CA2211286A1 - Trigram device - Google Patents
Trigram deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2211286A1 CA2211286A1 CA002211286A CA2211286A CA2211286A1 CA 2211286 A1 CA2211286 A1 CA 2211286A1 CA 002211286 A CA002211286 A CA 002211286A CA 2211286 A CA2211286 A CA 2211286A CA 2211286 A1 CA2211286 A1 CA 2211286A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sections
- plate
- faces
- trigrams
- trigram
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
- A63F9/06—Patience; Other games for self-amusement
- A63F9/08—Puzzles provided with elements movable in relation, i.e. movably connected, to each other
- A63F9/0826—Three-dimensional puzzles with slidable or rotatable elements or groups of elements, the main configuration remaining unchanged, e.g. Rubik's cube
- A63F9/0838—Three-dimensional puzzles with slidable or rotatable elements or groups of elements, the main configuration remaining unchanged, e.g. Rubik's cube with an element, e.g. invisible core, staying permanently in a central position having the function of central retaining spider and with groups of elements rotatable about at least three axes intersecting in one point
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
- A63F9/06—Patience; Other games for self-amusement
- A63F9/08—Puzzles provided with elements movable in relation, i.e. movably connected, to each other
- A63F9/0803—Two-dimensional puzzles with slideable or rotatable elements or groups of elements, the main configuration remaining unchanged
- A63F9/0811—Two-dimensional puzzles with slideable or rotatable elements or groups of elements, the main configuration remaining unchanged with rotatable concentric rings or discs
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
Abstract
A device for forming trigrams and hexagrams was three rotatable mounted for rotation about a common axis.
Each plate has four exposed faces, with two of the faces representing a solid line of a trigram and the remaining two faces representing a broken line of a trigram. The device allows the plates to be aligned to form three stacked lines representing a trigram of 64 possible trigrams. Preferably the device includes a lock arrangement for facilitating alignment of the plates.
Each plate has four exposed faces, with two of the faces representing a solid line of a trigram and the remaining two faces representing a broken line of a trigram. The device allows the plates to be aligned to form three stacked lines representing a trigram of 64 possible trigrams. Preferably the device includes a lock arrangement for facilitating alignment of the plates.
Description
TITLE: TRIGRAM DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for forming trigrams used as part of the I CHING process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I CHING is a devination process that was developed in China. It requires the formation of a series of hexagrams from a possible 64 hexagrams and these hexagrams allow the user to provide insight into a particular question or query.
There have been various arrangements for trying to conveniently form hexagrams and many of these systems involve the use of dice.
A hexagram is typically formed of two trigrams.
Each trigram has three horizontal lines and each line can either be solid or broken. Trigrams are typically stacked one above the other to form a hexagram. There are 64 possible hexagrams and there are various definitions for each hexagram that help answer or provide insight into a particular query. The formation of these hexagrams continues to be difficult and the present invention provides a simple structure for forming of trigrams and hexagrams.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A device for forming trigrams according to the present invention comprises three distinct sections which are movable one relative to the other. Each section has two pairs of distinct faces where each face of a pair of faces are the same and each face form one line of a trigram. The distinct sections are supported to allow movement thereof to any of four positions and when the sections are in any one said positions, four trigrams of a possible 64 trigrams are formed. A new set of four trigrams can be formed by moving any of these sections to a different position.
According to an aspect of the invention, each section is formed as a plate with the plate having the pairs of faces located with adjacent faces located in an orthogonal manner and where the faces of a pair are adjacent faces.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the device includes a support arrangement for the plates and this support arrangement allows rotation of the sections about a common central axis perpendicular to the plates.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the support arrangement includes a locating arrangement providing a releasable bias releasably maintaining said sections in any of said positions.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the sections are supported on a base with a perpendicular column support which rotatably supports each section and maintains said sections in a stacked configuration.
