A PUZZLE

Abstract: The present invention provides a puzzle which includes a core member (12) and a plurality of substantially planar elements (14). The sequential mounting of the planar elements (14) on the core member (12) forms a three-dimensional figure.

Description: A PUZ ZLE The present invention relates to a puzzle and, more particularly to a puzzle which when assembled forms three-dimensional figures, or statues. An almost virtually endless variety of puzzles are known. Perhaps the best known are the many varieties of jigsaw puzzles wherein the objective is to fit together a number of segments in the proper manner so as to form a coherent picture or image. According to the present invention there is provided a puzzle comprising: at least one core member; and a plurality of substantially planar elements each formed with an opening through which the at least one core member extends when the planar element is mounted on the core member, wherein: when the elements are mounted in a proper order on said core member the planar elements together form a three-dimensional figure. Also according to the present invention there is provided a method of creating a three dimensional figure, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a core member and a plurality of substantially planar elements each formed with an opening therethrough, and (b) mounting the planar elements in a proper order on the core member to form the three-dimensional figure, the core member extending through the openings in the planar elements when the planar elements are mounted on the core member. The present invention is of a puzzle which, when properly assembled through the correct assembly of individual planar elements, forms a three-dimensional figure, such as a sculpture or statue. For convenience and for ease of presentation, the system and method of the present invention is referred to in the specification as a "sculpture puzzle", it being understood that the present invention need not necessarily form a sculpture but may form any three- dimensional figure, nor is it necessary that the system be used as a puzzle. The present invention discloses a novel puzzle which calls for the user to create a three dimensional figure through the proper sequential mounting of planar elements with openings onto a core. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an example of a completed sculpture puzzle according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows another example of a completed sculpture puzzle according to the present invention; Figures 3 to 7 show a number of examples of cores which may be employed in sculpture puzzles according to the present invention; Figure 8 illustrates one method of anchoring a core in a sculpture puzzle according to the present invention; Figure 9 illustrates a second method of anchoring a core member to a base member in a sculpture puzzle according to the present invention; Figure 10 illustrates a third method of anchoring a core member in a sculpture puzzle according to the present invention; Figure 11 shows another example of a sculpture puzzle according to the present invention featuring auxiliary cores; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the auxiliary cores of Figure 11 and their anchoring in an anchoring segment; Figure 13 shows another example of a completed sculpture puzzle according to the present invention made of a relatively small number of segments; Figure 14 shows a composite segment according to the present invention made up of a number of smaller interconnected sections; Figure 15 shows a further composite segment; and Figure 16 shows an additional composite segment which includes a hollowed out portion. The present invention is of a sculpture puzzle and a method for its use which can create complex three-dimensional figures through mounting in proper sequence of a number of planar elements on a core member. The principles and operation of a puzzle according to the present invention (for convenience referred to as a sculpture puzzle) may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 illustrate two typical sculpture puzzles, a rocket and a motorcycle and rider, respectively, as they might appear once the puzzle has been properly solved. In each case, the sculpture puzzle includes a number of planar elements. The lower portion of the sculpture puzzle is a base assembly 10 (illustrated in Figure 1) which can take on various configurations, as described in more detail below. The function of base assembly 10, as that term is used herein, is to retain the segments of the puzzle so as to prevent them from inadvertently sliding off the bottom end of a main core member 12, as described below. Base assembly 10 may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, plastic, wood, cardboard and the like. Attached to the base assembly 10 is the main core member 12, shown in broken lines in Figures 1 and 11. The bottom end of main core member 12 is suitably connected to, or integrally formed with, the base assembly 10. The function of the main core member 12 is described in more detail below. Main core member 12 may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, wood, cardboard, and the like. A sculpture puzzle of the present invention further includes a number of substantially planar elements 14. The planar elements 14 are each formed with an opening therethrough which is dimensioned to accommodate the main core member 12. The planar elements 14 are mounted on the main core member 12 by sliding the planar elements 14 along the main core member. When the planar elements 14 are mounted in a correct sequence, a complex three dimensional figure is formed. Examples of three complex dimensional figures are shown in Figures 1, 2 and 11. The planar elements 14 may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, wood, cardboard, and the like. The planar elements 14 may all be of the same thickness or they may have different thicknesses. The planar elements 14 ,may be coloured or printed, especially on their edges so that the three dimensional figure is coloured. The colouring of planar elements 14 may also make it easier for the user to put together the puzzle in a correct sequence. To make the puzzle easier to solve, some or all of planar elements 14 may feature writings, such as numerals, which help the user correctly create the three dimensional figure. Each element 14 may be symmetrical about the main core member 12. Preferably, at least one, and more preferably, most of planar elements 14 are asymmetrical about the main core member so that each of these segments must be mounted on the main core member 14 not only in the correct sequence but also with the proper lateral orientation (or rotational position relative to the main core member 14) . Preferably, there is no limitation on the size, as measured, for example, by the surface area, of a planar element and the size of an adjacent element so that it is entirely possible, for example, for a first planar element to have a smaller surface area than an adjacent planar element located between the first planar element and the base assembly. Thus, the sequence of planar elements is not onotonic and succeeding planar elements may have various sizes and shapes regardless of the sizes and shapes of the adjacent planar elements. Because the planar elements 14 are substantially planar, contact between adjacent planar elements 14 is along a plane. As can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, various features of the three dimensional figures are formed by a number of planar elements 14. For example, each of the wings of the rocket of Figure 1 is formed of portions of ten or more planar elements 14. One or more main core members 12 of various cross-sectional shapes may be used. Shown in cross- section in Figures 3 to 7 are various numbers and shapes of core members. It is to be understood that the planar elements include corresponding openings which fit over and match the core member(s) . For example, Figure 2 shows a single circular core member. Using a single circular core significantly complicates the "solving" of the puzzle in that every element can be placed on the core member in a great number of lateral orientations (or rotational positions relative to the core member) . Figure 4 shows a puzzle which has a pair of main core members attached to a base member; using two core members limits the possible orientations of each planar element to two in the case in which the two core members are of the same shape and diameter. When the pair of core members are of different diameters there is only a single possible lateral orientation, which considerably simplifies the solution of the puzzle. Another way to ensure that only a single lateral configuration is possible is shown in Figure 5 which shows a triangular cross- section with one side being shorter than the others. When the rriangular cross-section is equilateral (Figure 6) three orientations are possible. Similarly when a cross-section of core is used which is a regular hexagon (Figure 7) then the puzzle accommodates six possible orientations of element. Base assembly 10 may be formed in any one of a number of ways. Three possibilities are illustrated in Figures 8 to 10. In Figure 8, base assembly 10' includes a base member 20 to which a main core member 12 is permanently connected in any suitable fashion. Alternatively, the main core member 12 may be integrally formed with base member 20. Shown in Figure 9 is another base assembly 10" wherein main core member 12' comprises a thin broadened anchoring element 22 at its bottom end. Base assembly 10" includes a pair of sections 24 and 26 which are connected to each other by some suitable manner, such as, for example, through use of a suitable adhesive, so that one of each of sections 24 is on each side of anchoring element 22. Section 24 features an opening for accommodating core member 12 while section 26 is preferably without such an opening. Shown in Figure 10 is another base assembly 10'" Base assembly 10'" includes three sections 28, 30 and 31 which are connected to each other by some suitable manner, such as, for example, through use of a suitable adhesive. Section 28 features an opening for accommodating core member 12" while section 30 is without such an opening Ξ that core member 12" is supported at the bottom by section 30 while being supported at the sides by section 28 and an additional section 31 forming base assembly 10'". Preferably, a sculpture puzzle according to the present invention includes a suitable closure member (40 in Figure 1) which can be attached to the top end of main core member 12. The closure member serves to secure planar elements 14 on main core member 12 thereby preventing the inadvertent removal of planar elements 14 from main core member 12. Various mechanisms may be envisioned for closure member 40, including, but not limited to, the screwing of a threaded closure member 40 onto a threaded top portion of the main core member 12, the snapping or pressure fitting of the closure member 40 onto the top of the main core member 12, and the like. The closure member 40 may be a distinct and separate unit or it may be identical with, or very similar to one of the planar elements. For example, the planar element placed last could have a number of protrusions which extend ..nwardly from the periphery of the opening in the element such once the element is pressed on the core member, the protrusions tend retain the element in place . For some three-dimensional figures it is advantageous to make use of one or more auxiliary core members in order to allow construction of features which would otherwise be difficult or impossible to construct using only one main core member. For example, as will be readily appreciated, the upper part of the motorcycle visor and the upper part of the rear luggage compartment of the motorcycle in Figure 2 cannot be supported solely by a main core member which runs vertically through the main portion of the figure. To overcome this limitation, and to provide the puzzle with a greatly enhanced versatility in the formation of even very complicated figures, it is proposed to use one or more auxiliary core members. The principle of an auxiliary core member is illustrated in Figures 11 and 12. Figure 11 shows a portion of a figure (a rabbit's head) featuring a main core member 12. Shown in Figure 11 is a special element 50 on which are mounted a pair of auxiliary core members 52. Once special element 50 is placed over the main core member 12, auxiliary core members 52 can be used to place additional