CROSS-WORD TOY

Abstract: A cross-word toy, having sheets of cross-word graph and sheet or sheets containing the list of definitions and solution. In essence the toy has a mild-iron plate, magnetic clamping device for fixing the sheet of cross-word graph to the mild-iron plate and a set of letter blocks consisting of magnetic letter blocks with letters. Subject of the invention is also such toy used for solving or preparation of cross-words published especially in newspaper or by other means, which is characterized in that it has mild-iron plate containing net of squares and/or sheet(s) of printed net of squares and a magnetic clamping device for fixing the sheet(s) to the mild-iron plate. Furthermore the toy has a set of letter blocks consisting of magnetic letter blocks with letters and blocks for separation of the words and indication of interspaces. Advantage of the invention is that use of writing utensils for solving the cross-word are not required, consequently the related inconveniences and difficulties are eliminated, there is no need to erase and scribble over the paper. Since each sheet of graph remains intact even after the solution, thus each sheet of graph can be used again on several occasions and several persons can play with the same toy. The game can be carried out in the form of contest, e.g. the stake may be aimed at solving the cross-word by the contestants within the shortest time. It is a very advantageous factor, that the toy can be well used not only for solving but for preparation of cross-words, and it is an excellent pedagogical opportunity for acquiring vernacular knowledge and improving the linguistic education. Life of the elements of the toy-set is lasting, the production is relatively simple, the toy can be developed in an attractive construction on high aesthetic level.

Description: CROSS WORD TOY The invention relates to cross-word toy having cross-word graphs and tables containing list of de¬ finitions and solution. Solving cross-words is a popular pastime of many people all over the world. Most people do the cross-words published in the various agazins and newspapers for their own amusement, checking their abilities and knowledge, or simply for killing time, longing for entertainment, but there are those too, who are engaged in solving the cross-words taking part in contest as members of puzzle-solving clubs. At the present time the player writrs the solutions (words) corresponding to each number into the horizontal and vertical lines with pen¬ cil or ink, e.g. ball-point pen in the printed cross-word graph published in the newspapers. If the word subsequently proves to be erroneous, it has to be erased and replaced by the correct so- lution. This is difficult even when pencil is used, because either there is no eraser at hand, or the quality of the paper makes the removal of the incorrect word difficult; should it happen that the new word is also erroneous, at the second (or possibly further) erasure the paper gets torn, or becomes holed. The situation is even worse when ball-point pen is used: in this case only rewriting is conceivable resulting in hardly legible words on the scribbled over, disgusting graph. Further disadvantage of the cross-word filled in with pencil or other writing utensils on the pa¬ per is that it can not be used again, it loses its OMPI ^ WIPO ? function and becomes worthless. It can not be handed over to another person for frying to solve the cross-word, since the solutions remain indelible on the graph printed on paper. ConsequentLy after solving the cross-word, even the magazines prepared specifically for riddle-enthusiasts (e.g. the "Fϋles" or "Utitars" published in Hungary) give playing possibility and mental thrill only for one person, the pleasure of which can not be shared with others, since it does not allow comparison and contest. Purpose of the invention is to give such cross-word toy, which eliminates the use of writing utensils and destruction of the cross-word graph and allows the repeated solving of the same cross¬ word, several persons taking part in the cross¬ word game and in such contest, moreover it allows cross-word competition as well. The invention is based on the recognition, that use of writing utensils becomes superfluous by letters set temporarily on the cross-word graphs, while the temporary setting is perfectly realizable with the use of mild-iron plate and magnetic letters. On the basis of this recognition the problem was solved with the aid of such magnetic indoor game which has cross-word graph and sheet or sheets containing the List of definitions and solution and a magnetic clamping device for fixing the sheet of cross-word graph to mild-iron plate and set of letter blocks consisting of magnetic letter blocks with letters. Subject of the invention is also the corss- word toy which is suitable for solving and pre- paration of cross-words circulated and published mainly in newspapers or by other means, and this toy is characterized in that it has mild-iron plate containing sheet(s) with net of squares and magne- tic clamping device for fixing them to mild-iron plate, and the toy has a set of letter blocks containing magnetic letter blocks with letters, furthermore elements for the separation of words and indication of the interspaces between the letters Advantages of the invention are summed up in the following: Writing utensils for solving the cross-word are unnecessary, consequently the related inconve¬ niences and difficulties are eliminated, there is no need to erase or scribble over the paper. Since each sheet of graph remains intact after the so¬ lution, thus each sheet of cross-word can be re¬ peatedly used on several occasions, the same toy is suitable for playing by several persons. The game can be carried out in the form of contest too, e.g. the stake may be aimed at who of the contestants will solve the puzzle within the shor¬ test time. It is a highly advantageous aspect, that the toy can be used not only for solving the cross-word,- but for the preparation of cross-word as well, which is an excellent pedagogical oppor¬ tunity for acquiring vernacular knowledge and im¬ proving the linguistic education. Life of the ele¬ ments of the toy is lasting, the-product ion is relatively simple, the toy can be made in attrac¬ tive appearance on high aesthetic level. The invention is described in detail with the aid of the enclosed drawings containing the- accessories of the toy, in which: Figure 1.: Top view of the playing board and clamp¬ ing frame, Figure 2.: Section taken along Line A-A shown in Figure 1., Figure 3. Sheet of cross-word graph used together with the device shown in Figures 1. and 2., Figure 4, Sheet containing the List of definitions, Figure 5, A detail of the cross-word graph drawn to a larger scale, Figure 6 Top view of a preferable form of the Letter block used for the toy according to the invention, Figure 7. Side view of the Letter block shown in Fi gure 6. , Figure 8. Further form of a letter block of the set of letter blocks shown in perspec¬ tive vlew, Figure 9. Perspective view drawn to a larger scale of. a preferable form of the magnet built into the Letter blocks, Figure 10, : Further possible form of a Letter block of the set of letter blocks shown in top view, Fi gure 11 : Side view of the Letter block according to F i gure 10. , Figure 12 : Perspective view of the magnet separat¬ ing the words and indicating the inter¬ spaces between the Letters. The rectangular playing board marked with reference number 1 in Figures 1. and 2., has a OMFI mild-iron plate 3 mounted in frame 2. The frame 2 - in addition to its aesthetic and utilization functions - support the mild-iron plate, and its outer flanges are suitably rounded. The frame 2 may be made of synthetic material and can be joined with the mild-iron plate 3 by injection moulding. The frame 2 is provided with flange 4 of height d_ above the mild-iron plate, A magnetic clamping frame 5 is arranged on the mild-iron plate 3 within the frame 2 fitting directly to its flange 4. The clamping frame 5 shown in Figures 1. and 2. is fitted onto the mild-iron plate 3. Thickness of the clamping frame 5 - in the present construc¬ tion - is the same as height _d_ of- flange 4 of frame 2. Length of the outer flange 4 of the similarly rectangular frame ϊs ' ^ a on one side and Jτ_ on the other side. Figure 3. shows a sheet of cross-word graph printed on paper and marked with reference number 6. This contains a conventional net of squares, some of the squares are numbered and some of them are .black; the latter ones serve for separation of the words and ' i nd icat ion of the interspaces between the Letters. Length of one of the. sides of the rectangular sheet of cross-word graph 6 is _a_, that of the other one is _h_, conse¬ quently it can be fitted onto the miLd-iron plate 3 of the playing board 1 according to Figures 1. and 2. so as to fitting to flange 4 within the frame 2. Zone 7 of width e_ is in the vicinity along the circumference of the sheet containing the cross¬ word graph 6, this dimension e_ exceeds the width c_ of clamping fram 5 according to Figures 1. and 2. , -ξυl E preferably It its multiple. Zone 7 may be left blank, since it has no functional roLe in solving the cross-word, its purpose is partly it ensures room for writing in the identification number, in this case "25" for instance in the right lower corner. The toy includes several sheets of cross-word graph 6, which are numbered for comparϊsion with the sheets containing the list of definitions and those show¬ ing the solution, and in order to check the result of the game. Figure 4. shows a sheet containing the List of definitions 8 given by way of example, where the number "25" in the right upper corner indicates that this list of definitions belongs to the sheet of cross-word graph 6 ' according to Figure 3. The sheet (not shown) containing the solution is also an accessory of the toy-set showing simi¬ larly "25" indicating that it is to be used to¬ gether with the sheet of cr ss-word graph 6 and sheet 8 containing the list of definitions. It is noted, that while the sheets of cross-word graph 6 are stored in the form of separate sheets, na¬ turally in a pack for each game In a toy-box (not shown), the sheets containing the List of defini¬ tions 8 and the solutions are compiled in a booklet and placed suitable in a toy-box, and each sheet of the booklet may contain several List of defini¬ tions or solutions, since only the sheets of the cross-word graph are functionally Linked with the supporting board 1. Figure 5. was aimed at showing the aspects according to which the Letter blocks are to be formed in order to solve the cross-word with the toy according to the invention the most conveniently and clearly. The numbers representing part of the cross-word (e.g. "31" and "35" in Fig. 5.) are written into the left upper corner of squares 9 of the net of squares, which is the usual method all over the world. Accordingly such Letter blocks should be used that even after placing them onto the sheet of the cross-word graph, the numbers e.g. "31" and "35" in Figures 5 remain visible. Further aspect is that arrangement and removal of the letter blocks should be done in a simple way. Those these activities could be performed with thin plates too, however this would be complica¬ ted and difficult, especially when several letter blocks are on the graph and certain letters ought to be removed - e.g. an erroneous word is tg be corrected - and replaced by others, in view of these considerations, use of the letter blocks according to Figures 6, and 7. marked with reference number lO.vis recommended. This letter block 10 has a base plate 11 into which the magnet 12 marked wi th- dashed I ine in Figures 6. and 7. is built in, so that Its lower surface is Level with the Lower surface of .base plate 11; The base plate 11 has a semi-ci rcular cut-out 13 in the vicinity of one of its corners, which Leaves the number free written into the left upper corner of the square, when the letter block 10 is placed over square 9 of the cross-word graph 6 according to Figure 5. The line onto 'which the curved contour of cut-out 13 is fitted, Is marked with dashed line in Figure 5. An upwards extending cylindrical shank 14 joins the base plate 11 (Figures 6. and 7.), on the upper face of which is the letter 15, in this case for instance Letter "G". With this shank 14 the whole Letter block is easily placed on and removed from the cross-word graph. The Letter block according to Figures 6. and 7. may be made of an -materi al , e.g. from non-trans¬ parent synthetic material, since the Letter can be visualized on the upper face of shank 14 in several ways (e.g. painted on, engraved, glued on etc.) and the cut-out 13 ensures the visibility of the numbers on the paper. However the Letter block can be made of transparent material as well, such is shown in Figure 8. marked with reference number 16. Here no cut-out is necessary on the base plate, because the number on the cross-word graph underneath is visible below the letter block. The letter block according to Figures 10. and 11. differs from the one shown in Figure 8. only in that a magnifying Lens 20 is on the upper face of the transparent base plate 19, where the Letter block 18 is .above the number written into the square when placed over the square of the cross-word graph. The magnet 12 built into the letter blocks 1o, 16 or 18 may be shaped according to Figure 9., i.e. as a disc provided with a hole 21 in the centre. Solving the cross-word with the toy consist¬ ing of above elements is the following: A sheet of cross-word graph is placed on the playing board 1, its edges fitting to the flange 4 of frame 2 (Figure 2.). The magnetic clamping frame 5 is placed over the sheet of cross-word graph OMPI sfr* r WIFO and with this the sheet of graph is fixed in its position. The next step is to select the sheet of definitions 8 corresponding to the given sheet of graph 6, and the cross-word is solved by setting out the solved or believed to be solved words from the members of a set of letter blocks consisting of letter block-types shown in Figures 6-11, The magnetic force will become effective in this case too through the sheet of paper, thus the letter blocks are properly fixed in their positions. When the words to be solved are set out, the result is checked against the sheet (booklet) containing the solut ion. The degree ' .of difficulty of the list of de- finitions pertaining to each game can be increased for instance in the sequence of numbering and as the player progresses, will come up against more and more difficult definitions and thereby his ability too will develop for solving them. Such version of the -cross-word toy is also subject of the invention, which has no sheets con¬ taining preprinted cross-word graphs, List of de¬ finitions and solution. This version of the toy is suitable for instance for solving the cross- words appearing in newspapers, magazines, or any¬ where (e.g. in the television) without the use of writing utensils. The set of letter blocks and playing board of this toy may be identical with those described in connection with Figures 1. and 2., as well as Figures 6-12., in addition however magnetic blocks with dark, preferably black upper face for separation of the words and indication OMPI of the interspaces, furthermore blank net of squares are also required. The magnetic plates 22 shown for instance in Figure 12. can be used for such blocks. In this case the upwards extending shanks have no such significance as in case of the letter blocks, since removal of the plates 22 once arranged in the set of squares according to the existing cross-word graph are not necessary during the solving work. Naturally the upwards extending shanks can be fixed-to these plates 22 as well. The net of squares can be realized either by painting on the mild-iron plate 3 of the supporting board 1, or printed on separate sheet of paper. The above detailed toy can be excellently used not only for soLving but for preparation of cross-words as well, since in this case removal and replacement of the letters occur even more frequently. Blank sheet of paper with net of squares and - in addition to the magnetic set of letters - magnetic blocks separating the words and indicat¬ ing the interspaces, suitable for covering each square of the net of squares are required for 'pre¬ paration of cross-word. The plates 22 with dark upper face shown in Figure 12. can be used for such blocks. The numbers representing part of the cross-word graph (as for instance "31" and "35" in Figure 5.) can be written on the sheet of paper during preparation of the cross-word. The two types of toy described above may be put on the market naturally in a box. In order to use the second version (including the preparation 0*"ϊ - , \ - of cross-word) with the elements of the first ver¬ sion, it is merely necessary to have net of squares at least, on one side of the iron plate, or sheets of paper with blank net of squares fitting along the flange of frame 2 (Figures 1, and 2.), as well as in addition to the set of letters, magnetic blocks- e.g. plates 22 shown in Figure 12. ) for separation of the words and. indication of the in¬ terspaces arranged in the box. The invention is naturally not restricted to the constructions given b way of example and described in detail above, but it can be realized in many alternatives within -the protective range defined by the claim points. For instance the shanks of the. Letter blocks may be of square or polygonal shape, the base plates of the Letter blocks may deviate from the square shape. Material of the letter blocks is not necessarily made of synthetic or transparent synthetic material. The frame surrounding the mild-iron plate may be made of wood, or other non-magnetic material. The de¬ vice for clampi ng .the sheet of cross-word graph may be not only frame, but formed by separate slats. De i at ion fro the constructions given by way of example is possible in many respects wi- thout overstepping the protective range. O PI .,

Claims: What we claim is 1. Cross-word toy having sheets of cross-word graph and sheets containing list of definitions and solution, characterized in that it has mϊld-iroπ plate (3), magnetic clamping device for fixing the sheet of cross-word graph (6)to mild-iron plate (3) and set- of letter blocks containing magnetic Letter blocks (10, 16, 18) with Letters (15). 2. Cross-word toy for solving and preparation of cross-words published especially in newspapers or by other means, characterized in that it has mild-iron plate (3) containing a net of squares and/or sheet(s) containing printed net of squares and magnetic device for fixing to the mild-iron plate (3) and the toy has a set of Letter blocks consisting of magnetic letter blocks (10, 16, 18) with Letters (15), furthermore elements for sepa¬ ration of the words and indication of the inter¬ spaces between the letters, 3. Cross-word toy as claimed in claim 1. or 2., characterized in that the mi Id-i roπ-plate (3) in its range of circumference is set into frame (2) with which it forms a playing board (1). 4. Cross-word toy as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the frame (2) has a flange (4) extending above at Least one plane of the mild- iron plate (3) with clearance (c) and edges of the sheet of cross-word graph in its position lying on the mild-iron pLafe (3) are fitted to the inner surface of this flange (4) or arranged in its im- mediate v icinity. 5. Cross-word toy as claimed in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the frame (2) is made of syn¬ thetic material suitably by injection moulding and it surrounds the flange of the mild-iron plate (3) along its circumference. 6. Cross-word toy as claimed in any of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the magnetic clamping device is formed by magnetic clamping frame (5). 7. Cross-word toy as claimed in claim 6., characterized in that the clamp i ng frame (5) in its position fixing the sheet of cross-word graph (6) or sheet containing the net of squares is arranged along the frame (2) surrounding the mild-iron plate (3) fitted suitably to its flange (4) and thickness (d) of the clamping frame (5) is the same or nearly identical with the height of flange (4) (Figure 2. ). 8. Cross-word toy as claimed in claim 6 or 7., characterized in that a zone (7) not part of the graph or net of squares is in the range along the edge of the sheet containing the cross-word graph • (6) or net of squares, the width of this zone is suitably multiple of the width (c) of the clamp¬ ing frame (5), but at least identical with it. 9. Cross-word toy as claimed in any of claims 3 - 9., characterized, in that it has blocks for separation of the words and indication of the in¬ terspaces between the letters. 10. Cross-word toy .as claimed in claim 2 or 9., characterized in that the block separating the words and indicating the interspaces are formed by square plates (22) with dark upper surface, pre¬ ferably identical with each square (9) of the net of squares of the cross-word graph. O PI ' NT° 1 11. Cross-word toy as claimed in any of claims 1 - 10., characterized in that the blocks separat¬ ing the words and indicating the interspaces have upwards extending shanks. 12. Cross-word toy as claimed in any of claims 1 - 11 characterized in that the Letter blocks (10, 16, 18) have base plate (11, 17, 19) and up¬ wards extending shank (14) fixed to the base plate, the Letter (15) is on the upper surface of the shank (14) and the base plate (11, 17, 19) - after arrangement of the Letter block (10, 16, 18) - is formed as to allow the visibility of the num¬ bers ("31", "35") in the squares of the net of squares of the cross-word graph. 13. Cross-word toy as claimed in claim 12., characterized in that the shape of the base plate (11) of the Letter block (10) is selected as to leave the number free in the square when placing the Letter block over a square (9) of the net of squares. 14. Cross-word toy as claimed in claim 12., characterized in that the base plate (11) in its top view is the same or nearly identical with the square of the net of squares and it has suitably curved cut-out (13) in * the vicinity of one of the corners (Figure 1.). 15. Cross-word toy as claimed in any of claims 12 - 14., characterized in that the base plate (17) of the Letter block (16) is made at least in part of transparent material (Figure 8.). 16. Cross-word toy as claimed in claim 15., characterized in that the base plate (19) of the OMPI letter block (18) made of transparent material is provided with magnifying lens (20) at the place where the base plate (19) placed on the cross-word graph is aligned with a number ("31", "35") in the square (9) (Figures 10, 11 and 5.). 17. Cross-word toy as claimed in any of claims 1 - 16., characterized in that the letter blocks (10, -16, 18) are made of synthetic material. 18. Cross-word toy as claimed in claim 1 or in any of claims 3 - 17., characterized in that the sheets containing the list of definitions and solution are compiled in .the form of a booklet.

Inventors: EGRI JANOS, EGRI, JANOS
Applicants: EGRI JANOS, EGRI, JANOS
Application year: 1982
Main classification: A63F3
IPC codes: A63F3