EP0055758A1

EP0055758A1 - Toy for symbol variations

Info

Publication number: EP0055758A1
Application number: EP81902055A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tibor Remenyi; Péter REMENYI
Original assignee: GENERALIMPEX HUNGARIAN FOREIGN TRADE Co
Current assignee: GENERALIMPEX HUNGARIAN FOREIGN TRADE Co
Priority date: 1980-07-05
Filing date: 1981-07-02
Publication date: 1982-07-14
Also published as: JPS57501267A; HU181966B; WO1982000101A1; IT8148819A1; IT8148819A0; EP0055758A4; IT1189042B

Abstract

A l'aide de cette invention, un jeu de patience peut etre realise, lequel permet de produire des trains de symboles de combinaisons et de configurations a l'aide de chemins de deplacement ayant ete fixes ou disposes en rotation sur une surface plate ou toute autre surface deviant du plan, avantageusement sur une surface spherique, en deplacant et/ou detournant et/ou faisant tourner les porteurs de symboles. Le jouet peut etre realise sous plusieurs formes, les chemins de deplacement peuvent etre disposes de maniere differente en changeant le corps de base, le nombre de disques, d'anneaux et de porteurs de symboles et en utilisant un ou plusieurs symboles. Les porteurs peuvent etre de differentes couleurs, lettres, nombres, ou symboles et reliefs. Une grande echelle, s'etalant depuis un petit nombre de variations jusqu'a des chiffres astronomiques, peut etre obtenue sur les differents niveaux d'intelligence.With the aid of this invention, a game of patience can be produced, which makes it possible to produce trains of symbols of combinations and configurations using displacement paths which have been fixed or arranged in rotation on a flat surface or any another surface deviating from the plane, advantageously on a spherical surface, by moving and / or diverting and / or rotating the symbol carriers. The toy can be made in several forms, the movement paths can be arranged in a different way by changing the basic body, the number of discs, rings and symbol carriers and using one or more symbols. The carriers can be of different colors, letters, numbers, or symbols and reliefs. A large scale, ranging from a small number of variations to astronomical figures, can be obtained on the different levels of intelligence.

Description

Toy for symbol variations

Technical field

The invention relates to a toy enabling the variations of symbols, which can be played within a vide range of intelligence-level, with which by the individual or collective displacement, rotation or turning-off of the symbol carriers having been arranged on a plain or any other path deviating therefrom, expediently on a spherical path, several re arrangeable trains or symbols, the combination thereof or any other pattern can be produced by means of leters and/or numbers and/or colours and/or any other symbols and/or reliefs, on easier or more difficult levels.

Background art

Several puzzle toys are known, which contain nine to twelve fields and eight to eleven symbol carrying plates, with which by displacing the plates the field having been left unoccupied enables the arrangement of the plates into a predetermined order of sequence.

The Hungarian patent HU-PS 170062 describes a solution, where the sides of a big cube comprising 3 X 3 or 2 X 2 small cubes are to be brought to identical colour by rotating the small cubes around three axles lying perpendicularly to each other.

It seemed to be expedient partly to develop further formations increasing the grade of difficulty of the plain version, partly to widen the possibility of motions in the plane by rotating, turning-off and displacing on spatial bodies, whereby the paths on which the elements are displaced, become more diversified, and variation of steps can be considerably increased. V/ith the proposed embodiments the symbol carrying elements are of identical values and can be displaced to any of the fields in contrast to the referred cubiform embodiment, with which the six central cubes are anyhow fixed, at the same time neither the corner-cubes, nor the intermediate cubes can be interchanged. In addition to this, at the single spherical forms unoccupied fields are not required, since the symbol carries of one ring are performing a simultaneous motion.

Disclosure of Invention

The aim set has been realized by the application of a solution, with which the basic body may be either plain, or unidirectionally curved (cylinder) or bidirectionally curved (sphere) and with which the paths of displacement can be connected to each other in a most diversified manner, whereby possibilities are widened by the variations of displacement, turning-off and rotation. The group of symbols having been tυrned-off on the disc or the spherical surface can be rotated by 90°, 180°, 270° and 360°, respectively, in relation to the stationary group of symbols. In such a manner the play can be further complicated, in so far as one symbol carrier may carry more than one symbol , while the symbols are to be matched to the symbols of the adjacent symbol carriers or to the symbols of the fields lying beside the displacing path or inbetween.

The toy according to the invention is expediently made of a synthetic material, in such a manner that the problem of colouring is solved already in course of production, separate colouring becomes superfluous. In addition to this, the symbols can be formed in concave or in convex, yielding an enjoyable play also for blind people or those of defective eyesight.

The embodiments having been mentioned as examples are far not exhausing all the possibilities. The enclosing shape of the toy may be a flat plate, a disc, a cylinder, a body consisting of polygons or a sphere; on this body the displacing paths can be arranged in several ways; the carriers may be provided with letters and/or colours and/or numbers and/or any other markings, the confining and intermediate surfaces, respectively, may be also formed with symbols. It is possible to form so-called "parking fields" not forming a part of the playfield, in such a manner difficultly of the play may be diminished. From what has been said, it becomes obvious that a toy-group with several embodiments within a wide range of intelligence-level may be realized.

Brief Description of Drawings

The invention will be described in details by means of preferable embodiments, by the aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is showing the axial section of the cylindrical resp. annular resp. dodecadon embodiment provided with three rotating rings,

Fig. 2 is showing the section lying perpendicularly to the axis of the embodiments according to Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 the frontal view of said embodiment with three symbols,

Fig. 4 the longitudinal and cross-section, as well as the frontal view of the cylindrical embodiment provided with letters, as symbols.

Fig. 5 is showing the embodiment with a single disc having been arranged in a quadratic plane with the symbol carriers on the left and without the symbol carriers on the right side, showing the frontal and sectional views, as well as the displacing element thereof, Fig. 6 is showing the version according to Fig. 5 with the paths for rotation and displacement. Fig. 7 gives the views and sections of one of the embodiments having been arranged on σ discshaped basic body with an inner ring and a disc, the ring enclosing said disc, where a part of the displacing paths are running radially,

Fig, 8 is showing the paths of rotation and displacement formed on the embodiment according to Fig, 7,

Fig. 9 is whowing a further embodiment according to the invention with a spherical basic body, with the symbol carriers having been arranged on three annular displacing paths lying perpendicularly to each other.

Fig. 10 is showing the frontal view of the previous version with the duly arranged symbol carriers, indicating the colours with letters.

Fig. 11 gives the view of the spherical basic body with the displacing paths (in the present case rotating paths), Fig. 12 is whowing the direction of rotation of the spherical embodiment formed with three rotating paths.

Fig. 13 is showing the spherical embodiment with the ball-form symbol carriers, Fig. 14 is showing the version with the spherical basic body with balls.

Fig. 15 gives the view with the version with the spherical basic body with the displacing paths and at last Fig. 16 is showing an embodiment being similar to the spherical base body but being confined with planes on its surface, with disarranged letter- symbols. Best Made of Carrying out the Invention

The essential functional characteristic of the toy according to the invention lies in that on a disc 2 or ring or on a displacing path of this shape being rotatable around the axle 1 there are the individually or collectively movable quadratic symbol carriers 3; or of the form of a truncated pyramid in case of a spherical basic body, which are connected to the displacing paths having been processed on the disc or ring and/or on the basic body 5 by means of the holding elements, a groove and/or a rib.

It depends on the arrangement of the displacing path, whether an unoccupied field is wanted or not. So e.g. the versions having been arranged on a plane, as it is to be seen in Fig. 5 and 7 necessitate the presence of an un occupied field, at the same time, neither the circular tracks intersecting each other at a right angle require a vacant field, nor the sphere 5 as a basic body. However, if different levels of difficulty are aimed, several fields may left vacant, to which the elements, the symbol carriers can be provisionally deferred with the intention to facilitate the game. Where it seems to be necessary, along the displacing paths arresting means 6 known in it selves and having been adapted (see Fig. 1) may be inserted for the proper adjustment of the discs 2 or rings and the symbol carriers 3, respectively. For seizing and manipulating the discs 2 or the rings, respectively the spherical body 5, expediently protruding supports 7 are formed.

In Fig. 1 to 3 an embodiment is to be seen, with which 12 + 12 + 11 symbol carriers are arranged on three rings 2 rotating around the axle 1, where the ribs 4 may protrude outwards or inwards. The rings 2 are installed by means of the ball-and-spring arresting means 6 fitted into the grooves of the mantle of the basic body 5 or into the recesses of the side face thereof.

With this embodiment the basic body 5 consists of two parts having been snapped into each other, while the symbol carriers 3 are carrying three kinds of symbols and can be arranged in several ways. The toy is made expediently of a synthetic material.

In Fig. 4 an enlarged octagonal version is to be seen provided with the rings 2 and the protruding ribs 4. The symbol carriers are carrying letters.

In Fig. 5 a version having been arranged on the quadratic basic body 5 is to be seen being provided with the disc 2; on the basic body 5 there are twentyfour fields, on the disc the number of the fields amounts to nine, accordingly there is a place for thirtytwo symbol carriers and one field is left free for the displacement. Supports being concealed on the frontal plate and protruding on the backside facilitate seizing and manipulation. In Fig. 6 the paths of the combinations of the displacing direction of the symbol carriers 3 and the direction of rotation of the disc 2 recurring at every 90º are to be seen.

In Fig. 7 a more complicated version has been illustrated; here - in addition to the disc 2 - there is a ring arranged, which may be rotated around the common axle 1 resulting in a peculiar radial arrangement of the fields. Also in this case a vacant field is required; the symbol carriers are individually moved in the displacing and turning directions according to Fig. 8.

In Fig. 9 a version may be seen with a spherical basic body, i.e. with a spherical surface, not requiring a vacant field, being able to turn simultaneously all the symbol carriers 3 of a complete ring, with three displacing paths lying perpendicularly to each other and with six fields thereon crossing eacfi other. The solution can be characterized by eight spherical triangles being enclosed by the symbol carriers 3. Taking into consideration that the symbol carriers can be arranged on any of the fields, turning at every 90° becomes possible; accordingly, they may be provided with two, three or even with four symbols, when the aim set for the game is the arrangement of the turned-off positions; the spherical triangles may be also provided with a symbol each, while the task lies in to arrange the spherical triangle and the symbol carriers 3 having been provided with identical symbols, which can be placed around said spherical triangle, thus rendering the game considerably difficult.

The arrangement having been illustrated in Fig. 9 using symbols, is showing in Fig. 10 with colours indicated by letters, in both cases in an arranged state.

In Fig. 11 the displacing paths having been arranged in the spherical surface are to be seen but without the symbol carriers 3, while Fig. 12 is. showing the directions of turning and the crossing fields.

In Fig. 13 to 15 the version with the ball-shaped symbol carriers 3 is to be seen; Fig. 13 is showing the characteristic circular section of the basic body 5 and the symbol carriers 3 having been arranged around it, the number of which amounts in our case to min. 8 pieces; in Fig. 14 the total view of the toy may be seen, while

Fig. 15 is showing the view of the basic body 5. It may be seen that the basic body 5 is confined by a spherical shell consisting of eight spherical triangles which serve for holding and guiding the symbol carriers 3. In addition to the solutions described, shperical shells covering the crossed fields may be also formed, in this case the displacing paths will be slightly shortened. The number of the symbol carriers 3 can be increased always by twelve, starting from eighteen, as shown here, so eighteen, thirty, fortytwo, etc. elements may be applied.