planar elements which are not mounted over the main core member 12. Auxiliary core members 52 can be made from the same material as the main core member 12 or from different materials. The special planar element 50 may feature an anchoring layer 54, such as a thin metal layer, to which the auxiliary core members 52 are suitably attached. Alternatively, auxiliary core members 52 may be anchored using the techniques described with reference to Figures 8 to 10 with regard to the anchoring of main core members 12, 12' or 12" to the base assembly. It is to be noted from Figures 11 and 12 that auxiliary core members 52 need not be orientated in the same direction as main core member 12 , further enhancing the versatility of the structure. To create a three-dimensional figure, the user would sequentially mount planar elements in the proper order and, where appropriate correct orientation onto the main core member and any auxiliary core members, by sliding the planar elements downwardly from the top of the or each core member. If a mistake is made so that either a wrong element is mounted or a correct element is mounted but in the wrong orientation, the user would remove the planar elements which were placed subsequently and would correct the mistake before continuing. Provided that all the planar elements are mounted in a correct sequence, and where appropriate, correct orientation, the desired three- dimensional figure is produced. The first mounted element is supported by the base assembly and the remainder of the mounted planar elements by both the base assembly and the one or more mounted planar elements lying between the particular mounted element and the base assembly. Gravity helps each planar element to slide downwardly on the or each core member. In one alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 13, especially suitable for beginning users and/or children, planar elements 114 each have a cross-section which varies axially on the core member and the planar elements are relatively large so that each segment 114 may include a number of features. Because the sculpture puzzle is made up of relatively few segments 114, each of which is easily distinguishable from the others, the sculpture puzzle is considerably easier to solve. Shown in Figures 14, 15, and 16 are examples of further alternative embodiments of the present invention. In Figure 14 a planar element 214 of a sculpture puzzle is made up of a plurality of sections which are connectable with each other in the manner of conventional two-dimensional jigsaw puzzles to form the overall composite planar element 214. Thus prior to inserting the planar elements over the core member each composite planar element 214 is first assembled from two or more pieces (three are shown in Figure 14) in jigsaw fashion. The completed composite planar element 214 is then placed over a core member, as described above. Alternatively, each composite planar element 214 may be assembled or fully assembled only after the portion of composite segment 214 with an opening is placed over the core member. A portion of the periphery of the section of composite planar element 214 which includes the opening for insertion over the core may partially define the periphery of the formed composite planar element 214, as in Figure 14, or alternatively, the second which includes the opening may be an interior section such that no portion of its periphery coincides with the periphery of the formed composite planar element 214, as in Figure 15. Shown in Figure 16 is a planar element 314, which may or may not be composite (as indicated by the broken line) which is not a solid disc but which. instead, features an internal cutout 315 so that, when the planar element 314 is used in assembly of a sculpture puzzle, the assembled sculpture puzzle contains a hollowed out volume. The presence of cutout 315 reduces the weight of the planar elements and the resulting assembled sculpture puzzle and may reduce the manufacturing costs through a reduction in the material costs. In addition, the hollowed out volume may be used for storage, if desired. While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. In particular the orientation of assembly could be changed and, for instance, the main core member 12 could be horizontal in use. The base assembly would then permit the main core member 12 to extend horizontally from the base member with the core member spaced apart from a surface beneath so that the planar elements are then slid laterally toward the base assembly rather than vertically as previously described. The base assembly is not essential since a number of planar elements would be mounted on a core to form a structure which is itself self-supporting. If necessary planar elements at each end of the core member could be threaded to securely engage them to the core member for securing the planar elements lying between the end planar elements.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Λ puzzle, comprising: a core member and a plurality of substantially planar elements each formed with an opening through which the core member extends when the planar elements are mounted on the core member, wherein when the planar elements are mounted in a proper order on said core member the planar elements together form a three dimensional figure. 2. A puzzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of elements has a planar cross- section different to the planar cross-section of another planar element such that the formed three- dimensional figure varies in cross-section when constructed. 3. A puzzle as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 which is solved by assembling a chosen three-dimensional figure by mounting the planar elements in proper order on the core members. 4. A puzzle as claimed in any of the preceding claims which comprises a base assembly and wherein the core member is at a first end attached to the base assembly and has a second free second end, the planar elements being slidable along the core member from the second end towards the base assembly. 5. A puzzle as claimed in claim 4 wherein the core member extends upwardly from the base assembly and the planar elements can slide along the core member by the action of gravity. 6. A puzzle as claimed in any one the preceding claims, wherein the core member is substantially circular in cross-section over at least part of its length and at least some of the planar elements have openings of matching circular cross-section. 7. A puzzle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the core member is polygonal in cross-section over at least part of its length and at least some of the planar elements have openings of matching polygonal cross-section. 8. A puzzle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the core member is a regular poiygon in cross- section over at least part of its length and at least some of the planar elements have openings of matching polygonal cross-section. 9. A puzzle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of core members. 10. A puzzle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising a core member and an auxiliary core member provided on at. least one of the plurality of planar elements wherein some of the plurality of planar elements are mountable on the auxiliary core member whereby when the three dimensional figure is constructed some of the plurality of planar elements are mounted on the core member and others are mounted on the auxiliary core member. 11. A puzzle as claimed in claim 4, wherein said base assembly includes a base member to which said at least one core member is permanently connected. 12. A puzzle as claimed in claim 4, wherein said base assembly includes a base member which is integrally formed with at least one core member. 13. A puzzle as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one core member includes a broadened anchoring element at the first end of the core member and wherein the base assembly includes a pair of sections which are connected to each other with one of each of said sections being on each side of said anchoring element. 14. A puzzle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the base assembly includes a first section and a second section, said second section formed with an opening therethrough for slidably accommodating at least one core member and said first section being solid so as to support the first end of the core member. 15. A puzzle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a closure member attachable to an end of at least one core member, said closure member serving to secure planar elements on the core member. 16. A puzzle as claimed in claim 15, wherein the end of the core member and the closure member are threaded so as to allow the closure member to screw onto the core member. 17. A puzzle as claimed in claim 15, wherein the closure member is designed to snap onto the end of the core member. 18. A puzzle as claimed in claim 15, wherein the closure member is designed to pressure-fit onto the end of the core member. 19. A puzzle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the planar elements is a composite element made up of a plurality of interconnected sections, at least one of said sections being formed with the opening through which the core member extends when the planar element is mounted on the core member. 20. A puzzle as claimed in claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the periphery of said the one section formed with the opening forms a portion of the periphery of the assembled composite planar element. 21. A puzzle as claimed in claim 19, wherein the section formed with the opening has a periphery which is interior to the periphery of said composite segment. 22. A puzzle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said planar segments includes an internal cutout. 23. A puzzle as claimed in any one of claims 19, 20 or 21 wherein at least one of the composite segments includes an internal cut out. 24. A puzzle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each planar element has first and second parallel spaced apart planar exterior surfaces and at least one of the parallel spaced apart planar surfaces of each planar element abuts at least one of the parallel spaced apart planar surfaces of another planar element when the planar elements are mounted on a core member. 25. A puzzle as claimed in claim 24, wherein each planar element has a portion extending between the first and second parallel spaced apart planar exterior surfaces which is of constant cross-section, said cross-section being taken in a plane parallel to the planar exterior surfaces. 26. A puzzle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein at least one of the planar elements forms a plurality of features of said three dimensional figure. 27. A method of creating a three dimensional figure, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a core member and a plurality of substantially planar elements each formed with an opening therethrough, and (b) mounting the planar elements in a proper order onto the core member to form the three dimensional figure, the core member extending through the openings in the planar elements when the planar elements are mounted on the core member. 28. A method of creating a three dimensional figure as claimed in claim 27 wherein at least one of the planar elements has a planar cross-section different to the planar cross-sections of the other planar elements and the method includes the steps of selecting between the planar elements and mounting a selected one or a selected group of the planar elements on the core member before selecting a further one or a further group of planar elements for mounting on the core member, in order to form a three- dimensional figure of a chosen varying cross-section. 29. A method of creating a three dimensional figure as claimed in either claim 27 or claim 28, wherein one of the planar elements is provided with an auxiliary core member and the method includes the step of selecting a first plurality of planar elements and mounting the first plurality of planar elements on a core member, next mounting on the core member the planar element provided with the auxiliary core member and then selecting a second plurality of planar elements and mounting the second plurality of planar elements on the auxiliary core member.

Inventors: DRUCKMAN GIL, HERSHKOVITZ DAN, DRUCKMAN, GIL, HERSHKOVITZ, DAN
Applicants: REALLY USEFUL GAMES COMPANY LI, THE REALLY USEFUL GAMES COMPANY LIMITED
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A63F9
IPC codes: A63F9