Light table for teaching geometric principles

A light table includes a housing extending in a horizontal direction having legs extending downwardly therefrom. The housing defines X- and Y-axes and has an X-Y grid pattern formed thereon and visible from above the housing. A lighting system is used to illuminate the grid pattern. A frame extends vertically upwards from the housing and defines a Z-axis having an X-Z grid pattern formed thereon. A second lighting system illuminates the grid pattern on the vertical frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed generally to a light table and, in 
particular, to a collapsible light table including horizontal and vertical 
surfaces with grids for use in teaching geometric principles to students. 
Although we live in a three-dimensional world, students are formally taught 
the geometry of two-dimensional space. As an instructional tool, the 
Cartesian chalkboard is limited in that only two-dimensional objects are 
easily represented. A problem is posed when the teacher wants to represent 
three-dimensional objects such as a sphere, cube or pyramid which are 
often distorted on two-dimensional surfaces. 
With the ever increasing importance of teaching students appropriate 
mathematical principles, including geometric applications, it is essential 
that appropriate teaching tools be developed and utilized. Accordingly, it 
is desired to provide a light table which readily assists in the teaching 
of three-dimensional geometric applications. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Generally speaking, in accordance with the present invention, a light table 
for use in teaching geometric applications to students is provided. The 
table includes a housing includes a horizontal surface extending in a 
horizontal direction having legs extending downwardly therefrom to support 
the housing above a floor. The housing extends along defined X and Y axes, 
and an X-Y grid pattern is formed on the horizontal surface and is visible 
from the top of the housing. A light system supported on the housing 
illuminates the grid pattern for greater effect. A frame extends 
vertically upwards from the housing and defines a Z axis. An X-Z grid 
pattern is formed on the frame. A second light system illuminates the X-Z 
grid pattern on the frame. 
The table can be used to accurately represent and position objects in 
three-dimensional space defined by X, Y and Z coordinates. In a preferred 
embodiment, the frame extends upwardly from about the center of the 
horizontal housing, and the frame includes grid patterns on both sides 
thereof. The housing also includes the X-Y grid pattern on both portions 
on either side of the frame to readily represent three-dimensional space 
on positive and negative axes. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a light 
table used for teaching geometric principles to students. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated 
light table defining a horizontal surface with an X-Y axis grid pattern 
and a vertical surface with X-Z axis grid pattern. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a Tesian light 
table with collapsible legs to permit the table to be readily moved from 
classroom to classroom. 
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious 
and will in part be apparent from the specification. 
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, 
combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be 
exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of 
the invention will be indicated in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings which depict a 
light table, generally indicated as 10, constructed in accordance with a 
preferred embodiment of the present invention. Light table 10 includes a 
table 12 having a housing 14 which extends in a horizontal direction. 
Light table 10 includes four downwardly depending legs 16 which support 
housing 14 above the floor on which legs 16 rest. As depicted in FIG. 2, 
legs 16 can be hingedly mounted to the underside of housing 14 to permit 
the legs to be folded thereunder to make the table readily transportable. 
As depicted, housing 14 includes an X-axis and Y-axis grid pattern 20 on 
the horizontal surface thereof which is visible from above as depicted in 
FIG. 1. A grid pattern may also be visible from below as depicted in FIG. 
2. 
Referring additionally to FIG. 3, it is noted that housing 14 includes an 
outer housing perimeter 15, preferably formed from wood, which supports an 
upper panel of transparent glass 22 and a lower panel of plastic material 
24, such as a smoked Plexiglas-type material. The X-Y grid pattern 20 is 
formed on upper surface 24a of panel 24 and is visible through glass upper 
panel 22. 
Similarly constructed lighting units 40 and 42 are provided at opposite 
ends of housing 14. Each lighting unit includes a light bulb, preferably a 
fluorescent tube 46 and an appropriate fixture 48, such as a fluorescent 
fixture. It is noted that ends 22' and 24' of glass panel 22 and plastic 
panel 24 are preferably concave to conform to the shape of bulb 46. This 
assists in illuminating the grid pattern. An electrical plug 50 extends 
from lighting unit 40. 
When the lighting units are turned on, they will illuminate grid pattern 20 
thereby giving greater definition to the coordinate plane defined and 
depicted thereby. 
A frame 60 extends upwardly from a central portion of housing 14 and 
includes a third lighting unit 70 at the top thereof with an electrical 
plug 61. Frame 60 defines a Z-axis coordinate and includes an X-Z grid 
coordinate pattern 62a formed on one vertical surface thereof and a second 
X-Z grid coordinate pattern 62b formed on the opposite vertical surface 
thereof as referenced in FIG. 4 of the drawings. X-Z grid patterns 62a and 
62b are calibrated to match the grid pattern on horizontal housing 14 so 
as to provide a continuous three-dimensional grid pattern in conjunction 
therewith on both sides of frame 60. 
As best depicted in FIG. 4, third light fixture 70 also includes a bulb, 
preferably a fluorescent tube 72, and an appropriate fixture 74 therefor. 
The light is used to illuminate both sides of the grid pattern formed on 
frame 60. The layered construction of frame 70 includes a central acrylic 
panel 63 having opposed acrylic panels 64 and 64a on opposite sides 
thereof which are engraved with the X-Z grid pattern. Outer glass panels 
66 and 66a cover acrylic panels 64 and 64a, respectively. As depicted, the 
ends of each of the panels are concave to conform around fluorescent tube 
72. 
When illuminated, the grid pattern on both sides of the frame will be 
illuminated to provide the desired effect for teaching purposes. 
FIGS. 5 through 7 depict an alternative embodiment of a light table, 
generally indicated as 100. In light table 100, fluorescent fixtures 110 
and 120 extend along the longer sides of housing 105 in a direction 
perpendicular to upwardly extending frame 130. Instead of wood, the 
housing and frame are formed from extruded aluminum panels. 
The horizontal surface 106 of housing 105 includes a central engraved 
plastic panel 107 sandwiched between opposing plastic panels 108a and 108b 
which themselves are sandwiched between opposing glass panels 109a and 
109b. The plastic panel may be formed of an acrylic material. 
Frame 130 extends upwardly from housing 105 and includes lighting fixture 
140 at the top thereof. Frame 130 includes a central plastic panel 132 
sandwiched between opposing engraved plastic panels 134a and 134b which 
themselves are sandwiched between plastic panels 136a and 136b and are 
topped with glass panels 138a and 138b, respectively. The plastic panels 
may be formed of an acrylic material. 
This construction provides enhanced illumination and effect for the grid 
patterns. 
In use, the legs 16 are open and the table is placed on an appropriate 
floor surface. After appropriate power is supplied, the grid surfaces will 
be illuminated and then the table can be used to represent, depict and 
place objects in three dimensional space. The very construction of the 
light table provides the necessary teaching apparatus. 
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made 
apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, 
since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without 
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that 
all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying 
drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover 
all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described 
and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of 
language, might be said to fall therebetween.