Curved geometry game apparatus

Abstract

A puzzle and game apparatus constructed of elements forming a geometrical pattern, the shape of each element providing information about its placement in the overall puzzle. In the preferred embodiment, the curved geometry game apparatus is fabricated as a plurality of elements of soft, resilient pieces of foam rubber, which are curve-shaped each with an interlocking tab and a recess formed on either of its ends. Multiple curve-shaped elements are interlockable by insertion of the tab of one element into the recess of another one. In this fashion, rings of similarly curved elements can be formed, and these rings can be placed one within another to form an overall circular shape. When the circular shape containing all the rings is disassembled, the individual elements do not immediately appear to fall into any order for reconstructing the overall shape, and further, the curve-shaped elements may have different arc lengths, which increases the difficulty of identifying them as being part of the same group. Within a group of elements forming an individual ring, the elements bear similarity one to another at least in their arc curvatures, allowing the user to reconstruct the circular shape once the elements of individual rings have been identified. The inventive game forces the user to develop an analytical solution to the problem of reconstructing the overall circular shape, and this in turn develops the user's ability to simultaneously think analytically and artistically, in accordance with modern cognitive theories of "whole brain" thinking requiring use of both brain hemispheres for their respective contributions to problem solving.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.