Three dimensional cube puzzle

Abstract

A three-dimensional cube puzzle consists of twenty-five different shaped pieces. Each piece has five cubic units of volume and has at least two square sides. Each square side consists of four edges, each edge has a unit of length, such that when all twenty-five pieces are assembled together they will form a three-dimensional cube with each side having five units of length.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of games and puzzles. More particularly, the invention relates to puzzles composed of multiple pieces that are to be assembled in a particular order to form a predefined shape.

[0002] There are many puzzles available on the market, which require a particular order of assembly to achieve completion of the puzzle. Some require just an arrangement of pre-connected pieces in a particular order. Colors may be interposed on certain surfaces of the puzzles, which require that all of the same colors finish on just one side of the puzzle. One of the most well known prior art puzzles is the Rubic's Cube.

[0003] The need for entertainment and amusement is limitless. Many of the prior art puzzles have been marketed for many years and the solution to completing these puzzles is well known to many. Solutions can even be found on the Internet. The entertainment provided by these prior art puzzles reduces significantly as they are solved by an individual on several occasions. The most dedicated of the puzzles solvers require new and constant challenges to their intellectual prowess.

[0004] Therefore there is a need for an inventive puzzle that provides new challenges and entertainment for the puzzle solving public.

SUMMARY

[0005] A three-dimensional cube puzzle consists of twenty-five different shaped pieces. Each piece has five cubic units of volume and has at least two square sides. Each square side consists of four edges, each edge has a unit of length, such that when all twenty-five pieces are assembled together they will form a three-dimensional cube with each side having five units of length.

[0006] The pieces have at least one specific assembly orientation that will allow them to be assembled together to form the three-dimensional cube puzzle. When assembled together the twenty-five different shaped pieces form a five by five by five unit matrix. In one version each piece is formed from imaginary blocks that are square. Each imaginary block forms a cubic unit block that is a cube with the side, the width, and the height each having one unit in length.

[0007] Each piece is formed from 5 imaginary blocks. An imaginary block is a square shape with each piece being formed by arranging 5 imaginary blocks. Each imaginary block has a top side- “T”, an under side-“U”, a front side-“F”, a back side-“B, a left side-“L” and a right side “R”.

[0008] The square imaginary blocks have at least one side fully adjacent to the side of another square imaginary block. Each piece could be assembled from five separate actual cubic unit blocks or could be created as a continuous single piece having five cubic units of volume. When manufacturing molds are used to form metal or plastic pieces, then continuous single pieces would be created. The three-dimensional cube puzzle can be manufactured with the 25 pieces composed of wood.

[0009] When individual cubic units blocks are used then 125 cubic units block form the twenty-five pieces, with each of the twenty-five pieces including 5 cubic unit blocks. When all twenty-five pieces are assembled together they form a three-dimensional cube puzzle that is five units of length in the height, width and depth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIGS. 1a-1e illustrate a side perspective view of pieces P1 through P5.

[0011] FIGS. 2a-2e illustrate a side perspective view of pieces P6 through P10.

[0012] FIGS. 3a-3d illustrate a side perspective view of pieces P11 through P14.

[0013] FIGS. 4a-4d illustrate a side perspective view of pieces P15 through P18.

[0014] FIGS. 5a-5d illustrate a side perspective view of pieces P19 through P22.

[0015] FIGS. 6a-6c illustrate a side perspective view of pieces P23 through P25.

[0016] FIG. 7 shows a top plan view of the steps in the first stage of assembly.

[0017] FIG. 8 shows a top plan view of the steps in the second stage of assembly.

[0018] FIG. 9 shows a top plan view of the steps in the third stage of assembly.

[0019] FIG. 10 shows a top plan view of the steps in the fourth stage of assembly.

[0020] FIGS. 11 and 11a illustrates a front perspective view of a typical square imaginary block, where five of the imaginary blocks would form one of the pieces.

DESCRIPTION

[0021] FIGS. 1 through 6 depict the geometric form that each of the twenty-five pieces presents. Each of the pieces is different in form from all the other pieces. The twenty-five pieces, one through twenty-five, are designated “P1” through “P25”. The figures are done in a side perspective view to best illustrate the form of each piece. The orientation of the pieces does not necessarily correspond to how they are positioned when the puzzle is assembled.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 7 through 10, each piece is formed from five imaginary blocks. The piece number corresponds to the piece number that was indicated in FIGS. 1-6. The five imaginary blocks are designated by the letters a, b, c, d, and e. Each imaginary block is also designated with a number 1 through 5 that indicates the layer level that the imaginary block will be positioned on during assembly. Each piece may have its five imaginary blocks on one or more levels. In contrast, some pieces like piece “P12” can have all of their imaginary blocks on the same level.

[0023] The numbers 1 through 5 designation for levels and the letters a, b, c, d, and e for imaginary blocks are used on each of the twenty-five pieces, so this number-letter combination will be similar and repeated on each of the twenty-five pieces. The numbers 1 through 5 that indicate the levels of placement of the “imaginary blocks” are different than the numbers ‘P1’ through ‘P25’ that designate the “piece numbers”.

[0024] As an example, piece ‘P4’, shown in FIG. 7 has three imaginary blocks designated as ‘1a’, ‘1b’ and ‘1c’ which indicates these three blocks are on level 1. Piece ‘P4’ has the other two blocks designated as ‘2d’ and ‘2e’, which indicates they are on level 2. The top plan view orientation shows block ‘2d’ on top of ‘1b′’, so from a top view they appear to occupy the same area.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 11 and 11a, each block has a top side- “T”, an under side-“U”, a front side-“F”, a back side-“B, a left side-“L” and a right side “R”. An imaginary block forms a unit block that is a cube with the side, the width, and the height each having one unit in length. Five imaginary blocks uniquely arranged form each piece. FIG. 11 illustrates a front perspective view of a single imaginary block showing the top side- “T”, a front side-“F” and right side “R”. FIG. 11a shows the same view, but with the hidden surfaces illustrated by dashed line also shown as the under side-“U”, a back side-“B, and a left side-“L”.

[0026] The pieces have one or more unique steps of assembly that allow all of the pieces to mesh together to form a three-dimensional cube puzzle. Other variations are possible, besides the following sequence of assembly steps.

[0027] FIGS. 1 through 6 can be used to recognize the piece number that corresponds with the unique form of each piece. Alternately, the pieces may be manufactured with a number printed right on them for easy recognition. FIGS. 7-10 show the proper orientation of each block in the assembly process.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 7, the first stage of assembly of the first lower layer of the puzzle invention is accomplished by placing piece P4 on a flat surface. The left side of block 17c of piece P17 is laid adjacent to right side of block 4a, so that the two points designated as “AA” are adjacent to each other. The front of block 3d is attached to the back of block 17d, so that the two points designated as “BB” are adjacent to each other.

[0029] In the remainder of the description the pieces will not be referred to, but are indicated in the block designation. As an example, in the step above with block 3d, the ‘3’ refers to piece 3P and the ‘d’ refers to the ‘d block’ of that piece.

[0030] The left side of block 25d is attached to the right side of block 3c so that the two points designated as “CC” are adjacent to each other. The left side of block 16a is attached to the right side of block 17c, so that the two points designated as “DD” are adjacent to each other. The front side of block 22e is attached to the back side of block 16c, so that the two points designated as “EE” are adjacent to each other. In the last step of the first stage, the backside of block 18a is attached to the front side of block 16c, so that the two points designated as “FF” are adjacent to each other.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 8, in the second stage of assembly, the front of block 1a of piece 1 is positioned adjacent to the back of block 16a, which was positioned in the first stage, so that the two points designated as “GG” are adjacent to each other. The backside of block 15e is attached to the front side of block 1c, so that the two points designated as “HH” are adjacent to each other; in the process piece P15 is slid under piece P18. The right side of block 24a is attached to the left side of block 1c, so that the two points designated as “II” are adjacent to each other. The front of block 5c is attached to the back of block 1d, so that the two points designated as “JJ” are adjacent to each other. The front of block 7d is attached to the back of block 18e, so that the two points designated as “KK” are adjacent to each other. The back of block 19e attaches to the front of block 24e, so that the two points designated as “LL” are adjacent to each other. The front of block 14c is attached to the back of block 18d, so that the two points designated as “MM” are adjacent to each other. The front of block 12d is attached to the back of block 14d, so that the two points designated as “NN” are adjacent to each other.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 9, in the third stage of assembly the left side of block 23e is attached to the right side of block 24e, which was positioned in the second stage, so that the two points designated as “OO” are adjacent to each other. The left side of block 2b is attached to the right side of block 23e, so that the two points designated as “PP” are adjacent to each other. The back of block 13e is attached to the front of block 2a, so that the two points designated as “QQ” are adjacent to each other. The back of block 21c is attached to the front of block 13c, so that the two points designated as “RR” are adjacent to each other. The under side of block 10e, is attached to top of block 21a, so that the two points designated as “SS” are adjacent to each other. The front of block 6e is attached to back of block 10d, so that the two points designated as “TT” are adjacent to each other.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 10, in the fourth stage of assembly the under side of block 9a is laid on the top of block 19c, so that the two points designated as “UU” are adjacent to each other. The front of block 20a is attached to the back of block 9d, so that the two points designated as “VV” are adjacent to each other. The left side of block 8d is attached to the right side of block 20e, so that the two points designated as “WW” are adjacent to each other. The left side of block 11b is attached to the right side of block 9c, so that the two points designated as “XX” are adjacent to each other. When all twenty-five pieces are assembled together they form a three-dimensional cube puzzle that is five units of length in the height, width and depth.

[0034] The steps of assembly were described above. For greater clarification the arrangement of each set of five imaginary blocks to form each individual piece will now be specifically detailed. FIGS. 7-10, which show the ‘a’ through ‘e’ block designations on each piece, can be used along with the following figures that show the geometric form in side perspective view.

[0035] Piece 1, in FIG. 1a, is made by attaching block 1b to the back side of block 1a, block 1c to the top side of block 1b, block 1d to the top side of block 1c, and block 1e to the right side of block 1d.

[0036] Piece 2, in FIG. 1b, is made by attaching block 2b to the back side of block 2a, block 2c to the right side of block 2b, block 2d to the right side of block 2c, and block 2e to the top side of block 2d; and

[0037] Piece 3, in FIG. 1c, is made by attaching block 3b to the right side of block 3a, block 3c to the right side of block 3b, block 3d to the front side of block 3b, and block 3e to the top side of block 3b.

[0038] Piece 4, in FIG. 1d, is made by attaching block 4b to the back side of block 4a, block 4c to the back side of block 4b, block 4d to the top side of block 4b, and block 4e to the right side of block 4d;

[0039] Piece 5, in FIG. 1e, is made by attaching block 5b to the back side of block 5a, block 5c to the right side of block 5b, block 5d to the under side of block 5c, and block 5e to the right side of block 5d; and

[0040] Piece 6, in FIG. 2a, is made by attaching block 6b to the right side of block 6a, block 6c to the front side of block 6b, block 6d to the top side of block 6c, and block 6e to the front side of block 6d.

[0041] Piece 7, in FIG. 2b, is made by attaching block 7b to the right side of block 7a, block 7c to the top side of block 7b, block 7d to the right side of block 7c, and block 7e to the front side of block 7c;

[0042] Piece 8, in FIG. 2c, is made by attaching block 8b to the top side of block 8a, block 8c to the left side of block 8b, block 8d to the back side of block 8b, and block 8e to the right side of block 8d; and

[0043] Piece 9, in FIG. 2d, is made by attaching 9b to the top side of block 9a, block 9c to the front side of block 9b, block 9d to the back side of block 9b, and block 9e to the right side of block 9d.

[0044] Piece 10, in FIG. 2e, is made by attaching block 10b to the top side of block 10a, block 10c to the back side of block 10b, block 10d to the top side of block 10b, and block 10e to the left side of block 10d.

[0045] Piece 11, in FIG. 3a, is made by attaching block 11b to the front side of block 11a, block 11c to the right side of block 11b, block 11d to the right side of 11c, and block 11e to the front side of block 11c.

[0046] Piece 12, in FIG. 3b, is made by attaching block 12b to the right side of block 12a, block 12c to the front side of block 12c, block 12d to the front side of block 12c, and block 12e to the left side of block 12d.

[0047] Piece 13, in FIG. 3c, is made by attaching block 13b to the back side of block 13a, block 13c to the right side of block 13b, block 13d to the right side of block 13c, and block 13e to the back side of block 13d.

[0048] Piece 14, in FIG. 3d, is made by attaching block 14b to the right side of block 14a, block 14c to the top side of block 14a, block 14d to the right side of block 14c, and block 14e to the top side of block 14c.

[0049] Piece 15, in FIG. 4a, is made by attaching block 15b to the right side of block 15a, block 15c to the right side of 15b, block 15d to the back side of block 15c, and block 15e to the back side of block 15d.

[0050] Piece 16, in FIG. 4b, is made by attaching block 16b to the right side of block 16a, block 16c to the right side of block 16b, block 16d to the front side of block 16b, and block 16e to the back side of block 16b.

[0051] Piece 17, in FIG. 4c, is made by attaching block 17b to the right side of block 17a, block 17c to the back side of block 17b, block 17d to the back side of 17c, and 17e to the right side of block 17b.

[0052] Piece 18, in FIG. 4d, is made by attaching block 18b to the top side of block 18a, block 18c to the left side of block 18b, block 18d to the top side of block 18c, and block 18e to the left side of block 18d.

[0053] Piece 19, in FIG. 5a, is made by attaching block 19b to the back side of block 19a, block 19c to the back side of block 19b, block 19d to the backside of block 19c, and block 19e to the top side of block 19d

[0054] Piece 20, in FIG. 5b, is made by attaching block 20b to the right side of block 20a, block 20c to the right side of block 20b, block 20d to the right side of block 20c, and block 20e to the front side of block 20c.

[0055] Piece 21, in FIG. 5c,is made by attaching block 21b to the left side of block 21a, block 21c to the left side of block 21b, block 21d to the top side of block 21c, block 21e to the left side of block 21d.

[0056] Piece 22, in FIG. 5d, is made by attaching block 22b to the right side of block 22a, block 22c to the back side of block 22b, block 22d to the top side of block 22b, and block 22e to the under side of block 22b.

[0057] Piece 23, in FIG. 6a, is made by attaching block 23b to the left side of block 23a, block 23c to the top of block 23b, block 23d to the back side of block 23c, and block 23e to the back side of block 23d.

[0058] Piece 24, in FIG. 6b, is made by attaching block 24b to the left side of block 24a, block 24c to the back side of block 24b, block 24d to the top side of block 24c, and block 24e to the top side of block 24d.

[0059] Piece 25, in FIG. 6c, is made by attaching block 25b to the right side of block 25a, block 25c to the back side of block 25b, block 25d to the left side of block 25c, and block 25e to the top side of block 25a.

[0060] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated, it should be understood that many changes, substitutions and modifications to the described embodiment are possible. Therefore, many alternates are available, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention that is defined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional cube puzzle consisting of twenty five different shaped pieces, each piece having five cubic units of volume and having at least two square sides, wherein each square side consists of four edges, each edge having a unit of length; such that when all twenty five pieces are assembled together they will form a three-dimensional cube with each side having five units of length.

2. The three dimensional cube puzzle of claim 1, wherein each piece is formed from five imaginary blocks, wherein the imaginary block is a square shape with the side, the width, and the height each having one unit in length; each imaginary block having a top side, an under side, a front side, a back side, a left side and a right side; wherein each piece being formed by arranging five square imaginary blocks, with each square imaginary block have at least one side fully adjacent to the side of another square imaginary block.

3. The three dimensional cube puzzle of claim 2, wherein Piece 1 is made by attaching block 1b to the back side of block 1a, block 1c to the top side of block 1b, block 1d to the top side of block 1c, and block 1e to the right side of block 1d;

wherein Piece 2 is made by attaching block 2b to the back side of block 2a, block 2c to the right side of block 2b, block 2d to the right side of block 2c, and block 2e to the top side of block 2d; and

wherein Piece 3 is made by attaching block 3b to the right side of block 3a, block 3c to the right side of block 3b, block 3d to the front side of block 3b, and block 3e to the top side of block 3b.

