US3845959A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three-dimensional block puzzle
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-11-14
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Granted: 1974-11-05
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Expires: 1993-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A three-dimensional puzzle in which movable blocks are arranged within a substantially closed housing, each of the blocks having the same exterior shape as the housing and the total number of movable blocks being one less than the number required to completely fill the housing so that a void is defined equal in volume to the volume of one of the movable blocks. Each of the blocks has surfaces colored in a predetermined pattern, and each block is movable, by finger pressure exerted through a series of access ports in the outer housing, into various spacial relationships with respect to each other block in solving the puzzle, each spacial relationship resulting in a different color pattern visible through the outer housing.
Inventors
- 👤 D Kosarek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:56
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/06; A63F9/08; A63F9/0826; A63F9/083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A puzzle comprising a closed outer housing having six rectangular sides, a multi-surfaced central block interior to and having the same exterior shape as said outer housing, said central block being smaller than said housing and so positioned within said housing that each surface of said central block is spaced from the corresponding side of the outer housing by an equal distance to define a volume between said sides and said surfaces, a plurality of movable blocks within said defined volume, each having the same shape as said outer housing and having one or more surfaces having indicia distinguishable from that of said central block, the number of said blocks being one less than the number required to completely fill said defined volume so that a void is defined equal in volume to the volume of one of said movable blocks, and a plurality of access ports in the sides of said outer housing to allow said movable blocks to be moved within said defined volume by selective displacement with said void, whereby said blocks may be placed in a plurality of spacial relationships with respect to each other in solving the puzzle, each solution presenting a different combination of surface indicia visible through the sides of said outer housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A puzzle comprising a closed outer housing having six rectangular sides, a multi-surfaced central block interior to and having the same exterior shape as said outer housing, said central block being smaller than said housing and so positioned within said housing that each surface of said central block is spaced from the corresponding side of the outer housing by an equal distance to define a volume between said sides and said surfaces, a plurality of movable blocks within said defined volume, each having the same shape as said outer housing and having one or more surfaces having indicia distinguishable from that of said central block, the number of said blocks being one less than the number required to completely fill said defined volume so that a void is defined equal in volume to the volume of one of said movable blocks, and a plurality of access ports in the sides of said outer housing to allow said movable blocks to be moved within said defined volume by selective displacement with said void, whereby said blocks may be placed in a plurality of spacial relationships with respect to each other in solving the puzzle, each solution presenting a different combination of surface indicia visible through the sides of said outer housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein said surfaces of said movable blocks distinguishable from said central block are colored and are arranged with respect to the uncolored surfaces such that first and second color patterns are achieved by movement of said movable blocks, said patterns respectively resulting in (a) only colored surfaces being adjacent said outer housing and (b) only non-colored surfaces being adjacent said outer housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
A puzzle according to claim 2 wherein each of said colored surfaces is a predetermined one of three different colors and wherein achievement of said first color pattern results in the surfaces of said movable blocks adjacent opposite sides of said outer housing being of the same Color while the surfaces of said movable blocks adjacent sides of said housing which are perpendicular to each other are of different colors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein said rectangular sides of said housing are transparent so that a different combination of surface indicia is visible through said transparent housing for each of said plurality of spacial relationships.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein said rectangular sides of said housing are square in shape so as to define a cubical housing, each of said movable blocks being cube-shaped and movable with respect to each other in three directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein the total number of said movable blocks is 25 and wherein each of said blocks is movable, by selective interchange with said void, into any position within a three by three by three block matrix inside said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
A puzzle according to claim 4 wherein said surfaces having surface indicia distinguishable from said central block are of such a number and so arranged on their respective blocks that first and second primary solutions may be achieved through movement of said blocks, said primary solutions resulting in the conditions of, respectively a. only surfaces bearing said distinguishable indicia being adjacent to and visible through said transparent housing, and b. only surfaces not bearing said distinguishable indicia being adjacent to and visible through said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A puzzle according to claim 2 wherein a plurality of secondary solutions may be achieved by movement of said blocks within said housing in which secondary solutions each side of said housing is abutted by surfaces of differing colors in color patterns which are symmetrical about a center point.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
176 words
A puzzle comprising a substantially closed outer housing of cubical shape, a central cube interior to said outer housing, said central cube being smaller than said housing and so positioned within said housing that each surface of said central cube is spaced from the corresponding side of the outer housing by an equal distance to define a volume between said sides and said surfaces, a plurality of movable cubes within said defined volume, each of said cubes having surface indicia which is distinguishable from that of said central cube, the length, width and height of each movable cube being equal to said distance and the number N of said movable cubes being determined by the formula N 6X2 -12X + 7, where X is the length of each side of said housing measured in movable cubes, said outer housing being formed with a plurality of holes therein defining access ports for allowing manipulation of said movable cubes within said defined volume into a plurality of spacial relationships with respect to each other in solving the puzzle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
176 words
A puzzle comprising a substantially closed outer housing of cubical shape, a central cube interior to said outer housing, said central cube being smaller than said housing and so positioned within said housing that each surface of said central cube is spaced from the corresponding side of the outer housing by an equal distance to define a volume between said sides and said surfaces, a plurality of movable cubes within said defined volume, each of said cubes having surface indicia which is distinguishable from that of said central cube, the length, width and height of each movable cube being equal to said distance and the number N of said movable cubes being determined by the formula N 6X2 -12X + 7, where X is the length of each side of said housing measured in movable cubes, said outer housing being formed with a plurality of holes therein defining access ports for allowing manipulation of said movable cubes within said defined volume into a plurality of spacial relationships with respect to each other in solving the puzzle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
202 words
A puzzle comprising a closed outer housing having six rectangular sides a central block interior to and having the same exterior shape as said outer housing, said central block being smaller than said housing and so positioned within said housing that each surface of said central block is spaced from the corresponding side of the outer housing by an equal distance to define a volume between said sides and said surfaces, the linear thickness of said central block being at least twice as great as said distance, a plurality of movable blocks within said defined volume, each having the same shape as said outer housing and a linear thickness substantially equal to said distance, the number of said blocks being one less than the number required to completely fill said defined volume so that a void is defined equal in volume to the volume of one of said movable blocks, and a plurality of access ports in the sides of said outer housing to allow said movable blocks to be moved within said defined volume by selective displacement with said void, whereby said blocks may be placed in a plurality of spacial relationships with respEct to each other in solving the puzzle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
202 words
A puzzle comprising a closed outer housing having six rectangular sides a central block interior to and having the same exterior shape as said outer housing, said central block being smaller than said housing and so positioned within said housing that each surface of said central block is spaced from the corresponding side of the outer housing by an equal distance to define a volume between said sides and said surfaces, the linear thickness of said central block being at least twice as great as said distance, a plurality of movable blocks within said defined volume, each having the same shape as said outer housing and a linear thickness substantially equal to said distance, the number of said blocks being one less than the number required to completely fill said defined volume so that a void is defined equal in volume to the volume of one of said movable blocks, and a plurality of access ports in the sides of said outer housing to allow said movable blocks to be moved within said defined volume by selective displacement with said void, whereby said blocks may be placed in a plurality of spacial relationships with respEct to each other in solving the puzzle.
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) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |