PUZZLE

Abstract: A puzzle (11) comprising a plurality of shaped modules (15) and a retaining means (17) for retaining the modules (15) in an assembled arrangement. The retaining means (17) defines three mutually perpendicular axes, intersecting at a common point (31), and about which the shaped modules (15) selectively pivot to enable the puzzle (11) to assume a plurality of configurations. One of the configurations represents a solved condition such that when in that condition the puzzle has at least one axis of symmetry, wherein the common point is eccentrically located with respect to the at least one symmetrical axis of the puzzle (11) when in its solved condition.

Description: Title "Puzzle" Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a puzzle. In particular the invention relates to a puzzle in the form of a three dimensional device. Background Art Puzzles in the form of the well-known Rubiks Cube have entertained, bemused and delighted people in recent periods. However, these puzzles do eventually become neglected and forgotten, especially once the solution is apparent. Puzzles like the Rubiks Cube generally have a basic shape, whereby no movement of the various tiers can take place unless the puzzle is in its basic shape, which in the case of Rubiks puzzle is a cube. Therefore, as the shape of the puzzle remains the same at all stages of solving the puzzle, the object of the puzzle is simply to get each face representing one colour. The Rubiks Cube has a connecting element in the geometrical centre of the cube. The connecting element is used to hold the elements of the puzzle in a cubic arrangement, and due to its central position, the shape of the puzzle remains substantially the same as mentioned above. The present invention seeks to provide a puzzle which has a particular shape when in its solved condition, but which is relatively irregular in shape whilst manipulating the moving parts. In order to solve the puzzle the user must return it to its original shape. Disclosure of the Invention The present invention provides a puzzle comprising a plurality of shaped modules and a retaining means for retaining the modules in an assembled arrangement, wherein the retaining means defines three mutually perpendicular axes about which the shaped modules selectively pivot to enable the puzzle to assume a plurality of configurations, wherein one of said configurations represents a solved condition such that when in that condition the puzzle has at least one axis of symmetry, and wherein the three mutually perpendicular axes intersect at a common point eccentrically located with respect to the at least one symmetrical axis of the puzzle when in its solved condition. The retaining means may comprise three elongate elements each defining a respective one of the three axes. Each elongate element may have two opposed ends. Each opposed end may have a retaining projection extending laterally therefrom. Preferably each retaining projection is rotatably mounted with respect to the common point of the retaining means. The shaped modules may comprise an engaging means for engagement with the retaining projections so as to be slidably retained thereby. The engaging means may be in the form of a protrusion from the module which may be received within the retaining means and/or adjacent module. Each protrusion may be orientated such that it protrudes towards the common point of the retaining means when the puzzle is in an assembled arrangement. Preferably each shaped module and retaining projection comprises an exterior surface adapted to provide the puzzle with a regular shape when the puzzle is in its solved condition. Preferably remaining surfaces of the shaped modules are interior planar surfaces. Each interior planar surface may be configured to allow rotation of the shaped modules about the common point of the retaining means. Preferably rotation of one retaining projection induces movement of the adjacent modules. Preferably each retaining projection is located on one or more of the interior planar surfaces. The exterior surface of each module may bear indicia which represent a coordinated solution when the puzzle is in its solved condition. Preferably the indicia is in the form of a pattern and/or colours. In one aspect of invention the puzzle comprises twenty shaped modules and one retaining means having six retaining projections. The puzzle may have a first, second and third tiers, the first and third tiers each comprising one retaining projection and eight modules, and the second tier being located between the first and third tiers and having four retaining projections and four modules. Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of several specific embodiments thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the puzzle in a solved arrangement; Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the puzzle having only the middle longitudinal tier rotated; Figure 4 is an underside perspective view of the puzzle having only the middle axial tier rotated; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the puzzle having only one end tier rotated; Figure 6 is a side view of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the puzzle after several tiers have been moved successively; Figure 8 is a perspective view from the underside of the retaining means with one projection shown in dotted outline; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the interior planar surfaces of three adjacent shaped modules; and Figure 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the puzzle in a solved arrangement. Best Mode(s) for Carrying out the Invention Referring to Figures 1 to 9, the puzzle 11 according to a first embodiment comprises twenty shaped modules 15 and a retaining means 17 for retaining the modules 15 in an assembled arrangement. The interaction between the retaining means 17 and the shaped modules 15 of the puzzle 11 is similar to the interaction of the various components of the Rubiks Cube. The retaining means 17, as shown in Figure 8, comprises three mutually perpendicular elongate elements 21 , each having two opposed ends 23 and intersecting at a common point 31. A retaining projection 19 extends laterally from each opposed end 23, and is rotatably mounted thereon. Each shaped module 15 and retaining projection 19 has an exterior surface 25. The exterior surface 25 is shaped so that when the puzzle is in its solved condition, the shaped modules 15 and retaining projections 19 collectively represent a cylinder 13, as shown in Figure 1. As shown in figure 9, each shaped module 15 further comprises a protrusion 33 adapted to be slidably retained by the retaining projections 19 and/or adjacent shaped modules 15. When the puzzle is in an assembled arrangement, the protrusion 33 on each shaped module 15 is orientated such that it protrudes towards the common point 31 of the retaining means 17. The remaining surfaces of each shaped module 15 represent interior planar surfaces 27, with at least one interior planar surface 27 incorporating the protrusion 33. The interior planar surfaces 27 allow interior planar surfaces on adjacent modules 15 to slide thereacross when the puzzle 11 is manipulated to a different configuration. The puzzle 11 can assume a plurality of configurations, several of which appear in Figures 1 and 3 to 7. One such configuration is a solved condition, representing the cylinder 13, as previously discussed and shown in Figure 1. In this condition the cylinder 13 has three axes of symmetry intersecting at its geometric centre (not shown). The common point 31 of the elongate elements 21 is spaced from the geometric centre of the cylinder 13 so as to be eccentric with respect thereto. In this embodiment, the common point 31 is offset from all three axes of symmetry. As the common point 31 of the three axis of rotation is offset from the symmetrical axes, the puzzle 11 can only represent its original shape when in its solved condition. All other configurations represent an irregular shape. This increases the level of difficulty, making it harder to find the solution for the puzzle. The cylinder 13 has three tiers extending along each one of the three elongate elements 21. As shown in Figure 4 for example, the elongate element 21a, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder 13, has a first tier 35, a second tier 37 and a third tier 39. Each tier is rotatable about its respective elongate element 21 relative to the eccentrically positioned common point 31. Rotating a tier of the cylinder 13 will result in the puzzle 11 taking on an irregular shaped configuration, as shown in Figures 3 to 6, due to the eccentric orientation of the common point 31 with respect to the geometrical centre. Further rotation of the tiers will distort the puzzle 11 further away from its solved condition, as shown in Figure 7. Due to the eccentricity of the common point 31 relative to the geometrical centre, the puzzle 11 will have a plurality of configurations which are irregular in shape, but only one configuration in which the puzzle 11 will be in the form of a cylinder 13. To add another dimension to the puzzle 11 , the exterior surface 25 of the shaped modules 15 may bear a pattern, a colour or colours, and/or other indicia such that when the puzzle 11 is in its solved arrangement the pattern represents a recognisable representation. For example, the cylinder 13 may be in the form of a beverage can, and the exterior of the cylinder 13 may bear the label of a well- known beverage. Hence, when the puzzle is in a solved condition, it will be similar in appearance to the can of the well-known beverage. Another embodiment of the puzzle 11 is in the form of a sphere 61 as shown in Figures 10. The construction of the sphere is similar to that of the cylinder 13. In this embodiment, the pattern on the exterior of the sphere 61 may represent a soccer ball or basketball and may have the colours of a particular team. Further embodiments may include an Australian football, rugby ball, American football or a tennis ball. Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims: The Claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. A puzzle comprising a plurality of shaped modules and a retaining means for retaining the modules in an assembled arrangement, wherein the retaining means defines three mutually perpendicular axes about which the shaped modules selectively pivot to enable the puzzle to assume a plurality of configurations, wherein one of said configurations represents a solved condition such that when in that condition the puzzle has at least one axis of symmetry, and wherein the three mutually perpendicular axes intersect at a common point eccentrically located with respect to the at least one symmetrical axis of the puzzle when in its solved condition. 2. A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein the retaining means comprises three elongate elements each defining a respective one of the three axes. 3. A puzzle according to claim 2 wherein each elongate element has two opposed ends. 4. A puzzle according to claim 3 wherein each opposed end has a retaining projection extending laterally therefrom. 5. A puzzle according to claim 4 wherein each retaining projection is rotatably mounted with respect to the common point of the retaining means. 6. A puzzle according to claims 4 or 5 wherein the shaped modules comprise an engaging means for engagement with the retaining projections so as to be slidably retained thereby. 7. A puzzle according to claim 6 wherein the engaging means is in the form of a protrusion from the module which is receivable within the retaining means and/or adjacent module. 8. A puzzle according to claim 7 wherein each protrusion is orientated such that it protrudes towards the common point of the retaining means when in an assembled arrangement. 9. A puzzle according to any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein each shaped module and retaining projection comprises an exterior surface adapted to provide the puzzle with a regular shape when the puzzle is in its solved condition. 10. A puzzle according to claim 9 wherein remaining surfaces of the shaped modules are interior planar surfaces. 11. A puzzle according to claim 10 wherein each interior planar surface is configured to allow rotation of the shaped modules about the common point of the retaining means. 12. A puzzle according to any one of claims 4 to 11 wherein rotation of one retaining projection induces movement of the adjacent modules. 13. A puzzle according to claims 10, 11 or 12 wherein each retaining projection is located on one or more of the interior planar surfaces. 14. A puzzle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the exterior surface of each module bears indicia which represent a coordinated solution when the puzzle is in its solved condition. 15. A puzzle according to claim 10 wherein the indicia is in the form of a pattern and/or colours. 16. A puzzle according to any one of the preceding claims comprising twenty shaped modules and one retaining means having six retaining projections. 17. A puzzle according to any one of the preceding claims having a first, second and third tiers, the first and third tiers each comprising one retaining projection and eight modules, and the second tier being located between the first and third tiers and having four retaining projections and four modules. 8. A puzzle as substantially herein described with reference to the drawings.

Inventors: PASQUARELLI FELICE ANTONIO, PASQUARELLI, FELICE, ANTONIO
Applicants: HOWARD JOHN, PASQUARELLI FELICE ANTONIO, HOWARD, JOHN, PASQUARELLI, FELICE, ANTONIO
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A63F9
IPC codes: A63F9