Six-piece coordinated motion puzzle

Abstract

This invention provides paired structures that can be combined in sets of three pairs in an assemblage exhibiting a three-dimensional coordinated motion during assembly and disassembly. The assemblage can be used as an entertaining puzzle providing challenging assembly and unexpected coordinated expansion of all parts on disassembly. The puzzle includes six pieces shaped such that when completely assembled all pieces form an interlocking assembly that can only be assembled or disassembled when all six pieces aligned correctly and moved simultaneously in a specific coordinated motion.

Claims

1. Interacting structures of a coordinated motion assembly, comprising: a piece A having a longitudinal Y-axis, a first end part and second end part each part comprising a square cross-section perpendicular to the axis; wherein the first end part comprises a slide surface in a X and Z-axis plane, and wherein a first triangular surface and a second triangular surface extend down from the second end part; and, the piece A comprises integrated geometric solids including, in order: a first cube, a second cube, a strut, and a pyramid; wherein with the first and second cubes are aligned together in an x-axis, the strut is aligned in a y-axis, and the pyramid extends from the strut or second end part presenting downward the first and second triangular surfaces, and the second cube is to the left of the first cube, the strut is on top of the second cube, and the pyramid is to the right of the strut, and the prisms and pyramid each have at least one pair of surfaces that come together at a 45 degree angle; a piece B comprising a three dimensional mirror image of piece A with regard to the slide surface and triangular surfaces; wherein piece A and piece B are configured to allow three piece A/piece B pairs to slidably engage and simultaneously collapse into an interlocked assembly in a coordinated motion with each piece A triangular surface in slidable contact with another piece A triangular surface, and each piece B triangular surface in slidable contact with another piece B triangular surface; wherein the coordinated motion assembly comprises three piece A/piece B pairs arranged at 90 degrees to each other about a common center.

2. The structures of claim 1, wherein the pieces are adapted so that first triangles slidably contact second triangles from another piece in the assembly, but first triangles do not slidably contact first triangles from another piece in the assembly.

3. The structures of claim 1, wherein the first end part or second end part is described by a rectangular prism or cube.

4. The structures of claim 1, wherein the piece A second end part square cross-section has side dimensions of D units and the piece A fits inside a rectangular prism containment having a square cross-section with a width of D.

5. The structures of claim 4, wherein each of the two cubes has a width of D, and pyramid has at least one edge of length D.

6. The structures of claim 1, wherein piece A cubes, strut, and pyramid are arranged as illustrated in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6.

7. The structures of claim 1, wherein piece A cubes, strut, and pyramid are arranged as illustrated in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4.

8. The structures of claim 1, wherein a top surface of the second cube of piece A is in the same plane and one cube width away from an upper edge of the piece B pyramid.

9. The structures of claim 1, wherein the integrated geometric solids are unitary and fabricated by a method selected from the group consisting of: carving the unitary solids from a solid media, casting, and injection molding.

10. The structures of claim 1, wherein space outside the integrated cubes, strut, and pyramid in the X and Z directions are unoccupied by solid material.

11. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein end parts are integrated at the bottom and top of piece A or piece B pair members and the end parts are adapted to provide a desired outward appearance to the assembled assembly.

12. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein the outward appearance is selected from the shapes consisting of: a sphere, a dodecahedron, a cube, a crystal, a star, a machine, a part of an animal, and a part of a plant.

13. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the coordinated motion comprises relative motion between each pair member in all three dimensions at once.

14. The structures of claim 1, wherein the first and second triangular surfaces meet at an angle of 45 degrees.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fully assembled six piece puzzle.

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a six piece coordinated motion puzzle with arrows representing motions of pieces during the process of disassembly.

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a right hand (piece B) puzzle piece, e.g., wherein the strut structure has a square cross-section.

(4) FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a left hand (piece A) puzzle piece, e.g., wherein the strut structure has a square cross-section.

(5) FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a right hand (piece B) puzzle piece, e.g., wherein the strut structure has a triangular cross-section.

(6) FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a left hand (piece a) puzzle piece, e.g., wherein the strut structure has a triangular cross-section.

(7) FIG. 7 external shape of old art star burr puzzle having only linear motion of pieces on assembly and disassembly.

(8) FIG. 8 shows a left piece and right piece pair oriented together as they are along one axis of a triple pair assembly.

(9) FIG. 9 shows a pair of mirror image pieces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) The coordinated motion puzzle includes three pairs of mirror image left and right pieces. This can include three left pieces and three right pieces. The pieces include internal structures that interact to interlock all six pieces together, when assembled. The internal structures also interact so that when the puzzle is disassembled all pieces more away from each other in a coordinated motion, with paired left and tight pieces moving away from each other in all three dimensions. The puzzle cannot be disassembled one piece at a time.

(11) This inventive structures provide for simultaneous motion of all six pieces in a specific, unique, and coordinated manner to assemble and disassemble the puzzle, and thus can be classified as a coordinated motion burr puzzle. This invention differs from prior art puzzles at least because the geometry is based on six pieces rather than three or four, and requires all six pieces to achieve the necessary coordinated motion for solution of the puzzle. Such a puzzle differs from prior art, e.g., because during the coordinated motion of the invention, each piece of each pair is not only moved away from their paired piece, but they are moved laterally with respect to each other, and they are moved vertically with respect to each other, and as a result of these additional directions of motion the pieces do not move directly away along a single axis of the puzzle. See FIG. 2, puzzle partially disassembled. The method of achieving this relative motion of the pieces in this invention is unique among all prior art coordinated motion puzzles.

(12) The Assembled Six-Piece Puzzle

(13) In use as a coordinated motion puzzle, there are three pairs of mirror image pieces. A piece A (left) has a longitudinal Y-axis with a first end part and second end part which can comprise square cross-sections perpendicular to the axis. The first end part can comprise a slide surface in an X and Z-axis plane, and the second end part comprise a pyramidal extension down and presenting first and second triangular interlocking surfaces, e.g., generally directed toward the slide surface. The piece B (right) can comprise essentially a three dimensional mirror image of piece A, or comprise at least a mirror image with regard to the internal working contact surfaces.

(14) In an assembly of three piece A/piece B pairs, the slide surface of a first piece A can slide across the strut section (e.g., cubes 3 and 4; mid-section of piece) of a second piece A running perpendicular to the first piece. Further, the slide surface of the second piece A can slide across the strut section of a third piece A running perpendicular to the second piece; and, the slide surface of the third piece A can slide across the strut section of the first piece A running perpendicular to the third piece.

(15) In a similar fashion, in an assembly of three piece A/piece B pairs, the slide surface of a first piece B can slide across the strut section of a second piece B running perpendicular to the first piece. The slide surface of the second piece B can slide across the strut section of a third piece B running perpendicular to the second piece; and, the slide surface of the third piece B can slide across the strut section of the first piece B running perpendicular to the third piece.

(16) On assembly, the pairs of A and B pieces are adapted to slidably engage and simultaneously collapse into an interlocked structure in a coordinated motion with each piece A pyramidal extension in slidable contact with each other piece A pyramidal extension, and each piece B pyramidal extension in slidable contact with each other piece B pyramidal extension.

(17) A notch between the first and second end parts can be adapted to closely fit and slidably receive the body of a second end part from another perpendicular A/B piece pair. For example, the second end part of a piece A from a first A/B pair can slide into the piece B notch of a second A/B pair; the second end part of the piece B can slide into the piece A notch of the third A/B pair; the second end part of that piece A can slide into the piece B notch of the first A/B pair; the second end part of that piece B can slide into the piece A notch of the second A/B pair; the second end part of that piece A can slide into the piece B notch of the third A/B pair; and finally, the second end part of that piece B can slide into the piece B notch of the first A/B pair.

(18) So, in the assembled, collapsing, or expanding puzzle, the first end part slide surface contacts (slidably) the strut of another (A to A, B to B) piece; the piece A pyramids slidably contact each of the other A pyramids; the piece B pyramids slidably contact each of the other B pyramids; and the second end part fits slidably in the notch (e.g., at the strut) of another (A to B, B to A) piece.

(19) Pieces A and B

(20) The working section (e.g., between the end parts) of a piece A (also called the left piece) can generally be describes as a rectangular prism with a square cross-section and with certain portions removed to present notches and slidable surfaces for interaction with other pieces. Piece B is generally a mirror image of piece A, particularly with regard to contact surfaces, such as the lower end part slide surface, strut notch, and pyramid faces.

(21) Piece A 40, in an embodiment shown in FIG. 4, includes end part 41, bottom slide surface 42, strut 43, strut notch 44, pyramid 45 (with pyramid faces 46 and 47), and second (upper) end part 48.

(22) The end parts (particularly the bottom of the bottom end part, and top of the top end part) are typically beyond the sliding interactions of the inner working parts and can take on ornamental topography. In the example of FIG. 1, the faces of the end parts (identified with alphabet characters) in an assembled puzzle are simply flat faces continuing the square cross section of the functionally interacting end parts. Alternatively, it is envisioned that the extensions of the end parts can have shapes to provide a variety of outward appearances. The end parts could have outward extensions, avoiding the slidably interacting surfaces of the working parts that meet to present almost any 3D geometric, natural, artistic, or fanciful shape. For example, the end parts could expand out to meet beyond the working parts, contacting to form an outer surface of a sphere, cube, star, dodecahedron, sport ball, bust of George Washington, etc.

(23) The bottom slide surface is typically in a plane (X-Z plane) perpendicular to the axis of the piece. The bottom slide surface can meet a strut slide surface 49 (in the X-Y plane; sides of cubes 1 and 2, in the example of FIG. 4), which also interacts with the strut section of a perpendicularly oriented second piece A. These slide surfaces, along with, e.g., the interaction of the second (top) end parts in their respective strut notches, align the triangular faces of triplet A or B pyramids to contact and slidably interact.

(24) The strut connects, orients and spaces, e.g., the lower sliding surfaces to functionally interact with the contact and sliding surfaces of the pyramid. The strut connecting the top and bottom end parts can have any shape or cross section appropriate to accomplish the connecting, spacing, and orientation functions. In the present examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, the main body of the strut has a triangular cross section. This is a convenience and artifact of the elected method of manufacture for the part. For example, while machining the pyramid face 47, it can be easier to continue the cut through at a 45 degree angle while also cutting notch 44 (see FIG. 5). In other embodiments, the strut can have a square cross section, e.g., as in FIGS. 3 and 4. Having a flat Y-Z plane at the notch can allow more smooth sliding contact with the bottom slide surface of another piece, while also presenting a more entire surface appearance in disassembly. Alternately, the strut structure can be any appropriate structure (e.g., with any cross section) that fixes the relationship between the slide and pyramid, e.g., and presents a surface or edge upon which the lower slide surface can slide.

(25) The pyramid for each piece can extend from a strut surface (or upper end part surface) to interact with corresponding pyramids of two other pieces of the came chirality (left or right). A pyramid can conveniently extend from a triangular prism extending forward from a strut. The pyramid triangular face 46 can be an extension left of the longest third prism surface. The piece element is called a pyramid because if it were cut from the triangular prism and top part of the FIG. 4 or 6 piece, it could be described as a pyramid having a right angle and 4 total faces. Two faces are attachment points to the end part and strut Important aspects of the pyramid are the exposed faces 46 and 47, which include surfaces that come into slidable contact with pyramids of two other pieces. The main point of such contact for each pyramid is the narrowest half of each exposed pyramid face.

(26) A complete puzzle assembly includes three pieces A and three pieces B. A piece B is a functional bilateral mirror image of a piece A. That is, e.g., whereas the strut and outer end parts of pieces may differ, functional slide parts and pyramid faces of A and B pieces are typically 3-dimensional mirror images of each other.

(27) Materials and Dimensions

(28) The present puzzles are interlocking three-dimensional puzzles, typically with solid sliding contact surfaces and dimensioned for manual manipulation.

(29) Puzzle pieces are typically manufactured out of wood, stone, metal, plastic, glass, ceramic, and/or the like. For wood, metal, or stone, the puzzle pieces are commonly carved from rectangular prism square stock starting material. For certain metal, glass, plastic, or ceramic, the pieces can be molded to form solid pieces with acceptable dimensional tolerances.

(30) To simplify preparation of many sliding surfaces, and to provide an attractive look, the pieces are often configured with dimensions that fit within a hollow rectangular prism, e.g., defined by the cross section of the end parts. This particularly in the regions between any surfaces that slidably interact with an end parts sliding contact surface. However, as discussed above, regions of the pieces extending beyond the functionally interacting parts can take on any topography not interfering with function of the coordinated motion mechanism.

(31) The pieces can have a length of less than 1 centimeter (cm) to more than a meter, from 2 cm to 150 cm, from 4 cm to 30 cm, from 5 cm to 15 cm, or about 8 cm. This can be the same for the average diameter of the assembled puzzle. The width or depth of the pieces, e.g., at the end part cross-section, can range from of less than 3 millimeters (mm) to 300 cm or more, from 5 mm to 50 cm, from 10 mm to 10 cm, from 1.5 cm to 5 cm, or about 2 cm.

EXAMPLES

(32) The following examples are offered to illustrate, but not to limit the claimed invention.

Example 1Simple Six Part Coordinated Motion Puzzle

(33) A puzzle was fabricated comprising of six pieces to be put together and taken apart through the use of a unique process of simultaneous coordinated motion. The six separate pieces were each generally shaped like an elongated bar having a generally square cross section, and each bar has specially designed notches formed such that the six separate pieces can be assembled into a single interlocking puzzle. Three of the six pieces are identical to each other and will be referred to as right hand pieces. The other three pieces are also identical to each other, but the design is opposite hand to that of the first three pieces, and they will be referred to as left hand pieces. When the puzzle is fully assembled, one pair of pieces (consisting of one right hand piece and one left hand piece adjacent to each other) is aligned along the X-axis (horizontal axis), and a second pair of pieces is aligned with the Y-axis (vertical axis), while the remaining pair of pieces is aligned with the Z-axis (front to back axis), with the three pairs of pieces appearing to intersect in the geometric center of the puzzle. See FIG. 1: Puzzle Fully Assembled.

(34) The geometry of the notches in each piece is such that all the pieces can interlock without interference in a completed assembly. The pieces are also configured so that they can be put together through a unique process of simultaneous coordinated motion that can only be initiated when all six pieces are each positioned in the right starting position. The right hand pieces with notches are shown in FIG. 3, and the left hand pieces are shown in FIG. 4. This embodiment is based on bars having a square cross section with a dimension of D. Notch A 44 is slightly larger than D to allow for sliding, and its depth is D. Notch B 50 width is 1 D, and its depth is D. Angle 1 51 and angle 2 52 are both at 45 degrees.

(35) FIGS. 5 and 6 show right and left hand pieces with an alternative notch design that is easier to manufacture if machining is involved. The only difference is that notch A 44 is cut all the way through the piece. The coordinated motion is the same with this design and the exterior appearance is also the same when fully assembled, but the sliding action is may not be as smooth because the complementing strut must slide across an edge instead of a flat surface.

(36) It is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and scope of the appended claims.

(37) While the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be clear to one skilled in the art from a reading of this disclosure that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention. For example, all the techniques and apparatus described above can be used in various combinations. All publications, patents, patent applications, and/or other documents cited in this application are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, patent application, and/or other document were individually indicated to be incorporated by reference for all purposes.