In Fig. 16 a version is shown, the inner arrangement of which is similar to that shown in Fig. 9 to 11, however, its surface is confined with planes. This version may be seized and manipulated easier, simultaneously the symbols may be arranged in an easier way compared to the symbol carriers 3 having been cut from the spherical surface, at the same time these latter ones - due to their curvaturecan be coloured or covered with tapestry only with difficulties. On the place of the eight spherical triangles there are the simple triangles to be found, however, when more symbol carriers 3 are used, it will consist of more triangles connecting the vertices of the previous ones. In addition to the embodiments described several further versions are possible, the number of the discs, rings, symbol carriers and the symbols carried thereon may be varied. The shape of the displacing paths — in particular in case of balls — may be optional on the path between the fields crossing each other; so e.g. one may prepare circular displacing paths perpendicularly intersecting each other, as e.g. the Olympic circles; the same may be prepared on a spherical surface with four circular paths, out of which two each have common axes lying perpendiculσrly to each other, as a consequence, totally eight fields crossing each other may be formed, etc. It may be well seen that toys with optional complexity may be prepared within the widest range of intelligencelevels, beginning from the simplest solution for children up to 10! - 20! factorials.

Claims

1. Toy for the variation of symbols by displacing the symbol carriers to any field of the displacing paths having been formed on a flat or any other surface deviating from the plane, expediently on a spherical surface, c h a ra c t e r i z e d in that on the surface of a plain or any other spatial enclosing form there are the displacing paths arranged having been connected or to be connected in course of the game, with a straight, circular or unbound trajectory, often arranged around an axle (1); furtheron containing balls arranged directly therein or by the insertion of one or more discs or rings (2) or elements to be displaced as symbol carriers (3), the shape and surface of which being in compliance with the enclos ing form, so e.g. having a quadratic projection and said symbol carriers are provided on their surface with one to four kinds of colours and/or letters and/or numbers and/or other symbols and/or reliefs, which are kept on the displacing path by outer rims, when the symbol carriers have the form of a ball, or in other cases by concealed grooves resp. ribs (4); the displacing paths are formed of the basic body (5), the discs resp. rings (2) or in case of a spherical enclosing form of the layer lying adjacent to the surface; the total number of the fields being identical only in case of intersecting curved, while in case of a cornered arrangement where the symbol carriers (3) are individually moved, there are at least by one more fields, than symbol carriers (3), whereas the essence of the game is defined by the re-arrangement, arrangement and turning-off of the symbols.

2. Toy as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c e ri z e d in that it is formed with several displacing paths having been arranged in the plane or on a spherical surface, which are intersecting each other per pendiculαrly or at an angle approximating the right angle, e.g. in an arrangement in the plane, similarly to the Olympic circles, while in case of a spherical surface paths are lying in two or three planes lying perpendicularly to each other and having a common centre, or they are arranged outside the median plane but lying on a common axis with several displacing paths on each axis.

3. Toy as claimed in claim 1 and 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the symbol carriers (3) are provided with several symbols and can be arranged in the direction of the displacing path towards each other or the visible- surfaces are marked in a previously described manner (claim 1), as a consequence, the aim set for the game is to arrange the symbol-carriers (3) in relation to each other and to the symbols of the basic body by displacement or by turning-off by 60°, 180°, 270° and 360°, respectively.

4. Toy as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the basic body (δ) remains unaltered in accordance with the arrangement with the spherical body, at the same time the outer surfaces of the enclosing form and the symbol carriers (3) are confined by one or more planes.

5. Toy as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it is provided with arresting means (6) known in itselves ensuring the proper setting-in of the symbol carriers (3) and/or the displacing paths, furtheron it is provided on the seizing surfaces with supports (7) protruding inwards or outwards and in case of necessity it may be provided with a handgrip protruding from the toy.

6. Toy as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 5, c h a ra c t e r i z ed in that the displacing paths are connected to one or more vacant fields lying outside the space of the game, to which the symbol carriers (3) may be provisionally displace in a number being proportional to the intended facilitation of the play.