US3608906A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multisided value-coded puzzle pieces and supports therefor
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-06-15
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1990-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A puzzle is provided in which identical planar multiside puzzle pieces carrying a value taken from M possible values at each one of its apices. A support which is preferably a polyhedron is provided and has portions adapted to receive the pieces such that the completed puzzle formed by the pieces arranged on the portions of the polyhedron is substantially that of the polyhedron. According to the preferable rules of the puzzle, the pieces are to be placed on the support in such a manner that in each of the groups of juxtaposed apices, the value carried by each apex is the same as that carried by each of the other apices juxtaposed thereto. Further, the number of puzzle pieces is preferably limited so that all the combinations of M values taken N by N are produced once and only once by the number pieces.
Inventors
- 👤 Marc Odier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:22
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/06; A63F9/12; A63F9/1208; A63F2009/1212; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A puzzle of the type comprising at least one group of substantially identical and planar multisided puzzle pieces wherein each apex of each piece carries a value taken from M possible values, in combination with a support means adapted to receive at least some of said pieces in side-by-side relation so that when all the pieces adapted to be received by said support means are in place thereon, said pieces form a three-dimensional space-enclosing figure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A puzzle of the type comprising at least one group of substantially identical and planar multisided puzzle pieces wherein each apex of each piece carries a value taken from M possible values, in combination with a support means adapted to receive at least some of said pieces in side-by-side relation so that when all the pieces adapted to be received by said support means are in place thereon, said pieces form a three-dimensional space-enclosing figure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A puzzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support means for supporting at least some of the pieces of said group in side-by-side relation is such that the three-dimensional space-enclosing figure is a polyhedron.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A puzzle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pieces are formed as regular polygon and the polyhedron as a regular polyhedron.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A puzzle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pieces are formed as regular polygon and the polyhedron as an irregular polyhedron.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A puzzle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the irregular polyhedron has at least one reentrant apex adapted to receive puzzle pieces thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A puzzle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the support means is a three-dimensional space-enclosing figure of substantially the same dimensions and shape as the three-dimensional space-enclosing figure formed by the pieces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A puzzle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the support means is a body having portions of the same shape and dimensions as the pieces and adapted to receive the pieces thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A puzzle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pieces and the portions include cooperating means for securing the pieces in position on the portions of the support means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A puzzle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cooperating means comprise forming at least part of each portion and each piece of magnetic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A puzzle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the magnetic material for one of the pieces and the portions is ferrite in a binder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A puzzle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cooperating means comprise recesses and cooperating projecting portions adapted to be received matingly therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A puzzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support means comprises at least two polyhedrons adapted to be secured to one another thus forming a combined support.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
A puzzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the puzzle pieces have a value sequence comprising the values of each of its apices taken in a predetermined reading order and wherein the pieces are reversible thus effecting a certain number of additional pieces by their reversal owing to the predetermined reading order.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A puzzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are more than one identical support means and the number of pieces is sufficient for completing the puzzles of all the supports.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
108 words
A puzzle of the type coMprising at least one group of substantially identical and planar N-sided puzzle pieces wherein each apex of each piece carries a value taken from M possible values, the number of the pieces of said group being such that all the combinations of M values taken N by N are produced once and only once by the pieces of said group, in combination with a support means adapted to receive at least some of said pieces in side-by-side relation so that when all the pieces adapted to be received by said support means are in place thereon said pieces form a three-dimensional space-enclosing figure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
108 words
A puzzle of the type coMprising at least one group of substantially identical and planar N-sided puzzle pieces wherein each apex of each piece carries a value taken from M possible values, the number of the pieces of said group being such that all the combinations of M values taken N by N are produced once and only once by the pieces of said group, in combination with a support means adapted to receive at least some of said pieces in side-by-side relation so that when all the pieces adapted to be received by said support means are in place thereon said pieces form a three-dimensional space-enclosing figure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
66 words
A puzzle as claimed in claim 12, further comprising at least one additional group of substantially identical and planar N''-sided puzzle pieces and each carrying a value taken from M'' possible values, the number of pieces of said additional group being such that all the combinations of M'' values taken N'' by N'' are produced once and only once by the pieces of said additional group.
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) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |