GB2100134A

GB2100134A - Logic puzzle

Info

Publication number: GB2100134A
Application number: GB8118447A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: POLITECHNIKA IPARI SZOVETKEZET
Current assignee: POLITECHNIKA IPARI SZOVETKEZET
Priority date: 1981-06-16
Filing date: 1981-06-16
Publication date: 1982-12-22

Abstract

A spatial logic puzzle of cubical configuration is made up of 26 small cubes permanently abraded together in a 3 x 3 x 3 array, with one cube "missing". Seven cubes are displaceable, four in pairs, along three mutually orthogonal axes. The externally visible faces of the cubes may be provided with colour coding or other symbols. The central body of the puzzle consists of 7 cubes in a cruciform member, so that there are 19 moveable cubes. The cubes are held in place by overlapping transparent plates secured to the central outer cubes. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Spatial logical toy The invention relates to a spatial logical toy, the outer shape of which is formed by twentysix solids having been assembled into a geometrical body, in particular into a truncated cube, on the edge of which a truncation has been formed of the size corresponding to that of the displaceable solid, while in the geometric centre of the truncated cube a solid is arranged and along the spatial axes thereof, to the outer surfaces of the extensions of the size and shape corresponding to that of the solids, guide plates-preferably made of a transparent material-are rigidly fixed.Out of the twentysix elements forming the large truncated cube, out of the seven displaceable solids forming the truncated surfaces of the cube, four can be displaced by pairs, while the solids lying next to the truncation may be individually displaced to the place of the truncation in such a manner, that on the place of the solids having been displaced on the edges of the truncated cubes new truncation is formed, the size of which is corresponding to the size of the solid; out of the solids forming the assembled truncated cube-the geometrical body-nineteen and six are absolutely identical and are shaped in such a manner that after having assembled with the solid lying in the geometrical centre, a non-detachable unit will be obtained.The spatial logical toy according to the invention may be formed in such a manner that the nineteen solids being absolutely identical and forming the truncated cube, the geometrical solid, are kept together by the solid without guide plates having been arranged in the geometrical centre of the truncated cube, as well as by the frame element having been arranged on the edges or the surfaces of the cube, resulting in a non-detachable unit. In the further part of our specification-for the sake of better understanding-- the spatial logical toy will be described relating to a truncated cube.

In accordance with the invention one may imagine a truncated cube consisting of more than three elements having been arranged beside each other, while the matching surfaces of the displaceable solids, the solid arranged in the geometrical centre and the belonging guide plates needed for the displacement are formed in compliance with the required conditions of motion.

All of the surfaces of the displaceable solids forming the truncated cube are provided/coded/with predetermined planar pictures, negative plastic forms, figures, with the aid of which the surfaces of the truncated cube may be distinguished from and identified with each other; by the displacement along the edges, in accordance with the most different variations and combinations, they are transformed and appear as pictures, figures and sign-combinations to be seen on the given surface of the trancated cube, whereas only the signs on the surfaces of the displaceable solids-lying parallel with and in the same view as the outer surfaces of the truncated cubecan mix with each other.

With the most common form of the toy, where a large cube may be assembled of small cubes, every single surface of the small cubes forming the large one are provided with a fraction each of a given picture and after having assembled the cubes in the proper order of sequence, all the confining surfaces-totally six-are giving six different and independent pictures. Accordingly, totally six pictures or figures may be obtained by putting the cubes in a proper order; however, since the small cubes have also six surfaces each, further variations become possible, i.e. totally thirtysix pictures may be obtained.

By using this toy, testing of simpler combinative abilities-in particular with childrenbecomes possible.

Several variations of the spatial logical toys have been known. The essential feature of these toys lies in the endeavour to develop the reasoning power of the human brain i.e.

to promote logical way of thinking.

The systems, forms and modes of operation of these toys are showing utmost diversity.

Such toys have been described in the patents FR-PS 2161 379, US-PS 4036503 and HU PS 170062.

With the most conventional logical toys the theory has been followed, in so far as a task was to be solved by means of independent elements /e.g. by assembly or simply putting the elements next to each other/.

The aim of the spatial logical toy according to the invention is not only to eliminate the drawbacks of the logical toys consisting of separate elements getting easily lost, but to develop a construction, which can be easily manipulated, at the same time it enables several variations of the order of magnitude of billions, i.e. with which the number of the possible variations is practically infinite.

Accordingly, the essence of the invention lies in that the twentysix elements forming the truncated cube can be brought in a new position without the necessity of disassembling the cube; the new position can be achieved by one single operation, by displacing any small cube or cubes lying next to the truncation, forming any truncated surface of the truncated cube, i.e. by moving the displaceable solids into the place of the truncation on a forced trajectory, in this case on the place of the small cube having been displaced a new truncation will appear.

In the same manner it becomes possi ble-according to a further preferable embodiment-to displace any of the small cubes lying next to the truncation or any truncated surface of the truncated cube having been assembled of not more than seven cubes, on a forced trajectory, while at the place of the displaced cube a new truncation will be formed.

The invention will be described in detail by means of some preferred embodiments, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is showing the truncated cube having been assembled of twentysix solids, with the spatial axes X, Y, Z of the truncation, Figure 2 is showing the position of the displaceable solid having been displaced in the direction of the axis X, Figure 3 is showing the position of the displaceable solid having been displaced in the direction of the axis Z, Figure 4 is showing the position of the displaceable solid having been displaced in the direction of the axis Y, Figure 5 illustrates the connecting element-the solid-having been arranged in the centre of the truncated cube, Figure 6 is showing the guide plate and the connecting element, Figure 7 is showing the displaceable solid of the form of a regular cube, which can be moved on a forced trajectory, Figure 8 is showing the truncated cube having been assembled of seven solids, Figure 9 is showing the position of the solid lying next to the truncation after having been displaced in the direction of the axis X, to the place of truncation, Figure 10 is showing the position of the solid lying next to the truncation after having been displaced in the direction of the axis Z, to the place of the truncation, Figure ii is showing the position of the solid lying next to the truncation after having been displaced in the direction of the axis Y, to the place of the truncation, Figure 12 is showing the solids of the shape of a regular cube to be displaced on a forced trajectory, Figures 13, 14, l5areshowingthreever- sions of the frame element keeping together the solids.

As it is to be seen in Figs. 1 to 7, the truncated cube 1-the dimension of which can be optionally selected, in our case we have chosen a length of 6 cm for the edges in order to be able to achieve simple manipulation-is built-up of twentysix solids. Preferably the solids are made of any synthetic material which can be well machined to the required size and shape, having a low frictional coefficient. In the geometrical centre of the truncated cube 1 the central connecting element, the solid 2 is arranged, along the spatial axes of which the extensions 4 are to be found; the size and the shape of the extensions corresponds to that of the displaceable solid 3. On the planes lying normal to the spatial axes of the extensions 4 the sleeves 5 are formed, into which the extensions 7 of the guide plates 6 are fixed in a non-rotatable manner.

The truncated cube 1 is formed by the extensions 4 having been arranged in the geometric centre, by the solid 2 provided with the guide plates 6 and having been rigidly connected to the extensions, by the truncation 9 and in addition to these by nineteen displaceable solids 3 forming the edges of the truncated cube 1. The solid 3 has the shape of a regular cube, the length of the edges each equals to "A".

Taking into consideration, that the length of the untruncated edge of the truncated cube 1 amounts to 3A, it becomes obvious, that the truncation itself has also the shape of a rectangular cube with edges of the length "A", accordingly, when the solid 3 is displaced to the place of the truncation, it will be completely filled up by said solid, simultaneously on the previous place of the solid 3 a truncation 9 will appear, having the same size as the solid 3.

The extensions of the solid 2 having been arranged in the geometrical centre of the truncated cube 1 are formed along the spatial axes and have the shape of a regular cube with an edge-length of "A".

The quadratic guide plates 6, preferably made of a transparent material and to be fixed to the extensions 4 of the solid 2, are prepared with an edge-length of A + 2X; the extension 7 thereof has the same size and shape as the sleeves 5 of the extensions 4 of the solid 2; when fitted into said sleeves, the extensions 7 can be permanently fixed.

