EP0931573A1 - Three-dimensional puzzle - Google Patents

Three-dimensional puzzle Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0931573A1
EP0931573A1 EP97940165A EP97940165A EP0931573A1 EP 0931573 A1 EP0931573 A1 EP 0931573A1 EP 97940165 A EP97940165 A EP 97940165A EP 97940165 A EP97940165 A EP 97940165A EP 0931573 A1 EP0931573 A1 EP 0931573A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cubes
cube
subgroup
faces
assembly
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP97940165A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Jesus Manuel Diaz Escano
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0931573A1 publication Critical patent/EP0931573A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • A63F9/12—Three-dimensional jig-saw puzzles
    • 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
    • A63F9/001—Games or toys connected to, or combined with, other objects; Objects with a second use as a toy or game
    • A63F2009/0033—Display or decorative devices
    • 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
    • A63F9/12—Three-dimensional jig-saw puzzles
    • A63F9/1208—Connections between puzzle elements
    • A63F2009/1216—Connections between puzzle elements using locking or binding pins
    • A63F2009/122—Connections between puzzle elements using locking or binding pins connecting only two neighbouring elements
    • 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
    • A63F9/12—Three-dimensional jig-saw puzzles
    • A63F2009/1236—Three-dimensional jig-saw puzzles with a final configuration thereof, i.e. the solution, being packed in a box or container
    • 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
    • A63F2250/00—Miscellaneous game characteristics
    • A63F2250/48—Miscellaneous game characteristics with special provisions for gripping by hand

Definitions

  • the object of present invention consists of, as indicated in the title, a three dimension puzzle, of the type of educational toys created for imagination development and space perception, and particularly the method to obtain combinations for adornment the three dimension puzzle faces, what means important advantages with respect to educational toys now present in the market.
  • the three dimension puzzle which is the object of present invention has been developed with the aim to create a new educational toy for imagination development and space perception.
  • a first inttention of present invention consists of the development of an educational toy for imagination development and space perception, for the player combines two and three dimensiones at a time, in the search of location and position of this three dimension puzzle pieces.
  • a second object of present invention consists of the method to obtain combinations for the illustration of said three dimension puzzle, such illustration understood as a manufacturing phase, the adornment of each of the pieces that are part of the three dimension puzzle being defined as part of the different pictures that are to be composed when playing the game.
  • the three dimension puzzle object of present invention consists of an educational jigsaw made up by a set of n 3 (n x n x n) pieces of cubic shape (named hereafter "cubes") of equal size, n being a whole number greater that 1, with elements for the interconnection of said cubes in order to obtain a main cubic piece with n cubes in each edge.
  • the illustration of said cubes is formed by 6n different two dimension puzzles, which are apt for alternative visualization of n groups of six puzzles, one of each of the main piece faces which has cubic shape.
  • each of the cubes consists, preferably, of a graphic print, engraved or sticked, but without excluding any other known printing technique, each cube printed face corresponding to a different part of the illustrations chosen for the 6n different two dimension puzzles which form the pictures of the three dimension puzzle object of present invention, of any type and figure, such as pictures, works of art, drawings, etc.
  • the connecting devices for the different cubes are adequate to define a main cubic piece of n cubes per edge, and consist, in a first construction idea, in an assembly of small round bars, made of paper, plastic, cardboard, wood, metal or similar materials, which are to be inserted in the corresponding holes drilled in center of all cube faces, these holes having an adequate size to hold said small round bars and of depth preferably less than half the cube edge.
  • the hole size must be small enough as not to interfere with the picture of each of the two dimension puzzles visualized when composing the three dimension puzzle.
  • the mentioned cube connecting elements are adequate to define, by their interconnecting them, a main cubic piece with n cubes per edge, and consist, in a second construction idea, of a case made of transparent material like methacrylate, plastic or similar material, to contain tightly all the cubes and to allow to watch from outside the different pictures obtained when building the three dimension puzzle.
  • said case may be shaped on different models as long as it meets the requirements set forth herebefore.
  • the connecting elements for the cubes are adequate to define, by means of their interconnection, a main cubic piece with n cubes per edge, and consist, in a third construction idea, of a frame made by three plans perpendicular to each other, made of transparent material and preferably provided with handling means like a handle, knob or similar.
  • such connecting elements for the different cubes consist of magnetic devices adequate to keep faces of three dimension puzzle cubes fastened together.
  • the three dimension puzzle object of present invention is made up by placing each one of the cubes as to build up a cubic piece with n cubes per edge, obtaining an different picture shown on each surface, with the possibility of making different combinations with cubes as to visualize 6n different pictures contained in the three dimension puzzle.
  • the three dimension puzzle with this arrangement becomes an educational toy with complexity increasing substantially with the number of cubes and design complexity, being adequate to all ages and offering entertainement and pastime to players for being a game with more than one solution.
  • a second object of present invention refers to the method to obtain combinations for the illustration of said three dimension puzzle, that illustration understood as a manufacturing process by which the illustration of every cube face is defined, once the 6n different pictures that are to be obtained during the course of the play have been selected.
  • the said illustration phase defines each of the different fractions or parts of the illustration selected for the 6n two dimension puzzles which correspond to all faces of cubes included in the three dimension puzzle, this being essential to reach a solution in the game.
  • Through said illustration phase it is defined each of the different fractions or parts of the selected illustrations for the 6n two dimension puzzles associated with each face of cubes that form part of the three dimension puzzle, that being essential to reach a game solution. That method to obtain combinations for the illustration of three dimension puzzle will be used for the manufacturing or configuration of a prototype or model which, for example, will be later manufactured in series.
  • the method used to obtain combinations for said three dimension puzzle illustrations consists, mainly, of two different methods, depending upon the size of the three dimension puzzle, however the first method may be applied to any size of the three dimension puzzle.
  • the method used to obtain combinations for the illustration of said three dimension puzzle comprises the steps of:
  • the method used to obtain combinations for illustrations of said three dimension puzzle for n larger than or equal to 6, n being the number of cubes per edge of the three dimension main cube, comprises:
  • a prototype or model that, for instance, later on will be used for series manufacturing, will be obtained by the method used to obtain combinations of illustrations of the herein described three dimension puzzle.
  • adhesive stickers can be made with patterns obtained from plane development of each one of cubes obtained through illustration step described hereinbefore, designed to be applied onto cubes forming the three dimension puzzle.
  • each of said stickers on cubes forming said three dimension puzzle can be made either in the factory or by the user, and in this case he can himself build the puzzle pieces by applying the stickers.
  • the player is given application means, first including a device for centering sticker over cube face, preferably consisting of an L shaped pattern, with means for applying stickers and means for positioning corresponding cube, as well as a second bonding system designed for a simultaneous application of stickers on four cube faces, once a sticker has been positioned by the method previously described, Consisting mainly of a device to guide cube trough a square section hole of a size basically similar to that of cube with stickers applied on its faces, having front edges mainly rounded so as not to damage the sticker.
  • the three dimension puzzle as the object of present invention, can be worked out on a computer monitor screen, so that instead of using it as a manual game it could be used as an educational toy by means of a computer program, commanded by means of a keyboard, mouse or similar.
  • a three dimension program comprising imaging process for figuring cubes on computer screen as well as facing and plotting of said pictures, with possibility to create differente pictures with different sizes.
  • Said program must include options for recreation, reduction and magnification of cube images, of its main faces, of main cube and of its respective faces; as well as options such as recordings of time spent for creating a cube and other required times; scores related to times spent and/or hits and misses; creation of a game guide; a background music during game progress; an alarm signal, advise or error signal in case of wrong piece positioning; and possibility for guide to offer other games within main game.
  • the three dimension puzzle (1) refers to an educational puzzle toy, which in present practical arrangement is made up of 27 cubes (2) of same size (3 x 3 x 3). These cubes (2) are provided with connection means designed in such a way that their assembly results in a main cubic piece with 3 cubes (2) per edge. Illustration of said cubes (2) can, for example, consists of a printed picture, and will comprise 18 different two dimension puzzles which, in this practical arrangement, corresponds to geometric figures, designed for alternative imaging of 3 groups of six puzzles, one for each face of main cube. Each of the printed faces of each one of said cubes (2) corresponds to a different fraction or part of selected illustrations of 18 different two dimension puzzles which form pictures in the three dimension puzzle (1).
  • Figures 2a and 2b, 3 and 4 represent, respectively, three optional arrangements of said connection means between the different cubes (2) designed to define, through their assembly,a main cubic piece with 3 cubes (2) per edge.
  • connection means consist of a set of small round bars (3) that can be inserted in corresponding holes (4) bored in center point of each cube face (2), of an adequate size to hold the round bars (3) without any clearance, and with a depth smaller than half the cube edge (2).
  • the size of said holes (4) is small enough as not to affect the view of each one of the two dimension puzzles developed when building the three dimension puzzle (1).
  • connection means consist of a transparent case (5), with sliding cover (6), able to house without any clearance a complete cube (2), as well as to make it possible to watch from outside each of the illustrations shown when composing the three dimension puzzle (1), with case (5) side faces being formed by removables side bands (6').
  • This type of case can be made of many different designs, from a simple transparent box to more complex designs, like the one shown in figure 3, as long as requirements described hereinbefore are met.
  • connection means between the different cubes (2) consist of a support (7) made of three planes (8a, 8b, 8c) perpendicular to each other, manufactured with a transparent material and mainly provided with handling means like a handle or knob (9).
  • connection means of different cubes may consist of magnetic devices to keep fastened the faces of each one of the cubes that make the three dimension puzzle, and made, for instance, of small pieces or metal strips and ferrite cores inlaid in faces or inside of cubes.
  • a second goal of present invention refers to the method to obtain the combinations for said three dimension puzzle (1) illustrations, such an illustration understood as a manufacturing phase where the illustration of all three dimension puzzle cubes is defined (1), once the pictures involved in the game performace are selected. Through that illustration phase, each fraction or different part of selected illustrations applied to each face of the three dimension puzzle (1) cubes (2) is defined, what turns out to be essential on reaching a solution.
  • Such a method used to obtain combinations for the three dimension puzzle illustrations (1) is used for the manufacture or configuration of a prototype, which, later on, for instance, will be made on series.
  • some sticker patterns can be made (10), as shown in figure 5, obtained from plane projection of each of cubes (2) taken from prototype on illustration phase. Said stickers (11) size must correspond with cube (2) size.
  • each sticker (11) onto each one of cubes (2) that are part of said three dimension puzzle (1) can be done either in the factory or directly by the player, himself having the possibility to create his own three dimension puzzle (1) pieces. With the purpose of making it easy to bond the stickers correctly, the player can be provided with adequate bonding means.
  • such bonding means consist of an L shaped pattern (12), mounted on a base (13), fixed to it by a bolt and screw set (14) in through holes (15).
  • L shaped pattern has, in its long side, a hole with size basically similar to that of cube face (2), prepared to receive a sticker (11) first side and, and in its short side a cut in the connection plane with said base (13) of size basically equal to that a cube face (2), and prepared to receive a sticker second side (11).
  • the L shaped pattern square inside angle turns to be a guiding device for the corresponding cube (2).
  • Figure 6b shows a simplified arrangement of bonding means represented in previous figure, consisting of a single piece (16), so as to define pattern (12) and base (13), represented in previous figure, as an unique piece. Said piece shape and size (16) correspond with elements represented in previously mentioned figure.
  • the sticker (11) has been applied onto one of the cube (2) faces, there is an optional second bonding means, as it is shown in figure 7, designed to apply the sticker (11) simultaneously onto four of the cube (2) faces.
  • Those means consist of one piece (17) provided with a square section hole (18) of size basically similar to that of cube (2) with sticker bonded onto its faces. The front edges are round so as not to damage the sticker (11).
  • a second goal of present invention refers to the method used to obtain combinations for the illustration of said three dimension puzzle, such illustration understood as a manufacturing phase where illustration of each one of cubes that are part of the three dimension puzzle is defined, once the 6n different images that can be worked out with the game have been selected.
  • the mentioned method first comprises the building of one cube assembly with 3 cubes per edge, that means one of the three solutions of the three dimension puzzle. For other cases of three dimension puzzles of different size, the number of solutions will be equal to n.
  • the cube assembly with 27 cubes is split into subgroups featured for the position that each one of them occupies within the cube assembly, as:
  • the 8 cubes of corner cube subgroup of first cube assembly are split into three groups, as follows: one cube (with three covered faces), moves to a corner position in the second cube assembly, showing its three non illustrated faces; six cubes (with three covered faces) moves to six edge positions of second cube assembly, showing two of its three faces not yet illustrated; and one cube (with three covered faces) that moves to interior position of second cube assembly, not showing any of its faces not yet illustrated.
  • the 12 cubes of the edge subgroup in the first cube assembly are divided in two groups, one with six cubes (with two covered faces), that move to six edge positions of second cube assembly, and the other with six cubes (with two covered faces) moving to the six center positions of second cube assembly, showing one of their faces not yet illustrated.
  • the six cubes of center cubes subgroup (with one covered face) of first cube assembly move to corner positions in the second cube assembly, showing three of their faces not yet illustrated.
  • the second cube assembly built as indicated, shows on its six exterior faces the non illustrated respective faces of cubes that are part of the three dimension puzzle, then proceeding to illustrate the cubes exposed faces with six new images.
  • the eight cubes of corner cubes subgroup in second cube assembly are split into three groups as follows:
  • the 12 cubes of corner cubes subgroup in the second cube assembly are divided in two groups:
  • the 6 cubes of center cube subgroup in second cube assembly that come from edge cube subgroup of first cube assembly, having three covered faces, and move to six corner positions of third cube assembly, showing their three not yet illustrated faces.
  • the third cube assembly built as indicated, shows on their six exterior faces the respective not yet illustrated faces of cubes which are part of the three dimension puzzle, to proceed with illustration of cubes exposed faces by appliying six different pictures.
  • the present invention offers a second method to obtain combinations to illustrate the three dimension puzzle for n larger than or equal to 6, n being the number of edge cubes in the three dimension puzzle.
  • the whole of 343 cubes that form the three dimension puzzle is divided in subgroups featured for the position occupied by each one of said cubes in all and each one of the cube assemblies, like:
  • edge subgroup cubes In a similar way we shall proceed with the edge subgroup cubes. Following table shows, schematically the configuration of corresponding cube assembly, for the edge cube subgroup; where C.C. means "cube assembly”.
  • the cubes included in cube groups that will not be illustrated in the corresponding cube assembly will be transferred to the cube assembly interior, and be considered neutral cubes, independently from the exact position that they occupy within the corresponding cube assembly.
  • the three dimension puzzle object of present invention can be built by using an adequate software so that the game, as an educational toy, instead of being used manually, could be worked out with a computer, a keyboard, mouse, or similar system and a monitor screen.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
EP97940165A 1997-05-21 1997-09-17 Three-dimensional puzzle Withdrawn EP0931573A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES9701101A ES2133234B1 (es) 1997-05-21 1997-05-21 Puzzle tridimensional.
ES9701101 1997-05-21
PCT/ES1997/000226 WO1998052662A1 (es) 1997-05-21 1997-09-17 Puzzle tridimensional

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0931573A1 true EP0931573A1 (en) 1999-07-28

Family

ID=8299392

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97940165A Withdrawn EP0931573A1 (en) 1997-05-21 1997-09-17 Three-dimensional puzzle

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0931573A1 (es)
JP (1) JP2000515413A (es)
CN (1) CN1133474C (es)
AU (1) AU9711698A (es)
ES (1) ES2133234B1 (es)
WO (1) WO1998052662A1 (es)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1486237A1 (en) * 2003-06-13 2004-12-15 Hausemann en Hötte BV Puzzle system

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2829702B1 (fr) * 2001-09-14 2006-08-04 Christophe Lhost Petites maisons a construire en 3 dimensions en pieces de puzzle encastrables au moyen d'ergots (tourillons) et de trous
ES2282050B1 (es) * 2007-02-02 2008-09-16 Educocio, S.L. "rompecabezas formado por una pluradidad de cubos".
ES2282051B1 (es) * 2007-02-02 2008-09-16 Educocio, S.L. Pieza de juego didactico.
KR101989125B1 (ko) * 2017-04-14 2019-06-14 주식회사 그레이포인트 스마트 큐브, 이를 이용하여 컨텐츠를 제공하기 위한 시스템 및 그 방법

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB675678A (en) * 1949-11-02 1952-07-16 Francis Wilfred Pyle Improvements in and relating to puzzles
US3672681A (en) * 1970-05-01 1972-06-27 David Wolf Game method involving competitive arranging of grouped pieces into polyhedric form
US3888443A (en) * 1972-02-14 1975-06-10 Cameron D Flanigen Support stand for puzzle blocks or other items
US4210332A (en) * 1978-07-24 1980-07-01 Shanin Steven R Puzzle device including polyhedrons and support structure therefor
US4210333A (en) * 1978-07-24 1980-07-01 Shanin Steven R Puzzle cubes for forming rectangular parallelepipeds
EP0051576A3 (en) * 1980-11-05 1982-09-22 Joseph Varga Combination game composed of magnetic cubes
US4494756A (en) * 1981-12-23 1985-01-22 Vermont Toy Works, Inc. Cube puzzle
GB2290979B (en) * 1994-07-12 1998-01-28 Philip & Tacey Ltd Puzzles
EP0701850A3 (fr) * 1994-09-16 1996-07-03 Trigam Sa Jeu comprenant des pièces portant des éléments d'au moins un motif, qui sont destinées à être assemblées aux fins de reconstituer ledit motif dans son ensemble

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9852662A1 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1486237A1 (en) * 2003-06-13 2004-12-15 Hausemann en Hötte BV Puzzle system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1998052662A1 (es) 1998-11-26
JP2000515413A (ja) 2000-11-21
ES2133234B1 (es) 2000-07-01
CN1133474C (zh) 2004-01-07
AU9711698A (en) 1998-12-11
CN1230130A (zh) 1999-09-29
ES2133234A1 (es) 1999-09-01

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