A stencil kit including a case, a drawing panel releasably mountable to said case in the manner of a cover, and multiple stencils selectively mounted to drawing surfaces formed on opposite faces of the drawing panel. The drawing panel includes an integral handle, which, upon a mounting of the drawing panel to the case, provides a handle for the entire kit. Interengaging lugs and a latch and keeper assembly provide for releasable joinder of the drawing panel to the case. Positioning flanges, projections and recesses about each drawing surface and on the associated stencils releasably position the stencils for use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention generally relates to drawings devices and is more 
particularly concerned with stencils or templates of the type having 
openings therein representative of a figure, letter, shape, or the like 
which is to be reproduced on a subjacent surface by a drawing instrument 
guided within the stencil opening. Such devices, whether used by adults, 
for example as a letter guide, or by children as an amusement or education 
means, normally involve multiple individual stencils, individual sheets of 
paper and drawing implements. The several components associated with a 
stencil device necessitate the provision of means for storing the 
components, as well as protecting the components, and in particular the 
normally thin and possibly flexible stencils. 
When providing stencil devices for young children, for example pre-school 
children, other problems must be dealt with including difficulties which 
might be encountered by the child in handling, positioning and using the 
components to produce an acceptable reproduction. In conjunction 
therewith, and if the stencil device is to be attractive to a child, it is 
desirable that the device be viewed as a toy by the child, notwithstanding 
the possible educational benefits derived from its use. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a stencil 
device which is particularly adapted for use by pre-school children, 
enabling them to create recognizable images easily, and at the same time 
enhancing creativity of children in their pre-school years. The device 
uniquely combines the ability to accommodate casual treatment by a child 
while at the same time providing, in a simple manner, for ease of handling 
and manipulation of the components, and in particular the positioning and 
retention of the stencils during use in "no hands" manner which will make 
the device attractive to a young child. 
In conjunction therewith, it is a significant object of the invention to 
provide the stencil device as a self-contained assemblage of components, 
providing both storage and use facilities which particularly accommodate 
the abilities of a young child. 
The present invention is basically a kit which combines all of the 
components into a self-containing assembly easily handled and used by a 
small child. 
The kit includes a rectangular storage case with a drawing panel engageable 
across the open face of the case in the manner of a cover. The case is of 
a sufficient depth to accommodate stencil supplies, including the 
stencils, paper, drawing instruments, and the like. The drawing panel is 
releasably snap-locked into position for selective removal both for access 
to the contents of the case and for use of the panel separately from the 
case. The drawing panel includes an integral handle for the carrying of 
the drawing panel and for use as a handle for the entire kit upon an 
assembly of the drawing panel to the case. 
The drawing panel includes opposed planar drawing surfaces for selective 
use with either surface uppermost. One of the drawing surfaces is provided 
with one or two textured areas whereby stencil-guided drawings produced 
thereon will include a textured appearance, thus providing for variety in 
the produced design or the like. The textured surface can also be provided 
with slightly raised numbers along the bottom portion thereof. 
Positioning flanges in association with each drawing surface receive and at 
least partially encircle individual stencils for retention thereof during 
use by the child. Complementary projections on the stencils and recesses 
within the positioning flanges further secure and retain the stencils 
during use and facilitate a proper positioning of the stencil. 
The drawing panel is useable both mounted to the case, wherein the case 
functions in the manner of a low table or support, and independently of 
the case. 
Once a child has chosen the image he would like to produce, he will take an 
81/2".times.11" sheet of paper, fold it in half and place it into the 
frame on the drawing surface. The single or dual stencil simply slides 
into the position automatically, and the image is created by scribbling 
etc. 
Each stencil preferably contains the name of each accompanying image for 
beginning reading and optional letter development. The single or half-size 
stencils can be combined to make message cards or notes. This toy develops 
a child's dexterity, word and shape association as well as teaching early 
word recognition skills. Additionally, the toy will allow the child to 
create shapes not normally typical of their dexterity. 
Additional objects and advantages considered to reside in the stencil kit 
of the invention will also become apparent from the more specific 
description of the invention following hereinafter.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the stencil kit 10 
consists of a storage case 12, a drawing panel 14 and stencils, including 
single stencils 15 and dual stencils 18. The kit will, in the manner of a 
conventional stencil, be used with paper or other appropriate sheets of 
image receiving material, and drawing instruments, including pencils, 
crayons and the like. 
The case 12 is preferably rectangular and of one-piece molded construction 
with a closed bottom 20 and peripheral walls extending therefrom and 
defining an open mouth or top. With reference to the case 12 vertically 
oriented in its carrying position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the 
peripheral walls include an upper wall 22, a lower wall 24, and opposed 
side walls 26, each of which terminates in a free outer edge. 
Each of the case walls, for a minor portion of the height thereof from the 
corresponding outer edge, is offset to define a continuous inwardly 
directed support ledge or shoulder 28 completely about the interior of the 
case 12. 
