US572727A - Puzzle - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELLIE SEGAR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PUZZLE.

SPECIFICIEION forming part of Letters Patent No. 572,727, dated December 8, 1896- Application filed May 25, 1896. Serial No. 592,962. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, ELLIE SEGAR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Puzzles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to that class of puzzles wherein blocks bearing' symbols or designations are employed, the object being to arrange the blocks in certain predetermined relations.

My object is to provide an improved and cheap puzzle of the class described, and one `which will require great skill for its solution.

The invention consists of certain novel features and combinations, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a plan view of the puzzle-box, the cover and blocks being removed and the different p0- sitions of the boundary-strip beingshown in full and dotted lines; Fig. 2, a side elevation showing the boundary-strip in intermediate position; and Fig. 3, a plan view with the blocks in position and the boundary-strip shown as defining the smallest square.

My puzzle is designed as a test of ingenuity in placing numbered blocks in such relation ,that the numbers of the blocks in the various lines,columns, and diagonals wi1l,when added together, amount to a predetermined sum, which will be the same whatever way the numbers are added.

In order to provide for several different combinations, I employ a novel device for defining a series oi' squares of different areas in a suitable box.

A designates a square shallow box which is adapted for the reception of a series of block or cubes B, numbered from l to 81, respectively. Only one face of each cube is numbered, the other faces being left blank. The box is provided with sides C. Two sides of the box are also provided with an inner stifEening-strip D, which projects up above them, leaving a ledge E, on which the cover (not shown) rests when the puzzle is boxed.

F designates what I term a boundarystrip. This strip, when resting against the sides of the box, acts as astittener, the same -as the strip l), but it is only secured to the box at its ends which are diagonally opposite. Each side of this boundary-strip is formed of three sections a, b, and c, exibly hinged together. The two smaller sections a and b are in the present instance ot the same size, and each is of a length equal to that of two of the blocks. The larger section is of the same length as five blocks. The larger' sections are hinged together at the point e. In the present instance I construct the boundary-strip of cardboard, but it is obvious that other materials might be used. It is also obvious that the sides of the strip could be formed of a greater or lesser number of sections, and of different lengths, if desirable.

By the employment of the boundary-strip it is possible to dene three squares G, H, and I of different areas and adapted to contain a different number of blocks.

Having described the invention I, will proceed with an account of the manner in which it is used.

When the boundary-strip is fully extended, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, square G is defined. In this instance the object is to arrange blocks l to 81 in such order that each line, column and diagonal will add up to three hundred and sixty-nine. lVhen the boundary-strip is moved inwardly and square I-I defined, the object is to arrange blocks 1 to 4.9 within the square in such order that each line, column, and diagonal will amount to one hundred and seventy-live.

When the strip is moved to deflne'square I, the object is to arrange blocks 1 to 25 withinthe square in such order that each line, column, and diagonal will, when added, amount to sixty-five. p

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new isl. In a puzzle, the combination with a box or receptacle,of a movable boundary-strip having portions connected to the box and a free portion being adaptedpfor manipulation to deiine within. said box geometrical Jigures of different areas.

IOO

2. In a puzzle, the combination with a box free portion consisting `of sections flexibly connected together, said strip being adapted for manipulation to define Within the box geometrical figures of different areas.

3. In a puzzle,the combination With a square box or receptacle, of a movable boundarystrip having its ends connected to opposite Corners of the box, said strip having a free portion consisting of a series of sections flexibly connected together, and being adapted for manipulation to define Within the box squares of different areas.

4L. In a puzzle, the combination with a series of blocks bearing symbols or designations and adapted for predetermined relative ar- ELLIE SEGAR.

Witnesses:

Mrs. E. J. SMITH, JOHN MOLAUGHLIN.

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