the Beatitudes for audio replay, and a third set of buttons for selecting audio replay of a story about either the birth or death of Christ.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an entertaining device for teaching Christian principles by rote. More specifically, the invention relates to an electronic teaching toy for reproducing prestored biblical stories and verses. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Many devices have been used over time for educating young children on various topics, ideologies, and theories. Many of these devices include a telephone handset, or other simulative hand held article for a child user to pretend to talk on the phone while learning. In addition, many of these devices have pre-recorded messages, songs, alphabets, numbers, etc. that the child listens to in order to learn. The prior art has many representative devices for telephone structures, learning devices, and entertaining devices. 
     Some examples are U.S. Pat. No. Des. 291,989 issued Sep. 22, 1987, to Roach, shows a praying hands telephone handset cradle. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 318,306 issued Jul. 16, 1991, to Cheung, shows an electronic toy having a telephone handset. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 321,186 issued Oct. 29, 1991, to Blinn et al., shows a telephone set in the form of a hand. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 387,056 issued Dec. 2, 1997, to Yoneyama, shows a business telephone set. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 392,321 issued Mar. 17, 1998, to Chan, shows a toy teaching device. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 397,338 issued Aug. 25, 1998, to Gray, shows a cellular telephone in the form of a hand. U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,179 issued Jun. 22, 1976, to Bennett, discloses a telephone teaching system that utilizes a functioning telephone to educate children in various areas. U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,196 issued Apr. 24, 1984, to Gonet, discloses an electronic hand held bible. U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,652 issued Jan. 15, 1985, to Mike, discloses an inspirational teaching apparatus having a display of an inspirational symbol and a printed message appearing while an audio track reads the message. U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,054 issued Feb. 10, 1987, to Wada, discloses a children&#39;s picture book having a telephone dial therein. U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,188 issued Jan. 17, 1995, to Tomellini, discloses an audio playback device having a telephone handset and a plurality of images. Upon selecting an image, the device plays an audio recording of the image as if speaking through the handset. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,610 issued Jul. 18, 1995, to Godfrey et al., discloses an educational device for accelerating learning in recognition, language acquisition, awareness, cause and effect, and association. U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,177 issued Sep. 12, 1995, to Naylor, discloses a biblical educational board game for teaching biblical knowledge in the context of three biblical characteristics of humankind, as presented in the Bible. U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,484 issued Dec. 12, 1995, to Lemelle, discloses a doll for teaching children how to dial the emergency number (typically ‘911’) by disposing a simulated telephone in the chest of the doll. The telephone also includes an audio tape for instructing the child as to what to do. U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,508 issued Mar. 11, 1997, to Wingate, discloses a toy telephone having audio and visual outputs. U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,748 issued Sep. 8, 1998, to Maddrell et al., discloses an electronic book having visual indicia on the leaves of the book. Upon pressing the indicia, an audible sound is produced related to the indicia. U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,985 issued Nov. 3, 1998, to Campanella, discloses a children&#39;s game device that allows a child to interactively participate with an electronic storybook by drawing characters and recording the child&#39;s voice. U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,869 issued Jul. 20, 1999, to Haas, discloses a devotional and learning device emulating a scroll. Individual frames of the scroll display scripture passages, prayers, quotations, etc. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a Christian learning tool for developing Christian principles is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Since the time of Moses, “The Ten Commandments” have been revered by generations of people as God&#39;s supreme law for humankind. These ten instructions from God are the foundation of morality. Additionally, Jesus gave us ways to achieve happiness and receive God&#39;s promise. These ways are described in the “Beatitudes.” Yet these guidelines for living have been the source of controversy, labeled as politically incorrect and offensive to those who do not share the Judeo-Christian belief system. As we approach the 21st century, our moral ambiguity has led to a morass of drug and alcohol addiction, violence, murder, and lawlessness that seems insurmountable. Even our schools, as evidenced by the numerous massacres around the United States and the world in recent months, are no longer safe havens for learning and development, but are now halls of fear, marked by gun detectors, security guards, and hidden cameras. For many, the situation seems hopeless. We must, however, remember that God sent his son Jesus to overcome the world, and with him we have hope. Our faith in God is our shield against evil, and His Word our weapon. 
     In keeping with God&#39;s ordinance to teach our children His commandments, we have, with God&#39;s help, designed an innovative Christian learning tool that makes it easy for young children (typically, ages 2-5 years old) to learn “The Ten Commandments,” “The Beatitudes,” and other Bible verses. This toy will expose children at an early age to important biblical principles at the push of a button. This tool is also intended to be a fun alternative to TV or video games, as children discover themselves and their purpose in the world through lending their ears and their hearts to God. 
     Children need to know that God is completely approachable and always available to hear what they want to tell him. The instant invention is an educational and entertaining device that lets children know that they can talk to God and that God speaks to them through His Word and will always help and guide them. The simulated telephone concept implies that God is easy to talk to and hearing His Word can be as simple as pressing a button. Children will naturally gravitate to this simulated telephone. It also serves as a tool for teaching young children how to count. Parents will be encouraged to observe and assist their children in learning and understanding Bible verses, which are spoken from prestored memory banks in the device. 
     This Christian educational device will aid parents and educators in teaching children the Word of God diligently in their homes, schools, churches, synagogues, and other places of worship or activity. This easy-to-use Christian educational device will also encourage and support closeness and bonding between parents and their children as parents talk with their children about what the Bible verses mean. Understanding the verses of the Bible is the key ingredient to understanding Christian principles. The Christian learning tool of the present invention provides an avenue for parents to engage in important discussions with their children. 
     The device has a base in the shape of an open Bible. A flesh colored simulated receiver, shaped like praying hands, rests on the left side of the base, and is tethered to the base. Surrounding the simulated receiver are the words ‘FAITH’, ‘PEACE’, ‘LOVE’, and ‘JOY’ displayed in child-like handwritten font. The right side of the base has twelve buttons having numerals or symbols imprinted thereon. The buttons are in a standard telephone arrangement, however, unlike a conventional telephone, the number ‘0’ is replaced by the number ‘10’. In addition, the asterisk or star symbol is replaced with a ‘Star of Bethlehem’ icon. Likewise, the pound sign is replaced with a cross icon. When depressed, the ‘Star of Bethlehem’ button will actuate the device to replay the birth story of Jesus. Similarly, when the cross button is depressed, the device will replay the death and resurrection story of Jesus. 
     Below the twelve buttons, there are two elongated rectangular category buttons, one of which is labeled ‘Ten Commandments’ and the other ‘The Beatitudes’. In conjunction with the numbered buttons, the device will replay the ‘Ten Commandments’ or ‘The Beatitudes’, by the selection of the category button followed by a numeral selection (i.e., 1-10). 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an educational, entertaining device. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a toy device that simulates a telephone. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a simulated telephone toy device capable of producing audible messages. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a simulated telephone toy device capable of producing audible messages divided into categories and topics, and stories. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a simulated telephone toy device having a circuit for producing audible messages to be learned by rote. 
     It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a simulated telephone toy device having the form of an open Bible. 
     Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a simulated telephone toy device having the form of an open Bible having a pair of praying hands tethered thereto. 
     It is still yet another object of the invention to provide a simulated telephone toy device in the shape of an open Bible having a pair of praying hands tethered thereto, with a multiplicity of buttons for selectively recalling a pre-recorded message. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a Christian learning tool according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an environmental view of the Christian learning tool according to the present invention being used by a child. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the Christian learning tool according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a block circuit diagram of the electronic components of the Christian learning tool according to the present invention. 
    
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention is an electronic educational tool that is entertaining and appealing. The Christian learning tool is in the form of a simulated telephone that replays prestored messages selected by a user, preferably a child. Referring to FIG. 2, a child  70  is shown in a typical learning and playing situation. The child  70  is shown seated in a chair  80  at a table  90 . On the table  90 , the child  70  is playing with a toy  10  embodying the Christian learning tool according to the present invention. The toy  10 , as shown in FIG. 2, may rest upon the table  90 , however, the toy  10  may also be utilized in the lap of the child  70  while sitting in the chair  80 , or on the floor (not shown). 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the toy  10  of the instant invention is shown in greater detail. The toy  10  is in the form of a simulated telephone. The toy  10  has a base member  16  shaped in the form of an open Bible. The base member  16  has a top surface which is generally divided into a first, left side  12  and a second, right side  14  corresponding to the left and right pages of an open book. The first, left side has a cradle  42 . The cradle  42  has a symmetric array of apertures  44  for passing audible tones therethrough, the audible tones emanating from a speaker  68  housed within the base member  16 . The first, left side  12  also has indicia imprinted thereon. The indicia is preferably the words ‘FAITH’  30 A, ‘PEACE’  30 B, ‘LOVE’  30 D, and ‘JOY’  30 C displayed in a child-like handwritten font, surrounding the cradle  42 . 
     The second, right side  14  of the base  16  has at least  14  buttons having numerals, words, or symbols imprinted thereon. The buttons are divided into three independent sets of buttons  22 ,  24 ,  26 . The first set  26  of buttons are in a standard telephone arrangement, however, unlike a conventional telephone, the number ‘0’ is replaced the number ‘10’. The second set  22  of buttons are typically positioned in accordance with the asterisk or star and the pound sign also in a standard telephone arrangement. However, the asterisk or star symbol is replaced with a ‘Star of Bethlehem’ icon on button  22 A. Likewise, the pound sign is replaced with a cross icon  22 B. The third set  24  of buttons include at least two buttons for selecting a category. The buttons of the third set are preferably labeled as ‘Ten Commandments’  24 A and ‘The Beatitudes’  24 B. 
     The base  16  has a tether  42  connected thereto. The tether  42  is also connected to a simulated receiver  40 . The simulated receiver  40  is in the shape corresponding to a pair of praying hands. The simulated receiver  40  is used by the child  70  to pretend he is talking on the telephone to God, holding the praying hands between his hands while he is praying or in any other suitable usage. 
