GB2107997A - Cylindrical shunting puzzle - Google Patents

Abstract

The puzzle comprises a base (23) and an upstanding cylindrical post (25) on which a plurality of bands (27) are independently rotatable, the bands being confined between the base (23) and a removable cap (55). The bands retain tiles (37) around their outer periphery, by means of projections (31) which allow for vertical movement of the tiles (37) from one band to another, without removal from the device, when the bands are aligned by means such as spring- loaded detents (51) carried by the post (25). The puzzle has at least one less tile than the total number which can be retained by all the bands and the tiles (37) can be marked and coloured e.g. to form a calendar puzzle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Puzzle device The present invention relates to puzzle devices, and more particularly to a puzzle device which is stimulating and challenging as well as being educational and functional.

In general, puzzle devices should satisfy certain criteria. They must be challenging and stimulating, and the degree of difficulty of their solution should be commensurate with the intelligence range of their intended users. They should also be sized, shaped and constructed for easy handling and manipulation, and their parts should be clearly marked and identified so that users will not be misled in seeking the solution thereto.

According to the present invention, there is provided a puzzle device comprising a base and upstanding cylindrical post, a plurality of independently rotatable bands supported on the post and confined between the base and a detachable cap on the post, the bands being substantially identical and having retaining means for puzzle pieces around their outer peripheries, the retaining means allowing movement of the puzzle pieces from one band to another without removal from the device, the device having at least one fewer puzzle piece than the total number which can be retained on all the bands, and at least some of the puzzle pieces being marked to distinguish them from others.

The invention also provides a puzzle device comprising a base and, rigid therewith, an upstanding cylindrical post, a plurality of independently rotatable bands surrounding the post stacked one upon the other and supported by the base, each band having an outer configuration defining a plurality of peripheral faces around the band, which faces are provided with means for slideably receiving and retaining puzzle pieces thereon, the retaining means on each band being positionable substantially contiguously with retaining means on the next adjacent band so that puzzle pieces are slidable from one band to the next without removal from the device, the device including at least one fewer puzzle piece than the total number that can be retained by the bands whereby the puzzle pieces can be rearranged relative to one another by rotating the bands and by moving selected ones of the puzzle pieces from one band to another, the puzzle pieces being marked to distinguish at least some of them from others.

The present invention can satisfy all of the criteria set out above. In addition, puzzle devices according to the present invention are both stimulating and challenging, and can be constructed to provide different degrees of complexity. They therefore can be made to suit users having different ranges of ages and intelligence. Puzzle devices according to this invention embody structure which afford easy manipulation and which can be made in a variety of sizes and shapes to assure easy and convenient handling by users. While the solution to the puzzle described hereinafter is far from obvious, the user will readily understand what needs to be achieved and will know when the solution has been achieved.The invention finds particular use for example as a calender puzzle and the embodiments illustrated and described herein are educational in that they teach logic, color recognition, numerology, an appreciation of solid geometry and calendrical understanding. The preferred device of this invention can be disassembled and reassembled in the solved condition if desired.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing a preferred form of puzzle device constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 1 showing bands thereof rotationally aligned; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 3 showing one of the bands partially rotated from the aligned position shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing a top portion of the device shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is an elevational view with parts removed and parts broken away for clarity; Fig. 7 is a plan view of one of the bands, from which the puzzle pieces have been removed for ciarity;; Fig. 8 is an end view of the structure shown in Fig. 7; Figs. 9 to 12 are schematic views illustrating exemplary steps followed in solving the puzzle; Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 1 and shows an embodiment of the invention which can be used as a bank or money box; Fig. 14 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 13; Fig. 1 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 3 showing another embodiment of the invention which can be used as a pencil holder; Fig. 1 6 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 6 and shows a modified form of post, base, cap and detent means in accordance with the invention; Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 7 and shows a modified form of band for use with the post shown in Fig. 17;; Fig. 19 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of Fig. 1 7 showing the assembly of the post and cap; Fig. 20 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of Fig. 1 7 showing the assembly of the post and base; Fig. 21 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the parts shown in Figs. 17 and 18 assembled together with the bands rotationally aligned; and Fig. 22 is a view similar to Fig. 21 showing one of the bands partially rotated from the aligned position shown in Fig. 21.

A preferred embodiment of the puzzle device is shown in Figs. 1-3 and is represented generally by the numeral 21. As embodied herein, the device 21 includes a base 23 having an upstanding cylindrical post 25 rigid therewith (see also Fig. 6). The base 23 and post 25 can be constructed of a variety of materials but are preferably made from a rigid molded plastics and can be joined together conveniently by an adhesive or other suitable fastener means.

Alternatively, the base 23 and post 25 can be integrally molded as one piece.

A plurality of bands rotatably surround the post.

The bands 27 are stacked one upon the other and are supported on the base. The bands 27 also can be made from a variety of materials but preferably are molded from plastics materials.

The bands are substantially identical and have retaining means for puzzle pieces around their outer peripheries. Each band has an outer configuration defining a plurality of peripheral faces therearound each of which is provided with means for slidably retaining a removable puzzle piece thereon. As embodied herein, the bands 27 are substantially identical to one another and each has a septagonal outer configuration which presents seven outer faces 29 around each band.

The inner configuration of the bands 27 is shown as septagonal for convenience of manufacture (molding) and defines an effective inner diameter for the bands which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical post 25 so that the bands 27 can be rotated about the post 25.

Although the number of bands 27 can vary, the illustrated embodiment shows six such bands stacked one upon the other for particular use of this device as a calendar puzzle as hereinafter described.

As further embodied herein and shown in Figs.

1, 3, 7 and 8, each of the bands 27 is formed with retaining means 30 which includes an integral projection 31 at the intersection between adjacent faces 29. The projections 31 extend substantially the full axial length of each band 27 and are substantially T-shaped in cross section forming recesses 33, 35 on opposite sides thereof. The recess 33 in each projection 31 faces a recess 35 on the next adjacent projections 31 around the same band 27 and together therewith forms the retaining means 30 for the movable puzzle pieces.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the puzzle pieces 37, which also may be moulded from plastics materials, are provided with oppositely-directed projections 39, 41 which are adapted to be slidably retained in the facing recesses 35, 33 forming the retaining means 30. The attachment of each puzzle piece 37 to a band 27 thus involves interfitting tongue and groove formations.

In accordance with the present invention, the retaining means on each of the bands are substantially contiguous with the retaining means on the next adjacent band so that the puzzle pieces are movable from one band to the next without removal from the device. As embodied herein, the bands 27 are substantially identical and, once the bands are rotationally oriented to the same position with respect to the cylindrical post 25, the retaining means 30 formed by the recessed projections 31 of one band are substantially contiguous and aligned with the retaining means on the next adjacent band. Such is evident from a consideration of Figs. 1 and 3.

With the bands 27 so positioned as shown therein, i.e., in the same angular pos;tion around the post 2off, the pieces 37 can be moved from one band 27 to the next providing the retaining means on the next adjacent band is vacant or. if not, then providing the puzzle piece held in the latter retaining means can be vacated therefrom as hereinafter described.

In accordance with the present invention, the bands are rotatable independently of one another about the post. As embodied herein, and described above, each of the bands 27 has an effective inside diameter which is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the post 25. The bands 27 could be formed with a circular inside configuration, but for convenience of manufacture, the bands have a septagonal inside configuration similar to their outside configuration. The bands 27 are formed with flat top and bottom surfaces 36, 38 (see Fig. 8) so that They are independently rotatable relative to each other about the post 25.

The puzzle device under consideration has detent means provided to releasably retain the bands in positions where the retaining means on each is aligned with the retaining means on the next adjacent band. As embodied herein, the cylindrical post 25 is provided with a radially inwardly directed flange 45 which extends axially along its length (see Figs. 3, 4, and 6). A plurality of pockets 47 are formed in the flange 45 and each extends radially inwardly from the outer surface of the post 25 and contains a compression spring 49 and a detent ball 51. The balls 51 are aligned with respective ones of the bands 27 and are adapted to cooperatively engage with inside corners 53 of the bands 27. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3, the detent balls 51 releasably retain the bands 27 in angularly aligned positions.Nevertheless, the bands 27 can each be turned out of this position, as shown in Fig. 4, simply by applying manual force to the bands 27 sufficient to overcome the force of the spring 49.

When a band 27 is turned, it cams the associated detent ball 51 inwardly of the pocket 47 as shown in Fig. 4.

In accordance with the present invention, the puzzle device contains a number of movable puzzle pieces which is at least one less than the total number of pieces that can be retained on all of the bands. As embodied herein and shown in the embodiment of Fig. 1-8, there are six bands 27 each capable of retaining seven pieces 37 so that a total of forty-two pieces 37 could be retained on the bands 27. The device contains no more than forty-one pieces 37 so that at least one of the-retaining means 30 is vacant at all times.

The "vacant" retaining means is shown at 30A in Fig. 1. This allows at least some of the pieces 37 in at least one vertical stack of pieces to be moved vertically a distance equal to the width of one of the bands 27. Thus, the pieces 37 can be manipulated relative to each other vertically of the bands 27 and further by turning the bands 27 relative to each other.

The puzzle device 21 has a cap non-rotatably fitted on the post to cooperate with the base to confine and retain the bands in place on the post and the pieces in place on the retaining means. As embodied herein, cap 55 is fitted on the top of the post 25 and is formed with a recess 56 adapted to snugly receive the top end of the post 25 (see Fig. 5). A projection 57 extends radially of the recess 56 and is adapted to fit in a slot 59 cut in the post 25 to prevent the cap 55 from turning relative to the post 25. The cap 55 is also formed with a flat bottom surface 58 which confronts the top most band 27 so that the bands 27 are confined between the cap surface 58 and the base 23.The depth of the recess 56 is selected so that when the top of the post 25 is seated in the bottom of the recess 56, there remains clearance between the cap surface 58 and the top most band 27 so that the bands 27 are free to turn about the post 25. In addition to retaining the bands 27 on the post 25, the facing cap 55 and base 23 also retains the puzzle pieces 37 on the retaining means 30. The cap 55 is removable from the post 25 to allow for initial assembly of the puzzle pieces 37 to the retaining means 30 on the bands 27. In addition, the removable cap 55 allows the user to remove the pieces 37 and reinsert them in the retaining means 30 in a puzzle solving order if desired.

The illustrated cap 55 has a polygonal outer peripheral configuration substantially the same as that of the bands. As embodied herein, the cap 55 is septagonal in outer peripheral configuration forming seven faces 55A through 55G which slope upwardly and align with the septagonal configuration of the bands 27 when the projection 57 is fitted in the slot 59. In the use of the described embodiment as a calendar puzzle, the cap 55 is marked with indicia on each of its seven exterior faces 55A to 55G, namely, with the consecutive days of the week, i.e., Sunday to Saturday, respectively, as shown in Fig. 2. Thus, as hereinafter described, the "solution" to the puzzle of this invention when embodied as a calender is to align the puzzle pieces 37 which are marked with the numerals one to thirty-one with the days of the week shown on the cap 55 in calendrical order.

The pieces 37 can be otherwise marked to distinguish at least some of them from others. As embodied herein and shown in Figs. 1 and 9-1 2, the pieces 37 are different colors, and some of the pieces 37 are provided with numerals on their outer faces. In the preferred embodiment, which is depicted as a calendar puzzle, there are seven different colors for the pieces 37, one color for each of the seven faces of the bands 27 which correspond to the seven days of the week. The seven colors can include primary colors red, yellow, and blue, secondary colors purple, orange, and green, and neutrai color white. The bands 27, the base 23, and the cap 55 are black to distinguish them from the colored pieces.

In addition, thirty-one of the pieces 37 are provided with the numerals one to thirty-one.

respectively, and the remaining ten pieces are unnumbered. The numerals on the thirty-one numbered pieces 37 are coordinated with the colors so that when the puzzle is solved, the vertical columns of pieces will each be a uniform color and will depict the proper numerals for the respective days of the week as they appear on a calendar.

Thus, as shown in Figs. 9-1 2, there are six orange colored pieces, five of which are designated 37A and which are provided with the numerals "1," "8," "15," "22," and "29," respectively. The sixth organge piece identified as 37B is unnumbered. There are five blue colored pieces designated 37C which are provided with the numerals "2," "9," "16," "23," and "30," respectively. The sixth blue piece identified as 37D is unnumbered. Of the six yellow colored pieces 37, five are designated 37E and are provided with the numerals "3," "10," "17," "24," and "31," respectively. The sixth yellow piece 37F is unnumbered Four of the six red colored pieces are designated 37G and are provided with the numerals "4," "11," "1 8," and "25," respectively.

