US20200238163A1

US20200238163A1 - Helical Fidget Patent Toy

Info

Publication number: US20200238163A1
Application number: US16/773,954
Authority: US
Inventors: Eric Zachary Anderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-01-29
Filing date: 2020-01-27
Publication date: 2020-07-30

Abstract

This invention relates to a three-dimensional puzzle apparatus in which pieces twist to fit together in a helical fashion to complete a three-dimensional puzzle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to amusing toys and puzzles, more particularly to a toy which is made up of two or more pieces that fit together when twisted for the amusement of children and adults.

2. Prior Art

Many people are desirous of a simple diversion when doing mindless tasks or would like something to do with their hands. Sports and games are often not available at work, in school, in the car or inside the house. It is normal and natural to want to move or fidget. People who are quitting smoking often desire a different activity with their hands to occupy themselves. People with Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or who are on the autism spectrum, or just have trouble focusing because of excess energy cannot focus on tasks without mindless distractions. Presently, there are other toys that aid fidgeting desires, such as the fidget spinner, other toys with magnets in them, or little mechanisms that have continuous motion, but there are none with multiple puzzle pieces that fit together with helically shaped parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel device which is simple and easy to use which serves as a pleasant diversion to the user.
Another object is to provide a toy which can be used for the pleasure of children and adults.
Another object is to provide a toy which aids concentration for children and adults in school and work when focusing on other things who have excess energy.
A further object of this invention is to provide a means to stop smoking by giving the user something to do with his hands.
The foregoing objects and others that are apparent are achieved through the use of a helical fidget puzzle toy.
The user of this toy partially or fully disassembles and reassembles this toy by twisting individual parts from the rest of the parts into separate pieces.
The preferred embodiment has a cylindrical shape that can be correctly assembled in any orientation or direction.
Alternately, any other design can be used such that the end result is a specific design; which would make this toy a simple puzzle.
Additionally, a logo or picture could be on then ends when properly assembled, and the logo profile could be extruded throughout the entire part.
The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when read with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the trimetric view of a single piece that is not assembled yet.

FIG. 2 is the trimetric view of a partially solved puzzle with two of three pieces assembled.

FIG. 3 is the trimetric view of a fully solved puzzle which is made of only three pieces. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the progression of this puzzle being solved.

FIG. 4 is a modified example of FIG. 1, which has those same pieces, but with rounded edges, giving the pieces a more ergonomic feel.

FIG. 5 is a modified example of FIG. 2 which has those same pieces with a more ergonomic feel. This shows a partially solved puzzle with rounded edges.

FIG. 6 is a modified example of FIG. 3, a fully solved helical fidget puzzle with rounded edges. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show the progression of this puzzle being solved.

FIG. 7 is an example of how any three-dimensional model could be transformed into a helical fidget puzzle toy.

FIG. 8 is a trimetric view of one of the pieces that would make up the FIG. 7 model.

FIG. 9 is a trimetric view of the remaining that would make up the FIG. 7 model when combined with the FIG. 8 model.

FIG. 10 is an improperly solved puzzle combining FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 with one of the pieces disoriented by 180°.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring specifically to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, there is illustrated the most basic embodiment of the novel helical fidget puzzle toy being solved in order of figures. Each piece is formed from a plastic mold, 3D printed plastic, machined metal, 3D printed metal material, or cut from wood. This is the most basic form of the puzzle, with the different pieces made with different colors to help differentiate the pieces. The completed puzzle is a simple cylinder.
A further embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 with each piece formed into more ergonomic shapes because all of the pieces have rounded edges. This version is much more challenging to machine with typical mechanical methods. Therefore, a 3D printer or molding process would be more ideal for pieces with a more complicated features.
A further embodiment has a cylindrical shape like FIGS. 1-6, but has a logo belonging to a company, school, or organization or any other picture on one or both ends, as shown at location A on FIG. 3. The logos on the ends could be printed directly on the surfaces, or have stickers adhered to show a company's logo when properly solved. This could be made easier with 2 individual pieces, but can have more as well. These could be made in the same ways as the parts from FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.
A further embodiment has the picture or logo belonging to a company, school, or organization on one or both ends, as shown at location A on FIG. 3, but the final profile is an outline of that picture, instead of a circular profile found in the cylindrical representation. Because of the complexity of some logos and pictures, this embodiment could best be made from additive manufacturing methods, as the parts described and shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.
A further embodiment is shown with FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10, which demonstrate a more complex result for the final representation when all of the pieces fit together. The parts in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 show a simple dinosaur in a sitting position used as an example only. Instead of a cylindrical shape, or extruded logo or picture, the final model could be a three-dimensional representation of a character, building, animal, person, place, or any other three-dimensional figure. These puzzles can be comprised of two or more pieces, but these figures show a puzzle made of only 2 pieces for simplicity. These figures also show that the parts can be assembled incorrectly, but still will be entertaining for the user. It is recommended that additive manufacturing methods or molding methods are utilized to create more complicated shape such as this one.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention herein. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A helical fidget puzzle toy comprising:

two or more individual pieces required to complete a puzzle in which some or all of the parts hold together when twisted in a helical fashion,

said individual pieces are dedicated solids or shells that partially complete a three-dimensional model,

said puzzle means a three-dimensional figure, model, or shape is formed when all the available pieces fit together in the proper orientation and sequence,

said helical fashion means the parts must be twisted together in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.