Three-dimensional puzzle with seven axes of rotation

Abstract

The present invention discloses a spherical puzzle whose visible segments are delimited by seven planar sections through the center of said sphere and may be permuted by rotations of hemispherical groups of visible segments with respect to any planar section of the puzzle about an axis perpendicular to said section through the center of said sphere. Three planar sections are parallel to the faces of a cube inscribed in said sphere, and the remaining planar sections are perpendicular to the diagonals of said cube. The visible segments comprise eight arcuate equilateral triangles and twenty-four arcuate right triangular triangles. As a novelty, this invention integrates an interlocking mechanism of the arcuate right triangular outer segments to a spherical center support with four axes of rotation, with a slidable spring activated interlocking mechanism of the arcuate equilateral triangular outer segments to their side neighbors.

Description

[0001]I hereby claim the benefit of the filing date of a copending Provisional Utility Patent Application, with Application Number 61765053, entitled “Three-dimensional Puzzle with Seven Axes of Rotation”, filed on Feb. 15, 2013.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to three-dimensional logical puzzles which include a plurality of segments interlocked in a spherical shape, the segments being capable of adopting a plurality of positions relative to one another by a sequence of rotations of hemispherical groups of segments.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART[0003]The art of three-dimensional logical puzzles that comprise a plurality of interconnected segments to be unscrambled by rotating some of the segments relative to each other sequentially along planes in space, gained popularity with the advent of Rubik's 3-D twisty puzzles in the early 1980s, including the Cube, Snake, and Pyramid. Since then, several similar puzzles have been invented giving birth to a brand new t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a new type of puzzle that can be rotated on seven axes. The puzzle has many visible segments delimited by lines in the center of a sphere. These segments can be rotated along any of the lines. The puzzle has three sections that are parallel to the faces of a cube, and the remaining four sections are parallel to the diagonals of a cube. The pitch of the segments is uneven, creating a unique design that can be rotated on both the cubical and tetrahedral axes. The segments have faces that are either arcuate triangles or right isosceles triangles, resulting in many different groups that can rotate around the axes. The design also allows for rotations on the segments by multiples of 90° or 120°. The technical effect of this invention is an increase in the entertainment value of the puzzle for players who can now rotate on a greater number of axes and face different challenges in solving the challenge.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, this invention is neither intended nor adaptable for puzzles with rotations of hemispherical groups of segments.

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