Abstract:
A puzzle or game including a set of pieces combinable to form a rectangular array and a retainer for holding said pieces in a tubular or circular form dimensioned in accordance with the Phi factor, (φ). The set of pieces is divided into three subsets of different colors to be combined in rows of equal length in which no piece of any given subset abuts any other piece of the same subset end-to-end or side-to-side. The pieces carry indicia also to be combined in the array in distinctive fashion related to φ.

Description:
This invention relates in general to puzzles and games in the fields of education and entertainment, and in particular to a group of geometric pieces which can be combined in accordance with certain of their characteristics to form any one of a number of predetermined arrays. 
     More specifically, the invention is concerned with the combining of a set of similar pieces having a common dimension which is uniquely mathematically related to a comparable dimension of all other pieces of the plurality, the pieces having markings and colors to be considered in forming the arrays. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The art is replete with games, puzzles, educational toys, models and various mathematical recreations involving the assembly of geometric pieces into some type of pattern or structure. A considerable body of literature on the subject exists and continues to grow with the issuance of new patents and publications for educators, students, and hobbyists. An excellent review and compilation of the art may be found in Puzzle Craft by Stewart T. Coffin (1985; published by Stewart Coffin, 79 Old Sudbury Road, Lincoln, Mass. 01773). Another extensive survey may be found in Puzzles Old &amp; New, How To Make and Solve Them by Jerry Slocum and Jack Botermans (1986, Plenary Publication International (Europe) bv, De Meern, The Netherlands and ADM International bv, Amsterdam, The Netherlands). 
     Even a cursory review of the literature will indicate that many of the puzzles which are most popular involve the combining or arranging of a group of pieces in some particular way or ways which constitute the solution of the puzzle. The present invention, although it has applications in education, architecture and design in general can probably best be understood in the context of such &#34;combinatorial puzzles&#34;. 
     A basic underlying concept of the present invention involves component pieces and accessories having dimensions scaled by values in the geometrical and additive series of Phi, thus demonstrating the proportion known as the &#34;Golden Section&#34;. The proportion derived from the ratio Phi has been used in the art and architecture for the creation of proportional form and may be expressed as: ##EQU1## which is equal to 1.618 . . . . Much has been written of the golden section, and a particularly valuable publication of the subject is The Geometry of Art and Life by Matila Ghyke, Dover Publications, Inc., New York, N.Y. 10014 (1977). 
     For present purposes, it is sufficient to note that the number or ratio, or proportion Phi has been designated φ and has long been known to have properties as remarkable in their way as the better known number π. For example, concerning the geometrical and additive series: ##EQU2## 
     There is at least one puzzle known in the art which involves dissimilar pieces each having a side length related to powers of the golden section, the pieces being combinable to form various polygons and other geometric figures. This puzzle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,471, Pentagonal Puzzle, issued Aug. 10, 1982 to Calvert. 
     It is a primary object of this invention to utilize the additive and geometrical properties of the Golden Section in a challenging mathematical recreation. 
     Another object is to provide a geometric puzzle which is playable at different degrees of difficulty. 
     Still another object is to aid the teaching of mathematical relationships and the understanding and appreciation of art. 
     A further object is to provide a puzzle which when solved expresses the symmetry of geometric form and color. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is organized about a set of similar geometric pieces all having a dimension of a value which is in the continuous geometrical and additive series of Phi, (φ). The pieces are combinable to form differing arrays which have similar patterns. For example, a group of rods is provided in various lengths related serially in accordance with the φ factor. The rods are then to be combined into any of numerous arrays of rows of equal length. The rods may be of equal and unequal lengths, but all are of lengths related to the φ factor. In a specific case, one may have four rods of unit length, (φ 0 ); seven rods of φ times the unit length, (φ); four rods of φ 2  times the unit length, (φ 2 ); two rods of φ 3  times the unit length, (φ 3 ); and one rod of φ 4  times the unit length (φ 4 ). In the set of rods one group has one color, another group a second color, and a third group a third color. Then, it is the object of the puzzle to form six adjoining rows such that no rods of the same color touch either end-to-end or side-to-side. Yet greater difficulty may be imposed by requiring the forming of the six rows into a continuous cylindrical surface while maintaining the condition of no end-to-end or side-to-side contact of rods of the same color. 
     In addition, or alternatively, the pieces may carry identifying indicia or markings related to each other in accordance with the φ factor. An objective may then be the assembly of the pieces with the markings in certain required positions relative to the other indicia without departing from the imposed pattern or array of colors. 
     Finally, the invention may include any of several devices or systems by which the pieces may be assembled together to form the object arrays. These may include transparent containers, magnetic mounting frames, or other mechanisms for retaining the pieces in a continuous surface array or other object configuration. These retainers may also be constructed in accordance with the φ factor. 
     For a better understanding of the present invention together with other objects, features and advantages, reference should be made to the following description of a preferred embodiment which should be read with reference to the appended drawings in which: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a set of pieces to be assembled into an array; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates graphically a solution in which the assembly of the pieces of the set of FIG. 1 satisfies certain requirements of the puzzle; and 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a transparent cylindrical container which permits the pieces to be held as a continuous visible surface array. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In FIG. 1, there is shown a set of pieces each having a rectangular surface. The pieces need not be rectangular in cross-section and, in fact, are preferred to be trapezoidal in cross-section. In the top view here, however, each rod presents a rectangular surface having a width of 1/φ. For purposes of simplification and ease of understanding, they will be referred to as &#34;rectangular rods&#34;. 
     The rods are illustrated in three subsets arranged in rows according to color. It will be noted that rows 12 and 14 comprise a subset marked &#34;R&#34; for red. Row 12 includes a total of five pieces. Two of these pieces, namely, 12a and 12c are of unit length (φ 0 ). The three other pieces 12b, 12d and 12e in row 12 are of length φ. Turning to row 14, there are but two pieces 14a and 14b. The piece 14a is of length φ 2  and the piece 14b is of length φ 3 . The grand total of red pieces in rows 12 and 14 is seven. 
     Rows 16 and 18, as indicated, comprise a subset of yellow pieces marked &#34;Y&#34;. Row 16 includes three pieces 16a and 16b of length φ 2  and piece 16c of length φ. Row 18 includes three pieces, 18a of unit length φ 0 , 18b of length φ, and 18c of length φ 3 . In total, in rows 16 an 18, there are six yellow pieces. 
     The subset comprised of blue pieces is shown in rows 20 and 22 marked &#34;B&#34;. Row 20 includes a piece 20a of length φ 2 , pieces 20c and 20d, each of length φ, and piece 20b of length φ 0 . Row 22 is composed of the single piece 22 of length φ 4 . The total number of blue pieces is five. 
     For purposes to be explained hereinbelow, the surfaces of the pieces 14a, 14b, 16a, 18c, 20a, and 22 are inscribed with dots 25. For each color or subset, there is a rod of length φ 2  carrying a dot. For two colors or subsets there is a rod of length φ 3  carrying a dot. For one color or subset there is one rod of length φ 4  carrying a dot. 
     Summarizing, for the example here described, seven of the rods are red, six are yellow, and five are blue. Two rods of each color are inscribed with a dot, and in each case, the dots are positioned on the rods in the ratio of 1:φ as dot position is to rod length. 
     The rod 22 is inscribed with six scale lines 30 which divide the rod length into seven increments of length φ 0 , 1/φ, φ 0 , φ 0 , 1/φ, φ and φ 0 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates graphically a solution to the puzzle. Individual pieces in the figure are legended B, Y, and R as in FIG. 1 denoting their colors, blue, yellow and red and also carry the same reference numerals used in FIG. 1. The pieces have been assembled in six rows so that no piece of like color meet, either end-to-end or side-to-side. They form a generally rectangular array as the term is used in this disclosure. Although FIG. 2 actually shows the rods arranged upon a flat surface to form the rectangular array, the term &#34;rectangular array&#34; may also describe the same array wrapped into a tubular or cylindrical form. Side-to-side contact between pieces of the same color is avoided between the first and last rows of the six when they are joined in the tubular form just as such contact is absent between all other rows. Specifically, the sixth row constituted by the blue rod 22 meets only with rods of other colors in the first row, the piece 14b being red and the piece 16c being yellow. 
     In FIG. 3, there is shown a preferred retainer for the assembled pieces of the puzzle or game. The retainer contributes to the objective of displaying proportional form and color in accordance with the ratio φ. The retainer consists of a transparent tube 40 of outside diameter φ made of a plastic such as acrylic having radial partitions 42 on its inner surface extending the length of the interior of the tube. The partitions project inwardly and with the inner surface form 3-sided compartments to accommodate rods of trapezoidal cross-section of which the pieces of the puzzle are made. The rods, however, are rectangularly surfaced, and the assembled array, although wrapped into a tube, still constitutes a rectangular array. 
     A stopper of overall height 1/φ and made of the same transparent material includes a knob 44 extending axially outward and a notched disc 46 which fits into the cylindrical case 40. Diametrically opposite notches 48 are cut in the disc 46 and they cooperate with inwardly projecting radial pegs 50 to serve as a closure. The disc 46 may be inserted into the cylindrical case 40 with the notches 48 clearing the pegs 50. After the disc passes below the pegs 50, it may be turned so that the notches are no longer aligned with the pins and the stopper thus closes the case. 
     The first step in solving the puzzle is best taken by spilling all of the pieces on a flat surface and forming six rows, all the same length as the length of the longest rod. The pieces may then be shifted until the objective of no end-to-end or side-to-side like colors contacting is achieved. The pieces may then be inserted in order into the appropriate compartments of the cylindrical case 40. The tubular or wraparound solution of the puzzle in then clearly visible through the transparent walls of the case. Moreover, the disposition of the assembled colored rods constitutes a sculptural display of symmetry in form and color. The stopper may then be put into the case and turned to misalign the notches 48 with the radial pegs 50 to retain the pieces in place. Although there are literally hundreds of correct color combinations which solve the puzzle, they are not usually found quickly, and that adds to its fascination. 
     In addition to the color pattern solution, the additional indicia which the rods bear are useful in setting additional conditions to be met in solving the game or puzzle. The presence of the dots 25 and their location on certain of the pieces has been noted above. So also has the presence and location of the scale lines 30 on the longest rod 22 been remarked. The added complication which adds a degree of difficulty in solving the puzzle involves the positioning of a dot at each of the six positions along the length of the puzzle indicated by the scale lines on the longest rod 22 with only a single dot to appear in each row of rods. 
     Turning to FIG. 2, it may be seen that both the color and the dot-to-scale problems have been solved. The blue piece 20a has a dot positioned at the scale line 30a. The red piece 14b has a dot positioned at the scale line 30b and the yellow piece 16a has a dot positioned at the scale line 30c. The single blue piece 22 itself has a dot positioned at the scale line 30d. The yellow piece 18c has a dot positioned at the scale line 30e and the red piece 14a has a dot positioned at the scale line 30f. 
     With the added degree of difficulty imposed by the dot-to-scale condition, there are relatively few correct solutions to the puzzle. Discovery of those solutions poses a continuing challenge to the user of the puzzle.