Patent GB-633951-A (GB)
Title: Educational toy and game
IPC: A63F9/10
Filed: 1947-04-01
Abstract: 633,951. Toys ; indoor games. MULLER, E. N. April 1, 1947, No. 8741. [Classes 132 (ii) and 132 (iii)] Representations of mazes and like designs of interlaced tracks are made from a set of flat pieces, blocks, beads, strips, pegs or other selectively positionable members, the set including means for denoting the passage of one track over another as well as the junction of two tracks, and the number and variety of pieces in a set being such that more than one design can be made from a single set. As shown in Figs. 1, 2a and 2b, hexagonal pieces are provided carrying on one side (Fig. 2a) representations of superimposed tracks and (or) track junctions in different colours and on the other side (Fig. 2b) distorted representations of the same tracks in a single colour. The pieces are arranged with the multicoloured side uppermost on a transparent celluloid or glass sheet 3, Fig. 1, secured in a frame 7, so that a track is available between an entrance 71i and an outlet 71 0 , whereafter the multicoloured side is covered by a sheet 9 hinged to the frame 7. The appliance is then inverted so that the uniformly coloured side of the design is visible through the sheet 3, and the player endeavours to trace the track from the entrance to the exit. Various methods are indicated whereby two or more players may compete in either the construction or the solution of a maze ; for example, each player may have a frame and may draw pieces from a pool, as in a domino game, or each player may compete in solving a maze constructed by another. Numerous modifications of the appliance are also described. More particularly, (a) sheet 9 may be made transparent, so that the two sides of the design can be compared with the aid of a mirror ; (b) model designs may be interposed between sheets 3 and 9 ; (c) pieces of other than hexagonal shape may be used, e.g. square, oblong, triangular or rhombic, and the pieces, may have straight or undulating edges ; (d) to prevent relative movement of the pieces, they may be arranged on a surface having compartments of corresponding size and shape, and the surface may be perforated so that the pieces can be displaced from beneath the surface ; alternatively, the surface may be embossed to form projections between which the pieces are disposed, or the pieces may carry small downward projections fitting into holes in the surface ; (e) pieces comprising a number of superimposed transparent layers, each carrying a representation of a track, and an intermediate opaque layer may be used ; (f) the pieces may alternatively be cubical, with corresponding markings on opposite faces ; and (g) the pieces may be modified to permit a car or pellet to be guided along the tracks, either by hand or magnetically ; thus, in Fig. 2c, the lower face of the pieces 6ma has grooves along which a car g6 may be guided, the dimensions of the car and the grooves being so related that the car can turn at track junctions but not at crossovers or subways. Figs. 19 and 19a show another construction in which the design is built up from pieces 16A with the aid of marker pegs Q3 and additional pegs R1 serving to block some of the tracks, the pieces 16A fitting into a board 39c comprising an upper sheet 39o having holes to receive the pieces, a lower sheet 39u and a false bottom 9A, by raising which the pegs Q3 may be removed. The pegs Q3 may be replaced by sticks Q4, which may be removed by lowering the false bottom 9A. Fig. 20 shows a further modification in which a number of interlaced tracks are printed or embossed on a board 93, the tracks having holes 33v into which pegs Q3 may be fitted and optionally forming a number of interwoven outlines, e.g. of faces or animals. Alternative tracks may be provided either by means of strips 1W or plates 4W, which can be fitted into holes in adjacent tracks, or by means of plates 4W<SP>1</SP> arranged to fit into holes 4Wh or to be visible through windows formed in the board. Figs. 18, 18a and 186 (not shown) depict a similar arrangement in which tracks are marked out by inserting pegs or beads of different kinds into holes in a board. In a further modification (Fig. 15, not shown) the tracks are represented by thin strips of celluloid or metal adapted to be fixed in holes in a board ; such an arrangement may be combined with the appliance shown in Fig. 1. The strips may also fit between abutments on the board (Fig. 16, not shown), and may have notches (Fig. 16a, not shown) to receive other strips which cross them. Another modification using strips is also described (Figs. 17 and 17a, not shown) in which the strips are used in association with marker pegs and a false-bottomed board similar to that described with reference to Fig. 19. In Figs. 21 and 21a a car GM is moved over tracks defined by cubical or prismatic blocks M4 arranged in holes 33M in a board 39M. To permit the car to change direction, some of the holes may be left free or some of the blocks M4 may be replaced by cylindrical blocks ZQ. The set may also include blocks 1 M having a fin or rib on the upper surface over which the car can pass in one direction only. Another set of blocks is also described (Figs. 22 and 22a, not shown) in which the car moves in the channels between the blocks, and blocks with a single rounded edge are included to permit the car to change direction In a further modification (Figs. 23-23c, not shown) a board is constructed with a number of intersecting grooves along which a car is guided, and cam pieces are disposed at various points to raise the car above the sides of the grooves and permit it to change direction. Reference is made also to the use of a non-planar, e.g. spherical, playing surface and to the provision of magnetic means for holding pieces in position on the surface.