Multi-dimensional puzzle

• US 10,213,680 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2017
• Issued: 02/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boulding Blocks LLC
• Original Assignee: Boulding Blocks LLC
• Inventors: Boulding, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Steven
• Application Number:
  US15/813,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20180065033A1
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/1228 slidable connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/1236 with a final configuration thereof, i.e. the solution, being packed in a box or container
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/124 with a final configuration being a sphere
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/12 Three-dimensional jig-saw puzzles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/1208 Connections between puzzle elements

Abstract

The invention generally relates to multi-dimensional puzzles for teaching, entertainment, and construction. One embodiment of the invention comprises two forms, one planar and one non-planar, which comprise a plurality of protrusions and recesses. These forms may be assembled by selectively interconnecting the various protrusions and recesses to create multi-dimensional shapes such as a cube, cylinder, and sphere among many other possibilities.

Claims

1. A multi-dimensional spatial assembly, comprising:

a cube structure comprising eight reversibly detachable pieces, with four of a first set of said eight pieces being identical to each other and with four of a second set of said eight pieces being identical to each other, said first set comprising pieces having only two substantially planar protrusions oriented in a first direction and only three substantially planar protrusions oriented in a second direction, and wherein said second set comprises pieces having only three substantially planar protrusions oriented in said first direction and only three substantially planar protrusions oriented in said second direction, wherein said first direction is perpendicular to said second direction; and

wherein said substantially planar protrusions are adapted to be selectively received in recesses between said substantially planar protrusions and wherein said substantially planar protrusions of said first set and said second set are identical in length, height, and width; and

wherein said pieces are components of a modular system that are combinable to form one of a chair, table, night stand, couch and bench.

2. The assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first set and second set have different opacities.

3. The assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said height is approximately 50% of said length.

4. The assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said width is approximately 17% of said length.

5. The assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first set and second set comprises an illumination source.

6. The assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first set and second set comprises an audible source.

7. The assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first set is transparent.

8. The assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first set comprises glow in the dark material.

9. The assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first set is the color red and the second set is the color blue.

10. The assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pieces are made by a 3D printing process.

11. A method of assembling a multi-dimensional spatial assembly, comprising:

providing eight reversibly detachable pieces, with four of a first set of said eight pieces being identical to each other and with four of a second set of said eight pieces being identical to each other, said first set comprising pieces having only two substantially planar protrusions oriented in a first direction and only three substantially planar protrusions oriented in a second direction, and wherein said second set comprises pieces having only three substantially planar protrusions oriented in said first direction and only three substantially planar protrusions oriented in said second direction, wherein said first direction is perpendicular to said second direction; and

wherein said substantially planar protrusions are adapted to be selectively received in recesses between said substantially planar protrusions and wherein said substantially planar protrusions of said first set and said second set are identical in length, height, and width;

receiving, selectively, substantially planar protrusions of said first set of pieces in said recesses between substantially planar protrusions of said second set of pieces; and

forming a cube structure by connecting all of said eight reversibly detachable pieces; and

wherein said pieces are constructed of plastic and comprise components of a modular system that are combinable to form one of a chair, table, night stand, couch and bench.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said pieces are made by a 3-D printing process.

13. A multi-dimensional spatial assembly, comprising:

a cube structure comprising eight reversibly detachable pieces, with four of a first set of said eight pieces being identical to each other and with four of a second set of said eight pieces being identical to each other, said first set comprising pieces having only two substantially planar protrusions oriented in a first direction and only three substantially planar protrusions oriented in a second direction, and wherein said second set comprises pieces having only three substantially planar protrusions oriented in said first direction and only three substantially planar protrusions oriented in said second direction, wherein said first direction is perpendicular to said second direction; and

wherein said substantially planar protrusions are adapted to be selectively received in recesses between said substantially planar protrusions and wherein said substantially planar protrusions of said first set and said second set are identical in length, height, and width, said height being approximately 50% of said length, and said width being approximately 17% of said length; and

wherein said pieces are components of a modular system that are combinable to form one of a chair, table, night stand, couch and bench.

14. The assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein at least one of said first set and second set comprises an illumination source.

15. The assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein at least one of said first set and second set comprises an audible source.

16. The assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein the first set is transparent.

17. The assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein the first set comprises glow in the dark material.

18. The assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said first set is the color red and the second set is the color blue.

19. The assembly as set forth in claim 13, where the pieces are made by a 3-D printing process.

20. The assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein the pieces are all of the same color.