GB2127306A

GB2127306A - Liquid filled puzzle

Info

Publication number: GB2127306A
Application number: GB08302273A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeffrey Dale Breslow; Eugene Jaworski
Original assignee: Glass Marvin and Associates
Current assignee: Glass Marvin and Associates
Priority date: 1982-09-20
Filing date: 1983-01-27
Publication date: 1984-04-11
Also published as: GB8302273D0

Abstract

The puzzle comprises a housing 12a filled with liquid 24 and having a transparent region 20 (and above). At least two communicating compartments 14a, 16a are formed by the housing which contains a plurality of buoyant objects e.g. balls 18a which are transferred from one compartment to the other upon manipulation of the puzzle. Generally discoid compartmented puzzles are also disclosed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Liquid filled puzzle This invention relates generally to game devices, and particularly to puzzle devices of the kind including playing objects which must be moved through a liquid filled housing.

According to the present invention, there is provided a puzzle comprising a liquid filled housing having a transparent region. A plurality of playing pieces are contained within the housing, and at least two compartments are defined in the housing, each compartment arranged to contain at least one playing piece. According to one aspect of the invention, means within the housing limit the free communication of the playing pieces between the compartments and the housing is manipulatable to move the playing pieces from one compartment to the other past the limiting means.According to another aspect of the invention, an opening is provided between said two compartments through which the playing pieces can pass, and the dimension of at least one of the compartments in a direction transverse to the opening being substantially greater than the dimension of the opening in that transverse direction.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a persepective view of one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 6-6 of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 8-8 in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the present invention;; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 10-10 in Figure 9; Figure 11 is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 12-12 in Figure 11; Figure 13 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13 is a top plan view of another embodiment ofthe present invention; and Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 14-14 in Figure 13.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters are used for like parts throughout the several views, a variety of liquid filled puzzles 10 are illustrated, each puzzle 10 including a liquid filled housing 12 divided into a pair of separated compartments 14 and 16, containing a plurality of positively buoyant playing pieces 18. Hereinafter the reference numerals for like components of the puzzle in different embodiments are distinguished by different postscripts.

The puzzle 10a, shown in Figures 1 and 2, includes a generally T-shaped housing 12a with a generally disc or hockey puck shaped compartment 14a and a tubular compartment 16a extending transversely away from the compartment 14a, conveniently generally along the axis of the symmetry ofthe compartment 14a. Thus the major dimension of the compartment 16a (its length in the illustrated embodiment) is generally perpendicular to the major dimension of the compartment 14a (its diameter in the illustrated embodiment). As shown in Figure 2, the compartment 14a includes a pair of interfitting portions 20 and 22 which telescopically fit together forming a sealed enclosure. The portion 22 which forms the base of the puzzle 10a is conveniently opaque while the portion 20 and the compartment 16a are advantageously made of transparent material.The liquid 24 within the housing 12a, conveniently water, may be inleted through an opening 26, sealed by a T-shaped rubber plug 28.

A plurality of positively buoyant playing pieces 18a are contained within the housing 12a, each of the playing pieces conveniently being spherical in shape and made of a material that is less dense than water, such as plastic or the like. Alternatively, the playing pieces 1 8a may be hollow. In any case, the size of the playing pieces 1 boa is only somewhat less than the minor dimension of the compartment 16a (its diameter in the illustrated embodiment) so that when the playing pieces 1 boa are positioned within the compartment 16a, they form a stack, aligned with the major dimension of the compartment 16a as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The compartment 16a includes a line of indicia 30, each indicating a particular one of the playing pieces 18a.Conveniently, the playing pieces 18a are color coded and the indicia 30 are each colored to correspond with one of the playing pieces 18a. Since the spacing of the indicia 30 corresponds to the size of the playing pieces 18a, when all the playing pieces 18a are contained correctly within the compartment 1 6a, each of the various playing pieces 18a is adjacent its corresponding indicia 30.

The object of the puzzle 10a is to manipulate the playing pieces 1 8a from the compartment 14a into the compartment 1 6a. This action is limited by the restraining opening 32 which connects the compartments 14a and 16a, in this case defined by the inherent shape of the two compartments 1 4a and 16a. In any case, the player manipulates the housing 1 2a to cause the playing pieces 1 boa to enter the compartment 16a in the order indicated by the indicia 30. When a playing piece 18a is aligned beneath the compartment 16, it automatically moves upwardly due to its positive buoyancy. Since the portion 20 and the compartment 1 6a are transparent, the player can observe the position of the various playing pieces 1 boa while manipulating the housing 12a.

The puzzle 10b, shown in Figures 3 and 4, conveniently includes a disc or hockey puck-shaped housing 1 2b that defines a pair of separated compartments 14b and 16b within its interior. Like the compartment 14a, the housing 12b includes a pair of sealingly interfitting portions 34 and 36. The portion 34 is advantageously made of transparent material, while the portion 36 may be made of opaque material. A pair of barriers 38 and 40 extend upwardly from the portion 36 to a point spaced beneath the portion 34. Each barrier 38 or 40 also extends inwardly from the peripheral side 42 of the portion 34 to a point spaced from the other barrier so that a restraining or limiting opening 44 is formed between the barriers 38 and 40.Conveniently, the barrier 38 is radially much shorter than the barrier 40 so that the bulk of each compartment 14b or 1 6b is defined in the region adjacent the barrier 40.

