Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A DUAL-LEVEL TWISTY PUZZLE
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a three-dimensional puzzle, more particularly, to a
dual-level twisty puzzle, which comprises a 4*4*4 outer level fully inclosing
a
3*3*3 inner level inside itself, and can be twisted to shift and relocate
pieces to
change the combination both the 4*4*4 outer level and the 3*3*3 inner level.
BACKGROUND ART
Prior art of the conventional twisty puzzle, for example, Rubik's Cube TM
and its alike, including 3x3x3 and its later development of 4x4x4, 5x5x5,
6x6x6 and 7x7x7, posses 6 faces, each face comprises plural pieces, these
pieces are attached to the core by 6 shafts, only the outmost showing faces
are
used to mark and identify the puzzle, when these outmost faces are arranged to
a particular pattern then the puzzle is considered solved. The internal pieces
are
only considered as working and holding mechanism, which holds the puzzle
together as a unit and provides means to arrange or rearrange the pieces with
outmost showing faces. Upon completion of assemble the conventional twisty
puzzle and during manipulating of conventional twisty puzzle, the core itself
which the outmost pieces attached to is not arrange-able or rearrange-able,
even
the core may be mad up of several pieces and can be divided into many zones,
so the core is considered as part of the whole puzzle, and very importantly,
itself alone is not a puzzle and can not be manipulated as a puzzle to change
combination. Thus these conventional twisty puzzles are considered single
level twisty puzzle, even these are usually made up several layers. If just
simply adding holding and guiding elements outside of a rounded 3x3x3 twisty
puzzle and attaching 4x4x4 twisty puzzle to it, the movement of the 4x4x4
outer level during manipulation can not be transferred into 3x3x3 level, also
the
alignment of 4x4x4 outer level and 3x3x3 inner level can be lost during
manipulation and render the puzzle stuck. If permanently joining certain
pieces
of 4x4x4 outer level and 3x3x3 inner level, it will behave as either a
conventional 4x4x4 single level twisty puzzle or a conventional 3x3x3 single
level twisty puzzle, the challenge level will not increase. The objective of
the
present invention is adding extra level of fully arrange-able and rearrange-
able
and identify-able 4x4x4 puzzle outside of a fully arrange-able and rearrange-
able and identify-able 3x3x3 puzzle and use it as secondary core to form a
dual
level twisty puzzle, and provide means to identify and manipulate the 3x3x3
inner level independently from 4x4x4 outer level while manipulating the 4x4x4
outer level. To achieve this objective, many technical challenges have to be
overcome.
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DISCLOUSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a three-dimensional puzzle, more
particularly, to a dual-level twisty puzzle, which comprises a 4*4*4 outer
level
fully inclosing a 3*3*3 inner level inside itself. The 3*3*3 inner level acts
as
both a puzzle itself and the support for 4*4*4 outer level. Guiding and
holding
elements and components are constructed within each level, between two
levels, between inner level and core, and between outer level and core. If the
4*4*4 outer level and certain guiding and holding elements and components
are constructed with transparent material, the 3*3*3 inner level of the puzzle
would be visible. The present invention considers the puzzle is build with
opaque material, view opening is shown in the present invention. The 4*4*4
outer level is visible directly, it attaches to the 3*3*3 inner level of the
puzzle,
which is visible through the view openings, which are constructed in the
pieces
of the 4*4*4 outer level and certain guiding and holding elements and
components by removing material which the puzzle is build of. In turn, the
3*3*3 inner level is held to a spherical member by 6 shafts. 6 shafts are
fixed
on the spherical member through fasteners. Minimum of 3 shafts have cam
feature constructed on it, and cam features pass through inner level and reach
and interact with the 4*4*4 outer level to guarantee the alignment of the
4*4*4
outer level to the core in default position. In order to arrange or rearrange
the
3*3*3 inner level, the 4*4*4 outer has to be arranged or rearranged, so the
challenge level is greatly increased. It is not necessary but certainly fun to
increase the challenge level even more by using one way clutch mechanism, so
some layers of the 3*3*3 inner level in certain position respond to both
direction of the twisting operation, and some layers the 3*3*3 inner level in
certain position only respond to one direction of the twisting operation. To
solve both the 4*4*4 outer level and the 3*3*3 inner level at the same time, a
carefully thought out strategy needs to be developed, thus this invention
offers
more challenge and fun.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
To get a clear understanding of the invention, all drawing should be viewed
together with the detailed description followed.
FIG. 1 shows an overall perspective view of the puzzle in accordance with
the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows the rotation of the puzzle in accordance with the present
invention.
FIG. 3 shows the rotation of the inner level of the puzzle in accordance with
the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows the core.
FIG. 5 shows shaft without cam feature (2).
FIG. 6 shows shaft with cam feature (3).
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FIG. 7 shows indexing mechanism (5).
FIG. 8 shows one way clutch mechanism (6).
FIG. 9 shows the 3*3*3 inner level.
FIG. 10 shows inner center piece (7).
FIG. 11 shows inner edge piece (8).
FIG. 12 shows inner corner piece (9).
FIG. 13 shows inner center piece (10).
FIG. 14 shows the inner level of the puzzle with one lateral layer's edge
piece and comer piece hiding in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 15 shows an overall perspective view of the inner level of the puzzle
in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 16 shows engagement mechanism between outer level and inner level
in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 17 shows guiding and holding components are held down in the
channels formed on the outside of the inner level in accordance with the
present
invention.
Fig. 18 shows component (14) in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 19 shows component (15) in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 20 shows component (16) in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 21 shows outer center piece (17) in accordance with the present
invention.
Fig. 22 shows outer edge piece (18) in accordance with the present
invention.
Fig. 23 shows outer corner piece (13) in accordance with the present
invention.
Fig. 24 shows outer level with outer edge pieces (18) and outer corner
pieces (13) hiding in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 25 shows outer level is held down by inner lever in accordance with the
present invention.
Fig. 26 shows possible different embodiments in accordance with the
present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
To easily, accurately and mathematically describe the present invention, the
present invention is set in an imaginary Cartesian coordinate system OXYZ
with its center setting on the origin 0, its shafts setting coincide with the
Cartesian coordinate system axes X, Y, and Z as seen in Fig. 1.
Prior to describing in detail of the individual components depicted in the
drawings, it is pointed out that each of the features described and shown is
of
inventively essential significance by itself or in connection with the feature
of
the attached claims, it is emphasized in particular that, because of
geometrically
complicated construction of the puzzle according to the present invention, the
drawings are allotted a particular role in the disclosure of the present
invention.
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The present invention provides a three-dimensional dual level twisty puzzle,
which comprises a 4*4*4 outer level fully inclosing a 3*3*3 inner level inside
itself. The 3*3*3 inner level acts as both a puzzle itself and the support for
4*4*4 outer level.
FIG. 1 shows an overall perspective view of the puzzle in accordance with
the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the rotation of the puzzle in accordance
with the present invention. FIG. 3 shows the rotation of the inner level of
the
puzzle in accordance with the present invention. The present invention has 6
turning axes, points to the direction of +X, -X, +Y, -Y, +Z, and -Z
respectively.
The 4*4*4 outer level is visible directly, if the 4*4*4 outer level and
certain
guiding and holding elements and components are constructed with transparent
material, the 3*3*3 inner level of the puzzle would be visible. The present
invention considers the puzzle is build with opaque material, view opening is
shown in the present invention as seen in Fig. 1, refference "A" in Fig. 1
shows
one of the view openings. View openings, which are constructed in the pieces
of the 4*4*4 outer level and certain guiding and holding elements and
components by removing material which the puzzle is build of, reach from
outside of the outer level to the outside of the inner level. On outside
surface of
the inner level at the end of each view opening, a mark can be used to
identify
the piece of the inner level, reference "B" in Fig. 1 shows one of the
identification marks. The present invention can be divided into layers
perpendicular to each axis of X, Y, and Z respectively. The outer level is
divided into 2 outer lateral layers and 2 outer central layers, thus forms
4*4*4
arrangement, reference "C" in Fig. 2 shows the outer lateral layer, reference
"D" in Fig. 2 shows the outer central layer. The inner level is divided into 2
inner lateral layers and 1 inner central layer, thus forms 3*3*3 arrangement,
reference "E" in Fig. 3 shows the inner lateral layer, reference "F" in Fig. 3
shows the inner central layer. Each of these layers or combination of any of
these layers can be twisted around its axis relative to each other. The
twisting
operation of the central layer or layers of the 4*4*4 outer level alone will
only
twist the 4*4*4 outer level and change its combination. It is not necessary
but
certainly fun to increase the challenge level even more by using one way
clutch
mechanism, so some layers of the 3*3*3 inner level in certain position respond
to both direction of the twisting operation of the 4*4*4 outer level, and some
layers the 3*3*3 inner level in certain position only respond to one direction
of
the twisting operation of the 4*4*4 outer level. Any twisting operation with
lateral layer of the 4*4*4 outer level involved in will twist the 4*4*4 outer
level and change its combination, and has potential to twist the 3*3*3 inner
level, and change its combination. The working and holding mechanism,
indexing mechanism, one way clutch mechanism and engagement mechanism
are essential to achieve these functions.
FIG. 4 shows the core. FIG. 5 shows shaft without cam feature (2). FIG. 6
shows shaft with cam feature (3). FIG. 7 shows indexing mechanism (5). FIG.
8 shows one way clutch mechanism (6). FIG. 9 shows the 3*3*3 inner level.
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FIG. 10 shows inner center piece (7). FIG. 11 shows inner edge piece (8).
FIG. 12 shows inner comer piece (9). FIG. 13 shows inner center piece (10).
The core comprises a spherical member (1), 6 of shafts, which include
maximum of 3 shafts without cam feature (2) and minimum of 3 shafts with
5 cam feature (3), 6 of fasteners (4), one for each shaft, minimum 1 indexing
mechanism (5) between the core and the inner level for each shaft, in this
particular embodiment, 2 indexing mechanisms for each shaft are used for the
balance of the force. It is not necessary but certainly fun to increase the
challenge level even more by using one way clutch mechanism (6) replace
indexing mechanism (5). Spherical member (1) offers a universal gliding face
for the 3*3*3 inner level to ride on. 6 shafts are fixed on the spherical
member
(1) by fasteners (4), herein this particular embodiment, screws are used as
the
fastener, and these 6 shafts are arranged in such way that their center lines
coincide with the Cartesian coordinate system axes. Any one of the shafts,
include shafts without cam feature (2) and shafts with cam feature (3) has a
cylindrical body with a bigger cylindrical portion constructed on top of it,
and
its central material has been removed to accommodate the fastener (4), any one
of shafts with cam feature (3) has an extra cam feature which is a quarter of
a
cylindrical or conical ring constructed on top of the bigger cylindrical
portion,
which is indicated by reference "J" in Fig. 6, and an extra non-cylindrical
portion constructed under the cylindrical body, which is indicated by
reference
"S" in Fig. 6, so shaft with cam feature (3) cannot rotate once it is fixed
and
embedded in the spherical member (1) by fasteners (4). It is essential that
shafts
with cam feature (3) are arranged in such way that the cam features "J" only
appear in one side of XY plane, and XZ plane and YZ plane, and securely hold
in position by fastener without lost its orientation, when minimum of 3 shafts
with cam feature (3) are used, it is also essential that all these shafts with
cam
feature (3) are in the same quadrant refer to Cartesian coordinate system. Cam
features pass through inner level and reach and interact with outer level and
restrict only one central layer of the outer level perpendicular to X, Y, or Z
respectively, for instance, one central layer of outer level perpendicular to
X is
restricted by the cam features, all other 3 layers perpendicular to X can
freely
rotate, since the puzzle itself freely rotate in the space, virtually all
layers
perpendicular to X can be rotated without lost alignment of outer level to the
core. As same is true for Y and Z. In this particular embodiment, all the cam
features are a quarter of cylindrical ring in shape and appear only in ¨Y side
of
XZ plane, and +Z side of XY plane, and +X side of YZ plane, and shafts with
cam feature (3) has square protrusion and hold down by the screw (4) into the
spherical member (1) to stop it from spinning around its center line and lost
its
orientation. This arrangement guarantee the alignment of the 4*4*4 outer level
to the core without restrict and any rotation of any layers of any level. The
inner level has total 6 pieces of inner center piece (10) or (7) combined,
coincide with +X, -X, +Y, -Y, +Z, and -Z respectively and hold down to the
core by shaft with cam feature (3) or shaft without cam feature (2) through
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fastener (4), each of the inner center piece can be rotated around +X, -X, +Y,
-
Y, +Z, and -Z respectively. These can be any number of combinations from 0
to 6, as long the total of inner center pieces are 6. Indexing mechanism (5),
setting in the recess, which is indicated by reference "G" in Fig. 4,
constructed
in the spherical member (1), interacts with 4 recesses, which is indicated by
reference "Q" in Fig. 10, constructed in the inner center piece (10) and
offers 4
default positions for the inner center piece (10). When the inner center piece
(10) is twisted out of default position, the indexing mechanism (5) is pushed
down by the inner center piece (10) and allows the inner center piece (10) to
rotate. When the inner center piece (10) reaches its destination, the recesses
constructed in the inner center piece (10) align with the indexing mechanism
(5) again, and indexing mechanism (5) spring back and set the inner center
piece (10) in default position. It is not necessary but certainly fun to
increase
the challenge level even more by using one way clutch mechanism (6), which
is setting in the recess, which is indicated by reference "T" in Fig. 4, to
replace
the indexing mechanism (5). Where the indexing mechanism (5) is replaced by
one way clutch mechanism (6), the inner center piece (10) has to be replaced
by
the inner center piece (7). The one way clutch mechanism (6) is arranged in
such way that it only allows the inner center piece (7) rotate in one
direction,
clockwise or counter-clockwise. The one way clutch mechanism (6) and the
recesses, which are indicated by reference "R" in Fig. 13, constructed in the
inner center piece (7) are constructed such way that one side is gentle slope,
the
other side is steep. So when the inner center piece (7) is twisted in the
direction
that the gentle slope of the recess constructed in the inner center piece (7)
push
down the gentle slope in one way clutch mechanism (6), the one way clutch
mechanism (6) will retract and allow the inner center piece (7) rotated
forward.
When the inner center piece (7) is twisted in the direction that the steep
slope of
the recess constructed in the inner center piece (7) push against the steep
slope
in one way clutch mechanism (6), the one way clutch mechanism (6) will
withstand and stop the inner center piece (7) rotated forward. So the layers
of
the 3*3*3 inner level with the inner center piece (10) in its center respond
to
both direction of the twisting operation clockwise and counter-clockwise, and
the layers the 3*3*3 inner level with the inner center piece (7) in its center
only
respond to one direction of the twisting operation, either clockwise or
counter-
clockwise. The indexing mechanism (5) and one way clutch mechanism (6) can
have many forms, in this particular embodiment, the indexing mechanism (5)
and one way clutch mechanism (6) are in form of spring wire clip. The inner
center piece (7) and (10) both have guiding and holding elements constructed
for inner level and outer level, hereafter, all guiding and holding elements
in
this invention refer as "P" in all drawings. The inner level has total 12
pieces of
inner edge piece (8), the inner edge pieces (8) have guiding and holding
elements constructed for inner level and outer level. The inner level also has
total 8 pieces of inner corner piece (9), the inner corner pieces (9) have
guiding
and holding elements constructed for inner level and outer level. Refer to the
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Cartesian coordinate system mentioned earlier, mathematically speaking, 6
pieces of inner center piece locate in the vector of (1, 0, 0), (-1, 0, 0),
(0, 1, 0),
(0, -1, 0), (0, 0, 1) and (0, 0, -1) respectively. 12 pieces of inner edge
piece
locate in the vector of (0, 1, 1), (0, 1, -1), (0, -1, 1), (0, -1, -1), (1 ,O,
1), (1, 0, -
1), (-1, 0, 1), (-1, 0, -1), (1, 1, 0), (1, -1, 0), (-1, 1, 0) and (-1, -1, 0)
respectively. 8 pieces of inner corner piece locate in the vector of (1, 1,
1), (1,
1, -1), (1, -1, 1), (1, -1, -1), (-1, 1, 1), (-1, 1, -1), (-1, -1, 1), and (-
1, -1, -1)
respectively. Each inner center piece is held down to the core by the shaft
via
fastener, it holds 4 pieces of inner edge pieces and 4 pieces of inner corner
pieces by guiding and holding elements. Each inner edge piece is held down to
the core by 2 pieces of inner center pieces and it holds 2 piece of inner
corner
pieces by guiding and holding elements. Each inner corner piece is held down
to the core by 3 pieces of inner edge pieces and 3 inner center pieces by
guiding
and holding elements.
FIG. 14 shows the inner level of the puzzle with one lateral layer's edge
piece and corner piece hiding in accordance with the present invention. Space
between spherical member (1) and guiding and holding elements forms a
channel, which is indicated by reference "U" in Fig. 14, together with the
inner
center piece holds inner edge pieces and inner corner piece in the position
and
allow the layer to rotate around the inner center piece. Hereafter all
channels
which are formed by guiding and holding elements with other puzzle pieces are
referred as reference "U" though out all the drawings in this invention. FIG.
15
shows an overall perspective view of the inner level of the puzzle in
accordance
with the present invention. FIG. 16 shows engagement mechanism between
outer level and inner level in accordance with the present invention. Refer to
the Cartesian coordinate system mentioned earlier, guiding and holding
elements on the inner center pieces, inner edge pieces form 3 channels which
are perpendicular to each other and coincide with plane XY, YZ, and ZX
respectively. Space under the guiding and holding elements on inner corner
pieces forms channels too. All these channels hold the outer level to the
inner
level. Please notice the arrangement of the cam feature in the channel as
mention earlier. Cam features pass through inner level and reach and interact
with outer level and restrict only one central layer of the outer level
perpendicular to X, Y, or Z respectively. Engagement mechanism between
outer level and inner level transfer motion from outer level into the inner
level,
also facilitate escape where inner lateral layer has one way clutch mechanism.
There are total 8 engagement mechanisms, one for each corner. Engagement
mechanism can have many forms, in this particular embodiment, a ring with an
angled edge which is called a plunger (11), pushing down by a spring (12)
forms the engagement mechanism. On the top face of each inner corner piece
(9), a recess, which is indicated by reference "N" in Fig. 12, 15 and 16, is
constructed; the side wall of the recess is constructed with open draft angle,
the
engagement mechanism, which is a plunger (11) setting in the recess, which is
indicated by reference "V" in Fig. 16, which is constructed in the outer level
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corner piece (13), and pushing down by spring (12) which is also setting in
the
recess "V" which is constructed in the outer level corner piece (13), into the
recess "N" which is constructed in the inner corner piece (9), and transfer
outer
level lateral layer motion to the inner level lateral layer. When the inner
center
piece (10) is residing in the center of the corresponding inner level lateral
layer,
the corresponding inner level lateral layer can be rotated following the outer
level lateral layer both direction, clockwise and counter-clockwise. When the
inner center piece (7) is residing in the center of the corresponding inner
level
lateral layer, the corresponding inner level lateral layer can only be rotated
following the outer level lateral layer in the direction that the one way
clutch
mechanism allows to. When the outer level lateral layer travels in the
direction
against the one way clutch mechanism, the plunger (11) will be forced to lift
out the recess "N" constructed on top of the inner corner pieces (9) by the
side
wall of the recess "N" which is constructed with open draft angle, and left
the
corresponding inner level lateral layer stay unmoved and the outer level
lateral
layer move forward.
