Spherical puzzle and associated method(s)
OwnerKenneth Elphickinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spherical puzzle includes a portable body having a central core, a plurality of co-extensively shaped sections rotatably disposed about the central core, a plurality of locking mechanisms associated with the sections, respectively, and a plurality of hemispherical travel paths configured about the body. Advantageously, the sections are dynamically configured to freely rotate along the hemispherical travel paths to create a desired pattern. In this manner, locking mechanisms slidably engage the sections such that each section remain rotatably aligned along the hemispherical travel paths and about the central core.
Claims17
A spherical puzzle for providing user enjoyment, said spherical puzzle comprising:
- a body including
- a central core;
- a plurality of sections rotatably disposed about said central core;
- a plurality of locking mechanisms associated with said sections, respectively;
- and
- a plurality of hemispherical travel paths configured about said body;
- wherein said sections are dynamically configured to freely rotate along said hemispherical travel paths to create a desired pattern;
- wherein said locking mechanisms slidably engage said sections such that said sections remain rotatably aligned along said hemispherical travel paths and about said central core;
- wherein each of said sections includes
- a plurality of slotted tracks arranged in a stacked configuration,
- a guide rail juxtaposed adjacent to said slotted tracks,
- an outer surface exposed to an ambient atmosphere,
- a cut-out area located adjacent to said outer surface, and
- an inner surface hidden from the ambient atmosphere and having a guide member statically affixed thereto, said guide member being rotated about said central core;
- wherein associated ones of said slotted tracks and said guide rails are slidably interfitted along alternate ones of said sections.
A spherical puzzle for providing user enjoyment, said spherical puzzle comprising:
- a portable body including
- a central core;
- a plurality of sections rotatably disposed about said central core;
- a plurality of locking mechanisms associated with said sections, respectively;
- and
- a plurality of hemispherical travel paths configured about said body;
- wherein said sections are dynamically configured to freely rotate along said hemispherical travel paths to create a desired pattern;
- wherein said locking mechanisms slidably engage said sections such that said sections remain rotatably aligned along said hemispherical travel paths and about said central core;
- wherein each of said sections are co-extensively shaped;
- wherein each of said sections includes
- a plurality of slotted tracks arranged in a stacked configuration,
- a guide rail juxtaposed adjacent to said slotted tracks,
- an outer surface exposed to an ambient atmosphere,
- a cut-out area located adjacent to said outer surface, and
- an inner surface hidden from the ambient atmosphere and having a guide member statically affixed thereto, said guide member being rotated about said central core;
- wherein associated ones of said slotted tracks and said guide rails are slidably interfitted along alternate ones of said sections.
A method of utilizing a spherical puzzle for providing user enjoyment, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a portable body including a central core, a plurality of sections rotatably disposed about said central core, a plurality of locking mechanisms associated with said sections, respectively, and a plurality of hemispherical travel paths configured about said body, wherein each of said sections are co-extensively shaped;
- dynamically configuring said sections to freely rotate along said hemispherical travel paths and create a desired pattern;
- and
- said locking mechanisms slidably engaging said sections such that said sections remain rotatably aligned along said hemispherical travel paths and about said central core;
- wherein each of said sections includes
- a plurality of slotted tracks arranged in a stacked configuration,
- a guide rail juxtaposed adjacent to said slotted tracks,
- an outer surface exposed to an ambient atmosphere,
- a cut-out area located adjacent to said outer surface, and
- an inner surface hidden from the ambient atmosphere and having a guide member statically affixed thereto, said guide member being rotated about said central core;
- wherein associated ones of said slotted tracks and said guide rails are slidably interfitted along alternate ones of said sections.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.