4. The three dimensional cube puzzle of claim 3, wherein Piece 4 is made by attaching block 4b to the back side of block 4a, block 4c to the back side of block 4b, block 4d to the top side of block 4b, and block 4e to the right side of block 4d;

wherein Piece 5 is made by attaching block 5b to the back side of block 5a, block 5c to the right side of block 5b, block 5d to the under side of block 5c, and block 5e to the right side of block 5d; and

wherein Piece 6 is made by attaching block 6b to the right side of block 6a, block 6c to the front side of block 6b, block 6d to the top side of block 6c, and block 6e to the front side of block 6d.

5. The three dimensional cube puzzle of claim 4, wherein Piece 7 is made by attaching block 7b to the right side of block 7a, block 7c to the top side of block 7b, block 7d to the right side of block 7c, and block 7e to the front side of block 7c;

wherein Piece 8 is made by attaching block 8b to the top side of block 8a, block 8c to the left side of block 8b, block 8d to the back side of block 8b, and block 8e to the right side of block 8d; and

wherein Piece 9 is made by attaching 9b to the top side of block 9a, block 9c to the front side of block 9b, block 9d to the back side of block 9b, and block 9e to the right side of block 9d.

6. The three dimensional cube puzzle of claim 5, wherein Piece 10 is made by attaching block 10b to the top side of block 10a, block 10c to the back side of block 10b, block 10d to the top side of block 10b, and block 10e to the left side of block 10d; wherein Piece 11 is made by attaching block 11b to the front side of block 11a, block 11c to the right side of block 11b, block 11d to the right side of 11c, and block lie to the front side of block 11c; and wherein Piece 12 is made by attaching block 12b to the right side of block 12a, block 12c to the front side of block 12c, block 12d to the front side of block 12c, and block 12e to the left side of block 12d.

7. The three dimensional cube puzzle of claim 6, wherein Piece 13 is made by attaching block 13b to the back side of block 13a, block 13c to the right side of block 13b, block 13d to the right side of block 13c, and block 13e to the back side of block 13d; wherein Piece 14 is made by attaching block 14b to the right side of block 14a, block 14c to the top side of block 14a, block 14d to the right side of block 14c, and block 14e to the top side of block 14c; and wherein Piece 15 is made by attaching block 15b to the right side of block 15a, block 15c to the right side of 15b, block 15d to the back side of block 15c, and block 15e to the back side of block 15d.

8. The three dimensional cube puzzle of claim 7 wherein Piece 16 is made by attaching block 16b to the right side of block 16a, block 16c to the right side of block 16b, block 16d to the front side of block 16b, and block 16e to the back side of block 16b; wherein Piece 17 is made by attaching block 17b to the right side of block 17a, block 17c to the back side of block 17b, block 17d to the back side of 17c, and 17e to the right side of block 17b; and wherein Piece 18 is made by attaching block 18b to the top side of block 18a, block 18c to the left side of block 18b, block 18d to the top side of block 18c, and block 18e to the left side of block 18d.

9. The three dimensional cube puzzle of claim 8 wherein Piece 19 is made by attaching block 19b to the back side of block 19a, block 19c to the back side of block 19b, block 19d to the backside of block l9c, and block 19e to the top side of block 19d; wherein Piece 20 is made by attaching block 20b to the right side of block 20a, block 20c to the right side of block 20b, block 20d to the right side of block 20c, and block 20e to the front side of block 20c; and wherein Piece 21 is made by attaching block 21b to the left side of block 21a, block 21c to the left side of block 21b, block 21d to the top side of block 21c, block 21e to the left side of block 21d.

10. The three dimensional cube puzzle of claim 9 wherein Piece 22 is made by attaching block 22b to the right side of block 22a, block 22c to the back side of block 22b, block 22d to the top side of block 22b, and block 22e to the under side of block 22b; wherein Piece 23 is made by attaching block 23b to the left side of block 23a, block 23c to the top of block 23b, block 23d to the back side of block 23c, and block 23e to the back side of block 23d; wherein Piece 24 is made by attaching block 24b to the left side of block 24a, block 24c to the back side of block 24b, block 24d to the top side of block 24c, and block 24e to the top side of block 24d; and

wherein Piece 25 is made by attaching block 25b to the right side of block 25a, block 25c to the back side of block 25b, block 25d to the left side of block 25c, and block 25e to the top side of block 25a.