Three dimensional puzzles

Amusement devices: games – Puzzles – Take-aparts and put-togethers

Patent

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Details

273160, A63F 912

Patent

active

058268731

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to puzzles and more particularly to 3-dimensional puzzles. By three dimensional puzzles we mean puzzles that extend in three dimensions comprised of a number of pieces which, when assembled, form a complete unit.


BACKGROUND ART

Known 3-dimensional puzzles include a barrel comprised of a number of pieces. The pieces are shaped to fit together with a locking member holding all the pieces together. The disadvantage of such puzzles which utilise a locking member is that on removal of the locking member, the remaining pieces fall apart. This is because the pieces do not lock into each other in a manner similar to the pieces of a 2-dimensional jig-saw puzzle. Instead the pieces are merely shaped to be complementary to each other and do not "lock" to each other--hence the need for a locking member to hold all pieces together.
Such puzzles have the disadvantage that, when assembled, removal of the locking piece will result in the assembly falling apart. Similarly, when assembling the pieces it is sometimes difficult to maintain the pieces together as the partially completed assembly is moved and rotated.


DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In an attempt to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, the invention, in one broad form, comprises a three dimensional puzzle consisting of a plurality of three dimensionally shaped components which engage together, the plurality of components comprising: surfaces and defining, when engaged in correct position, a third engagement surface; and 2nd components by engagement of the third and fourth engagement surfaces; the first and second components cannot be disengaged without removing them from the third component.
The first and second component preferably engage by movement along one or two axes. A simple tongue and groove arrangement may be utilised so the pieces may slide along the longitudinal direction of the tongue and groove arrangement or be moved perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. More preferably the tongue and groove arrangement is of a reentrant type such that engagement can only be achieved by sliding along the longitudinal axis.
Similar engagement surfaces may be utilised to connect the third component to the first and second components.
Some or all of the components may be multi piece components. The pieces of each multi piece component may merely abut or may engage with one or two degrees of freedom. Preferably each piece of the component forms art of an engagement surface, so that when the component is engaged with another component, the pieces are located in place.
Where reentrant tongue and groove arrangements are utilised to engage components or pieces together, the tongue and groves may be tapered so that engagement can only occur by sliding in one direction, as opposed in either direction.
The invention also provides in one broad form a device for hot wire cutting of the thermoplastic material, the device comprising: the two points.
The separation of the two points may be adjusted to accommodate different sized material.
The voltage applied to the wire may be varied to adjust for change in separation and the type of material being cut. Similarly the tension and wire speed may also be adjusted, depending on the material.
The wire may be a continuous loop or a strand which is run from a supply spool to a take-up spool. When all the wire has been passed to the take-up spool, the spools may be swapped with the take-up spool becoming the supply spool.
The device may be a hand held device which is moved to cut the material. Alternatively the device may be fixed and the material moved. With a fixed device, a bed to rest the material is preferable, through which the wire passes. The angle of the wire to the bed may be fixed or it may be variable. If the angle is fixed, it is best if the wire is perpendicular to the bed.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: shows a first embodiment of the invention in the assembled form
FIG. 2: shows the component pieces of the embodiment of FIG. 1
FIG. 3: shows a second

REFERENCES:
patent: D215949 (1969-11-01), Markusen
patent: 343516 (1886-06-01), Collins et al.
patent: 1546024 (1925-07-01), Reichenbach
patent: 2201724 (1940-05-01), Gable
patent: 2574158 (1951-11-01), Sullivan
patent: 3829101 (1974-08-01), Betzoldt
patent: 4198053 (1980-04-01), Rao
patent: 4683792 (1987-08-01), Demont
patent: 4779497 (1988-10-01), Lee
patent: 5040797 (1991-08-01), Dykstra
patent: 5230508 (1993-07-01), Tabler

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