US4580783A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Puzzle comprising overlapping circles with interchangeable components
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1984-10-23
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Granted: 1986-04-08
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Expires: 2004-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A puzzle having at least two overlapping circles disposed in a base, each circle being defined by a number of petals and a number of triangles. Each of the petals is formed of two arcs which are portions of a circle of the same circumference as each of the overlapping circles, and the triangles have faces in the form of arcs complementary to the arcs of the petals. The overlapping circles have common component petals and triangles, and rotation of either of the circles causes displacement of the common components. The petals and triangles have complementary tongues and grooves. The portion of the base underneath the circles has upwardly directed partial annular ridges, and the petals and triangles are provided with downwardly directed extensions which engage and are guided by the sides of the ridges.
Inventors
- 👤 Hooshang Cohan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:24
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/06; A63F9/08; A63F9/0803; A63F9/0823
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
A puzzle having at least two overlapping circles, each circle being defined by a number of petals and a number of triangles, each petal being formed of two arcs which are portions of a circle of the same circumference as the circle, each triangle having faces each being an arc complementary to the arc of the petals, the arrangement being such that adjacent circles have common components which, by selective rotation of either or any of the circles, can cause spatial displacement of the common components, the petals and triangles having complementary tongues and grooves, and the circles comprising the puzzle are located in a base which has a peripheral tongue or groove complementary to that of the adjacent petals, the lower base member has at least one upwardly directed partial annular ridge associated with each circle, each triangle has a downwardly depending extension adapted to abut and be guided by one side of the ridge over a substantial part of its rotation, and each petal has two downwardly depending extensions, symmetrically located thereon, each of said extensions being adapted to be guided by one side of the ridges over a substantial part of its rotation, the spacing between the extensions being equivalent to the spacing between the associated upwardly directed annular ridges of the adjacent circles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
A puzzle having at least two overlapping circles, each circle being defined by a number of petals and a number of triangles, each petal being formed of two arcs which are portions of a circle of the same circumference as the circle, each triangle having faces each being an arc complementary to the arc of the petals, the arrangement being such that adjacent circles have common components which, by selective rotation of either or any of the circles, can cause spatial displacement of the common components, the petals and triangles having complementary tongues and grooves, and the circles comprising the puzzle are located in a base which has a peripheral tongue or groove complementary to that of the adjacent petals, the lower base member has at least one upwardly directed partial annular ridge associated with each circle, each triangle has a downwardly depending extension adapted to abut and be guided by one side of the ridge over a substantial part of its rotation, and each petal has two downwardly depending extensions, symmetrically located thereon, each of said extensions being adapted to be guided by one side of the ridges over a substantial part of its rotation, the spacing between the extensions being equivalent to the spacing between the associated upwardly directed annular ridges of the adjacent circles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A puzzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are two partial annular ridges around each circle and wherein the spacing between these two ridges is equal to the spacing between the downwardly depending extension of the petals whereby the movement of the petals is guided by the ridges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
A puzzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the petals and triangles are of a synthetic plastics material and the base comprises two members which may be separable, the peripheral tongue or groove being in the upper member, so that, on assembly, there is provided a hand held puzzle, the upper face of which demonstrates the features of the puzzle and which can be readily manipulated by a user's hands.
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) | 1989-04-07 | 1989-10-07 | 1990-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-07 | 1993-10-07 | 1994-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-07 | 1997-10-07 | 1998-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |