Patent US3578331A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3578331A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three dimensional puzzles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-02-20
•
Granted: 1971-05-11
•
Expires: 1989-02-20
Abstract
Abstract Three-dimensional puzzles are disclosed for forming a hollow ornamental object having a surface of revolution. The surface is formed, for the most part, of a plurality of substantially identical puzzle pieces each of which has projections and complementary recesses about its periphery for cooperation with corresponding complementary recesses and projections on a contiguous piece. In one embodiment, the surface is a sphere, and the pieces are arranged in sets forming triangular and pentagonal portions of the spherical surface. In a second embodiment, the surface of revolution is cylindrical. A pair of such cylindrical surfaces intersect to form a cross.
Inventors
- 👤 Hilaire G Degast
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 01:22
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/06; A63F9/12; A63F9/10; A63F2009/1094; A63F2009/124; A63F2250/00; A63F2250/48; A63F2250/482; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A three-dimensional puzzle for forming a hollow object having a surface of revolution, comprising: a plurality of identical four-sided puzzle pieces each forming an individual section of said surface of revolution, each of said pieces having complementary peripheral necked projections and recesses on the sides thereof, said projections and recesses being shaped to interfit with one another so that a projection from one piece will interfit with a corresponding comPlementary recess on an adjacent contiguous piece to interlock the contiguous pieces together to form a self-supporting surface, said pieces being shaped so that, when fitted together, sets of three of said pieces will share a common corner and form substantially triangular portions of said surface, and sets of five of said pieces will share another common corner and form substantially pentagonal portions of said surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A three-dimensional puzzle for forming a hollow object having a surface of revolution, comprising: a plurality of identical four-sided puzzle pieces each forming an individual section of said surface of revolution, each of said pieces having complementary peripheral necked projections and recesses on the sides thereof, said projections and recesses being shaped to interfit with one another so that a projection from one piece will interfit with a corresponding comPlementary recess on an adjacent contiguous piece to interlock the contiguous pieces together to form a self-supporting surface, said pieces being shaped so that, when fitted together, sets of three of said pieces will share a common corner and form substantially triangular portions of said surface, and sets of five of said pieces will share another common corner and form substantially pentagonal portions of said surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A three-dimensional puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein said surface of revolution is a sphere.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A three-dimensional puzzle as recited in claim 2 wherein at least some of said pieces are provided with an aperture of sufficient size to receive a finger to facilitate handling thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-10 | 1974-11-09 | 1975-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-10 | 1978-11-09 | 1979-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-10 | 1982-11-09 | 1983-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |