Multi dimensional puzzle

• US 6,237,914 B1
• Filed: 03/03/1999
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alexey Saltanov, Youngmi Kim
• Original Assignee: Alexey Saltanov, Youngmi Kim
• Inventors: Saltanov, Alexey, Kim, YoungMi
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, STEVEN B
• Application Number:
  US09/262,041
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 273/153 R, 273/156, 273/153 S, 273/157 R, 434/171, 434/172
• US Class Current: 273/157.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/122 connecting only two neighbouring elements
• 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 9/1204 Puzzles consisting of non-interlocking identical blocks, e.g. children's block puzzles

Abstract

A puzzle including a plurality of pieces. Each of the plurality of pieces having a plurality of sides. A plurality of image segments are located on the plurality of sides of the puzzle pieces. The pieces may be coupleable in a predetermined manner to form a plurality of complete images from the plurality of image segments. The image segments that form a particular complete image reside on at least two different planes and at least one of the plurality of pieces having image segments corresponding to at least two of the plurality of complete images.

Claims

1. A puzzle, comprising:

a plurality of pieces, each of the plurality of pieces having a plurality of sides; and

a plurality of image segments on the plurality of sides, the pieces coupleable in a predetermined manner to form a plurality of complete images from the plurality of image segments, the image segments that form a particular complete image residing on at least two different planes, at least one of the plurality of pieces having image segments corresponding to at least two of the plurality of complete images, wherein the particular complete image is visibly formed when the puzzle is viewed at approximately 90 degrees to the different planes.

2. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pieces are coupleable by an interlocking mechanism.

3. The puzzle of claim 2, wherein the interlocking mechanism comprises a pin on one of the plurality of pieces insertable into a hole in another of the plurality of pieces.

4. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pieces are coupled together with a framework, the framework receiving the plurality of pieces to form the plurality of complete images.

5. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the pieces are magnetically coupleable.

6. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pieces are cube shaped.

7. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pieces have a three-dimensional shape with sides selected from the group consisting of:

a square, a triangle, a rectangle, a polyhedron, and a combination thereof.

8. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of pieces is a different shape than another of the plurality of pieces.

9. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of image segments are removable from the plurality of sides.

10. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pieces are computer generated graphics.

11. The puzzle of claim 10, wherein the plurality of pieces are visually coupleable on a display screen.