Alphabet cube puzzle

• US 4,037,846 A
• Filed: 01/27/1976
• Issued: 07/26/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TDK Kabushiki Kaisha (TDK Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Joan Javits Zeeman
• Inventors: Zeeman, Joan Javits
• Primary Examiner(s): Oechsle, Anton O.
• Application Number:
  US05/652,932
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 273/156, 273/157, 273/160, 35/22 A, 35/31 D, 35/31 F, 35/31 G, 35/35 H, 35/35 J, 35/69, 35/70, 35/71, 35/72, 35/73, D34/15 M
• US Class Current: 273/157.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/0035 on a pedestal or stand
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/12 Three-dimensional jig-saw puzzles

Abstract

A cubic puzzle especially suitable for teaching the alphabet to children as well as serving as an adult puzzle. Puzzle members formed in the shape of alphabetic and numeric representations are releasably mounted on each surface of a cube. The alphabetic and numeric representations are inter-fitted to have a specific position on the cube surface and effect a puzzle on each surface.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional puzzle comprising a reference member formed with an exterior surface defining a plurality of rectangular planar sides;

a plurality of puzzle pieces each shaped to correspond to a letter of the alphabet so that when positioned at predetermined locations on associated sides of said reference member said puzzle pieces substantially cover the surface of said reference member, all of the letters of the alphabet being represented by separate puzzle pieces, said reference member being provided with at least five rectangular sides, the puzzle pieces on each of said sides interfitting with each other to substantially define a rectangle corresponding to the associated side; and

means for releasably securing said puzzle pieces at corresponding positions on said sides of said reference member including a first portion on said reference member defining discrete locations thereon for receipt of corresponding puzzle pieces and a second portion on said puzzle pieces for cooperative releasable engagement with corresponding engaging means of said first portion.

2. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein said puzzle pieces on a sixth rectangular side define numerals interfitted with each other to substantially define a rectangle corresponding to the associated side.

3. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one of said first and second portions of said releasable securing means includes pegs projecting from one of said puzzle pieces and reference member and the other of said first and second portions of said releasable securing means includes holes positioned for mating engagement with said pegs formed in the other of said puzzle pieces and reference member.

4. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein said reference member substantially defines a cube.

5. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein said cube is formed with a compartment therein and means providing selective access to said compartment.

6. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein a first side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 5, a second side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 6, a third side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 7, a fourth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 8, a fifth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 9, and a sixth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 10.

7. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein a first side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 11, a second side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 12, a third side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 13, a fourth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 14, a fifth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 15, and a sixth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 16.

8. A puzzle as claimed in claim 2, wherein a first side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 17, a second side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 18, a third side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 19, a fourth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 20, a fifth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 21 and a sixth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 22.

9. A puzzle as claimed in claim 2, wherein a first side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 23, a second side of said puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 24, a third side of said puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 25, a fourth side of said puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 26, a fifth side of said puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 18, and a sixth side of said puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 21.

10. A puzzle as claimed in claim 2, wherein a first side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 27, a second side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 26, a third side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 25, a fourth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 18, a fifth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 22, and a sixth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 21.

11. A puzzle as recited in claim 2, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 5.

12. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 6.

13. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 7.

14. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 8.

15. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 9.

16. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 10.

17. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 11.

18. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 12.

19. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 13.

20. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 14.

21. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 15.

22. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 16.

23. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 17.

24. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 18.

25. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 19.

26. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 20.

27. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 21.

28. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 22.

29. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 23.

30. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 24.

31. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 25.

32. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 26.

33. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 27.

34. A puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein the puzzle pieces on one side of said reference member define an opening providing access to the surface of said reference member, and including stand means and means on said stand means and the exposed portion of the surface of said reference member for releasably mounting said reference member on said stand.

35. An alphabet puzzle comprising a reference member having an exterior surface formed with at least five rectangular sides, a plurality of puzzle pieces each shaped to correspond to a letter of the alphabet, all of the letters of the alphabet being represented by separate puzzle pieces, the puzzle pieces on each of said sides interfitting with each other to substantially define a rectangle corresponding to and substantially covering the associated side;

and means on said reference member and puzzle pieces for releasably securing said puzzle pieces on said reference member surface.

36. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein said puzzle pieces on a sixth rectangular side define numerals interfitted with each other to substantially define a rectangle corresponding to the associated section.

37. The puzzle as rectied in claim 35, wherein said releasable securing means includes pegs positioned on one of said reference member and puzzle pieces and holes formed in the other of said reference member and puzzle pieces and positioned for receiving said pegs when said puzzle pieces are properly aligned.

38. A puzzle as recited in claim 36, wherein a first side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 5, a second side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 6, a third side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 7, a fourth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 8, a fifth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 9, and a sixth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 10.

39. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein a first side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 11, a second side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 12, a third side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 13, a fourth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 14, a fifth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 15, and a sixth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 16.

40. A puzzle as claimed in claim 36, wherein a first side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 17, a second side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 18, a third side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 19, a fourth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 20, a fifth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 21 and a sixth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 22.

41. A puzzle as claimed in claim 36, wherein a first side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 23, a second side of said puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 24, a third side of said puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 25, a fourth side of said puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 26, a fifth side of said puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 18, and a sixth side of said puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 21.

42. A puzzle as claimed in claim 36, wherein a first side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 27, a second side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 26, a third side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 25, a fourth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 18, a fifth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 22, and a sixth side of the puzzle is substantially shown in FIG. 21.

43. A puzzle as recited in claim 36, wherein one section of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 5.

44. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 6.

45. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 7.

46. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 8.

47. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 9.

48. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 10.

49. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 11.

50. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 12.

51. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 13.

52. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 14.

53. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 15.

54. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 16.

55. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 17.

56. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 18.

57. A puzzle as recited in claim 36, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 19.

58. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 20.

59. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 21.

60. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 22.

61. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 23.

62. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 24.

63. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 25.

64. A puzzle as recited in claim 36, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 26.

65. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein one side of said puzzle is substantially as shown in FIG. 27.

66. A puzzle as recited in claim 35, wherein the bottom edge of each of said alphabetic puzzle pieces when viewed as a letter is formed with a substantially flat surface to support each said piece in an upright position apart from said reference member.

67. An alphabet puzzle comprising a reference member having a surface, a plurality of puzzle pieces shaped for mounting on said surface and means for releasably securing said puzzle pieces on said surface, said puzzle pieces being shaped substantially as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

68. An alphabet puzzle comprising a reference member having a surface, a plurality of puzzle pieces shaped for mounting on said surface and means for releasably securing said puzzle pieces on said surface, said puzzle pieces being shaped substantially as shown in FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

69. An alphabet puzzle comprising a reference member having a surface, a plurality of puzzle pieces shaped for mounting on said surface and means for releasably securing said puzzle pieces on said surface, said puzzle pieces being shaped substantially as shown in FIGS. 17, 18, 20, 21 and 22.

70. An alphabet puzzle comprising a reference member having a surface, a plurality of puzzle pieces shaped for mounting on said surface and means for releasably securing said puzzle pieces on said surface, said puzzle pieces being shaped substantially as shown in FIGS. 23, 24, 25, 18 and 21.

71. An alphabet puzzle comprising a reference member having a surface, a plurality of puzzle pieces shaped for mounting on said surface and means for releasably securing said puzzle pieces on said surface, said puzzle pieces being shaped substantially as shown in FIGS. 27, 26, 25, 18, 22 and 21.