Three-dimensional puzzle with movable segments

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional puzzle with movable sectors, which can change their positions relative to each other and have guides that allow movable elements to move and form various configurations of the three-dimensional puzzle, differing in that the movable elements are manufactured as permanent magnets, and the motion of each magnet is limited by its own guide, and each magnet can be situated in at least one of the two extreme positions, and the guides in movable sectors are installed so that different magnets can interact with each other and change their positions relative to the movable elements.

2. A three-dimensional puzzle according to claim 1, characterized in that the guides are shaped as hollow cylinders, inside which magnets can move.

3. A three dimensional puzzle according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnets are shaped as cylinders.

4. A three-dimensional puzzle according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnets are encased in decorative elements.

5. A three-dimensional puzzle according to claim 1, characterized in that each guide is made as a hinge with one end connected to the magnet, and the other, to the movable sector, which hinge allow the magnets to move relative to the pinning point of the guide on the movable sector.

6. A three-dimensional puzzle according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnets are encased in movable elements, or decorative elements, which move together with the magnets, are fixed on the magnets.

7. A three-dimensional puzzle with movable sectors capable of changing their positions relative to each other, in which movable elements are installed that form different configurations of the three-dimensional puzzle, differing in that at least some of the movable elements are made as permanent magnets, while the other movable elements are made of magnetically susceptible materials, and the movable sectors have hollows, inside which the movable elements are installed, and each movable element can rotate in the hollow it occupies, when affected by other permanent magnets of the puzzle, as the movable sectors change their positions relative to each other.

8. A three-dimensional puzzle according to claim 7, characterized in that the movable elements are shaped as spheres.

9. A three-dimensional puzzle according to claim 7, characterized in that the movable elements are shaped as cylinders.

10. A three-dimensional puzzle according to claim 7, characterized in that the movable elements are connected with decorative elements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] Other distinctive features and advantages of this invention appear clearly in the description, which is presented in what follows for the sake of illustration without being restrictive and refers to the figures attached, of which:

[0026] FIG. 1 shows the external view of the first variant of the three-dimensional puzzle, where the guides are shaped as hollow cylinders, in which magnets can move, according to the invention as in the first independent claim;

[0027] FIG. 2 shows schematically the position of a magnet inside a hollow cylinder in one of its extreme positions, according to the invention as in the first independent claim;

[0028] FIG. 3 shows schematically the position of the magnet inside the hollow cylinder in the other of its extreme positions, according to the invention as in the first independent claim;

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a fragment of the three-dimensional puzzle in one of its variants, according to the invention as in the first independent claim;

[0030] FIG. 5 shows an alternative static external view of the three-dimensional puzzle, according to the second variant of the invention as in the first independent claim (here, magnets are installed in decorative elements and fixed to them);

[0031] FIG. 6 shows an alternative dynamic external view of the three-dimensional puzzle, according to the second variant of the invention as in the first independent claim;

[0032] FIG. 7 shows an individual movable sector of the three-dimensional puzzle, according to the second variant of the invention as in the first independent claim; with the guides, but without magnets and decorative elements, in which they are installed;

[0033] FIG. 8 shows an external view of the third variant of the three-dimensional puzzle, where the guides are made as hinges. One end of a hinge is connected to a magnet and the other, to a movable sector. The hinges are made so as let magnets move relative to the pinning point on the movable sector, according to the invention as in the first independent claim;

[0034] FIG. 9 shows one of the eight movable elements of the fourth variant of the three- dimensional puzzle shaped as a cube, where moveable magnets affect the external decorative surface via the mechanism shown in FIG. 11 and move this surface to the extent of two extreme positions according to the invention as in the first independent claim;

[0035] FIG. 10 shows one of the eight elements of the fourth variant of the three-dimensional puzzle shown in FIG. 9, according to the invention as in the first independent claim, with external surfaces removed, and internal structures shows fractionally;

[0036] FIG. 11 shows the mechanism that translates movements from the permanent magnets moving inside guides to external decorative flat panels, which protract from and retract to the inside of the puzzle body, thus ensuring the layout of the configurations, according to the fourth variant of the invention as in the first independent claim;

[0037] FIG. 12 shows an external view of the variant of the three-dimensional puzzle in the shape of a cube, according to the fourth variant of the invention as in the first independent claim;

[0038] FIG. 13 shows the mechanism of interaction between individual elements of the puzzle on an example of two adjacent movable elements (shown by dashed lines), according to the fourth variant of the invention as in the first independent claim;

[0039] FIG. 14 shows an external view of the fifth variant of the three-dimensional puzzle, where magnets have the shape of spheres, according to the invention as in the second independent claim;

[0040] FIG. 15 shows schematically a semisectional view of the fifth variant of the invention, according to the invention as in the second independent claim;

[0041] FIG. 16 shows schematically another vertical semisectional view of the fifth variant of the invention, according to the invention as in the second independent claim;

[0042] FIG. 17 shows schematically the positions of magnetic poles in one position of the fifth variant of the invention, according to the invention as in the second independent claim;

[0043] FIG. 18 shows an external view of the sixth variant of the three-dimensional puzzle, where magnets have the form of spheres, according to the invention as in the second independent claim;

[0044] FIG. 19 shows schematically a vertical semisectional view of the sixth variant of the invention, according to the invention as in the second independent claim;

[0045] FIG. 20 shows an external view of the seventh variant of the three-dimensional puzzle, where magnets have the form of spheres, according to the invention as in the second independent claim;

[0046] FIG. 21 shows an external view of the seventh variant of the three-dimensional puzzle, where magnets have the form of spheres, in the process of shifting, according to the invention as in the second independent claim;

[0047] FIG. 22 shows the top view of the seventh variant of the three-dimensional puzzle, where magnets have the form of spheres, according to the invention as in the second independent claim;

[0048] FIG. 23 shows schematically the vertical semisectional view of the seventh variant of the invention, according to the invention as in the second independent claim;

[0049] FIG. 24 shows an external view of the eighth variant of the three-dimensional puzzle, where magnets are spherical, according to the invention as in the second independent claim;

[0050] FIG. 25 shows schematically a horizontal semisectional view of the eighth variant of the invention, according to the invention as in the second independent claim;

[0051] FIG. 26 shows schematically the design of the ninth variant of the puzzle, where magnets are shaped as cylinders, which move along grooves, and spheres, according to the invention as in a combination of the first and second independent claims;

[0052] FIG. 27 shows an external view of the tenth variant of the three-dimensional puzzle, where magnets are shaped as spheres, according to the invention as in the second independent claim;

[0053] FIG. 28 shows an external view of a sector of the tenth variant, where magnets are shaped as spheres, according to the invention as in the second independent claim;

[0054] FIG. 29 shows a vertical semisectional view of the tenth variant, where magnets are shaped as spheres, according to the invention as in the second independent claim; and

[0055] FIG. 30 shows schematically the design of the eleventh variant of the puzzle, where magnets are shaped as cylinders moving along grooves, according to the invention as in the first independent claim.

[0056] The labels in the Figures have the following meaning: [0057] 1—movable sectors, [0058] 2—guides, [0059] 3—permanent magnets moving along guides, [0060] 4—decorative movable element, [0061] 5—stationary magnets, [0062] 6—hollows, [0063] 7—stationary part of the puzzle, [0064] 8—optional minor magnet, [0065] 9—bearing, [0066] 10—spherical permanent magnets.

[0067] According to the first independent claim and FIGS. 1-11, the three-dimensional puzzle has movable sectors 1, which are capable of varying their relative positions. Movable sectors 1 have guides 2, which are connected to movable elements that change the configurations of the three-dimensional puzzle. The movable elements are permanent magnets 3. Each magnet 3 is connected to its own guide 2 and can be situated in one of the two extreme positions, 3A and 3B (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0068] Guides 2 in movable sectors 1 are located so that individual magnets can interact with each other and change their positions relative to the guide or the movable sector.

[0069] The guides can be shaped as cylinders, as well as the magnets (independently of the guides). However, in the general case, they can have other shapes: in particular, magnets 3 can be inserted to or connected with additional movable elements, e.g., decorative movable element 4.

[0070] Moreover, each magnet 3 can be painted in two colors corresponding to its magnetic poles, to make the magnet orientation visible to the user.

[0071] If guide 2 has the shape of a hollow cylinder, in which magnets 3 can move, one such channel can contain several spherical permanent magnets 3, or no magnets. Such hollow cylinders can cross, when static configurations of the puzzle vary, and, when crossed, let a magnet pass from one cylinder to another, or may not cross at all.

[0072] When they move under magnetic fields, magnets can activate additional elements of the puzzle, e.g., flags, as well as perform additional functions, e.g., close electric contacts.

[0073] Generally speaking, movable and stationary magnets can be used simultaneously.

[0074] Arrows show the direction of rotation of movable sectors 1 and spherical permanent magnets 3.

[0075] One can see in FIG. 4 that movable sectors can have several guides with magnets.

[0076] It is evident in FIG. 5 that some parts of magnets or elements connected to them can go beyond the guides, i.e., the user can be informed about the position of a magnet in a hollow guide in the following ways: [0077] movable sectors can be made of a transparent materials; [0078] the hollow guide can communicate with the environment, as in FIGS. 1 and 4; [0079] the magnet can overlap the edge of the hollow guide, when it is in one of its extreme positions, as in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0080] In an alternative variant of the puzzle (see FIG. 8), hinges connected to spherical permanent magnets 3 act as guides 2, and the positions of the magnets relative to the movable sectors are always visible to the user.

[0081] According to the second independent claim and FIGS. 14-30, the three-dimensional puzzle has movable sectors 1 made in such a way that they can change their relative positions. The movable elements set in the sectors form various configurations of the puzzle. At least some of the movable elements are permanent magnets 3, and the rest are made of a magnetically susceptible materials. Some magnets can be stationary (5), which is necessary to indicate magnetic influence on movable elements.

[0082] Movable sectors have hollows 6, inside which the movable elements are situated, and each movable element can turn in its hollow under the action of other permanent magnets of the puzzle, as movable sectors change their relative positions.

[0083] The movable elements can be shaped as spheres or cylinders.

[0084] Movable elements can be connected to decorative elements (not shown in the figures).

[0085] A part of the puzzle can be stationary (7), e.g., its central element, and all other elements move relative to this stationary part.

[0086] FIG. 24 shows the variant that contains simultaneously the movable elements, which rotate, while staying in their places in their hollows (6), thus changing their orientation, and the movable elements, which move along guides 2.

[0087] Each movable element of magnet 10 can additionally be painted in two colors or have images marking the halves or parts of the element (usually corresponding to its magnetic pole), which lets the user tell one side of the magnet from the other.

[0088] As they move under magnetic fields, the magnets can touch additional parts of the puzzle (e.g., flags) and perform additional functions, e.g., close electric contacts.

[0089] Generally speaking, movable and stationary magnets can be used simultaneously.

[0090] The arrows in the figures show the direction of rotation of the movable sectors.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0091] The three-dimensional puzzle with movable sectors works as follows. Let us give a most comprehensive example of implementation of the invention bearing in mind that this example does not restrict applications of the invention.

[0092] In the initial configuration of the three-dimensional puzzle with movable sectors, all magnets are paired off and are attracted to (or repulsed from) their counterparts. After “jumbling”, i.e., chaotic repositioning, of the movable sectors, the problem is to revert the three-dimensional puzzle with movable sectors to its initial configuration.

[0093] In the problem-solving process, as movable sectors change their positions, magnets also move in space.

[0094] It is seen in FIG. 1 that almost all visible magnets are attracted to each other, except those two that are in wrong positions. The task is to correct this situation by changing the positions of the movable sectors.

[0095] Movements of the magnets are due to both attraction and repulsion of individual magnets.

[0096] In particular, there can exist various implementations of the puzzle, e.g., as in FIG. 1, where all magnets stay inside the puzzle and move along the channels formed by the cylindrical hollows of the guides. However, magnets can also protrude partially from the said hollows or leave them completely, as in FIG. 8.

[0097] Note that movable elements rotate under magnetic fields of the internal magnets, whose fields are oppositely directed, see FIG. 17. This process is visualized for the user by using different colors or images on the sides of the elements.

[0098] In this case, the known combination, which is the initial and final configuration of the puzzle, is established, and the mission of the player is to create a chaotic state first by moving the sectors around, and then solve the puzzle by putting the colors or images on the elements in order.

[0099] The “UFO” variant (FIGS. 14-17) of the puzzle is a cylinder divided into sectors 1 that move relative to central part 7. The sectors have hollows 6, in which spherical permanent magnets 10 are situated. The sectional view (FIG. 15) shows that the central part can be situated between movable sectors as well and have hidden stationary magnets 5, which affect the orientation of spherical permanent magnets 10, when sectors 1 move.

[0100] The “Bagel” variant of the puzzle (FIGS. 18-19) is a torus divided into sectors that move relative to central part 7. The sectors have hollows 6, in which spherical permanent magnets 10 are situated. The sectional view (FIG. 15) shows that the central part may be situated between movable sectors as well and have hidden stationary magnets 5, which affect the orientation of spherical permanent magnets 10, when sectors 1 move.

[0101] The “Sirius” variant of the puzzle (FIGS. 20-23) is a sphere divided into sectors that move relative to central part 7. The sectors have hollows 6, in which spherical permanent magnets 10 are situated.

[0102] The “Ring” variant of the puzzle (FIGS. 24-25) is a combination of two interpenetrating cylinders (rings). The rings have hollows 6, in which spherical permanent magnets 10 are situated. The sectional view (FIG. 25) shows that the movable cylinders may have hidden stationary magnets 5, which affect the orientation of spherical permanent magnets 10, when cylinders 1 move.

[0103] The “Mayan Cycle” variant of the puzzle (FIG. 26) is a disk divided into movable sectors 1. The sectors have hollows 6, in which spherical permanent magnets 10 are situated. Additionally, this variant contains movable magnets 3 moving inside hollows 2.

[0104] The “Sphere” variant of the puzzle (FIG. 27-29) is a sphere divided into movable sectors 1. The sectors have hollows 6, in which spherical magnets 10 and stationary magnets 5 are situated.

Implementation Example 1. Tokamak/A2

[0105] See FIGS. 1-4. In this variant, the magnets are made as cylinders moving along guides.

Implementation Example 2. Hydra

[0106] See FIGS. 5-7. This variant is similar to the first one, where magnets are made as cylinders and move along guides.

Implementation Example 3. Levers

[0107] See FIG. 8. This variant is an alternative to the first two. The magnets are connected to levers, which serve as magnet guides.

Implementation Example 4. Os Cube

[0108] See FIGS. 9-13. In its appearance, this variant resembles a miniature version of Rubik's cube (2×2×2, though it can be 3×3×3, or similar options). However, its external aces protract from and retract to the inside of the cube (fragments of the faces of any shape can be used as well). Movements are translated by the movable magnets set on the internal, hidden sides of cube elements (⅛) as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. They shift external faces via mechanical transmissions (see FIG. 11), and the magnet polarities are chosen such that there exists a configuration, within which all planes are retracted inside or protracted outside at the same time. Within other configurations, some of them will be protracted, and the rest, retracted. Rotating elements of the puzzle around three axes, the user tries to find one of such configurations. After each turn, some planes are pulled into the puzzle body, and the rest are brought forward (see FIG. 12 (general view at the turning instant) and FIG. 13 (schematic sectional view that shows how magnets 3 interact)), thus making external decorative elements 4 connected to magnets 3 go into or into movable element 1. The semisectional view in FIG. 13 shows two adjacent movable elements 1 that are connected so that they can rotate around stationary center 7, and each movable elements has grooves with moving magnets 3 connected to decorative elements 4. As movable elements 1 turn, magnets 3 interact and are attracted to or repulsed from each other depending on their magnetic orientation. Since they are connected to decorative elements 4, the latter move as well and the external view of the puzzle changes. Thus, the puzzle resembles Rubik's cube, whose geometry changes, rather than coloring.

Implementation Example 5. UFO

[0109] See 14-17. In this variant, sixteen balls painted in two colors can rotate freely each in its own hollow. They are situated on the both sides of the puzzle, eight on each side. Their orientation is determined by eight hidden stationary magnets, two in each sector. The sectors can move in circles. Since the puzzle can rotate around the x axis and they axis (see FIG. 14), the sectors can shuffle their positions, and there exists a configuration, where the painted sides of all magnets will be turned to the inside (or outside) simultaneously. In other configurations, the sides of the balls are situated chaotically.

[0110] The player is to gather all balls according to their color (one color on the outside), which is not a simple task. To enhance the gaming perception and make the puzzle more pleasing to trifle with, the central part sits on a bearing fixed on the body, which allows turning the puzzle in the hands very fast holding it with two fingers on the opposite sides, like a spinner.

[0111] FIG. 15 shows the X-axial sectional view of the device via the additional Y axis, and FIG. 16 shows the X-axial sectional view of the device through spherical permanent magnets 10. FIG. 17 represents shuffled positions of the poles of internal magnets.

Implementation Example 6. Bagel

[0112] See FIGS. 18-19. The Bagel puzzle is a ring on a disk. The ring and a disk consist of four parts. The mechanism at the center of the disk, which is similar to the mechanism of 2×2×2 Rubik's cube, allows one to rotate parts of the disk around two axes. External sectors 1 can turn relative to the disk, which consists of internal sectors 1, as well as around two additional axes. Thus, movable sectors 1 can be shuffled. Spherical permanent magnets 10 are opposed to fixed magnets 5 and oriented under their magnetic fields. Since spherical permanent magnets 10 are not fixed in their hollows, while stationary magnets 5 have oppositely directed magnetic fields, they will occupy positions alternately facing oppositely directed magnets 5, when external movable sectors 1 are turned around the disk. As the field direction varies, different sides of spherical permanent magnets 10 will turn in their hollows 6. The opposing sides of spherical permanent magnets 10 are painted in different colors. Thus, when a player moves sectors 1 around the disk, he or she will see a changing pattern of different colors of spherical permanent magnets 10.

[0113] The possibility to shuffle elements around additional axes makes the number of possible combinations greater. Stationary magnets 5 and the painted sides of spherical permanent magnets 10 are arranged so that there is a configuration, when all spherical permanent magnets 10 on the outside are of the same color (or the opposite configuration, when all of them are of the opposite color). The mission of the player is to find one of these combinations and ignore all intermediate, mixed combinations.

Implementation Example 7. Sirius

[0114] See FIGS. 20-23. The idea of this puzzle variant is that all spherical magnets 10, which protrude slightly above the surface, should be turned so that only their sides painted the same color will be seen. In this variant, there are twelve balls, but there can be any number of them. They can turn, showing one side, which is painted or marked with an image. Spherical permanent magnets 10 rotate freely in their hollows 6 and do not fall out. Internal magnets 5 are hidden beyond the external ones and are fixed in the internal element. The positions of their magnetic poles are always fixed.

[0115] External spherical permanent magnets 10 move together with sectors 1 both along the equator and in the meridional direction (in this case, the puzzle splits in two, in a manner of speaking). Thus, sectors 1 can be shuffled by the player, switched from the “southern” hemisphere to the “north” and back, mixing the sequence up.

[0116] Since external magnets 5 are fixed, and the poles are oriented in the opposite directions, built-in external spherical magnets 10 will reverse during each movement of sectors 1, as they are reoriented obeying the position of internal magnets 5. The sides of spherical permanent magnets 10 look differently (they are of different colors or marked with different images/labels), moving a sector will change the way spherical magnets 10 look.

[0117] For example, opposite sides of spherical permanent magnets 10 may be painted blue and red, or have images of open and closed eyes on them, or bear numbers on one side and no numbers, on the other.

[0118] Internal and external magnets 5 are arranged so that at least one of their configurations corresponds to the case, where all matching sides (of the same color or bearing the same marks) spherical permanent magnets 3 look outwards. However, the indication does not correspond to the poles of the magnets, but is arranged chaotically.

[0119] The mission of the player is first to shuffle the puzzle, e.g., to make the combination of the colors on the sides of the magnetic balls look chaotic. Then, he or she should rearrange the configuration of the balls, collecting one color on the outside, and the other, on the inside of the puzzle. Experience has shown that this is an intricate and sophisticated problem that can take much time to solve.

Implementation Example 8. Ring

[0120] See FIGS. 24-25. In this variant of the puzzle, two rings (cylinders) are used, which can move relative to each other.

[0121] The external ring contains spherical permanent magnets 10, which rotate freely in their retainers. The internal ring hides stationary permanent magnets 5, whose fields determines orientation of spherical permanent magnets 10 facing them.

[0122] Each movement of the rings changes the combination of colors, because the poles of the internal magnets are oriented in different directions, and opposite sides of spheres 5 are painted differently. Since the amount of combinations is fairly small, and the structure can be rotated around one axis only, the Ring is a very simple puzzle, and the player will check all possible configurations easily and very fast. However, it is useful as a stress-relieving toy similar to a fidget spinner, which can be fidgeted with and will enchant the use constantly by new combinations of colors or images after each turn.

Implementation Example 9. Mayan Cycle

[0123] See FIG. 26. This variant of the puzzle combines the principle of rotating magnetic spheres as in the second invention variant and moving magnetic cylinders, as in the first variant.

[0124] Disk A and rings B, C, and D around it can move relative to each other around a common center. Magnets 5 are built into disk A and affect the positions of spherical permanent magnets 3 inside guides 2 by attracting or pushing them back depending on the current relative positions of rings A and B and relative polarities of spherical permanent magnets 3 and 5. If a magnet is moved inside ring C, it will affect spherical permanent magnet 10 turning it this way or that (opposite sides of spherical permanent magnet 10 are painted in different colors or marked with different labels/images).

[0125] Optional minor magnet 8 directs spherical permanent magnet 10 to an intermediate position, for the sake of certainty. For example, if magnet 8 is situated too far, it does not have a sufficient effect on the orientation of spherical permanent magnet 10.

[0126] The player's mission is to set magnets 3 in the same position and make the identically marked sides of magnets 10 look inward or outward, which is a rather sophisticated task.

Implementation Example 10. Sphere

[0127]

[0128] See FIGS. 27-29. This variant of the puzzle consists of eight identical sections, which can rotate around three axes, as in 2×2×2 Rubik's cube, whose standard mechanism is used inside the puzzle. In this case, each section has three spherical permanent magnets 10 set on three different sides of the section. Additionally, a fixed magnet is built into the depth of each section. Its magnetic pole is directed at the corresponding magnetic sphere in the adjacent section and determines its orientation in such a way, that the sphere turns and shows one of its sides painted a certain color or bearing a certain image (e.g., an open or closed eye).

[0129] A schematic sectional view is shown in FIG. 29.

[0130] The orientation of the magnetic poles of the internal magnets hidden in different sectors is different. The player's mission is to rearrange the orientation of all external spherical magnets in such a way that identically colored sides would be seen, i.e., order the chaotic configuration of the puzzle, which is a rather sophisticated problem.

Implementation Example 11. Mayan Cycle 2

[0131] See FIG. 30. This is a simplified version of the ninth implementation example, Mayan Cycle, where external rotating permanent magnets 10 are not used, since they are replaced with permanent fixed magnets 5. The player should rearrange only movable cylindrical magnets 3, which are visible, e.g., through the transparent external surface.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0132] The three-dimensional puzzle with movable sectors can be implemented in practice by a specialist and, when implemented, achieve the stated purpose, which makes it possible to conclude that the criterion of industrial applicability is complied with for this invention.

[0133] In accordance with the proposed invention, a prototype of the three-dimensional puzzle with movable sectors has been manufactured.

[0134] Tests of the prototype of the three-dimensional puzzle with movable sectors have demonstrated that:

[0135] the puzzle allows the player to move movable sectors easily, while preventing its integrity;

[0136] as movable sectors move around, the magnets, which are situated in hollow guides or fixed on hinges, interact and change their positions relative to the movable sector depending on their environment.