Improvements in Puzzles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 21st Mar., 1896
Improvements in Puzzles.
A communication from WILLIAM GEORGE ADAMS, of Gravers Lane, Chestnut
Hill, Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, United States of America,
Mechanical Engineer.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention consists of a base plate studded with headed pins or screws
arranged in accordance with a predetermined plan, and an auxiliary plate having
radial recesses less in width than the heads of the pins and capable of movement
among them by causing the recesses to engage the pins, the problem being to
separate the two plates from a given position of engagement and to re-establish
their original connection without directly lifting one from the other or forcing
them apart.
In the accompanying drawings, wherein like letters represent like parts in the
several views,
Fig. 1, represents a plan view of the invention showing the usual form of the
two plates aud pin-heads;
Fig. 2, shows a vertical section of a portion of the base plate, a side view of the
pins or screws and one mode of connecting the two parts;
Fig. 3, represents the auxiliary or traveller plate and shows the relative length
and position of the recesses as the piece is usually constructed.
Referring to Fig. 1, A represents the base plate studded with headed pins of
similar construction. Those pins represented by the letters, B, C, D, E, F, G, H,
I, J, and K, being so marked for the purposes of this explanation.
Referring to Fig. 2, the pins are shown as pointed tacks having plain heads.
The base plate being wooden, it will be understood that the pins can be taken out
and inserted at other points upon the plate thereby varying the problem to be
solved. I do not, however, limit myself to the particular construction just
described. Any suitable material may be selected from which to fashion the two
plates, and the pins may be driven into the base plate and permanently secured
thereto in any convenient manuer. It is also within the scope of this invention to
provide the base plate with sockets situated as desired, wherein the pins may be
inserted in varying combinations with relation to the form and possible movement
of the auxiliary plate.
Referring to Fig. 3, L represents the auxiliary plate provided with radial
recesses, M, N, O, P, and R. It is provided with recesses which may vary in
length and position. As usually constructed, the plate, L, is approximately
circular. M represents the longest recess, and N, O, P, and R, the remaining
recesses each less than its predecessor in length. Any convenient thickness of
material can be used, and the heads of the pins should be sufficient in diameter to
prevent accidental separation of the plates. The recesses readily receive the pins
and pass beneath the heads thereof.
The operation of this invention is as follows:
Move the plate, L, from the position shown by Fig. 1, causing recess, M, to
engage pin, D. Swing plate, L, about until recess, P, engages pin, E; thence
until recess, O, engages pin, F; thence until recess, N, engages pin, D; thence

page_text: until recess, R, engages pin, E; thence until recess, M, engages pin, F; thence
until recess, P, engages the pin, D; thence until recess, O, engages the pin, E,
and thence until recess, N, engages the pin, F. The plate, L, may now be moved
along the dotted line of Fig. 1, the recess, R, engaging the pin, G, the recess, N,
engaging the pin, C, the recess, R, engaging the pin, H, the recess, M, engaging
the pin, I, and the recess, P, engaging the pin, J. The final step is to bring
recess, M, into engagement with the pin, J. This is accomplished by swinging the
plate, L, until the recess, M, engages the pir, D; thence until the recess, R,
engages the pin, J; thence until the recess, N, engages the pin, D; thence until
the recess, O, engages the pin, J; thence until the recess, P, engages the pin, D,
and thence until the recess, M, engages the pin, J. The plate, L, may now be
turned upon the pin, J, passed between the pins, J and K, and separated from
the base plate, A.
An exact reversal of the movements above described will restore the plate, L, to
its original position at the centre of the base plate, A.
Having thus sufficiently described the invention, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is the
following:-
1. A puzzle consisting of a plate having headed pins projecting therefrom and
an auxiliary plate provided with recesses adapted to engage said pins, substantially
as and for the purposes herein shown and described.
2. A puzzle consisting of a base plate provided with projecting headed pins
arranged as herein shown and described, an auxiliary plate, L, having recesses less
in width than the diameter of the pin heads, the plate, L, adapted to be moved
about and among said pins, the direct separation of said plates being prevented by
said pin-heads, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 20th den of Wabruary 1896
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant