GB2246961A - Puzzles - Google Patents

Abstract

A puzzle has a cube cage 12, of a volume N cube playing pieces, containing an assembly of N-1 cube playing pieces thus leaving a void in the cage. The cage has apertured walls to enable the pieces to be sequentially moved into the void. The surfaces of the pieces carry markings. In one position of arrangement of the pieces the markings expressed on each external surface of the assembly form a complete image, and the pieces can be re-arranged to form different exposed complete images e.g. pictures, graphics, patterns. The cage may take various shapes and the pieces may be rotatable as well movable into the void. <IMAGE>

Description

PUZZLES This invention relates to puzzles.

According to this invention a puzzle comprises a cage, a plurality of puzzle pieces forming an assembly in the cage, the cage being adapted to permit the pieces to be re-arranged by a user, the pieces carrying markings, the assembly in a first position of arrangement of the pieces having for each external surface markings forming a different complete image and in a second position of arrangement of the pieces for at least one external surface having markings forming a complete image different fro the respective image in the first pcsition.

The pieces in te second position of arranrement for each external surface may have markings forming a complete image different from those of the first position one embodiment the pieces in a third position of arrangement for at least one external surface have zrings forming complete image different from the respective image of the first and second positions.

There may be three such external surfaces.

In one example the pieces in a fourth position of arrangement for at least one external surface have markings forming a complete image different from the respective image of the first, second and third posit irons.

There may be three such external surfaces.

Each complete image in each position may be different. All the complete images may be different.

the cage may be a hollow cube having a volume equal to N equal size cube pieces and there are N-l equal size cube pieces.

In one example N equals 27 and in the first position the pieces form three layers providing two pairs of confronting surfaces at each boundary between the layers, the markings on the piece faces forming each confronting surface being re-arrangeable to for a complete image.

The image may for example be a picture, graphic or pattern.

The invention provides an assembly of pieces individually marke any movable in a cage providing vies of the assembly throngh sides of the cage, the vies in a first osition of the pieces forming a complete image for each side and in a second position for t least one siae a complete image different from the respective image in the first position.

The narks may be on external surfaces of the pieces.

The invention may be performed in various ways and some specific embodiments with possible modifications will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective vie of a puzzle piece; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of part of an assembled puzzle; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an assembly of pieces; Fig. 4 is a perspective vie of an outer cage; Figs.5 A, , C are views of pieces forming one picture; Figs.6 A, 3, C are perspective views of various assemblies of pieces; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an assembled puzzle, part out away and vithout picture markings; -. 8 is a perspective view of another assembly;; Figs.9 A, B, C are vies of the markings on up ward facing surfaces in the assembly of Fig. 8; Figs.10, 11, 12 show perspective views of an assembly with the pieces in different positions; Figs.13, 14 are perspective vies of the six faces of another asserbly of pieces; Fig. 15 (A - A) to 15 (L - L) show the markings on the faces (A. - A) to ( - m) of Fig.13; and ,"ig. 16 h to L show pictures which can be formed by re-arranging the pieces of Fig.13.

In one example of the invention, a puzzle has a plurality of puzzle pieces 10 which are geometrically identical regular six-sided cubes arranged in athree dimensional assembly to form a larger geometrically regular cube 11 having six faces. Five of the faces of the cube D comprise the exposed surface faces of nl pieces 10 and the sixth face of the cube comprising the exposed surface faces of n2 pieces 10. The pieces 10 are physically contained within a geometrically regular sixsided hollow cuboidal box or cage 12 in the form of an outer case or framework whose internal length, breadth and depth dimensions are all equal and which correspond substantially to the outside length, breadth and depth dimensions of the còe 11.One or more faces 13 of each piece 10 is permanently marked with a predetermined part of a graphic design. In one assembly of the pieces 13 each face of the cube displays a graphic design glade up fro nl or n2 pieces 13 corresponding to the exposed surface faces of the pieces 10 forming that particular face of the cube 11. Fig. 5A illustrates a typical example of such a cube face based on a "3 x 3 x 3" cube i.e. a cube 11 having three layers each having three rows and three columns. However there are only teventy- six pieces 10 and thus a void 14.

The pieces 10 thus occupy the internal volume of the outer case 12 but number one less than the capacity of the outer case thus always leaving one piece-sized void 14 in the cube 11. The pieces 10 have no mechanical or physical connection between one another nor with the outer case 12. Each piece 10 has rounded edges and corners and smooth (having no projections) faces thus allowing each to move easily in relation to other pieces 10. By virtue of the fact that a piece-sized void 14 is present within the outer case, the pieces 10 can be moved, one (or more) at a time within the cage 12. mhe pieces 10 are capable of movement in any of three mutually perpendicular directions, in relation to one another, through the centre of the cube and on each of the six faces of the cube.

Number of pieces = Capacity of outer case = N + 1 Length = Breadth = Depth cf piece = length = Breadth = Depth of the cube = C = P x (N + 1)2/3 (i) Maximum number of exposed piece faces visible at any one time on five of the faces of the cube = nl nl = (N + 1)2/3 (ii)Minimum number of exposed piece faces visible at any one time on the sixth face of the cube = n2 n2 = nl - 1 The use of the puzzle (the cage containing N pieces) is to obtain by manipulation of the pieces six completed graphic designs one each on the six outer faces of the cube. In a preferred example each piece 10 has part of a graphic design on each of its faces, and these can be arranged to produce combinations of six completed designs on the outer faces of the cube 11.

Each of the six faces of the cage 12 has nl apertures 16 each of the same geometrical shape and all of equal size arranged symmetrically and equally about each face of the cage to correspond to the positions of the pieces 10 within the cage 12. The apertures 16 may be of any geometric shape whose minimum size is governed by the smallest hole through which an average adult male player or user (the person operating the puzzle) may safely pass one of his fingers in order to move the pieces 10 within the outer case. The size of the aper- tures is such that the pieces are retained within the outer case by the parts of the cage between apertures, and the cage is of a size which may be handled - and at the same time the puzzle operated - with relative ease b the p'a,er.

All materials are durable, tough and non-toxic.

pieces may be self-coloured or transparent, hollow or solid, with graphics applied by printed "sticker", or by printing, impressing or painting directly onto the outer surfaces of the pieces 10. The cage 12 is of transparent or opaque construction, e.g. of plastics.

Another example is shovzn in Figs. 8, 9.

The markings on the surfaces of the pieces 10 can form eighteen graphics or pictures in two sets of six and two sets of three. (he graphics are not shown).

Start at stage 1 with a complete set of six graphics exposed on the outer surfaces of the assembly.

The void 14 is position El.

All moves of pieces 10 use stage one as start point.

Letters A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,J refer to the position of a piece 10 in cage 12. L1, L2, L3 refer to different levels, example: A3 is on level 3, D2 is on level 2.

LIST OF START & FINISH POSITIONS.

Start with a set of six graphics in place on the outer surfaces. (Stage one).

START. FINISH. START. FINISH. START. FINISH.

A1 H3 or F3 A2 H2 or F2 A3 H1 or F1 B1 G3 or J3 B2 G2 or J2 B3 G1 or J1 C1 D3 or H3 C2 D2 or H2 C3 D1 or H1 D1 J3 or C3 D2 J2 or C2 D3 J1 or C1 E1 Open (void) E2 E2 E3 E1 F1 A3 or G3 F2 A2 or G2 F3 A1 or G1 G1 33 or 33 G2 32 or B2 G3 F1 or 31 Hl C3 or A3 Hz C2 or A2 H3 C1 or A1 J1 B3 or D3 J2 B2 or D2 J3 B1 cr D1 After these moves, six different graphics or pictures are respectively formed on the outer surfaces of the cube assembly (stage 2).

There is one start position for any one piece 10 (except column E) but two possible finish positIons. This is because when a piece is moved to its furthest opposite position, it then has to make one move clockwise or one move anti-clockwise on the same level. Example A1 moves to J3 then it moves clockwise or anti-clockwise so it becomes H3 or F3.

WWhichever procedure is used i.e. clockwise or anti clockwise it has to be the same for all the pieces, with the exception of the pieces in column E which only move vertically within that column.

This procedure is only used for transforming stage one to stage two.

Working in reverse takes from stage two to stage one.

In a further rearrangement to form stage three (Three complete graphics or pictures exposed respectively on three outer surfaces of the assembly). Start with all six graphics in place (stage one).

LIST OF START & FINISH POSITIONS.

START. FINISH. START. FINISH. START. FINISH.

A1 G3 A2 H1 A3 G2 B1 -- B2 E1 B3 - Cl -- C2 31 C3 - D1 H2 D2 G1 D3 H3 E1 -- E2 J1 E3 J3 F1 -- F2 A1 F3 - G1 F3 G2 C1 G3 F2 H1 C2 H2 F1 H3 C3 J1 -- J2 D1 J3 - After this transformation the void 14 that was at position El (stage one) is now at J2. See Fig.10 and Fig. 11.

In a further rearrangement from stage one to stage four (three different complete graphics or pictures exposed respectively on three outer surfaces of the assembly). Start with all six graphics in place (atage one) LIST OF START & FINISH POSITIONS.

START. FINISH. START. FINISH. START. FINISH.

A1 - A2 H3 A3 31 D1 32 G3 B3 G2 C1 G1 C2 D3 C3 D2 D1 -- D2 E3 D3 - E1 -- E2 A3 E3 A1 F1 B1 F2 B3 F3 C1 G1 , G2 P3 G3 , H1 -- H2 J3 H3 - J1 B2 J2 C3 J3 C2 After this transformation the void 14 that was at position E1 (stage one) is not at A2, see Fig. 12, In stages 3, 4 the space = the f finish column can be filled with any other piece not shown, e.g. A1 could occupy spaces J1, J2 or J3 for stage 4 or 31 could occupy spaces Al, A2 or A3 for positions on stage 3.

The above procedure could be adapted to suit a cube comprising a greater number of pieces or example 4x4x4 or 5x5x5.

The 3x3x3 cube can display eighteen graphics in two sets of ó and two sets of 3, but by selection ol graphic designs the 3x3x3 assembly it is thought may be made to display 24 graphics in four sets of 6 with suitable rearrangement; possibly the markings on one or more surfaces of one or more pieces 10 may be common to two completed graphics or pictures.

In the puzzle Figs. 13 to 16 (cage 12 omitted) Figs.13,14 show the pieces 10 in one assembled condition showing the size under faces each having a completed picture, the void 14 being at the centre of the top layer. Figs. 15 (A-A) to 15 (L-L) show the markings visible on sections A-A to L-L, each face of each piece 10 having a marking. The blank areas 31 are where no piece 10 is present.

The markings on section B-B can be re-arranged to form picture 16E, section C-C can be re-arranged to form picture 16G, section D-D can be re-arranged to form picture 16F, section A-A can be re-arranged to form picture 16D. Thus each horizontal surface has markings which can form a complete picture. The remaining markings can be re-arranged to form the remaining pictures of Fig.16.

Starting with the pieces as in Figs. 13,14, the pieces 10 are sequentially slid into the void 14, the void 14 thus moving around in the assembly, to bring the pictures in Figs.16A,F,E,t,H together on to the outer surfaces of the assembly; or to bring the pictures in Figs.l6 ,B,D together on to the outer surfaces of the assembly; or to bring the pictures in Figs.16G, J, C together onto the outer surfaces of the assembly.

The start point for manipulation of the pieces 10 need not be as in Figs. 13, 14 but could be with no completed picture on any surface of the assembly.

In a modification the cage 12 is of a size to permit individual pieces 10 to be rotated whilst retaining their position in the assembly, as well as being capable of being slid into the void 14.

Manufacture of the puzzle is related to the chosen materials. For example the aesthetic quality of a puzzle formed from a light alloy such as aluminium would be enhanced by polishing. Another example of a plastics/polymer puzzle has pieces pressure molded or of blown plastics having apparently no joints by a method of gluing or heat sealing. Pieces may be of solid or hollow construction and the cage 12 formed of individual flat bars connected by gluing, heat sealing or some mechanical type of fixing or from single flat plates of the chosen material through which the apertures may be formed.

