GB2237517A

GB2237517A - Three dimensional puzzle

Info

Publication number: GB2237517A
Application number: GB8924739A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stanley Thomas Dickson
Original assignee: PIMS INNOVATIONS Ltd
Current assignee: PIMS INNOVATIONS Ltd
Priority date: 1989-11-02
Filing date: 1989-11-02
Publication date: 1991-05-08
Also published as: GB8924739D0

Abstract

A three dimensional puzzle comprises a support member (4) in the shape of a pyramid, a plurality of first playing pieces (6) which are each in the shape of a pyramid, and a plurality of second playing pieces (8) which are each in the shape of a tetrahedron, the support member having four sides (10) which are each provided with steps (12) such that the steps extend around the support member, the first playing pieces (6) each having four sides (14) and a base (16), the second playing pieces (8) each having three sides (18) and a base (20), and the first and the second playing pieces each being such that they fit together on the steps at least partially to mask the steps and to form on each side of the support member an inclined face which extends from a base part (22) of the support member to an apex part (24) of the support member. <IMAGE>

Description

A THREE DIMENSIONAL PUZZLE This invention relates to a three dimensional puzzle.

Accordingly, this invention provides a three dimensional puzzle comprising a support member in the shape of a pyramid, a plurality of first playing pieces which are each in the shape of a pyramid, and a plurality of second playing pieces which are each in the shape of a pyramid, the support member having four sides which are each provided with steps such that the steps extend around the support member, the first playing pieces each having four sides and a base, the second playing pieces each having three sides and a base, and the first and the second playing pieces being such that they fit together on the steps at least partially to mask the steps and to form on each side of the support member an inclined face which extends from a base part of the support member to an apex part of the support member.

The three dimensional puzzle of the present invention may provide much player enjoyment. It may be played by a variety of persons of varying different ages. By making the support member larger with more steps, the puzzle becomes harder to play with and so may be more suitable for adults. By having a relatively small support member with only a few steps, the puzzle becomes easier to play with and may then be suitable for young children.

As will be described in more detail hereinbelow, the puzzle can be used for relaxation purposes or for educational purposes.

Preferably, the second playing pieces are each such that the three sides and the base are of the same triangular shape and size.

The second playing pieces are preferably such that one of the second playing pieces sits between two of the first playing pieces when the first and the second playing pieces are on one of the steps. Usually, the first playing pieces will be larger than the second playing pieces.

Advantageously, the puzzle is one in which the first and the second playing pieces have on their surfaces parts of one or more complete pieces of information, and in which the first and the second playing pieces when correctly assembled on the support member display the said one or more complete pieces of information.

The one or more complete pieces of information may be pictures, colours, patterns, mosaics, numbers, letters, sentences or generally any other desired and appropriate piece of information. Depending upon the actual content of the one or more pieces of information, the puzzle may be used for leisure and amusement purposes, or alternatively for educational purposes.

Generally, the first and the second playing pieces can be inserted in four different ways on the ledges.

In the case of the first playing pieces, the four different ways are provided by having the four different sides of the playing pieces pointing in different directions. With the second playing pieces, the four ways are provided by having the three sides and the base pointing in different directions.

The one or more complete pieces of information may be provided along separate sides of the support member or, alternatively, the one or more complete pieces of information may be provided over two or more of the sides of the support member. Thus, for example, a mural could extend completely around the four sides of the support member.

The first and the second playing pieces may be such that only one of their sides is provided with the said part of the one or more complete pieces of information.

More usually, more than one side will be provided with the part of the information and it is preferred that the four sides of the first playing pieces are provided with the parts of the information, and the three sides and the base of the second playing pieces are provided with the parts of the information.

Preferably, the steps have flat tread parts and inclined riser parts which are inclined outwardly from the inner edge of the tread parts.

The puzzle may be one in which the outer edge of the tread parts of the steps meets the upper edge of the riser part on the immediately lower step, and in which the first and the second playing pieces fit together such that the inclined face is an inclined planar surface.

Preferably, the support member is dismantleable for ease of packing. The support member may thus have four separate sides which fit together. If desired however, the support member may be made in one piece.

The support member is preferably a hollow support member for lightness of weight. However, if desired, the support member can be solid. Similarly, the first and the second playing pieces may be hollow for lightness of weight or they may be solid.

Usually, the support member and the first and the second playing pieces will be made of a plastics material.

Other materials such for example as wood and cardboard may be employed. Where the support member is made of a plastics material, then it may be vacuum formed. As indicated above, the support member may be made in various sizes.

The puzzle may be sold with the support member and a set of the first and second playing pieces. Then, if desired, separate sets of the first and the second playing pieces can be sold for use with the same support member. The separately purchased different sets of first and second playing pieces would have different complete pieces of information on their surfaces, such for example as different puzzle pictures.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a three dimensional puzzle; Figure 2 is a top plan view of a first playing piece; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second playing piece; and Figure 4 is a top plan view of the second playing piece shown in Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a three dimensional puzzle 2 comprising a support member 4 in the shape of a pyramid, a plurality of first playing pieces 6 which are each in the shape of a pyramid, and a plurality of second playing pieces 8 which are also in the shape of a pyramid. The support member 4 has four sides 10 and each of these sides 10 is provided with steps 12.

The steps 12 extend around a support member 4 as shown.

The first playing pieces 6 each have four sides 14 and a base 16.

The second playing pieces 8 each have three sides 18 and a base 20.

The first and the second playing pieces 6,8 are such that they fit together on the steps 12 as shown. For ease of illustration, only some of the first and second playing pieces 6,8 have been shown in Figure 1. It will however be apparent that the first and the second playing pieces 6,8 fit together on the steps 12 substantially to mask the steps 12 and to form on each side of the support member an inclined face which is made up of adjacent faces of the first and the second playing pieces 6,8 and which extends from a base part 22 of the support member 4 to an apex part 24 of the support member 4.

As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4, the second playing pieces 8 are such that the three sides 18 and the base 20 are of the same triangular shape and size. As can be seen from Figure 1, the second playing pieces 8 are such that one of the second playing pieces 8 is able to fit between two of the first playing pieces 6 when the first and the second playing pieces 6, 8 are on the steps 12. The first playing pieces 6 are larger than the second playing pieces 8.

The sides 14 of the first playing pieces 6 and the sides 18 and the base 20 of the second playing pieces 8 can be provided on their surfaces with part of one or more complete pieces of information such for example as pictures, colours, patterns, numbers or letters. When the first and the second playing pieces 6, 8 are correctly assembled on the support member 4, the complete piece or pieces of information will then be seen.

As can be seen from Figure 1, the steps 12 have flat tread parts 26 and inclined riser parts 28. The riser parts 28 are inclined outwardly from the inner edge 30 of the tread parts 26. The outer edge 32 of the tread parts 26 meets the upper edge 34 of the riser part 28 on the immediately lower step 12. The first and the second playing pieces 6, 8 are then able to fit together as shown in Figure 1 such that the inclined face is an inclined planar surface 36.

The support member 4 may be vacuum moulded from a plastics material or it may be made from another type of material such for example as cardboard. Similarly, the first and second playing pieces 6, 8 may be made from a plastics material or another type of material such for example as cardboard.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the support member 4 and the first and the second playing pieces 6, 8 can be made to be solid or hollow as desired. Any suitable and appropriate type of information can be provided on the various parts of the first and the second playing pieces 6, 8 for enabling the puzzle 2 to be used for amusement and/or educational purposes.

Claims

1. A three dimensional puzzle comprising a support member in the shape of a pyramid, a plurality of first playing pieces which are each in the shape of a pyramid, and a plurality of second playing pieces which are each in the shape of a pyramid, the support member having four sides which are each provided with steps such that the steps extend around the support member, the first playing pieces each having four sides and a base, the second playing pieces each having three sides and a base, and the first and the second playing pieces being such that they fit together on the steps at least partially to mask the steps and to form on each side of the support member an inclined face which extends from a base part of the support member to an apex part of the support member.

2. A three dimensional puzzle according to claim 1 in which the second playing pieces are each such that the three sides and the base are of the same triangular shape and size.

3. A three dimensional puzzle according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which one of the second playing pieces sits between two of the first playing pieces when the first and the second playing pieces are on one of the steps.

4. A three dimensional puzzle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first playing pieces are larger than the second playing pieces.

5. A three dimensional Puzzle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first and the second playing pieces have on their surfaces parts of one or more complete pieces of information, and in which the first and the second playing pieces when correctly assembled on the support member display the said one or more complete pieces of information.

6. A three dimensional puzzle according to claim 5 in which the one or more complete pieces of information are pictures, colours, patterns, mosaics, numbers, letters or sentences.

7. A three dimensional puzzle according to claim 5 or claim 6 in which the four sides of the first playing pieces are provided with the parts of the information, and the three sides and the base of the second playing pieces are provided with the parts of the information.

8. A three dimensional puzzle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the steps have flat tread parts and inclined riser parts which are inclined outwardly from the inner edge of the tread parts.

9. A three dimensional puzzle according to claim 8 in which the outer edge of the tread parts of the steps meets the upper edge of the riser part on the immediately lower step and in which the first and the second playing pieces fit together such that the inclined face is an inclined planar surface.

10. A three dimensional puzzle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the support member is dismantleable.

11. A three dimensional puzzle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the support member is a hollow support member.

12. A three dimensional puzzle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.