The object of the puzzle lOb is to distribute the playing pieces 18b between the compartments 14b and 16b. Advantageously, the spherical, positively buoyant playing pieces 18b are divided into two distinctly colored sets. One set of playing pieces 18b must be positioned in the compartment 14b, while the other set must be positioned in the compartment 16b. Thus, the player must attempt to sort out the various playing pieces 18b by manipulating the housing 12b to cause the playing pieces 18b to roll from one compartment 14b or 16b to the other through the opening 44.

The puzzle 10c, shown in Figures 5 and 6, conveniently includes a generallytubularly shaped housing 12c divided into a pair of compartments 14c, and a pair of compartments 16c. Each serially arranged compartment 14c or 16c is defined by an annular member 50 which extends transversely across the interior of the housing 12c. Conveniently, the interior surface 52 of the housing 12c includes a plurality of seats 54 of progressively decreasing diameter so that when the members 50 of increasing diameter are inserted one after another through the openable end 56 of the housing 1 2c, they fall one after another into the appropriate seats 54. The members 50 may be secured by conventional techniques in the appropriate seats 54. An end plate 58 may then be sealed in the end 56 to provide a water tight housing 12c.

Each member 50 includes a conveniently identical central restraining opening 60 of a size smallerthan the corresponding dimension of the appropriate compartment 14c or 16c. A plurality of playing pieces 18c, corresponding in number to the number of compartments, is provided and each compartment includes an indicia 62 to indicate which of the various playing pieces 18c, each conveniently being color coded, spherical and positively buoyant, belongs in the particular compartment.

The object of the game is to distribute the various playing pieces 18c into the appropriate compartments 14c or 16c. The communication between the compartments is limited by the reduced size of the opening 60 in comparison to the corresponding size of the compartments. However, the somewhat greater size of the various compartments 14c or 16c permits a playing piece 18e to be moved to a position somewhat out of the way of the opening 60 so that the various other playing pieces 18c may be moved serially through each compartment to position them in their assigned compartments. Advantageously, both the housing 12c and the annular member 50 are made of transparent material to permit complete viewing of the interior of the puzzle 10c.

The puzzle 10d, shown in Figures 7 and 8 includes a housing 1 2d of a generally disc or hockey puck shape. The housing 1 2d includes a pair of sealingly interfitting portions 66 and 68, the portion 66 being transparent and portion 68 conveniently being opaque. A set of three pie-shaped liquid filled compartments 14d or 16d are defined by apertured, radially arranged dividers 62. The dividers 62 include a central restraining opening 64 that allows limited communication between adjacent compartments 14d or 16d. Each divider 62 extends upwardly from the portion 68 but its upper end is spaced from the portion 66, defining a gap 70 between the top of each divider 62 and the portion 66. A plurality of positively buoyant, conveniently spherical playing pieces 18d are provided for movement between the various compartments 14d or 16d.Conveniently each compartment 14d or 16d is assigned two playing pieces 1 8d which are color coded to correspond with distinct indicia (not shown) associated with each compartment 14d or 16d. The object of the game then is to arrange each of the playing pieces 18d in the appropriate compartment 14d or 16d.

The puzzle 10e, shown in Figures 9 and 10, includes a plurality of peripherally arranged compartments 14e which surround a central circular compartment 16e, in a generally disc or hockey puck shaped housing 12e. A first apertured, generally circular, concentric divider 72 defines a plurality of apertures 74 that allow restrained communication between the compartment 16e and each compartment 14e, defined by the transverse or radial dividers 75. A number of playing pieces 18e, illustrated as positively buoyant and spherical are provided and conveniently the number of playing pieces 18e corresponds to the number of compartments 14e so that each playing piece 18e may be located in its assigned compartment 14e.For this purpose each of the playing pieces 18e is conveniently color coded and appropriate indicia (not shown) is provided on each compartment 14eto assign a particular playing piece 18e to that compartment.

The puzzle 10f, shown in Figures 11 and 12, conveniently includes a generally disc or hockey puck shaped housing 12f. A plurality of compartments 14f and 1 6f are defined within the interior of the housing 1 2f by a plurality of dividers 76 arranged in a maze-like pattern extending upwardly from a conveniently opaque portion 78 towards, but spaced from, a sealingly interfitting, transparent, portion 77.

The openings 80 are provided in the dividers 76 to permit limited or restrained communication between the various compartments. The object of the game is to progress one or more playing pieces 18f from one compartment to another by way of the apertures 80 so as to traverse the entire pattern of dividers 76 from a starting to an ending position.

The puzzle 10g, shown in Figures 13 and 14, conveniently includes a generally disc or hockey puck shaped housing 12formed by the sealingly interfitting portions 82 and 84. A pair of opposed walls 86 are defined to extend upwardly from the conveniently opaque portion 84 towards the transparent portion 82. Each wall 86 includes a pocket 88, sized to receive a plurality of playing pieces 189 in an aligned stack. A pair of turnstiles 90 are rotatably mounted on the portion 84 and each includes a set of four angularly spaced arms 92. The turnstiles 90 are positioned in juxtaposition with the pockets 88 to control the access to the pockets 88. A plurality of playing pieces 189 which are conveniently spherical and positively buoyant are also provided.

It is the object of the game, ideally played with the housing 1 2g situated in an upright or vertical alignment, to situate a plurality of the playing pieces 18g in the appropriate pockets 88. Conveniently half of the playing pieces 189 are of one color while the other half are of a distinct color so that playing pieces 189 must be situated in a particularly color coded pocket 88 in accordance with their particular coloring. If desired additional indications (not shown) can be provided on the housing 129 over the pockets 88 and on the playing pieces 189, for example in the form of numerical indications, so that the playing pieces 18g must be arranged in the pockets 88 in a predefined order.

Since each wall 89 extends radially inwardly toward the other, defining a gap 93 between their pocket 88, a pair of separated regions 94 and 96 are defined within the housing 129. Obviously, if one of the playing pieces 18g passes between the two pockets 88 into the region 96 it would be extremely difficult for the player to return the playing piece 189 to the region 94 without dumping any already arranged playing pieces 189 from their assigned pockets 88. Moreover, the positioning of the turnstiles 90 astride the gap 93, encourages the playing pieces 18g to fall through the gap 93 into the region 96. Thus the puzzle 10g is extremely challenging and entertaining.

While the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate certain modifications, and it is intended to cover within the appended claims all such modifications and variations which come within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A puzzle comprising: a liquid filled housing having a transparent region; a plurality of positively buoyant playing pieces contained within said housing; at least two compartments defined in said housing, each compartment arranged to contain at least one of said playing pieces; and means within said housing for limiting the free communication of said playing pieces between said compartments, said housing being manipulatable to move said playing pieces from one compartment to the other past said limiting means.

2. The puzzle of claim 1 wherein said playing pieces are spherical.

3. The puzzle of claim 2 wherein said spherical playing pieces are made of plastic.

4. The puzzle of claim 1 wherein one of said compartments has its major dimension arranged at approximately right angles to the major dimension of the other of said compartments.

5. The puzzle of claim 4 wherein said housing is T-shaped.

6. The puzzle of claim 5 wherein one of said compartments is generally disc shaped, and the other of said compartments is generally tubular.

7. The puzzle of claim 6 wherein said playing pieces are color coded and said tubular compartment includes indicia for indicating an arrangement of said playing pieces within said tubular compartment.

8. The puzzle of claim 1 wherein one of said compartments is arranged to receive said playing pieces in a side-by-side stack therein.

9. The puzzle of claim 1 wherein said compartments are defined within said housing by a pair of separated barriers, said limiting means including said barriers.

10. The puzzle of claim 9 wherein said housing is generally disc shaped, and said barriers extend radially inwardly of said housing to a point spaced from one another to define an opening that permits limited communication between said compartments.

11. The puzzle of claim 1 including a plurality of compartments defined within said housing by a maze-like pattern of a walls.

12. The puzzle of claim 1 including a rotatable turnstile positioned within said housing so as to limit the free communication between said compartments.

13. The puzzle of claim 20 including a pair of spaced compartments, each compartment including a single opening, and a pairofturnstiles each situated adjacent the opening of one of said compartments.

14. The puzzle of claim 21 when said housing is generally disc shaped, said compartments being arranged adjacent, but spaced from one another, with their openings facing in the same direction.

15. The puzzle of claim 22 wherein said compartments are each sized to receive a plurality of playing pieces in an aligned stack.

16. The puzzle of claim 23 wherein said housing includes a wall that divides said housing into two opposed regions, a first of said regions being aligned with the openings of said compartments and the second of said regions being situated on the opposite side of said compartments, said second region communicating with said first region by way of a passageway situated between said compartments.

17. A puzzle comprising: a liquid filled housing having a transparent region; a plurality of positively buoyant playing pieces contained within said housing; and at least two compartments defined in said housing, each compartment arranged to contain at least one of said playing pieces; an opening being provided between said two compartments through which the playing pieces can pass, and the dimension of at least one of the compartments in a direction transverse to the opening being substantially greater than the dimension of the opening in that transverse direction.

18. A puzzle as claimed in claim 17 and having the features added by any of claims 2 to 16.

19. A puzzle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in (a) Figures 1 and 2, or (b) Figures 3 and 4, or (c) Figures 5 and 6, or (d) Figures 7 and 8, or (e) Figures 9 and 10, or (f) Figures 11 and 12, or (g) Figures 13 and 14 of the accompanying drawings.