GB2295097A

GB2295097A - Multi-stage labyrinth puzzle

Info

Publication number: GB2295097A
Application number: GB9423104A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Norrington
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-11-16
Filing date: 1994-11-16
Publication date: 1996-05-22
Also published as: GB9423104D0

Abstract

A puzzle comprises two concentric spheres having a ball-traversible labyrinth situate between them, the labyrinth being in the form of a plurality of separate labyrinth sections 11, 12 arranged in series. The ball may pass between the separate labyrinth sections by means of interconnecting tubes 19. <IMAGE>

Description

MULTI-BTAGE LABYRINTH SAME This invention relates to a multi-stage labyrinth game.

Labyrinths are well known mazelike networks, the games applications of which typically have the central objective of establishina a route from one specific point to another through the subject labyrinths examples ranging from r puzzle drawn on paper to a network ot pedestrian pathways. In each case, the labyrinth may be considered effectively two dimensional/sincle plane in form with fixed boundaries and the decree of complexity is therefore largely limited by the size of the labyrinth.

According to the present invention, there is provided a spherical labyrinth came comprising a double skin ot transparent plastic spheres, fixed concentrically one to the other, with several irreqular shaped labyrinths in series arrancement sandwiched in the void between. A single inlet hole is provided in the outer skin for insertion of the game balt the first labyrinth at the start of the game. The object of the oame is then to work through each stage, transferrino the ball from inlet hole to outlet hole, relative motion beina induced between ball and labyrinth in turning the sphere bv hand, thus establishing a route through the labyrinth.The outlet hole of the first labyrinth stage and inlet hole of the second labyrinth stage are both located within the inner skin and are interconnected by tubing in the centre of the sohere. Progression from second to third stage and so on is similarly achieved.

A specific embodiment ot the invention will now be described by wav ot example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows an external view Fiaure 2 shows a typical expanded cross-sectional view encompassinq the initial inlet hole and examples of subsequent intermediate outlet and inlet holes.

Referring to the drawinq, the game comprises a double skin of transparent plastic spheres. fixed concentrically one to the other. with several irregular shaped labyrinths, as shown by the boundaries marked 11 and typical example 12, in series arrangement, sandwiched in the void between.

A single inlet hole 10 is provided in the outer skin 15 tor insertion of the Qame ball 13 into the first labyrinth stage at the start of the game.

he object of the came is then to transfer the ball from the inlet hole to the outlet hole in turning the sphere by hand, thus establishina a route through each labyrinth stage.

Examples of intermediate outlet and inlet holes are shown as 17 and 18 resoectively. both being located in the inner skin 16, with interconnectina tubes 19 linking one labyrinth stage to the next.

The final labyrinth stave concludes at a specific marked point or with an optional final outlet hole 14 in the outer skin, allowinq retrieval of the came ball.

The dearee of difficultv of the game may be reduced by grid markings on the outer skin as reference points and similarly clearly marked labyrinth boundaries. Conversely, the game may be made more difficult by omitting all such reference points and bv usina obscure plastic for the inner sphere skin to prevent visual tracing of the interconnecting tube. An additional feature could be dummy/trap outlet holes from which the interconnectinc tube links to the inlet of a preceding labyrinth stave

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A multi-stace labyrinth came comprising a double skin of spheres, fixed concentrically one to the other with several labyrinths in series arranoement sandwiched in the void between.
2 A multi-stage labyrinth Qame as claimed in claim 1 wherein a single inlet hole is Drovided to the first labyrinth stage for insertion of the aame ball through the outer skin.
3 A multi-stace labyrinth came as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein interconnectina tube within the centre of the inner skin link one labyrinth stave to the next, intermediate outlet hole to inlet hole respectively.
4 A multi-stace labyrinth came as claimed in claim 3 wherein several dummy/trap outlet holes are also provided, the interconnectina tubes from which link to the inlet holes of preceding labyrinth staqes.
9 A multi-stace labyrinth came as claimed in any preceding claim. wherein reference points are provided, by grid markings on the outer skin and/or distinguishable labyrinth stage boundaries.
6 A multi-stage labyrinth qame, substantially as described herein with reference to fiaures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.