WO2008026218A1

WO2008026218A1 - A spherical puzzle with rotatable segments

Info

Publication number: WO2008026218A1
Application number: PCT/IN2006/000314
Authority: WO
Inventors: Muralidharan Madhavan
Original assignee: Muralidharan Madhavan
Priority date: 2006-08-30
Filing date: 2006-08-30
Publication date: 2008-03-06

Abstract

This invention relates .to a spherical puzzle being made up of plurality of segments, which align with each other on all its sides rotatably. The pieces are positioned in a predetermined pattern with respect to each other such that they are sequentially rotatable through any of the four spatial axes or circular pathway formed after assembly. Eight fulcrums or pivotable joints are formed from different directions consisting of two parallel circles from each of the above four axes. The fulcrums of each circular path falls on the point of the imaginary spatial axes such that the diameter of the sphere is divided into three equi-dimensional parts. Design, colors, patterns are provided on the spherical body. The player will have to reconstitute the pattern or design from the jumbled up portion to the desired original pattern.

Description

A SPHERICAL PUZZLE WITH ROTATABLE SEGMENTS

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a spherical puzzle with sequentially movable rotatable segments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Puzzles and games like chess, cross word puzzles, number games, word building games, Rubik's cube and simple games like snakes and ladders are intended to stimulate minds and logical thinking, increase positive thoughts and to create problem solving ability. Rubik's cube and cross word puzzles have caught the imagination of young and old alike. The latest addition and some sort of addiction in the Chinese number game su-do-ku.

Rubik's cube is a fascinating puzzle game played by millions around the world, which consists of a 3x3 cube comprising movable game elements or pieces that can be best described as smaller cubes. The surfaces of each of the small cubes or elements, which together form the entire cube, are colored or carry other symbols or designs and can be arranged in any predetermined logical order of sequence by simultaneously and sequentially rotating nine elements together to form the surface of the bigger cube. The aim of the game is for the player to group these colors together to form a predetermined color pattern or other designs as per the game rules. The patent granted to Erno Rubik (HU 170 062) was the first in this field. According to this patent, the puzzle game article comprised small elements, which are cubically shaped which could be turned along the spatial axis of the cube by means of connective elements arranged in the geometric center of the large cube. Subsequently more inventions and improvements were made and different shapes of the article were envisioned that incorporated the same or similar arrangement of the original Rubik's cube. US patent nos. 4,378,116 and 5,184,822 disclose such puzzles, which are technical improvements in the internal connection of the cube.

It should be noted that the presently available Rubik's cube and the Rubik's sphere works on six fulcrums or six pivo table joints as they have only three axis of rotation which limits the possibilities of arrangement of the individual pieces.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

This invention aims at a puzzle or game in the category of Rubik cube/sphere but where innumerable permutations and combinations are achieved due to the structure and mechanics behind, the construction of the puzzle. The puzzle is to be played by a single person and the advantage is that the puzzle format can be varied depending on the age group of the player. To a certain extent this puzzle is a solution for loneliness and playing it increases the concentration of the player.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a spherical puzzle having rotatable segments, which comprise a plurality of movable segments of at least three different configurations, each segment being movably aligned to the adjacent segment to form a spherical body, which in the assembled position has at least eight fulcrums or pivotable joints. The presence of eight fulcrums is an improvement to the existing Rubik's cube/sphere, which, as described above, has only six fulcrums. The presence of eight fulcrums enables the sequential movement of the segments or group of segments in four different axes and thereby increases the complexity of the game. Stopping means, preferably snap fit arrangements, but not restricted to the same, are provided to arrest the rotation at predetermined positions. The outer surface of the spherical body has at least one predetermined design pattern or color combination. The puzzle according to the existing art comprises only 3 axes as described in the background section of this specification, thereby making it easier for the player to imagine the position of a particular segment when it is rotated on its imaginary axis relative to its neighboring segments. However, since the present invention comprises 4 spatial axes, it becomes increasingly difficult for the player to imagine the relative position of a particular segment when it is rotated on its imaginary axis. This feature increases the complexity of the game and therefore becomes an advanced puzzle to develop mental strength and concentration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows the exploded view of all the segments that constitute the spherical puzzle.

Figure 2 shows the shape and configuration of the three different segments that constitute the spherical puzzle

Figure 3 discloses the details of the imaginary fulcrums that are present to divide the sphere into three equi-dimensional parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The spherical body of the puzzle is made of segments having three different shapes or configurations, namely, two four-sided segments, one smaller than the other, the larger one being shaped like a rhombus and the smaller one being shaped like a square and one triangular or leaf shaped configuration. There are six numbers of small square shaped segments; twenty-four numbers of triangular shaped segments and twelve large rhombus-shaped segments. Therefore, there are totally forty-two of these differently configured elements. Fig. 1 of the drawings illustrates these segments. The segments marked 1 - 6 represent the small square shaped configuration, the segments marked 7 to 18 represent the large rhombus-shaped configuration and the segments marked 19 to 42 represent the triangular shaped configuration. The segments are convex on the outer area and concave on the inner side as shown in Fig. 2 and may be made of any durable material such as plastics, wood and the like. The curvilinear periphery of each segment is provided with smooth grooves to enable them to be rotated. Adjacent pieces are aligned by means of projections and corresponding grooves provided on predetermined pieces to enable sliding dovetail alignment. The pieces are positioned in a predetermined pattern with respect to each other such that they are sequentially rotatable through any of the four spatial axes or circular pathway formed after assembly. The eight fulcrums or pivotable joints are formed from different directions consisting of two parallel circles from each of the above four axes. The fulcrums of each circular path falls on the point of the imaginary spatial axes such that the diameter of the sphere is divided into three equi-dimensional parts L as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

One of the major differences of the puzzle according to this invention is that each segment can be rotated away from the adjacent piece, thus enabling different permutations and combinations on the puzzle surface.

In order to commence the rotation of segments, all the circular paths must be in their proper position. Each segment of the puzzle will be held on all its sides as is evident from the drawings. This prevents segments from falling apart during rotation or operative part of the game. No central locking means are necessary which is an improvement over the existing art, since the individual elements are so designed to interlock among themselves internally to form the sphere. During rotation in a circular path, an assembly of fifteen pieces will act as a group of segments. Stopper means such as snap fit arrangements are provided in logical positions to prevent movement of the one group of segments at a particular position in order to enable the movement of the remaining groups of segments. It should be noted that one movement of the group of segments covers one-third of the circumference of the circle.

As already stated, different color patterns, designs and also a continuous design may be formed on the spherical body. The main object of the player will be to rotate the segments from a jumbled position to the design or pattern printed on these segments. At least three different colors may be given to each of the parallel sections and the challenge will be to jumble and rearrange them in the original form. A leaflet showing the different possibilities and designs maybe provided along with the puzzle.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. A spherical puzzle having rotatable segments comprising a plurality of movable segments of at least three different configurations, each segment being movably aligned on all its sides with its adjacent segments to form a spherical body; stopping means to arrest rotation of the segments at a predetermined position, the outer surface of said spherical body bearing at least one design, pattern or color combination.

2. The puzzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer surface of each segment is convex and the inner surface is concave.

3. The puzzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the periphery of each segment is curvilinearly disposed to snuggly align with the corresponding curvilinear periphery of its adjacent segment.

4. The puzzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer peripheries of each segment is rotatably dovetailed with the outer peripheries of the adjacent segments.

5. The puzzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fulcrums of each circular path falls on the point of the imaginary spatial axes such that the diameter of the sphere is divided into three equi-dimensional parts.

6. The puzzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein an assembly of fifteen individual segments will act as a group of segments, which can be sequentially rotated together on any pre axis of rotation.

7. The puzzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the segments are made of durable plastic, wood and the like material.

8. The puzzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein smooth grooves are provided for each rotation of the segments.

9. The puzzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein different colors, patterns, and designs are made on the surface of the spherical body.

10. The puzzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the continuous pattern is formed on the spherical body.