WO2004110575A1

WO2004110575A1 - A three dimensional puzzle

Info

Publication number: WO2004110575A1
Application number: PCT/TR2003/000052
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mehmet Emre ÖZER
Original assignee: Oezer Mehmet Emre
Priority date: 2003-06-18
Filing date: 2003-06-18
Publication date: 2004-12-23
Also published as: AU2003241266A1

Abstract

This invention relates to a three-dimensional puzzle comprising a plurality of surface members, which are movable relative to one another so as to form various combinations. The three-dimensional shape could be a sphere or a polyhedron. The puzzle is hollow, i.e. shell-type. The groupings of surface members are in general in the form of polar caps and equatorial belts. Combinations of different member geometries, for instance, triangular, quadrilateral, pentagonal, hexagonal, allow for different embodiments of the invention.

Description

A THREE-DIMENSIONAL PUZZLE

This invention relates to a three-dimensional puzzle comprising a plurality of parts, which are movable relative to one another so as to form various combinations. The three-dimensional shape could be a sphere or a polyhedron.

Toys utilizing large blocks made up of smaller blocks are well known in the prior art. The small blocks are in general variegated or carry several symbols. These can be moved along various axes, so as to assemble them into a predetermined logical order of sequence.

To the best of our knowledge, even though several precedents do exist, the first of the series is accepted to be the famous Rubik's Cube^®, upon which a Hungarian patent application No. 170062 was filed in 1978. As the name implies, this comprises large square blocks utilizing smaller blocks, which have different colors.

Apart from the Rubik's Cube^®, there exist many other prismatic puzzles. Some of them are disclosed in patent Nos. US4378117, US4405131, US4409750, US4421311, US4437667, US4513970, US4540177, US4593907, US4600199, US4872682. Event though they have different mechanisms, they commonly comprise a central mechanism, i.e. shafts joining at the center or a central sphere. Due to their geometry, they have limited degree of freedom; to illustrate, the Rubik's Cube^® could be rotated about three mutually perpendicular axes, only.

The geometry of these puzzles display a great variety: For instance, US patent No. 5386993 and US patent No. 5722657 disclose star shaped puzzles, whereas a tetrahedral is explained in DE19849279.

Spherical puzzles are also known in the prior art. US patent No. 4522401 discloses a puzzle having elements which are rotatable on a spherical core in groupings of eight, in increments of forty-five degrees along any one of three mutually perpendicular zones.

The invention disclosed in US patent Nos.4452454 and 4889340 includes an almost spherical support member, which has a plurality of square members that can be manipulated about three different tracks carried on the support member.

The spherical puzzle disclosed in US patent No. 5358247 comprises four so-called interconnected branches, each of which defines a branch axis and four arcuate square segments.

US patent No. 5816571 discloses a spherical puzzle toy as well. This puzzle includes a spherical shell with six circular recesses and six circular turn plates turnably mounted thereon.

In US patent No. 4865323 a spherical puzzle is explained, the surface of which is divided into longitudinal segments and latitudinal bands. These segments and bands rotate on an inner sphere, which employs some tongues thereon.

The spherical puzzle device disclosed in US patent No.5566941 comprises several surface members positioned around an inner support sphere.

The spherical puzzles mentioned above all need either a central support member or a guide member under the surface elements. However, these additional members mean more material to be used for the manufacture of the puzzle. US patent No. 4441715 discloses a puzzle spherical in shape however which is hollow with an even number of pieces extending between two diametrically opposite poles of the sphere. The interconnection between the pieces is formed by T-shaped studs and slots so as to provide complete interlocked retention in all relative rotational positions. However, this puzzle is far from being attractive enough for puzzle-lovers, as it does not involve a desired degree of complexity. The object of the present invention is to provide a hollow, shell-type puzzle whereas retaining a high degree of complexity and a high degree of freedom in movement.