The guide plates 6 can be well substituted by the frame element 11, 10, 8 arranged on the edges of the surfaces of the truncated cube 1 /Figs. 13, 14, 15/.

Fig. 8 is showing the truncated cube having been assembled of seven solids 3 of the shape of a regular cube, with an edge-length of "A", which can be displaced on a forced trajectory; the frame element 10 keeping together the solids in a non-detachable manner is also to be seen in the figure.

After having assembled the single solids into the truncated cube, a non-detachable unit is obtained. Due to the predetermined size and geometrical shape it becomes possible, that out of the seven displaceable solids forming the truncated surfaces of the truncated cube four may be displaced by pair, or the solids lying next to the truncation can be displaced individually to the place of truncation along the spatial axes X, Y, Z crossing the geometrical centre of the truncation of the truncated cube in such a manner, that on the place of the displaced solids-on the edge of the cubes new truncation will appear.In such a manner it can be achieved, that in course of the displacements, on the edges of the cubes any selected displaceable solid could be brought in any possible position, whereas out of the marked surfaces of the displaceable solid /the cube/, in dependence of its position, two or three surfaces become visible, yielding the most diverse figure-, picture- or code-combinations on the six surfaces.

In case, if onto all the six surfaces of the displaceable solids forming the confining surface of the truncated cube 1 variable pictures are applied by means of a pattern, by displacing the solids, the figures on the confining surfaces of the truncated cube are mixing in a practically infinite number; in such a manner, due to the diversified possibilities, a toy well suitable for children may be obtained, being simultaneously an entertaining toy for the adults developing logical way of thinking. The cube can be successfully used for advertising purposes, too.

The shape of the spatial logical toy is not restricted to the truncated cube, any truncated regular or semi-regular or amorphous shape is possible.

Claims

1. Spatial logical toy having been assembled of solids into a truncated cube or any other regular or semi-regular or amorphous body with a truncated surface, in a nondetachable manner, characterized in that in the geometric centre of the truncated cube a solid is arranged and along the spatial axes thereof extensions are formed, on the planes lying perpendicularly to the spatial axes thereof guide plates, preferably made of a transparent material, are rigidly fixed in a nondisplaceable manner, while the truncated cube is formed by twentysix solids, out of which nineteen and six solids are absolutely identical regarding to size and shape; after having assembled by means of the guide plates fixed to the extensions of the solid having been arranged in the geometrical centre, out of the displaceable seven solids forming the surfaces of the truncated cube four solids may be displaced by pairs in the direction of the spatial axes of the truncation or the solids lying next to the truncation may be individually displaced to the place of the truncation, simultaneously on the place of the displaced solid, on the edge of the truncated cube a new truncation appears.

2. Spatial logical toy as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that along the spatial axes of the solid having been arranged in the geometrical centre of the truncated cube there are the extensions, which have the same size and shape as the displaceable solid and on the planes lying perpendicularly to the spatial axes thereof the sleeves are formed.

3. Spatial logical toy, as claimed in claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the six guide plates forming the truncated cube and being absolutely identical in regard to shape an size, sitting by means of their extensions in the sleeves in a non-rotatable manner, are rigidly interconnected and the guide-plates, preferably made of a transparent material are arranged in the centre of the surface of the truncated cube.

4. Spatial logical toy as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the nineteen displaceable solids forming the edges of the confining surfaces of the truncated cube and being absolutely identical in respect to size and shape, have the form of a regular cube.

5. Spatial logical toy as claimed in any preceding claim characterized in that the truncation of the truncated cube has the form of a regular cube, the size of the truncation corresponds to the size of one single displaceable solid and the truncation can be formed but on the edge of the truncated cube.

6. Spatial logical toy as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that instead of the guide plates having been connected to the solid a frame element is provided on the edges of the truncated cube.

7. Spatial logical toy as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that instead of the guide plates having been connected to the solid a frame element is provided on the confining surfaces of the truncated cube.

8. A spatial logical toy or puzzle substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 1-7 or Figs. 8 to 1 2 or any of Figs. 1 3 to 1 5 of the accompanying drawings.