WO1994021343A1

WO1994021343A1 - Sliding puzzle game

Info

Publication number: WO1994021343A1
Application number: PCT/AU1994/000138
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lex Michael Martin
Original assignee: Lex Michael Martin
Priority date: 1993-03-19
Filing date: 1994-03-17
Publication date: 1994-09-29

Abstract

A puzzle game comprises a base (10) having a planar rectangular base member (14) and raised perimeter edge portion (11). At opposed ends of the base (10) a space exists between the edge portion (11) and the base member (14) to provide elongate slots (12 and 13), respectively. A series of elongate movable members (15) extend through the slots and have thicker end portions (16 and 17) respectively, which act as stops and prevent the movable members being removed from the base. Each movable member is slidable back and forth in the longitudinal direction relative to the others until the respective end portions bear on the base. The upper face (18) of each movable member has parts of animal or bird shapes printed thereon and by arranging several of the movable members in specific relative positions by longitudinal sliding movement, it is possible to create the complete shape of one or more animals or birds.

Description

SLIDING PUZZLE GAME

The present invention relates to a novelty puzzle game and more particularly to a game of the kind where a number of adjacent movable components each having parts of shapes pictorially represented on a face thereof are moved to different relative positions to reveal different complete shapes.

Many puzzle type games with movable components are known and one which has some similarities with the present invention comprises a square board with an array of smaller square components mounted thereon for relative sliding movement whereby each smaller square is movable in two mutually perpendicular directions around the board (due to one vacant square) so as to re-arrange the positions of the components. The components may have letters thereon such that the object of the game is to re-arrange the components to form words or may have parts of a complete shape thereon such that re-arrangement to the correct positions forms a completed shape. The components slidably interlock with each other and with a perimeter of the board to retain the components in place on the board.

The object of the present invention is to provide a novelty puzzle game having slidable components which is simple in construction and thereby economical to manufacture and which requires a relatively low skill level whereby it appeals to young children.

Accordingly the invention provides a puzzle game comprising a base and a plurality of movable members slidably retained on said base, characterized in that, said movable members are elongate members having a planar face and are arranged on said base one adjacent the next such that the faces are co-planar, each member is slidable back and forth relative to the other members and has part of a shape on the face thereof whereby positioning of two or more members in a specific relative position forms a completed shape. In order that the invention may be more readily understood a particular embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a separate perspective view of the two basic parts which form a game according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an assembled puzzle game formed with the parts according to Figure 1;

Figures 3 and 4 are front elevations of the game of Figures 1 and 2 with printed matter on the sliding parts whereby a game may be played.

Referring now to the drawings, it can be seen that the puzzle game comprises a base 10 having a planar rectangular base member 14 and a raised perimeter edge portion 11. The edge portion 11 is fixed directly to the base member 14 along the longer sides and is spaced from the base member 14 at the opposed shorter ends. This results in the provision of elongate slots 12 and 13, respectively, which extend along the shorter ends of the base member 14 between the base member and the perimeter edge portion 11.

In addition, the puzzle game comprises a series of elongate sliding members 15 which are adapted to extend through the respective slots 12 and 13 and which have an upper face 18. The elongate members 15 are considerable longer than the length of the base 10 and have thicker end portions or stops 16 and 17, respectively, which prevent the elongate members being removed from the base 10. The end stops 16 and 17 bear on the ends of the base 10 to limit longitudinal sliding movement of the members 15 in either direction.

As can be more readily appreciated in Figure 2, the elongate sliding members 15 may be moved to any position between the extremities of movement relative to the other members 15. As is more clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4, each movable member 15 has various parts of a number of shapes depicted thereon. In the present case each movable member 15 includes part of the shape of a native Australian animal or bird. In Figure 3 it can be seen that movement of all seven slidable members 15 to the extreme right hand position causes formation of a koala bear 19. Likewise as is evident in Figure 4, adjustment of the sliding members 15 in a longitudinal direction to the position shown causes formation of the complete shape of a kangaroo 20 and a wombat 21. Obviously by moving the members 15 to other relative positions, different animals or birds can be formed within the perimeter edge portion 11.

According to the preferred embodiment, the puzzle game is formed from cardboard material but clearly other suitable materials can be used. For example, the components forming the game could be moulded from plastics material. Other shapes besides the birds and animals of the preferred embodiment may be used such as geometric shapes and other shapes which would provide educational material for young children. Clearly, the number of slidable members 15 may be varied, as may be the shape and size of the base 10. For example, the base 10 could be triangular or circular or other suitable shapes, and it is envisaged that the slidable members 15 could also have an annular shape and be rotatable in order to change the relative position thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A puzzle game comprising a base and a plurality of movable members slidably retained on said base, characterized in that, said movable members are elongate members having a planar face and are arranged on said base one adjacent the next such that the faces are co-planar, each member is slidable back and forth relative to the other members and has part of a shape on the face thereof whereby positioning of two or more members in a specific relative position forms a completed shape.

2. A game as defined in claim 1, characterized in that, each member is slidable in a single direction and has part of several shapes on the face thereof whereby many different completed shapes may be formed by different relative positions of said members.

3. A puzzle as defined in claim 2, characterized in that, said base is a rectangular planar base member having a raised perimeter edge and a slot is provided along opposed ends of said base between said raised edge and said base member and said movable members are longer than the distance between said slots and extend through each slot.

4. A puzzle as defined in claim 3, characterized in that, said movable members have thicker end portion which are incapable of passing through said slots.

5. A puzzle as defined in claim 4, characterized in that, more than five said movable members are provided and a combination of two or more movable members are required to make a completed shape.

6. A puzzle as defined in claim 5, characterized in that, said shapes are native

Australian animals or birds, and seven movable members are provided which enable formation of one or more of nine different animals or birds at one time.

7. A puzzle as defined in claim 6, characterized in that, said base and movable members are formed of cardboard.