CA1049578A

CA1049578A - Spherical maze puzzle toy

Info

Publication number: CA1049578A
Application number: CA241,700A
Authority: CA
Inventors: David E. Christensen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1975-12-15
Filing date: 1975-12-15
Publication date: 1979-02-27

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A clear plastic housing contains a plurality of like spherical balls. The housing takes the form of a plurality of concentric spherical shells that are con-nected together by a plurality of radially extending partitions. The partitions divide the volume between any two neighboring shells into a plurality of arcuate volumes with like radii of curvature and like radial thickness. Each shell that is surrounded by a larger shell bears a plurality of like circular holes in its surface, to connect neighboring volumes in sequence to the spherical volume inside the smallest shell. The diameter of each ball is smaller than the diameter of any holes.

Description

S~RY OF THE I~NTION
The object o~ the invention is to pro~ide an inexpensive puzzle toy for use by people ol all a~es.
Thus, a spherical housing is divided up into a variety of compartments. Inside the housing is placed a plurality of like spherical balls. The compartments are conniscted by holes in their walls to form a maze.
By manlpulating the housing, the balls can be caused to traverse one or more preselected paths, providing an enjoyable toy that requires a satis~ying de~ree of manual dexterity to use.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~INGS
Figure 1 shows the invention in use.
Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the invention.
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DETAIIED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED El~ODIMENTS
_ _ .. . . .. . _ -A plurality of hollow spherical shells 10 are concentrically disposed at regular radlal intervals between the smallest inner shell 20 and the largest outer shell 30. The shells are held together by radially extending partitions 40 that extend between shells 20 and 30 and divide the volume between any two neighboring shells into a plurality of arcuate volumes 50 that have the same thickness and radius of curvature. Like circular i - holes ~0 in the surfaces of the shells 10 connect neighbor-ing annular volumes together in a~sequence that eventually com~unicates with the central circular volume inside shell 20C The shells and partitions are made o~ clear plastic and form a housing.
Inside the housing is disposed a plurality of like spherical balls 70 that are smaller in diameter than the holes. The various volumes inside the housing thus form ... .
a maze through which the balls ~ay be rolled along pre-selected routes by manipulating the housing.
Whlle ~he invention has been described with detailed reference to the drawings, the protection sought -ig to b~ limited only by the terms of the claims which ~ollow.

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Claims

The embodiments in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A toy, comprising:
a housing taking the form of a plurality of hollow spherical shells concentrically disposed and connected together by a plurality of radially extending partitions that block off the volume between any two neighboring shells into a plurality of arcuate volumes of like radii of curvature and like radial thickness with each shell that is surrounded by a larger shell bearing a plurality of like circular holes in its surface, whereby neighboring arcuate volumes are connected in sequence to the central spherical volumes inside the smallest shell; and a plurality of like spherical balls disposed in the housing, the diameter of the balls being less than the diameter of the holes, wherein the said housing is made of clear plastic.