GB2290979A

GB2290979A - Puzzles

Info

Publication number: GB2290979A
Application number: GB9512043A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jon Tacey
Original assignee: Philip & Tacey Ltd
Current assignee: Philip & Tacey Ltd
Priority date: 1994-07-12
Filing date: 1995-06-14
Publication date: 1996-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2015-06-14
Also published as: GB2290979B; GB9512043D0

Abstract

A puzzle comprises a plurality of blocks to be arranged in a predetermined pattern, each block having a plurality of faces, each of at least some of the faces bearing a part of a view of a three-dimensional object, whereby when the blocks are arranged in said predetermined pattern an appropriate view of the object can be seen from the side of the puzzle being viewed. Additionally the blocks may have on appropriate faces sectional views of the object. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE: Puzzles DESCRIPTION This invention concerns puzzles, especially suitable for children for educational purposes.

Puzzles are known in which blocks are required to be assembled in a particular order to produce a completed picture. However, such puzzles only show one perspective and picture. Thus, such puzzles have limited educational applications because of their simplicity.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved puzzle, especially suitable for educational purposes.

According to this invention there is provided a puzzle comprising a plurality of blocks to be arranged in a predetermined pattern, each block having a plurality of faces, each of at least some of the faces bearing a part of a view of a three-dimensional object, whereby when the blocks are arranged in said predetermined pattern an appropriate view of the object can be seen from the side of the puzzle being viewed.

In a preferred embodiment each block also has on at least some of its faces a part of a sectional view of the three-dimensional object, whereby with one or more blocks removed from the puzzle in its predetermined pattern an appropriate sectional view of the object is visible.

The puzzle may have any number of faces, although six faces are preferred. Then each block making up the puzzle may be cuboid, although other shapes of block may be used in forming puzzles of the invention. Puzzles made up of six or eight blocks are typical but more or less blocks may be used to make up a puzzle according to the invention.

This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 7 are respectively front, rear, one side, top, other side, underneath and perspective views of an assembled puzzle in accordance with the invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of another puzzle in accordance with the invention; and Figures 9 to 12 are partially assembled views of the puzzle of Figure 8.

Referring to Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings, a puzzle, especially suitable for children, particulary for educational purposes, comprises six cuboid blocks 10 having faces 12. The blocks 10 are in a two by three arrangement in the completed puzzle as shown particulary in Figure 7. Each block 10 has part of a view of a three-dimensional object, in this case a cow, so that in the assembled puzzle, in effect, a three-dimensional representation of the cow is seen, ie each complete face of the puzzle shows one side of the cow. Thus, Figures 1 to 6 show respectively the front, rear, one side, top, other side and underneath views of the cow.

The blocks 10 have on other faces other random parts of views of the cow, so that it requires trial and error to assemble the puzzle so that all of the views are seen correctly.

The blocks 10 may have the view parts applied to or formed on their faces or may be hollow and transparent and have the view parts on card or paper inserts in the blocks but visible through the block faces. The blocks 10 are preferably made of plastics material.

Turning to Figures 8 to 12, another form of puzzle is shown comprising eight cuboid blocks 20 which assemble into a cube. The completed puzzle depicts an apple providing top, bottom and side views of the apple.

Each block has faces 22 and on each block one face has a part of one of the outer views of the apple. In addition, each block has on one face a part of a sectional view of the apple so that when the puzzle is partly assembled as in Figures 9 to 12, not only can outer views of the apple be seen but also internal sectional views. The other faces of the blocks may have other random parts of views to make the puzzle more difficult to assemble.

The blocks 20 may be made in the same way as the blocks 10.

It will be appreciated that the number of blocks for a puzzle, the shapes of the blocks may be varied from those illustrated.

Claims

1. A puzzle comprising a plurality of blocks to be arranged in a predetermined pattern, each block having a plurality of faces, each of at least some of the faces bearing a part of a view of a three-dimensional object, whereby when the blocks are arranged in said predetermined pattern an appropriate view of the object can be seen from the side of the puzzle being viewed.

2. A puzzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein each block also has on at least some of its faces a part of a sectional view of the three-dimensional object, whereby with one or more blocks removed from the puzzle in its predetermined pattern an appropriate sectional view of the object is visible.

3. A puzzle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein, in its predetermined pattern, the puzzle has six faces.

4. A puzzle as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein each block is cuboid.

5. A puzzle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the blocks are made of plastics material.

6. A puzzle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the blocks have their picture parts applied to surfaces thereof.

7. A puzzle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the blocks are hollow and transparent and the picture parts are provided on a card or paper insert in the block and visible therethrough.

8. A puzzle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.