For & typical 3x3x3 piece puzzle as illustrated the following dimensions in millimetres are possible: Piece size 33x33x33; Cube size 99x99x99 Internal size of cage 12 approx 99x99x99 Outside size of framework approx 103x103x103 dependent upon thickness of framework material.

Aperture size 23x23 Width of bar 20 in cage 12: 10 1) Possible forms of puzzle pieces may be of solid colour with graphic designs applied to their surfaces and contained within a transparent cage.

2) Pieces 10 may be of solid colour with graphic designs aplied to their surfaces and contained within an opaque framework whose bars 20 possess a continuation of the graphic designs.

D) Pieces 10 may be of transparent construction with, for example, "cast in" graphics or markings contained wIthin a transparent cage.

In this case the image as viewed at each external face is not at the external surface of the assembly but is seen as an image when viewed from the appropriate face of the cage.

r further development of the transparent piece principle would allow the use of battery-powered electrical puzzle which when correctly completed would light up to display its patterns or designs.

Sach piece could contain an LED and have a surface contact cooperable with a surface contact on an adjacent piece, one piece housing a batter.

The cage and pieces may for example be constructed from any one or suitable combination of the following materials: Wood, Plastics/Polymer, Lethal, Alloy, Paper or cardboard.

The graphic designs referred to above may be selected to suit any particular requirement for example the anticipated age group of the purchaser, current popular trend or fashion.

Examples: A child's puzzle could possess bold simple pictures of toys or animals.

A topical puzzle could possess images relevant to environmental issues.

An executive to could possess zoa-acal symbols.

Preferably the assembly is a cube but the number and assembly form of pieces 10 can be varied e.g. to form assemblies as in Figs. 6B, 6C.

The images presented b the pieces as viewed through the faces of the cage can for example be graphics or pictures or patterns.

Examples of patterns are: a dot on each piece thus forming a circle of dots with a central dot; or letters forning for example a row of As, a row of Bs and a ro of Cs. The graphic could bc a signature or cther writing.

In some embodiments one or more of the images as seen through the sides of the cage are changed on re-arrangement of the pieces.

Claims (14)

1. A puzzle comprising a cage, a plurality of puzzle pieces forming an assembly in the cage, the cage being adapted to permit the pieces to be re-arranged by a user, the pieces carrying markings, the assembly in a first position of arrangement of the pieces having for each external surface markings forming a different complete image and in a second position of arrangement of the pieces for at least one external surface having marking forming a complete image different from the respective image in the first positIon.

2. A puzzle as claimed in claim 1, in which the pieces in the second position of arrangement for each external surface have markIngs forming a complete image different fro those cf the first position.

3. A puzzle as claimed in claim 2, in v;'rlich the pieces in a third position of arrangement for at least one external surface have maltings forming a complete image different fro the respective image of the first and second positions.

4. h puzzle as claimed in claim 3, in which there are three such external surfaces.

5. A puzzle as claimed in claim 3, or claim 4, in which the pieces in a fourth position of arrangement for at least one external surface have markings forming a complete image different from the respective image of the first, second and third positions.

6. A puzzle as claimed in claim 5, in which there are three such external surfaces.

7. A puzzle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each complete image in each position is different.

8. A puzzle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which all the complete images are different.

9. puzzle as claimed in any preceding claim in which the cage is a hollow cube having a volume equal to N equal size cube pieces and there are N-1 equal size cube pieces.

10. A puzzle as claimed in claim 9, in which N equals 27, and in the first position the pieces form three layers providing two pairs of confronting surfaces at esch boudary betee the layers, the markings on the piece faces forming each confronting surface being re-arrangeabLe to for a complete image.

11. A puzzle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which all the pieces are movable.

12. . puzzle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as son in Figs. 13 to 16 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A puzzle comprising an assembly of pieces individually marked and movable in a cage providing views of the assembly through sides of the cage, the vies in a first position of the pieces forming a complete image for each side and in a second position for at least one side a complete image different from the respective image in the first position.

14. A puzzle as claimed in claim 13, the marks being on external surfaces of the Pieces.