US310325A - shannon - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. P. B. SHANNON.

GAMB 0F PRAGTIONS.

Patented Jan. 6, 1885..

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' P. B. S'HA'NNUNI GAME 0F PRAGTIONS.

No. 310,325 Patented Jan. 6,1885.

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FANXY B. SHANNON, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

GAMEOF FRACTiONS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 310,325, dated January 6, 1885.

Application filed April 10, 1684. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, z5 may concern,.-

Be it known that I, FANNY B. SHANNON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game of Fractions, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My inventioirrclates to improvements in game apparatus iu which a system of blocks representing integral units and fractional units are combined with numeral cube blocks or dice and a game-board 5 and the objects of my invention are to provide a means by which amusement is combined with instructions in the relative size of 'integral units with fractional units, and to familiarize the minds of pupils with different colors. These objects I attain by means of the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a plan view of the game-board A, Fig. 2, an outside View of the one-half of the case, Fig. 3, au inside view of case, showing dice-box and receptacle for the numeral cube blocks and the integral and fractional unit-blocks. Figs. 4 and 5 are the numeral cube blocks or dice; Fig. G, a detail view of the integral unit block l, and the fractional unit blocks to T15; Fig. 7, a representation of the game-board A, having a portion of the f'ractional unit blocks arranged thereon.

Similar letters and figures refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A in the drawings refers to a box or case made in two equal parts, and hinged together at a, forming a suitable receptacle for a dicebox and the numeral cube blocks and the integral unit and fractional unit blocks used in the game. The two outside surfaces of the case,when opened, as shown in Figs. l and 7, form a game-board upon which to arrange the integral unit and fractional unit blocks. Upon the surface of the boardA is marked off unitspaces B, as shown in Figs. 1,2, and 7, which are of the same width and length of the unit-block 1. (Shown in Fig. 6.) The unitblock l constitutes the base of measurement or value,which,for convenience, I prefer to make in length about iive times that of its thickness, and should be colored or painted, and

have the figure l expressed on the several sides thereof, and when placed upon one of the unitspaces B covers the same entire. rlwo fractional unit blocks equal in width and breadth that of the unit-blocks l, and being each one-half its length, represent halves, which should be a different color from that of the unit-block l, and should have expressed on the different sides thereof. rlhe same placed upon one of the unitspaces B, end to end, covers the same entire, and is equal in proportion and value that of the unit-block 1. Three fractional unit blocks equal in width and breadth to that of the unit-block l, and being each one-third the length of the same, represent thirds, which should be a different color from that of the unit-block l and of the halves, and should have expressed upon the different sides thereof. The same placed end to end upon one of the unit-spaces B cover the same entire, and is equal in proportion and value that of the unit-bloei; l. Four frac,- tional unit blocks equal in width and breadth that of the unit-blocks l, and, being each one-fourth the length of the same, represent fourths, which should bc different in color from the units, the halves, andthe thirds, and should have 3cexpressed on the different sides thereof. The same placed end to end upon one of the unit-spaces B cover the same entire, and

is equal in proportion and value that. of the unit-block l. Five blocks, of a different color from the preceding ones, having expressed ou the different sides thereof, each represents one-fth, the five of which represents a unit, and cover one of the unitspaces, and is the equivalent of the unit-blocl l. Six blocks, of a different color from the preceding mentioned blocks, having expressed on the several sides thereof, each represent one-sixth of the unit, six of which cover one of the unit-spaces B,and is equal in size and value that of the unit-block l. In like manner the one-seventh, the oneeighth, the one-ninth, the one-tenth, the oneeleventh, and the one-twelfth, respectively, are equal to the unit-block, and cover one of the unit-spaces, their respective fractional values heilig expressed thereon, as well as being distinguished by each being made a different color, the entire number of blocks represented being seventy-seven fractional and one integral unit. The one integral and the roo '.ent denominations or values of the fractional and the unit-blocks are distinguished from eachother by the difference in the sizes, by the figures marked or expressed thereon7 and by having the unit-block l painted one color, the halves painted a different color, and the thirds to the twelfths each a different color. By this arrangement the pupil becomes simultaneously familiar with different colors, with the different values and sizes of fractional units relative to a unit, and to the different characters or figures used to represent the size or value of fractional parts. rlhe unit and fractional unit blocks used in conjunction with the board A, the numeral cube blocks a and at', and the dice-box d form an interesting and instructive game. rIhe numeral cube block a has the fractional numbers 1,-, ,15, -l-l, and l expressed on the six plain surfaces thereof. The numeral cube block at' has the fractional numbers 1,-, and 11T, and the unit number l expressed on the six plain surfaces thereof, as will be seen by reference to the drawings. The figures expressed on the different squares of the cube blocks c and ai correspond with those expressed on the unit-block l and the frac- The game may consist of casting the cube blocks a and a? in the same manner as is customary in casting dice from a box, and at each throw of the cubes or dice place the unit or fractional blocks on the spaces B of the board A, continuing .the same until the spaces are all covered with t-he blocks, after which the blocks may be removed from the board as the cubes or dice are east. Two persons may play, to determine the number of times the cubes or dice have to be cast in order to play the entire number of blocks onto or o'ff the board, the person casting the cubes or dice the least number of times to be the winner of the game. In the manufacture of the blocks wood or other suitable material may be used. The unit-block l is the standard of size or value, maybe painted any desirable color, and should have the lign re l painted, printed, or engraved on the several sides thereof. The fractional unit blocks should be made of like material of that from which the unit-block l is made, a-nd each denomination colored different from each other and from the unit-block, and have their corresponding values expressed on the several sides thereof, as before described. rlhe cube blocks or dice a and a2 should be made of ivory, bone, wood, or other suitable substance, and should have the figure l engraved on one of the squares of a2, and the fractional numbers and l on the remaining five squares thereof. The cube block a. should have the fractional numbers -f-, $5-, lg, and l engraved on the six squares thereof.

The box or caseA should be madein two equal parts, and hinged together in such a manner as to form a game-board of the outside surfaces when opened. The inside of the box should be provided with a partition, c, a sufficient distance from one end thereof to admit of the dice-box and the numeral cubes or dice being contained therein. rlhe box should be a sufcient depth to admit of the unit-block l and the numeral cube-blocks being placed therein.

I being aware of the general use of diceboxes do not claim itas new; but the particular form of the box or case being made of a Wsuitable size, and being suitably divided to form separate receptacles for the unit and fractional unit blocks and for the dice-box and numeral cube blocks a and a2, and having the outside surface painted, inlaid, or suitably marked to form unit-spaces B thereon. The arrangement ofthe unit and fractional blocks ofthe different proportional sizes, each size being ofa different color, and having expressed on each block its relative value to the unit-block, with the numeral cubes or dice having corresponding values engraved or stamped on the several squares, forming a game of amusement, and at the same time familiarizing the minds of the players with relative sizes of fractions to a unit, to different colors, and with the various figures or characters used to express fractions, is what constitutes my improvements.

Having thus fully described the construction of the parts constituting the game, and the manner of playing the same, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

l. The combination hereinbefore described, consisting, substantially, of numeral blocks or dice having fractional numbers marked thereon, a game-board having spaces designated thereon', as set forth, and blocks representing units and fractional parts of a unit, all operating together as described, and for the purpose set forth.`

2. The combination,with a game-board having spaces marked thereon, as described, of blocks of wood or equivalent material representing units and fractional parts of units, the blocks or dice having fractional numbers designated thereon by figures, and the dice-box, all operating together, as set forth, whereby a game may be played in which the players may become familiar with relative sizes and fractional numbers, as described, and by the means set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

F; NNY B. SHANNON.

lVitnesses;

A. J. OBRIEN, J. L. Mnrcarrn.

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