Pathway puzzle

Abstract

A puzzle game comprising of a series of paths on a defined number of coaxial circles, such that the number of coaxial circles are two or greater, wherein rotations of the circles cause different pathways on adjacent circles to align, thereby extending the pathways across the circles. Pathways are defined in such a way that a given player will be able to rotate the circles in such a way wherein a path from the outer edge of the outermost circle will be able to be followed through paths in adjacent circles continuing through the centermost circle whereupon the path when continued will be taken back through adjacent circles until thereby reaching the outer edge of the outermost circle, constituting a winning scenario. Puzzles may have an arbitrary number of winning scenarios, but certain more difficult puzzles will include a single pathway that satisfies the winning condition.

Description

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC.

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to game apparatuses and methods having individually rotatable coaxial polygons, such as circles, which, when manipulated and stopped in a specific and correct way generates an unbroken solution path that is navigable from the outside edge of the exterior polygon, through the center polygon, and returning again to the outside edge of the exterior polygon.

(2) Description of the Related Art

The following prior art discloses game apparatus having circular discs which may or may not be rotatable, whose indicia do indeed contain navigable pathways, however the game apparatus involves navigation of a movable member such as a pin or a token or a ball or a labyrinth traversing element through those pathways:

• • U.S. Pat. No. 598,889, to Young, entitled “Puzzle”;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 766,118, to Saunders, entitled “Puzzle”;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,570,935, to Stefanini, entitled “Multiple Maze Game”;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,960, to Stefanini, entitled “Multiple Maze Game”;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,679, to Ben-Gal, et al., entitled “Labyrinth Puzzle”;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 887,464, to Creasey, entitled “Game Apparatus”;

The following prior art discloses apparatus having rotatable circular discs, and whose indicia do contain navigable pathways, however the rotatable circular discs modify the viewable set of indicia for the sole purpose of creation of individual unique labyrinths, whereas applicant's puzzle uses the rotatable polygons to simply relocate the fixed set of indicia in order to derive a solution pathway for a given game scenario:

• • U.S. Pat. No. 928,833, to Zschokke, entitled “Puzzle”;

The following prior art discloses apparatus having circular rotatable circular discs, and whose indicia can contain navigable pathways through claims 4, 9, and 10, however unlike applicant's puzzle, this apparatus does not claim a puzzle that is constructed such that it contains an unbroken pathway from the outermost edge to the center and back out again.

• • U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,455, to Bergstrom, et al., entitled “Puzzle Game”;

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is that of a puzzle game. The game itself is comprised of a set of coaxial polygons, such as circles, which are individually axially rotatable. Each polygon has maze-like pathway indicia on it. Some pathways continue forward from an adjacent outer polygon to an adjacent inner polygon. Some pathways will loop back from an adjacent outer polygon back to that same outer polygon. Some pathways will loop back from an adjacent inner polygon back to that same inner polygon. And, some pathways will simply terminate in dead-ends.

It is the object of the puzzle to amuse a player with a challenge, which is to rotate the polygons axially, until they reach a special solution configuration. This special configuration will be achieved when an unbroken pathway exists that enters from the outside edge of the outermost polygon, through adjacent polygons (if the number of polygons is greater than two) in such a way that it reaches the center polygon and then continues back through adjacent polygons (if the number of polygons is greater than two) where it will then terminate at the outside edge of the outermost polygon.

The difficulty of finding such a solution configuration can be of many varying levels based on amount of polygons, amount of available paths per polygon, number of solution paths available given a set of pathways and polygons and design of pathway indicia. In the most difficult scenario, there will be a single solution pathway that is nontrivial, while in other configurations there will be many trivial pathways designed that appear that they would complete the circuit, yet fail within the just one or two polygons from the solution path, adding to a player's challenge.

Further scope of applicability, novel features, objectives, and advantages will be shown via the detailed description to follow, and additionally with their accompanying drawings such that those skilled in the art of examination shall be able to understand those additional elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in examination of the relevant art to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the preferred apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded assembly view of the bottom-most base, support rods, and inner screw whereupon which is mounted an immobile core that houses a spring-plunger apparatus, circumferenced by the first notched ring with pathways.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded assembly view of the second base, upon which is mounted an immobile core that houses a spring-plunger apparatus, circumferenced by the second notched ring with pathways.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the assembled FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an exploded assembly view of the third base, upon which is mounted an immobile core that houses a spring-plunger apparatus, circumferenced by the third notched ring with pathways.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the assembled FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly view of the fourth base, upon which is mounted an immobile core that houses a spring-plunger apparatus, circumferenced by the fourth notched ring with pathways.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the assembled FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an exploded assembly view of the fifth base, upon which is mounted an immobile core that houses a spring-plunger apparatus, circumferenced by the fifth notched ring with pathways.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the assembled FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an exploded assembly view of the sixth base, upon which is mounted an immobile core that houses a spring-plunger apparatus, circumferenced by the sixth notched ring with pathways.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the assembled FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an exploded assembly view of the seventh base, upon which is mounted an immobile core that houses a spring-plunger apparatus, circumferenced by the seventh notched ring with pathways.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the assembled FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an exploded assembly view of an immobile core that houses a spring-plunger apparatus, circumferenced by the eighth notched ring that is attached to a final topmost ring with pathways, whereupon a disc is mounted which includes a compartment for the nut and upon which a sticker is mounted for logo identification.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the assembled FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a top view of a programmable electronic device featuring a software-based version of the preferred embodiment.

The following reference numerals are used throughout the Figures:

2. Short support rod

4. Medium support rod

6. Long support rod

8. Screw

10. First ring with pathways

12. First base

13. Pathway puzzle

14. First core

16. Spring plunger

18. Spring plunger holding space

19. Braking notch

20. Second ring with pathways

22. Second base

30. Third ring with pathways

32. Third base

40. Fourth ring with pathways

42. Fourth base

50. Fifth ring with pathways

52. Fifth base

54. Second core

60. Sixth ring with pathways

62. Sixth base

70. Seventh ring with pathways

72. Seventh base

74. Third core

80. Topmost disc with pathways

82. Eighth ring

90. Sticker cap for logo

92. Disc with compartment for nut

94. Nut

101. Maze-like pathway indicia

102. Maze-like pathway indicia that is entrance/exit of solution path for larger puzzle

103. Maze-like pathway indicia that is entrance/exit of solution path for larger puzzle

104. Dead-end maze-like pathway indicia

110. Programmable electronic device

111. Movable ring rendered through software

112. Maze-like pathway indicia that is entrance/exit of solution path for smaller puzzle

113. Maze-like pathway indicia that is entrance/exit of solution path for smaller puzzle

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 there is shown a pathway puzzle 13 having a base 12 in which there are set a plurality of rotatable coaxial rings 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70, and a special center rotating member 80.

Generally, each ring with the exception of the topmost is mounted on its own subsequent base.

Ring 10 is axially rotatable around a core 14 atop immobile base 12.

Ring 20 is axially rotatable around a core 14 atop immobile base 22.

Ring 30 is axially rotatable around a core 14 atop immobile base 32.

Ring 40 is axially rotatable around a core 14 atop immobile base 42.

Ring 50 is axially rotatable around a core 54 atop immobile base 52.

Ring 60 is axially rotatable around a core 54 atop immobile base 62.

Ring 70 is axially rotatable around a core 74 atop immobile base 72.

Disc 80 is mounted on movable ring 82, and covered with special disc 92 which is covered by a sticker or other type of covering, 90. 80, 82, 90, and 92 are axially rotatable as a singular piece around a core 74. Generally, covering piece 90 has two functions, which are first and foremost, to camouflage the screw 8 and nut 94 that holds the topmost ring parts 80, 82, and 92 to the base while still allowing for rotation, and secondarily, cosmetically to allow for placement of a company logo or artwork, such as a mountain climber.

The rotatable members feature maze-like indicia, such as 101, which is an example of a singular pathway. In FIG. 3, maze-like indicia 102 and 103 indicate the ends of a maze-like pathway that when the rings are uniquely positioned create a singular pathway that will continue from the outside edge of ring 10 to ring 80 and back out to the outside edge of ring 10 without any breaks. Pathway 104 indicates a dead-end path that only reaches halfway through a ring.

In operation, a player can choose to rotate any of the rotatable rings, which according to the preferred embodiment, will snap into place at certain intervals. In the preferred embodiment, these intervals are fixed at 8 locations every 45 degrees for the top two rings, 16 locations every 22.5 degrees for the next two rings, and 32 locations every 11.25 degrees for the bottom four rings. However, some embodiments may have differing intervals or lack a braking mechanism entirely.

When all of the rings are in a certain configuration which shall hereafter be referred to as a winning configuration, there will be an unbroken pathway that continues from the outside edge of ring 10 through ring 80 and back out to the outside edge of ring 10. In FIG. 3, such entrances and exits are represented by maze-like indicia 102 and 103. Since all rings rotate coaxially, there is potential for multiple solutions along the same path, simply by rotating all rings of a solved puzzle together to a new angle, such as 45 degrees. These additional solutions are generally considered to just be rotated derivations of the same solution.

With regards to FIGS. 4 and 5, they show the physical construction of the bottom rotatable ring and base assembly. Four representations of short support rod 2 joined with two medium support rods 4, two long support rods 6 and a single screw 8 are threaded through first base 12. Support rods 2, 4, and 6 have a primary function of adding additional stability to first core 14. Inside this first core 14 is an extra space 18 for placement of a spring plunger 16. The spring plunger 16 may be mounted to core 14 using adhesive or it may remain unattached if so desired, although for stability purposes mounting is recommended. Ring 10 circumferences upon core 14, which results in spring plunger 16 pushing against notch 19. For the first ring 10, there are 32 notches, allowing for axial rotation of the first ring 10 to create 32 valid positions for the game.

It is undesired behavior to have the first core 14 have any angular movement upon the base 12 when ring 10 is rotated. Such conditions could create unintentionally unwinnable scenarios wherein the rings can be stopped at incorrect angles, thereby causing indicia to fail to align with adjacent rings.

Additionally, the screw 8 is meant as a means of disconnecting the entire assembly, but is not considered an axis for rotation. Screw 8 has a general function of keeping the topmost disc 80 in place using nut 94. Screw 8 and nut 94 can be replaced with many different options of utility bolt or other fastening mechanism to ensure the assembled parts stay together.

With regards to FIGS. 6 and 7, they show the physical construction of the second rotatable ring. The four short support rods 2, two medium support rods 4, two long support rods 6 and a single screw 8 from FIGS. 4 and 5 are threaded through second base 22. An additional core 14 is then placed on the rods 2, 4, and 6, and screw 8. Inside this core 14 is an extra space 18 for placement of another spring plunger 16. The spring plunger 16 may be mounted to core 14 using adhesive or it may remain unattached if so desired, although for stability purposes mounting is recommended. Ring 20 circumferences upon core 14, which results in spring plunger 16 pushing against notch 19. For the second ring 20, there are 32 notches, allowing for axial rotation of the second ring 20 to create 32 valid positions for the game.

It is undesired behavior to have the first core 14 have any angular movement upon the base 22 when ring 20 is rotated. Such conditions could create unintentionally unwinnable scenarios wherein the rings can be stopped at incorrect angles, thereby causing indicia to fail to align with adjacent rings.

With regards to FIGS. 8 and 9, they show the physical construction of the third rotatable ring. The four short support rods 2, two medium support rods 4, two long support rods 6 and a single screw 8 from FIGS. 4 and 5 are threaded through third base 32. An additional core 14 is then placed on the rods 2, 4, and 6, and screw 8. Inside this core 14 is an extra space 18 for placement of another spring plunger 16. The spring plunger 16 may be mounted to core 14 using adhesive or it may remain unattached if so desired, although for stability purposes mounting is recommended. Ring 30 circumferences upon core 14, which results in spring plunger 16 pushing against notch 19. For the third ring 30, there are 32 notches, allowing for axial rotation of the third ring 30 to create 32 valid positions for the game.

It is undesired behavior to have the first core 14 have any angular movement upon the base 32 when ring 30 is rotated. Such conditions could create unintentionally unwinnable scenarios wherein the rings can be stopped at incorrect angles, thereby causing indicia to fail to align with adjacent rings.

With regards to FIGS. 10 and 11, they show the physical construction of the fourth rotatable ring. The four short support rods 2, two medium support rods 4, two long support rods 6 and a single screw 8 from FIGS. 4 and 5 are threaded through fourth base 42. An additional core 14 is then placed on the rods 2, 4, and 6, and screw 8. Inside this core 14 is an extra space 18 for placement of another spring plunger 16. The spring plunger 16 may be mounted to core 14 using adhesive or it may remain unattached if so desired, although for stability purposes mounting is recommended. Ring 40 circumferences upon core 14, which results in spring plunger 16 pushing against notch 19. For the fourth ring 40, there are 32 notches, allowing for axial rotation of the fourth ring 40 to create 32 valid positions for the game.

It is undesired behavior to have the first core 14 have any angular movement upon the base 42 when ring 40 is rotated. Such conditions could create unintentionally unwinnable scenarios wherein the rings can be stopped at incorrect angles, thereby causing indicia to fail to align with adjacent rings.

With regards to FIGS. 12 and 13, they show the physical construction of the fifth rotatable ring. The four short support rods 2, two medium support rods 4, two long support rods 6 and a single screw 8 from FIGS. 4 and 5 are threaded through fifth base 52. At this point, the four short support rods 2 will terminate inside base 52, since the core placed on base 52 is smaller in diameter and therefore does not have space to house such rods. However, both medium rods 4, both long support rods 6, and single screw 8 from FIGS. 4 and 5 will continue through core 54. Core 54 is placed on the rods 4 and 6, and screw 8. Inside this core 54 is an extra space 18 for placement of another spring plunger 16. The spring plunger 16 may be mounted to core 54 using adhesive or it may remain unattached if so desired, although for stability purposes mounting is recommended. Ring 50 circumferences upon core 54, which results in spring plunger 16 pushing against notch 19. For the fifth ring 50, there are 16 notches, allowing for axial rotation of the fifth ring 50 to create 16 valid positions for the game.

It is undesired behavior to have the second core 54 have any angular movement upon the base 52 when ring 50 is rotated. Such conditions could create unintentionally unwinnable scenarios wherein the rings can be stopped at incorrect angles, thereby causing indicia to fail to align with adjacent rings.

With regards to FIGS. 14 and 15, they show the physical construction of the sixth rotatable ring. The two medium support rods 4, two long support rods 6 and a single screw 8 from FIGS. 4 and 5 are threaded through sixth base 62. An additional core 54 is then placed on the rods 4 and 6, and screw 8. Inside this core 54 is an extra space 18 for placement of another spring plunger 16. The spring plunger 16 may be mounted to core 14 using adhesive or it may remain unattached if so desired, although for stability purposes mounting is recommended. Ring 60 circumferences upon core 54, which results in spring plunger 16 pushing against notch 19. For the sixth ring 60, there are 16 notches, allowing for axial rotation of the sixth ring 60 to create 16 valid positions for the game.

It is undesired behavior to have the second core 54 have any angular movement upon the base 62 when ring 60 is rotated. Such conditions could create unintentionally unwinnable scenarios wherein the rings can be stopped at incorrect angles, thereby causing indicia to fail to align with adjacent rings.

With regards to FIGS. 16 and 17, they show the physical construction of the seventh rotatable ring. The two medium support rods 4, two long support rods 6 and a single screw 8 from FIGS. 4 and 5 are threaded through seventh base 72. At this point, the two medium support rods 4 will terminate inside base 72, since the core placed on base 72 is smaller in diameter, and therefore does not have space to house such rods. However, both long support rods 6 and single screw 8 from FIGS. 4 and 5 will continue through core 74. Core 74 is placed on the rods 6 and screw 8. Inside this core 74 is an extra space 18 for placement of another spring plunger 16. The spring plunger 16 may be mounted to core 74 using adhesive or it may remain unattached if so desired, although for stability purposes mounting is recommended. Ring 70 circumferences upon core 74, which results in spring plunger 16 pushing against notch 19. For the seventh ring 70, there are 8 notches, allowing for axial rotation of the seventh ring 70 to create 8 valid positions for the game.

It is undesired behavior to have the third core 74 have any angular movement upon the base 72 when ring 70 is rotated. Such conditions could create unintentionally unwinnable scenarios wherein the rings can be stopped at incorrect angles, thereby causing indicia to fail to align with adjacent rings.

With regards to FIGS. 18 and 19, they show the physical construction of the eighth and final rotatable ring. Initially, disc 80 is fastened to ring 82, either through adhesive or some other method. Disc 92 will be fastened to disc 80, thereby creating a fixed assembly of parts 92, 80, and 82. The two long support rods 6 and a single screw 8 from FIGS. 4 and 5 are threaded through another core 74. At this point, the two long support rods 6 will terminate inside core 74, since the assembly of ring 82, disc 80, and disc 92 that is placed on core 74 must be freely rotatable. Because of this, single screw 8 from FIGS. 4 and 5 will continue through core 74. Inside this core 74 is an extra space 18 for placement of another spring plunger 16. The spring plunger 16 may be mounted to core 74 using adhesive or it may remain unattached if so desired, although for stability purposes mounting is recommended. With regard to the pre-assembled ring 82, disc 80, and disc 92, the ring 82 circumferences upon core 74, resulting in spring plunger 16 pushing against notch 19. For the eighth ring 82, there are 8 notches, allowing for axial rotation of the eighth ring 82 to create 8 valid positions for the game. The assembly of ring 82, disc 80, and disc 92 to the apparatus is performed by insertion of nut 92 into disc 92, whereupon it shall be fastened to the single screw 8 from FIGS. 4 and 5. Finally, sticker 90 is placed atop disc 92, which will camouflage the appearance of nut 94, and allow for logo placement if desired.

When connecting base 74 from FIGS. 16 and 17 to the base 74 in FIGS. 18 and 19, it is recommended to rotate one of the core pieces 74 by 180 degrees such that the two long support rods 6 from FIGS. 4 and 5 will still be able to thread through both core pieces 74, but thereby limit interference from the 2 spring plungers 16. Additionally, it is undesired behavior to have the third core 74 from FIGS. 16 and 17 have any angular movement upon the core 74 from FIGS. 18 and 19 when the assembly consisting of ring 82, disc 80, and disc 90 is rotated. Such conditions could create unintentionally unwinnable scenarios wherein the rings can be stopped at incorrect angles, thereby causing indicia to fail to align with adjacent rings.

With regards to FIG. 20, it shows an interactive software-based version of the preferred embodiment of the puzzle. The device 110 has a puzzle 111 on its display. The puzzle therein is a two-ring puzzle compared to the eight-ring puzzle that is presented in the preferred embodiment. The current puzzle is in its winning configuration, such that a path exists from the outside edge, through the center ring, and back out again without breaks. Manipulation of the image can be done through multiple interfaces, including but not limited to mice, keyboards, touch-screens, and stylus interaction. In this manifestation, many different levels are created, with multiple indicia, rings, difficulties, and notch configurations.

The design of the pathways in the preferred embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 19 is a representation of a puzzle that has a non-obvious and uniquely singular solution. The same is true of the pathways of the smaller puzzle in FIG. 20. The design of the maze on the preferred embodiment is not limited to the single maze as drawn, but can be inclusive of alternate derivations, that may or may not include unique solutions.

While the invention has been shown and described in detail with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated and understood to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A puzzle consisting of a plurality of coaxial shapes of increasing circumference that contain pathway indicia, wherein the shapes when rotated in a certain fixed position will generate an unbroken pathway visible through the indicia from the outermost edge of the outermost shape or a given start point, into the center or other predetermined shape, and back out through the outermost edge of the outermost shape or to a given end point.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the indicia in claim 1 is represented by etching, stickers, tooling, drawing, painting, color, mounting, wires, and light sources.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the coaxial shapes use three-dimensional pathway indicia that continue from a polygonal shape's face to its outside edge.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shapes as specified are mounted on a single base with a rigid centermost member used as the axis of rotation for the coaxial shapes.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the centermost member contains a plurality of slots that contain spring-like mechanisms for braking.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the plurality of shapes that are mounted around the centermost member contain detents that cooperate with indicated spring-like braking mechanisms.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the detents for braking align with specific positions of a shape's pathway indicia.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the assembly can be easily disassembled in order to reconfigure the apparatus with different coaxial shapes that have different pathway indicia.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shapes as specified are mounted on a multiple individual bases, that contain a plurality of rigid centermost members used as the axis of rotation for the coaxial shapes.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the centermost members contains a plurality of slots that contain spring-like mechanisms for braking.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the plurality of shapes that are mounted around the centermost member contain detents that cooperate with indicated spring-like braking mechanisms.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the detents for braking align with specific positions of a shape's pathway indicia.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the assembled unit can be easily disassembled in order to reconfigure the apparatus with different coaxial shapes that have different pathway indicia.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the assembled unit contains specialized structural inserts to prevent base pieces from rotating axially when rotatable pieces are turned.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotatable polygonal shapes instead of having flat surfaces are angled or rounded.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pathways on the coaxial shapes will only generate a singular unique pathway solution as defined in claim 1.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pathways on the coaxial rotatable polygons will only generate a multiple pathway solutions as defined in claim 1.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pathways mathematically generate numerous incorrect solutions that are one shape away from the correct solution.

19. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the plurality of shapes that are mounted around the centermost member contain a plurality of slots that contain spring-like mechanisms for braking.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the centermost member contains detents that cooperate with indicated spring-like braking mechanisms.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the detents for braking align with specific positions of a shape's pathway indicia.

22. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the plurality of shapes that are mounted around the centermost members contain a plurality of slots that contain spring-like mechanisms for braking.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the centermost members contain detents that cooperate with indicated spring-like braking mechanisms.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the detents for braking align with specific positions of a shape's pathway indicia.

25. Software that executes on electronic devices that comprises of functionality as indicated in claim 1.