A plate of a trigram device according to the present invention, comprises a plate member of rectangular configuration with two adjacent sides of the plate having markings defining a broken line and the remaining adjacent sides, each defining a horizontal line.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device for forming trigrams;
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the trigram forming device;
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the trigram forming device illustrating the locking arrangement; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of one plate of the trigram forming device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The trigram forming device 2 comprises three distinct plate sections 4, 5 and 6, which preferably are of a rectangular configuration having four faces; 7, 8, 9 and 10. Faces 7 and 8 include a recess 11 such that the view of the edge of the plate of either faces 7 and 8 represents a broken horizontal line. In contrast, faces 9 and 10 are solid and represent a continuous line as illustrated by face 9 of section 5. Face 10, also similar to face 9, i.e., would not be interrupted. In this way, adjacent faces 7 and 8 of a section are formed as broken lines and adjacent faces 9 and 10 represent solid lines. The sections 4, 5 and 6, are all rotatable about a central axis passing through the device as will be more clearly understood with respect to Figure 2.
Figure 2 shows a base 20 having a stub shaft 23 which receives the cylindrical support column 21 which has been ported at either end to provide a slight interference fit with the stub shaft 23 provided on the base and a similar sub shaft provided on the top 25. In this way, the top 25 and the base 20 engage and grip with the cylindrical support column 20 and thus maintain all the plates in the desired operational configuration of Figure 1.
Each of the sections 4, 5 and 6, are the same and have a circular port 40 for sleeving over the cylindrical support column 21. The central port 40 includes a number of recesses 42 which define locking positions as will be more clearly understood with respect to Figure 3.
Figure 2 also illustrates how the sections 4, 5 and 6 are preferably separated by the spacers 22, preferably having an outer diameter sized to position the periphery of the spacer well interior to the outer periphery of the sections 4, 5 and 6. These spacers 22 make it more convenient to rotate each individual section without rotating an adjacent section, and emphasizes the difference between a solid and broken line.
Figure 3 is a sectional view through the device showing the stub shaft 23 of base 20 in engagement with a port 29 provided in one end of the cylindrical support 21 with a similar port 29 provided in the opposite end of the cylindrical support 21 which engages the stub shaft 27 of the top member 25. As can be seen, there is sufficient clearance between the port 40 of each individual section 4, 5 or 6, with the cylindrical support column such that the sections are freely rotatable about the central axis of the support column 21. The support column 21 can include a number of recesses, with each recess receiving a spring 54 and a lock ball 52. The lock balls cooperate with a respective recess 42 of a section. In this way, when a section is rotated, the lock ball 52 will be urged into the column against the spring bias provided by the spring member 54. Further rotation of the particular section can continue and there will be a partial locking when the lock ball 52 encounters the next recess 42. This provides a positive positioning of each section in one of its desired four positions. The various sections all have common lock positions.
A person using this device can either decide to form two different trigrams which will then be added to form a hexagram or can use the device to form two trigrams which are then added to form a hexagram at the same time.
As can be appreciated, the user can merely turn the various sections randomly to form a trigram or according to a predetermined design of the user, form a trigram, and can repeat this process if he wishes to form two separate trigrams. It is also possible that the user could have predetermined that he would use the two opposite trigrams or two adjacent trigrams which can then be added to form a hexagram. Other strategies can easily be used.
The device makes it extremely simple and convenient to form trigrams which are then used to form hexagrams.
The formed hexagra~s are used as the basis for consulting the I CHING, thereby providing insight into the particular question or query.
Each of the sections are preferably rectangular but it can be appreciated that the sections define four faces which can be separately aligned to form a trigram. It can also be seen that the device, when the plates are aligned, forms four easily understood trigrams. Basically, the size of the device forms a trigram and makes it very convenient to copy the form of the trigram for consulting with the I
CHING or combining to form hexagrams.
Each of the individual sections 4, 5 and 6, have been defined as having four distinctive faces and are preferably of a rectangular configuration. It can be appreciated that the point of the device is that the three sections are rotatable one relative to the other for forming different layers of a trigram. The plates can be of a configuration other than rectangular, for example, the corners of each of these sections could be rounded rather than the square configuration. Four faces should be defined where two of the faces form broken lines and two other faces represent a continuous line.
The plates have also been defined as having a recess to signify a broken line, however, it can be appreciated that the interruption could be inlays or a change in texture of the surface or some other visual indication of a broken line. The point is, the faces should have the desired visual impression or broken line, either broken or broken of a trigram.
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for forming trigrams used as part of the I CHING process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I CHING is a devination process that was developed in China. It requires the formation of a series of hexagrams from a possible 64 hexagrams and these hexagrams allow the user to provide insight into a particular question or query.
