The present invention relates to three-dimensional puzzles with segments capable of changing position in relation to one another, said segments having guides for allowing the movement of movable elements. According to the invention, the movable elements are configured in the form of permanent magnets, wherein the movement of each magnet is limited by its own guide, and each magnet is capable of being positioned in at least one of two end positions, wherein the guides in the movable segments are arranged to allow different magnets to interact with one another and to change position relative to movable elements. Movement of the magnets is provided by both the attraction and the repulsion of different magnets. The technical problem addressed is that of increasing the existing assortment of puzzles having movable segments.

A child play puzzle includes a set of pieces each defining a non-circular aperture therethrough. The child play puzzle also includes a base and a pole extending from the base along a pole axis. The pole sequentially receives each piece of the set of pieces with the pole extending through the aperture of each piece to form a stack of the pieces along the pole. The pole has multiple sections spaced along its length. Each section is of non-circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the pole axis. At least one of the sections is rotatable about the pole axis with respect to an adjacent one of the sections, such that moving a piece from about the rotatable section to about the adjacent section requires rotationally aligning the rotatable section with the adjacent section.

A matching toy is taught containing a sphere and a cube. The cube has six sides, and each of the six sides has an opening, and each side having a marking. The sphere is positioned within the cube, such that when the sphere is within the cube, a cap of said sphere projects out each opening. There are a plurality of markings on a plurality of the caps of the sphere such that when positioned, each cap is capable of being matched with the at least one marking on each side of the cube. In another embodiment, each section of the cube matches the color or pattern of a specific corner of the cube. In another embodiment, instead of a cube, another polygon can be used. Similarly, a sphere within a sphere is disclosed.

A matching toy is taught containing a sphere and a cube. The cube has six sides, and each of the six sides has an opening, and each side having a marking. The sphere is positioned within the cube, such that when the sphere is within the cube, a cap of said sphere projects out each opening. There are a plurality of markings on a plurality of the caps of the sphere such that when positioned, each cap is capable of being matched with the at least one marking on each side of the cube. In another embodiment, each section of the cube matches the color or pattern of a specific corner of the cube. In another embodiment, instead of a cube, another polygon can be used. Similarly, a sphere within a sphere is disclosed.

Polytopes are a three-dimensional logical toy having a family of naturally formed or inherent symmetrically shaped planetary bodies creating an amorphous composite member unit. Said three-dimensional planetary symbol-bearing bodies inherit a symmetric form based on the number of solution wells per symmetric configuration. Each planetary body is allocated to be user rotated about its axis of symmetry which is collinear to an axis traversing the geometrical centerpoint of the composite member unit. A solution well is an alignment of adjacent symbol-bearing faces contributed by an array of planetary bodies when rotated and aligned creates a sensory symbol-bearing logical solution within the well-like features. The composite body is formed by arranging at least 2 planetary bodies with contributing surfaces equally divided to access each adjacent solution well. Well symmetry is preferred and occurs when there is an even number of planetary bodies. This invention describes the 4-, 5-, 6-, and 8-planetary body configurations with emphasis on the preferred embodiment of the 6-planetary body configuration.

In order to provide a puzzle that allows young children to enjoy puzzle games easily and pleasantly, a puzzle 1 has a housing main body 10 and a puzzle shaft 40 provided in the housing main body 10. The puzzle shaft 40 includes a shaft and a piece 30. The shaft is provided with rotation of the shaft centers fixed. A plurality of pieces that is rotatably provided around the shaft center of the shaft along a shaft center direction of the shaft via the shaft and a ratchet mechanism, and puzzle patterns are provided to outer periphery of the shaft around the shaft center. The ratchet mechanism is made up of ratchet teeth formed on the outer periphery of the shaft and a ratchet pawl provided to the piece via an elastic portion.

In order to provide a puzzle that allows young children to enjoy puzzle games easily and pleasantly, a puzzle 1 has a housing main body 10 and a puzzle shaft 40 provided in the housing main body 10. The puzzle shaft 40 includes a shaft and a piece 30. The shaft is provided with rotation of the shaft centers fixed. A plurality of pieces that is rotatably provided around the shaft center of the shaft along a shaft center direction of the shaft via the shaft and a ratchet mechanism, and puzzle patterns are provided to outer periphery of the shaft around the shaft center. The ratchet mechanism is made up of ratchet teeth formed on the outer periphery of the shaft and a ratchet pawl provided to the piece via an elastic portion.

A constrained puzzle device including a housing formed with a radial crescent gutter; one or more slots providing an opening from an outer edge of the housing toward a centerline of the housing; a cartridge wheel nested within the slot and rotatably coupled to the housing, the cartridge wheel having multiple channels passing therethrough. The constrained puzzle device further includes one or more dials rotatably coupled with the housing, the dials configured with structures extending at least partially over the crescent gutter to create one or more pocket regions. Puzzle objects can be disposed within a channel of the cartridge wheel and the slot of the housing, or within the crescent gutter of the housing and a pocket formed by at least one arm member of the dial. The puzzle objects can be moved around in the constrained puzzle device as a user rotates the dials and/or the cartridge wheels.

A multi-surfaced gear-based mechanical puzzle where the objective is to choose the proper sized gear and position on the surface(s) from available holes to have the gears align and rotate in unison on one or multiple surfaces, flat or curved, from a dictated start point to a dictated finish point. Challenges such as going from a point to c point directly or additionally through way point c are outlined in an accompanying instruction booklet. Additionally, challenges may be presented as using a specific number or specific size of gears, for example, to achieve the objective. In achieving the right combination of gear sizes and positions, the objective of going from one start point to a finish point by turning one gear to cause all other gears in the train to turn in unison can be accomplished. The puzzle and components may be made from wood, plastic, metal or a composite material.

A constrained puzzle device including a housing formed with a radial crescent gutter; one or more slots providing an opening from an outer edge of the housing toward a centerline of the housing; a cartridge wheel nested within the slot and rotatably coupled to the housing, the cartridge wheel having multiple channels passing therethrough. The constrained puzzle device further includes one or more dials rotatably coupled with the housing, the dials configured with structures extending at least partially over the crescent gutter to create one or more pocket regions. Puzzle objects can be disposed within a channel of the cartridge wheel and the slot of the housing, or within the crescent gutter of the housing and a pocket formed by at least one arm member of the dial. The puzzle objects can be moved around in the constrained puzzle device as a user rotates the dials and/or the cartridge wheels.