Amusement devices: games – Puzzles – Take-aparts and put-togethers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-26
2001-03-20
Wong, Steven (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Puzzles
Take-aparts and put-togethers
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203015
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the interconnection of solid objects, and, more particularly, to three-dimensional geometric and mechanical puzzles. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention provides a mechanical puzzle consisting of six or more elongated pieces having a polygonal cross-section and a method of assembly characterized by movement of the pieces being assembled in different directions simultaneously.
II. Description of the Prior Art
Means and methods of connecting solid objects have contributed to the advancement of the building industry for many generations. Log cabins using slotted logs as building members are well known. Mortise-and-tenon joints are commonplace in wooden furniture construction.
Also, three-dimensional geometric and mechanical puzzles have been used as a source of entertainment and mental challenge for many years. Such puzzles may appeal both to the intellect and the aesthetic sense of the solver. They typically consist of a plurality of pieces which when properly manipulated will interlock in an assembly to form one or more predetermined geometric shapes. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,721,448.
The number of techniques for connecting the pieces of a mechanical puzzle appears to be limited, and, consequently, the discovery of a new configuration attracts interest from solvers and collectors. The interest arises from practical considerations such as stability as well as difficulty in assembly and disassembly, and also aesthetic considerations such as symmetry.
One type of mechanical puzzle is known as a “coordinate-motion” puzzle. See, Coffin, Stewart T.,
The Puzzling World of Polyhedral Dissections
, Oxford University Press: New York, 1990, Chap. 12. Such puzzles cannot be assembled sequentially, but rather at some stage of assembly they require the simultaneous manipulation of three or more pieces or groups of pieces. Certain puzzles of this type have been constructed in which all pieces must move simultaneously, inwardly during assembly and outwardly during disassembly. No known puzzle of this type has been developed in which identical pieces must move simultaneously in different directions, some inwardly and others outwardly, during both assembly and disassembly.
Additionally, no known coordinate-motion puzzle has been designed in the configuration of three or more pieces interlocked with three or more other pieces such that the total thickness of the assembled configuration is that of the span of a single piece. Such a shape would enhance the stability of the puzzle and simplify packing and shipping.
Moreover, known coordinate-motion puzzle configurations are not typically scaleable. Arrangements of the elongated pieces in which the interlocking mechanism is used at both ends or at several places along their length would allow the connection of large arrays of pieces to form complex structures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a puzzle consisting of six or more pieces that are preferably identical except for nonessential decoration, length, or embellishment. The pieces typically have the shape of elongated bars of solid material with a polygonal cross-section, and each piece is provided with a cavity that enables pieces to interlock and grip each other. The cavity in each piece is dimensioned so as to permit three or more other pieces to fit parallel to each other within the cavity and at a substantially right angle to each piece in whose cavity the parallel pieces are disposed.
The puzzle in accordance with the present invention is assembled by dividing the pieces into two groups of at least three each, consisting of two or more outer pieces and at least one middle piece, and, for each group, placing the three or more pieces in each group together so that two or more outer pieces are parallel with the middle piece between them such that the cavities of all of the pieces in the group are oriented in the same direction. The two groups are then advanced toward each other, with the cavities of the pieces of the respective groups facing toward each other, until the outer pieces of the two groups are moved into contact with the floors of the cavities of the outer pieces of one group substantially perpendicular and disposed in close contact with the floors of the cavities of the outer pieces of the other group. The middle piece of each group is placed so that the points along one edge span the floors of the cavities of the outer pieces of the opposing group and reach beyond their edges, and then the outer pieces of each group are slid apart while the middle pieces are simultaneously slid toward the opposing group. When the middle pieces of the two groups meet, assembly is complete. In the assembled condition, the puzzle is stable.
The puzzle is disassembled by reversing the assembly procedure. Specifically, the puzzle is disassembled by pulling the middle piece of each group as far apart from each other as possible while simultaneously squeezing the outer pieces in each group toward each other, combining pulling and squeezing until all of the pieces separate.
In accordance with various embodiments of the puzzle in accordance with the present invention, the pieces can have various polygonal cross-sections. In one embodiment, for example, the pieces have a square cross-section. In another embodiment, the pieces have a hexagonal cross-section. Other cross-sections such as a pentagonal cross-section are also contemplated.
Furthermore, the puzzle of the present invention can consist of six or more pieces. In one embodiment, for example, the puzzle comprises an equal number of pieces in each opposing group of pieces. In another embodiment, the number of pieces in one group can differ from the number of pieces in the other group.
Also, the pieces can be identical, or the pieces can have different diagonal cross-sectional shapes or widths. For example, in a modified embodiment of the puzzle in which the pieces have a square cross-section, one or both of the two pieces comprising the middle piece of each group during assembly may have an arbitrary configuration on the portion of the piece which faces away from the opposing pieces when the puzzle is assembled. Examples of the precise relative dimensions of the pieces and cavities are shown in the accompanying drawings and described below.
REFERENCES:
patent: 393816 (1888-12-01), Chandler
patent: 3303604 (1967-02-01), Mote
patent: 3372936 (1968-03-01), Sanson
patent: 3721448 (1973-03-01), Coffin
patent: 4113256 (1978-09-01), Hutchings
patent: 4676507 (1987-06-01), Patterson
patent: 5118111 (1992-06-01), Suitor
patent: 5846114 (1998-12-01), Frandsen, II
patent: 3150260 (1983-07-01), None
Milks, III William C.
Russo & Hale LLP
Wong Steven
LandOfFree
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