GB2416494A

GB2416494A - Three-dimensional puzzle

Info

Publication number: GB2416494A
Application number: GB0416535A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Uwe Meffert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-23
Filing date: 2004-07-23
Publication date: 2006-02-01
Also published as: GB0416535D0

Abstract

A three-dimensional puzzle comprises a central support 4 and a plurality of puzzle segments 8, 30 movable over the support and defining a three-dimensional shape having a number of faces, each puzzle segment 8, 30 carrying one of a number of identifying means, wherein optical indicating means such as a series of LED's 74 are provided which are indicative of and activatable on the solution of at least one face of the puzzle.

Description

24 1 6494 Three-Dimensional Puzzle The present invention relates to a

three-dimensional puzzle having movable puzzle elements which is provided with visual means to indicate solution or partial solution of the puzzle.

Three-dimensional puzzles in various forms are well-known, of which the most famous is undeniably the "Rubik's Cube".

In this puzzle a plurality of puzzle segments are interlocked to form a cube, layers of segments being rotatable about orthogonal axes, the object being to arrive at a condition where each cube face comprises segments of only a single colour.

In a development of this concept the applicant's own European Patent 0655010 discloses a spherical puzzle having a plurality of arcuate segments including both fixed and movable segments which together define an outer spherical surface, allowing movement of a half sphere of segments about four non-orthogonal axes.

The present invention seeks to provide a puzzle with additional functionality and entertainment value.

According to the present invention there is provided a three-dimensional puzzle comprising a central support and a plurality of puzzle segments movable over the support and defining a three-dimensional shape having a number of faces, each puzzle segment carrying one of a number of identifying means, wherein optical indicating means are provided indicative of and activatable on the solution of at least one face of the puzzle in which the face comprises puzzle segments having the same or associated identifying means.

The optical indicating means may comprise simple lamps or light emitting diodes, which may be controlled to be switched on for a predetermined time after the solution of the puzzle face and/or to flash in some predetermined sequence.

The activation of the optical indicating means is preferably controlled by a plurality of microswitches, which are activated when two adjacent puzzle segments on a face have the same or associated identifying means. These are connected so that the optical indicating means are activated only when all the microswitches in the face are activated.

In the preferred embodiment the puzzle comprises puzzle segments disposed to be rotated in groups of adjacent segments about two sets of nonorthogonal axes. More particularly, the axes of rotation comprise a first set of four axes extending outwardly from a centre of the puzzle disposed at mutually identical angles with respect to each other, and a second set of four axes disposed at angles mutually identical to each other. The segments may comprise a first type of puzzle segments disposed centrally within each respective face and rotatable about an axis perpendicular to that face, and a second type of puzzle segment arranged about the apeces of the puzzle so as to be rotatable with adjacent segments of the same type about respective axes extending from a centre of the puzzle to the respective apex.

The first type of puzzle segments include supports extending therefrom to which adjacent puzzle segments of the second type are connected, whereby rotation of a puzzle segment of the first type carries the adjacent puzzle segments of the second type therewith. The second type of puzzle segments are connected to adjacent first type segments by a slidable engageable interconnection, whereby rotation of a second type of puzzle segment and its adjacent second type segments carries the puzzle segments to slidably disengage from a given support on the adjacent first type segment and engage with a support on a newly adjacent first type segment. The supports carry the microswitches which are activated when two puzzle segments on a face having the same identifying means are connected.

More particularly, the puzzle segments of the second type have activating surfaces thereon for engaging the microswitches, the activating surfaces and microswitches being disposed at different relative positions thereon according to the identifying means of the respective puzzle segments, whereby the activating surface of the second type segment is relatively disposed to engage only a microswitch of a first type segment of the or associated same identifying means.

The optical indicating means are arranged within recesses on the first type puzzle segments each covered by a transparent or translucent cover.

Locating means may be provided to loosely retain the puzzle segments in relative positions defining the puzzle shape, such as click/stop means.

An embodiment of the invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the puzzle in accordance with the invention;

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Figure 2 is cut away cross-sectional view along the line A-A of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view of the puzzle with a face segment and its associated end segments removed; Figure 4 is an exploded view of a part of the puzzle including a single face segment and a single end segment; Figure 5 shows a first type of manipulation; and Figure 6 shows a second type of manipulation.

Turning to the drawings, the puzzle generally indicated 2, can be seen to have an overall generally tetrahedral form, including a central fixed support 4 (see Figure 4) to which a number of movable segments are attached. This support 4 has a generally truncated tetrahedral shape, with end pieces 5 of triangular section fixed at each vertex, as discussed further below. Each face of support 4 carries a face member 6 a central region of which constitutes a puzzle segment of a first type denoted a face segment 8 having an outer shape of an equilateral triangle with truncated corners to give a six-sided shape with alternating long and short sides. Supports 10 extend from each long side of the face segment. Each face member 6 is pivotably mounted about its centre to a respective centre of each face of the support 4, by simple mounting means such as a pin or screw 12 extending through a central opening in each face segment into a threaded -6 - bushing 13 received within a bore 14 in the centre of each face of the support 4. Each face of the support 4 also carries three spring-mounted balls 16 mounted equidistantly about the face centre in respective bores 18, constrained beneath sleeves 20 and urged upwardly by springs 22. The underside of the face members 6 are formed with three part-spherical recesses 24 into which the balls 16 engage or "click" when the face members 6 are regularly aligned with the support 4 in one of three orientations, spaced at 120 apart.

As seen in Figure 4, each end piece 5 is fixed to an apex of the central support 4 by means of an intermediate member 26 which fits over a lug 28 at the apex. About each end piece 5 there are arranged three puzzle segments of a second type denoted end segments 30. These are constrained on the adjacent supports 10 of the face member 6 in a manner such that the three end segments 30 arranged about any particular end piece 5 can rotate together as a group about that end piece 5, in a manipulation as shown in Figure 6. The face segments 8 and adjacent end segments together define the four "faces", albeit not entirely planar faces, making up the three-dimensional shape of the puzzle. These segments 8, 30 carry visually distinguishing features, such one of four different colours, whereby the puzzle is considered solved when each face consists of segments of a single colour. Alternatively, each face of the solved puzzle may consist of segments with associated designs (eg all pictures of a general type of animal, say fish), or single design may cover the face with individual segments provided with portions of the design. As can be seen in Figures 3 and 6, the supports 10 are of part circular section and define grooves 32 in their outer curved surface, which grooves 32 are of L-shaped section.

The end segments 30 are formed with a main outer planar face, and on the opposite inner surface a curved surface corresponding to the curved profile of the supports 10. An inwardly protruding curved tongue 34 has an L-shape complementary to the groove 32, whereby the end segment is keyed with and thereby constrained on and can rotate about the support 10. A guide surface 36 is also provided on the support 10, with a corresponding protruding surface 38 formed on the end segment which abuts the guide surface 36. Between the guide surface 36 and groove 32 on the one hand, and guide surface 38 and tongue 34 there are slightly recessed regions, whereby there is here a clearance between the support 10 and end segment 30.

A lower edge 40 of each end segment 30 is provided with a pair of springmounted balls 42 mounted in bores 44 in this lower edge, held by sleeves 46 and acted on by the springs 48. An edge of the face segment 8 adjacent the

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support is formed with corresponding recesses 50 into which the balls 42 engage or "clicks when an end segment is appropriately aligned with a face segment 8.

As can be seen in Figure 4, the fixed end pieces 5 are provided with lower undercut regions 52. These accommodate the tongues 34 on the end segments 30 as they rotate about the end pieces 5. Each end piece 5 also carries a triangular end plate 54 rotatably mounted about its centre on the end piece by appropriate means such as a depending pin or plug 56 which is received within a central bore 58 in the end piece 5. Three spring-mounted balls 60 are also provided on the end piece 5 beneath the end plate 54 in bores therein protruding through upper openings 62. These are urged upwardly by springs 64 themselves constrained on pegs 66 protruding from the intermediate member 26. These balls 60 engage in corresponding part-spherical recesses 68 when the plate is appropriately aligned with its end piece 5, in one of three possible relative orientations.

From the above description it will be appreciated that two types of manipulations of the puzzle segments are possible. Firstly, a face member 6 can be rotated about its centre, in which case the three adjacent end segments keyed therewith are likewise carried in rotation on the face member 6. This is illustrated in Figure 5. Secondly, any three end segments 30 disposed about a particular end piece 5 can be rotated about that end piece 5, carrying the end plate 54 therewith. This is illustrated in Figure 6. Thus, from any random arrangement of segments the appropriate manipulations can arise at a partially completed condition where a face segment 6 is surrounded by its three matching or associated end segments 30, but where other face segments 6 are still surrounded by non matching or associated end segments 30. With appropriate manipulation a fully complete condition can be reached where each face segment is surrounded only by matching or associated end segments 30.

In addition to the use of colour or other distinguishing features the puzzle is additionally provided with optical means which indicate partially or fully completed conditions of the puzzle. To achieve this, each face member 6 is provided with its own electronic circuit.

