GB2182855A

GB2182855A - Cylindrical sliding puzzle

Info

Publication number: GB2182855A
Application number: GB08626809A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Kveton; Ned John Anson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-11-14
Filing date: 1986-11-10
Publication date: 1987-05-28
Also published as: GB8626809D0; FR2589749A1; JPS62181079A

Abstract

A puzzle in the general shape of a cylinder comprises a central generally cylindric core, two end pieces at opposite ends of the core, and a plurality of puzzle pieces movably mounted on the core between the end pieces. Each puzzle piece is adapted to be interconnected with adjacent puzzle pieces and to be slidably moved with respect to one another. There are a sufficient number of puzzle pieces to cover the central core except for one vacant area the size of at least one puzzle piece whereby the puzzle pieces may be slidably shifted with respect to one another to positions on the core wherein the individual puzzle pieces are properly arranged with respect to one another to complete the puzzle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Puzzle Backgroundofthe invention This invention relates to a puzzle,and more particularly to a puzzle wherein the puzzle pieces are adapted to be shifted with respect to one another on a cylindric core until the pieces are properly arranged on the core to complete the puzzle.

Reference may be made to U.S.patents 4,371,166, 3,578,331 and 4,345,762 for puzzles and toys generally relevant to this invention.

Summary ofthe invention Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provision of a puzzle which is unique, entertaining and intellectually challenging.

Generally, a puzzle of this invention comprises a central generally cylindric core, two end pieces at opposite ends ofthe core, and a plurality of puzzle pieces movably mounted on the core between the end pieces. Each puzzle piece is generally rectantular in shape, thereby having a first pair of opposing sides, a second pair of opposing sides, and inner and outer faces, the innerfaces ofthe puzzle pieces being engageable with the core. First connecting means at one side ofsaid first pair of opposing sides is engageable with an adjacent puzzle piece for connecting the puzzle pieces and permitting relative sliding movement ofthe connected puzzle pieces with respect to one another in a first direction with respect to the central core.Second connecting means at one side of said second pair of opposing sides is engageablewith an adjacent puzzle piece for connecting the puzzle pieces and permitting relative sliding movement ofthe connected puzzle pieces with respect to one another in a second direction generally perpendicularto said first direction. The puzzle pieces are interconnected and of sufficient numberto coverthe core exceptfor one vacant area the size of at least one puzzle piece whereby the puzzle pieces may be slidably shifted with respect to one anotherto positions on the core wherein the individual puzzle pieces are properly arranged with respect to one another to complete the puzzle.

Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Briefdescription ofthe drawings Figure 1 is a frontelevational viewof a cylindric puzzle ofthe present invention; Figure2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2--2 of Figure 1; FigureS is a front view of a puzzle piece; Figure 4 is a back view of a puzzle piece; Figure 5 is a top plan view of a bottom end piece of the puzzle; and Figure 6is a bottom plan view of a top end piece of the puzzle.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring now to the drawings, a generally cylindric puzzle is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 1. As shown best in Figures 1 and 2, the puzzle includes a central generally hollow cylindric core 3, top and bottom end pieces 5t, 5b at opposite ends of the core, and a plurality of puzzle pieces, each generally designated 7, movably mounted on the core between the end pieces. The two end pieces 5t, 5b are circular in shape and have diameters approximately equal to the diameter of the core with the puzzle pieces mounted thereon, the result being that the puzzle has the overall shape of a beverage can. The core, end pieces and puzzle pieces may be of any suitable material, such as plastic.

As best illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, each puzzle piece 7 is generally rectangular in shape,thereby having a first pair of opposing sides indicated art 9a and 9b and a second pair of opposing sides indicated at 1 1a and 11 b. Each puzzle piece has two tongues 9c.

11 c projecting laterally from sides 9a, 11 a, respectively, and edge grooves 9d, lid in sides 9d, 11 b, respectively. Tongue 9c, constituting first connecting means, is receivable in edge groove 9d o an adjacent puzzle piece for connecting the puzzle pieces and permitting relative sliding movement of the connected puzzle pieces with respect to one another in afirstdirectin (e.g.,circumferentially)witl respect to the central cre 3.Tongue 11 c constituting second connecting means, is receivable in edge groove lid of an adjacent puzzle piece for connecting the puzzle pieces and permitting relative sliding movement ofthe connected puzzle pieces with respect to one another in a second direction general Iy perpendicular to the fi rst direction (e.g., axially with respect to core 3). As shown in Figure2, the puzzle pieces are curved to conform to the rounded contour ofthe core 3.

Referring to Figures 1 and 6, top end piece 5t has a ciruclargroove 15 in its downwardlyfacing surface adapted for receiving the tongues Sc ofthe puzzle pieces in the top row of puzzle pieces on the core, thereby to connect such puzzle pieces to the top end piece while permitting sliding movement ofthe puzzle pieces with respect to the end piece. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 5, the bottom end piece 5b hasa circulartongue 17 projecting upfromits upper surface receivable in edge grooves Sd of the puzzle pieces in the bottom row of puzzle pieces on the core, therebyto connectsuch puzzle pieces to the bottom end piece while permitting sliding movement of the puzzle pieces with respectto the end piece.

The plurality of puzzle pieces interconnected with one another and with the core 3, as described above, are of sufficient numberto coverthe central core 3 except for one vacant area the size of at least one puzzle piece. The vacant area is designated by reference numeral 13 in Figure 1. Thisvacantarea 13 allows the puzzle pieces to be slideably shifted with respect to one another to positions on the core wherein the individual puzzle pieces are properly arranged with respect to one another to complete the puzzle.

At least some ofthe puzzle pieces preferably have partsofindicai I thereon, the indicia being readable in its entiretywhen the puzzle is completed.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description as shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A general Iy cylindric puzzle comp rising a central generally cylindric core, two end pieces at opposite ends ofthe core, and a plurality of puzzle pieces movably mounted ont he core between the end pieces, each puzzle piece being generally rectangular in shape and thereby having a first pair of opposing sides, a second pair of opposing sides and inner and outerfaces, the innerfaces of said puzzle pieces being engageable with said core, first connecting means at one side of said first pair of opposing sides engageable with an adjacent puzzle piece for connecting the puzzle pieces and permitting relative sliding movement ofthe connected puzzle pieces with respectto one another in a first direction with respect to the central core, and second connecting means at one side of said second pair of opposing sides engageable with an adjacent puzzle piecefor connecting the puzzle pieces and permitting relative sliding movement of the connected puzzle pieces with respectto one another in a second direction generally perpendicularto said first direction, said plurality of puzzle pieces being interconnected and of sufficient numberto cover said core exceptfor one vacant area the size of at least one puzzle piece whereby said puzzle pieces may be slidably shifted with respect to one anotherto positions on the core wherein the individual puzzle pieces are properly arranged with respect to one anotherto complete the puzzle.

2. A generally cylindric puzzle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first connecting means of a puzzle piece is adapted forsliding engagementwith an end piece thereby to connect the puzzle piece to the end piece while permitting sliding movement of the puzzle piece with respect to the end piece.

3. Agenerallycylindric puale as setforth in claim 2 wherein the other side of said first pair of opposing sides has an edge groove therein for receiving said first connecting means of an adjacent puzzle piece, and the other side of said second pair of opposing sides has an edge groove therein for receiving said second connecting means of an adjacent puzzle piece.

4. A generally cylindric puzzle as setforth in claim 3 wherein said first connecting means comprises a tongue projecting laterally from said one said ofthe puzzle piece.

5. Agenerallycylindricpuzzleassetforthin claim 4wherein said second connecting means comprises atongue projecting laterally from said one side ofthe puzzle piece.

6. A generally cylindric puzzle as set forth in claim Swherein each puzzle piece is curved to conform to the contourofthe central core.

7. Agenerallycylindric puzzleassetforth in claim Swherein one of said end pieces has a circular groovetherein adapted for receiving the tongues of said puzzle pieces.

8. Agenerally cylindric puzzle as setforth in claim 3 wherein one of said end pieces has a tongue projecting therefrom generally axially with respect to the cylindric core, said tongue being slidably receivable in said edge groove of said other side of said first pair of opposing sides of a puzzle piece for permitting sliding movementofthe puzzle piece with respect to the end piece.

9. Agenerally cylindric puzzle as setforth in claim 1 wherein at least some of said puzzle pieces have parts of indicia thereon, said indicia being readable when said puzzle is completed.