US3638949A

US3638949A - Composite cube puzzle formed of numeral-bearing component cube groups

Info

Publication number: US3638949A
Application number: US882447A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert I Thompson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-12-05
Filing date: 1969-12-05
Publication date: 1972-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-01

Abstract

A puzzle comprising a plurality of cube units several of which are interconnected into groups of cubes so that each group is capable of being assembled to form an overall cube, the exterior faces of each group having a designated numeral thereon so that the numerical total on the faces of adjacent cubes after being assembled is always the same along the several columns and rows of the six overall cube faces.

Description

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nlted States Patent [151 3,638,949 Thompson Feb. 1, 1972 [54] COMPOSITE CUBE PUZZLE FORMED 1,568,576 1/l926 Stout ..273/153 R UX OF NUMERAL-BEARING COMPONENT 3,222,072 12/1965 Dreyer ..273/|57 R CUBE GROUPS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [72] figg i g f'g gff'g zg r dag??? 420,349 11/1934 Great Britain ..46/24 [22] Filed: Dec. 5, 1969 Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle H pp 882 447 Attorney-Watson,Cole,Grindle&Watson [57] ABSTRACT lll. ..273/l57 A puzzle comprising a plurality of cube unis several of which [58] d R 160 are interconnected into groups of cubes so that each group is o are 5 capable of being assembled to form an overall cube, the exterior faces of each group having a designated numeral thereon so that the numerical total on the faces of adjacent [56] References Cited cubes after being assembled is always the same along the UNITED STATES PATENTS several columns and rows of the six overall cube faces. 487,063 1 H1892 Bailey ..273/156 3 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Win/alumni! l mu;

COMPOSITE CUBE PUZZLE FORMED OF NUMERAL- BEARING COMPONENT CUBE GROUPS This invention relates generally to a three-dimensional cube puzzle and more particularly to a puzzle comprising a plurality of cubes several of which are interconnected into groups of cubes capable of being assembled into an overall cube, the exterior faces of each cube having a designated numeral thereon whereby the numerical total is always the same along the several columns and rows of the overall cube faces.

In the education field, various approaches have been made in an attempt to heighten the interest of children in dealing with elementary problems in arithmetic. Even though most children are basically fascinated by numbers in arithmetic exercises, some children are slower in their development than others, and still others tend to lose interest if their attention is not held during the arithmetical exercise. Naturally, if the childs interest can be cultured to some extent, learning becomes not only an easier task but it becomes even ajoyous one if it takes on the aspects ofa game. This invention is concerned with the provision ofa game for use as a teaching aid in the form of a puzzle which will allow the child -to be occupied as he would be with a toy while at the same time be carrying out simple arithmetical exercises. This is considered to be the main object of this invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a puule which comprises a plurality of cube units, several of which are interconnected into groups so that the groups may be assembled to form an overall large cube. Numerals are provided on the exterior faces of each cube group so that when the groups are properly assembled the numerical total on the cube faces along the several rows and columns of the overall cube faces will always be the same.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a puzzle as characterized wherein 26 of such cubes are provided so as to form an assembled 3 3X3 overall cube with a cubic space resulting in the cubic center ofthe assembled cube.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a puzzle as hereinabove defined wherein a set of three different numerals is selected for the exterior faces on each cube group in a manner whereby the numerals adjacent one another in each of the rows and columns on the faces of the assembled cube are different from one another.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a puzzle as characterized wherein the three numerals selected for the cube faces are numerals l, 2 and 3 so that the numerical total in each of the rows and columns on each face of the properly assembled overall cube is always equal to 6.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the assembled puzzle showing three of the exterior overall cube faces;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the assembled puzzle viewing the remaining three faces of the puzzle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the puzzle similar to FIG. 1 except that the cubes, which are formed into groups, are shown separated from one another;

FIGS. 4 through are perspective views of each of the respective cube groups which form the assembled overall cube as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views there is shown in FIG. 1 the assembled cube puzzle 10 having a top face 11, a left front face 12, and a right front face 13. FIG. 2, taken from the rear of FIG. 1, shows a bottom face 14, a left rear face 15, and a right rear face 16. A

numeral

1, 2 or 3 is assigned, when in an assembled condition as seen in FIG. I, to the exterior face of each cube 17 which form the faces 11 through 16 of the assembled cube 10. These numerals are assigned so adjacent ones on the vertical columns and horizontal rows of the puzzle are different from each other. This becomes obvious when viewing the six faces 11 through 16 of the puzzle in FIGS. 1 and 2.