More particularly, the face member 6 houses in a central recess 71 therein a printed circuit board 70 to which is connected a battery 72 and one or more lamps or light emitting diodes (LED's) 74. The illustrated embodiment shows three such LED's disposed beneath a transparent or translucent cover 76. The activation of the LED's is controlled by a series of switches, each support 10 carrying a microswitch 78 which is connected to the printed circuit board by leads 80. A main body of the microswitch 78 is disposed on the underside of each support 10 with the movable switch member 82 thereof protruding through an opening in the support to the opposite curved face of the support 10. The interior of the end piece 30 is formed with an actuating surface 84 which engages the switch member 82. It is arranged that the position of the switch 78 and the actuating surface 84 is aligned only for face segments 8 and end segments 30 of the same matching or associated colour (or other distinguishing feature). Appropriate connection of the microswitches 78 may require that all three matching or associated end segments 30 must surround the face segment 8 before the circuit is activated. The integrated circuit may include means for creating a distinctive light sequence, for example a flashing sequence where the three LED's flash, or some other pre-programmed pattern. In one version a sequential pattern of 12 flashes is used.

Integrated circuits for controlling such a flashing sequence are wellknown and readily available as proprietary components. As faces of the puzzle are solved the LED's of that face are illuminated, and once all the faces are complete with the puzzle fully solved, all the faces will be or have been, at least for a time, illuminated.

The electronic circuit might also include a motion-sensing element so that for example the LED's would continue to be activated for those completed faces whilst movement was detected.

In a further development the electronic circuit may include sound generating means providing an audible signal such as a short piece of music, or a recorded or simulated voice giving a congratulating message such s "well done" or "good job". Again integrated circuits which allow storage and replay of short sound signals are readily available. Alternatively, a more sophisticated processor may be employed which senses the position of all of the segments and can be used to provide a game storage function, or teaching function, suggesting possible next moves. -l2

Claims

Claims: 1. A three-dimensional puzzle comprising a central support and a

plurality of puzzle segments movable over the support and defining a three-dimensional shape having a number of faces, each puzzle segment carrying one of a number of identifying means, wherein optical indicating means are provided indicative of and activatable on the solution of at least one face of the puzzle in which the face comprises puzzle segments having the same or associated identifying means.
2. A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein the optical indicating means comprise one or more light emitting diodes.
3. A puzzle according to claim 1 or 2 where the optical indicating means are controlled to be illuminated for a predetermined time after solution of the puzzle face.
4. A puzzle according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the optical indicating means is controlled to exhibit a predetermined flashing sequence on solution of the puzzle face.
5. A puzzle according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of microswitches which are activated when two adjacent puzzle segments on a face have the same -l l- or associated identifying means.
6. A puzzle according to any preceding claim comprising puzzle segments disposed to be rotated in groups of adjacent segments about two sets of non-orthogonal axes.
7. A puzzle according to claim 6 wherein the axes of rotation comprise a first set of four axes extending outwardly from a centre of the puzzle disposed at mutually identical angles with respect to each other, and a second set of four axes disposed at angles mutually identical to each other.
8. A puzzle according to claim 7 wherein the axes of the first set of axes are directed to centres of the faces of the puzzle, and the axes of the second set are directed to apeces of the puzzle.
9. A puzzle according to any preceding claim wherein the puzzle segments comprise a first type of puzzle segments disposed centrally within each respective face and rotatable about an axis perpendicular to that face, and a second type of puzzle segment arranged about the apeces of the puzzle so as to be rotatable with adjacent segments of the same type about respective axes extending from a centre of the puzzle to the respective apex.
10. A puzzle according to claim 9 wherein the first type of puzzle segments include supports extending therefrom to which adjacent puzzle segments of the second type are connected, whereby rotation of a puzzle segment of the first type carries the adjacent puzzle segments of the second type therewith.
11. A puzzle according to claim 9 wherein the second type of puzzle segments are connected to adjacent first type segments by a slidable engageable interconnection, whereby rotation of a second type of puzzle segment and its adjacent second type segments carries the puzzle segments to slidably disengage from a given support on the adjacent first type segment and engage with a support on a newly adjacent first type segment.
12. A puzzle according to claim 10 or 11 wherein said supports carry microswitches which are activated when two puzzle segments on a face having the same identifying means are connected.
13. A puzzle according to claim 12 wherein the puzzle segments of the second type have activating surfaces thereon for engaging the microswitches, the activating surfaces and microswitches being disposed at different relative positions thereon according to the identifying means of the respective puzzle segments, whereby the activating surface of the second type segment is relatively disposed to engage only a microswitch of a first type segment of the or -l S- associated same identifying means.
14. A puzzle according to any one of claims 9 to 13 wherein the optical indicating means are arranged within recesses on the first type puzzle segments each covered by a transparent or translucent cover.
15. A puzzle according to any preceding claim wherein locating means are provided to loosely retain the puzzle segments in relative positions defining the puzzle shape.
16. A puzzle according to claim 15 wherein the locating means comprise click/stop means for appropriately aligning the segments said relative positions.
17. A puzzle substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.