PYRAMID PUZZLE
United States Patent 3565442
A three-sided pyramid is assembled from an octahedron and four smaller pyramids, the faces of the smaller pyramids and the octahedron having die markings thereon, the assembled pyramid in a solved configuration having the die markings on each visible face total thirteen.
US Patent References:
Puzzle
Strutton - May 1936 - 2041030
Game device
Harrison - January 1940 - 2188043
Instructional building blocks
Berry - June 1958 - 2839841
Puzzle
Strutton - May 1936 - 2041030
Game device
Harrison - January 1940 - 2188043
Instructional building blocks
Berry - June 1958 - 2839841
Application Number:
04/807200
Publication Date:
02/23/1971
Filing Date:
03/14/1969
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
52/DIG.009, D21/373
International Classes:
A63F9/12; A63F9/20; A63F9/06; A63F9/12
Field of Search:
273/156,157,137(D),146
Primary Examiner:
Anton, Oechsle O.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Peter, Tailer L.
Claims:
1. A pyramid puzzle comprising, in combination, an octahedron and four smaller pyramids, the faces of said octahedron and said smaller pyramids being equilateral triangles of the same size, the faces of said smaller pyramids and said octahedron being distinguishably coded with numerical indications, said smaller pyramids being assembled about four faces of said octahedron forming an assembled pyramid, said numerical indications on the upper visible faces of the assembled pyramid adding up to the same total indicating one solved configuration of said octahedron and said assembled smaller pyramids.
2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said numerical indications are from blank to six, said indications totaling 13 on the sides of said assembled pyramid.
3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the faces of said octahedron have formed thereon numerical indications five, one, blank, one, blank, four, four, and three; and said four smaller pyramids have formed thereon two, six, two, and blank; five, one, five, and blank; one, four, blank, and blank; and one, two, six, and blank.
4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said numerical indications on said faces are die markings.
2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said numerical indications are from blank to six, said indications totaling 13 on the sides of said assembled pyramid.
3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the faces of said octahedron have formed thereon numerical indications five, one, blank, one, blank, four, four, and three; and said four smaller pyramids have formed thereon two, six, two, and blank; five, one, five, and blank; one, four, blank, and blank; and one, two, six, and blank.
4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said numerical indications on said faces are die markings.
Description:
An aesthetically appealing solid puzzle which may serve as a table ornament and require considerable ingenuity for its solution has a universal appeal. This invention provides such a puzzle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a top view of the assembled pyramid puzzle of my invention in a solved configuration;
FIGS. 2--9 are alternately top and bottom views of four smaller pyramids used to form parts of the assembled pyramid of fig. 1; and
FIGS. 10 and 11 are top and bottom views of an octahedron used to form a part of the assembled pyramid of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, an octahedron 20 has the faces 21--28 on which there are formed, respectively, the die markings five, one, blank, one, blank, four, four, and three.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the smaller pyramid 30 has the faces 31--34 on which there are formed, respectively, the die markings two, six, two, and blank. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the smaller pyramid 40 which has the faces 41--44 on which there are formed, respectively, the die markings five, one, five, and blank. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the smaller pyramid 50 which has the faces 51--54 on which there are formed, respectively, the die markings one, four, blank, and blank. FIGS. 8 and 9 show the smaller pyramid 60 which has the faces 61--64 on which there are formed, respectively the die markings one, two, six and blank.
The faces 21--28 of the octahedron and the faces of the pyramids 30, 40, 50, and 60 are all equilateral triangles of the same size. Only by placing octahedron 20 in one give position with its face 28 downward and assembling the pyramids 30, 40, 50, and 60, each in a given orientation, against the faces 24, 25, 26 and 27 will the puzzle of my invention be in a solved configuration. In this solved configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, the die markings on each side 16, 17, and 18 of the assembled pyramid puzzle 15 will total 13.
It is to be understood that, while die markings are shown as a preferred embodiment of my invention, other coding of the faces of octahedron 20 and the smaller pyramids 30, 40, 50, and 60 may be used. Such coding could be numerical digits, letters, words, colors or the like. Such coding would indicate one correct solved configuration for an assembled puzzle pyramid 15.
While pyramid 15 is best molded from plastic, it is to be understood that it may be fabricated from wood or any other suitable material. The die marking may be applied in any suitable manner. The assembled puzzle pyramid 15 may be packaged in a tetrahedron or pyramid shaped container.
While this invention has been shown and described in the best form known, it will nevertheless be understood that this is purely exemplary and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a top view of the assembled pyramid puzzle of my invention in a solved configuration;
FIGS. 2--9 are alternately top and bottom views of four smaller pyramids used to form parts of the assembled pyramid of fig. 1; and
FIGS. 10 and 11 are top and bottom views of an octahedron used to form a part of the assembled pyramid of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, an octahedron 20 has the faces 21--28 on which there are formed, respectively, the die markings five, one, blank, one, blank, four, four, and three.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the smaller pyramid 30 has the faces 31--34 on which there are formed, respectively, the die markings two, six, two, and blank. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the smaller pyramid 40 which has the faces 41--44 on which there are formed, respectively, the die markings five, one, five, and blank. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the smaller pyramid 50 which has the faces 51--54 on which there are formed, respectively, the die markings one, four, blank, and blank. FIGS. 8 and 9 show the smaller pyramid 60 which has the faces 61--64 on which there are formed, respectively the die markings one, two, six and blank.
The faces 21--28 of the octahedron and the faces of the pyramids 30, 40, 50, and 60 are all equilateral triangles of the same size. Only by placing octahedron 20 in one give position with its face 28 downward and assembling the pyramids 30, 40, 50, and 60, each in a given orientation, against the faces 24, 25, 26 and 27 will the puzzle of my invention be in a solved configuration. In this solved configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, the die markings on each side 16, 17, and 18 of the assembled pyramid puzzle 15 will total 13.
It is to be understood that, while die markings are shown as a preferred embodiment of my invention, other coding of the faces of octahedron 20 and the smaller pyramids 30, 40, 50, and 60 may be used. Such coding could be numerical digits, letters, words, colors or the like. Such coding would indicate one correct solved configuration for an assembled puzzle pyramid 15.
While pyramid 15 is best molded from plastic, it is to be understood that it may be fabricated from wood or any other suitable material. The die marking may be applied in any suitable manner. The assembled puzzle pyramid 15 may be packaged in a tetrahedron or pyramid shaped container.
While this invention has been shown and described in the best form known, it will nevertheless be understood that this is purely exemplary and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.