Abstract:
A puzzle preferably including a case and a plurality of elements contained therein, each having at least one recess (preferably six) formed thereon. Each of the elements is secured in a fixed position relative to the case and rotatable about at least two, and preferably three, perpendicular axes of rotation. Each of the plurality of elements has a starting position from which the element can be rotated about any one of the axes of rotation. Rotation of each element is limited to one of the axes of rotation when the element is not in the starting position. At least one insert (preferably one less in number than the total number of recesses in the elements) is provided. Each insert includes first and second opposing surfaces that are adapted to be received in any one of the recesses.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to puzzles. 
     A wide variety of puzzles and puzzle devices are available, including both mechanical and electronic puzzles. In such puzzles, the user manipulates the puzzle to achieve a desired result or to solve a problem. The well-known Rubik&#39;s Cube is an example of such a puzzle, wherein the user is required to rotate portions of a cube that are each made up of smaller cubes having differently colored sides. The objective of Rubik&#39;s Cube is to manipulate the cube in a matter that results in a desired pattern of colors, the simplest being a single color on each side of the cube. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The puzzle of the present invention preferably includes a case having an exterior and an interior. A plurality of elements are provided, each having at least one recess formed thereon preferably six recesses). Each of the elements is secured in a fixed position relative to the case and rotatable about at least two, and preferably three, perpendicular axes of rotation. Each of the plurality of elements has a starting position from which the element can be rotated about any one of the axes of rotation. However, rotation of each element is limited to one of the axes or rotation when the element is not in the starting position. 
     At least one insert is provided (preferably one less in number than the total number of recesses in the elements). Each insert includes first and second opposing surfaces that are preferably identical. The recesses of the elements are preferably shaped to receive at least a portion of each of the first and second surfaces. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It is understood, however, the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a puzzle according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the puzzle device shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of a sphere shown with the six inserts removed. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of an insert. 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIGS. 7-11 show five steps in the process of passing an insert from one element to another. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The ensuing detailed description provides preferred exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the ensuing detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing the preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims. 
     Where appropriate, the reference number that refers to a feature described in this specification in association with a drawing figure may also be shown in other figures without additional comment in the specification in order to provide context to other features and to provide a better understanding of the invention. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral  10  generally relates to the puzzle of the present invention. The puzzle  10  comprises a case  12  having upper and lower portions  14 ,  16  that contain elements  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  therein. In this embodiment, four elements  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  are provided in a square planar array. Other configurations are possible, such as larger single-plane arrays or multi-planar arrays, for example. 
     The upper and lower portions  14 ,  16  of the case  12  can be assembled using any suitable means. In this embodiment, the upper and lower portions  14 ,  16  are snapped together using paired nubs and recesses (e.g., nub  11  and recess  13  in FIG.  2 ). Optionally, the upper and lower portions  14 ,  15  can be disassembled for cleaning and/or repair. 
     Each of the four elements  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  is contained within a respective cavity formed by the upper and lower portions  14 ,  16  when assembled. Each cavity is preferably generally spherical in shape to allow smooth rotation of each element. Each of the elements  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  has six recesses located on opposing orthogonal faces (i.e., three opposing pairs), the recesses being arranged like a six-sided die. Three recesses, a top recess  26 , a front recess  28 , and a side recess  30 , are visible on the element  18  in FIG.  2 . All six recesses of each element are preferably identical in shape. In this embodiment, the recesses are an inverted dome shape (see FIG.  4 ). 
     The puzzle  10  also includes a plurality of inserts that are designed to move with the elements  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  when rotated and be passed from element to element. The inserts are preferably of different colors, so that different color arrangements are created as the elements  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  are rotated and the inserts are passed from element to element. In this embodiment, the number of inserts is one less than the total number of recesses, which allows one insert at a time to be passed from one element to another (the passing of a element will be described in greater detail herein). Three inserts  32 ,  34 ,  36  are shown in FIG.  1 . In FIG. 1, these three inserts  32 ,  34 ,  36  rest in three respective recesses  26 ,  28 ,  30  (see FIG. 2) of element  18 . When six inserts are located in respective recesses of an element, the element and the inserts form a generally spherical outer surface. The objective of the puzzle  10  is to manipulate the elements  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  so that the colored inserts are arranged in a desired pattern, such as a single color on each side of the case  12 . 
     The case  12 , elements  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  and inserts are all preferably make from a polymer, such a polycarbonate, for example. However, any durable rigid material could be used. 
     In this embodiment, the case  12  includes a plurality of openings that are located an oriented to compliment that orientation and location of recesses of the spheres  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 . Two types of openings are provided: internal openings and external openings. 
     One of the external openings is identified by reference numeral  21  in FIGS. 1 and 2. The purpose of each external opening is to allow the user of the puzzle  10  to see the inserts and to provide access to the inserts so that the user can rotate the elements  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 . Each external opening is preferably circular in shape and has a diameter smaller than that of the inserts in order to prevent the inserts from falling out of the case  12 . 
     The lower portion of one the internal openings is identified by reference numeral  23  in FIG.  2 . An internal opening is located between each adjacent sphere. For example, the internal opening  23  identified in FIG. 2 is located between sphere  22  and sphere  24 . Thus, in this embodiment there is a total of four internal openings. The purpose of each internal opening is to allow passing of an insert from the recess of one sphere to that of another sphere. The “passing” process will be described in greater detail herein. 
     The puzzle  10  preferably includes means for restricting rotation of each of the elements  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  to three axes of rotation, X, Y and Z (see FIG.  1 ). When one of the elements  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  is being rotated about one of the axes of rotation (axis X for example), such means are also preferably adapted to prevent rotation of the element about another of the axes of rotation (axes Y or Z for example) until the element has returned to a position in which the inserts being rotated are centered in a respective external opening (see e.g., the position of insert  32  in external opening  21  in FIG.  1 ). In this embodiment, the means comprises a groove that encircles each recess of each element  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  and a plurality of guide bosses formed on the interior of the case  12  that fit into the grooves when the puzzle  10  is assembled. The structure and arrangement of the grooves and guide bosses are described in greater detail below. 
     In the interest of simplicity, one element  18  and one insert  32  will be now be described in greater detail. It is understood that the other elements  20 ,  22 ,  24  are identical to the element  18  described in detail herein and that the other inserts are identical to the insert  32  described in detail herein. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, an enlarged front view of the element  18  is shown with one recess  28  facing forward. As described above, the element  18  includes five other orthogonally-arranged recesses. As described above, the surface of each recess is preferably an inverted dome shape. As an example, the shape of the surface  64  of one recess  28  is shown in FIG.  4 . 
     One of the above-described six grooves  44  is formed around the perimeter of the recess  28 . Groove  44  preferably follows a planar path. An identical groove is formed around each of the five other recesses, each preferably following a planar path. The planes of the paths of three of the grooves are preferably parallel to respective planes of one other groove. Portions of four of these grooves  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  are also visible in FIG.  3 . Each of the grooves intersects other grooves at four points along its length. For example, the groove  44  that rings recess  28  intersects groove  46  at point  66 , groove  48  at point  68 , groove  50  at point  70 , and groove  52  at point  72 . 
     As described above, the guide bosses (e.g., bosses  38 ,  40 ,  42  in FIG. 2) travel along the grooves when the element  18  is rotated and limit rotation to one of the three axes X, Y, Z shown in FIG. 1 at a single time. When an element  18  is oriented so that the inserts located in the recesses of that element  18  are centered in the external openings of the case  12  (hereinafter referred to as a “starting position”), the guide bosses are each located at a respective point of intersection between adjacent grooves (e.g., see points of intersection  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72  in FIG.  3 ). 
     When in the starting position, rotation of the element  18  can be initiated about any one of the three axes of rotation X, Y, Z. Once rotation begins about one axis, rotation cannot occur about any other axis until the element  18  returns to-a starting position. 
     A corner guide is preferably provided in each of eight corners of the element  18 . The corners are defined as a generally triangular area between adjacent grooves. Four corner guides  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60  are visible in FIG.  3 . Each corner guide preferably has a surface (for example, the surface  62  of the lower-right corner guide  60  shown in FIG. 3) that follows the contour of the spherical surface formed by the inserts when located in all of the six recesses of the sphere  18 . The shape of the surface of each corner guide facilitates smooth rotation of the sphere  18  relative to the case  12 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, one of the three inserts  32  is shown in greater detail. In this embodiment, the insert  32  is disc-shaped and includes top and bottom surfaces  74 ,  76  that are preferably symmetrical. This symmetry enables both the top and bottom surfaces  74 ,  76  to rest in any one of the recess of the elements  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  in either a “top surface in” or “bottom surface in” orientation. The top and bottom surfaces  74 ,  76  each preferably include a pocket  78 ,  80 , respectively, which provides a recessed area that facilitates rotation of the element  18  when rotational force is applied by the finger of a user of the puzzle  10 . The pockets also provide a visual indication of when the insert  32  is centered in an external cavity  21 . (see FIG.  1 ). 
     FIGS. 7-11 show five sequential steps of the passing of an insert  32  from the recess  26  of one element  18  to a recess  82  of another element  20 . FIG. 7 shows the element  18  in a starting position, in which the insert  32  would be visible through and centered in an external opening of the case  12 . FIGS. 8 and 9 show the element being rotated so that the insert  32  is between the recesses  26 ,  82 . FIG. 10 shows the element  20  being rotated with the insert  32  recess  82 . FIG. 11 shows the element  20  in a starting position, in which the insert  32  would again be visible through and centered in an external opening of the case  12 . 
     It is recognized by those skilled in the art, that changes may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed but is intended to cover all modifications which are in the spirit and scope of the invention.