The lower wall 24, between the outer edge 30 thereof and the ledge 28, is 
provided with a pair of spaced elongate slots or recesses 32 which 
parallel the outer edge 30. 
The outer edge 34 of the upper wall 22 is interrupted along the central 
section thereof and includes, as an integral extension of the upper wall 
22 beyond the defined ledge 28 therein, a coplanar latch 36 with an 
enlarged outwardly tapered leading end portion 38 defining, along the 
length of the latch 36, a rearwardly directed locking shoulder 40. 
To each side of the central latch 36, the upper wall 22, outward of the 
shoulder 28, includes an inwardly extending pair of rectangular recesses 
42. Each recess 42, along the edge thereof laterally remote from the 
central latch 36, includes a recess extension 44 extending inwardly of the 
inner edge of the recess 42 and terminating approximately at the ledge 28. 
The drawing panel 14 is configured to lie across the open top of the case 
12 and nest in seated engagement upon the peripheral ledge 28. As such, 
the drawing panel 14 is also preferably rectangular. 
More specifically, the drawing panel 14, with opposed planar drawing 
surfaces 46 and 48, includes a continuous support flange 50 about the 
peripheral edge of the panel 14 with the support flange 50 projecting to 
an equal height beyond both drawing surfaces 46 and 48. 
The upper edge portion of the drawing panel 14, centrally along a major 
portion thereof, is provided with an upwardly directed integral extension 
defining a handle 52. The handle 52 is elongate with the support flange 50 
of the drawing panel 14 extending continuously about the outer or free 
periphery of the handle 52. An enlarged hand-accommodating slot hole 54 is 
provided longitudinally along the handle 52 paralleling the upper edge 
thereof in inwardly spaced relation thereto. The slot 54, for rigidity and 
to provide a comfortable hand grip, is provided with an integral annular 
flange 56 about the peripheral edge thereof. The flange 56, projects 
laterally to each side of the panel 14 to a height no greater than that of 
the support flange 50. 
An elongate latch keeper slot 58 is provided through the drawing panel 14 
parallel to and slightly spaced below the hand hole 54. The slot 58 is 
wider than the thickness of the support flange 50 and, while generally 
linearly aligned with the portions of the support flange 50 to the 
opposite sides of the handle 52 along the upper edge portion of the 
drawing panel 14, also extends to a height sufficiently above the support 
flange 50 to accommodate the latch 36 as shall be explained presently. 
The lower edge portion of the drawing panel 14 includes a pair of lugs 60 
spaced therealong and projecting from flange 50 at positions corresponding 
to the positions of the case slots 32 for selective reception therein when 
mounting the drawing panel 14 to the case 12. 
It will be recognized that in mounting the drawing panel 14 to the case 12, 
the child need merely align the drawing panel 14 generally over the open 
mouth of the case 12, introduce the lugs 60 within the case slots 32, and 
swing or pivot the drawing panel inwardly with the latch 36 snap-locking 
into position by a slight flexing thereof to allow the leading end 38 to 
pass through the drawing panel slot 58 and engage locking shoulder 40. The 
support flange 50 will snugly seat on the case support ledge 28, and the 
handle 54, and in particular the side portions thereof, will engage within 
the recesses 42. The recess extensions 44, noting FIG. 5, will accommodate 
the inwardly directed aligned portions of the support flange 50 of the 
drawing panel 14. The height of the support flange 50 is substantially 
equal to the depth of the case walls between the outer edges thereof and 
support ledge 28 whereby a completely nested arrangement is provided with 
the projecting handle 52 of the mounted drawing panel 14 extending 
upwardly from the upper wall 22 of the case 12 inward of the outer edge 
thereof. Release of the drawing panel 14 from the case 12 is easily 
effected by a young child through a slight depression of the leading end 
portion 38 of the latch 36 to disengage the latch shoulder 40 and allow 
for a forward removal of the drawing panel. Notwithstanding the simplicity 
of the closing and opening of the case, the drawing panel 14, when latched 
in position, provides a positive and secure cover and carrying handle for 
the kit. 
An additional and significant function of the drawing panel 14 is to 
provide support and alignment means for stencils 16, 18 which particularly 
adapt the kit for use by young or pre-school children. The opposed drawing 
surfaces 46 and 48 differ slightly in that the surface 46 is smooth, while 
the surface 48 is slightly textured, and in fact may include two 
half-sections with different texture finishes which will provide a 
different and interesting reproduced effect easily achieved by the child 
user of the device rubbing a crayon thereover. The textured surface 48 
can, as illustrated, also be provided with slightly raised numbers 62 
along the bottom portion thereof as a learning guide for a child, the 
numbers being easily reproducible by placing a paper thereover and 
scribbling on the paper to produce a letter imprint. 
