Puzzle and method of assembly
OwnerLynn D. Yarbroughinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A puzzle consists of six or more elongated pieces. Each piece has a polygonal cross-section and a cavity whose dimensions are determined by the polygonal cross-section. The pieces can be arranged in two opposing groups of three or more pieces each, arranged substantially in parallel, and such that the cavity in each piece is filled by portions of other pieces as the groups are advanced toward each other. The pieces can be assembled and disassembled only in such a way that each piece is moved relative to others in a different direction to interlock the pieces in an assembled configuration, and no individual piece can be disengaged from the assembled configuration without disengaging all of the pieces.
Claims19
A puzzle assembly comprising:
- at least six elongated interengageable puzzle pieces having polygonal cross-sections, each piece having a cavity extending along the length of the piece, the cavity being dimensioned to receive portions of at least three of the other pieces, the cavity having a floor and first and second end walls, each end wall being disposed at an acute angle to the floor;
- the puzzle pieces being configured to be selectively joined in an interlocking, self-supporting configuration by the end walls such that two groups of at least three pieces each partially contain and constrain the motion of the other group of at least three pieces along all three coordinate axes, so that no individual piece may move without the cooperating movement of all other pieces.
An article of manufacture comprising:
- at least six elongated pieces constructed of solid material, each of the pieces having a polygonal cross-section;
- and
- a cavity formed in each piece that enables pieces to interlock and grip each other, the cavity having a floor and first and second end walls, each end wall being disposed at an acute angle to the floor such that the end walls partially contain and constrain the motion of the pieces along all three coordinate axes, so that no individual piece may move without the cooperating movement of all other pieces;
- the cavity in each piece being dimensioned so as to permit at least three other pieces to fit substantially parallel to each other within the cavity and at a substantially right angle to each piece in whose cavity the substantially parallel pieces are disposed.
A method for assembling an article of manufacture, comprising the steps of:
- providing at least six elongated pieces constructed of solid material, each of the pieces having a polygonal cross-section and a cavity formed in each piece that enables pieces to interlock and grip each other, the cavity in each piece being dimensioned so as to permit at least three other pieces to fit substantially parallel to each other within the cavity and at a substantially right angle to each piece in whose cavity the substantially parallel pieces are disposed;
- dividing the pieces into two groups of at least three each, comprising at least two outer pieces and at least one middle piece;
- for each group, placing the at least three pieces in each group together so that the at least two 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;
- advancing the two groups 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;
- placing the middle piece of each group so that points along one edge of each middle piece span the floors of the cavities of the outer pieces of the opposing group and reach beyond their edges;
- and
- sliding the outer pieces of each group apart while simultaneously sliding the middle piece toward the opposing group until the middle pieces of the two groups meet, thereby completing assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.