There have been various arrangements for trying to conveniently form hexagrams and many of these systems involve the use of dice.
A hexagram is typically formed of two trigrams.
Each trigram has three horizontal lines and each line can either be solid or broken. Trigrams are typically stacked one above the other to form a hexagram. There are 64 possible hexagrams and there are various definitions for each hexagram that help answer or provide insight into a particular query. The formation of these hexagrams continues to be difficult and the present invention provides a simple structure for forming of trigrams and hexagrams.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A device for forming trigrams according to the present invention comprises three distinct sections which are movable one relative to the other. Each section has two pairs of distinct faces where each face of a pair of faces are the same and each face form one line of a trigram. The distinct sections are supported to allow movement thereof to any of four positions and when the sections are in any one said positions, four trigrams of a possible 64 trigrams are formed. A new set of four trigrams can be formed by moving any of these sections to a different position.
According to an aspect of the invention, each section is formed as a plate with the plate having the pairs of faces located with adjacent faces located in an orthogonal manner and where the faces of a pair are adjacent faces.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the device includes a support arrangement for the plates and this support arrangement allows rotation of the sections about a common central axis perpendicular to the plates.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the support arrangement includes a locating arrangement providing a releasable bias releasably maintaining said sections in any of said positions.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the sections are supported on a base with a perpendicular column support which rotatably supports each section and maintains said sections in a stacked configuration.
A plate of a trigram device according to the present invention, comprises a plate member of rectangular configuration with two adjacent sides of the plate having markings defining a broken line and the remaining adjacent sides, each defining a horizontal line.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device for forming trigrams;
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the trigram forming device;
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the trigram forming device illustrating the locking arrangement; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of one plate of the trigram forming device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The trigram forming device 2 comprises three distinct plate sections 4, 5 and 6, which preferably are of a rectangular configuration having four faces; 7, 8, 9 and 10. Faces 7 and 8 include a recess 11 such that the view of the edge of the plate of either faces 7 and 8 represents a broken horizontal line. In contrast, faces 9 and 10 are solid and represent a continuous line as illustrated by face 9 of section 5. Face 10, also similar to face 9, i.e., would not be interrupted. In this way, adjacent faces 7 and 8 of a section are formed as broken lines and adjacent faces 9 and 10 represent solid lines. The sections 4, 5 and 6, are all rotatable about a central axis passing through the device as will be more clearly understood with respect to Figure 2.
Figure 2 shows a base 20 having a stub shaft 23 which receives the cylindrical support column 21 which has been ported at either end to provide a slight interference fit with the stub shaft 23 provided on the base and a similar sub shaft provided on the top 25. In this way, the top 25 and the base 20 engage and grip with the cylindrical support column 20 and thus maintain all the plates in the desired operational configuration of Figure 1.
Each of the sections 4, 5 and 6, are the same and have a circular port 40 for sleeving over the cylindrical support column 21. The central port 40 includes a number of recesses 42 which define locking positions as will be more clearly understood with respect to Figure 3.
Figure 2 also illustrates how the sections 4, 5 and 6 are preferably separated by the spacers 22, preferably having an outer diameter sized to position the periphery of the spacer well interior to the outer periphery of the sections 4, 5 and 6. These spacers 22 make it more convenient to rotate each individual section without rotating an adjacent section, and emphasizes the difference between a solid and broken line.
Figure 3 is a sectional view through the device showing the stub shaft 23 of base 20 in engagement with a port 29 provided in one end of the cylindrical support 21 with a similar port 29 provided in the opposite end of the cylindrical support 21 which engages the stub shaft 27 of the top member 25. As can be seen, there is sufficient clearance between the port 40 of each individual section 4, 5 or 6, with the cylindrical support column such that the sections are freely rotatable about the central axis of the support column 21. The support column 21 can include a number of recesses, with each recess receiving a spring 54 and a lock ball 52. The lock balls cooperate with a respective recess 42 of a section. In this way, when a section is rotated, the lock ball 52 will be urged into the column against the spring bias provided by the spring member 54. Further rotation of the particular section can continue and there will be a partial locking when the lock ball 52 encounters the next recess 42. This provides a positive positioning of each section in one of its desired four positions. The various sections all have common lock positions.
