GB2185844A

GB2185844A - Globe/puzzle

Info

Publication number: GB2185844A
Application number: GB08701903A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Henry Crosbie
Original assignee: ALL GO PROMOTIONS Ltd
Current assignee: ALL GO PROMOTIONS Ltd
Priority date: 1986-01-28
Filing date: 1987-01-28
Publication date: 1987-07-29
Also published as: GB8701903D0; IE860246L

Abstract

A globe puzzle comprises a sphere 10 having a sub-surface 11 and an upper surface 12. The upper surface 12 is in two parts, a first part 12a, fixed fast on the sub-surface 11 and depicting the oceans of the earth, and a second part 12b, comprising a plurality of pieces which interengage with each other and/or the first part 12a when the pieces are mounted on the sub-surface 11. The sphere 10 is adapted for mounting in a hemispherical cup 30 of clear plastics material having a rim 32. The sphere is rotatable in the cup, the cup holding in position those pieces located on the lower half of the sphere. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A toy This invention relates to a toy.

The invention therefore provides a toy which comprises a sphere adapted for rotation in an open mouthed hemisphere having a base, the sphere having a sub-surface and an upper surface ; and wherein the upper surface comprises a first part fixed fast to the subsurface and a second part which second part comprises a plurality of removable pieces which are interengagable in a predetermined pattern with each other and/or with said first part so that when all the pieces are in position, the sub-surface is covered by said upper surface.

The invention will be understood in greater detail from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hemisphere for use with a sphere according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a sphere according to the invention with additional pieces removed; Figure 3 is a perspective view of two additional pieces for use with the the sphere of Fig. 2; Figure 4 is the sphere of Fig. 2 rotatably mounted in the base of Fig. 1 with some additional pieces in position; Figure 5 is the sphere of Fig. 4 with some more addiional pieces in position thereon; Figure 6 is the sphere of Fig. 5 rotated through approximately 180 ;; and Figure 7 is the sphere of Fig. 6 with all the additional pieces relevant to that part of the sphere in position thereon.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a toy according to the invention which comprises a sphere 10 having a sub-surface 11 and an upper surface 12.

The upper surface 12 is substantially in two parts viz a first part 1 2a and a second part 12b. The first part 12a is fixed fast on the sub-surface 11 and essentially depicts the oceans of the earth. The second part 1 2b comprises a plurality of pieces 13 (see Fig. 3) which are adapted for interengaging with eacgh other and/or the first part 12a when the pieces 13 are mounted on the sub-surface 11.

With reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the first part 1 2a shown therein represents the Atlantic Ocean 15 and the Pacific Ocean 16. Because of the shape and configuration of the first part 12a, the sub-surface 11 is visible through and below the first part 12a and in Fig. 2 of the drawings provides a representation of North America 20, Central America 21 and South America 22. The equator line 23 is also shown on the first part 12a and, although not essential for the performance of the present invention, has been included as an aid to the correct understanding as to how the invention works.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings, two of the plurality of pieces 13 are shown. The pieces 13 are designed for interlocking engagement with each other and/or the first part 1 2a in the manner of a jigsaw puzzle. Thus, in Fig. 4 of the drawings, some of the pieces - 13 have been inserted in North America 20 while the sphere 10 is mounted in a hemispherical cup 30 having a base 31. The hemispherical cup 30 is preferably made from a clear plastic material and has a rim 32. The diameter of the hemispherical cup 30 is slightly greater than the diameter of sphere 10 with the first part 1 2a and the second part 1 2b in situ.

In Fig. 5 of the drawings, all of North America 20 has had pieces 13 inserted therein. When inserted, the pieces 13 which may be of the same or of varying colours, together with the first part 1 2a provide a smooth surface.

If it is desired to insert pieces 13 in South America 22, it would not be possible to insert all of the pieces 13 therein with the sphere 10 in the orientation shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. There are two reasons for this:- a) not all of South America 22 is exposed due to the fact that a large portion of it is covered, but visible through, the hemispherical cup 30; and b) if the hemispherical cup 30 was absent, then the pieces 13 would not remain on the sub-surface 11 unless some means such as magnetic or adhesive was present between the pieces 13 and the sub-surface 11. It is not desirable in the present invention to have such a means present having regard to the relatively high cost and difficulties associated with such means.

Accordingly, as the sphere 10 is rotated so as to bring South America 22 uppermost and North America 20 lowermost, those pieces 13 in position in Orth America 20 are retained therein upon rotation of the sphere 10 due to the hemispherical cup 31. Upon rotation of the sphere 10 (an indication of such rotation is provided with reference to the position of the equator line 32), each piece 13 becomes trapped between the inner surface of the hemispherical cup 30 and the sub-surface 11 and thus remains in position within the area bounded by the first part 12a. Thus, pieces 13 may be inserted in South America 22 as required. Essentially, therefore, when each piece 13 is in parallel spaced apart relationship relative to the hemispherical cup 30, the latter will retain each piece 13 in position on the sphere 10.

Thus, regardless of the number of pieces 13 in position on the sphere 10 and their location thereon, once placed on the sub-surface area 11 bounded by the first part 12a, gravity or the hemispherical cup 31 will retain each piece 13 in situ. Accordingly, when all of the pieces are in position, the sphere 10 may be rotated on the hemispherical cup 30 in any direction or orientation as desired and none of the pieces 13 will fall off.

It will be appreciated that each piece 13 may represent a single country or state. However, if the country or state has a relatively large geographical area, then a number of pieces, preferably of the same colour, may represent the same country or state.

It would be desirable if the states or countries which bordered each other were of different colours to facilitate identification of the countries or states from each other.

If desired, other representation may be depicted on the sphere 10.

Claims

1. A toy which comprises a sphere adapted for rotation in an open-mouthed hemisphere having a base; the sphere having a sub-surface and an upper surface; and wherein the upper surface comprises a first part fixed fast to the sub-surface and a second part; which second part comprises a plurality of removable pieces which are inter-engagable in a pre-determined pattern with each other and/or with said first part so that when all the pieces are in position, the sub-surface is covered by said upper surface.

2. A toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein the removable pieces are adapted for interlocking engagement in a pre-determined pattern with each other and/or with said first part in the manner of a jig-saw puzzle.

3. A toy as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first part and the second part carry representations thereon which, when the pieces of the second part are in position, provide a model of the planet earth.

4. A toy as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first part carries a representation of the oceans of the planet earth thereon; and the pieces of the second part carry representations of the land masses of the planet earth thereon,

5. A toy as claimed in any of claims 1-4 wherein the diameter of the hemisphere is siightly greater than the diameter of the sphere having the first part and the second part in situ.

6. A toy as claimed in any of claims 1-5 wherein the sphere is rotatable in the hemisphere such that the pieces of the second part when in position on the sphere are retained on the sphere by the hemisphere when said pieces are in parallel spaced apart relationship relative to the hemisphere.

7. A toy substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.