Patent GB-1363436-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for playing an educational question and answer game
IPC: A63F9/18
Filed: 1971-04-19
Abstract: 1363436 Question and answer appliance W HESENER 19 April 1971 [31 March 1970 29 May 1970 5 Sept. 1970 20 Nov. 1970 30 Nov. 1970] 25667/71 Heading G5G An appliance for verifying answers in a multichoice question and answer scheme comprises a member 3, 4 for encoding answers and a supportting member 1 for a setting means such as a slide switch 9 interacting with the encoding member, wherein the two members can be brought into various relative positions differently designated by an indicating device 1f such that the switch 9, which can be moved into at least two positions to answer any one question asked, can be brought into registry with a code unit 4d on the encoding member; the verifying capacity of such an appliance is multiplied by providing a plurality of switches 9 for answering a plurality of questions per setting position of the device  1f. One of said members is formed in two parts  3, 4 which are relatively positionable and are provided with a further indicating device 4e. The members are relatively rotatable discs, and the code units are spaced circumferentially at intervals of 6 degrees around the encoding disc, each unit being represented by a number which appears in the aperture lf. Each code unit is formed by a radial row of pegs with a single space, the position of which varies with the code unit. The switch 9 is provided with one peg 9c; thus, there is only one radial position of the switch for a given code unit which will allow rotation of the encoding disc. In use, the student sets the switches 9 to various positions (indicated by dots le) to indicate his answers to a group of questions identified by the number in the aperture 1f. He then operates a lever 10 which releases the encoding disc. If the switches have been correctly set, the disc rotates by one position under the influence of a spring 6, and a bell 12 rings. Several alternative embodiments are described. In Fig. 5 (not shown), the code units comprise apertures in the encoding disc. A correct setting of the switches allows light to pass through from a lamp below the disc. In Fig. 9 (not shown), a peg on the switch engages an aperture in the encoding disc when the switch is in the correct position, and allows a circuit to an indicator lamp to be completed. In Fig. 10 (not shown), the switch may be moved to a position in which the student can read the correct answer from instructions given at the edge of the encoding disc, but at the same time a spike on the switch will perforate a paper sleeve positioned in the appliance, thus recording the questions which could not be answered. In Fig. 18 (not shown), the appliance dispenses a sheet of questions whenever a verifying step takes place. In Fig. 20 (not shown), the encoding member is a band which runs over two rollers. The code units are either pegs or illuminated apertures. In Figs. 21-23 (not shown), the appliance is linked to a device which projects a transparency showing a list of questions on to a screen. Whenever a verifying step takes place, the transparency is changed. The sheets of questions for use with the appliance may take the form of playing cards marked on their backs in such a way that successive cards at numerical intervals of one, two, three &c. can be indicated in the same way, e.g. cards 1, 3, 5 may have a red " 2 " and cards 2, 4, 6 a blue " 2 "; cards 1, 4, 7 a red " 3 ", cards 2, 5, 8 a blue " 3 ", and cards 3, 6, 9 a green " 3 ".