If desired, the puzzle according to the instant invention may be made of a polyethylene foam or like material so that each of the cubes 17 may be cut to form groups as seen in FIG. 3 and more clearly in FIGS. 4 through 10, or the cubes 17 may be adhesively joined so as to form these groups. If they are cut from a polyethylene foam material, they may be simply scored along lines 25 to give the appearance of individual cube units. The numerals l, 2 and 3 are assigned to other faces of the cube groups in addition to those faces which form the overall cube faces 11 through 16. For example, it can be seen that cube face 18a in FIG. 4 has been assigned the numeral 3 even though this face, when the puzzle is properly assembled, is actually covered by cube group 22 as can be seen in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Also, it can be seen in FIG. 6 that a numeral l, 2 or 3 has been assigned to each of the

faces

20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d of the cube group 20. In each of the remaining FIGS. 5 and 7 through 10 it can be seen that a numeral has been assigned to the exterior cube faces of eachof the groups in a like manner. Although these faces are hidden by other cube groups when the puzzle is properly assembled according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the numerals on these hidden cube group faces nevertheless serve an important function of deceiving the user into believing that they are the proper faces to be finally exposed when the puzzle is correctly assembled. The presence of these numerals on several of the cube group faces which will be ultimately hidden when assembled, serves as an additional challenge for the user during assembly.

The user is given the seven cube groups as shown in FIGS. 4 through 10 and is instructed to assemble them into an overall cube device having a vacant cubic center with the numerals on adjacent cube faces each different from one another in the several rows and columns of the puzzle so that the numerical total on the rows and columns of the six faces of the assembled puzzle will always be equal to 6. Also, the numerals on the properly assembled exterior cube faces must all be upright in each of the respective faces 11 through 16 before the puzzle can be assumed correctly assembled. Given such a device with these instructions, it has been found that a child will occupy himself with such a puzzle until he finally achieves the correct result mainly because it presents an interesting challenge to him. Since there is only one correct solution to properly assembling the puzzle, the challenge is heightened to a point where the child will not be inclined to abandon his simple project before it is successfully completed. The child is given the opportunity to effect a proper solution of the puzzle in more than one way because of the additional numerals placed on those exterior faces of the cube groups other than those which are ultimately the correct ones. The child may find himself incorrectly assembling the cube groups for a time while still adhering to his instructions, i.e., faces 18a, 20b and 200 may be aligned together to form a column so that its numerical total, as well as the numerical total on

faces

20a, 20c and 20d, will be equal to 6, thereby giving the child the illusion that he has begun the puzzle assembly in the proper manner. While the child is occupying himself with the puzzle solution, he is almost subconsciously exercising himself in simple arithmetic. For example, he will be repeating to himself that he must remember about one rule of the game, i.e., the rows and columns of the ultimate overall cube face must be equal to 6. He is, therefore, constantly adding the cube faces while in the process of assembling the cube groups to form the puzzle. Of course, a series of other numbers may be used with equal results. For example, the numerals 4, 5 and 6 may be used so as to provide a total of 15, and so on, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A puzzle comprising a plurality of disconnected cube groups, each group comprising a plurality of connected cubes, said groups being capable of being assembled to form an overall cube, the improvement comprising the provision of a one of three different designated numerals on the exterior faces of each said cube of each said group in such a manner whereby, as an assembled overall cube, the numerical total on the faces of adjacent ones of said cubes is always the same rality of cubes is provided so as to be arranged 3X3 3 into said overall cube thereby having the cubic center of said overall cube vacant.

3. The puzzle according to claim 2 wherein said three numerals are the numerals l. 2 and 3 whereby said numerical total is always equal to 6.

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Claims

1. A puzzle comprising a plurality of disconnected cube groups, each group comprising a plurality of connected cubes, said groups being capable of being assembled to form an overall cube, the improvement comprising the provision of a one of three different designated numerals on the exterior faces of each said cube of each said group in such a manner whereby, as an assembled overall cube, the numerical total on the faces of adjacent ones of said cubes is always the same along the several columns and rows of the exterior faces of said overall cube, the numerals on each of said overall cube exterior faces are disposed along the same direction, respectively, and the numerals adjacent one another on said cube faces in each of said rows and columns are different from one another.

2. The puzzle according to claim 1 wherein 26 of said plurality of cubes is provided so as to be arranged 3 X 3 X 3 into said overall cube thereby having the cubic center of said overall cube vacant.

3. The puzzle according to claim 2 wherein said three numerals are the numerals 1, 2 and 3 whereby said numerical total is always equal to 6.