Patent Publication Number: US-2010127452-A1

Title: 8 piece puzzle

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/117,990 filed Nov. 26, 2008. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally pertains to puzzles. More specifically, the present invention relates to an eight piece block puzzle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many games that are meant to be fun cannot be used as educational tools because they do not facilitate any specific type of learning. Most games that are intended for use in classrooms are not designed to be entertaining. It is difficult to find a game or puzzle that is created to be an enjoyable learning tool. Math classes in school can be boring to a child, causing the child to lose interest in the subject. Very few incentives are provided for a child to pay attention and absorb what is being taught. Often times, even adults do not enjoy math or solving problems. It can be difficult to find a unique, fun way to learn math and problem solving. 
     Accordingly, it has been considered desirable to develop a new and improved fluid container which would overcome the foregoing difficulties and others while providing better and more advantageous overall results. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention in several embodiments is an 8 piece puzzle. It can be used in schools in any algebra class to promote critical thinking or at home for an exciting challenge. The puzzle is comprised of eight six-sided first cubes each side preferably being a different predetermined color. The object is to assemble the first cubes into one large cube such that only like colors face each other and such that the one large cube has six sides each of such six sides being all one color. Thus to assemble the large cube not only must each of the six-sided first cubes be placed such that correct colors are facing outward to form such sides of such one large cube but such first cubes must be positioned such that only like colors on such first cubes face each other. Players may use a plurality of such devices to race against one another in a friendly competition. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an eight piece block puzzle. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an eight piece block puzzle that is challenging to most users. 
     In one embodiment the invention is a block puzzle comprising: at least 8 blocks with six sides each, said at least 8 blocks with six sides, each side having one of six predetermined identifiers associated with each side of each block, wherein all six predetermined identifiers are associated with each block. In another embodiment wherein a solution to said puzzle requires forming a larger six sided block from said at least 8 blocks, with one of said six predetermined identifiers associated with each side of said larger six sided block. In yet another embodiment wherein a solution to said puzzle requires forming a larger six sided block from said at least 8 blocks by having like said six predetermined identifiers facing each other. In still another embodiment wherein said solution to said puzzle requires forming said larger six sided block from said at least 8 blocks by having like said six predetermined identifiers facing each other. In yet still another embodiment wherein said six predetermined identifiers are comprised of six different colors. In yet still another embodiment wherein said six predetermined identifiers are comprised of the following colors: white, yellow, red, green, blue, and orange. In another embodiment wherein said six predetermined identifiers are comprised of six different symbols. In another embodiment wherein said at least 8 blocks have smooth surfaces on each side of each block. In yet another embodiment wherein said at least 8 blocks have rough surfaces on each side of each block. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a general perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a general perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention while partially disassembled. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures. 
     Eight piece puzzle is a device, generally designated  10 . Such device  10  includes a plurality of six-sided first cubes  12  of a predetermined size. It is presently preferred that such plurality of six-sided first cubes  12  includes eight six-sided cubes. Such plurality of six-sided cubes may be made of wood, metal, plastic, and a combination thereof. It is presently preferred that each one of such plurality of six-sided cubes is approximately 1″ by 1″, but could be any reasonable size for handling. Such six-sided cubes  12  form one large cube when such six-sided first cubes are positioned in predetermined locations closely adjacent to each other. Each side of such six-sided first cubes  12  has one of six different indicators disposed thereon. In a preferred embodiment these six different indicators are six different colors, but the indicators could be any known in the art including, numbers, letters, symbols, figures, pictures or the like. The colors to be used are presently preferred to be white, yellow, red, green, blue, and orange. Although each cube has the same six colors disposed on its sides, the pattern of the colors on each of such cubes is different and it is meant that such cubes only be positioned such that like colors face each other. For example, the first side of a first cube might be blue while the first side of a second cube is green, and so on. Not only must like colors face each other as the cubes are placed side by side to form the large cube but the correct corresponding colors must face outward such that the large cube has sides which exhibit only one color. A method of playing a puzzle game is also provided. Such method includes providing a plurality of six-sided first cubes of a predetermined size and wherein each side of such six-sided first cubes has one of six different colors disposed thereon such that the pattern of the colors on each of such first cubes is different on each cube. The colors are presently preferred to be white, yellow, red, green, blue, and orange. It is presently preferred that such plurality of six-sided first cubes includes eight six-sided first cubes. Such method further includes the step of positioning such first cubes closely adjacent one another to form one large cube and wherein only like colors one each of such first cubes face each other and only like colors face outward on each side of such large cube. Not only must like colors face each other as the cubes are placed side by side to form the large cube but the correct corresponding colors must face outward such that each side of the large cube exhibits only one color. According to another embodiment, such method may include providing a set of such cubes to each of a predetermined plurality of players and wherein each of such plurality of players is in a race with each of such other players to correctly form such large cube first. 
     For clarity, consider the following table which shows the relative orientation of the blocks and associated indicators/identifiers for a preferred embodiment of the invention. The orientations shown in the table refers to the puzzle in a solved condition. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Top 
                 Left 
                 Right 
                 Side 
                 Side 
                 Bottom 
               
               
                   
                 side 
                 side 
                 side 
                 towards 
                 away 
                 side 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Block 1 
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 D 
                 E 
                 F 
               
               
                 Block 2 
                 A 
                 B 
                 D 
                 E 
                 C 
                 F 
               
               
                 (behind Block 1 
               
               
                 Block 3 
                 B 
                 C 
                 A 
                 D 
                 E 
                 F 
               
               
                 (right of Block 1) 
               
               
                 Block 4 
                 B 
                 D 
                 A 
                 E 
                 C 
                 F 
               
               
                 (behind Block 3) 
               
               
                 Block 5 
                 E 
                 B 
                 C 
                 D 
                 F 
                 A 
               
               
                 (on top of Block 1) 
               
               
                 Block 6 
                 E 
                 B 
                 D 
                 F 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                 (on top of Block 2) 
               
               
                 Block 7 
                 E 
                 C 
                 A 
                 D 
                 F 
                 B 
               
               
                 (on top of Block 3 
               
               
                 Block 8 
                 E 
                 D 
                 C 
                 F 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                 (on top of Block 4) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.