# US 2019/0172369 A1 · Blocks Assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0172369 A1 - Document ID: US20190172369A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/830,985 - Filed: 2017-12-04 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-04 - Inventors: John Vliet - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190172369A1 ## CPC - G09B 19/02: Counting; Calculating (abacus G06C1/00) - G09B 1/14: the elements being slidably mounted on the support - G09B: EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS (devices for psychotechnics or for testing reaction times A61B5/16; games, sports, amusements A63; projectors, projector screens G03B) ## Abstract A blocks assembly is provided. The assembly is formed of a base with an arch attached thereto. A number of blocks are slideably attached to the arch and confined by the base. The blocks can be slid from one side of the arch to the other. Markings on each side of the arch indicate how many blocks are on each side of the arch. Addition, subtraction, and general mathematical principles and relationships can be taught by movement and manipulation of the blocks. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A blocks assembly comprising: a base; an arch comprising two legs and a connector joining the legs at a proximal end of each of the two legs, each of the two legs connected to the base at a distal end; a plurality of sequential numerical markings on each of the two legs, the numerical markings arranged in sequential order starting from the base and increasing in number as the numbering approaches the connector; a plurality of blocks, each defining an aperture through a height, the arch passing through the aperture of each of the plurality of blocks, wherein each of the plurality of blocks is slideable along the arch between one leg and the other leg; wherein a quantity of the plurality of numerical markings is equal to one greater than the quantity of the plurality of blocks, the plurality of numerical markings starting at zero and counting up to a number which is equal to the number of the plurality of blocks, each of the plurality of numerical markings spaced apart from an adjacent one of the plurality numerical marking by a distance that is equal to a height of one of the plurality of blocks. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The blocks assembly of claim 1 comprising markings from zero to ten. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The blocks assembly of claim 1 wherein a first of the plurality of blocks is a different color from another of the plurality of blocks. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The blocks assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of blocks comprises a rectangular top cross section, and wherein the aperture has a rectangular cross section. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The blocks assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of blocks has no markings on outer faces. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The blocks assembly of claim 1 wherein the base, arch, and plurality of blocks are formed of wood. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The blocks assembly of claim 1 wherein one or a plurality of blocks is movable from the first leg to the second leg to identify a result of addition or subtraction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The blocks assembly of claim 1 wherein the blocks are permanently attached to the arch. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The blocks assembly of claim 1 wherein one of the plurality of markings above one of the plurality of blocks is equal to a number of the plurality of blocks on one of the two legs. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The blocks assembly of claim 1 wherein the arch has a curved connector. ### Claim 11 A blocks assembly comprising: a base; a sliding track comprising two legs and a connector joining the legs at a proximal end of each of the two legs, each of the two legs connected to the base at a distal end; eleven sequential numerical markings positioned on each of the two legs, the numerical markings arranged in sequential order starting from zero at the base and increasing in number to ten as the numbering approaches the connector; ten blocks, each of the blocks slideably connected to the sliding track allowing movement of each of the blocks between one leg and the other leg; wherein each of numerical markings is spaced apart from the adjacent numerical marking by a distance that is equal to a height of one of the ten blocks. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The blocks assembly of claim 11 wherein one of the ten blocks is a different color from another of the ten blocks. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The blocks assembly of claim 11 wherein each of the blocks comprises a rectangular top cross section, and wherein the aperture has a rectangular cross section. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The blocks assembly of claim 13 wherein the sliding track is formed as an arch having an elongate surface which defines a rectangular cross section that is slightly smaller than the rectangular cross section of the aperture, such that the blocks may slide along the arch. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The blocks assembly of claim 11 wherein each of the blocks has no markings on outer faces. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The blocks assembly of claim 11 wherein the base, sliding track, and blocks are formed of wood. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The blocks assembly of claim 11 wherein one or more of the ten blocks is movable from the first leg to the second leg to identify a result of addition or subtraction. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The blocks assembly of claim 11 wherein the blocks are permanently attached to the sliding track. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The blocks assembly of claim 11 wherein one of the ten markings above one of the ten blocks is equal to a number of the plurality of blocks on the leg. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The blocks assembly of claim 11 wherein the sliding track has a curved connector.