The three-dimensional puzzle constructed in accordance with the present invention involves several polygonal surface members and holes among these members, all of which, when combined together, form groupings rotatable about several axes so that the surface members are movable from one position to another on the puzzle. Moreover, the puzzle is hollow, i.e. shell-type. The groupings are in general in the form of polar caps and equatorial and/or tropical belts. Combinations of different member geometries, for instance, triangular, quadrilateral, pentagonal, hexagonal, allow for different embodiments of the invention. If these polygonal members have a spherical shell curvature on their outer surface also, the resulting three-dimensional puzzle is spherical; on the other hand if the members are planar on their outer surface the resulting puzzle is a polyhedron, the number of faces of the polyhedron being dependent on the number of the sides of the polygonal members and their combinations. The interconnection of the members is of tongue-and-groove type. It is possible to close the holes with suitable members. In addition, all the surface members can be variegated or different colors; symbols and/or alphanumerical characters can be printed thereon.

The present invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. la is a perspective view of the three-dimensional puzzle;

Fig. lb is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the interconnection of the members;

Fig.lc is an enlarged perspective view of a surface member; Fig.ld is an enlarged perspective view of another surface member;

Fig. le is an exploded perspective view of the puzzle; Fig. If and lg are exploded perspective views illustrating the spatial placement of one type of surface member only;

Fig. 2a through 2g illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3a through 3f illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4a through 4h illustrate a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 a through 5h illustrate a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6a through 6g illustrate a sixth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7a through 7g illustrate a seventh embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8a through 8h illustrate a eighth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9a through 9g illustrate a ninth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 10a through lOj illustrate a tenth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 11a through llj illustrate an eleventh embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 12a through 12j illustrate a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

Different parts in the drawings have been enumerated and listed here below: 1000, 2000, 3000, etc Different embodiments of the puzzle

1010. 1020, ... , 2010, 2020, etc. Surface members of each embodiment

1011. 1021, etc. Tongues on each surface member of each embodiment

1012. 1022, etc. Grooves on each surface member of each embodiment 1100, 1200, etc. Holes of each embodiment.

Figs.la through lg illustrate a first embodiment of the puzzle (1000) subject to the present invention without any exterior embellishment, pattern, etc. thereon. The puzzle mainly comprises triangular and quadrilateral members (1010 and 1020, respectively) of spherical curvature. The triangular member (1010) is grooved (1012) on two edges and on all three corners, and tongued (1011) on one edge. The quadrilateral member (1020) resembles an equilateral quadrangle, and is tongued (1021) on all four edges except for the two opposing acute-angled corners, which are grooved (1022). Quadrilateral members (1020) are placed side by side such that their acute-angled corners adjoin and a triangular member (1010) is placed between every two quadrilateral member (1020). Preferably six quadrilateral and six triangular members form an equatorial belt (Fig. le). Similarly a polar cap can be constructed by placing three quadrilateral members (1020) such that they adjoin at one of their acute-angled corners, and placing triangular members (1010) among them, three at the top and six at the skirt of the cap (Fig. le, f, g). Each polar cap includes three quadrilateral holes (1100) formed by the tongued-edges (1011) of the triangular members (1010). When two polar caps and an equatorial belt are combined together, the sphere is formed. Actually, the resulting sphere may be said to be composed of four of these belts intersecting at some acute angle. Hence, the members of the puzzle can be shifted from one track to another by rotating along each belt and cap. Since this sphere comprises four intersecting belts, it has also four axes of rotation.

A second embodiment of the invention (2000) is displayed in Figs.2a through 2g. The puzzle, in this embodiment mainly involves two quadrilateral members (2010 and 2020) of spherical curvature. The first quadrilateral member (2010) is tongued (2011) on all edges; it does not involve any grooves. The second quadrilateral member (2020) is grooved (2022) on all four corners and two opposing edges, whereas it is tongued (2021) on the two other opposing edges. The two kinds of quadrilateral members (2010 and 2020, respectively) are placed side-by-side, one after the other, such that they form an equatorial belt. Said belt involves four members of each type (2010 and 2020). One polar cap is formed by a first type member (2010) at the center and four second type members (2020) neighboring each edge of it. In this arrangement, a triangular hole (2100) is formed at each corner of the first type quadrilateral member (2010). Finally, two polar caps and a belt are combined together to form the puzzle. The resulting sphere is composed of three mutually perpendicular belts. Of course, each belt has its own caps on two sides. Again, the members of the puzzle can be shifted from one track to another by rotating along each belt and cap. Since this sphere comprises three intersecting belts, it has also three axes of rotation. Figs.3a through 3f illustrate a third embodiment of the invention (3000). The puzzle comprises triangular and quadrilateral members (3010 and 3020, respectively) of spherical curvature. The triangular member (3010) is tongued (3011) on all edges, which are concave. The quadrilateral member (3020) is grooved (3022) on all four corners and two opposing edges, whereas it is tongued (3021) on the two other opposing edges. Its grooved edges are convex and the remaining tongued edges are concave. In order to construct the puzzle, four quadrilateral members (3020) are placed such that only their corners touch each other leaving a quadrilateral (3100) hole in between. The corners of the hole (3100) are filled with triangular members (3010). This arrangement results in one cap of the puzzle. In between the two caps, at the equatorial region, a quadrilateral member (3020) is placed between the two corresponding triangular members (3010) of the opposing caps whereas the place between the two corresponding quadrilateral members (3020) is left hollow (3100). Thus eight triangular (3010), twelve quadrilateral (3020) members and six holes (3100) form the sphere. As before, the resulting sphere may be said to be composed three mutually perpendicular belts each having its own caps on two sides. Since this sphere comprises three intersecting belts, it has also three axes of rotation.

A fourth embodiment of the invention (4000) is illustrated in Figs.4a through 4h. The puzzle comprises more members in this embodiment, namely a triangular (4010) and two quadrilateral members (4020 and 4030, respectively) of spherical curvature. The triangular member (4010) is grooved (4012) on two edges and on all three corners, and it is tongued (4011) on the other edge. The grooved edges (4012) of this member are concave. The first quadrilateral member (4020) is tongued (4021) on three corners and four edges, whereas it is grooved (4022) on the remaining fourth corner. The second quadrilateral member (4030) is grooved (4032) on all four corners and two opposing edges, whereas it is tongued (4031) on the two other opposing edges. The first quadrilateral member (4020) is more like an equilateral quadrangle whereas the second quadrilateral member (4030) is rather rectangular in shape. While constructing the puzzle (4000), four of the second quadrilateral members (4030) are placed such that only their corners touch each other leaving a square hole (4100) in between. The corners of the hole (4001) are filled with first type quadrilateral members (4020). The two edges of the first type quadrilateral members (4020) are neighbored by two triangular members (4010) leaving rectangular holes (4200) under the second type members (4030). These pieces all together form a polar cap. Between the cap and the equatorial belt, by analogy to the geometry of earth, a tropical belt does exist. This tropical belt is formed by placing a triangular member (4010), a first type quadrilateral member (4020), a second type quadrilateral member (4030), and a first type quadrilateral member (4020), next to each other so as to complete the rotation around the sphere. In between the two tropic belts, at the equatorial region, a second type quadrilateral member (4030) is placed between the two corresponding first type quadrilateral members (4020) of the opposing belts, whereas the remaining places are left hollow (4100 and 4200). Unlike the previous ones, this embodiment provides more degrees of freedom for movement, thanks to the tropical belts. Since this sphere comprises three intersecting equatorial belts, it has also three axes of rotation.

Figs.5a through 5h illustrate a fifth embodiment of the invention (5000). The puzzle comprises a triangular member (5010) and two quadrilateral members

(5020 and 5030) of spherical curvature. The triangular member (5010) is tongued

(5011) on all edges. The first quadrilateral member (5020) is tongued (5021) on all edges; it does not involve any grooves. Moreover, its edges are concave. The second quadrilateral member (5030) is trapezoidal in shape and it is grooved (5032) on all four corners and two opposing edges, whereas it is tongued (5031) on the two other opposing edges. This configuration is composed of two polar caps and an equatorial belt. The polar cap involves a triangular member (5010) at the center which is adjoined by three second type quadrilateral members (5030) at their top edges, in between two members (5030) there forms a hole (5100) which is in the shape of an equilateral quadrangle. Beneath the second type members

(5030) are placed equal numbers of first type quadrilateral members (5020). Each hole (5100), on the other hand is circumvented by two second type members (5030) on the edges and a triangular member (5010) on the corner. At the equatorial belt, a second type quadrilateral member (5030) is placed between each corresponding first type quadrilateral member (5020) and triangular member (5010) of the opposing caps whereas the place between the two corresponding second type quadrilateral members (5030) is left hollow (5100). Thus, eight triangular (5010), six first type quadrilateral (5020), twenty-four second type quadrilateral (5030) members and twelve holes (5100) form the sphere. Since this sphere comprises four intersecting belts, it has also four axes of rotation.

Figs.όa through 6g display a sixth embodiment of the invention (6000). The puzzle comprises a triangular member (6010) and a quadrilateral member (6020) of spherical curvature. The triangular member (6010) is grooved (6012) on two edges and three corners and tongued (6011) on the other edge. The quadrilateral member (6020) is tongued (6021) on all edges. The quadrilateral member (6020) is like an equilateral quadrangle in shape. This configuration is also composed of two polar caps and an equatorial belt. The polar cap involves a pentagonal hole (6100) at the pole, and triangular members (6010) adjoin this section (6100) on the edges while the quadrilateral members (6020) adjoin it on the comers. Each quadrilateral member (6020) is then adjoined by two triangular members (6010) on the edges, and another hole (6100) at the corner. The remaining sections on the skirt of the cap are filled with triangular members (6010). The equatorial belt involves quadrilateral members (6020) placed such that they touch at their corners and one triangular member (6010) is placed between every two quadrilateral members (6020). As a result, sixty triangular (6010), thirty quadrilateral (6020) members and twelve holes (6100) form the sphere. Since this sphere comprises six intersecting belts, it has also six axes of rotation.

A seventh embodiment of the invention (7000) is displayed in Figs. 7a through 7g. This puzzle comprises a triangular member (7010) and a quadrilateral member (7020) of spherical curvature. The triangular member (7010) is tongued (7011) on all edges; it has concave edges. The quadrilateral member (7020) is grooved (7022) on all four corners and two opposing edges whereas it is tongued (7021) on the two other opposing edges. This configuration is also composed of two polar caps and an equatorial belt. The polar cap involves a pentagonal hole (7100) with convex edges at the center; this section is adjoined by five quadrilateral members (7020) at the edges and five triangular members (7010) on the corners. At the equatorial region, there are ten holes (7100), five at the upper edge and five at the lower edge of the belt. These sections (7100) are circumvented by quadrilateral members (7020) on their four edges and triangular members (7010) on their three corners, inside the belt. In total, twenty triangular (7010) and thirty quadrilateral (7020) members are combined together to form the sphere. From another point of view, each hole form the center of a cap, thus there are twelve intersecting caps in this embodiment. As caps and belts do intersect, a member can be shifted from one cap within the belt to another cap intersecting the first cap. In addition, a member can also be rotated as a whole with the other members of the belt. Different combinations of rotation increase attraction of the puzzle. Since this sphere comprises six intersecting belts, it has also six axes of rotation.

An eighth embodiment of the invention (8000) is displayed in Figs. 8a through 8h. This puzzle comprises a triangular member (8010), a pentagonal member (8020) and a hexagonal member (8030) of spherical curvature. The triangular member (8010) is tongued (8011) on two edges and a corner; and grooved (8012) on the remaining one edge and two corners. The pentagonal member (8020) is tongued (8021) on all corners and edges. The hexagonal member (8030) is grooved (8032) on all corners and four edges while it is tongued (8031) at the two opposing edges. This configuration is also composed of two polar caps and an equatorial belt. The polar cap involves a pentagonal member (8020) at the center. It is circumvented by five triangular members (8010) adjoining it at the edges. The triangular members are circumvented by five hexagonal members (8030) and triangular holes (8100) in between the hexagonal members (8030). Then comes another layer of pentagonal and hexagonal members wherein the pentagonal members are surrounded by four triangular members. The equatorial belt involves hexagonal members (8030) placed side by side. One of the two section pairs between these members is left hollow (8100) and the other is filled with a triangular member (8010). On the same edge of the belt, the holes (8100) and triangular members (8010) follow one after another. In total, sixty triangular (8010), twelve pentagonal (8020) and thirty hexagonal (8030) members and twenty holes are combined together to form the sphere. Since this sphere comprises six intersecting belts, it has also six axes of rotation.

Fig. 9a through 9g illustrate a ninth embodiment of the invention (9000). This embodiment comprises a quadrilateral member (9010) and a pentagonal member (9020) of spherical curvature. The quadrilateral member (9010) is tongued (9011) on two edges; and grooved (9012) on the remaining edges and corners. The regular pentagonal member (9020) is tongued (9021) on all corners and edges. This configuration can also be divided into two polar caps and an equatorial belt. The polar cap involves a pentagonal member (9020) at the center. It is circumvented by five quadrilateral members (9010) adjoining it at the edges. The sections between the quadrilateral members are left as triangular holes (9100). The equatorial belt involves five pentagonal members (9020) at both edges and quadrilateral members (9010) connect the four edges of pentagonal members (9020) to each other. Triangular holes (9100) are formed between the quadrilateral members (9010). This configuration involves thirty quadrilateral (9010), twelve pentagonal (9020) members, and 20 holes (9100). In this configuration as well, each pentagonal member (9020) can be assumed to form the center of a cap region; thus there are twelve intersecting caps in this version of the puzzle subject to this invention. Since this sphere comprises six intersecting belts, it has also six axes of rotation. The tenth embodiment of the invention (10000) is displayed in Figs. 10a through lOj. This version of the puzzle comprises two triangular members (10010 and 10020), two pentagonal members (10030 and 10040) of spherical curvature. The first triangular member (10010) is tongued (10011) on all edges and corners. Its edges are concave. The second triangular member (10020) is tongued (10021) on two edges and the common corner of these edges; it is grooved (10022) on the other edge and corners. The first pentagonal member (10030) is regular in shape and it is tongued (10031) on all corners and edges. The second pentagonal member (10040) is irregular in shape and it is tongued (10041) on two edges and grooved (10042) on the remaining edge and corners. This configuration is also composed of two polar caps and an equatorial belt. The polar cap involves a first type triangular member (10010) at the center. It is circumvented by three second type pentagonal members (10040) adjoining it at the edges and quadrilateral holes (10100) adjoining at the corners. These are in turn circumvented by three first type pentagonal members (10030) which are surrounded by four second type triangular members (10020). At the skirt of the cap, in between the triangular members there are second type pentagonal members (10040) adjoining a first type triangular member (10010). The equatorial belt is rather wide and involves the above mentioned distribution. There are a total of twenty first type triangular (10010), sixty second type triangular (10020), twelve first type pentagonal (10030), and sixty second type pentagonal (10030) members, and thirty holes (10100) on the sphere. In this configuration, each first type triangular member (10010) can be assumed to form the center of a cap region; thus there are twenty intersecting caps, hence ten axes of rotations, in this embodiment of the puzzle.

The eleventh embodiment of the invention (11000) is displayed in Fig. 11a through llj. This embodiment of the puzzle comprises three quadrilateral members (11010, 11020 and 10030), and a hexagonal member (11040) of spherical curvature. The first quadrilateral member (11010) is tongued (11011) on all edges and corners. Its edges are convex. The second quadrilateral member (11020) is rectangular in shape and it is tongued (11021) on two long edges and grooved (11022) on the remaining edges and corners. Its grooved edges are concave whereas the other edges are convex. The third quadrilateral member (11030) is trapezoidal in shape and it is tongued (11031) on two long edges and grooved (11022) on the remaining edges and corners. Its grooved edges are concave whereas the other edges are convex. The hexagonal member (11040) is tongued (10041) on all edges and corners. Three non-neighboring edges of it are convex. This configuration is also composed of two polar caps and an equatorial belt. The polar cap involves a hexagonal member (11040) at the center. It is circumvented by three second type and three third type quadrilateral members adjoining it at the edges and triangular holes (11100) adjoining at the corners. The equatorial belt is again wide and involves the above mentioned distribution. There are a total of six first type (11010), twelve second type (11020), twenty- four third type (11030) quadrilateral members and eight hexagonal members, and twenty-four holes (11100) on the sphere. In this configuration, each first type quadrilateral member (11010) and hexagonal member (11040) can be assumed to form the center of a different cap region; thus there are fourteen intersecting caps, hence seven axes of rotations in this embodiment of the puzzle. Three of these rotational axes are associated with the first type quadrilateral members (11010) and four of them are associated with the hexagonal members (11040).

The twelfth embodiment of the invention (12000) is displayed in Fig. 12a through 12j. This embodiment of the puzzle comprises two quadrilateral members (12010, 12020), a pentagonal member (12030) and a hexagonal member (12040) of spherical curvature. Both the first and the second quadrilateral members (12010 and 12020) are tongued (12011 and 12021) on two opposing, long, convex edges and grooved (12012 and 12022) on the remaining corners and concave, short edges. They are only different in dimensions. Both the pentagonal and hexagonal members (12030 and 12040) are tongued (12031 and 12041) on all edges and corners. The pentagonal member (12030) is regular in shape and its edges are convex. The hexagonal member (12040) is irregular in shape and all of its edges are convex. This configuration of the puzzle is also composed of two polar caps and an equatorial belt. The polar cap involves a hexagonal member (12040) at the center and first and second type quadrilateral members extending from its edges. Between the two quadrilateral members (12010 and 12020) lies a triangular hole (12100). The equatorial belt is composed of a regular distribution of pentagonal and hexagonal members (12030 and 12040), which are connected by quadrilateral members. Two hexagonal members (12040) are connected by a second type quadrilateral member (12020) and a pentagonal member (12030) and a hexagonal member (12040) are connected by a first type quadrilateral member (12010). There are a total of sixty first type (12010), thirty second type (12020) quadrilateral members, twelve pentagonal (12030) and twenty hexagonal (12040) members, and sixty holes (12100) on the sphere. In this configuration, each pentagonal and hexagonal member (12030 and 12040) can be assumed to form the center of a different cap region; thus there are thirty-two intersecting caps, hence sixteen different axes of rotations in this embodiment of the puzzle. Six of these rotational axes are associated with the pentagonal members (12030) and ten of them are associated with the hexagonal members (12040). This adds a versatile probability of motions to the invention.

For any embodiment of the present invention, the edges of the surface members align with a radius of the sphere.

For all the embodiments mentioned above, the lateral cross section of the tongues are thin at the region where they intersect the edge of the members and enlarge as they get far from the member. The grooves are complimentary in shape with the tongues. The grooves and tongues are snap-fit to each other so as to ensure that the puzzle remains as a whole in all possible rotations. In this way, tongues and grooves will be able to resist tension stresses as well as compression and shear stresses. In order to meet these requirements, they are preferably round in cross- section. Moreover, to allow for easy assembly and disassembly of the puzzle it is manufactured from a material having enough resilience while at the same time having the required rigidity to maintain its shape. In addition, at the corners where two tongues extending from two adjoining edges of a surface member intersect, there are notches on the upper and lower parts of the tongues so as to allow an uninterrupted, continuous movement.

It is possible to apply any type of ornamental shapes, alphanumerical characters, embellishments and variegations on the outer surface of the members, to increase the attraction of the puzzle.

The lids to be placed at the holes are, preferably, grooved-on all-edges-type, shaped-according-to-the-hole surface members, with spherical curvature.

While playing the game, surface members are shifted from one place to another by rotating the polar caps or equatorial and/or tropical belts. The special three- dimensional geometry of the puzzle yields innumerable possible variations especially serving for stimulating the logical thinking of the player.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional, hollow, shell-type puzzle, comprising several polygonal surface members with spherical curvature and which, when combined together, form groupings rotatable about several axes so that the members are moved from one position to another on the puzzle; tongue-and-groove type interconnection between said surface members; and characterized in that there are holes among surface members; the groupings are in the form of polar caps and equatorial and/or tropical belts.

2. The puzzle of claim 1 characterized in that said surface members have a spherical shell curvature on their outer surface such that the resulting puzzle is a sphere.

3. The puzzle of claim 1 characterized in that said surface members are planar on their outer surface such that the resulting puzzle is a polyhedron.

4. The puzzle of any of the claims above, characterized in that holes are closed by corresponding lids and that are grooved-on-all-edges.

5. The puzzle of any of the claims above, characterized in that the members are variegated with different colors; symbols and/or alphanumerical characters are printed thereon.

6. The puzzle of any of the claims 1 to 5 above, characterized in that

- it comprises a) twenty-four triangular members (1010) grooved (1012) on two edges and on all three corners, and tongued (1011) on one edge; b) twelve quadrilateral members (1020) resembling equilateral quadrangles, and tongued (1021) on all four edges except for the two opposing acute- angled corners which are grooved (1022) and c) six quadrilateral hole (1100); -it comprises four intersecting sets of two polar caps and one equatorial belt; hence it has four axes of rotation.

7. The puzzle of any of the claims 1 to 5 above, characterized in that - it comprises a) six first type quadrilateral members (2010) which are tongued (2011) on all edges, b) twelve second type quadrilateral members (2020) which are grooved (2022) on all four comers and two opposing edges, whereas they are tongued (2021) on the two other opposing edges and c) eight triangular holes (2100);

- it comprises three intersecting sets of two polar caps and one equatorial belt; hence it has three axes of rotation.

8. The puzzle of any of the claims 1 to 5 above, characterized in that

- it comprises a) eight triangular members (3010) tongued (3011) on all edges, which are concave, b) twelve quadrilateral members (3020) grooved (3022) on all four corners and two opposing edges, which are convex, and tongued (3021) on the two other opposing edges, which are concave and c) six quadrilateral holes (3100);

9. The puzzle of any of the claims 1 to 5 above, characterized in that

- it comprises a) twenty-four triangular members (4010) grooved (4012) on two edges and on all three corners, and tongued (4011) on the other edge which are concave, b) twenty-four first type quadrilateral members (4020) which look like an equilateral quadrangle, tongued (4021) on three corners and four edges, whereas grooved (4022) on the remaining fourth corner, c) twenty-four second type quadrilateral members (4030) which look like rectangle, grooved (4032) on all four corners and two opposing edges, whereas tongued (4031) on the two other opposing edges, d) six square holes (4100) and twelve rectangle holes (4200);

-it comprises three intersecting sets of two polar caps, two tropical belts and one equatorial belt; hence it has three axes of rotation.

10. The puzzle of any of the claims 1 to 5 above, characterized in that

- it comprises a) eight triangular members (5010) tongued (5011) on all edges, b) six first type quadrilateral members (5020) tongued (5021) on all edges which are concave, c) twenty-four second type quadrilateral members (5030) trapezoidal in shape and grooved (5032) on all four corners and two opposing edges, whereas tongued (5031) on the two other opposing edges and twelve quadrilateral holes (5100);

- it comprises four intersecting sets of two polar caps and one equatorial belt, hence it has four axes of rotation.

11. The puzzle of any of the claims 1 to 5 above, characterized in that

- it comprises a) sixty triangular members (6010) grooved (6012) on two edges and three corners and tongued (6011) on the other edge, b) thirty quadrilateral members (6020) like an equilateral quadrangle in shape, tongued (6021) on all edges and c) twelve pentagonal holes (6100);

- it comprises six intersecting sets of two polar caps and one equatorial belt, hence it has six axes of rotation.

