Improvements in Puzzles and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Applicati n, 8th May, 1895
Complete Specification Le't 'th Feb. 1897-3ccepted. 27th Mar 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Puzzles and the like.
HENRY MARLES, 72 Cobden Road. Brighton in the County of Sussex, Mechanic,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to puzzles and like devices consisting essentially of two
parts. One part consists of a plate of metal or any other suitable material formed
into the required shape, preferably resembling the general shape, outline or map
of some country or continent. The same being pierced with holes or channels of
the required form. The other essential part of the puzzle consists of a figure
resembling the shape of an animal or other suitable object having projections,
which preferably take the form of the legs of the animal and which are made to
pass into the piercings or channels of the above mentioned plate and engage with
the same in such a way that the figure may be moved about freely in almost any
lateral direction, without the possibility of removing all the legs from the plate,
except at the required point or position in the said plate. The object of the
puzzle being to remove the figure entirely from the plate or to get it into any
required position thereon.
In my preferred form I make my plate to resemble in shape the continent or part
of the continent of Africa. The figure to be engaged therewith taking the form of a
lion, with its two forelegs together and its two hind legs together, thus forming the
four legs into two projections on the underside of the figure, but it is intended that
any number of legs may be used. The feet of the animal being larger in circuin-
ference than the legs, which latter are made smaller towards the underside of the
figure's body. The said figure having other projections in the shape of its head and
tail, which at certain points on the plate prevent either of the legs passing through
the plate as far as the smallest part of the said leg while the other leg is resting on
the top of the surface of the plate. The distance between the legs near the body of the
animal being greater than between the feet, it will be evident that if the feet are
passed through two channels in the plate as far as the smaller part of the legs, it will
then be possible to move the figure laterally through channels which are further apart
and smaller than those through which the feet were passed.
nis 4th law of Max 1806
HENRY MARLES, 72 Cobden Road, Brighton in the County of Sussex, Mechanic,
5 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 relates to improvements in puzzles and the like.
essentially of two or more parts.
Consisting

page_text: One part consists of a plate formed of sheet metal or any other suitable material,
stamped or otherwise formed into the required shape. The same being pierced with
holes or channels.
The other essential part of the puzzle consists of a figure having projections which
pass into the holes or piercings in the said plate, as hereinafter described and
illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which similar letters of reference
indicate corresponding parts.
The puzzle or problem involved being, either to get the said figure to any stated
position on the said plate, or, having got the said figure into the said position, to get
it out again.
Figure 1. of the accompanying drawings represents a topside view or plan and
Figures 2. and 3. are edge views of sections on lines A.-A. and B.-B. respectively,,
through Figure 1., of one form of my invention.
The plate C. in Figure 1. is made to resemble in outline the map of Africa,,
but it is intended that any other suitable shape or outline may be employed.
The figure D. in Figures 1. and is intended to represent a lion having its two
fore legs together and its two hind legs together. The said legs being formed as
illustrated for the purpose of working in the openings and channels E. E. in
the plate.
In Figures 2. and 3. the lion is represented by dotted lines in some of the
different positions necessary to get the said lion into the aforementioned channels
or openings. The said positions being taken up in the order as numbered: 1. 2. 3 and 4.
It will be seen that there are several holes in the said plate . which are large
enough to admit one of the feet of the figure D. but until the other foot can be lowered
by being passed through another hole or over the edge of the plate, it is impossible
for the said figure D. to be moved through the narrower parts of the said channels.
As when the foot of one leg is resting on the top of the plate, the other leg is
prevented from dropping through the hole as far as its smallest part. But if the
other leg be then passed through the plate, or over the edge of the same, as
far as its smallest part, it will be possible to move the figure 1). laterally through
the said channels.
Figures 5. and 6. are end and side views respectively, of a modified form of
figure D.
Figure 7. is a topside view of a modified form of the puzzle according to my
invention.
The plate C. here represents a part of the Northern hemisphere of the earth, and
may be marked out to represent a map of the Arctic regions, the centre opening forming
the Polar basin. The figure D. that works in the openings or channels in this case
takes the form of a ship, with two projections or legs depending from its underside.
The puzzle being to get the said ship into the centre opening as illustrated. The legs
in this case are narrowed near the hull of the ship as shewn in the section Figure 9.
to allow the ship to be moved through the narrow channels of the plate in the
direction of its own length.
Figure 8. is a section through Figure 7. at A-A.
The plate C. in Figures 7. and 8. may be domed up if preferred instead of being
flat as shewn.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
The manufacture and use of puzzles and the like, substantially in the manner
hereinbefore described and illustrated.
DL: CL
1007
HENRY MARLES.