Patent US3655201A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3655201A
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Pattern forming puzzle and method with pieces rotatable in groups
Assignee: Moleculon Research Corp
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Filing: 1970-03-04
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Granted: 1972-04-11
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Expires: 1990-03-04
Abstract
Abstract Eight cube-type pieces are magnetically engaged to form a cubetype assembly with educational and entertaining features. The cubes are adapted to rotate in complementary sets of four about one of three mutually perpendicular axes. Each cube has colored surfaces and when properly arranged one distinct color on each of the six faces is presented. Each set which shares one face of the assembly may be rotated in multiples of 90* with respect to the other set. If the assembly is initially arranged properly and then disarranged by a random sequence of rotations, it then serves as a device whose object is the restoration of the original arrangement.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry D Nichols
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:08
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/34; A63F9/06; A63F9/08; A63F9/0826; A63F9/0834; A63F9/12; A63F9/0613; A63F2009/0615; A63F2009/0616; A63F9/1208; A63F2009/1212; A63F2009/124; A63F9/1204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A method for restoring a preselected pattern from sets of pieces, which pieces have constantly exposed and constantly nonexposed surfaces, the exposed surfaces adapted to be combined to form the preselected pattern, which sets when in random engagement fail to display said preselected pattern which comprises: a. engaging a plurality of pieces in a coherent structure; b. providing a first set having at least two pieces each of said pieces having an exposed and a nonexposed surface; c. providing a second set having at least two pieces each of said pieces having an exposed and a nonexposed surface; d. providing a third set having at least four pieces each of said pieces having an exposed and a nonexposed surface, the third set forming with the first and second sets a composite structure, the exposed surfaces of each of the sets forming a portion of the composite preselected pattern; e. rotating said pieces in complementary sets of four about any of three mutually perpendicular axes; and f. repeating step (e) until the preselected pattern is achieved.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
175 words
A method for restoring a preselected pattern from sets of pieces, which pieces have constantly exposed and constantly nonexposed surfaces, the exposed surfaces adapted to be combined to form the preselected pattern, which sets when in random engagement fail to display said preselected pattern which comprises: a. engaging a plurality of pieces in a coherent structure; b. providing a first set having at least two pieces each of said pieces having an exposed and a nonexposed surface; c. providing a second set having at least two pieces each of said pieces having an exposed and a nonexposed surface; d. providing a third set having at least four pieces each of said pieces having an exposed and a nonexposed surface, the third set forming with the first and second sets a composite structure, the exposed surfaces of each of the sets forming a portion of the composite preselected pattern; e. rotating said pieces in complementary sets of four about any of three mutually perpendicular axes; and f. repeating step (e) until the preselected pattern is achieved.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 which includes rotating said sets about their respective axes through multiples of 90* .
Claim 4
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for restoring a preselected pattern from sets of pieces which pieces have constantly exposed and constantly nonexposed surfaces, the exposed surfaces adapted to be combined to form the preselected pattern, which sets when in random engagement fail to display said preselected pattern which comprises: a. engaging eight cube pieces as a composite cube; b. rotating a first set of cube pieces comprising four cubes about a first axis; c. rotating a second set of four cubes about a second axis; and d. repeating steps (b) and (c) until the preselected pattern is achieved.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for restoring a preselected pattern from sets of pieces which pieces have constantly exposed and constantly nonexposed surfaces, the exposed surfaces adapted to be combined to form the preselected pattern, which sets when in random engagement fail to display said preselected pattern which comprises: a. engaging eight cube pieces as a composite cube; b. rotating a first set of cube pieces comprising four cubes about a first axis; c. rotating a second set of four cubes about a second axis; and d. repeating steps (b) and (c) until the preselected pattern is achieved.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 3 which includes rotating sets of cubes about one of three mutually perpendicular axes with reference to the composite structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the sets of cubes are rotated through multiples of 90* .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
107 words
A puzzle comprising at least eight pieces, visually distinquishable indicia on at least one face of each piece with the eight pieces together having at least two visually distinct indicia, means associated with each of the remaining faces only of each of the pieces releasably maintaining the pieces in assembled relationship forming a composite structure, said maintaining means enabling three interaffiliated groups of four contiguous pieces each to be rotated respectively about three mutually perpendicular axes, the two distinct indicia being so located on the respective pieces that the groups can be rotated to effect the display of at least two distinct indicia of the composite structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
107 words
A puzzle comprising at least eight pieces, visually distinquishable indicia on at least one face of each piece with the eight pieces together having at least two visually distinct indicia, means associated with each of the remaining faces only of each of the pieces releasably maintaining the pieces in assembled relationship forming a composite structure, said maintaining means enabling three interaffiliated groups of four contiguous pieces each to be rotated respectively about three mutually perpendicular axes, the two distinct indicia being so located on the respective pieces that the groups can be rotated to effect the display of at least two distinct indicia of the composite structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The puzzle of claim 6 wherein the composite structure is a sphere and the visually distinguishable indicia is on the exposed face only on each piece.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The puzzle of claim 6 wherein the means to releasably maintain the pieces in assembled relationship includes magnets.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
A puzzle comprising eight cubes, visually distinquishable indicia on three faces only of each cubes with the eight cubes together having six visually distinct indicia, means associated with each of the remaining faces only of each of the cubes releasably maintaining the cubes in assembled relationship forming a composite cube, said maintaining means enabling three interaffiliated groups of four contiguous cubes each to be rotated respectively about three mutually perpendicular axes, the six distinct indicia bEing so located on the respective cubes that the cube groups can be rotated to effect the display of a distinct indicia on each of the six faces of the composite cube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
107 words
A puzzle comprising eight cubes, visually distinquishable indicia on three faces only of each cubes with the eight cubes together having six visually distinct indicia, means associated with each of the remaining faces only of each of the cubes releasably maintaining the cubes in assembled relationship forming a composite cube, said maintaining means enabling three interaffiliated groups of four contiguous cubes each to be rotated respectively about three mutually perpendicular axes, the six distinct indicia bEing so located on the respective cubes that the cube groups can be rotated to effect the display of a distinct indicia on each of the six faces of the composite cube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The puzzle of claim 13 wherein the means releasably maintaining the cubes in assembled relationship includes magnets.
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) | 1975-04-11 | 1975-10-11 | 1976-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-11 | 1979-10-11 | 1980-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-11 | 1983-10-11 | 1984-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |