Abstract:
An apparatus for developing, promoting and/or augmenting communication skills includes an apparatus base dimensioned for positioning relative to a support. The apparatus base defines longitudinal, vertical and orthogonal axes, and a reference plane inclusive of the longitudinal and orthogonal axes. The apparatus base includes a top support surface arranged at a predetermined angle greater than 0 degrees relative to the reference plane. The top support surface has an article retaining element associated therewith. At least one icon containing article having communication media adapted for conveying information is releasably mounted to the article retaining element of the top support surface. The top support surface may be arranged at an angle ranging from about 10 degrees to about 60 degrees relative to the reference plane. In one embodiment, the top support surface is arranged at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the reference plane.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a communication apparatus, and, in particular, relates to a communication apparatus for developing, promoting and/or augmenting communication skills in primarily non-verbal subjects. 
     2. Related Art 
     In recent years, the incidence of autism and other mental disabilities in children has increased to epidemic levels. Associated with these disabilities is a delay in communication skills including nonverbal, speech and language communicative capabilities. This inability or ineffectiveness of the child&#39;s communication impedes his/her development, effects goal setting and increases frustration on behalf of the child and the clinician or therapist. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for developing, promoting and/or augmenting communication skills. The apparatus includes an apparatus base dimensioned for positioning relative to a support. The apparatus base defines longitudinal, vertical and orthogonal axes, and a reference plane inclusive of the longitudinal and orthogonal axes. The apparatus base includes a top support surface arranged at a predetermined angle greater than 0 degrees relative to the reference plane. The top support surface has an article retaining element associated therewith. At least one icon containing article having communication media adapted for conveying information is releasably mounted to the article retaining element of the top support surface. The top support surface may be arranged at an angle ranging from about 10 degrees to about 60 degrees relative to the reference plane. In one embodiment, the top support surface is arranged at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the reference plane. 
     The top support surface may include first and second article retaining elements. The first and second article retaining elements are preferably spaced along the longitudinal axis. The top support surface may include first, second and third article retaining elements with the first, second and third article retaining elements being spaced along the longitudinal axis. 
     The article retaining element of the top support surface may include one of a hook and loop fastener, and the article may include the other of the hook and loop fastener. The hook and loop fasteners are adapted to cooperate to releasably retain the article to the top support surface. 
     The article retaining element of the top support surface may include a strip of the one of the hook and loop fastener. Alternatively, a plurality of the strips of the one of the hook and the loop fastener are disposed on the top support surface. The strips are spaced along the longitudinal axis. 
     In another alternate embodiment, the article retaining element of the top support surface of the apparatus base and the icon containing article include one of snap fasteners and tongue and groove mechanisms for releasably mounting the article to the top surface. 
     The apparatus base may include a rear support surface. The rear support surface may have an article retaining element associated therewith. The rear support surface may be arranged at a second predetermined angle relative to the reference plane. The second predetermined angle may be generally orthogonal to the reference plane, or, may range from about 60 degrees to about 90 degrees relative to the reference plane. The article retaining element of the rear support surface may include a strip of one a hoop and look fastener. Alternatively, the rear support surface may include first and second strips of either a hook or loop fastener. 
     The apparatus base may be generally compliant. A handle may be mounted to the apparatus base. The handle is adapted for manual engagement by the user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present disclosure will be better appreciated by reference to the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the communication apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure illustrating the apparatus base and several icon containing articles releasably mounted to the apparatus base; 
         FIG. 2  is a side plan view of the communication apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is top plan view of the communication apparatus of  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear plan view of the communication apparatus of  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side plan view of an alternate embodiment of the communication apparatus; 
         FIGS. 6A-6F  are front plan views of icon containing articles of the communication apparatus; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear plan view of an icon containing article; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial top plan view of an alternate embodiment of the communication apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIGS. 9A-9B  are rear plan views of alternate mechanisms for releasably securing the icon containing article to the communication apparatus of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The apparatus for developing or augmenting communication skills according to the present invention has application in various settings including clinical, school, residential, etc and may be used with any subject, patient or child experiencing difficulty in basic communicative skills regardless of the underlying medical condition. 
     In the following discussion, the term “subject” will include any person with a communication disability for which the apparatus is intended and the term “therapist” will include any teacher, therapist, clinician, parent or guardian involved in teaching or training the “subject” with the apparatus. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is illustrated, and designated generally as reference numeral  100 . Apparatus  100  is intended to be a portable unit to be carried by the subject, but may be incorporated into a permanent structure such as a table, cabinet or the like. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 1-2 , apparatus  100  includes an apparatus base  102  and a plurality of icon containing articles  104  which are releasably mounted to the apparatus base  102 . Apparatus base  102  may define a number of geometric shapes. In one embodiment, apparatus base  102  is generally wedge-shaped. Apparatus base  102  includes lower surface  106  which is positionable on a support such as a desk or table. Lower surface  106  may be substantially planar as shown. Apparatus base  102  defines longitudinal axis “x”, vertical axis “y” and orthogonal axis “z”. Longitudinal axis “x” and orthogonal axis “z” define reference plane “xz”. 
     The icon containing articles  104  may be symbolic or pictorial representations of objects intended to be selected by the subject in response to prompting, questioning, and gesturing or the like by the therapist. Further, details of the icon containing articles  104  will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. 
     Referencing now to  FIGS. 1-4  apparatus base  102  includes a plurality of surfaces, namely, first and second side surfaces  108 , rear surface  110  and top surface  112 . Top surface  112  and/or rear surface  110  is intended for releasably securing icon containing articles  104 . In one embodiment, top surface  112  includes an article retaining mechanism for releasably securing the icon containing articles  104 . One article retaining mechanism includes at least one fastener strip  114  which extends across at least a portion of the width or orthogonal length of the top support surface  112 . In one embodiment, first, second and third fastener strips  114  are provided, and extend across the orthogonal length of top surface  112  to define first, second and third rows of fastener strips  114 . Adjacent fastener strips  114  are preferably spaced a predetermined longitudinal distance or spacing “k” with respect to the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the spacing “k” may range from about 1 inch to about 2 inches. The spacing ensures that icon containing articles  104  are adequately separated from each other to thereby minimize confusion on behalf of the subject and facilitate the selection process. 
     In one embodiment, fastener strips  114  are one of the hook or loop fastener component of a hook or loop fastener mechanism such as a VELCRO™ fastener mechanism. The icon containing articles  104  have the other of the hook or loop fastener component on its rear surface. The hook and loop fastener mechanism associated with top surface  112  of apparatus base  102  and icon containing articles  104  permits releasable securement of the icon containing articles  104  for ready disposition and removal relative to the top surface  112 . 
     In accordance with one aspect of the apparatus  100 , top surface  112  is inclined relative to the reference plane “xz”. The angle of inclination “m” may vary, but may range between about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, and may be about 45 degrees relative to reference plane “xz”. This orientation has proven to substantially increase the accuracy of selection of the appropriate icon containing articles  104  by the subject (when prompted by the clinician) by, e.g., providing a three dimensional backdrop or view of the icon containing articles  104 . Specifically, the angle of inclination “m” presents top surface  112  and icon containing articles  104  at a spatial reference plane or an orientation which enhances visual tracking by the subject. In addition, the inclined or raised surface reduces the potential for improper seating posture which would otherwise affect the decision making capabilities of the subject, improves visual tracking, minimizing errors and reduces communicative frustration. 
     As best depicted in  FIG. 4 , rear surface  110  may also include an article retaining mechanism in the form of one or more fastener strips  114  which are substantially similar to the fastener strips  114  associated with top support surface  112 . Two fastener strips  114  may be provided and may be either component of a hook and loop mechanism discussed hereinabove. Rear surface  110  permits the releasable attachment of the icon containing articles  104  in a manner similar to top support surface  112 . Rear surface  110  may be substantially orthogonal or perpendicular to reference plane “xz”. In the alternative as depicted in  FIG. 5 , rear surface  110  may be in oblique relation to reference plane “xz”. In one embodiment, rear surface  110  is arranged at an angle “b” ranging from about 60° to about 90°, or about 75°. This orientation proves beneficial by raising or providing a three dimensional spatial reference plane conducive to article tracking when the subject is standing during the training session. 
     Apparatus base  102  may be fabricated from a number of materials. In one embodiment, apparatus base  102  is fabricated from a lightweight conformable material such as a sponge or foam structure encapsulated in an outer casing or cover made from a coated vinyl, pleather, plastic or the like. In one embodiment, the cover is fabricated from Naugahyde™ a product of Uniroyal Engineering Products LLC. Apparatus base  102  may further include handle  116  adapted for engagement by the subject to permit the subject to personally transport the apparatus base  102  between clinical rooms, the residence hall etc. In this manner, the apparatus  100  may be continuously used to reinforce the training received in each setting. Handle  116  may be fabricated from the same material of the cover. 
       FIGS. 6A-6E  illustrate various embodiments of icon containing articles  104 . Each icon containing article  104  may include a placard upon which an icon having a picture, drawing, photograph or graphical representation of an object is positioned or mounted. The icon containing articles  104  depicted in  FIGS. 6A-6E  include icons which are only representative of a vast variety of icons possibly incorporated within the articles  104 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the rear side of icon containing article  104 . As depicted, the rear side of each icon containing article incorporates a fastener strip  118  with the other of the hook or loop fastener component. Fastener strip  118  cooperates with fastener strip  114  on top surface  112  or rear surface  110  to releasably secure the icon containing article  104  to the appropriate surface  110 ,  112 . 
     In use, the therapist will position a number of icon containing articles  104  on top surface  112  or rear surface  110 , preferably, in spaced relation. The therapist will then request the subject to select the desired object represented by one of the icon containing articles  104 . As indicated hereinabove, the inclined orientation of top surface  112  and/or of rear surface  110  will provide a three dimensional depth or reference plane which facilitates tracking of the articles  104  by the subject. Various different icon containing articles  102  may be readily released and secured to top surface  112  or rear surface  110  through the aforementioned releasable securing mechanism for further training purposes. Subsequent to the therapeutic session, the apparatus  100  may be transported by the subject to another physical setting. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates, in partial plan view, an alternate embodiment of communication apparatus  100 . Apparatus  200  is substantially similar to the communication apparatus  100  described in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7 , but includes alternate mechanisms for releasably mounting the article containing icons. For example, top surface  202  of apparatus  200  may include one or more snap rings  204  which cooperate with a correspondingly dimensioned stud  206  mounted on the rear side of icon containing article  208  to releasably secure the article  208  to the top surface  202 .  FIG. 9A  depicts this arrangement. Stud  206  may be secured to icon containing article  208  by any means including adhesives etc. As a further alternative, top surface  202  may include recess or groove  210  which receives a tongue  212  mounted on the rear surface of the icon containing article  208  to releasably secure the article  208  to the top surface  202  as depicted in  FIG. 9B . Other means for releasably mounting icon containing articles  208  to top surface  202  are also envisioned including with the use of temporary adhesives or cements. 
     From the foregoing and with reference to the various drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications can also be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the same. 
     It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as an exemplification of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Such modifications and variations are intended to come within the scope of the following claims.