Abstract:
A plurality of hexagonal puzzle pieces are formed of a pair of spaced apart hexagonal plates having a detent column extending between their respective inner surfaces. A plurality of linkages each having ring portions are received upon the detent columns of each puzzle piece to join the puzzle pieces in an elongated string. The angular positions between adjacent puzzle pieces as well as the rotational position of each puzzle piece within the string of puzzle pieces may be changed or manipulated in order to configure the puzzle pieces in a closed or solved puzzle configuration. A detent mechanism is operative between each puzzle piece and its adjacent puzzle piece to detent the relative positions thereof at selected angular relationships.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to puzzles and particularly to those utilizing a plurality of interconnected pieces capable of multiple configuration and defining a “solution” configuration to solve the puzzle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Amusement devices utilizing a plurality of pieces or elements which are capable of variable geometric arrangement are well known in the art. Such devices are typically referred as “puzzles” and most are capable of a variety of orientations and configurations. In such puzzles, the typical solution to the puzzle is found in obtaining a predetermined arrangement or configuration of the puzzle pieces. Often, the external surfaces of the puzzle pieces are variously colored or decorated utilizing a variety of number or letter characters or plural segments of a common picture or artwork. 
     While a great variety of such puzzle amusement devices have been provided by practitioners in the art, such puzzles may be generally divided as either folding puzzles, sliding piece puzzles or those having a plurality of puzzle pieces with interconnecting elements. 
     So-called folding piece puzzles are usually fabricated of one or more planar sheets having pluralities of fold lines and/or edges formed therein. Such puzzles are solved by folding the combination into a predetermined configuration. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,520 issued to Matos sets forth an FOLD-THROUGH PICTURE PUZZLE which includes a single base sheet, a plurality of superposed attached sheet bases, a single sheet base folded to form a three-dimensional object or plural sheet bases attached to form a three-dimensional object. Each fold-through picture puzzle is continually foldable in a first forward direction and during folding forms assembled images from respective cooperating image portions. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,380 issued to Polsky sets forth a FOLDING PICTURE PUZZLE having a rectangular multi-picture member which includes a flat base sheet material having a patchwork of partial picture images printed on at least one playing side. The sheet is additionally subdivided into at least sixteen equal and uniform squares by a combination of score lines and cuts. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,418 issued to Engel sets forth a PUZZLE AMUSEMENT DEVICE having flat strips of equilateral triangles hinged together at their edges. The strips may then be folded at the hinges and end triangles connected together to form a twisted loop having the overall form of a flattened hexagon. 
     Typical sliding puzzles provide some sort of supporting surface often surrounded by a boundary or frame within which one or more puzzle elements are movable between alternative positions. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,615 issued to Martin sets forth a PUZZLE WITH MOVABLE PIECES having a single plane base on which are mounted movable puzzle pieces. The pieces are restrained in a fixed series of grooves and may be arranged in a desired pattern. The pieces are scrambled in a random arrangement prior to game play which involves moving the pieces to obtain a predetermined arrangement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 487,318 issued to Clarke sets forth a PUZZLE in which a plurality of pieces are enclosed within a box. Some of the pieces are triangular forming various letter arrangements and combinations to solve the puzzle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,022,319 issued to Meyercord sets forth a MYSTERY PUZZLE having a plurality of pieces which bear segments or portions of a common picture and which are arranged to form the desired picture image solution in combination. 
     Puzzle utilizing interconnected pieces which often comprise polygons and linkages configured to define three-dimensional solutions are also provided in great variety. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,100 issued to Essebaggers, et al. sets forth a PYRAMID PUZZLE FORMED FROM TETRAHEDRAL AND OCTAEDER PIECES CONNECTED BY A STRAND sets forth a puzzle having a plurality of three-sided pyramids and four small octaeder-shaped bodies all of which are connected to a string forming an endless chain. The solution of the puzzle is obtained by placing the smaller parts of the puzzle in such a manner that a large pyramid is formed which is uniformly colored by the smaller pieces. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,535 issued to LeCart sets forth a TRIANGLE COMBINATION GAME utilizing a equilateral triangle assembly of hexagonal form subassemblies wherein adjacent subassemblies share two common components and are held together in a manner facilitating rotation of each subassembly around its own center. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,505 issued to Odier sets forth a PUZZLE WITH IRREGULAR PENTAGONAL PIECES each piece having an identical shape defined by an irregular pentagon. The puzzle pieces may be placed on a planar supporting surface in a side-to-side abutment to fully cover the surface and in a variety of alternate configurations. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,201,894 issued to Resch sets forth a GEOMETRICAL DEVICE HAVING ARTICULATED RELATIVELY MOVABLE SECTIONS in which a plurality of three-dimensional objects are interconnected by hinged couplings in a manner facilitating alternative arrangements between the three-dimensional devices. The solution is generally defined as one of a selected type of possible arrangements. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,487,578 issued to Sudermann sets forth an ARRAY OF BLOCKS JOINED BY DOUBLE-ACTING HINGE MEANS in which a plurality of equally sized cubes are respectively coupled to adjacent cubes by pairs of opposed crossing filament elements. The opposed pairs of filament elements facilitate the multiple arrangements of the cubes to provide alternate puzzle configurations including a predetermined solution configuration. 
     While the foregoing described prior art devices have generally improved the art and in some instances enjoyed commercial success, there remains a continuing need in the art for evermore interesting, amusing and convenient puzzles and puzzle apparatus. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved puzzle. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved puzzle which is convenient to carry, simple to use and economical to produce but remains challenging in its solution and manipulation. 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a puzzle configurable between a solved configuration and an open configuration, the puzzle comprising: a plurality of puzzle pieces, each puzzle piece having a pair of faceted plates and a detent column joining the pair of plates; and a plurality of linkages, each linkage including a pair of rings joined by a link, each of the rings encircling the detent columns of adjacent puzzle pieces to couple a pair of adjacent puzzle pieces, the detent columns and the rings constructed to cooperatively join the puzzle pieces in a coupling which facilitates rotation of the puzzle pieces individually and rotation of the puzzle pieces about an adjacent puzzle piece. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which: 
     FIG. 1 sets forth a planar view of the present invention puzzle in a solved configuration; 
     FIG. 2 sets forth a partially sectioned view of the present invention puzzle in an extended configuration; 
     FIG. 3 sets forth a perspective assembly view of a typical piece and interconnecting linkage arrangement; and 
     FIG. 4 sets forth a section view of a pair of puzzle pieces taken along section lines  4 — 4  in FIG.  2 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 sets forth a planar view of a puzzle constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numeral  10 . Puzzle  10  is shown in FIG. 1 in its closed or correctly solved configuration. Puzzle  10  includes a plurality of substantially identical puzzle pieces  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16  and  17  each having a hexagonal shape and each defining respective surfaces  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26  and  27 . Puzzle pieces  11  through  17  are substantially identical and, as is set forth below in greater detail, are each formed of a pair of hexagonal plates spaced apart by a detent column such as detent column  105  seen in FIG. 3 for puzzle piece  12 . In accordance with the present invention, each puzzle piece is coupled to its adjacent puzzle piece in a straight line arrangement such as seen in FIG. 2 by an interconnecting linkage. Thus, with temporary reference to FIG. 2, it will be noted that puzzle pieces  11  and  12  are coupled by a linkage  31  while puzzle pieces  12  and  13  are coupled by a linkage  32  and puzzle pieces  13  and  14  are coupled by a linkage  33  and so on. The linkage couplings between adjacent puzzle pieces is substantially identical with the exception of puzzle pieces  11  and  17  which, as is better seen in FIG. 2, form opposite ends of the chain of puzzle pieces. In puzzle piece  11 , a spacer ring  123  is joined to puzzle piece  11  instead of an additional linkage to an adjacent puzzle piece. Spacer ring  123  is further joined to an extending tab  120  having an aperture  121  formed therein. Aperture  121  may, for example, be joined to a conventional key chain  18  or other suitable carrying device as desired by the user. Similarly, puzzle piece  17 , which as is mentioned above is coupled to puzzle piece  16  by a linkage, is an end piece on the chain of puzzle pieces and therefore does not require a second linkage in attachment thereto. Accordingly, a spacer ring  35  having a generally annular shape is received within puzzle piece  17 .to properly space the linkage which joins puzzle pieces  16  and  17  (not shown). The remaining puzzle pieces are each mutually joined to an adjacent puzzle piece on each side by a pair of oppositely oriented linkages, each of which is identical to linkages  31  and  32  seen in FIG.  3 . 
     With respect to the closed configuration of puzzle  10  shown in FIG. 1, it will be noted that puzzle pieces  11  through  17  define respective surfaces  21  through  27  which in turn support various portions of a combined image. In the example of FIG. 1, a fanciful representation of a custom car is depicted in the combined image. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other images may be utilized on the surfaces of the puzzle pieces without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that, while not seen in FIG. 1, each of puzzle pieces  11  through  17  is able to support a second combined image on the opposite surfaces of the puzzle pieces in the identical manner to that shown in FIG. 1 for surfaces  21  through  27 . 
     As mentioned above and as is set forth below in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of puzzle pieces  11  through  17  is formed of a pair of identical spaced apart plates having hexagonal shapes. Accordingly, plates  41  through  47  of puzzle pieces  11  through  17  are shown interlocking and fitted together in the closed configuration of FIG. 1 which represents a correct “solution” to the puzzle. Once again, while not seen in FIG. 1, it will be understood from the example set forth in FIGS. 3 and 4 of puzzle piece  12  which is understood to be equally representative of puzzle piece  11  and puzzle piece  17  that each of puzzle pieces  11  through  17  includes an identical plate on the opposite side from plates  41  through  47 . By way of example and with temporary reference to FIG. 2, puzzle pieces  12  and  13  are shown in partial section having hexagonal plates  52  and  53  which are identical to plates  42  and  43  seen in FIG.  1 . 
     In the closed configuration of FIG. 1, puzzle  10  may be carried as a keychain charm or keyfob as desired by the user. Puzzle  10  is played in a problem-solving mode by simply unraveling puzzle  10  from the closed configuration of FIG. 1 to the open configuration of FIG.  2 . Thereafter, the user endeavors to pivot puzzle pieces  11  through  17  and restore them to the closed configuration shown in FIG.  1 . To add challenge to the solving of puzzle  10 , it will be noted that in the manner described below, each pair of hexagonal plates of each puzzle piece is rotatable to a variety of angular positions in addition to the movement about its adjacent puzzle pieces. This adds further interest and challenge to puzzle  10 . For example, the arrangement of puzzle pieces in the closed configuration of FIG. 1 could be obtained without the correct rotational position of the puzzle pieces. In such case, the combined image would not be correctly formed and the puzzle even though moved to a closed configuration would not be correctly solved. Thus, the challenge presented to the user is the configuration of the puzzle pieces in the correct manner to form the closed configuration of FIG.  1  and the correct rotational position of each puzzle piece. 
     FIG. 2 sets forth puzzle  10  in an open configuration showing the generally linear arrangement of puzzle pieces  11  through  17 . As described above, puzzle pieces  11  through  17  are substantially identical with the exception of the changes to puzzle pieces  11  and  17  in view of their end positions on the puzzle piece chain. Accordingly, puzzle piece  11  includes a hexagonal plate  41  defining a surface  21 . Puzzle piece  11  further includes a tab  120  having an aperture  121  formed therein. As mentioned above, tab  120  is secured within puzzle piece  11  by a spacer ring  123  (seen in FIG.  1 ). Puzzle piece  12  includes a hexagonal plate  52 , a detent column  105  and a hexagonal plate  42  (seen in FIG.  1 ). Plate  42  supports a post  113  which is received within a bore  112  of detent column  105 . The cooperation of post  113  and bore  112  provides the attachment of plates  42  and  52  (plate  42  seen in FIG.  1 ). A linkage  31  includes a link  72  joined to a ring  70  having a substantially annular shape which encircles detent column  105 . Ring  70  further supports a plurality of chords  73 ,  74  and  75 , each supporting respective inwardly extending projections  76 ,  77  and  78 . Chords  73 ,  74  and  75  are preferably formed as integral parts of ring  70  from a somewhat resilient material such as molded plastic or the like. While not seen in FIG. 2, it will be understood that linkage  31  further includes a second ring and plurality of chords identical to ring  70  and chords  73  through  75  as well as projections  76  through  78  which are received upon puzzle piece  11 . As mentioned above, puzzle piece  12  supports a detent column  105  having a bore  112  formed therein. Detent column further defines a plurality of detent recesses  106  through  111  (seen in FIG.  3 ). Projections  76  through  78  cooperate with detent recesses  106  through  111  of detent column  105  to detent the relative position between ring  70  of linkage  31  and puzzle piece  12 . This detenting action is overcome as puzzle piece  12  and linkage  31  are rotated relative to each other with sufficient force to cause chords  73  through  75  to flex outwardly thereby allowing projections  76  through  78  to be forced from their respective detent recesses at any given rotational relationship between linkage  31  and puzzle piece  12 . Thus, a rotation of puzzle piece  12  without movement of adjacent puzzle piece  11  may be attained by overcoming the detent action of puzzle piece  12  and linkage  31 . Similarly, the angular or rotational relationship between puzzle pieces  11  and  12  may be changed by moving puzzle piece  11  with respect to puzzle piece  12  with sufficient force to overcome the detent action described above. 
     Puzzle piece  13  is substantially identical to puzzle piece  12  and thus is formed of a hexagonal plate  53  supporting a detent column. 115 . A second hexagonal plate  43  (seen in FIG. 1) is secured to plate  53  by a post  104 . A linkage  32  includes a link  88  and a pair of rings  86  and  87  (seen in FIG.  3 ). The structure of linkage  32  and its coupling to puzzle pieces  12  and  13  is set forth below in FIGS. 3 and 4 in greater detail. However, suffice it to note here that linkage  32  provides a detented coupling between puzzle pieces  12  and  13  which is identical to the coupling of ring  70  and detent column  105  of puzzle piece  12 . 
     A linkage  33  substantially identical to linkages  31  and  32  (seen in FIG. 3) defines a ring  102  and is received upon detent column  115  of puzzle piece  13 . Linkage  33  includes a link  103  which is coupled to a ring and chord combination which is not seen in FIG. 2 but which will be understood to be identical to ring  102 . 
     Puzzle pieces  14 ,  15 ,  16  and  17  are mutually joined by linkages such as linkage  34  in an identical attachment to the attachment between puzzle pieces  12  and  13  to form the remainder of the string of puzzle pieces of puzzle  10 . Accordingly, puzzle piece  14  having a hexagonal plate  44  defining a surface  24  is joined to puzzle piece  15  by a linkage  34  correspondingly, puzzle pieces  15 ,  16  and  17  having respective hexagonal plates  45 ,  46  and  47  which in turn respective surfaces  25 ,  26  and  27  are similarly joined by linkages in the manner described above. As mentioned above, puzzle piece  17  differs from puzzle pieces  12  through  16  in accordance with its end position in the string of puzzle pieces by the substitution of a spacer ring  35  for a second linkage which would otherwise further join puzzle piece  17  to the next adjacent puzzle piece were it not in an end position. Thus, it will be understood that puzzle pieces  16  and  17  are joined by a linkage in the same manner as puzzle pieces  12  and  13 . Spacer ring  35  maintains the correct position of the joining linkage and makes up for the absence of a second linkage coupled to puzzle piece  17 . 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that while the embodiment of the present invention shown is preferred, other embodiments may also be provided within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to hexagonal plates. Plates which define different numbers of facets such as pentagons, square and triangular may also be used without departing from the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 sets forth a perspective assembly view of puzzle piece  12  together with the pair of linkages (linkages  31  and  32 ) which are coupled to puzzle piece  12  and which are utilized to further join puzzle piece  12  to adjacent puzzle pieces  11  and  13  (seen in FIG.  2 ). Once again, it will be understood that the structure of linkages  31  and  32  together with puzzle piece  12  is exemplary and illustrative of the identical structures of puzzle pieces  11  and  13  through  17 . 
     More specifically, puzzle piece  12  includes a pair of hexagonal plates  42  and  52  defining respective surfaces  22  and  62 . Plate  52  supports a detent column  105  having a bore  112  and a plurality of detent recesses  106  through  111  formed therein. Detent recesses  106  through  111  are preferably spaced in an equal angle radial relationship to each other upon detent column  105 . In the preferred fabrication of the present invention, plate  52  and detent column  105  are integrally formed of a molded plastic component or the like. Plate  42  defines a downwardly extending cylindrical post  113  which is sized to fit tightly within bore  112 . In the preferred fabrication of the present invention, plate  42  is assembled to plate  52  by insertion of post  113  within bore  112  in an alignment which aligns the hexagonal facets of plates  42  with those of plate  52 . Attachment of post  113  within bore  112  may utilize a simple tight or force-fit or, alternatively, may use a commercial form of attachment such as chemical adhesive or the like. 
     Linkage  31  includes a link  72  extending between a pair of annular rings  70  and  71 . Ring  70  includes a plurality of resilient chords  73 ,  74  and  75  having respective inwardly extending projections  76 ,  77  and  78 . Correspondingly, ring  71  supports a plurality of resilient chords  80 ,  81  and  82  supporting respective projections  83 ,  84  and  85 . 
     Linkage  32  is identical to linkage  31  and includes a link  88  supporting a pair of rings  86  and  87 . Ring  86  includes a plurality of resilient chords  90 ,  91  and  92  supporting respective projections  93 ,  94  and  95 . Similarly, ring  87  includes a plurality of resilient chords  96 ,  97  and  98  supporting inwardly extending projections  99 ,  100  and  101 . 
     Puzzle piece  12  is assembled by initially placing ring  86  of linkage  32  upon detent column  104  and thereafter placing ring  70  of linkage  31  upon detent column  105  and thereafter assembling plate  42  to plate  52  by insertion of post  113  into bore  112 . Once again, it will be understood that adhesive attachment or the like may be used to secure post  113  within bore  112 . It will be further understood in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, plate  42  is aligned with plate  52 . 
     FIG. 4 sets forth a partial section view of puzzle  10  taken along section lines  4 — 4  in FIG.  2 . FIG. 4 shows puzzle pieces  12  and  13  commonly joined by linkage  32 . FIG. 4 also shows in part the further attachment of puzzle piece  13  to puzzle piece  14  (seen in FIG. 2) by linkage  33 . Also shown in FIG. 4 is a portion of linkage  31  which joins puzzle piece  12  to puzzle piece  11 . 
     More specifically, puzzle piece  12  includes a pair of plates  42  and  52  having respective outer surfaces  22  and  62  joined by detent column  105 . Similarly, puzzle piece  13  includes a pair of plates  43  and  53  having respective outer surfaces  23  and  63  joined by detent column  115 . Also, partially shown in FIG. 4 is puzzle piece  11  having plates  41  and  51  defining respective outer surfaces  21  and  61 . A linkage  32  defines rings  86  and  87  received upon detent columns  105  and  115  in the manner described above which provides the detented attachment coupling between puzzle pieces  12  and  13 . Linkage  33  includes ring  102  received upon detent column  115  together with link  103 . Linkage  31  includes a ring  70  received upon detent column  105  together with a link  72  joined to a ring  71 . 
     Thus, it can be seen from FIG. 4 that puzzle pieces  12  and  13  are commonly joined by linkage  32  and that puzzle piece  12  is further joined by linkage  31  to puzzle piece  11  while puzzle piece  13  is further joined to puzzle piece  14  (seen in FIG. 2) by a linkage  33 . Once again it will be understood that the couplings and structure of puzzle pieces  12  through  16  are identical to the coupling shown between puzzle pieces  12  and  13  in FIG.  4 . It will be further understood that puzzle piece  17  (seen in FIG. 2) is identically coupled to puzzle piece  16  in the manner shown in FIG. 4 with the difference being found in the replacement of ring  102  of linkage  33  with spacer ring  35  (seen in FIG.  2 ). Similarly, it will be understood that the coupling of puzzle piece  11  to puzzle piece  12  utilizes linkage  31  together with spacer ring  123 . 
     What has been shown is a simple puzzle structure which nonetheless provides an interesting and amusing puzzle to be solved by the user. The puzzle provides substantial interest and challenge and in the closed or solved configuration may be further employed as a typical keyfob. The components of the inventive puzzle are readily fabricated of molded plastic components for economy and ease of manufacture. 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.