The drawing surfaces include duplicate positioning means for positioning 
and retaining the stencils 16, 18. The positioning means includes, with 
regard to each drawing surface, upper and lower positioning flanges 64 and 
66. These flanges 64, 66 parallel the opposed upper and lower edge 
portions of the drawing panel 14 in inwardly spaced relation thereto and 
include vertically directed end portions or extensions 68 which similarly 
parallel the opposed edge portions of the drawing panel 14 in inwardly 
spaced relation thereto. The flange portions 68 along each side edge of 
the panel 14, are in alignment with each other and terminate, at 
approximately mid-height of the drawing panel 14, in spaced relation to 
each other to define access openings 70 which allow for easy access to the 
positioned stencils, particularly for removal thereof. 
Each of the positioning flanges 64, 66 along the longitudinal extent 
thereof includes a series, preferably three, of recesses 72 formed therein 
for engaging and stabilizing the stencils, in conjunction with the 
positioning flanges 64, 66 as shall be explained presently. 
Referring now to the stencils, the dual stencil 18 is of a size and is 
configured to be closely received within the positioning flanges 64, 66 
coextensive with the full drawing surface 46 or 48 within the confines of 
the positioning flanges. The finger access openings 70 defined by the 
positioning flange portions 68, are of particular importance in 
facilitating a removal of a positioned dual stencil 18 in view of the 
close conformance thereof to the positioning flanges 64, 66. 
The single stencil 16 is approximately one half the size of the dual 
stencil 18, and while normally positioned to one side of a drawing surface 
against the vertical portions 68 of the positioning flanges 64, 66, can be 
positioned at intermediate positions as desired. 
Each of the stencils, whether single or dual, comprises a thin flat plate 
74 with a peripheral rigidifying flange 76 projecting from the top or 
drawing surface thereof. This flange 76 will perform dual functions, both 
rigidifying the relatively thin stencil plate during use and handling, and 
assisting a young child in confining his drawing efforts, which may be 
random scribbling, within the confines of the stencil. 
The stencil plate 74 will include one or more openings 78 therethrough 
which define the shape, whether a pictorial representation of an animal or 
the like, letters, numbers, etc., to be reproduced on a subjacent sheet of 
paper or other appropriate drawing surface. As illustrated, it is 
preferred that each stencil include both a reproducible image and an 
associated name. 
The positioning means for the stencils 16 and 18 further include slight 
projections 80 along the upper and lower portions of the peripheral 
support flange 76, which projections 80 are received within the recesses 
72 of the positioning flanges 64, 66 of the drawing panel. As noted in the 
drawings, it is preferred that three recesses 72 be provided along each 
positioning flange 64, 66 in vertically aligned pairs. The dual stencil 18 
will include two pairs of vertically aligned projections 80 which are 
engageable within the end-most flange recesses 72 as an additional 
positioning and stabilizing means for the stencil. The single stencils 16 
will include a single pair of vertically aligned projections 80 which are 
receivable in any of the three vertically aligned pairs of positioning 
recesses 72 for a location of the single stencil to either end of the 
corresponding drawing surface 46, 48, or at a central position. As will be 
appreciated, other combinations of projections and recesses can be 
provided for varying the position of the single stencils 16. 
It is preferred that the stencil 16, 18 be slightly elevated above the 
drawing surface in order to reduce, as much as possible, a smudging of the 
underlying paper and the undersurface of the stencil plate. Such smudging 
arises from material buildup as an expected result of scribbling by small 
children and the running over of the sides of a stencil opening by the 
drawing implement, normally a crayon. 
Accordingly, the lower face of drawing plate 74 of the stencil 16, 18 is 
provided with an integral projecting support rib 82 peripherally about the 
edge thereof in inwardly spaced relation to the flange 76. In addition, 
support projections 84 of equal height with the rib 82, are provided and 
extend from selected portions of the stencil plate 74 generally in close 
proximity about the stencil opening 78. 
As suggested in FIGS. 7 and 8, the drawing panel 14, with a mounted 
stencil, can be used while mounted to the case 12 as a cover or closure 
therefor. In this manner, the case itself provides a support table or 
stand for the stencil. This would be particularly convenient if the child 
is using the stencil in a vehicle, at the beach or the like. Incidentally, 
for clarity of illustration, the paper, generally indicated by reference 
numeral 86 in FIG. 2, and normally positioned between the stencil and 
drawing surface has not been illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. 
It will also be recognized, and as suggested in FIG. 9, the drawing panel 
14, can be used removed from the case 12. Under such circumstances, the 
case 12 can function as an open top container for stencil supplies, 
including the alternate stencils, paper, crayons and the like. 
The adaptability of the kit for use by pre-school children is enhanced by 
the incorporation of the enlarged handle directly into the drawing panel 
whereby the handle functions both as a handle for the drawing panel itself 
and as a handle for the complete kit. 
While not limited thereto, the kit, and in particular the individual 
components thereof, preferably will be made of an appropriate synthetic 
resinous material, for example high density polyethylene.