12. The puzzle of any of the claims 1 to 5 above, characterized in that

- it comprises a) twenty triangular members (7010) tongued (7011) on all edges which are concave, b) thirty quadrilateral members (7020) grooved

(7022) on all four corners and two opposing edges, whereas tongued (7021) on the two other opposing edges and c) twelve pentagonal holes (7100);

13. The puzzle of any of the claims 1 to 5 above, characterized in that

- it comprises a) sixty triangular members (8010) is tongued (8011) on two edges and a corner; and grooved (8012) on the remaining one edge and two corners, b) twelve pentagonal members (8020) tongued (8021) on all corners and edges, c) thirty hexagonal members (8030) grooved (8032) on all corners and four edges while tongued (8031) at the two opposing edges and d) twenty triangular holes (8100);

14. The puzzle of any of the claims 1 to 5 above, characterized in that - it comprises a) thirty quadrilateral members (9010) tongued (9011) on two edges; and grooved (9012) on the remaining edges and corners, b) twelve regular pentagonal members (9020) tongued (9021) on all corners and edges and c) twenty triangular holes (9100); - it comprises six intersecting sets of two polar caps and one equatorial belt, hence it has six axes of rotation.

15. The puzzle of any of the claims 1 to 5 above, characterized in that

- it comprises a) twenty first type triangular members (10010) tongued (10011) on all edges and corners, the edges of which are concave b) sixty second type triangular members (10020) tongued (10021) on two edges and the common corner of these edges; grooved (10022) on the other edge and corners, c) twelve first type pentagonal members (10030) is regular in shape and it is tongued (10031) on all corners and edges, d) sixty second type pentagonal member (10040) irregular in shape, tongued (10041) on two edges and grooved (10042) on the remaining edge and corners and e) thirty quadrilateral holes (10100);

- it comprises ten intersecting sets of two polar caps and one equatorial belt, hence it has ten axes of rotation.

16. The puzzle of any of the claims 1 to 5 above, characterized in that - it comprises a) six first type quadrilateral members (11010) tongued

(11011) on all edges and corners and the edges of which are convex, b) twelve second type quadrilateral members (11020) rectangular in shape and tongued (11021) on two long edges and grooved (11022) on the remaining edges and corners, the grooved edges of which are concave whereas the other edges are convex, c) twenty-four third type quadrilateral members (11030) trapezoidal in shape and tongued (11031) on two long edges and grooved (11022) on the remaining edges and corners, the grooved edges of which are concave whereas the other edges are convex, d) eight hexagonal members (11040) tongued (10041) on all edges and corners, three non-neighboring edges of which are convex and twenty-four triangular holes (11100); - it comprises two different type of intersecting sets of two polar caps and one equatorial belt. First type has three intersecting sets and second type has four intersecting sets. Therefore it comprises total seven axes of rotation.

17. The puzzle of any of the claims 1 to 5 above, characterized in that

- it comprises a) sixty first type quadrilateral members (12010) and b) thirty second type quadrilateral members (12020), which are narrower, and both the first and second type quadrilateral members are tongued (12011 and 12021) on two opposing, long, convex edges and grooved on the remaining corners and concave, short edges, c) twelve pentagonal members (12030) that are regular in shape, with convex edges which are all tongued (12031) as well as the corners and d) twenty hexagonal members (12040) which are tongued (12031 and 12041) on all edges and corners, irregular in shape and all edges of which are convex and e) sixty triangular holes (12100);

- it comprises two different type of intersecting sets of two polar caps and one equatorial belt. First type has six intersecting sets and second type has ten intersecting sets. Therefore it comprises total sixteen axes of rotation.

18. The puzzle of any of the claims above, characterized in that the lateral cross section of the tongues is thin at the region where they intersect the edge of the members and enlarge as they get far from the member to bare tension forces acting on the tongue-and-groove joint.

19. The puzzle of claim 18, characterized in that the grooves are complimentary in shape with the tongues.

20. The puzzle of claims 18 and 19, characterized in that grooves and tongues are snap-fit to each other.

21. The puzzle of claims 18, 19 and 20, characterized in that at the corners where two tongues extending from two adjoining edges intersect, there are notches on the upper and lower parts of the tongues.