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CA2743818A1 - Tri-dimensional puzzle - Google Patents

Tri-dimensional puzzle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2743818A1
CA2743818A1 CA 2743818 CA2743818A CA2743818A1 CA 2743818 A1 CA2743818 A1 CA 2743818A1 CA 2743818 CA2743818 CA 2743818 CA 2743818 A CA2743818 A CA 2743818A CA 2743818 A1 CA2743818 A1 CA 2743818A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
tri
cylindrical body
dimensional puzzle
cylinder
hollow piece
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2743818
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Roger Lee Boone
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA 2743818 priority Critical patent/CA2743818A1/en
Publication of CA2743818A1 publication Critical patent/CA2743818A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F9/00Games not otherwise provided for
    • A63F9/0078Labyrinth games
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F9/00Games not otherwise provided for
    • A63F9/24Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for
    • A63F2009/2401Detail of input, input devices
    • A63F2009/2436Characteristics of the input
    • A63F2009/2442Sensors or detectors
    • A63F2009/2447Motion detector
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F9/00Games not otherwise provided for
    • A63F9/24Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for
    • A63F2009/2448Output devices
    • A63F2009/247Output devices audible, e.g. using a loudspeaker
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F9/00Games not otherwise provided for
    • A63F9/24Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for
    • A63F2009/2448Output devices
    • A63F2009/2479Other kinds of output

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)

Abstract

A tri-dimensional puzzle has an elongated cylindrical body with grooves in its outer surface forming a labyrinth defining one or more passageways from one end to the other end of the cylinder. A hollow piece or ring with a circular orifice having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the cylinder has a peg or protrusion on the inner surface of the orifice, the peg or protrusion being sized to fit into the grooves of the cylinder. The hollow piece or ring is moved from one end to the other end of the cylinder by rotating and sliding the ring on the cylinder to advance the peg into the cylinder's grooves along the passageway defined therein.

Description

Tri-dimensional puzzle Field of the Invention The invention relates to game toys and, more particularly, the invention relates to tri-dimensional puzzle games made of physical bodies.

Background of the Invention Puzzle games made of two or more physical bodies are know and used for self amusement orfor improvement of hand-eye coordination, memory, problem skills, etc.
For instance, U.S. Patent No. 5,441,260 describes a 3-dimensional maze puzzle having an inner bar and a sleeve slidable and rotatable thereon. The `260 patent describes a labyrinth made of grooves etched onto the surface of the bar and a follower that rides in the grooves. The `260 patent further describes that the bar is made of spaced sections that move and rotate relative to each other.
By virtue of having the bar made of multiple sections interconnected to one another for rotation, it is apparent that the maze taught in the `260 patent is prone to mechanical failures, which can ruin the joy of playing therewith. In particular, the rotatable sections may be difficult to align precisely or when aligned they may move out of alignment so that passage from one section to the other is inhibited or rendered difficult.
Accordingly, there may be a need for a simpler more robust tri-dimensional puzzle adapted for use at all ages including use by children to develop skills. Such a toy is desirable to have a solid construction in order to preserve interest and prolong play time.
The invention, was, thus, made in recognition of the need fora simpler, robust, and maintenance free tri-dimensional maze puzzle.