The fifth and sixth red pieces are designated 37H and are unnumbered.

Four of the six green colored pieces are designated 371 and are provided with the numerals "5," "12," "19," and "26," respectively.

The fifth and sixth red colored pieces 37J are unnumbered. Similarly, four of the purple colored pieces are designated 37K and are provided with numerals "6," "13," "20," and "27," respectively.

The fifth and sixth purple pieces 37L are unnumbered. Finally, four of the five white colored pieces are designated 37M and are provided with numerals "7," "14," "21," and "28," respectively. The fifth white piece 37N is unnumbered.

It will be appreciated that in this preferred embodiment, a different arrangement of colors coordinated with the numerals could be selected for the pieces 37. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that while the pieces 37 are shown colored which does help to distinguish them from others of the pieces, the pieces could be marked otherwise such as striped, dotted, etc., so that if desired, the colors could be dispensed with.

The manner of using the device and solving the puzzle is illustrated in Figs. 9-1 2. In these views, the device has been expanded or unwound so that the septagonal structure appears in a single plane for ease of illustration.

Initially, the pieces 37 are scrambled, i.e., arranged such that the colored pieces are not aligned vertically and the numerals on the pieces are not arranged in calendrical order. If not, the pieces 37 can be scrambled by turning the bands 27 relative to one another and moving selected ones of the pieces 37 vertically as is allowed for the "vacant" retainer means 30A which forms a vacant space 37P. A few turns of the bands 27 interspaced with a few vertical movements of pieces 37 will scramble the pieces. The user then sets about to solve the puzzle by rearranging the pieces 37 so that the numerals on the pieces align in the manner of a calendar. The colors of the puzzle pieces 37 aid in achieving the solution to the puzzle because the vertical columns of pieces in the solved puzzle will be a uniform color. Thus, the colored pieces help to guide the user in solving the puzzle.

One solution to the puzzle is shown in Fig. 12 in which the first day of the month in question falls on Friday. Thus, in this solution, the orange colored pieces 37A are aligned beneath the Friday designation on cap face 55F so that their numerals read downwardly "1," "8," "15," "22," and "29." In this solution, the bottom-most orange piece is the unnumbered one 37B.

Similarly, the blue colored pieces 37C are aligned beneath the Saturday designation on face 55G to read downwardly "2," "9," "16," "23," and "30," with the unnumbered blue piece 37D, the bottommost one in this column.

The yellow, red, green, purple, and white pieces are aligned beneath the Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday designations, respectively, as shown with the numbered pieces reading downwardly starting with the next to the top-most band 27. In this "solution," the vacant retainer means 30 (space 37P) appears above the white piece 37M containing the numeral "7".

In order to rearrange the scrambled pieces 37 and solve the puzzle, it is necessary to turn the bands 27 selectively while at the same time selectively moving some of the pieces 37 vertically as is allowed by the vacant retainer means 30. Preferably, the puzzle pieces 37 protrude outwardly slightly beyond the retainer projections 31 and are large enough to facilitate easy turning of the bands 27 and vertical movement of the pieces 37.

In reference to Fig. 9, for example, it is seen that the green pieces 371 numbered "5," "12," and "26" are in the desired positions for the "solved" puzzle shown in Fig. "12." However, the piece 371 numbered "19" is out of position as shown. With the vacant retaining means 30 between the pieces 371 numbered "12" and "26," the band 27 on which the pieces numbered "12" and "19" are retained is turned two spaces to the right to position the piece 371 numbered "19" below the piece 371 numbered "5," as shown in Fig. 10. The piece 371 numbered "19" can then drop vertically or be moved to its proper position, shown in Fig. 11, and the band 27 in turn moved back two spaces to its previous position to relocate the piece 371 numbered "12" (see Fig. 12).

It will be appreciated that from the "scrambled" position, most of the pieces 37 must be repositioned in order to obtain a complete solution to the puzzle. When the bands 27 and pieces 37 are being manipulated, for example, as described above to arrange the pieces 371 others of the pieces 37 are being moved and repositioned at the same time. Thus, the solution to the puzzle must be approached by an overall consideration of the entire puzzle and by weighing what moves for one piece 37 do to reposition other pieces 37.

The puzzle solution shown in Fig. 1 2 depicts a month in which the first day falls on a Friday. It will be appreciated, therefore, that there are six other solutions, i.e., one for each of the months in which the first day falls on a Saturday or on one of Sunday through Thursday. Furthermore, it is understood that there are thirty-one numbered pieces 37 because that is the maximum number of days in a month. For those months having less than thirty-one days, the excess numbered pieces 37 are ignored.

The preferred embodiment illustrated in Figs.

1-12 and described above is particularly useful as a calendar puzzle and, for that reason, is constructed with six bands 27 each of which is formed with seven retaining means. it will be understood, however, that the device of the invention can be constructed with a larger or smaller number of bands having a larger or smaller number of retaining means. Also, indicia other than colors and/or numbers can be used to distinguish between the puzzle pieces. Thus, the puzzle device of this invention can be constructed for many different user intelligences.

The modified forms of Figs. 1 3-1 6 are substantially the same as that of Figs. 1-12 except that the modified forms have additional utility as a bank or a pencil holder. In this form, the cap 55' is provided with a central opening 101 which substantially aligns with the opening in the post 25'. A disk 103 is provided with an elongated slot 105 and is adapted to be releasably retained in opening 101 by thread means or the like (not shown). When the disk 103 is in position in the opening 101, as shown in Fig. 14, the device can be used as a bank, coins inserted through slots 105 falling into the post 25'. When the disk 103 is removed from the opening 101, as shown in Fig.

16, the device can be used as a pencil holder (see also Fig. 15). The base 23' is provided with a blind opening (not shown) similar to the opening 101 to serve as a holder for the disk 103 when it is removed from the cap 55'.

The modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 7-22 includes a post 25" interconnected with a base 23" and a cap 55", all of which may be constructed of a rigid, molded plastic. As embodied herein and shown in Fig. 19, the post 251t is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed recesses 59", 59" near its upper end which are adapted to receive a pair of projections 57", 57" carried at the lower or free ends of deflectable arms 54", 54" which are cantilevered from the cap 55". A pair of tapered cam surfaces 58", 58" on the cap 55" or on the post above and aligned with the recesses 59", 59" cooperate with the projections 57", 57" to deflect the arms 54", 54" outwardly during assembly of the cap 55" to the post 25". Once past the cam surfaces 58", 58", the projections 57", 57" snap into the recesses 59", 59".

As further embodied herein and shown in Fig.

20, the post 25" is formed with a pair of deflectable arms 62", 62" which are cantilevered from the post 25" near its lower end. The lower or free ends of the arms 62", 62" are formed with inward projections 64", 64" which are adapted to snap into recesses 66", 66" formed in an annular groove 68" in the base 23" when the bottom of the post 25" is seated in the groove 68". The lower edges of projections 64", 64" are tapered at 70", 70" forming cam surfaces which facilitate assembly of the post 25" to the base 23".

As was the case in the previous embodiments, the embodiment of Figs. 1 7-22 is provided with a plurality of bands 27a which surround the post 25" and are confined between the base 23" and cap 55". In the use of this device as a calendar puzzle, there are six substantially identical bands 27" all gonal in outer configuration and which rotatable independently of one another about the post 25". The bands 27a are made from rigid, molded plastics and each is formed with retaining means 30" for holding movable puzzle pieces 37a in substantially the same manner as described above for the embodiment of Figs. 1-12 (see Figs. 21,22). The pieces 37" are movable from band to band also as described above for the first embodiment.Further description of that structure and its operation is therefore omitted here.

In accordance with the invention, the embodiment of Fig. 17-22 is provided with detent means to releasably retain the bands in positions wherein retaining means on each is aligned with the retaining means on the next adjacent band. As embodied herein and shown in Fig. 17, the post 25" is formed with a plurality of deflectable cantilevered arms 49" each of which is formed with a raised, ball-like projection 51" at its free end. The arms 49" and projections 51" are aligned vertically with one another and each is positioned to align with a respective one of the bands 27".

As shown in Figs. 18, 21, 22, the bands 27" are provided with inwardly extending flanges 60" each of which is formed with internal recesses 53", one in each corner between adjacent pairs of external faces 29" on the bands. When the projections 51" are each received in one of the band recesses 53", as shown in Fig. 21, the bands 27a are rotatably aligned. However, each of the bands 27" can be turned or rotated out of this position, as shown in Fig. 22, simply by applying manual force to the bands 27" sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the cantilevered arms 49". When a band 27" is turned, it cams the associated projection 51" inwardly of the post 25a by deflecting the arm 49" as shown in Fig. 22. The arcuate surfaces of the flanges 60" between recesses 53" are formed on a radius from the center of the bands 27a to facilitate easy movement of the bands from one aligned position to another. In all other respects, the structure of Figs. 1 7-22 is substantially identical to and operates the same as the structure of Figs. 1--12.

Claims (21)

1. A puzzle device comprising a base and upstanding cylindrical post, a plurality of independently rotatable bands supported on the post and confined between the base and a detachable cap on the post, the bands being substantially identical and having retaining means for puzzle pieces around their outer peripheries, the retaining means allowing movement of the puzzle pieces from one band to another without removal from the device, the device having at least one fewer puzzle piece than the total number which can be retained on all the bands, and at least some of the puzzle pieces being marked to distinguish them from others.

2. A puzzle device comprising a base and, rigid therewith, an upstanding cylindrical post, a plurality of independently rotatable bands surrounding the post stacked one upon the other and supported by the base, each band having an outer configuration defining a plurality of peripheral faces around the band, which faces are provided with means for slidably receiving and retaining puzzle pieces thereon, the retaining means on each band being positionable substantially contiguously with retaining means on the next adjacent band so that puzzle pieces are slidable from one band to the next without removal from the device, the device including at least one fewer puzzle piece than the total number that can be retained by the bands whereby the puzzle pieces can be rearranged relative to one another by rotating the bands and by moving selected ones of the puzzle pieces from one band to another, the puzzle pieces being marked to distinguish at least some of them from others.

3. The device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the retaining means and puzzle pieces comprise an interfitting tongue and groove formation allowing movement of the puzzle pieces between the bands but preventing their detachment from the device.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the bands are facetted and their retaining means comprises outward projections at the intersections between adjacent faces, the projections extending substantially the full axial length of the bands and having grooves or recesses on opposite sides thereof which confront grooves or recesses on the next adjacent projections, and the movable puzzle pieces being formed with projections at opposite ends which are slidably received in confronting recesses.

5. The device according to any of claims 1 to 4, including detent means for releasably latching the bands in positions wherein the retaining means on each band is aligned with the retaining means on the adjacent bands.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the bands are of polygonal inner configuration and the detent means comprise outwardly biased elements carried by said post to cooperate with inside corners of the internally polygonally shaped bands.

7. The device according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the detent means comprise arms integral with the post and cantilevered therefrom, the arms each being formed with a projection adapted to latchingly engage the inner surface of an associated band.

8. The device according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the bands all have a septagonal outer configuration.

9. The device according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein there are six bands stacked one upon another and the device marked to constitute a calender puzzle.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein there are at least thirty-one puzzle pieces numbered consecutively from one to thirty-one.

11. The device according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the bands are polygonal in outer configuration and the said pieces are coded by colors, or otherwise, there being the same number of different codings or colors as there are sides to the polygonally shaped bands.

12. The device according to any of claims 1 to 9 or 11, wherein at least some of the pieces are numbered.

13. The device according to claim 2, or any claim dependent thereon, wherein means spaced from the base is mounted on the post to prevent detachment of the bands and puzzle pieces endwise from the device.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein a cap is non-rotatably fitted on the top of the post, the cap having a bottom surface spaced from the top most band and cooperating with the base to retain the bands in place on the post and the puzzle pieces in place on the bands.

1 5. The device according to claim 1 or claim 14, wherein the said cap is removable from the post.

16. The device according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the cap has an outer configuration substantially the same as the bands.

1 7. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the bands are substantially identical and have polygonal outer configurations with substantially flat upper and bottom surfaces.

1 8. The device according to claim 1 or claim 15, wherein the cap and base retain the puzzle pieces on the retaining means, the puzzle pieces being removable from their retaining means only upon removal of the cap from said post.

19. The device according to claim 1 or any of claims 14 to 1 6 and 18, wherein the cap is formed with an opening aligned with an opening in the post, and a slotted disc is removably retained in the cap opening.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the said disc is screw-threadedly retained in said cap opening.

21. A puzzle device susbantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figs.

1 to 12, or Figs. 1 to 1 2 as modified with reference to Figs. 13 to 16, or as shown in Figs.

17 to 22 of the accompanying drawings.