US 5,083,788 AGranted

Three-dimensional puzzle

OwnerLuciano Conotterinventor

Life of this patent

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Abstract

The three-dimensional puzzle extends over the side surfaces of an upright prism having a polygonal base surface. The puzzle is composed of at least two parts (A, B) which are coaxially rotatable (a) relative to each other. The rotation (a) can be manually performed in both directions and each corresponding position of the side faces is marked by a locking engagement between the two parts (A, B). Plaques (1) are slidably (v, h) disposed in a vertical double row on each side face. These plaques (1) cover the full side face. These plaques (1) exhibit on their back side elastic wings (1a) extending and protruding from a connection pin (1b) disposed in the center of the plaque (1). The plaques (1) are slidable at the side faces of the prism in a vertical direction (v) and/or horizontal direction (h) and are held in position with the elastic wings (1a) guided in guide grooves (2). The plaques (1) and elastic wings (1a) are slidable to that side face of the prism which exhibits an empty position (100). Thus, the plaques (1) can only slide where one of at least three and of at most four neighboring plaque positions is unoccupied (100). The possibility exists in this case to change from a selected side face of one part, for example (A), to the corresponding side face of the second part (B).

Claims22

Dependent claims

A puzzle device comprising an upper disk exhibiting a symmetry axis disposed perpendicular to a disk plane;

a top cover covering an upper side of the upper disk;
a first groove structure of the upper disk running along an outer circumference of the upper disk exhibiting a uniform width measured in a direction parallel to the symmetry axis;
a second groove structure of the upper disk extending in a direction perpendicular to the disk plane on an outer surface of the upper disk from a level of the first groove structure of the upper disk in a direction parallel to the symmetry axis;
first attachment means of the upper disk disposed on a bottom side of the upper disk;
a middle disk exhibiting the symmetry axis;
a first groove structure of the middle disk running along an outer circumference of the middle disk exhibiting a uniform width in a direction parallel to the symmetry axis;
a second groove structure of the middle disk extending in upward direction and in downward direction on an outer surface of the middle disk from the level of the first groove structure of the middle disk in a direction parallel to the symmetry axis;
first attachment means of the middle disk disposed on a bottom side of the middle disk for rotatably attaching a disk to the bottom of the middle disk;
second attachment means of the middle disk disposed on a top side of the middle disk to rotatably attach to the first attachment means of a disk disposed above the middle disk;
a lower disk exhibiting the symmetry axis;
a bottom cover covering a lower side of the lower disk;
a first groove structure of the lower disk running along an outer circumference of the lower disk exhibiting a uniform width in a direction parallel to the symmetry axis;
a second groove structure of the lower disk extending in upward direction on an outer surface of the lower disk from the level in the first groove structure of the lower disk in a direction parallel to the symmetry axis;
second attachment means of the lower disk disposed on a top side of the lower disk to rotatably attach to the first attachment means of the middle disk disposed above the lower disk;
a recess is provided behind the groove surfaces, wherein the recess forms a clamping and supporting structure for attaching elements to the puzzle structure by means of the groove structures;
plaques to be slidably attached to the disks via the groove structures.

13 more elements

A puzzle device comprising an upper disk exhibiting an symmetry axis disposed perpendicular to a disk plane;

a top cover covering an upper side of an upper disk;
a first groove structure of the upper disk running along an outer circumference of the upper disk exhibiting a uniform width measured in a direction parallel to the symmetry axis;
a second groove structure of the upper disk extending in a direction perpendicular to the disk plane on an outer surface of the upper disk from a level of the first groove structure of the upper disk in a direction parallel to the symmetry axis;
first attachment means of the upper disk disposed on a bottom side of the upper disk;
a middle disk exhibiting the symmetry axis;
a first groove structure of the middle disk running along an outer circumference of the middle disk exhibiting a uniform width in a direction parallel to the symmetry axis;
a second groove structure of the middle disk extending in upward direction and in downward direction on an outer surface of the middle disk from the level of the first groove structure of the middle disk in a direction parallel to the symmetry axis;
first attachment means of the middle disk disposed on a bottom side of the middle disk for rotatably attaching a disk to the bottom of the middle disk;
second attachment means of the middle disk disposed on a top side of the middle disk to rotatably attach to the first attachment means of a disk disposed above the middle disk;
a lower disk exhibiting the symmetry axis;
a bottom cover covering a lower side of the lower disk;
a first groove structure of the lower disk running along an outer circumference of the lower disk exhibiting a uniform width in a direction parallel to the symmetry axis;
a second groove structure of the lower disk extending in upward direction on an outer surface of the lower disk from the level of the first groove structure of the lower disk in a direction parallel to the symmetry axis;
second attachment means of the lower disk disposed on a top side of the lower disk to rotatably attach to the first attachment means of the middle disk disposed above the lower disk;
wherein a recess is provided behind the groove surfaces, and wherein the recess forms a clamping and supporting structure for attaching elements to the puzzle structure by means of the groove structures;
wherein the recess is rectangular formed by a flat base in the disk, by two base elements protruding from the flat base, and by webs attached to an end of the protruding base elements;
wherein the webs have faces opposing the flat base and disposed parallel to the flat base, and wherein the protruding base elements have a surface forming a right angle with the flat base and with the webs;
further comprising:
plaques to be slidably attached to the disks via the groove structures.

16 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/534,490Filed 6 Jun 1990 · continuation in part
Priority: WO DM/013 7507 Jun 1989
Granted: 28 Jan 1992
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

A63F 9/083
Three-dimensional puzzles with slidable or rotatable elements or groups of elements, the main configuration remaining unchanged, e.g. Rubik's…
A63F 2009/0815
With rotatable concentric rings or discs: with rotary, stacked elements, e.g. elements with a puzzle image on a curved or cylindrical outer surface
A63F 2009/0888
With means for immobilising or stabilising a configuration, e.g. the solution: using detents
A63F
Card, board, or roulette games