WO2012085906A1

WO2012085906A1 - Polyhedron puzzle game

Info

Publication number: WO2012085906A1
Application number: PCT/IL2011/000951
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shmuel Fromer
Original assignee: Shmuel Fromer
Priority date: 2010-12-19
Filing date: 2011-12-18
Publication date: 2012-06-28

Abstract

A polyhedral puzzle including a number of interconnected peripheral-ribs forming an equilateral convex polyhedral skeleton having a number of enclosed plane-open-spaces, wherein the peripheral-ribs and the plane-open-spaces form a polyhedron. The polyhedral puzzle further includes a number of face-members, disposed at each of the plane-open-spaces except for one that remains void. The face-members are held in place by a winding-mechanism that facilitates pivotal motion of a selected face-member towards the void. Each peripheral-rib is marked by an identity-marking, such as a color. The face-members are subdivided into facial-regions, each containing at least one facial edge. Each of the facial-regions is also marked by an identity marking. The face-members are disposed such that there is at least one configuration in which all facial-edges matches the marking of the adjacently situated peripheral-rib.

Description

POLYHEDRON PUZZLE GAME

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) from US provisional application 61/424,659, filed on December 19^th, 2010, and US provisional application 61/511,588, filed on July 26^th, 2011, the disclosure of which are incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a novelty three dimensional games and more particularly, the present invention relates to an equilateral-tetrahedron-game-device which employs three faces, a void face and six straight edges. The object of the game is to flip the tetrahedron faces to form a tetrahedron with three faces of with matching colors of neighboring faces and matching the colors of the tetrahedron structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of a polyhedron puzzles is known in the prior art. The "Rubik's Cube", that was invented by Emo Rubik (Hungarian Pat. No. 170062), has and still is fascinating millions of people. In particular, this invention relates to a classic 3*3x3 cube puzzle having a novel and distinctive combinations and configurations of colors, marks, symbols, words, letters, numbers, pictures or other identifiable features on the faces of these puzzles, which directly enhance the intellectual complexity of the game, rather than any aspect of the mechanical design.

A myriad polyhedron puzzles designs are known in this crowded field of prior art field. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,956 to Abu-Shummays discloses a regular polyhedron puzzle, U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,290 to Holloway discloses a cube puzzle, U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,376 to Gustafson discloses a manipulable icosahedron toy, and in PCT application WO2010064994, Houlis provided a game apparatus having a housing arranged to enclose a plurality of game blocks.

The tetrahedron puzzle game device of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of prior art polyhedron puzzle game devices, and in so doing provides new intellectual challenges to the user. Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for improvements in the novelty game arts. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the teachings of the present invention, there is provided a polyhedral puzzle including a number of interconnected peripheral-ribs forming an equilateral convex polyhedral skeleton having a number of enclosed plane-open-spaces, wherein the peripheral-ribs and the plane-open-spaces form a polyhedron. The polyhedral puzzle further includes a winding-mechanism and a number of face- members, wherein the face-members are disposed at each of the plane-open-spaces except for one that remains void. The face-members are held in place by the winding- mechanism, wherein the winding-mechanism facilitates pivotal motion of a selected face-member towards the void.

The peripheral-ribs are marked by an identity-marking, being for example a color, wherein the face-members are subdivided into facial-regions, wherein each contains at least one facial edge, and wherein each of the facial-region is marked by an identity marking. Each of the face-members is disposed at each of the plane-open-spaces such that there is at least one cor figuration, in which configuration each of the marked facial-regions is disposed adjacently to one of the marked peripheral-ribs having an identical identity marking.

In one embodiment, the polyhedron is a tetrahedron. Optionally, each of the face- members is subdivided into three facial-regions, wherein each facial-region contains one of the three edges of the respective face-member.

In another embodiment, the polyhedron is a cubic polyhedron. Optionally, wherein each of the face-members is subdivided into four facial-regions, wherein each facial-region contains one of the four edges of the respective face-member. Alternatively, each of the face-members is subdivided into two facial-regions, wherein each facial-region contains two adjacent edges of the respective face-member.

In embodiments of the present invention, the winding-mechanism of a tetrahedron puzzle includes a joystick disposed inside an opening formed substantially at the center of each of the face-members, wherein the joystick extends through the whole thickness of the face-member, and wherein the joystick is operable from either side of the face-member. The tetrahedron puzzle further includes one or more arm-assemblies, pivotely connected to the joystick at one end and extending towards each of the neighboring peripheral-ribs adjacent to each of the face-members, wherein the other end of each of the arm-assemblies is an open end, and wherein each of the arm-assemblies is disposed inside a respective tunnel formed inside the body of the face-member, at a preconfigured location. The tetrahedron puzzle further includes one or more face- pivoting-rings pivotely disposed on each of the peripheral-ribs, wherein each face- pivoting-ring is coupled to operate with a respective arm-assembly.

Each of the arm-assemblies includes a latch-pin disposed at the open end. Each of the face-pivoting-rings includes six substantially evenly spaced lateral- slots, wherein the radial distance between adjacent lateral-slots are operatively translate into a rotation of substantially 60°. When each of the face-members is in an interlocking position, each of the latch-pins of the face-member is fittingly disposed inside a lateral- slot of a respective face-pivoting-ring of the adjacent peripheral-rib.

