Multi-functional geometric puzzle system

Abstract

A multi-functional geometric puzzle system includes four right-angled triangle pieces and two kite-shaped pieces. Each of the right-angled triangle pieces has an identical configuration, and each of the kite-shaped pieces also has an identical configuration. Each of the kite-shaped pieces is formed with four edges, and consists of two side right-angled triangles symmetric along-a longitudinal line. Each dimension of the side right-angled triangles is identical with that of the right-angled triangle piece. In assembling, all of the right-angled triangle pieces and the kite-shaped pieces can be selectively pieced up to generate various geometric patterns.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a multi-functional geometric puzzle system. Particularly, the present invention also relates to the multi-functional geometric puzzle system including four right-angled triangle pieces and two kite-shaped pieces. More particularly, the present invention also relates to a six-piece puzzle system consisting of four right-angled triangle pieces and two kite-shaped pieces which are combined to generate various geometric patterns.

2. Description of the Related Art

A well-known puzzle system in the art is so-called jigsaw puzzle, Chinese puzzle or seven-piece puzzle, and has been widely used in entertainment purpose.

Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 564,758 discloses a conventional puzzle system having a David's Star configuration consisting of a plurality of basic units, forty eight basic units for example. Each of the basic units has an equilateral triangular configuration. The David's Star configuration is arranged in seven puzzled pieces with various geometric patterns. One of the puzzled pieces is formed with four basic units, four of the puzzled pieces with seven basic units, and two the puzzled pieces with eight basic units. In puzzle game, the seven puzzled pieces can be assembled to form a compulsory pattern or an invented pattern. The puzzled pieces are pieced up to form a square pattern and inserted into a David's Star-shaped rack for storage.

Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 161,418 discloses another conventional puzzle system consisting of fourteen basic cubic pieces or twelve basic beveled pieces. There is a specific proportion of area among the basic cubic pieces. And, there is also a specific proportion of area among the basic beveled pieces. The basic cubic pieces and basic beveled pieces are pieced up to form a square pattern and inserted into a square rack for storage. In puzzle game, the basic cubic pieces and basic beveled pieces are pieced up to generate various geometric patterns.

Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 321,929 discloses another conventional puzzle system, so-called Tetris, consisting of eight basic puzzled pieces. Three of the basic puzzled pieces are roughly shaped into an L-shaped piece, two of the basic pieces into a T-shaped piece, one of the basic pieces into a U-shaped piece, one of the basic pieces into a rectangular piece, and one of the basic pieces into a double-square piece. Each of the basic pieces consists of eight square units. In puzzle game, the basic puzzled pieces are pieced up to generate various geometric patterns.

Additionally, Taiwanese Patent Publication Nos. 182,775 and 262,729 further disclose another conventional puzzle systems, and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

However, there is a need for creating a new type of a puzzle system used to piece up various geometric patterns. To accomplish this task, it is necessary that a new set of puzzled pieces, such as a six-piece puzzle, must be provided.

The present invention intends to provide a multi-functional geometric puzzle system including four right-angled triangle pieces and two kite-shaped pieces as well as a six-piece puzzle. The four right-angled triangle pieces and two kite-shaped pieces are assembled to generate various geometric patterns. The present invention employs common concepts of Chinese puzzle, Pythagorean theorem and Dudeney's geometric division (Dudeney's tricks) so as to increase a degree of difficulty in reassembling for entertainment purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of this invention is to provide a multi-functional geometric puzzle system including four right-angled triangle pieces and two kite-shaped pieces assembled to generate various geometric patterns. Thereby, it may accomplish enhancement of the puzzle system and various difficulties in assembling thereof.

The secondary objective of this invention is to provide the multi-functional geometric puzzle system including four right-angled triangle pieces and two kite-shaped pieces. Each of the right-angled triangle pieces has three included angles of 30, 60 and 90 degrees that may be used to aid understanding of a solution to the √{square root over (3)} problem. Thereby, it may accomplish quick apprehension of trigonometric function for education purpose.

The multi-functional geometric puzzle system in accordance with the present invention includes four right-angled triangle pieces and two kite-shaped pieces. Each of the right-angled triangle pieces has an identical configuration, and each of the kite-shaped pieces also has an identical configuration. Each of the kite-shaped pieces is formed with four edges, and consists of two side right-angled triangles symmetric along a longitudinal line. Each dimension of the side right-angled triangles is identical with that of the right-angled triangle piece. In assembling, all of the right-angled triangle pieces and the kite-shaped pieces can be selectively pieced up to generate various geometric patterns.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a right-angled triangle piece and a kite-shaped piece of a multi-functional geometric puzzle system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the multi-functional geometric puzzle system piecing up three right-angled triangles in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the multi-functional geometric puzzle system piecing up three rectangles in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the multi-functional geometric puzzle system piecing up three parallelograms in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the multi-functional geometric puzzle system piecing up three kite-shaped quadrangles in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the multi-functional geometric puzzle system piecing up three isosceles triangles in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of the multi-functional geometric puzzle system piecing up another three parallelograms in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of the multi-functional geometric puzzle system piecing up two hollow squares in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the multi-functional geometric puzzle system piecing up two towers in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of -the multi-functional geometric puzzle system piecing up a shark-like configuration in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of the multi-functional geometric puzzle system piecing up a twin-peak configuration in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of the multi-functional geometric puzzle system piecing up various geometric patterns in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a multi-functional geometric puzzle system in accordance with the present invention includes six basic puzzled pieces. Each of the basic puzzled pieces has a fundamental configuration and dimensions. In puzzle game, the basic puzzled pieces are pieced up to generate various geometric patterns, including compulsory patterns and invented patterns.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the basic puzzled pieces generally includes four right-angled triangle pieces designated numeral 10, and two kite-shaped pieces designated numeral 20. Each of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and the kite-shaped pieces 20 has a relatively simple configuration. The number of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and the kite-shaped pieces 20 is relatively lesser than that of the conventional puzzle system. In puzzle game, the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and the kite-shaped pieces 20 can generate as many geometric patterns as possible. The combination of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and the kite-shaped pieces 20 employs common concepts of Chinese puzzle, Pythagorean theorem and Dudeney's geometric division so as to increase a degree of difficulty in reassembling for entertainment purpose.

Still referring to FIG. 1, each right-angled triangle piece 10 has an identical triangular configuration and dimensions, and each kite-shaped piece 20 has a quadrilateral configuration and dimensions. Thus, the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and the kite-shaped pieces 20 can be pieced up to generate various symmetric patterns.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the construction of the right-angled triangle piece 10 shall be described in detail. The right-angled triangle piece 10 generally has three included angles of 30, 60 and 90 degrees. Thus, three edges of the right-angled triangle piece 10 have the ratio 1: √{square root over (3)}: 2. Namely, the puzzle game of the right-angled triangle piece 10 contains a solution to the √{square root over (3)} problem. Consequently, in the puzzle game, repeatedly assembling the right-angled triangle piece 10 aids understanding of a solution to the √{square root over (3)} problem.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the construction of the kite-shaped piece 20 shall be described in detail. The kite-shaped piece 20 generally has a pair of short edges and a pair of long edges, wherein the short edge and the long edge are complementary. Each of the kite-shaped pieces 20 consists of two side right-angled triangles 20a and 20b symmetric along a longitudinal line, as shown at dotted line. Each dimension of the side right-angled triangles 20a and 20b is identical with that of the right-angled triangle piece 10.

Still referring to FIG. 1, in assembling, four of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and two of the kite-shaped pieces 20 can be selectively pieced up to generate various geometric patterns. The number of the geometric patterns may be countless and detailed descriptions for each pattern may be omitted.

Turning now to FIG. 2, two of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 constitute a small right-angled triangle while two of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and two of the kite-shaped pieces 20 constituting a medium right-angled triangle. Alternatively, four of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and two of the kite-shaped pieces 20 can constitute a large right-angled triangle. Consequently, the small right-angled triangle plus the medium right-angled triangle equals the total area of the large right-angled triangle according to Pythagorean theorem.

Turning now to FIG. 3, two of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 constitute a small rectangle while two of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and two of the kite-shaped pieces 20 constituting a medium rectangle. Alternatively, four of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and two of the kite-shaped pieces 20 can constitute a large rectangle. Consequently, the small rectangle plus the medium rectangle equals the total area of the large rectangle according to Pythagorean theorem.

Turning now to FIG. 4, two of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 constitute a small parallelogram while two of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and two of the kite-shaped pieces 20 constituting a medium parallelogram. Alternatively, four of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and two of the kite-shaped pieces 20 can constitute a large parallelogram. Consequently, the small parallelogram plus the medium parallelogram equals the total area of the large parallelogram according to Pythagorean theorem.

Turning now to FIG. 5, two of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 constitute a small kite-shaped quadrangle while two of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and two of the kite-shaped pieces 20 constituting a medium kite-shaped quadrangle. Alternatively, four of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and two of the kite-shaped pieces 20 can constitute a large kite-shaped quadrangle. Consequently, the small kite-shaped quadrangle plus the medium kite-shaped quadrangle equals the total area of the large kite-shaped quadrangle according to Pythagorean theorem.

Turning now to FIG. 6, two of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 constitute a small isosceles triangle while two of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and two of the kite-shaped pieces 20 constituting a medium isosceles triangle. Alternatively, four of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and two of the kite-shaped pieces 20 can constitute a large isosceles triangle. Consequently, the small isosceles triangle plus the medium isosceles triangle equals the total area of the large isosceles triangle according to Pythagorean theorem.

Turning now to FIG. 7, two of the right-angled triangle pieces. 10 constitute a small parallelogram while two of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and two of the kite-shaped pieces 20 constituting a medium parallelogram. Alternatively, four of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and two of the kite-shaped pieces 20 can constitute a large parallelogram. Consequently, the small parallelogram plus the medium parallelogram equals the total area of the large parallelogram according to Pythagorean theorem.

Turning now to FIG. 8, four of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 constitute a small hollow square. Alternatively, four of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and two of the kite-shaped pieces 20 can constitute a large hollow square.

Turning now to FIG. 9, four of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and two of the kite-shaped pieces 20 can constitute two different towers.

Turning now to FIG. 10, four of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and two of the kite-shaped pieces 20 can constitute a shark-like configuration.

Turning now to FIG. 11, four of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and two of the kite-shaped pieces 20 can constitute a twin-peak configuration.

Turning now to FIG. 12, four of the right-angled triangle pieces 10 and two of the kite-shaped pieces 20 can constitute various geometric patterns, including mountain ridge configuration, boat configuration, candle configuration, Z-shaped configuration and stone pillar configuration etc.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to its presently preferred embodiment, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multi-functional geometric puzzle system, comprising:

at least four right-angled triangle pieces each sized an identical configuration and identical dimensions; and

at least two kite-shaped pieces each having four edges and sized an identical configuration and identical dimensions, said kite-shaped piece consisting of two side right-angled triangles symmetric along a longitudinal line;

wherein said right-angled triangle pieces and said kite-shaped pieces are combined to generate various geometric patterns in puzzle game.

2. The multi-functional geometric puzzle system as defined in claim 1, wherein said right-angled triangle piece has an area identical with that of said side right-angled triangle of said kite-shaped piece.

3. The multi-functional geometric puzzle system as defined in claim 1, wherein said right-angled triangle piece consists of three edges having the ratio 1: √{square root over (3)}:2.