Blocks Assembly

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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;   a quantity of ten blocks, each block defining an aperture through a height, the arch passing through the aperture of each of the ten blocks, wherein each of the ten blocks is slideable along the arch between one leg and the other leg.   
     
     
         2 . The blocks assembly of  claim 1  wherein a quantity of the plurality of numerical markings is equal to one greater than the quantity of blocks, the plurality of numerical markings starting at zero and counting up to a number which is equal to the number of blocks. 
     
     
         3 . The blocks assembly of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of numerical markings spaced apart from an adjacent one of the plurality of numerical markings by a distance that is equal to a height of one of the plurality of blocks. 
     
     
         4 . The blocks assembly of  claim 1  wherein the numerical markings arranged in sequential order starting from the base and increasing in number as the numbering approaches the connector. 
     
     
         5 . The blocks assembly of  claim 1  wherein the markings are arranged in sequential order and wherein the markings are shown as numbers from 0 to 10. 
     
     
         6 . The blocks assembly of  claim 1  wherein the quantity of ten blocks comprises blocks of at least two colors. 
     
     
         7 . The blocks assembly of  claim 1  wherein each of the ten blocks comprise a rectangular top cross section, and wherein the aperture has a rectangular cross section. 
     
     
         8 . The blocks assembly of  claim 1  wherein each of the ten blocks has no markings on the outer faces of the block. 
     
     
         9 . The blocks assembly of  claim 1  wherein the base, arch, and blocks are formed of wood. 
     
     
         10 . 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. 
     
     
         11 . The blocks assembly of  claim 1  wherein the blocks are permanently attached to the arch. 
     
     
         12 . The blocks assembly of  claim 1  wherein the marking above a quantity of blocks on one of the two legs is equal to the number of blocks on the leg. 
     
     
         13 . The blocks assembly of  claim 1  wherein the connector is curved. 
     
     
         14 . 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 the numerical markings is spaced apart from an adjacent numerical marking by a distance that is equal to a height of one of the ten blocks.   
     
     
         15 . The blocks assembly of  claim 14  wherein each of the blocks comprises a rectangular top cross section, and wherein each block comprises an aperture having a rectangular cross section. 
     
     
         16 . The blocks assembly of  claim 14  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 
     
     
         17 . The blocks assembly of  claim 14  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. 
     
     
         18 . The blocks assembly of  claim 14  wherein the markings are shown as numbers from 0 to 10. 
     
     
         19 . The blocks assembly of  claim 11  wherein one of the eleven markings above one of the ten blocks is equal to a number of the plurality of blocks on the leg. 
     
     
         20 . A method of operation of a blocks assembly comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a blocks assembly, the block assembly comprising a base and two legs, the two legs joined at bottom to the base, and at a top by a connector, a plurality of blocks slidably connected to the two legs and slidable from one of the two legs to the other of the two legs via the connector, plurality of sequential numerical markings on each of the two legs;   sliding at least one of the plurality of blocks from a first leg to a second leg; and   observing a marking above the one of the plurality of blocks when it is at the first leg, and observing a second marking on the first leg after the one of the plurality of blocks has moved to the second leg.