Wherein when the selected face-member is operatively pivoted towards the void, about a mutual peripheral-rib, each of the latch-pins of the selected face-member is anchored inside the lateral-slots of the face-pivoting-rings of the mutual peripheral-rib and each of the latch-pins of the other arm-assemblies of the selected face-member are released from the lateral-slots of the face-pivoting-rings of the other two adjacent peripheral-ribs, thereby facilitating pivotal motion of the selected face-member towards the void.

Preferably, the selected face-member is operatively pivoted towards the void through the inner space of the tetrahedron.

In embodiments of the present invention, each of the face-pivoting-rings further includes a ring-winding-mechanism for accurately pivoting the face-pivoting-ring. Optionally, the ring-winding-mechanism includes a windable-member and a gear mechanism configured to wind the windable-member upon pushing the respective arm- assembly into the lateral-slot. In a tetrahedron puzzle, the winded windable-member facilitates the rotation of the face-pivoting-ring by 60°, in a preconfigured direction. In a cubic polyhedron puzzle, the winded windable-member facilitates the rotation of the face-pivoting-ring by 90°, in a preconfigured direction.

In embodiments of the present invention, the winding-mechanism of a cubic polyhedron puzzle includes a joystick disposed inside an opening formed substantially at the center of each of the face-members, wherein the joystick extends through the whole thickness of the face-member, and wherein the joystick is operable from either side of the face-member. The cubic polyhedron puzzle further includes one or more arm- assemblies, pivotely connected to the joystick at one end and extending towards each of the neighboring peripheral-ribs adjacent to each of the face-members, wherein the other end of each of the arm-assemblies is an open end, and wherein each of the arm- assemblies is disposed inside a respective tunnel formed inside the body of the face- member, at a preconfigured location. The cubic polyhedron puzzle further includes one or more face-pivoting-rings pivotely disposed on each of the peripheral-ribs, wherein each face-pivoting-ring is coupled to operate with a respective arm-assembly.

Each of the arm-assemblies includes a latch-pin disposed at the open end.

Each of the face-pivoting-rings includes six substantially evenly spaced lateral- slots, wherein the radial distance between adjacent lateral-slots are operatively translate into a rotation of substantially 90°. When each of the face-members is in an interlocking position, each of the latch-pins of the face-member is fittingly disposed inside a lateral- slot of a respective face-pivoting-ring of the adjacent peripheral-rib.

Optionally, in a cubic polyhedral puzzle, when the selected face-member is operatively pivoted towards the void, about a mutual peripheral-rib, each of the latch- pins of the selected face-member is anchored inside the lateral-slots of the face-pivoting- rings of the mutual peripheral-rib and each of the latch-pins of the other arm-assemblies of the selected face-member are released from the lateral-slots of the face-pivoting-rings of the other three adjacent peripheral-ribs, thereby facilitating pivotal motion of the selected face-member towards the void.

Optionally, the selected face-member is operatively pivoted towards the void through the inner space of the cubic polyhedron.

Optionally, the inner space of the polyhedron is filled with solid matter, wherein the external surfaces of the fit the external surfaces of the face-members, and wherein the selected face-member is pivoted externally about a mutual peripheral-rib with the void. An aspect of the present invention is to provide a virtual polyhedral puzzle game apparatus, including a number of interconnected virtual peripheral-ribs forming a virtual equilateral convex polyhedral skeleton having a number of enclosed virtual plane-open- spaces, wherein the virtual peripheral-ribs and the virtual plane-open-spaces form a virtual polyhedron. The virtual polyhedral puzzle further includes a number of face- members, wherein the virtual face-members are disposed at each of the virtual plane- open-spaces except for one that remains virtually void, and wherein a selected virtual face-member, disposed adjacent to the virtual void, is facilitated to pivot towards the virtual void and fill the plane-open-space of the virtual void.

The peripheral-ribs are marked by an identity-marking such as a color, wherein the face-members are subdivided into facial-regions, wherein each facial-region contains at least one facial edge, and wherein each of the facial-region is marked by an identity marking. Each of the virtual face-members is disposed at each of the plane-open-spaces such that there is at least one configuration, in which configuration each of the marked facial-regions is disposed adjacently to one of the marked peripheral-ribs having an identical identity marking.

Preferably, the virtual polyhedral puzzle game is embodied in an interactive electronic game, wherein preferably, the interactive electronic game further includes one or more control keys to select the selected virtual face-member, thereby causing the selected virtual face-member to move towards the virtual void and fill the plane-open- space of the virtual void.

Preferably, the interactive electronic game further includes one or more control keys to control the movement of the virtual polyhedron, thereby causing a change in the point of view of the virtual polyhedron.

Preferably, the interactive electronic game further includes one or more control keys to select the difficulty level of the game played on the virtual game apparatus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration and example only and thus not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the basic geometry of an equilateral tetrahedron game, according to embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a preferred coloring subdivision of each face of the tetrahedron game device shown in Fig. 1, wherein, preferably, each section carries a different color;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the equilateral tetrahedron game device of the present invention, showing an example coloring scheme of the visible tetrahedron face, wherein six colors are used in this example;

Fig. 4 shows the coloring scheme of the hidden faces of the tetrahedron game device shown in Fig. 3;

Figs. 5-6 are perspective views of the tetrahedron game device, showing various views of the coloring scheme shown in Fig. 3;

Figs. 7a and 7b are perspective views of a first embodiment of the equilateral tetrahedron game device of the present invention, using the coloring example shown in corresponding Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the skeleton of the first embodiment the equilateral tetrahedron game device of the present invention, as shown in Figs. 7a and 7b.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a face member of an equilateral tetrahedron game, the face member including a pivotal mechanism, according to embodiments of the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the body of the face member shown in Fig. 10, wherein the body is configured to accommodate the pivotal mechanism of the face member; Fig. 1 1 is a perspective view of the pivotal mechanism of the face member shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 illustrates an example winding mechanism that facilitates the pivotal motion of a face member towards the void, according to embodiments of the present invention;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a solid equilateral tetrahedron game device of the present invention, using the coloring example shown in corresponding Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the equilateral tetrahedron game device, wherein the solid equilateral tetrahedron is assembled into the skeleton, and wherein the movable face members have been removed for illustrative purposes only;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of an equilateral-cubic-game-device, according to variations of the present invention; Fig. 16a is a front view of an equilateral-2-faces-game-device, according to variations of the present invention;

Fig. 16a is a side view of the equilateral-2-faces-game-deviceshown in Fig. 16a;

Fig. 17 shows a variety of electronic devices, having a processing unit, wherein the processing unit is facilitated to embody a simulated equilateral-tetrahedron-game device, according to the present invention;

Fig. 18 is an exemplary schematic block diagram of the system for controlling the simulated equilateral-tetrahedron game;

Fig. 19 is an illustrated example of playing the simulated equilateral -tetrahedron game; Fig. 20 is another illustrated example of playing the simulated equilateral-tetrahedron game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided, so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The methods and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Reference is now made to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the basic geometry of an equilateral-tetrahedron-game 100, according to embodiments of the present invention. Reference is also made to Fig. 2, which shows a preferred coloring subdivision of each face 200 of the tetrahedron game device shown in Fig. 1 , wherein, preferably, each section (202, 204 and 206) carries a different color; to Fig. 3, which is a perspective view of equilateral-tetrahedron-game-device 100, showing an example coloring of the visible tetrahedron face, wherein six colors are used in this example; and to Fig. 4, which shows the coloring scheme of the hidden face of tetrahedron-game- device 100, as shown in Fig. 3. The use of six colors is a preferred embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to using six colors. Equilateral-tetrahedron-game-device 100 employs three faces, a void and six straight edges. Each face 200 is configured to pivot about either of the enclosing peripheral edges of that face 200. In the Figs., equilateral -tetrahedron- game-device 100 includes: a first face 230 having edges 160, 130 and 120; a second face 210 having edges 120, 140 and 110; and a third face 220 seen hidden in Figs. 1, 5 and 6) having edges 130, 110 and 150. Each face 200 is enclosed by three edges and the void is formed by three edges that do not enclose a face. A chosen face 200 may be pivoted about a selected edge, when the void is situated adjacently to the selected edge. Thereby when pivoting the chosen face 200 about the selected edge, the chosen face 200 and the void exchange positions. It should be noted that the surfaces of are typically, with no limitation flat, but may include 3-dimensional patterns, wherein the 3-dimensional patterns of each of face 200 are preferably identical.

The object of the game is to flip the tetrahedron faces 200 such as to form a tetrahedron, wherein each of the three faces 200 matches the colors of the neighboring faces, and wherein each of the three faces 200 matches the colors matching the colors of the tetrahedron structure. Figs. 5-6 are perspective views of an example colored tetrahedron-game-device 100, as shown in Fig. 3, wherein the tetrahedron is rotated such that the faces are viewed from different sides. In Fig. 3, the main visible face (230) has a C6 color portion (232), a C3 color portion (234) and a C2 color portion (236). Also seen in Fig. 3 is face (210), having the C2 color portion (216), C4 color portion (212) and CI color portion (214). In Fig. 5, the main visible face is face (220), having the C5 color portion (226), C3 color portion (224) and CI color portion (222) face (220). Also seen is face 210, having the C2 color portion (216), C4 color portion (212) and CI color portion (214). In Fig. 6, faces 230 and 220 of the tetrahedron are partially viewed through the void, and the C2 color portion (216), C4 color portion (212) and CI color portion (214) of face 210 are also viewed.

It should be noted, be noted that the all faces are identically colored on both sides of each face. Therefore, when a selected face is flipped, the appropriate colors are seen by the user on the currently external surface of the face.

Reference is also made to Figs. 7a and 7b, which are perspective views of a first embodiment of the equilateral-tetrahedron-game-device 300 of the present invention, including a skeleton 302 and using the coloring example shown in corresponding Figs. 3 and 4; and to Fig. 8, which is a perspective view of skeleton 302 of equilateral- tetrahedron-game-device 300. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the tetrahedron structure includes skeleton 302 which skeleton includes six bars, which bars are substantially of equal dimensions, are securely interconnected and serve as active edges of tetrahedron-game-device 300.

Preferably, each edge has a different color, matching the target colored faces.

Hence, in the example shown in Figs. 7a and 7b, active-edge 360 is C6, to match the C6 color of the adjacent section 432 of face 430 (which correspond to face 230). Active- edge 330 is C3 to match the C3 color of the adjacent section 434 of face 430 (which correspond to face 230) and adjacent section 424 of face 420 (which correspond to face 220). Active-edge 320 is C2 to match the C2 color of the adjacent section 436 of face 430 and adjacent section 416 of face 410 (which correspond to face 210). Active-edge 340 is C4 to match the C4 color of the adjacent section 412 of face 410. Active-edge 310 is CI to match the CI color of the adjacent section 422 of face 420 and adjacent section 414 of face 410. Active-edge 350 is C5 to match the C5 color of the adjacent section 426 of face 420. When all faces are in place, the void is formed between active- edges 360, 340 and 350. The objective of the game is for a user to flip selected faces towards the void, until the color of the faces match the color of the adjacent active-edge.

To demonstrate the possible faces moves given the state shown in Figs. 7a and 7b, the following faces can be pivoted to occupy the void formed between active-edges 360, 340 and 350: face 430 can be flipped inwardly about active-edge 360; face 410 can be flipped inwardly about active-edge 340; and face 420 can be flipped inwardly about active-edge 350. Once a face has moved to occupy the void, the space occupied by the moved face before the moving of the face, becomes the void after the face has been moved.

To facilitate the pivotal motion of a face towards the void, various pivotal mechanisms may be employed. One such mechanism, according to embodiments of the present invention, is depicted in Figs. 9, 10 and 1 1. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an assembled face-member 500 of an equilateral-tetrahedron-game 300, according to embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of body 510 of face- member 500, wherein body 510 is configured to accommodate a pivotal mechanism of face-member 500; and Fig. 1 1 is a perspective view of the pivotal mechanism of face- member 500.

Body 510 of face-member 500 has three equilateral sides 512 and a thickness w, and channeled features formed within the equilateral body 510 to accommodate the pivotal mechanism of face-member 500. The pivotal mechanism includes a small joystick 570 disposed inside an opening 540 formed substantially at the center of face- member 500 and extends through the whole thickness of face-member 500. Typically, joystick 570 includes a rod 572 and two widened heads 574 disposed on both ends of rod 572 thereby prevents joystick 570 from dropping out of opening 540. The pivotal mechanism of face-member 500 further includes three pairs of arm-assemblies 580, fitted to move along corresponding tunnels 520, formed in designated locations inside body 510 of face-member 500. Body 510 further includes three grooves 530 extending from opening 540 substantially towards the median point of each side 512 of the equilateral body 510. Each pair of arms-assemblies 580 is operatively coupled with a corresponding groove 530, wherein the longitudinal axis of each tunnel 520 forms an angle a with the longitudinal axis of the coupled groove 530.

Each arms-assembly 580 is pivotely connected to a disc-like member 578 movably attached to small joystick 570, wherein rod 572 is inserted through the inner opening formed in disc-like member 578. Thereby, when joystick 570 is moved in a certain direction, disc-like member 578 also moves, correspondingly with the motion direction of joystick 570. When face-member 500 is assembled, disc-like member 578 moves inside designated space 550, formed at a designated locations inside body 510 of face-member 500 around opening 540.

When face-member 500 is assembled and joystick 570 is forcefully moved inside a selected groove 530, joystick 570 pushes along a respective rod 576 disposed inside the respective groove 530, which rod 576 further pushes on a biasing member such as helical coil 560 disposed further inside the respective groove 530. When joystick 570 is released, biasing-element 560 pushes back rod 576 and thereby joystick 570, returning joystick 570 back to the center of opening 540 or proximal to the center of opening 540.

As joystick 570 moves (forcefully) inside a selected groove 530 towards the median point of the respective side 512 of equilateral body 510, disc-like member 578 moves along with joystick 570, the pair of respective arms-assembly 580 towards and through open ends 522 of the respective tunnels 520, formed at predesigned locations of the respective side 512 of equilateral body 510.

Since arms-assemblies 580 move at an angle a with respect to the line of motion of joystick 570 and disc-like member 578, each arms-assembly 580 is pivotely connected to disc-like member 578 by a conventional pivoting mechanism the facilitate non co-linear motion of arms-assemblies 580 and joystick 570. In the example shown in Fig. 11, an arm assembly 580 includes a main-arm 584 and mediating arm 582. Mediating arm 582 is pivotely connected to disc-like member 578 at a first end (pivot 581), and is pivotely connected to a first end of main-arm 584, at a second end (pivot 583). The second end of main-arm 584 is an open end. As joystick 570 moves inside a selected groove 530 towards the median point of the respective side 512, disc-like member 578 moves along with joystick 570, the pair of respective mediating arm 582 pivot outwardly with respect to the axis of motion of joystick 570, pivotely pushing the respective main arms 584 through the respective tunnels 520.

It should be noted that tunnels 520 are wide enough to facilitate slight lateral motion of arms-assemblies 580.

It should be further noted that the pivoting mechanism that facilitates the non co- linear motion of arms-assemblies 580 and joystick 570, may be embodied by embodied by other such mechanisms known in the art.

Each arm assembly 580 further includes a latch-pin 586, disposed at the open end of main-arm 584. A latch-pin 586 is fittingly design to stick into a corresponding slot 372 (see Fig. 8) formed in a face-pivoting-ring 370, wherein a pair of face-pivoting-rings 370 are rotatably disposed on each of the active-edges (360, 330, 320, 340, 310 and 350). In idle state, the three pairs of latch-pins 586 of each of the three face-members 500 are stuck in the respective slots 372 of the respective face-pivoting-rings 370, deep enough to keep each of the three face-members 500 attached the three corresponding active-edges (360, 330, 320, 340, 310 and 350), being proximal to the face-members 500 respective sides 512.

To rotate a selected face-member 500 about a selected active-edge, the user pushes joystick 570 of the selected face-member 500 about the selected active-edge. The pair of latch-pins 586 of the respective pair of arms-assemblies 580 further penetrates into the respective slots 372 of pair of face-pivoting-rings 370, in which the pair of latch- pins 586 is stuck. Simultaneously, disc-like member 578 pulls the other two pairs of sticking-pins 586 of arms-assemblies 580 out of the respective face-pivoting-rings 370. Thereby, the selected face-member 500 is now free to pivot about the selected active- edge.

Preferably, a selected face-member 500 is designed to pivot about the selected active-edge, only in inwardly direction. Hence, on each face-pivoting-rings 370 includes six (6) substantially evenly spaced slots 372 wherein the radial distance between adjacent slots 372 translate into a rotation of 60° (skeleton 302 being equilateral tetrahedron).

As the selected face-member 500 pivots about the selected active-edge towards the void, joystick 570 of the selected face-member 500 is released to return to idle state and the other free two pairs of latch-pins 586 of arms-assemblies 580 of the selected face-member 500 stick into the respective face-pivoting-rings 370 of the corresponding active-edges of the void. The old void is now occupied by the selected face-member 500 pivots, and the space that was occupied by the selected face-member 500 before being move, becomes the new void. One of the three face-members 500 may now be selected to be actively pivoted towards the new void.

An aspect of the present invention is to provide a ring-winding mechanism, that when a latch-pin 586 is penetrating into a respective slot 372 of a face-pivoting-ring 370, before pivoting is enabled, the forceful pushing motion of joystick 570 also facilitates the winding of a biasing force (such as a spring) of the face-pivoting-ring 370. When the pushing motion of joystick 570 terminates, the biasing force pivots the face-pivoting- ring 370 towards the void, generally, by a radial distance of 60°.

Reference is now also made to Fig. 12, which illustrates an example ring- winding-mechanism 600, with no limitation on alternative winding mechanisms commonly used. Ring-winding-mechanism 600 includes a toothed-pattern 684 on a selected thin side of main-arm 584. A sprocket-wheel 610 is operatively engaged with toothed-pattern 684 and thereby, when main-arm 584 is pushed in direction 605, sprocket-wheel 610 rotates in direction 615. A gear mechanism represented by cogwheel 620, disposed inside main-arm 584, transmits a predesigned rotational speed to ring-winding-cog-wheel 630, disposed inside the active-edge.

Ring-winding-mechanism 600 further includes windable-member 640 that when rotating in direction 645, a biasing force is being winded. The face of windable-member 640 that faces winding-cog-wheel 630 and is generally perpendicular to winding-cogwheel 630, include evenly spaced niches (or teeth), fitted to the teeth of winding-cogwheel 630. Hence, when main-arm 584 is pushed in direction 605, cog-wheel 620 rotates in direction 615 and winding-cog-wheel 630 rotates in direction 635. The teeth of winding-cog-wheel 630 operatively engaged with niches/teeth 642 of windable-member 640 and thereby, rotate windable-member 640 in direction 645 and thereby, the winding biasing force is being loaded. It should be noted that to facilitate the engagement of cogwheel 620 with winding-cog-wheel 630, a notch 390 is formed in the active-edge, it should be further noted that other conventional rotational motion transmission from sprocket-wheel 610 to windable-member 640 can be used, including the 90° rotational motion transmission from winding-cog-wheel 630 to windable-member 640.

When the pushing of main-arm 584 in direction 605 is terminated, the winding is done, and latch-pin 586 remains locked inside slot 372 of face-pivoting-ring 370. The user releases the hold of joystick 570 and the selected face-member 500. The winding biasing force is then released and the selected face-member 500 is actively pivoted by the biasing force towards the void. As the selected face-member 500 reaches the position at the void a lock release element (not shown) releases the locking of latch-pin 586 inside slot 372 of face-pivoting-ring 370. Upon the locking release, the loaded biasing- element 560 pushes back rod 576 and joystick 570, thereby returning joystick 570 back to the center of opening 540 or proximal to the center of opening 540.

In variations of the present invention, the winding-mechanism includes a controlled magnetic sub system. The faces are kept in place by controlled magnetic attraction forces. When a user selects a face 200, a sensor, such as a pressure sensor that detects the pivoting force, send a signal to the controller that create drawing forces between selected face 200 and the two edges situated away from the void while created pulling forces in the edges of the void. Thereby, the selected face 200 pivots about the edge adjacent to face 200 and is locked be magnetic pulling forces in the void. Preferably, the faces further include electric hinges that, wherein the electric hinge in the edge adjacent to face 200 and adjacent to the void is activated, upon the detection of the pivoting force.

Reference is made to Figs. 13, which is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a solid equilateral-tetrahedron 700, using the coloring example shown in corresponding Figs. 3 and 4; and to Fig. 14, which a perspective view of the equilateral- tetrahedron-game-device 702, wherein the solid equilateral -tetrahedron 700 is assembled into skeleton 302, and wherein the movable face members have been removed for illustrative purposes only. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the tetrahedron structure includes solid tetrahedron 700 rather than just having an empty skeleton 302, which skeleton is securely connected to the solid equilateral-tetrahedron- game-device 700, for example by spacing-elements 770. Preferably, the feces of solid tetrahedron 700 are colored with the target arrangement of the moveable face members. Generally, equilateral-tetrahedron-game-device 702 operates similarly to equilateral-tetrahedron-game-device 300. The main variation is in that a selected face member, such as face-member 500 cannot pivot inwardly by a radial distance of 60°, and must pivot outwardly by a radial distance of 300°. It should be noted that in the second embodiment of the present invention, windable-member 640 of ring-winding- mechanism 600 is winded at a different direction, to facilitate an outwardly pivoting of the respective face-pivoting-ring 370.

An aspect of the present invention is to provide an equilateral cube structured similarly to the equilateral-tetrahedron-game device, except that the cube device has five face members and a void, rather than three face members and a void, in the tetrahedron game device. Similarly, the same game structural concepts can be applied to other equilateral polyhedron game devices, wherein one of the faces of a polyhedron game device remains void.

Reference is made to Fig. 15, showing a perspective view of equilateral -cubic- game-device 900, showing an example coloring scheme of the square faces, wherein ten colors are used in this example to color the five faces of equilateral-cubic-game-device 900.

Equilateral-cubic-game-device 900 employs five faces, a void and twelve straight edges. Each face is enclosed by four edges and the void is formed by four edges that do not enclose a face. In Fig. 15, equilateral-cubic-game-device 900 includes: a first face ABDC having edges 910, 920, 940 and 960; a second face ACGE having edges 920, 930, 990 and 994; a third face ABFE having edges 910, 930, 950 and 980; a forth face BDHF having edges 940, 950, 970 and 992; and a fifth face CDHG having edges 960, 970, 994 and 996. Faces ABFE and BDHF are shown hidden, denoted by dotted lines. Each face is configured to pivot about either of the enclosing peripheral edges of that face. A chosen face may be pivoted about a selected edge, when the void is situated adjacently to the selected edge. Thereby when pivoting the chosen face about the selected edge, the chosen face and the void exchange positions.

The object of the game is to flip the square faces such as to form a cube, wherein each of the four faces matches the colors of the neighboring faces, and wherein each of the four faces matches the colors matching the colors of the tetrahedron structure. Fig. 15 shows an example coloring scheme for equilateral-cubic-game-device 900, wherein each face includes two colors in two symmetric triangles formed about one of the face diagonals. The coloring scheme shown is given by way of example only, and each face may for example have four colors, in four symmetric triangles formed about both diagonals of the face. In Fig. 15, first face ABDC has a color CI in triangle ABD and a color C2 in triangle ACD; second face ACGE has a color C7 in triangle ACE and a color C8 in triangle CEG; third face ABFE has a color C3 in triangle ABF and a color C4 in triangle AEF; forth face BDHF has a color C5 in triangle BDH and a color C6 in triangle BFH; and fifth face CDHG has a color C9 in triangle CDG and a color CIO in triangle DGH.

In variations of the present invention, the game device includes two substantially identical polygons, situated back-to-back and facilitated to rotate about a selected edge, 360°. Hence, what was back-to-back before the rotation, becomes face-to-face after the rotation. Typically, each face is subdivided into colored triangles formed be (virtual) lines drawn from each vertex to the center of the polygon. The game device includes a rotational mechanism that maintains the back-to-back position, on the one hand, and facilitates the rotation of the faces by a user, on the other hand.

Reference is made to Figs. 16a and 16b, showing a front and side views, respectively, of equilateral-2-faces-game-device 1000, showing an example coloring scheme of the square face, wherein four colors are used in this example to color the face of equilateral-2-faces-game-device 1000.

Equilateral-2-faces-game-device 1000 employs a single face, with preferably identically colored on both sides of the face. Equilateral-2-faces-game-device 1000 includes a passive face 1080, denoted by vertices A, B, D and C, and an active face 1090, both having similar coloring. Active face 1090 is configured to pivot about either of the enclosing peripheral edges of passive face 1080, as selected by the user.

In a preferred example, a face is subdivided into four, symmetrically about the square face diagonals. O denoted the center of faces 1080 and 1090. Square face 1080 includes edges 1010, 1020, 1030 and 1040. Square face 1080 further includes a triangle AOB having the color CI, a triangle AOC having the color C2, a triangle DOB having the color C3 and a triangle DOC having the color C4.

The object of the game is to flip active face 1090 of selected edges, such that all colors of the active face 1090 identically overlap the colors passive face 1080. Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a simulated equilateral-tetrahedron- game device, similarly to the equilateral-tetrahedron-game device shown in Figs. 1-6, in the form of an image displayed of an electronic screen, coupled with a computerized control system. Similarly, the same game concepts may be applied to simulated equilateral-tetrahedron-game device.

Reference is made to Fig. 17, showing a variety of electronic devices 801, having a housing 82, a processing unit 810 and control keys 86 (physical or displayed on screen 84), wherein processing unit 810, according to the present invention, is facilitated to embody simulated equilateral-tetrahedron-game device 800, and facilitating a user 10 to play the simulated equilateral-tetrahedron game. Fig. 18 is an exemplary schematic block diagram 850 of the system for controlling the simulated equilateral-tetrahedron game, and facilitating a user 10 to interactively play the simulated equilateral- tetrahedron game. Processing unit 810 including one or more control modules such as control module 812, initial position selecting module 816 and database 814. Electronic devices 801 may be any computerized electronic device coupled with a screen 84, including a mobile phone device 801a, a PDA 801b, a lap-top computer 801c, a desktop computer 801d a game console, and arcade game machine.

The simulated equilateral-tetrahedron game device 800 includes, as in devices 100 and 300, three faces and one void, displayed on screen 84. As in devices 100 and 300, the equilateral-tetrahedron has 4 colored faces and 6 differently colored edges (corresponding, for example, similar to active-edges 360 (C6), 330 (C3), 320 (C2), 340 (C4), 310 (CI) and 350 (C5), as shown in Fig. 7a. Active-edge 360 matches the C6 color of the adjacent section 412 of face 430, active-edge 330 matches the C3 color of the adjacent section 414 of face 430, active-edge 320 matches the C2 color of the adjacent section 416 of face 430 and adjacent section 426 of face 410, active-edge 340 matches the C4 color of the adjacent section 422 of face 410, active-edge 310 matches the CI color of the adjacent section 432 of face 420 and adjacent section 424 of face 410, and active-edge 350 matches the C5 color of the adjacent section 436 of face 420. In this example, when all faces are in place, the void is formed between active-edges 360, 340 and 350. The objective of the game is for user 10 to flip selected faces towards the void, until the color of the faces match the color of the adjacent faces.

To flip a simulated face, user 10 may use a key 86 or select a face by touching the desired face on a touch screen. The game device 800 may include more control keys

818 such as an "undo" key for undoing the previous step, a "hint" key for suggesting the next step, a "level" key for selecting level of game difficulty, a color combination selection key(s) and other game control keys. One example for game difficulty is the number of faces that must be positioned in a matched void, such that all three colors of the face match the color of the respective edge. A "low difficulty" would be matching just one face; a "medium difficulty" would be matching two faces; and a "high difficulty" would be matching three faces.

Reference is now made to Fig. 19, an illustrated example of playing the simulated equilateral-tetrahedron game 800 is shown. In this example two faces, 830 and 810 - corresponding to 230 and 210, while face 820, corresponding to 230, is invisible, as well as the void. To flip face 810 towards the void, the user 10 touches face 810, as illustrated. To flip face 830 towards the void, the user 10 touches face 830. In order to access face 820, the user 10 touchably moves the finger in either direction 852 or 854. If for example user 10 touchably moves the finger in either direction 852, faces 820 and 830 will be viewed by user 10. If for example user 10 touchably moves the finger in either direction 854, faces 820 and 810 will be viewed by user 10. It should be noted that the tetrahedron may be displayed on the screen in a variety of ways, all of which variations are within the scope of the present invention.

Reference is also made to Fig. 20 is another illustrated example of playing the simulated equilateral-tetrahedron game is shown. In this example three faces, 810, 820 and 830 - corresponding to 210, 220 and 230, while the void is invisible. To flip a face towards the void, user 10 touches the selected face.

Optionally, to enhance the orientation of user 10, the vertices are marked, for example by letters, such as A, B, C and D, as shown in Figs 19 and 20.

Optionally, the present invention provides a simulated equilateral -tetrahedron - game device, similarly to equilateral-tetrahedron-game device 800.

Optionally, a game device is devised, similar to the game device 800 that simulates equilateral-cubic-game-device 900.

Optionally, a game device is devised, similar to the game device 800 that simulates equilateral-2-faces-game-device 1000. The invention being thus described in terms of several embodiments and examples, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A polyhedral puzzle comprising:

a) a number of interconnected peripheral-ribs forming an equilateral convex polyhedral skeleton having a number of enclosed plane-open-spaces, wherein said peripheral-ribs and said plane-open-spaces form a polyhedron;

b) a winding-mechanism; and

c) a number of face-members;

wherein said face-members are disposed at each of said plane-open-spaces except for one that remains void;

wherein said face-members are held in place by said winding-mechanism and wherein said winding-mechanism facilitates pivotal motion of a selected face-member towards said void; wherein said peripheral-ribs are marked by an identity-marking;

wherein said face-members are subdivided into facial-regions, wherein each contains at least one facial edge, and wherein each of said facial-region is marked by an identity marking; and wherein each of said face-members is disposed at each of said plane-open-spaces such that there is at least one configuration, in which configuration each of said marked facial-regions is disposed adjacently to one of said marked peripheral-ribs having an identical identity marking.

2. The polyhedral puzzle as in claim 1 , wherein said polyhedron is a tetrahedron.

3. The polyhedral puzzle as in claim 1 , wherein said polyhedron is a cubic polyhedron.

4. The polyhedral puzzle as in claim 1 , wherein said markings are colors.

5. The polyhedral puzzle as in claim 2, wherein each of said face-members is subdivided into three facial-regions, wherein each facial-region contains one of the three edges of the respective face-member.

6. The polyhedral puzzle as in claim 3, wherein each of said face-members is subdivided into four facial-regions, wherein each facial-region contains one of the four edges of the respective face-member.

7. The polyhedral puzzle as in claim 3, wherein each of said face-members is subdivided into two facial -regions, wherein each facial-region contains two adjacent edges of the respective face-member.

8. The polyhedral puzzle as in claim 2, wherein said winding-mechanism comprises: a) a joystick disposed inside an opening formed substantially at the center of each of said face-members, wherein said joystick extends through the whole thickness of said face- member, and wherein said joystick is operable from either side of said face-member; b) one or more arm-assemblies, pivotely connected to said joystick at one end and extending towards each of the neighboring peripheral-ribs adjacent to each of said face-members, wherein the other end of each of said arm-assemblies is an open end, and wherein each of said arm-assemblies is disposed inside a respective tunnel formed inside the body of said face-member, at a preconfigured location; and

c) one or more face-pivoting-rings pivotely disposed on each of said peripheral-ribs, wherein each face-pivoting-ring is coupled to operate with a respective arm-assembly, wherein each of said arm-assemblies includes a latch-pin disposed at said open end;

wherein each of said face-pivoting-rings includes six substantially evenly spaced lateral-slots, wherein the radial distance between adjacent lateral-slots are operatively translate into a rotation of substantially 60°; and

wherein when each of said face-members is in an interlocking position, each of said latch-pins of said face-member is fittingly disposed inside a lateral-slot of a respective face-pivoting-ring of said adjacent peripheral-rib.

9. The polyhedral puzzle as in claim 8, wherein when said selected face-member is operatively pivoted towards said void, about a mutual peripheral-rib, each of said latch-pins of said selected face-member is anchored inside the lateral-slots of said face-pivoting-rings of said mutual peripheral-rib and each of said latch-pins of the other arm-assemblies of said selected face-member are released from the lateral-slots of said face-pivoting-rings of the other two adjacent peripheral-ribs, thereby facilitating pivotal motion of said selected face-member towards said void.

10. The polyhedral puzzle as in claim 9, wherein said selected face-member is operatively pivoted towards said void through the inner space of said tetrahedron.

1 1. The polyhedral puzzle as in claim 8, wherein each of said face-pivoting-rings further comprises a ring-winding-mechanism (600) for accurately pivoting said face-pivoting-ring, wherein said ring-winding-mechanism comprises:

a) a windable-member (640); and

b) a gear mechanism configured to wind said windable-member upon pushing said respective arm-assembly into said lateral-slot, wherein said winded windable-member facilitates the rotation of said face-pivoting-ring by 60°, in a preconfigured direction.

12. The polyhedral puzzle as in claim 3, wherein said winding-mechanism comprises:

a) a joystick disposed inside an opening formed substantially at the center of each of said face-members, wherein said joystick extends through the whole thickness of said face- member, and wherein said joystick is operable from either side of said face-member; b) one or more arm-assemblies, pivotely connected to said joystick at one end and extending towards each of the neighboring peripheral-ribs adjacent to each of said face-members, wherein the other end of each of said arm-assemblies is an open end, and wherein each of said arm-assemblies is disposed inside a respective tunnel formed inside the body of said face-member, at a preconfigured location; and

c) one or more face-pivoting-rings pivotely disposed on each of said peripheral-ribs, wherein each face-pivoting-ring is coupled to operated with a respective arm- assembly,

wherein each of said arm-assemblies includes a latch-pin disposed at said open end;

wherein each of said face-pivoting-rings includes four substantially evenly spaced lateral-slots, wherein the radial distance between adjacent lateral-slots are operatively translate into a rotation of substantially 90°; and

13. The polyhedral puzzle as in claim 12, wherein when said selected face-member is operatively pivoted towards said void, about a mutual peripheral-rib, each of said latch-pins of said selected face-member is anchored inside the lateral-slots of said face-pivoting-rings of said mutual peripheral-rib and each of said latch-pins of the other arm-assemblies of said selected face-member are released from the lateral-slots of said face-pivoting-rings of the other three adjacent peripheral -ribs, thereby facilitating pivotal motion of said selected face-member towards said void.

14. The polyhedral puzzle as in claim 13, wherein said selected face-member is operatively pivoted towards said void through the inner space of said cubic polyhedron.

15. The polyhedral puzzle as in claim 1, wherein the inner space of said polyhedron is filled with solid matter,

wherein the external surfaces of said fit the external surfaces of said face-members; and wherein said selected face-member is pivoted externally about a mutual peripheral-rib with said void.

16. A virtual polyhedral puzzle game apparatus comprising:

a) a number of interconnected virtual peripheral-ribs forming a virtual equilateral convex polyhedral skeleton having a number of enclosed virtual plane-open-spaces, wherein said virtual peripheral-ribs and said virtual plane-open-spaces form a virtual polyhedron; and

b) a number of virtual face-members;

wherein said virtual face-members are disposed at each of said virtual plane-open-spaces except for one that remains virtually void;

wherein a selected virtual face-member, disposed adjacent to said virtual void, is facilitated to pivot towards said virtual void and fill the plane-open-space of said virtual void;

wherein said peripheral-ribs are marked by an identity-marking;

wherein said virtual face-members are subdivided into facial-regions, wherein each of said facial-regions contains at least one facial edge, and wherein each of said facial-region is marked by an identity marking; and

wherein each of said virtual face-members is disposed at each of said plane-open-spaces such that there is at least one configuration, in which configuration each of said marked facial- regions is disposed adjacently to one of said marked peripheral-ribs having an identical identity marking.

17. An interactive electronic game comprising the virtual game apparatus of claim 16.

18. An interactive electronic game as in claim 17 further comprising one or more control keys to select said selected virtual face-member, thereby causing said selected virtual face-member to move towards said virtual void and fill said plane-open-space of said virtual void.

19. An interactive electronic game as in claim 17 further comprising one or more control keys to control the movement of said virtual polyhedron, thereby causing a change in the point of view of said virtual polyhedron.

20. An interactive electronic game as in claim 17 further comprising one or more control keys to select the difficulty level of the game played on said virtual game apparatus.