WO1992019339A1

WO1992019339A1 - Puzzle device

Info

Publication number: WO1992019339A1
Application number: PCT/AU1992/000180
Authority: WO
Inventors: Victor Manuel Pracas
Original assignee: Victor Manuel Pracas
Priority date: 1991-04-26
Filing date: 1992-04-24
Publication date: 1992-11-12

Abstract

A puzzle device (10) comprising a plurality of block like elements (12) and a frame (14) which holds the block like elements (12). The block like elements (12) are moveable within the frame (14). The block like elements (12) have faces (16) which carry markings (18). These markings (18) may be of various types. The puzzle device (10) itself has faces which display faces (16) of block like elements (12). In this way, markings (18) are provided at the faces of the puzzle device (10). The block like elements (12) can be moved within the frame (14) so that the markings (18) at the faces of the puzzle device (10) can be arranged in one or more selected arrangements. The nature of these selected arrangements depends upon the types of markings (18) that one used. The markings (18), for example, can be sets of colours which are made to appear, disappear and reappear at the faces of the puzzle device (10).

Description

TITLE

PUZZLE DEVICE

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a puzzle device. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide a 3-dimensional puzzle device. This 3-dimensional puzzle device employs block like elements which are moveable within a frame to solve the puzzle device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a puzzle device comprising: a plurality of block like elements; frame means in which said block like elements are held; said block like elements having faces with markings thereon and said puzzle device having faces that display some of said faces of said block like elements; wherein said block like elements are movable within said frame means and are arrangeable in an arrangement such that said faces of said puzzle device display faces of said block like elements that have said markings arranged in at least one selected arrangement.

The puzzle device may be in the form of a cube and the block like elements may be small cubes. The puzzle device may be 3 small cubes x 3 small cubes x 3 small cubes in dimension.

The markings may be different colours.

In one embodiment there may be two sets of six different colour markings provided on the faces of the small cubes. The small cubes can be arranged in the frame so that each face of the puzzle device is presented as a different colour from the first set of six different colours. By moving the small cubes within the frame, it is possible to move and mix up the small cubes to make the first set of six colours disappear and become hidden inside the puzzle device, and then to bring the six different colours of the second set to the faces of the puzzle device. These six different colours were previously hidden inside the puzzle device. Alternatively, the puzzle device can be brought back to the first set of six different colours on the faces of the puzzle device.

In another embodiment, there are nine different colour markings provided on the faces of the small cubes. The small cubes can be arranged in the frame so that each face of the puzzle device displays these nine different colours in a different arrangement on each face of the puzzle device. The small cubes can then be moved and mixed up so that the faces of the puzzle device have two or more small cube faces of the same colours. The aim then is to move the small cubes within the frame to return the puzzle device to the arrangement of the nine different colours on each face of the puzzle device. Other specific embodiments are herein described.

However, the present invention provides a puzzle device which can be provided in a very large number of versions by devising different arrangements of the markings (colours or otherwise) on the faces of the block like elements (small cubes) . This enables not only different versions to be provided, but also different versions with varying degress of difficulty for solution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

5 Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a puzzle device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a small cube of the puzzle device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the portion of resilient

10 material of the small cube shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the small cube shown in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a first exploded perspective view of the puzzle device shown in Figure 1 showing an embodiment of markings

15 on the faces of the small cubes for all of the small cubes and with the small cubes and markings being in a first arrangement;

Figure 6 is a second exploded perspective view similar to Figure 5, but with the puzzle device viewed from a

20 different angle;

Figure 7 is a third exploded perspective view similar to Figure 5, but with the puzzle device viewed from a further different angle. Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 5, but with the small

25 cubes and markings being in a second arrangement;

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the puzzle device shown in Figure 1 showing a second embodiment of markings on the faces of the small cubes for all of the small cubes and with the small cubes in a first arrangement; Figure 10 shows the labelling of the faces of the small cubes in Figure 9 for use with the table of Figure 11; and. Figure 11 shows the markings of all the faces of all the cubes of Figure 11 in tubular form. 5 DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In Figure 1 there is shown a puzzle device 10 comprising a plurality of block-like elements in the form of small cubes 12 which are held in a frame 14. The frame 14 is of cube form. 10 The cubes 12 have (six) faces 16, each provided with a marking 18 thereon.

The frame 14 has (six) faces 20 which are provided with openings 22.

