Patent US4451040A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4451040A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Tabular puzzle
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1982-06-22
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Granted: 1984-05-29
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Expires: 2002-06-22
Abstract
Abstract The tabular puzzle, shown in FIG. 5, is a puzzle comprising nine square tablets arranged in a three-by-three array and inclosed in a mechanism in such a way that any group of four tablets meeting at a common corner point may be rotated about said point by any multiple of 90°. The exposed face of each of the tablets is marked with an index which uniquely establishes said tablet's identity and orientation. These indices may be scrambled by a series of said rotations. The object of the puzzle is to return the tablets, and hence the indices, to their original positions and orientations in the said three-by-three array by means of a series of said rotations.
Inventors
- 👤 Jonathan J. Ashley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:33
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/06; A63F9/08; A63F9/0803; A63F9/0823; A63F2250/00; A63F2250/18; A63F2250/186
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A puzzle comprising a rectangular array of square tablets inclosed in a frame and a tray, each of said tablets being marked with an index which establishes its identity and orientation; a number of knobs, one being at each point of said array where four tablets meet at a common corner, each of said knobs engaging its surrounding four tablets and, upon being depressed and rotated, depressing and rotating said four surrounding tablets, and, upon being released after a rotation by some multiple of 90°, popping up along with said four surrounding tablets to its original level above said tray.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A puzzle comprising a rectangular array of square tablets inclosed in a frame and a tray, each of said tablets being marked with an index which establishes its identity and orientation; a number of knobs, one being at each point of said array where four tablets meet at a common corner, each of said knobs engaging its surrounding four tablets and, upon being depressed and rotated, depressing and rotating said four surrounding tablets, and, upon being released after a rotation by some multiple of 90°, popping up along with said four surrounding tablets to its original level above said tray.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US332211A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-05-29 | 1987-11-28 | 1988-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-29 | 1991-11-28 | 1992-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-29 | 1995-11-28 | 1996-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |