Abstract: This application discloses a method for scrambling and unscrambling illustrations to form the basis of a puzzle, drawing game. The method also includes the scrambling and unscrambling of titles, names, captions, letters, and other visual matter which may be appropriate for use in conjunction with specific illustrations. The apparatus for carrying out the method's scrambling and unscrambling process is also described.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional ball-type maze puzzle game comprises a plurality of individual, maze containing modules secured together to form a vertical stack, aligned openings being provided at selected points through the modules for interconnecting the interiors of adjacent modules in the stack whereby to permit an object ball to pass from maze level to maze level upon successful completion of the maze associated with the preceding level. Locking clips are provided to secure the modules in closed, operative condition, and to secure adjacent modules together in a vertical stack.

Abstract: A multi-player, multi-character video game where the game rules force the players to cooperate in negotiating the maze at least until the characters reach a portion of the maze where a specific objective is located. Certain limited resources to change the attributes of the characters or to increase their longevity are displayed in a maze. The players may compete to obtain possession of these limited resources when the characters have cooperated in their movements sufficiently to move to the location of the limited resources. Cooperation among the characters is forced by forcing all characters active in the game to remain visible in the displayed window. Players may enter the game at any time, and they may leave the game at any time without affecting the status of the game or the status of the other characters in the game. All active players may simultaneously, independently control their characters so long as they do not attempt to move their characters outside the currently displayed window.

Abstract: An educational device with which a user employs selected positioning of two masks over an array of normally unintelligible information to decipher an intelligible message therefrom, the positioning of the masks being determined by correctly associating useful information on a base member carrying the unintelligible information with markers and indicia carried on the masks and base member.

Abstract: An educational device for enriching the environment of a contained primate, including a variable and programmable maze as well as a mechanism whereby the primate may be instructed as to the location of the correct pathway through the maze.

Abstract: A detenting device used in the form of a puzzle including magnets and balls using a nonmagnetic tube around which an annular tubular magnet surrounds the tube with one magnetic pole on the entire inside surface of the tubular magnet and the opposite magnetic pole on the entire outside surface of the magnet wherein the ball or other magnetically attracted body is positioned at either one end or at the other end of the magnet requiring force to dislodge it from either position to the other position.

Abstract: A package for confections containing a game using this confections as playing pieces comprises a plurality of individual playing piece confections capable of being consumed by the player, some of which display letters of the alphabet, and a playing surface having series of crossing lines defining a grid containing a plurality of similar enclosed spaces slightly larger than the confections. The spaces on the grid may be all blank for construction of a message thereon with the lettered confection pieces or may have selected spaces marked with letters forming a part of a message to be completed by placing of selected lettered confection pieces on unmarked spaces aligned therewith. The game package container encloses the playing piece confections, the playing surface, and an answer sheet secreted from the player containing the correct completed phrase.

Abstract: A puzzle including a plurality of symbols each of which is representative of at least two characters. Some of the symbols are adapted to be selectively converted to any one of the at least two corresponding characters, and some of the symbols are adapted to be selectively converted to at least one of the at least two corresponding characters or selectively not converted and thus represent the remaining one of the at least two characters. A matrix of defined spaces includes spaces adapted to contain a symbol. Each of the defined spaces contains a symbol. The puzzle is solved by converting some of the symbols to the appropriate corresponding character. As a crossword puzzle, the symbols correspond to at least two letters and a series of clues are used to assist in solving the puzzle.

Abstract: A type of labyrinth puzzle comprising a variable path labyrinth comprising first and second labyrinth defining portions which are movable with respect to each other.

Abstract: A maze puzzle, characterized by a quality of flexibility, pliancy or suppleness, includes a maze or labyrinth consisting of a network of passages having flexible walls that are manipulable by the player to effect movement therethrough of a solving piece such as a ball. The walls of the maze puzzle preferably are of flexible, double layered fabric with the outer or cover layer serving to conceal the inner or liner layer which may be closed upon itself to form hidden obstructions at selected locations in the maze which prevent passage of the solving piece. In this manner, concealed dead-end passages are provided whereby the player must rely on his sense of feel to solve the puzzle. The cover layer preferably is of a soft and supple cloth fabric that is pleasing in appearance and feel.

Abstract: A maze game including upper and lower discs which are turnable with respect to one another and which have arrays of wall elements at their inner surfaces for defining paths through the maze in different relative angular positions of the discs. At least the upper disc is transparent and a metallic playing piece can be manipued through the maze using a wand having a magnetic tip which is drawn across the upper surface of the top disc.

Abstract: A game board is composed of interchangeable congruent game board segments butted together randomly. The game board has an overall pathway design that differs with each arrangement of the congruent game board segments, in an infinite number of arrangements of the game board segments, each resulting in a unique overall pathway design. The geometric shape of the congruent game board segments of one particular embodiment of the invention is square, but other geometric shapes may also be used if all the game board segments of a particular set are congruent, all sides of all the game board segments are of equal length, and all interior angles of all the game board segments are equal in arc measurement. These stipulations ensure interchangeability regardless of the orientation of the various game board segments. Equilateral triangle and regular hexagons could be used. The pathway designs on the various congruent game board segments may be different for the several segments of a given set.

Abstract: Teaching or amusement apparatus consists of a substrate bearing printed intelligence and a detector pen or unit for use therewith. The detector pen discriminates between areas on the printed substrate by means not visible to the naked eye e.g. by a difference in magnetic properties, infrared reflective properties or capacitative properties of different parts of the printing. Depending on the type of printing and the degree of complexity of detection, a wide variety of games and teaching aids may be produced using this basic approach. A typical example is a quiz game where a question may be followed by five printed answers, only one of which is correct, that correct one being printed in a detectably different way from the others.

Abstract: A puzzle reading device is made from a plate having a number of intersecting diametrical elongated windows. When the puzzle reading device is placed over a word search puzzle, words hidden in horizontal, vertical or diagonal rows of the puzzle can be more readily identified. In a preferred embodiment, the puzzle reading device comprises a plurality of stacked discs each defining one or more of the windows, whereby the windows can be adjusted by relative rotation of the discs.

Abstract: A puzzle comprises a cube having translucent faces with a light source behind each face. Gravity-sensitive or orientation-sensitive switches such as mercury switches, are connected to an electronic circuit acting to compare the switching states and switching movements of the switches with a programmed sequence held in a memory to determine whether and which of the light sources to illuminate. In use of the puzzle the faces will light up when a predetermined sequence of rotations about three orthogonal axes are performed correctly to match the switching sequences with the stored sequence.

Abstract: A game in the form of a maze is disclosed. The maze is formed by a series of concentrically arranged annular members defining a series of spaced gates through which a playing piece can be moved, and intervening blind compartments. The annular members can be turned relative to one another to vary the configuration of the maze. In a preferred embodiment, this is achieved by one of a set of different keys, each of which can be used to move the members through the required angular amounts to produce a different maze.

Abstract: A puzzle comprising a casing in which fixed seats are provided for a like number of bodies. Each of the bodies is movable within its seat by being turned about two of its axes. The bodies are shaped like cubes with rounded edges and corners and with recesses in all six faces. Adjacent bodies are interconnected by cross shaped connectors having bulbous end portions at the free ends of the cross arms. The bulbous end portions matingly engage the recesses of the bodies. The faces of the cube are marked such as by colors or stripes and the object of the puzzle is to achieve selected arrangements of the markings.

Abstract: A game apparatus having flexible and resilent, elongated, player's wands and a game board with side openings for the insertion of the wands. Between the side openings the game board has a labyrinthine maze of interconnected curved passageways connecting the side openings. The maze is formed by several series of circularly arranged vertical rollers and vertical posts in the paths between different series of the rollers. Each wand has a tapered leading end which determines the path it takes through the maze.

Abstract: A pocket-sized electronic board game is disclosed. The apparatus for playing the game comprises a casing which serves also as the playing surface, through which project a plurality of push-buttons for actuating the keys in selected positions. A membrane-type key board may alternatively be used. The push-buttons and keys are arranged in a plurality of rows and columns with elongate light sources extending parallel to the rows of columns and between adjacent pairs of row-wise or column-wise keys. The electronic circuit within the casing acts to detect depression of two adjacent keys in any row or column and operates when such detection is made to cause the light source between the two actuated keys to illuminate and remain illuminated until the end of the game so that by depressing pairs of keys in turn players can "claim" sides of the squares constituted by the light sources.

Abstract: A puzzle packet which includes a greeting card containing a "hidden message. " The message appears only on a see-through sheet which is detachably fastened to overlie a panel of the card in registry with a panel-imprinted crossword puzzle-type lattice. The lattice has filled and open squares, and spaced numbers each keyed to either an "across" or a "down" heading. A purchaser of the greeting card, having noted the message, detaches the message-imprinted sheet and encloses it in a small envelope attached to the card. Should the one to whom the purchaser then sends the packet be unable to solve the puzzle to learn the message, he may resort to the preprinted answer in the small envelope.

Abstract: This invention provides an electronic maze game apparatus. The basic invention comprises a display board, optical discrete display elements (such as LCDs or LEDs) forming a grid on the display board, and electronic control for the selective display of the optical display elements so that a maze pattern is displayed and made visible on the display board. The maze pattern may be solved by the user directing a position marker through the maze, through control panel inputs. Information defining a multiplicity of maze patterns may be stored in a memory, and any of these patterns may be displayed, as directed by the user.

Abstract: A toy or game comprising an elongated transparent tube, the tube containing a column of sand and a sphere or ball. According to the method of the invention, the sphere is moved through the column of sand from one end of the tube to the other.

Abstract: A maze game is provided which includes individual pieces that may be placed upon a gameboard, and markers that are moved along grooves formed in the upper surfaces of the individual pieces. The grooves of the individual pieces may be provided with gates extending across the grooves, the gates being pivotable within an intersection of grooves in a manner not determinable in advance by a moving player.

Abstract: An amusement device consists of a box-like structure having a transparent lid which may be opened through the proper positioning of a plurality of tumblers contained on an exterior face of the structure. The transparent lid is of a spring biased construction to facilitate its opening once the proper combination on the tumblers has been set, and a troll-like figurine is releaseable from an interior portion of the structure upon an opening of the lid. If desired, the troll may be provided with an award deliverable to the bearer. Further, the combination required to open the structure is changeable through the use of selectively positionable gears associated with the tumblers.

Abstract: A logic toy for distinctive indication of bordering zones on a surface, especially existing administrative districts, such as countries, facilitating herewith the development of logic way of thinking and depth perception together with the memorization of colored vision or other kind of signalling. The body of the logic toy is for example a parallelepiped, a sphere or globe or the like, the surface thereof is divided into separated zones, whereby the body is provided with built-in signalling means for displaying a signal simultaneously for each separated zone. Comparing the logic toy according to the invention to the known logic toys, such as the magic cube or the like, it means in each occasion a new logic task to be solved, therefore the playing can not become a routine work. Furthermore, a given task can be solved in different ways, and the tasks can be made gradually more and more complicated.

Abstract: A toy has a housing on which are located a plurality of individual operator buttons. These slide from a first position to a second position. The toy further includes an indicator member which moves from a nonindicating position where the indicator member is located inside of the toy to an indicating position wherein a portion of the indicator member is located outside of the toy. Movement of the indicator member from its position inside the toy to its position outside of the toy is accomplished by movement of one of the buttons. The toy further includes a control mechanism which couples only one of the buttons at a time in a seemingly random manner to the indicator member. After the control mechanism is set, the player or players of the game systematically or haphazardly, as may be the case, move the buttons attempting to discover which of the buttons controls the indicator member. When the proper button is moved the indicator member moves to the indicating position.

Abstract: An electronic logic game comprising a device for simulating a balance scale in its balanced state or either of its unbalanced states, a plurality of simulated playing pieces one of which is simulated to be heavier or lighter than the others and selected ones of which may be symbolically placed on said simulated balance scale, and a device coupled to said simulated balance scale for detecting the presence or absence of the simulated heavier or lighter playing piece and simulating the scale to be balanced or unbalanced in a predetermined direction according to the presence or absence of the piece whereby the heavier or lighter piece may be logically discovered in a predetermined number of electronic scale balance or unbalance representations.

Abstract: The invention provides a foolproof way for distinguishing between occasions when beam imbalance is caused by manufacturing inaccuracies and when beam imbalance is caused by presence of a counterfeit coin among the coins being weighed in any one of the three weighings needed for a demonstration of the classical solution of the well-known twelve coins weighing problem using equipment of modest cost. According to the invention, the demonstration equipment is modified so as to include a compensator element which when placed at an indicated location upon the high side of the balance beam in any one of the three weighings which cause noticeable swinging of the balance beam only if there are only genuine coins being weighed in the respective weighing.

Abstract: A portable, electronic crossword puzzle device containing a plurality of crossword puzzle formats is disclosed. The device utilizes a central processing unit (46), a puzzle memory (50) having the puzzle formats contained therein, and a random access memory (52) for the storing of the answers to the puzzle format being solved. The puzzle questions and the answers chosen thereto are displayed by liquid crystal devices comprising a question panel display (18) and a matrix panel display (16), respectively. An indexable cursor or position indicator (70) is provided to indicate to the operator the location on the matrix panel display (16) being addressed. Provisions are included for changing an answer entered into the device, comparing an individual answer with the correct answer, and for determining the correct answer when it is not known by the operator thereof.

Abstract: A total of thirteen identically appearing coins is provided in lieu of the usual twelve coins. Eleven of these thirteen coins are made identical in weight to result in eleven identical coins and two remaining coins. One of the remaining coins is heavier than any one of the eleven identical coins and the other of the remaining coins is lighter. These two remaining coins are undistinguishable from the eleven identical coins without some sort of the aid to the human senses. Such an aid is provided to enable separation of the two remaining coins from the eleven identical coins when they are all mixed up at the start of the game. One of the two remaining coins can then be added to the eleven coins to make up the necessary twelve coins to work the puzzle. The player does not know whether a lighter or heavier coin has been added and thus a new and challenging game is presented each time.

Abstract: An electronic logic game method and apparatus comprising a device for simulating a balance scale in its balanced state or either of its unbalanced states, a device for simulating playing pieces one of which is simulated to be heavier or lighter than the others and selected ones of which may be symbolically placed on said simulated balance scale, and a device coupled to said simulated balance scale for detecting the presence or absence of the simulated heavier or lighter playing piece and simulating the scale to be balanced or unbalanced in a predetermined direction according to the presence or absence of the piece whereby the heavier or lighter piece may be logically discovered in a predetermined number of electronic scale balance or unbalance representations.

Abstract: An electronic maze game comprising a maze which is stored electronically in the memory of a microcomputer, a four bar display which indicates if there is a wall or an opening immediately above, below, right or left of the player's present position, and four push buttons which permit the player to make a move from his present position to the adjacent position lying above, below, to the right or left, provided that such move is not blocked by a wall. A number of different mazes are stored in the game, and the player may choose to play a "beginner", "intermediate" or "advanced" game, or repeat the last game played. A two digit display tells the player at the beginning of the game the minimum number of moves required to transit the maze, and during play of the game, the number of moves the player has made.

Abstract: The game is characterized by a complicated and dangerous looking bomb-like housing which is equipped with a four-by-six keyboard under a hinged transparent cover. A pair of alternately flashing red incandescent lamps illuminate the keyboard. When the cover is opened, exposing the keyboard, the lamps may begin to flash or pulsate and the rate of flashing of the lamps may be increased and a fuse sound is produced which starts out at a relatively low pitch and gradually over a preselected time period increases in pitch to the point where it is obvious that an inevitable "blowup" will occur. The object of the game is to prevent the bomb from "exploding". If the bomb does explode, the fuse sound is terminated and a loud "boom" sound is produced which decays slowly and simulates the explosion of a bomb.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic maze game wherein the player attempts to direct a playing piece through a maze to a goal within the maze. The goal is suitably indicated by a flashing LED on the game board. The position of the goal within the maze changes in a pseudo-random manner. In the preferred embodiment, the object of the game is to score as many goals in the shortest possible time, without passing through any forbidden zone in the maze. The forbidden zone is indicated by a flashing LED of a different color than the goal LED, and periodically changes position within the maze in a pseudo-random manner.

Abstract: An electronic game having a field of play arranged in an array as a key board of individually operable key pad switches defining array positions on which one or more players attempt to discover a hidden maze path from a designated starting point. A player wins or completes the game when the maze path is traversed from start to finish. The device utilizes a microprocessor to control the progress of the game, generate different maze paths for each play of the game, monitor the entry of key board information, and control the output of indications to the players as to the progress of the game. The microprocessor also controls the generation of distinct aural tones and/or tone sequences representing each players' turn, incorrect moves, not responding within the time period for a move, the duration of each player's turn, and a game completion message. In an alternative scheme of play, two players start at opposite ends of a common maze path and attempt to reach other others' starting point.

Abstract: An amusement device having a playing surface provided with a tortuous path along which an object provided with a magnet moves, intersecting members positioned below the playing surfaces and mounted to move in directions perpendicular to each other, a magnet provided at the intersection of the members to attract the magnet of the object, and control mechanisms for moving each of the members.

Abstract: The invention relates to an educational game intended for developing the logical deduction of the players, particularly of children, said game comprising on the one hand a model representing a plurality of ordered assemblies of squares to each of which is allocated a logic value 0 or 1, or a neutral value which may be equal to 0 or 1 according to the circumstances, all the ordered assemblies comprising the same number n of squares, and on the other hand a plurality of mobile elements such as pieces, counters, blocks, discs, etc., with at least one of the faces of each of which is associated the logic value 0 or logic value 1.

Abstract: A number problem game which comprises a playing board having a planar surface thereon, with an odd number of squares arranged in an equal number of horizontal and vertical rows intersecting each other on the playing board, as well as a plurality of playing elements with each element having a different numbered indicia thereon. The elements being arrangeable on the squares of the board to satisfy a predetermined value which is satisfied by the arithmetical equation: ##EQU1## such that when the plurality of elements are properly positioned on the squares, the sum of the numbered indicia on the elements on each of the horizontal and vertical rows is equal to X, and a plurality of borders on the playing board in surrounding relationship to respective groups of odd numbers of the squares are provided. Each one of the borders having indicium thereon equivalent to one of the predetermined values of X.

Abstract: The specification discloses a word puzzle game whose elements are: a substrate which carries a letter field of spaces defined by lines on the substrate; a letter in each space; means associated with the spaces for indicating the removal from play of the letters after they have been used; a set of word clues associated with and keyed to the letter field; and a puzzle statement whose solution is dependent upon the proper solution of said word clues and which is revealed by the letters and the unused spaces of the letter field. All word clues and puzzle statement solutions are lettered in sequence, but may run in any direction--up, down, across, backward or diagonally, and no letters are used more than once.

Abstract: A puzzle game apparatus and method of playing the game are disclosed wherein a base is provided with a plurality of rows of letters and punctuation symbols at fixed locations in the rows. A plurality of template outlines of various planar shapes and sizes are located in fixed positions among the letters and punctuation symbols in the rows. A plurality of movable elements corresponding in shape and size to various ones of the template outlines and adapted to be superimposed in registry thereon are provided. Each movable element has a letter display area which is identical in size and shape with the letter display areas of the other elements and which displays therein a letter.

Abstract: A three-dimensional maze game wherein at least three substantially planar elements are maintained in substantially parallel spaced relation. One of the elements is provided with a sighting point thereon and the others of the elements are provided with indicia delimiting at least portions of a maze pattern and cooperating to delimit a total maze pattern. The elements are arranged for being viewed by a player so as to represent a sighting point disposed within an apparent total maze pattern.

Abstract: An amusement device comprising a maze card of laminated plastic construction having defined on the opposite faces thereof a singular path extending between the peripheral zone of the card and its center, and passing at least once therethrough via a gate or gates delineated by indicia.

Abstract: A number problem game which comprises a playing board having a planar surface thereon, with an odd number of squares arranged in an equal number of horizontal and vertical rows intersecting each other on the playing board, as well as a plurality of playing elements with each element having a different numbered indicia thereon. The elements being arrangeable on the squares of the board to satisfy a predetermined value which is satisfied by the arithmetical equation:[.sqroot.n (a + N)[/2 = Xsuch that when the plurality of elements are properly positioned on the squares, the sum of the numbered indicia on the elements on each of the horizontal and vertical rows is equal to X, and a plurality of borders on the playing board in surrounding relationship to respective groups of odd numbers of the squares are provided. Each one of the borders having indicium thereon equivalent to one of the predetermined values of X.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lock mechanism requiring movement through an enabling combination of preselected, sequential positions for operation. The lock mechanism is preferably embodied in a locking box and includes a latch formed with a pair of opposed hooks that capture a retainer of the box cover. The opposed hooks are carried on separate members yieldably interconnected. Release of the lock requires positioning a ball in an actuation cavity to block movement of one of the members, thereby permitting the hooks to be separated, releasing the retainer pin carried by the box cover. The ball is positioned in the actuation cavity by advance through a torturous passageway of a three-dimensional labyrinth within the box. Passageway defining partitions of the labyrinth have apertures at preselected locations to provide the desired, preselected sequential combination of positions.

Abstract: A game or test of skill which is comprised of three principal components: a playing surface that either conceals or suggests a secret pattern of paths, a probe for selecting points on the playing surface, and an indicator that reveals whether a selected point belongs on the pattern of paths. In a preferred form of the game the playing surface is a small card on which is marked a grid that indicates the possible positions and orientations of the concealed paths in the pattern. A start point is indicated on the grid; the player places a hand-held pencil-like probe at the start point and tries to find a continuous path from the start point to the end point. The probe leaves no mark on the card, but the player is aided by the indicator which provides a signal when the probe is on-path--the signal ceases abruptly if the probe is moved off-path.

Abstract: An amusement device characterized by a transparent envelope having substantially planar sides, and a maze card of a substantially planar configuration having a maze defined thereon, adapted to be received in the envelope, including means defining along the opposite faces thereof a singular path extended between the periphery and the center of the maze and passing at least once through the card. In one embodiment the path is traced on the surface of the envelope employing a marking device, while in an alternate embodiment the path is defined in the card by a gated channel and a ball is seated in the channel and adapted to roll along the path as it traverses along its length.

Abstract: A maze puzzle comprising an outer cylinder on the inner surface of which is a trackway forming a maze which is solved by rotating and pushing an inner cylinder having a projection which slides in the trackway. In another version, the outer cylinder is segmented so that two or more segments can be interconnected randomly so that a different maze path is formed with each combination of segments. In still another version, using either the segmented or unsegmented outer cylinders, but dispensing with the inner cylinder, the puzzle is solved by causing a magnetically attractable ball to move along the maze as a magnetic slider is moved on the outer surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention provides the apparatus for playing a board game. There is provided a base plate with rows of equally spaced apart studs upon which may be mounted for rotational movement counters in the shape of gear wheels, the spacing between the studs and the diameter of the gear wheel shaped counters being such that counters mounted on immediately adjacent studs mesh with one another whereby rotation of one counter on its stud causes rotation of meshing counters on their respective studs.

Abstract: A maze game having a plurality of game boards, each game board comprising individually identified delineated boxes, and grooves disposed peripherally of and between the boxes, and a plurality of walls insertable into the grooves between each set of adjacent boxes so as to form a wall therebetween, and wherein a series of such walls defines a maze on the board, and a token piece for moving step-wise from one box to an adjacent box through the maze as it is being defined, and a plurality of game sheets having like individually identified delineated boxes corresponding to the game board for each player to define a maze thereon without disclosure to the other player. The object of the game is to move the token piece step-wise on one player's board though the secreted maze configuration to the secreted end-square of the other player, before the other player defines the secreted maze configuration of the first player.

Abstract: A locking assembly for controllably locking a first assembly to a second assembly against relative rotation about an axis. The locking assembly provides a positive angular lock at any relative angular orientation with a minimum of actuation force required. Control of the locking mechanism may vary depending upon the application of the locking mechanism.