The cubes 12 are arranged in the frame 14 such that the 15 markings 18 of the faces 16 of the cubes 12 adjacent the faces 20 of the frame 14 are visible through the openings 22.

The puzzle device 10 itself has faces (which are defined by the faces 20 of the frame 14) and the openings 22 provide 20 that the faces of the puzzle device 10 display faces 16 of some of the cubes 12.

The cubes 12 are movable within the frame 14. This is achieved by the puzzle device 10 having a vacant space 24 (show, for example, in Fig. 5) which is not occupied by a 25 cube 12. The cubes 12 are then movable within the frame 14 by repeatedly pushing or pulling one of the cubes 12 into the vacant space 24. In this way, the vacant space 24 "moves" throughout the puzzle device 10 as the cubes 12 are pushed and pulled within the frame 14. The cubes 12 can be accessed for this pushing or pulling via the openings 22. The puzzle 10 is in the form of a 3-dimensional array or matrix of small cubes 12.

Each cube 12 may be formed as shown in Figures 2 to 4. Accordingly, each cube 12 may be provided with walls 26 defining a cube 12. The cube 12 has an interior space filled with a portion of resilient material 28, e.g. foam. The resilient material 28 is adjacent the interior surfaces of the walls 26. Each of the walls 26 is provided with an opening 30. A piece of marking material 32 may be provided between the openings 30 in the walls 26 and the resilient material 28. These pieces of marking material 32 carry the markings 18 of the faces of the cube 12.

As an alternative, the pieces of marking material 32 may be dispensed with, and the markings 18 carried directly on the resilient material 28.

The cubes 12 can be moved in the frame 14 by pushing on the marking material 32. A cube 12 that is pushed can then be moved back to where it was (if the space 24 is still behind it). Further, a cube 12 can be pulled by inserting a finger (or other suitable insert) through an opening 22 and slightly into the opening 30 of a cube 12 to grip with the edge of the opening 30. A pulling action will then pull the cube 12 (if the space 24 is in front of that cube 12). The puzzle device 10 of the present invention is preferably in the form of a cube as is shown in the drawings. However, it may be possible that the puzzle device is of an oblong or rectangular 3-dimensional array. The puzzle device of the present invention, whether in cube ectangular or oblong form, can be of any convenient size with the required number of block-like elements therein. This number will depend upon the size of the puzzle device and the size of the individual block-like elements. 5 The puzzle device 10 shown in the drawings is a 3x3x3 3-dimensional array of cubes 12. This provides a total number of 27 cubes, but one cube is missing to create the vacant space 24 and so the puzzle device 10 comprises 26 cubes 12. If the puzzle device were of a larger size, then 10 it might be a 4x4x4, less 1, array, i.e. a 64-1 + 63 cube 3-dimensional array.

However, the embodiments of the present invention of the puzzle device 10 will be described with specific reference to the puzzle device 10 comprising the 3x3x3 array as shown 15 in the drawings.

The puzzle device of the present invention can be played in different ways according to the nature of the markings 18 carried by the faces of the cubes 12. This will be demonstrated with reference to the puzzle device of the 20 present invention as hereinbefore described with reference to the following embodiments.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 5-7, twelve (12) different markings 18 are used on the individual faces 16 of the cubes 12. These twelve different markings 18 are 25 designated by the letters: A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K & L.

These markings form two sets: A-F and G-L. These twelve different markings A-L may be of any suitable nature or type. For example, the markings A-L may designate a different colour. Alternatively, they may designate a different picture. Indeed, the twelve different markings A-L may be actual letters. Thus, the actual nature of the markings A-L is not important and they may be of any suitable nature or type. Each face of the puzzle device 10 displays nine (9) faces

5 16 of the cubes 12. Each of these faces 16 carries one of the markings A-L as hereinbefore described. The specific arrangement of the markings A-L for the faces 16 of each cube 12 is shown in Figures 5-7. From these figures, it it possible to ascertain the particular arrangement of the

10 designated markings A-L on the faces 16 for each cube 12. Further, for easy identification of each cube 12 in Figures 5-7, each cube 12 is identified by a number adjacent thereto. By moving the cubes 12 within the frame 14 it is possible to arrange the cubes 12 such that each face of the

15 puzzle device 10 is comprised of faces 16 (of the cubes 12) that have the same designated marking 18 on that face of the puzzle device 10. In this way, the faces 16 of the cubes 12 appearing on each face of the puzzle device 10 carry the same marking 18 but each face of the puzzle

20 device 10 carries a different marking 18 from the set of markings A-F, or the set G-L. This is exemplified in Figures 5-7 in which the faces of the puzzle device 10 are made up of faces 16 of the cubes 12 carrying the same markings 18. Thus, on one face of the puzzle device 10 all

25 of the faces 16 carry markings A; similarly, the other faces of the puzzle device have all the displayed faces 16 carrying markings B,C,D,E & F, respectively. As indicated previously, the Figures 5-7 collectively show all of the faces 16 of all of the cubes 12 and the particular arrangement of the designated markings A-L thereon.