A person using this device can either decide to form two different trigrams which will then be added to form a hexagram or can use the device to form two trigrams which are then added to form a hexagram at the same time.
As can be appreciated, the user can merely turn the various sections randomly to form a trigram or according to a predetermined design of the user, form a trigram, and can repeat this process if he wishes to form two separate trigrams. It is also possible that the user could have predetermined that he would use the two opposite trigrams or two adjacent trigrams which can then be added to form a hexagram. Other strategies can easily be used.
The device makes it extremely simple and convenient to form trigrams which are then used to form hexagrams.
The formed hexagra~s are used as the basis for consulting the I CHING, thereby providing insight into the particular question or query.
Each of the sections are preferably rectangular but it can be appreciated that the sections define four faces which can be separately aligned to form a trigram. It can also be seen that the device, when the plates are aligned, forms four easily understood trigrams. Basically, the size of the device forms a trigram and makes it very convenient to copy the form of the trigram for consulting with the I
CHING or combining to form hexagrams.
Each of the individual sections 4, 5 and 6, have been defined as having four distinctive faces and are preferably of a rectangular configuration. It can be appreciated that the point of the device is that the three sections are rotatable one relative to the other for forming different layers of a trigram. The plates can be of a configuration other than rectangular, for example, the corners of each of these sections could be rounded rather than the square configuration. Four faces should be defined where two of the faces form broken lines and two other faces represent a continuous line.
The plates have also been defined as having a recess to signify a broken line, however, it can be appreciated that the interruption could be inlays or a change in texture of the surface or some other visual indication of a broken line. The point is, the faces should have the desired visual impression or broken line, either broken or broken of a trigram.
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (11)
1. A device for forming trigrams comprising three distinct sections which are movable one relative to the other, each section having two pairs of distinct faces where each face of a pair of faces are the same and form one part of a trigram, said distinct sections being supported to allow movement thereof to any of four positions of said sections and when said sections are in any of said positions four trigrams of a possible 64 trigrams are formed, and where a new set of four trigrams can be formed by moving any of said sections to a different position of said four positions.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each section is formed as a plate having said pairs of faces located with adjacent faces located in an orthogonal manner and where said faces of a pair are adjacent faces.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2 said plates include a support arrangement which allows rotation of said sections about a common axis perpendicular to said plates.
4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said support arrangement maintains said plates in a secured manner.
5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said support arrangement includes a locating arrangement providing a releasable bias urging said sections to one of said positions.
6. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said sections are supported on a base with a perpendicular column support which rotatably supports each section and maintains said sections in a stacked configuration.
7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein each face of a section defines either a horizontal line marking or a broken horizontal line marking.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7 said sections are plates of a rectangular configuration and two adjacent sides of each plate have central recess defining two of said broken horizontal line markings.
9. A plate of a trigram device comprising a rectangular configuration with two adjacent sides of said plate having markings defining a broken horizontal line and the remaining adjacent sides having markings defining a horizontal line.
10. A plate as claimed in claim 9 wherein said markings defining a broken horizontal line include a recess in the periphery of said plate.
11. A plate as claimed in claim 10 including a central support arrangement for accommodating rotation of said plate thereabout with the axis of rotation being perpendicular to each of said sides.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002211286A CA2211286A1 (en) | 1997-07-24 | 1997-07-24 | Trigram device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002211286A CA2211286A1 (en) | 1997-07-24 | 1997-07-24 | Trigram device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2211286A1 true CA2211286A1 (en) | 1999-01-24 |
Family
ID=29274898
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002211286A Abandoned CA2211286A1 (en) | 1997-07-24 | 1997-07-24 | Trigram device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2211286A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111768655A (en) * | 2020-06-10 | 2020-10-13 | 姜富 | Divinatory symbols of book of changes appearance and its preparation method |
-
1997
- 1997-07-24 CA CA002211286A patent/CA2211286A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111768655A (en) * | 2020-06-10 | 2020-10-13 | 姜富 | Divinatory symbols of book of changes appearance and its preparation method |
| CN111768655B (en) * | 2020-06-10 | 2022-04-22 | 姜富 | Divinatory symbols of book of changes appearance and its preparation method |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |