Abstract:
A three dimensional toy puzzle of the type wherein the pieces of the puzzle which are formed in layers can be slidably moved about the surface of an inner fastening means. The puzzle has an outer configuration of a crystal with each layer or face thereof having a particular color or indicia to indicate the positioning of each piece contained therein. Another embodiment discloses a puzzle in the shape of a 5 by 5 cube positioned about the inner fastening means with each face of the cube having a particular indicia or other identifying characteristic, and each layer of the puzzle capable of rotation about X, Y and Z axis thereof.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a three-dimensional puzzle and, more particularly pertains to a puzzle game wherein outer surface pieces are circumferentially movable relative to an inner core. The pieces have indicia applied thereto in order to designate relative positions of the pieces to thereby indicate the various arrangements thereof. 
     2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
     Numerous types of three-dimensional puzzles have become well known throughout the world. One such puzzle sold by Ideal Toy Corporation under the trademark &#34;Rubik&#39;s Cube&#34;, and disclosed in Hungarian Pat. No. 170062, is of a three-dimensional puzzle in the shape of a &#34;3-by-3&#34; cube. The cube consists of six sides, each side consisting of a 3 by 3 matrix of sub-cubes or cubies, which are aligned in columns and rows. A grouping of cubes can be rotated about the X, Y, or Z axes of the cube. In this manner a puzzler can move the cubies into any desired position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to create a three-dimensional puzzle which, on the one hand, serves to entertain and, on the other hand, sharpens and improves the faculties of logical thought and spatial combination. 
     Another object of this invention is to create a three-dimensional puzzle which is more difficult to solve than other existing three-dimensional puzzles. 
     The foregoing objects are met by the puzzle according to the present invention, which can have the form of a star-shaped crystal or cube. A crystal according to the present invention is subdivided into five slices or layers which can be rotated, individually or jointly, around a central point of rotation located in the center of the puzzle, in any one of three dimensions and along planes which are parallel to the aforementioned sectional planes. The subdivisions cut the crystal into eighty-one individual blocks or pieces; the rectangular, triangular and square outer surfaces of sixty-two of these blocks forming the outer surface of the crystal form of the puzzle. Of the five three-dimensional layers, the contiguous surfaces of the two outermost layers, as measured from the internal point of rotation, are each formed by a square, four rectangles and four equilateral triangles; the surface of the adjacent layer thereto consisting of four rectangles and twelve equilateral triangles, and the middle most layer consisting of four squares and eight rectangular blocks or pieces. 
     As far as the overall mechanism of the puzzle is concerned, the central, internal point of rotation may be formed by a metal sphere on whose surface the abovementioned sixty-two building blocks, together with twelve additional hidden blocks, are fastened thereto by means of built-in, magnetic elements. As an alternative, the six building blocks with square outer surfaces may also be mounted or attached in such a way that they can be rotated about the surface of the sphere, i.e. by means of a bolt and spring mechanism for attaching a number of pieces to the sphere. 
     Another preferable embodiment of the invention is based on a three-dimensional central piece in the form of a cross, located in the center of the crystal and acting collectively as the point of rotation. This central piece may be a six-armed central cross, consisting of thirteen blocks, forming a fixed framework into which the other blocks are inserted by means of cams, tenons, or any other suitable mechanical or magnetic means. 
     It is also advantageous, for this particular embodiment, to equip the building blocks which constitute the central cross with tension elements (e.g. springs) in order to prevent any loss or loosening of the building blocks from the sphere during any and all rotation thereabout. 
     The objective of the puzzle is to arrange or to solve all the squares, rectangles and triangles on the surface of the crystal; i.e. to move the pieces from a scrambled to an orderly arrangement, one in which typically all the surfaces with equal colors, patterns, decorations or other indicia are adjacent or aligned relative to one another. The development of the game is characterized by the fact that, by means of a one-quarter, one-half or three-quarter rotation (the latter corresponding to a one-quarter rotation in the opposite direction) any of the layers can be moved in three dimensions relative to the other layers, whereby the square, rectangular or triangular surfaces with their various colors, patterns or decorations, are accordingly scrambled across the surface of the crystal. When a similar scrambled pattern has been achieved, the player will subsequently move the pieces about the surface of the crystal to try to bring the mixed-up surfaces back to their original position, i.e. he will try to restore the initial outward appearance of the crystal. 
     With the particular inner mechanism of the present invention it is possible for all square, rectangular and triangular surfaces to rotate in all three dimensions, i.e. they are capable of circumscribing the crystal. In the course of the game this is achieved when, after the rotation of the one layer has been completed, a layer perpendicular to the first one is moved. The rotation of a layer is considered complete when, as a result of the rotational movement, the crystal has regained its original shape. 
     In order to recognize or distinguish the surfaces of the crystal, other means besides colors can be used, e.g. symbols. The number of markings used can also be chosen at will in order to vary the degree of difficulty of the puzzle. 
     In another embodiment of the invention the tops of some of the blocks of the crystal are altered in such a way that the original crystal puzzle assumes the overall shape or form of a three-dimensional cross. Other changes in the outer surfaces of the sixty-two blocks make further modifications of the structure or surface of the puzzle according to the present invention possible. These variations can be treated as described above, with the more difficult shapes adding to the overall aesthetic appearance of the puzzle. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing features of the present three-dimensional puzzle will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein identical reference numerals denote like parts throughout the various views, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, also showing representational marking for the indicia on the various exposed or outer surfaces of the blocks; 
     FIG. 2 is an elevational view of one side of the puzzle of the embodiment of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of the embodiment of FIG. 1 partially disassembled so as to expose the inner structure of the three-dimensional puzzle according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded drawing of the building blocks used in this embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective drawing of the individual block types used in the crystal embodiment; 
     FIGS. 6 and 6a are perspective views of the inner sphere and part of the block envelope, respectively, which is positioned around it, with the axes of rotation about the sphere indicated on the sphere and on the internal sides of the blocks; 
     FIG. 7 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of another embodiment of the three-dimensional puzzle according to the present invention; 
     FIGS. 8, and 8a are top and side views, respectively, of the upper part of the six-armed central cross; 
     FIGS. 9, and 9a are top and side views, respectively, of an intermediate part 15 of the six-armed central cross; 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of the center piece of the six-armed central cross; 
     FIG. 11 is the cross-sectional side view, with portions broken away of a single arm of the cross as attached to the center piece; 
     FIG. 12 shows the top, side and front views of a building block fastenable to the central cross; 
     FIG. 13 shows the top, side and front views of another building block of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 shows the top, side and front views of a building block fastenable to the central cross; 
     FIG. 15 shows the top, side and front views of a building block of the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a top view of the central cross piece with four arms extending in two dimensions therefrom and with building blocks positioned therebetween; 
     FIGS. 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 are top views of the central core having subsequent layers of blocks attached thereto; 
     FIG. 22 is a top view of the crystal showing the top part of an uncovered central core arm; 
     FIG. 23 is a side view of a partially unassembled puzzle; 
     FIGS. 24 (a-f) are front views and (g-h) are perspective views of various puzzles according to the present invention with building blocks having varying outer exposed surfaces; 
     FIGS. 25 and 26 are perspective views of a 5 by 5 spherical shape and a 5 by 5 cube according to teachings of the present invention, each showing a plane of blocks in partial rotation about an axis; 
     FIGS. 27a-27c, 28a-28c, and 29 are various views of other puzzles according to the present invention having blocks with differing outer surface shapes; 
     FIGS. 30 and 30a-30c are views of another puzzle embodiment according to the present invention in which the planes of rotation of the building blocks have a pentagonal surface; 
     FIGS. 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 are views of building blocks used in the cube embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 37 is a partially sectioned view of the center fastening means having building blocks placed thereon. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 6 an embodiment of the three-dimensional puzzle according to the present invention is shown in which a total of sixty-two of the building block types, 2, 3, 4 and 5, rotate around a metal sphere 1 which functions as the central point of rotation. These blocks form, with their square, rectangular and triangular outer surfaces, the outer surface of the crystal puzzle. 
     The elements 2, 3, 4 and 5, together with twelve hidden building blocks 6 (see FIG. 3) are held to the ball by means of built-in magnetic elements. The magnetic element need not be provided for building blocks 6 because these blocks are held in place by adjacent overlying building blocks 2, 3, 4 or 5. 
     FIG. 2 shows a representation of the embodiment according to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, detailing the subdivision into slices or layers, over two dimensions. Each of the building blocks 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 (hidden) in the puzzle simultaneously belongs to three such layers. The layers are perpendicular to one another. 
     FIG. 5 shows the five types of building blocks used in the embodiment according to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6. To form the surface of the crystal, or &#34;spherical envelope&#34;, the following building blocks are required: six of block type 2 which has an outer face substantially square in shape, twenty-four building blocks of type 3 which has a rectangular outer face, and twenty-four of type 4 and eight of building block 5, each having a triangularly shaped outer face and twelve of building block 6. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the inner sphere 1 while FIG. 6a illustrates a portion of the &#34;building block envelope&#34; surrounding it. The letters a-b-c-d-e-f-g-h-i in these drawings serve to indicate the planes of rotation X, Y and Z which are perpendicular to one another, j-k-l, m-n-o and p-q-r serve to indicate the sectional planes of the subdivision of the surface of the crystal into layers. The planes of rotation and the sectional planes coinciding with the various three-dimensional subdivisions are geometrically identical. 
     FIG. 7 shows a variation of the above-described embodiment of the three-dimensional puzzle according to the present invention. On a sphere 7, which similarly functions as the central point of rotation, six building blocks consisting of a casing 8 with a curved (or flat) bottom and a separate lid 9, have been fastened by means of a screw 10 and a spring 11, in such a way that they can be rotated in two dimensions. They are surrounded by the same number of building blocks 3, 4, 5 and 6 as in the embodiment according to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6. The building blocks 3, as shown in partial cross-section, contain magnetic elements 12, mounted in any convenient manner on their inner surface, by means of which they are fastened to the surface of the metal sphere 1. 
     FIGS. 8 to 23 represent the preferred embodiment of the internal fastening means according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 shows a side and a top view of the upper part of a six-armed central cross which can be used as a central body in lieu of the ball or sphere 1. The part A consists of a square upper portion 13 having a cylindrical extension 13a extending downwardly therefrom and a separate lid 14, whose outside surface forms one of the six square outer surfaces of the crystal. Part A has an axial bore formed therein including an enlarged recess in portion 13, so that it can hold the head of a screw 17, a washer 18, a spring 19, and the upper part of a small spring 20 with an appropriate diameter, i.e. smaller than the diameter of the spring 19 (FIG. 11). 
     FIG. 9 shows a side and a top view of one of the intermediate parts 15 of the six-armed central cross. Part 15 has a mushroom-like shape, having a bore 17a formed therein receiving the shaft of screw 17, and a recess 20a for the insertion of the lower part of spring 20. 
     FIG. 10 shows a top view and side view of the central-most piece in the form of a cross 16, and is the center of the six-armed central cross. Each of its arms is equipped with a female thread to allow insertion of the end of screw 17. 
     FIG. 11 shows the arrangement of the parts 13 to 20 mentioned above, in one of the arms of the central cross. The arms each serve as support for building blocks 25 and 28 (FIG. 12 and FIG. 14), which are fastened, i.e. inserted, into the open spaces or grooves 21 and 22 formed between elements 13, 15 and 16. Flanges 23 and 24 function as the locking surfaces for parts 15 and 13, which transfer the restoring force of the pre-tensed springs 20 and 19. When building blocks 25 (described in detail hereinafter) are inserted in the free spaces 21, they tense, with their cams 26, and the spring 20 (spring 19 is being pre-tensed at the same time); and in the meanwhile, the intermediate part 15 is lifted off the cross-shaped piece 16 whereby the restoring force of the spring (or springs) now affects, via flange 23, the cams 26 of building blocks 25. The same process is repeated when building blocks 28 (also described hereinafter) are inserted in the free spaces 22: with their cams 29 they tense the spring 19; the upper part 13, 14 of the intermediate part 15 is raised and the action of the spring can therefore yield a clamping effect, via flange 24 (see also FIG. 16 and FIG. 17). Consequently, by using this configuration, the central cross can effectively anchor various pieces of the puzzle to thereby allow other manipulatable pieces of the puzzle to be movable relative thereto. 
     In FIG. 12 to FIG. 15, the four types of building blocks 25, 27, 28 and 30 are shown in three views, front, side and top. To form the crystal, the following building blocks are used: twelve pieces of building block type 25, eight pieces of block type 27, and twenty-four pieces each of building blocks 28 and 30. 
     The inner structure of the crystal is clearly shown in the following figures, i.e. FIGS. 16 to 23, which show the method of mounting, namely the insertion of building blocks 25, 27, 28 and 30 into the central cross which serves as the overall supporting structure. 
     With four of the parts 13 to 15 and 17 to 20, and the cross-shaped piece 16, we construct first a four-armed cross which extends in one plane; subsequently, four building blocks 25 (FIG. 16) and eight building blocks 28 are inserted (FIG. 17), whereby the middle layer of the crystal is completed along the selected plane (FIG. 17). 
     As is clearly shown therein, an inner circular channel 31 defined by the surfaces 31a of blocks 25 and an outer circular channel 32 defined by the surfaces 32a of elements 25 and 28a of elements 28 are thus provided. These channels are grooved so as to accept and guide the blocks which comprise the next layer to be added. 
     The next layer is formed by inserting the outside blocks 28 and 30 into the channel 32 (FIG. 18), and the layer is then completed by adding what can be called a package (FIG. 19) consisting of four building blocks 25 and 27. This can be preformed to facilitate easy placement of these parts into the puzzle. Finally, an intermediate part 15 is inserted as part of the structure of the fifth arm of the central cross (FIG. 20). 
     Another inset, circular channel 33 (FIG. 20) is consequently created by this second layer for the acceptance and guidance of a subsequent layer of blocks. 
     The construction of the last, or outermost, layer of the crystal starts with the insertion of four building blocks 28 and 30 in the channel 33. They can be inserted individually or in the form of the previously mentioned package. The fifth arm of the central cross is then completed by the insertion of the upper part 13, the springs 19 and 20, the washer 18 and the screw 17. Then, lid 14 is put on; it is a detachable part in order to make it possible to take the puzzle apart (FIG. 21 and FIG. 22). 
     The first &#34;construction&#34; phase of the crystal is herewith completed. The partially constructed puzzle is then inverted and placed on the outside surface of lid 14 (FIG. 23). The mounting process according to FIGS. 18 to 22 is repeated on the opposite side of the puzzle, whereby the construction of the crystal is completed. 
     FIG. 24 shows different variations of the outer form or shape of the puzzle according to the present invention. 
     It is to be noted that the above-described cross arrangement is the same in all of the variations, yet the outer surfaces of the building blocks have merely been altered to provide a more aesthetic or educational purpose to the puzzle. Variation A shows each of the six square surfaces of the crystal according to FIG. 8 to FIG. 23, being equipped with a pyramid having a congruent base, whose side surfaces appear as sections of the extensions of four rectangular surfaces on their short sides, located in an outer layer. These pyramids may be attached in a movable or fixed manner, to the square outer surfaces of the relevant building block. 
     In variation B, each of the twenty-four rectangular surfaces of the crystal according to FIG. 8 to FIG. 23, is equipped with a prismlike (wedge) shape having a congruent base, whose side surfaces appear as figures of sections of the extensions of triangular surfaces adjacent to the long sides of the rectangular surfaces on the side in common with the rotational planes, which touch the rectangular plane with their short sides. These prismlike shapes cannot be moved relative to the building block. 
     In variation C, all thirty-two triangular surfaces of the crystal according to FIG. 8 to FIG. 23 are equipped with upright (hidden) or leaning pyramids, restricted by planes which appear through the sectioning of the extensions of all twenty-four rectangular surfaces along their long sides, with all the rotational planes of the puzzle. These pyramids cannot be moved relative to the particular building block. 
     In variation D, all thirty-two triangular and all twenty-four rectangular surfaces of the crystal according to FIG. 8 to FIG. 23, are equipped with attachments restricted by planes which appear through the sectioning of the extensions of all six square surfaces along their sides, with all the rotational planes of the puzzle. These attachments cannot be moved relative to the block to which they are attached. 
     Variation E is obtained when the four corner cubes of the outer layer of a puzzle according to variation D are sectioned in such a way that the intersecting lines are identical with the diagonals of their visible side surfaces. 
     Variation F is obtained by reduction of the puzzle size to be bounded by the largest inscribed sphere within variation D. 
     Variation G is a puzzle based on variation F, with the addition of cones placed on the partial spherical top surfaces of the relevant blocks. 
     Variation H is a three-dimensional puzzle for blind people, created by adding distinct marking (shown for two layers) to the crystal of the present invention. The markings can be achieved by adding rivets or similar items, or by cutting out grooves, channels, holes, etc. or any other means. 
     FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 show additional preferred embodiments of the puzzle according to the present invention and additionally show a plane or layer of blocks or cubes in partial rotation along one axis of the crystal. 
     In more particularity, FIG. 26 describes a 5 by 5 cube having an internal mechanism of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 11 and 37. The center piece, shown at 40, shows three arms of the cross in cross-section showing the internal screw-spring mechanism as described hereinabove. Further, middle edge element 42 is provided with spring-loaded bearings 44 to ease in rotational movement and alignment about the central cross. The middle edge elements 42 act as the foundation for the placement of the remaining blocks which make up the individual layers of the cube according to the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 36 shows the top of the intermediate head piece 48 which attaches to the arm of the inner fastening means through the screw-spring mechanism. This piece aids in anchoring the other pieces of the puzzle cube to the inner fastening means. 
     The cube embodiment is further comprised of eight corner elements 50, twelve middle edge elements 42 as described above, twenty-four corner edge elements 52, twenty-four corner field elements 54 and twenty-four edge field elements 56 which, when properly arranged about the inner fastening means, can all rotate about the X, Y and Z axis of the center cross and, hence, about the cube. 
     In order to assemble a cube about the central piece 40, as stated above, four co-planar arms of the cross are assembled including headpieces 48 attached thereto. Middle edge elements 42 are inserted between the arms of the cross and are anchored therein. Subsequently, edge field elements 56 are placed in the spaces formed between the headpieces and the middle edge elements 42. In this manner the middle layer is formed to which subsequent intermediate layers of corner edge elements 52, corner field elements 54, and edge field elements 56 can be added on either side thereof. Finally, an external layer is added to these intermediate layers by adding corner elements 50, middle edge elements 42 and corner edge elements 52 to the channel formed in the intermediate layer. Subsequently, four corner field elements 54 and edge field elements 56 are added into the square space formed within the external layer. This placing of elements then allows for the completion of the headpiece 48 including the internal spring structure. A top 14 can then be added to headpiece 48 to finish the construction of the six arms of the center piece 40 and thereby complete the formation of the 5 by 5 cube according to the teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 27 shows an embodiment in which the shape of the puzzle results from the intersection of two circular cylinders of equal thickness, whose axes form a cross of coordinates with 90° angles. Drawing a shows three projections of the puzzle, drawing b shows a three-dimensional view, and drawing c presents a top view of the same puzzle, after three of its layers have been rotated. 
     FIG. 28 shows an embodiment in which the shape of the puzzle results from the intersection of three circular cylinders of equal thickness, whose axes form a three-dimensional cross of co-ordinates having 90° angles. Drawing a and b represent the configuration of the intersection, drawing c is a plan view of this embodiment and in accordance with the teachings of FIGS. 3 to 7. 
     FIG. 29 is a variation of the embodiment of the puzzle according to FIG. 28. Contrary to the previous manner of execution, the puzzle is subdivided--i.e. the building blocks are arranged--in such a way that adjacent axes of rotation falling in the same plane are always at 45° angles with regard to one another. 
     FIG. 30 shows an embodiment of the three-dimensional puzzle according to the present invention, in which the puzzle has been divided in such a way that none of the axes of rotation are perpendicular to each other. Drawing a shows the planes of rotation of the building blocks of a pentagonal surface. Drawings b and c show that each plane of rotation belongs always to an opposite &#34;pentagonal pair&#34;. The rotational planes end at the outer surfaces or faces of the pentagonal pieces and at the lines which cut the pentagonal surfaces of the puzzle in half. 
     From the foregoing it is apparent that the objects of the present invention have been fully accomplished. As a result of the present invention, a three-dimensional puzzle has been provided. Although a preferred embodiment of the principles of this invention has been described and illustrated in detail herein, it should be realized that the same are not limited to the particular configuration shown in the drawings, and that modifications thereof are contemplated and can be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.