Abstract:
A hand-manipulatable three-dimensional device for generating groups of symbol combinations selected in pseudo-random sequence, having relatively movable faces, each of the faces bearing a distinguishing symbol. A stand on which the device may be mounted, permits reading of the faces at selective orientations of the device. The device may be used as a parlour game or the like.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a hand-manipulatable three-dimensional device for generating and displaying groups of symbols in combinations selected in pseudo-random sequence, for use as a parlour game or the like.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART  
       [0002]     Three-dimensional combination toys or puzzles, in which different combinations of colours or pictures or numbers may be produced by moving blocks in three dimension, are known. The ultimate aim of these amusement devices is common, namely, to manipulate the plurality of elements to different positions in an attempt to reproduce a predetermined pattern. Puzzles, with similar purposes, have been invented with various overall shapes.  
         [0003]     For example, the popular Rubik&#39;s Cube® is in the form of a cube consisting of a plurality of manipulatable cubical elements which by rotation can be moved to different positions, the object being to reproduce the original pattern of cubical facets on all six faces of the cube.  
         [0004]     Another form of hand-manipulatable three-dimensional puzzle is described and illustrated by Goldfarb U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,155 issued Jan. 19, 1985; including a body in the shape of an octahedron and constituted of a plurality of elements interconnected together to permit rotation of one-half of the body with respect to the other half along each of three orthogonal planes symmetrically passing through the body. The octahedron-shaped body is defined by a pair of interpenetrating tetrahedra presenting the outline appearance of a six-pointed star when the device is viewed along any one of the eight axes of the tetrahedra. The eight smaller tetrahedra, which define the outer face of the puzzle, may be manipulated to different positions with the aim of reproducing a predetermined pattern.  
         [0005]     One possible internal mechanism which permits relative movement of the elements of the three-dimensional puzzles is taught by Isobe in U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,623 issued Aug. 17, 1982. His mechanism comprises a central, spherical core and a plurality of guide canopies laterally spaced apart from one another such that the spaces between the edges of adjacent guide canopies define guide tracks. Seven movable elements are provided (each provided with a slide piece dimensioned to slide within and be retained by the canopies and guide spaces and attached to its element via an inwardly projecting slide leg free to move within the guide tracks), as well as an eighth, fixed element fastened to the central core. The guide canopies are first attached to the central core; the seven movable blocks are then assembled with their respective slide pieces inserted into the guide spaces via a slide piece insertion opening. Finally the fixed element is fastened to the central core above the slide piece insertion opening.  
         [0006]     Other patents of general background interest describing and illustrating hand-manipulatable toys or puzzles, include U.S. Pat. No. 3,081,089 of Gustafson issued Mar. 12, 1963, U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,201 of Nichols issued Apr. 11, 1972 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,502 of Paulos issued Oct. 4, 1983.  
         [0007]     Applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,467 issued Jul. 4, 1984 describes such three-dimensional device, which has a chance selection application. The device is used as a parlour game for entertainment, by generating and displaying groups of symbol combinations through movable elements selected in pseudo-random sequence and by permitting the “reading” of the symbol combinations of the adjacent faces of the device. The mechanism of this device comprises a sphere with sections of part spherical contours centrally mounted thereon. The sections are spaced apart from each other and adapted to allow sliding of the feet of the movable elements on the surface of the sphere.  
         [0008]     The device according to the above Applicant&#39;s patent presents a unique application of three-dimensional hand-manipulatable devices. It can be seen that it would be highly desirable for such application, that the movable parts be easily movable by a user. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a unique geometric random selection device having a mechanism that allows for an easy movement of the movable parts of the device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     In accordance with the invention, there is provided a hand-manipulatable three-dimensional device for generating and displaying groups of symbol combinations selected in pseudo-random sequence. The device comprises an octahedral unit formed of eight elements having equilateral congruent triangular faces. The elements are interconnected together to permit rotation of one-half of the unit with respect to the other half along each of the three orthogonal planes of symmetry of the unit. The elements are also grouped about and enclose a center sphere with their triangular faces facing outwardly, seven of the elements being movable on the outer surface of the sphere, the edges of which elements define the allowable directions of rotation of the other elements about the sphere and guide those elements during rotation. A similar triangular foot of part spherical contour is mounted centrally by post means to the underside of each of the elements, the part spherical contour of the feet corresponding to that of the surface of the sphere such that the feet are slidable on the surface of the center sphere. Circular sections of part spherical contour, centrally mounted by means of post means above the surface of the sphere for holding the feet between the circular sections and the surface of the sphere are provided, the circular sections being spaced from adjacent circular sections to form paths between which the post means of the movable elements pass. A pyramidal segment is rotatably secured at the center of its base to the center of the triangular face of each of the elements. The base of each pyramidal segment is of similar size and shape to the triangular faces of the elements of the unit. Each of the pyramidal segments has an outwardly directed apex and three outer faces. The three outer faces of each pyramidal segment converge at the apex. Each of the faces of the pyramidal segments bears a distinguishing symbol to provide clear visual coordination or non-coordination with corresponding symbols on the adjoining triangular faces of adjacent elements, whereby the coordination or non-coordination of the symbols on pairs of adjacent triangular faces of the elements when viewed along the facing outer vertexes may be visualized.  
         [0010]     In a preferred embodiment, the symbol on each of the faces of the eight elements is a pair of colours, wherein four of the pairs of colours can share a common colour. The groups of symbol combinations can be groups of colours and the colours can be the same or different.  
         [0011]     In another preferred embodiment, the device can further comprise a stand having a base and upstanding arms spaced from each other on the base, the arms having, on their upper ends, means located so as to hold therebetween the apexes of oppositely positioned elements on the unit to permit rotation of the unit on the axis passing through said opposite apexes.  
         [0012]     The device according to the invention by permitting the “reading” of the groups of symbol combinations as displayed by the symbols of the adjacent faces of the elements, may be used as a parlour game. 
     
    
     BRIEF REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device in accordance with the invention mounted on a stand, and in position for viewing by a user;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the central core part of the device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a partial exploded view of the device of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the interconnection of the part thereof; and  
         [0017]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  are schematic views of the device of  FIG. 1 , illustrating examples of combination of colours. 
     
    
       [0018]     While the invention will be described in conjunction with the illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     In the following description, similar features have been given similar reference numerals.  
         [0020]     Turning to the drawings, there is illustrated in  FIG. 1 a  device  2  in accordance with the present invention. Device  2  comprises a hand-manipulatable pseudo-random selection unit  4  rotatably mounted on a stand  33 . Unit  4  as can be seen in  FIG. 3  is made of eight similar elements  8 , each having a flat, equal-sided triangular outer face  10 , and slidably mounted on a central spherical core  12  ( FIG. 2 ) to form an octrahedral unit having adjacent equilateral congruent triangular faces. Elements  8  are interconnected together, as illustrated, to permit rotation of one-half of the unit with respect to the other half along each of the three orthogonal planes of symmetry passing through the center of the unit. Seven of elements  8  thus are slidably movable on the outer surface of core  12  while the eighth element ( 8   a ) is secured to the core, post  13  locking into an aperture  15  in core  12 , element  8   a  being not movable with respect thereto. In this way, the three edges  11  of the fixed element  8   a  define the three allowable directions of relative rotation for the remaining seven elements  8  about core  12  and also provide the necessary guidance during their rotation. Each plane of symmetry divides the elements  8  into two groups of four. This permits one-half of the unit to be rotated with respect to the other half along each of these three planes of symmetry.  
         [0021]     Movement of the seven movable elements  8  on the spherical surface of core  12  is permitted and guided by means of triangular feet  14 , of part-spherical contour, mounted centrally by means of posts  16  to the underside  18  of each of such element  8 , feet  14  being slidable on the surface of core  12  and held there by means of circular umbrella sections  20  spaced from each other and from the surface of core  12 . Circular umbrella sections  20  are mounted thereon by central shaft  22 . The shape of the underside of each circular umbrella section  20  is that of a sphere of radius slightly more than (r+e) where r is the radius of the core  12 , and e is the thickness of the feet  14 , while the outside of the circular umbrella section  20  is also spherical of radius slightly more than (r+e+t) where t is the thickness of the umbrella section. When the umbrella section  20  is projected onto a flat surface at right angles to the shaft  22  it is circular-shaped.  
         [0022]     The thickness e of feet  14  permits a predetermined guide space to be formed between each circular umbrella section  20  and the central core or sphere  12 .  
         [0023]     The spaces between adjacent circular umbrella sections  20  receive and guide posts  16  of movable elements  8 , and are oriented to ensure proper directional movement of these elements.  
         [0024]     The circular shape of the umbrella sections  20  allows for an easy movement of the feet  14  between consecutive umbrella sections.  
         [0025]     By holding four of these elements  8  and  8   a  in one hand, the other four can be moved into one of four possible positions corresponding to the positions where each triangular element  8  is perfectly aligned with its three adjacent triangular elements. In each of these positions, any one of the three possible axes of rotation can be chosen and the unit will be free to rotate. A difficulty arises if the unit is left in some intermediate position which may be close to one of the four desired positions but not right on it. If a new axis of rotation is chosen, great difficulty will be experienced in moving the unit elements. Should undue force then be used, destruction of the unit could then ensue. To avoid this problem, corner depressions  24  are provided on the inner surfaces of circular umbrella sections  20  to form four definite click stops to receive therein corner portions of feet  14  and signal when their correct position has been reached.  
         [0026]     Rotatably secured to outer face  10  of each element  8  is a pyramidal-shaped segment  26  having a base  28  which is triangular in shape and normally congruent with outer face  10 . Each of these segments  26  has three triangular outer faces  29  converging at apex  30  in the form of a truncated corner of a cube forming a pyramid standing on an equilateral triangle with the edges meeting at the apex  30  being mutually orthogonal. Each of these outer segments  26  is centrally rotatably mounted on the outer face  10  of its respective triangular element  8 . This adds greatly to the number of permutations and combinations possible.  
         [0027]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention each of the twenty-four faces  29  available for segments  26  is marked with a pair of colours, for example red-blue, green-yellow, pink-gray, red-green . . . The same pair of colours can be provided on two different faces. Two respective faces of the three faces of a given tetrahedron may share one common colour. For example if one of the three faces is red-blue, the second may be blue-gray and the third gray-red. It can thus be seen that eight different faces of the twenty-four faces may share one common colour. If such eight faces come into conjunction one another, the result will be a combination as illustrated for example in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b . If we identify each pair of colours by a letter A, B, C . . . , the eight outer tetrahedral segments each with their three faces may then be marked with the following pairs.  
                                                           A   I   E           B   J   F           C   K   G           D   L   H           E   A   I           F   B   J           G   C   K           H   D   L                         Wherein:                A is red-blue                B is blue-green                C is red-green                D is red-purple                E is gray-red                F is yellow-blue                G is blue-red                H is green-red                I is blue-gray                J is green-yellow                K is green-blue                L is purple-green             
 
         [0028]     A problem may arise when the outer segments  26  are allowed to rotate about axes through their vertexes. If one of these tetrahedral segments  26  is left so that the vertexes overhang any of the adjacent segments  26 , there is a possibility that damage could result if the rotation of one group of four elements  8  with respect to the other four are attempted. To avoid this, three click stops in the form of projections  31  are provided on the base of each segment  26 , to be releasably seated in corresponding indentations in the triangular face  10  of the corresponding element  8  when in proper alignment, so that the operator knows for sure that the outer segment has been left in the correct position.  
         [0029]     To assemble the unit, first the six circular umbrella sections  20  are secured to core  12 . The movable inner elements  8  have triangular-shaped feet  14 . It is possible to insert these feet into the spaces between any three of the circular umbrella sections  20  and with a slight twist, slide it into place around the core  12 . Element  8   a  has a foot  14  of more rounded shape because it is not possible to twist this last element, so that it is retained under each of the three corresponding circular umbrella sections  20 . The eighth element  8   a  is simply dropped into place and secured to core  12  by square-shaped snap pin  32  at the end of post  13  to both hold it and prevent it from rotating.  
         [0030]     In operation, the elements  8  are rotated through any of the three axes of rotation, any number of times. As well, each outer pyramidal segment  26  can be rotated about an axis through its own vertex. As a random permutation device, for a given combination, the invention gives the same probability as would occur if three coins were thrown six times.  
         [0031]     For operation and viewing of the unit  4 , a stand  33  having a base  34  and spaced, upstanding arms  36  is provided. At the upper ends of arms  36  are a pair of inwardly oriented, aligned sleeves  38 , secured to the arms  36 . Apertures  40 , adapted to releasably hold the apexes  30  of oppositely positioned segments  26  to permit rotation of the unit  4  on the axis passing through these apexes  30 , are provided in the facing ends of sleeves  38 . When all manipulations on the unit  4  are finished, the unit  4  is placed on stand  33  to facilitate reading. The apexes of two opposing pyramidal segments  26  chosen are inserted into apertures  40  of sleeves  38 . With two of the pyramidal vertexes  30  being used as pivot points, six vertices are left around which readings may be made. Each of these vertices is associated with a pyramid which in turn is surrounded by three faces of three other pyramids. By interpreting the patterns formed by these conjunctions, one can get the same effect as if one were to toss three coins six times.  
         [0032]     The sleeve mounts  38  on the stand arms  36  are formed with click stops (not illustrated) every 120°, the click stops on each sleeve being 60° out of phase with those on the other. By rotating the unit  4  through to the next click stop on the right hand side, a new central pyramidal segment  26  is seen surrounded by the faces  29  of three adjacent pyramidal segments  26 . This gives rise to a new set of combination of colours. A third rotation of unit  4  in its stand  33  brings a third pyramidal segment  26  into view and a third set of combination of colours can be found. If the unit  4  is now rotated 60°, the right hand sleeve  38  will click into a stop position. If the entire stand  33  is now slightly turned clockwise on its base  34 , a fourth central pyramidal segment  26  will be viewed and a fourth set of combination of colours determined. A 120° rotation of the unit  4  in its stand  33  will reveal a fifth pyramidal segment  26  while rotation to a sixth click stop position will give the remaining set of heads and tails.  
         [0033]     In this regard, to illustrate to the user the proper orientation of the stand  33  for viewing each of these two sets of three central pyramidal segments  26  and surrounding faces of adjacent segment  26 , an appropriate stand alignment means in the form of linear markings is provided. In the illustrated embodiment, this alignment means is provided by the orientation of edges  41  and  42  of base  34 . These edges are formed so that when one or the other directly faces the user, the stand (and unit  4  held within) are properly positioned so that the user has a direct view of one or the other of these sets of segment  26 . As an example of the use of this device, symbols  44  representing, as previously discussed, when aligned on adjacent faces on adjacent segments  26 , a “face” is formed on the segment faces as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and when not aligned on adjacent faces of adjacent segments  26 , the combination of colours, may be provided on the segment faces as illustrated in  FIGS. 4   b  and  4   d . The pairs of colours would be arranged on the faces  29  as previously indicated herein.  
         [0034]     In order to use the device one may formulate a question about a matter one has been thinking of for some time. The unit is then removed from stand  33  and manipulated by that person by rotating through any of its three rotational directions for any number of times. In addition, any of the eight segments  26  can be rotated on its own axis. The unit is then returned to its stand with a pair of opposite apexes positioned in apertures  40  of sleeves  38 . The device is then ready to be read.  
         [0035]     Starting from the point where the unit  4  has been returned to the stand, the stand is first turned slightly so that edge  42  is directly in front of the user. The unit  4  is then rotated slightly in the stand until it clicks into detente on the left hand sleeve of the stand.  
         [0036]     The various combinations of colours of these patterns may then be correlated with interpretation charts, which would provide, for example, predictions concerning the user&#39;s future or the like.  
         [0037]     Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the invention a hand-manipulatable three-dimensional device for generating and displaying groups of symbol combination selected in pseudo-random sequence wherein the movable parts of the device are easily movable. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the invention.