     The base  16  includes a power supply compartment (also not shown) housing a power supply  66 . The power supply compartment has a removable door  50  for selectively accessing the compartment. The removable door is illustrated as a panel having at least one tab  52  for insertion into a corresponding aperture in the bottom surface of the base  16 , and a fastener, typically a screw  54 , for securing the door  50  to the bottom surface, via a fastener hole  56  defined in the door  50 . The power supply compartment is sized and configured for holding an appropriate number of dry cell batteries, or an AC/DC converting adapter and cord for use with a standard electrical outlet. In FIG. 4, a power supply is shown by power supply block  68  and encompasses either or both of batteries, and AC/DC converting adapter and cord. 
     In use, the child  70  initiates the toy by depressing one of the category buttons  24 , selecting either the ‘Ten Commandments’  24   a  or ‘The Beatitudes’  24 B. When the ‘Ten Commandments’  24 A button is depressed, the child  70  hears “And God spoke all these words,” while the toy  10  recalls the biblical passages and assigns each of the numbered buttons of the first set  26  of buttons. Subsequently, the child may depress any of the buttons marked 1-10 of the first set  26  and the toy will respond according to the following: 
     Button #1: “Commandment #1, You shall have no other gods before me.” 
     Button #2: “Commandment #2, You shall not make unto thee any graven image.” 
     Button #3: “Commandment #3, You shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” 
     Button #4: “Commandment #4, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” 
     Button #5: “Commandment #5, Honor thy father and thy mother.” 
     Button #6: “Commandment #6, You shall not kill.” 
     Button #7: “Commandment #7, You shall not commit adultery.” 
     Button #8: “Commandment #8,You shall not steal.” 
     Button #9: “Commandment #9, You shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” 
     Button #10: “Commandment #10, You shall not covet thy neighbor&#39;s house, nor thy neighbor&#39;s wife, nor anything that is thy neighbor&#39;s.” 
     Likewise, when the ‘The Beatitudes’  24 B button is pressed, the child will hear “Jesus began to teach them saying” (the Beatitudes, St. Matthew 5: 3-11); the toy  10  recalls these biblical passages and assigns each of the numbered buttons of the first set  26  of buttons. Subsequently, the child may depress any of the buttons marked 1-9 of the first set  26  and the toy will respond according to the following: 
     Button #1: “Beatitude #1, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” 
     Button #2: “Beatitude #2, Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” 
     Button #3: “Beatitude #3, Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” 
     Button #4: “Beatitude #4, Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” 
     Button #5: “Beatitude #5, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” 
     Button #6: “Beatitude #6, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” 
     Button #7: “Beatitude #7, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.” 
     Button #8: “Beatitude #8, Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness&#39; sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” 
     Button #9: “Beatitude #9, Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” 
     The third set  22  of buttons have the ‘Star of Bethlehem’  22 A and the cross icon  22 B. These buttons work independently of the first set  26  and second set  24  of buttons. By the depressing the ‘Star of Bethlehem’  22 A button, the child  70  will hear a narrative of Jesus&#39; birth, as follows: 
     “Jesus, the Son of God, was born in Bethlehem about 2000 years ago. After he was born, men from the East came to bring gifts to the child who was destined to be King of Kings. Angels appeared announcing the birth of the child that would save his people from their sins. He lived a perfect life, teaching others the ways of His Father God, performing great miracles, and healing all who sought his help.” 
     Likewise, when the cross button  22 B is depressed, the child  70  will hear a narrative of the death and resurrection of Jesus, as follows: 
     “Although Jesus always treated others with love and kindness, he was not loved by everyone. His enemies plotted to kill him, not believing that he was the Son of God. When he died on the cross, the sky became dark and there was a great earthquake. His body was placed in a cave and a large stone was rolled in front of it. Three days later, an angel came down from heaven and rolled back the stone and announced that Jesus had risen from the dead. Many people saw him as he walked through the city. Before he was miraculously taken up to heaven to prepare a place for us, he told his followers to preach the good news of his life, death, and resurrection, and to not be afraid because he had overcome the world.” 
     The ability of the toy  10  to replay these messages is accomplished by the electronic circuitry found internally of the housing base. Referring to FIG. 4, the replayed messages are generated through a speaker  68 . The three sets of buttons  22 ,  24 ,  26  are combined in the keypad input  20  of the FIG.  4 . The previously described power supply  66  provides the necessary power to the control processor  60  and the audio processor and amplifier  64 . The circuit also includes a non-volatile memory module  62 , which does not required an active presence of the power supply in order to retain the pre-recorded messages. 
     When the child  70  depresses a button, the keypad input  20  submits a signal to the control processor  60 . The control processor  60  determines the appropriate message and inquires the memory module  62  for the corresponding prestored message. The memory module  62  replies with the prestored message to the control processor  60 . The control processor  60  then submits the message to the audio processor and amplifier  64 . The audio processor and amplifier  64  receives the memory message, converts the message into an audio signal and amplifies the audio signal. The amplified audio signal is submitted to the speaker  68  and subsequently heard by the child  70 . 
     This inspirational toy will bring our nation back to God in a way that we have never before witnessed, starting with our children. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.