Summary of the Invention It is, therefore, an aspect of the present invention to address the deficiencies found within the prior art.
The present invention overcomes the aforementioned deficiencies by the nature of its design. One embodiment of the present invention will be a tri-dimensional puzzle which includes an elongated cylindrical body having etched on an outer surface of the cylindrical body a labyrinth comprising a plurality of grooves, the grooves defining one or more passageways from one end to the other end of the cylinder, and a hollow piece or ring which has a circular orifice having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the outer surface of the cylinder , the hollow piece or ring having a' protrusion on the inner surface of the orifice, the protrusion being dimensioned for insertion and slidable along the grooves of the outer surface of the cylinder.
According to the embodiment, the hollow piece or ring can move from one end to the other end of the cylinder by sliding and rotating the hollow piece on the cylinder to advance the protrusion along the one or more passageways defined by the cylinder's grooves.
Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will be further understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, having regard to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cylindrical body according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2A is a top view of the circular piece or ring according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2B is a front view of the circular piece of Figure 2A;
Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the puzzle maze according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate different patterns of grooves on the outer surface of the cylinder body according to embodiments of the invention;
Figure 5 is an illustration of the circular piece or ring with a protrusion according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 6 is a sectional view of the puzzle showing the cylinder inserted into the circular piece with the protrusion inserted in the groove according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention A better understanding of the present invention and its objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description, wherein there is described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the description should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
Referring to Fig. 1 shown is an elongated cylindrical body or cylinder 2 having etched on the outer surface a maze made of grooves or channels 4 inside the material of the cylinder according to an embodiment of the invention. According to the embodiment, the cylinder 2 can be a bar or rod, and can be made of solid material.
The cylinder 2 preferably can be hollow or, if made of a solid material, the material can be selected so as to be light and, in the same time, suitable for having etched on the outer surface grooves or channels 4. Preferably, the cylinder 2 can be made of wood or any other suitable material such as, for example, metal, plastic, alloy, glass etc.
Fig. 2 shows the hollow piece or part in the form of a ring 3, according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment, the ring 3 has an inner diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the outer surface of the cylinder 2. The ring 3 can be made of any material, as long as it allows the ring 3 to slide along and rotate around the cylinder 2. Fig. 2 also shows a protrusion or a peg 5 on the inner surface of the ring 3. In one embodiment of the invention the peg 5 is dimensioned to fit the groove or channel 4 of the cylinder 2. By way of example only, the peg 5 can be sized approximately 3/5 of the width of the channel 4 and with approximately 2 mm minimum clearance from the bottom of the peg 5 to the channel 4 floor.
In use, the two parts of the maze puzzle 1, the cylinder or rod 2 and the ring are to be used. together as shown in Fig. 3. According to an embodiment of the invention, the rod 2 is inserted into the ring 3 so as the peg 5 lines with a groove 4 at an end of the rod 2 where the groove or channel 4 is open. According to an embodiment of the invention, the ring 3 can be moved by sliding and rotating the ring 3 along and around the rod 2, along a predetermined passageway designed in the labyrinth formed by the grooves or channels 4. The labyrinth is typical and is made of grooves or channels 4, including blind grooves that end with a wall, and has one or more passageways extending from one end to the other end of the cylinder or rod 2.
It is understood that the ring 3 can only move along the rod 2 as long there is a groove or channel in which the peg 5 can slide. The object of playing with the maze assembly 1, including the rod 2 and the ring 3, is to find the one or more passageways and to advance the ring 3 from one end to the other end of the rod 2.
Figs. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate exemplary patterns of grooves and channels 4 cut or etched into the outer surface of the rod 2. This is not to be limited to the shown embodiments since other patterns or mazes can be designed and etched into the surface of the rod 2. The hollow part 3 outer shape can take any form as long as the hollow part 3 has a circular orifice with a diameter and protrusion according to the invention. For example the hollow part 3 can be squarely-shaped as long as the cavity or orifice is circular and dimensioned to fit the cylinder part 2. By way of example only, the inside diameter of the ring 3 can be approximately 2 mm larger than the outer diameter of the rod 2. Moreover, according to another embodiment, the hollow part 3 can be a sleeve so as to obstruct from vision a greater part of the labyrinth 4 etched on the outer surface of the cylinder 2 for increasing the difficulty of solving the labyrinth. In Fig. 4, the measurements are provided to facilitate the understanding of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. For example, the diameter of the rod 2 (X mm) can vary, a 10 mm value being a recommended minimum. The measurement Y mm represents the length which can also vary. Fig.
shows the inside of the measurement as X + 2mm, a an exemplary incremental increase in size which can vary according to materials being used and/or other practical considerations known to a man skilled in the art. Accordingly, all dimensions provided in the above disclosure and the appended drawings are not intended to limit the invention to those dimensions only, but are provided for exemplary reasons and are recommended values for describing the various members and elements and the relationship between them in order to facilitate the understanding of the disclosure.
In accordance with a further aspect of the disclosure, the maze puzzle may include various sound and visual emitting elements which can be provided on or inside the rod 2, the ring 3, or both, and can be connected to battery means, which may be provided inside the rod 2. The sounds and lights may be activated, for example, by the electrical contact of the peg 5 with various elements or parts of the rod 2.
Vibration modules may be, for example incorporated into the rod 2 for providing additional signal means or for waking up the circuitry connecting the sound and visual elements.
The materials for the rod, ring, and peg may be selected according to the manner in which the visual, sound, and vibrational elements may be structured and operate according to the knowledge of a man skilled in the art.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the maze puzzle design can be applied to other areas than game toys, such as, for example, furniture, housing, scholastic, medical, and rehabilitation. By way of example, one can envisage a cane made with the design of the puzzle maze according to the invention.
Variations, adaptations, and modification to the above described preferred embodiments of the invention are possible without departing from the scope and content of the invention, as described in the claims appended hereto.

Claims (12)

1. A tri-dimensional puzzle/maze comprising:
a cylindrical body having etched on an outer surface a labyrinth comprising a plurality of grooves, the grooves defining one or more passageways from one end to the other end of the cylindrical body; and a hollow piece with a circular orifice, the orifice having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the outer surface of the cylindrical body, the hollow piece having a protrusion on an inner surface of the orifice, the protrusion being dimensioned for extending inside the plurality of grooves of the outer surface of the cylindrical body, whereby the hollow piece moves from one end to other end of the cylindrical body by sliding the protrusion alone the one or more passageways.
2. The tri-dimensional puzzle according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is a rod or bar.
3. The tri-dimensional puzzle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cylindrical body is made of a material selected from the group consisting of wood, metal, glass, plastic, and alloy.
4. The tri-dimensional puzzle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cylindrical body is hollow.
5. The tri-dimensional puzzle according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cylindrical body has at either end or both a means for joining the ends of two or more cylindrical bodies together for extending the puzzle.
6. The tri-dimensional body according to claim 5, wherein the joining means comprises a dowel pin and hole.
7. The tri-dimensional puzzle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the hollow piece is a ring.
8. The tri-dimensional puzzle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the hollow piece is a sleeve.
9. The tri-dimensional puzzle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cylindrical body, the hollow piece or both thereof are made of a transparent material.
10. The tri-dimensional puzzle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the protrusion is a spring or springedly mounted on the inner surface of the orifice of the hollow piece.
11. The tri-dimensional puzzle according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the puzzle further comprises an element capable of producing a sound, a visual effect, a vibration, or a combination thereof.
12. The tri-dimensional puzzle according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the puzzle further comprises a vibrational sensor.
CA 2743818 2011-06-21 2011-06-21 Tri-dimensional puzzle Abandoned CA2743818A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2743818 CA2743818A1 (en) 2011-06-21 2011-06-21 Tri-dimensional puzzle

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2743818 CA2743818A1 (en) 2011-06-21 2011-06-21 Tri-dimensional puzzle

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2743818A1 true CA2743818A1 (en) 2012-12-21

Family

ID=47429389

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2743818 Abandoned CA2743818A1 (en) 2011-06-21 2011-06-21 Tri-dimensional puzzle

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2743818A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111228782A (en) * 2018-11-28 2020-06-05 北方工业大学 Labyrinth lamp
US11819378B2 (en) 2021-04-01 2023-11-21 Sudiksha Singhal Orthodontic bracket covering ligature tie

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111228782A (en) * 2018-11-28 2020-06-05 北方工业大学 Labyrinth lamp
US11819378B2 (en) 2021-04-01 2023-11-21 Sudiksha Singhal Orthodontic bracket covering ligature tie

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request

Effective date: 20150930

FZDE Dead

Effective date: 20171228