The Figures 5-7 show the cubes 12 in a first arrangement in which the designated markings A-F are displayed on respective faces of the puzzle device 10, since all the 5 faces 16 on a respective face of the puzzle device carry one of said respective designated markings. By moving the cubes 12 within the fame 14, it is possible to re-arrange the cubes 12 such that the faces of the puzzle device 10 display the six different markings: 10 G,H,I,J,K & L, respectively. This second arrangement is shown in Figure 8.

As can be seen in Figures 5-7, the faces 16 of the cubes 12 carrying the designated markings G-L are hidden inside the puzzle device 10 when it is in the first arrangement of 15 cubes 12 shown in Figures 5-7.

Additionally, as can be seen from Figures 5-7, and 8 some of the faces 16 of the cubes 12 that are hidden inside the puzzle device 10 may carry the same markings A-L that are displayed on the faces of the puzzle device 10 when in the 20 first or second arrangement. By way of example, the upper face of the puzzle device 10 in Figure 5 is comprised of faces 16 having designated markings A. However, there may be other faces 16 hidden inside the puzzle device 10 which also have the designated working A, e.g. cube no. 7 and 25 cube no. 18. However, these A's are false designated markings. This means that these two faces 16 of cube Nos. 7 and 18 could not be used to make up the face of the puzzle device 10 with faces 16 having markings A. If this was attempted, then the puzzle device 10 could not be solved. This provision of "false" markings 18 applies to the other designated markings B-L.

Thus, there is only one arrangement of the cubes 12 which produces the first arrangement of designated markings A-F on the faces of the puzzle device 10 shown in Figures 5-7. Similarly, there is only one arrangement of the cubes 12 which will produce the second arrangement of designated markings G-L on the faces of the puzzle device 10 shown in Figure 8. An alternative way of using the puzzle device 10 is to move the cubes 12 to disturb the markings A-F (or G-L) of the faces of the puzzle device 10 from the first (or second) arrangement, and then trying to return to the initial first (or second) arrangement. Thus, in summary, there are two ways in which the puzzle device 10 of Figs 5-8. can be used. Firstly, the cubes 12 can be disturbed from the first arrangement shown in Figures 5-7 and mixed up. The puzzle device 10 can then be solved by returning the cubes 12 to the first arrangement shown in Figures 5-7. The alternative way of playing is, after having mixed up the cubes 12, to bring out the second arrangement which is shown in Figure 8. This arrangement has the designated markings G-L on the faces of the puzzle device which were previously hidden within the puzzle device 10. The provision of genuine and false markings (colours) on the faces 16 of the cubes 12 can be examined mathematically, as follows.

These are: 3 x 3 x 3 = 27 available spaces. - 1 = 26 of these are taken up by the cubes (12) and one space is left vacant for the vacant space (24). 26 cubes x 6 faces/cube = 156 faces altogether.

IN FIRST ARRANGEMENT: 9 cube faces x 6 puzzle faces = 54 cube faces on display on the 6 puzzle faces; these show genuine colours A-F.

IN SECOND EMBODIMENT: 9 cube faces x 6 puzzle faces = 54 cube faces on display on the 6 puzzle faces; thse show genuine colours G-L.

FIRST AND SECOND ARRANGEMENTS COMBINED: 54 cubes faces = 54 cube faces = 108 faces of the cubes that are used for genuine colours A-L.

THIS MEANS: 156 (total number of cube faces) - 108 (total number of genuine faces) = 48 cube faces not genuine colours, i.e. 48 cube faces are false colours 48 false colour cube faces 2 (two sets of colours: A-F, G-L) = 24 false colour cube faces/set of colours (A-F/F-L).

Thus there are 48 false colour cube faces which could come to be displayed on the faces of the puzzle device, but cannot be used to solve the puzzle device.

FURTHER: 24 9false colour cube faces/set of colours) 6

(different colours) = 4 false colour cube faces of colour.

THEREFORE: Each colour has:

9 (genuine colour cube faces) + 4 (false colour cube faces) faces. 13 faces x 6 colours = 156 faces in total. FOR EACH SET OF SIX COLOURS:

(1) 8 (corner ) cubes have 3 adjacent faces with genuine colours: 24 faces (8 x 3) (2) 12 (middle, edge) cubes have 2 adjacent genuine colours: 24 faces (12x2).

(3) 6 (central) cubes have 1 genuine colour: 6 faces

(6x1)

THUS: For (1),(2),(3), above: 8 + 12 + 6 = 26 cubes; 24 + 24 + 6 = 54 faces with genuine colours.

Figures 9,10 and 11 relate to a second embodiment of the puzzle device 10 of the present invention.

In the puzzle device 10 shown in Figures 9-11, the cubes 12 variously are provided with nine different markings 18 which are designated: A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H & I. These can be of a similar nature as previously described with reference to the markings A-L.

In Figure 9, the puzzle device 10 is shown in an arrangement in which each of the faces of the puzzle device 10 displays faces 16 (of cubes 12) having the nine different markings in a different arrangement on each face of the puzzle device. That is, the nine markings A-I appear on each of the six faces of the puzzle device 10.

From the table shown in Figure 11, it is possible to ascertain the designated markings on the faces 16 of the cubes 12 which are obscured in Figure 9. The definition of the faces 16 of the cubes 12 (as arranged in Fig. 9) by the

Roman numerals I,II,111,IV,V and VI is shown in Figure 10.

As can be seen from Figure 9, the faces 16 of the cubes 12 which are hidden within the puzzle device 10 in the arrangement shown in Figure 9 also bear the designated markings A-I. However, all of the designated markings A-I inside the puzzle device 10 shown in Figures 9-11 are 5 "false" markings and none of these could be used to make up one of the faces of the puzzle device. If this is attempted, then the puzzle device 10 cannot be solved. Thus, there is only one arrangement of the cubes 12 which can solve the puzzle device to ensure that all of the six 10 faces of the puzzle device display the nine different markings A-I.

In the table shown in Fig. 11 all of the "genuine" (i.e. not "false") markings A-I are provided with an underline. The aim of solving the puzzle device of Figures 9-11 is to 15 firstly mix the cubes 12 from the arrangement shown in Figure 9. This will mean that some of the faces of the puzzle device 10 will have cubes 12 with faces 16 having two or more identical markings A-I. The aim of solving the puzzle device 10 (shown in Figs. 9-11) is to then return 20 the faces of the puzzle device 10 to the arrangement shown in Figure 9 in which each face displays faces 16 (of cubes 12) having nine different markings A-I.

The provision of genuine and false markings (colours) on the faces 16 of the cubes 12 can be examined 25 mathematically, as follows.

9 cube faces x 6 puzzle sides = 54 cube faces on display or puzzle faces; these show genuine colours A-I. 156 (total number of cube faces in puzzle device) - 54 (genuine colour faces) = 102 faces left.

These 102 faces cannot be used and are false colour faces. They cannot be used to solve the puzzle device by display

5 on the puzzle faces.

A third embodiment of the puzzle device 10 can be provided by using six different markings 18 such as markings: A,B,C,D,E and F, plus one additional different marking: G. This embodiment can be readily understood by referring to

10 Figures 5-7. If all of the visible faces 16 of the cubes 12 shown in Figures 5-7 are marked with the markings A-F as shown and all of the interior hidden faces 16 are marked with the additional seventh marking G. To solve a puzzle device 10 in this form, the steps are to

15 mix the cubes 12 so that some of faces 16 having markings G appear on the faces of the puzzle device 10. The aim is then to remove the faces 16 with markings G by moving the cubes 12 within the frame, so that each face of the puzzle device is comprised of faces 16 having respective markings

20 of the same type A-F, but not the marking G. This then returns the arrangement of the markings (A-G) to the selected arrangement for each face of the puzzle device 10. Similarly, a fourth embodiment can be provided which is best understood with reference to Figures 9-11. In this

25 fourth embodiment, the faces 16 of the cubes 12 which are displayed on the faces of the puzzle device 10 (in the selected arrangement) are marked in the same manner as shown in Figure 9 and in the table of Figure 11, with the markings A-I. However, all of the interior faces 16 which are hidden (in the selected arrangement) are marked with a 10th marking J.

To solve the puzzle device 10 of the fourth embodiment, the cubes 12 are mixed so that some J faces 16 with markings J appear on the faces of the puzzle device and the aim is to return the puzzle device 10 to show 9 different markings A-I on each of the faces of the puzzle device 10, but not the marking J.

A further fifth embodiment can be provided in which all of the outside faces 16 of the cubes 12 which make up the faces of the puzzle device 10 in the selected arrangement are of the same marking, say marking A; and all of the interior hidden faces 16 in the selected arrangement are of another marking, say marking B. The aim of the puzzle device 10 of this embodiment is to mix the cubes 12 so that some faces 16 with B markings appear on the faces of the puzzle device 10 and to then return the puzzle device 10 to shown only faces 16 with A markings on its faces. Similarly, the puzzle device of the present invention can be used in other ways by varying the nature of the markings 18 appearing on the faces 16 of the cubes 12. For example, the markings 18 may in combination, in a first arrangement, make up a picture on each of the faces of the puzzle device 10. After mixing the cubes 12 the aim in solving the puzzle device 10 is to return to the original arrangement which shows the pictures on the faces of the puzzle device. Alternatively, the faces 16 of the cubes 12 may be marked so that by mixing the cubes and manipulating them, it is possible to bring six new pictures onto the faces of the puzzle device 10. Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A puzzle device characterised in that it comprises: a plurality of block like elements; frame means in which said block like elements are held; said block like elements having faces with markings thereon and said puzzle device having faces that display some of said faces of said block like elements; wherein said block like elements are movable within said frame means and are arrangeable in an arrangement such that said faces of said puzzle device display faces of said block like elements that have said markings arranged in at least one selected arrangement.

2. A puzzle device according to claim 1, characterised in that said frame means is provided with openings such that said block like elements can be accessed and moved within said frame means and such that said markings are displayed on said faces of said puzzle device.

3. A puzzle device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said block like elements are provided as a 3-dimensional array within said frame means and a vacant space corresponding to a block like element is provided to enable the block like elements to be moved within said frame means.

4. A puzzle device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that at least one of said block like elements comprises wall means having openings therein with filler means located within said wall means which carries said markings which are visible through said openings in said wall means of said block like elements.

5. A puzzle device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that at least one of said block like elements comprises wall means having openings therein with filler means located within said wall means, and respective marking carrying means disposed between said filler means and respective openings.

6. A puzzle device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said markings comprise a first set of different markings and a second set of further different markings, and said block like elements are moveable such that said markings are arrangeable in a first said selected arrangement in which each face of said puzzle device has all the faces of said block like elements having a respective same marking from said first set of different markings, and a second said selected arrangement in which each face of said puzzle device has all the faces of said block like elements having a respective same marking from said second set of different markings.

7. A puzzle device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said markings comprise a set of different markings, and said block like elements are moveable such that said markings are arrangeable in a said selected arrangement in which each face of said puzzle device has all the faces of said block like elements having a respective different marking from said set.

8. A puzzle device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said markings comprise a set of different markings and a further different marking, and said block like elements are moveable such that said markings are arrangeable in a said selected arrangement in which each face of said puzzle device has all the faces of said block like elements having a respective same marking from said set of different markings. 5

9. A puzzle device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said markings comprise a set of different markings and a further marking, and said block like elements are moveable such that said markings are arrangeable in a said selected arrangement in which each 10 face of said puzzle device has all the faces of said block like elements having a respective different marking from said set of different markings.

10. A puzzle device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said markings comprise a first 15 marking and a second marking, and said block like elements are moveable such that said markings are arrangeable in a said selected arrangement in which each face of said puzzle device has all the faces of said block like elements said first marking and the number of faces of said block like 20 .elements with said first markings is the same as the total number of faces of said block like elements that are displayed on the faces of said puzzle device in said selected arrangement.

11. A puzzle device according to any one of claims 1 to 25 10, characterised in that said markings are colours.

12. A puzzle device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said markings comprise set of markings, and said block like elements are moveable such that said markings are arrangeable in a selected arranσement in which the faces of block like elements displayed on a respective face of said puzzle device collectively make up a picture, each picture being comprised of said markings of a respective said set of markings.