EP0105620A2

EP0105620A2 - Puzzle, game or toy

Info

Publication number: EP0105620A2
Application number: EP83305114A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Iain Sinclair
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-09-09
Filing date: 1983-09-05
Publication date: 1984-04-18
Also published as: EP0105620A3

Abstract

O A puzzle comprises four disc-like members (b to e) rotatably mounted on a central disc (i) so that the members (b to e) can be independently rotated about a common axis (x-x). The members (b to e and i) are shaped so that the puzzle has the overall shape of a disc of uniform thickness. Each member (b to e and i) carries, at each of eight equi-angularly spaced positions, a number. The object of the puzzle is to rotate the members (b to e) until the numbers are radially aligned in sequences each of which totals a predetermined number, for example ten on the illustrated embodiment.

Description

Field of the invention

This invention relates to puzzles, games or toys. Hereinafter the invention will be referred to as a puzzle for ease of nomenclature.

Summary of the invention

According to one aspect of the invention a puzzle comprises a plurality of members relatively rotatable about a common axis, the members being substantially rigid and presenting annular areas bearing visible markings which are capable, on appropriate positioning of the members, of forming pre-determined combinations or patterns of the markings.
According to another aspect of the invention a puzzle comprises a plurality of disc-like members relatively rotatable about a common axis, the members differing in diameter and presenting annular areas which occupy a substantially common plane perpendicular to the common axis, the annular areas bearing visible markings which are capable, on appropriate positioning of the members as a result of rotation thereof, of forming desired combinations or patterns of the markings.
The members may be shaped so that the puzzle has a uniform thickness and therefore has the overall shape of a disc of uniform thickness.
In the preferred construction to be described the members are nested one within the next, the member of largest diameter forming a base member which underlies the remaining members and circumferentially surrounds the remaining members.
Preferably the members are retained in their nested relationship by a central disc which may be firmly attached to the base member, for example by the central disc being secured by adhesive to a central boss-like projection on the base member.
The puzzle may be a small pocket-size item or may be made larger, e.g. as a table top version to be played as a game by a number of players.
The visible markings may be colours, letters, numbers, pictures, or any other characters or devices, preferably arranged on the rotatable members so that lines of the markings can be radially aligned to form a sequence. The object of the puzzle is then to rotate the members until the sequences form the predetermined combinations or patterns. If the markings are numbers the puzzle may be regarded as being solved if each sequence of numbers adds up to the same predetermined amount, or to various predetermined amounts. For example, there may be four members (including the base member) each bearing, at equi-angularly spaced positions, eight numbers, the object being to rotate the members until each radially aligned sequence of numbers adds up to a predetermined number such as 10.
A puzzle according to the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the puzzle,
Figure 2 is a side view of the puzzle, and
Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line AA of Figure 1.

Detailed description of the drawings

The puzzle comprises four relatively rotatable disc-like members b to e, and a central disc f. These components are moulded from a rigid plastics material, such as ABS, having a smooth surface.
The base member e has a base wall g, an upstanding rim h and a central boss-like projection i. The central disc f is rigidly attached to the base member e by means of a central sleeve-like formation which is secured by adhesive onto the projection i. It can be seen from Figure 3 that the members b to e are nested one within the next and that the disc f is also nested-within the member b and acts to retain the members b to e in nested relationship.
Overall, the puzzle has the shape of a disc of uniform thickness, as can be seen from Figure 2. The puzzle has an overall diameter of about 92mm and a thickness of about 8mm, making it suitable to be carried in the pocket.
The members b to e present annular surfaces of progressively larger diameter, with all the surfaces being coplanar and perpendicular to the common axis of rotation x-x of the members b to e. At each of eight equi-angularly spaced positions, each member b to e carries a number, as shown in Figure 1. The object of the puzzle is to rotate the members b to e until the numbers are radially aligned in sequences each of which totals 10. The members b to e can be individually and easily rotated by hand. Once the puzzle has been solved by reaching the required combination random rotation of the members destroys the combination and makes the puzzle ready to be solved again.
The numbers are applied to the members b to e by silk screening or by foil printing. In Figure 3 the base walls of the members are shown as being in surface to surface sliding contact, but the members may be integrally formed with annular bearing ribs in order to localise the areas of contact and reduce friction between the members. It will be noted that there are clearance gaps between the adjacent annular rims of the members and that these rims are moulded with tapering frusto-conical surfaces.

Claims

1. A puzzle comprising a plurality of disc-like members relatively rotatable about a common axis, the members differing in diameter and presenting annular areas which occupy a substantially common plane perpendicular to the common axis, the annular areas bearing visible markings which are capable, on appropriate positioning of the members as a result of rotation thereof, of forming desired combinations or patterns of the markings.

2. A puzzle according to claim 1, wherein the members are shaped so that the puzzle has a uniform thickness and therefore has the overall shape of a disc of uniform thickness.

3. -A puzzle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the members are nested one within the next, the member of largest diameter forming a base member which underlies the remaining members and circumferentially surrounds the remaining members.

₄. A puzzle according to claim 3, wherein the members are retained in their nested relationship by a central disc which may be firmly attached to the base member.

5. A puzzle according to claim 4, wherein the central disc is secured to a central boss-like projection on the base member.

6. A puzzle according to claim 4 or 5, wherein there are four members retained in nested relationship by the central disc.

7. A puzzle according to any of the preceding claims and in the form of a small pocket-size item.

8. A puzzle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the viable markings are colours, letters, numbers, pictures, or any other characters or devices arranged on the rotatable members so that lines of the markings can be radially aligned to form a sequence, the object of the puzzle being to rotate the members until the sequences form the predetermined combinations or patterns.