An Improved Puzzle.
Year: 1899

page_text: I, THOMAS ARTHUR PRICKETT, of 13, Frobisher Road, Hornsey, London, N.,
Accountant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows;-
This invention has for its object an improved puzzle of the class in which it
is required to remove a link or links of a chain from certain hooks upon a metal
stamping or the like.
According to this invention, a piece of metal is used provided with two hooks
one at each side the whole being preferably stamped out of sheet metal. A chain
of several links of the class in which the links are twisted from one plane into
one at right angles is also used having a ring between the first and second links
at one end and having the adjacent end link closed in so that the ring cannot
be moved from one end of it to the other.
The closed in link is placed over one of the hooks and the second link is
engaged over the other hook. The object of the puzzle is to disengage this link
from the hook so as to remove the chain altogether without forcing.
The only operation necessary is to pass the ring from one end of the second
link to the other end partially alongside the hook stamping. This requires a
little manipulation of the link but is not difficult. The link can then be moved
down the ring until its end will pass over the hook which is now possible owing
to the position of the ring.
To replace, the operations are similar.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Puzzle.
.
I, THOMAS ARTHUR PRICKETT, of 13, Frobisher Road, Hornsey, London, N.,
Accountant, 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 has for its object an improved puzzle of the class in which it
is required to remove a link or links of a chain from certain hooks upon a metal
stamping or the like. In the form preferably employed, a metal stamping,
having two hooks is used. The chain consists essentially of two links one of
which is provided with a cross piece near one end and a small ring passing through
the smaller portion of this particular link, so that it cannot be moved along it,
connects the two. Other links & devices are added as desired. The two links
are fitted one over each of the hooks, & the object of the puzzle is to so manipu-
late the links & ring that the chain can be removed therefrom, the links being
so designed, that it is impossible to do this when in the positions which they
D

page_text: normally assume. And in order that this invention may be more clearly
described reference is had to the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings on
which Fig. 1 is an elevation of one form in which my invention can be produced
and, Fig. 2, shews the same with the chain, partially removed. The stamping A,
is provided with the two hooks A', A2, and is ornamental in shape. The portion A³
may be constructed as an advertising device or adapted to represent the face of
some notorious' person, or may form a key-ring or other useful addition to the
puzzle.
-
The chain consists of the link B having the cross piece b dividing it into two
portions, the link B₁ the ring C and other links B2 B3 etc. as may be desired.
Normally the links B B are placed over the hooks A¹ A2 as shown in Fig. 1.
In this position when the links are properly designed it is impossible to remove
them without forcing.
To remove them, the ring C is moved up the link B₁ at the side of the hook, A³
to the other end. This is not difficult, although it requires some manipulation
as there is only sufficient room for the passage of the ring between the link B₁
and the hook A2 when they are in their proper relative positions. The link B
can then be slid up through the ring C when the latter is in this new position
and can be easily taken off the hook A2 after which the whole chain can be
removed. The operations for replacing the chain on the hooks are of course
similar to those above described but in the reverse order.
The actual shapes of the links & hooks can of course be varied so long as they
admit of manipulation in the manner above described without departing from
this invention & other links, rings or other devices can be added for other pur-
poses although only the hooks A A², the links B, B1 and the ring C are essential
to this invention.
To make the puzzle more difficult to manipulate another small ring is employed
on link B which is held by the thumb & first finger when the puzzle is being
solved, & which unless retained in this position drops down one side of the
link B and prevents the ring C from being moved along link B¹. This addi-
tional small link is about the same thickness as ring C and has the effect
mentioned, only, when the person handles the puzzle upside down to find the
problem.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of my said
invention, & in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what
I claim is:-
1. An improved puzzle of the class in which it is desired, to remove a chain
off another article, this being normally impossible without forcing, consisting
of a stamping having two hooks, a plain link placed over one hook, a link having
a crosspiece, & fitted with its larger portion over the other hook, & a ring con-
necting it with the plain link, passing through the smaller portion of this latter
link, so that it cannot be moved along it, the links and hooks being so designed
that by moving the ring upwardly along the plain link alongside the correspond-
ing hook, & then moving the said plain link upwardly through the ring, the
chain can be taken off the hooks substantially as described. ."
(2) An improved puzzle consisting of the stamping A having the hooks A1, A2,
the link B having the cross-piece b, the link B¹, and the ring C all arranged and
designed as described so as to admit of the herein before explained manipulation
substantially as described with reference to the drawings."
Dated this 16th day of March 1900
ALBERT E. ELLEN,
For Inventor,
118, Fenchurch Street, E.C.