GB2153691A

GB2153691A - Puzzle with rotatable annular members

Info

Publication number: GB2153691A
Application number: GB08402931A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Iain Sinclair
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-02-03
Filing date: 1984-02-03
Publication date: 1985-08-29
Also published as: GB2153691B; GB8402931D0

Abstract

The puzzle comprises a central disc-like member f surrounded by four relatively rotatable annular members b to e, each bearing visible markings and being moulded from a rigid plastics material in two halves. The two halves of the radially outermost member e are joined together by inter-engaging pegs and sockets which retain the members in their assembled condition whilst allowing the two halves of each of the remaining members b to d and f to be relatively rotatable. At each of eight equi-angularly spaced locations, each side of each member b to e carries a number, and the object of the puzzle is to rotate the members b to e until the numbers are radially aligned in sequence each of which totals ten. Other markings such as colour, letters or pictures may alternatively be used. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Puzzle, game or toy Field of the invention This invention relates to puzzle, games or toys.

Hereinafter the invention will be referred to as a puzzle for ease of nomenclature.

Summary of the invention According to one aspect of the invention a puzzle comprises a plurality of members relatively rotatable about a common axis, the members being substantially rigid and presenting annular areas bearing visible markings which are capable, on appropriate positioning of the members, of forming pre-determined combinations or patterns of the markings, at least certain of the members being annular in shape and bearing one upon the next in sequence in a radial direction.

According to another aspect of the invention a puzzle comprises a central disc-like member surrounded by a plurality of annular members relatively rotatable about a common axis at the centre of the disc-like member, the annular members differing in diameter, bearing one upon the next in sequence in a radial direction and presenting annular areas which occupy a substantially common plane perpendicular to the common axis, the annular areas bearing visible markings which are capable, on appropriate positioning of the members as a result of rotation thereof, of forming desired combinations of patterns of the markings.

The members may be shaped so that the puzzle has a uniform thickness and therefore has the overall shape of a disc of uniform thickness.

The puzzle may be a small pocket-size item or may be made larger, e.g. as a table top version to be played as a game by a number of players.

Visible markings may be provided on each of the two sides of the disc, giving a double-sided version of the puzzle. In this case, it is convenient for each member to be made in two halves which are joined together along a central diametral plane of the puzzle. The two halves of each member may be relatively rotatable, with the exception of the radially outermost member which has its two halves pinned, pegged or glued together to hold the complete assembly of members together.

The visible markings may be colours, letters, numbers, pictures, or any other characters or devices, preferably arranged on the annular member so that lines of the markings can be radially aligned to form a sequence. The object of the puzzle is then to rotate the members until the sequences form the predetermined combinations or patterns. If the markings are numbers the puzzle may be regarded as being solved if each sequence of numbers adds up to the same predetermined amount, or to various predetermined amounts.For example, there may be four annular members each bearing, at equi-angularly spaced positions, eight numbers, the object being to rotate the members until each radially aligned sequence of numbers adds up to a predetermined number such as 10. For a double-sided version of the puzzle, the aim is for the radially aligned sequence on each sidle of the puzzle to add up to a predetermined number or numbers.

A puzzle according to the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the puzzle, Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line x-x of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a section view, on an enlarged scale, showing one half of the puzzle before being joined to another similar half.

Detailed description of the drawings The puzzle comprises four relatively rotatable annular members b to e, and a central disc-like member f. These components are moulded from a rigid plastics material, such as ABS, having a smooth surface.

Overall, the puzzle has the shape of a disc of uniform thickness, as can be seen from Figure 2. The puzzle has an overall diameter of about 92mm and a thickness of about 8mm, making it suitable to be carried in the pocket.

Each member b to f moulded in two halves, and Figure 3 shows one set of halves b' to f' assembled together. The set of halves has two location pegs g and two location sockets h, the pegs g and sockets h interengaging with the two halves of the puzzle are assembled together as in Figure 2. The two halves adjoin along a central diametral plane j (Figure 2) and may be held together by any convenient means, e.g. by the pegs and sockets being a press fit or by adhesive. Joining the halves e' with the remaining members in position has the effect of assembling the members and preventing them being separated. The pegs g and sockets h are on the radially outermost member e, and this allows the two halves of each of the remaining members b to d and f to be relatively rotatable, to make the puzzle more difficult to solve.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the innermost annular member b bears on the disc-like member f and the remaining annular members bear one on the next in succession in a radially outwards direction. The disc-like member f has a peripheral rib which locates in a recess of the radially innermost annular member b, which itself has a rib. This location of rib in recess continues to the radially outermost member e which has a smoothly contoured outer periphery. The member f has a circular central void k and the outermost annular member e has an annular cavity 1.

The members b to e present annular surfaces of progressively larger diameter, with all the surfaces being coplanar and perpendicular to the common axix of rotation x-x of the members b to e. At each of eight equi-angularly spaced positions, each side of each member b to e carries a number, as shown in Figure 1. The object of the puzzle is to rotate the members b to e until the numbers are radially aligned in sequence each of which totals 10. The members b to e can be individually and easily rotated by hand, and as described previously it is possible to effect relative rotation between the two halves of each member b, c, d and f. Alternatively, the two halves of any or all of the members b, c, d and f may be joined together. Once the puzzle has been solved by reaching the required combination on each side of the puzzle, random rotation of the members destroys the combination and makes the puzzle ready to be solved again.

The numbers are applied to the members b to e by silk screening or by foil printing.

Claims

1. A puzzle comprising a plurality of members relatively rotatable about a common axis, the members being substantially rigid and presenting annular areas bearing visible markings which are capable, on appropriate positioning of the members, of forming pre-determined combinations or patterns of the markings, at least certain of the members being annular in shape and bearing one upon the next in sequence in a radial direction.

2. A puzzle comprising a central disc-like member surrounded by a plurality of annular members relatively rotatable about a common axis at the centre of the disc-like member, the annular members differing in diameter, bearing one upon the next in sequence in a radial direction and presenting annular areas which occupy a substantially common plane perpendicular to the common axis, the annular areas bearing visible markings which are capable on appropriate positioning of the members as a result of rotation thereof, of forming desired combinations of patterns of the markings.

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

4. A puzzle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the puzzle is a hand held pocketsized item.

5. A puzzle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein visible markings are provided on each of the two sides of the annular members, giving a double-sided version of the puzzle.

6. A puzzle according to claim 5, wherein each member is made in two halves which adjoin along a central diametral plane of the puzzle.

7. A puzzle according to claim 6, wherein the two halves of each member are relatively rotatable, with the exception of the radially outermost member which has its two halves secured together to hold the complete assembly of members together.

8. A puzzle according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the visible markings are colours, letters numbers pictures, or any other characters and devices, arranged on the annular members so that lines of the markings can be radially aligned to form a sequence.

9. A puzzle according to claim 8, wherein there are four annular members each bearing, at equiangularly spaced positions, eight numbers, the object of the puzzle being to rotate the members until each vertically aligned sequence of numbers adds up to a predetermined number.

10. A puzzle constructed and arranged substantially as herein particulariy described with reference to the accompanying drawings.