Abstract:
A multi-dimensional puzzle for a way to relieve stress and to provide entertainment. The multi-dimensional puzzle includes a cylindrical base member having lateral slots and a longitudinal slot and a bore; two tubular members also having two lateral slots and a longitudinal slot and a bore; two planar members each having two slots; an arcuate plate member having two slots; three arcuate pieces one of which has a longitudinal slot; and three slot-filling members. All of the pieces and members are placed in such a way to form a solid cylindrical structure.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to multi-dimensional game assembly and more particularly pertains to a new multi-dimensional puzzle for a way to relieve stress and to provide entertainment. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of multi-dimensional game assembly is known in the prior art. More specifically, multi-dimensional game assembly heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,829,101; 3,704,892; 4,518,165; 1,099,159; 4,534,563; and 4,153,254. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new multi-dimensional puzzle. The inventive device includes a cylindrical base member having lateral slots and a longitudinal slot and a bore; two tubular members also having two lateral slots and a longitudinal slot and a bore; two planar members each having two slots; an arcuate plate member having two slots; three arcuate pieces one of which has a longitudinal slot; and three slot-filling members. All of the pieces and members are placed in such a way to form a solid cylindrical structure. 
     In these respects, the multi-dimensional puzzle according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of a way to relieve stress and to provide entertainment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of multi-dimensional game assembly now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new multi-dimensional puzzle construction wherein the same can be utilized for a way to relieve stress and to provide entertainment. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new multi-dimensional puzzle which has many of the advantages of the multi-dimensional game assembly mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new multi-dimensional puzzle which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art multi-dimensional game assembly, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a cylindrical base member having lateral slots and a longitudinal slot and a bore; two tubular members also having two lateral slots and a longitudinal slot and a bore; two planar members each having two slots; an arcuate plate member having two slots; three arcuate pieces one of which has a longitudinal slot; and three slot-filling members. All of the pieces and members are placed in such a way to form a solid cylindrical structure. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new multi-dimensional puzzle which has many of the advantages of the multi-dimensional game assembly mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new multi-dimensional puzzle which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art multi-dimensional game assembly, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new multi-dimensional puzzle which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new multi-dimensional puzzle which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new multi-dimensional puzzle which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such multi-dimensional puzzle economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new multi-dimensional puzzle which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new multi-dimensional puzzle for a way to relieve stress and to provide entertainment. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new multi-dimensional puzzle which includes a cylindrical base member having lateral slots and a longitudinal slot and a bore; two tubular members also having two lateral slots and a longitudinal slot and a bore; two planar members each having two slots; an arcuate plate member having two slots; three arcuate pieces one of which has a longitudinal slot; and three slot-filling members. All of the pieces and members are placed in such a way to form a solid cylindrical structure. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new multi-dimensional puzzle that provides a functionally challenging game. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new multi-dimensional puzzle that provides uniquely structures pieces and members which when combined together forms a solid cylindrical structure. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a new multi-dimensional puzzle according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top planar view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a top planar view of the second planar member including the particular slot-filling members of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the second planar member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the first planar member including one of the slot-filling members of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a top planar view of the first planar member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the second tubular member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the second tubular member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is bottom planar view of the second tubular member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a top planar view of the second arcuate member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the second arcuate member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the first tubular member of the present invention 
     FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the first tubular member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a bottom planar view of the first tubular member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the arcuate plate member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 16 is a top planar view of the arcuate plate member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 17 is a top planar view of the first arcuate member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of the first arcuate member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the first arcuate member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of the base member of the present invention 
     FIG. 21 is a top planar view of the base member of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 21 thereof, a new multi-dimensional puzzle embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 21, the multi-dimensional puzzle  10  generally comprises a cylindrical base member  11  having an open top and an open bottom and a bore  12  extending therethrough. The base member  11  includes a longitudinal slot  15  extending into the bore  12  and extends from the open top to the open bottom, and further includes a first lateral slot  13  and a second lateral slot  14  spaced apart and extending into the bore  12  opposite of the longitudinal slot  15 . The lateral slots  13 , 14  of the base member  11  are spaced along the length of the base member  11  with the lateral slots  13 , 14  having ends which are enlarged. A plurality of tubular members  16 , 21  are adapted to be removably received in the bore  12  of the base member  11 . Each tubular member  16 , 21  has an open top, an open bottom and a bore  17 , 22  extending therethrough. The tubular members include a first tubular member  16  having a longitudinal slot  20  extending into the bore  17  thereof and extending the length thereof, and further includes a second tubular member  21  adapted to be removably received in the bore  17  of the first tubular member  16  and having a longitudinal slot  26  extending the length thereof. Each of the tubular members  16 , 21  has a pair of lateral slots  18 , 19 , 23 , 24  extending into a respective bore  17 , 22  and being spaced along a length thereof with the lateral slots  18 , 19 , 23 , 24  having ends which are enlarged. A plurality of interlocking arcuate pieces are adapted to removably fit into the base member  11  and the tubular members  16 , 21 . The arcuate pieces are essentially C-shaped and include a first arcuate member  25  having enlarged ends  27 , 28  and a longitudinal slot  26  extending from near one end to near the other end thereof, and also include a second arcuate member  29  having enlarged ends  30 , 31  and being adapted to interlockingly fit into the longitudinal slot  26  of the first arcuate member  25 , and further include a third arcuate member  32  being adapted to interlockingly fit into a lateral slot  24  of the second tubular member  21 . The first arcuate member  25  is adapted to interlockingly fit into a second lateral slot  14  of the base member  11  and is adapted to partially extend into a second lateral slot  19  of the first tubular member  16 . A plurality of planar members each of which having an enlarged longitudinal edge  34 , 47  and a pair of slots  35 , 36 , 39 , 40  spaced apart and extending in the longitudinal edge, include a first planar member  33  having a longitudinal portion removably fitted in the longitudinal slots  15 , 20 , 26  of the base member  11  and the tubular members  16 , 21 , and further include a second planar member  37  being adapted to interlockingly fit into a first lateral slot  13  of the base member  11  and into a first lateral slot  18  of the first tubular  16  member and to partially extend into the first lateral slot  23  of the second tubular member  21 . The first planar member  33  includes another longitudinal edge  34  which is enlarged and is removably disposed in the bores  12 , 17 , 22  of the base member  11  and the tubular members  16 , 21 . The second planar member  37  includes an arcuate longitudinal edge to conform to a wall of the base member  11 . An arcuate plate member  41  is laterally curved and has a pair of slots  42 , 43  spaced apart and extending in a longitudinal edge thereof and being interlockingly fitted in the bore  12  of the base member  11 . One of the slots  43  of the arcuate plate member  41  is adapted to receive an enlarged end  47  portion of the second planar member  37 , and the other of the slots  42  of the arcuate plate member  41  is adapted to receive one of the enlarged ends  28  of the first arcuate member  25 . A plurality of slot-filling pieces  44 - 46  are adapted to removably fit in the slots  35 , 39 , 40  of the planar members  33 , 37 . The slot-filling members  44 - 46  are essentially small node-like bodies shaped to interlockingly fit into respective the slots  35 , 39 , 40  of the planar members  33 , 37 . 
     In use, the user atempts to form a solid cylindrical structure. The user starts with the cylindrical base member  11  and places the first tubular member  16  inside the bore  12  of the cylindrical base member  11 , and then places the third arcuate member  32  in the second lateral slot  24  of the second tubular member  21  and places the second tubular member  21  inside the bore  17  of the first tubular member  16 . The user then places the arcuate plate member  41  inside the bore  12  of the base member  11 , and places one of slot-filling members  46  in a second slot  35  of the first planar member  33 , and then places the first planar member  33  in the longitudinal slots  15 , 20 , 26  of the base member  11  and the tubular members  16 , 21 . The user then places the second arcuate member  29  in the longitudinal slot  27  of the first arcuate member  25  and places the first arcuate member  25  in the second lateral slots  14 , 19  of the base member  11  and the first tubular member  21 , respectively, and then places the remaining slot-filling members  44 , 45  in the slots  39 , 40  of the second planar member  37  and then places the second planar member  37  in the first lateral slots  13 , 18 , 23  of the base member  11  and the tubular members  16 , 21  and in the first slot  36  of the first planar member  33  to complete the cylindrical structure. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.