Since the outer level is 4*4*4 arrangement and the inner level is 3*3*3
arrangement, the components in the each level move in different ways. Neither
level should restrict the other level's operation. To achieve this goal, outer
level
components can be divided into 2 distinctive groups; one group is visible
directly, hence called visible group, the other group is covered by the
visible
group and offers guiding and holding means for the visible group, hence called
guiding and holding components. Fig. 17 shows guiding and holding
components are held down in the channels formed on the outside of the inner
level in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 18 shows component (14)
in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 19 shows component (15) in
accordance with the present invention. Fig. 20 shows component (16) in
accordance with the present invention. Refer to Fig. 15 and Fig. 17, guiding
and holding components (14), (15) and (16) are held down in the channels
formed on the outside of the inner level, and can move with both the inner
level
and the out level. There are 24 piece of component (14), 24 piece of component
(15) and 24 piece of component (16). Component (14) and component (15) are
mirror image of each other. Components (14), (15) and (16) together with inner
level form partial spherical face, which is indicated in Fig. 17 as reference
"AA", for the rest of the outer level to gliding on.
Fig. 21 shows outer center piece (17) in accordance with the present
invention. Fig. 22 shows outer edge piece (18) in accordance with the present
invention. Fig. 23 shows outer corner piece (13) in accordance with the
present
invention. Fig. 24 shows outer level with outer edge pieces (18) and outer
corner pieces (13) hiding in accordance with the present invention. Refer to
Fig. 1 through Fig. 24, guiding and holding components (14), (15) and (16) are
held down in the channels formed on the outside of the inner level and
attaches
to the inner level, and outer center pieces (17) are held down by guiding and
holding components (14), (15) and (16). There are total 24 pieces of the outer
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center piece (17), 4 pieces around each axis, +X, -X, +Y, -Y, +Z, and -Z
respectively. Cam feature "J" on the shaft with cam feature (3) passes through
the inner level and interacts with the recess underneath of the outer center
pieces (17), which is indicated in Fig. 21 as reference "BB". Since the cam
feature "J" is a quarter of a cylindrical or conical ring, and recesses "BB"
of all
4 piece of outer center pieces (17) for +X, -X, +Y, -Y, +Z, and -Z
respectively
form a full cylindrical or conical face, so the cam feature "J" will restrict
only
one piece of outer center piece (17) from free traveling along the channels
formed out side of the inner level, and also by the nature of a cylindrical or
conical surface, none of the outer center pieces (17) are restricted from
rotate
around its axis +X, -X, +Y, -Y, +Z, and -Z respectively. Together with all
other
shaft with cam feature (3), the interaction between shafts with cam feature
(3)
and outer center pieces (17) guarantee the alignment of the 4*4*4 outer level
to
the core in default position. Refer to Fig. 24, space between the guiding and
holding elements on outer center pieces (17) and components (16) forms
channels to guide and hold outer and outer corner pieces (13). Fig. 25 shows
outer level is held down by inner lever in accordance with the present
invention. There are total 24 pieces of outer edge pieces (18), each outer
edge
piece (18) is held down by 2 pieces of outer center pieces (17). Refer to Fig.
16, each outer corner piece (13) is held down by 3 pieces of outer center
pieces
(17) and 3 piece of outer edge pieces (18).
Since the outside faces are not directly involve with how this invention
works, so the outside faces can be sculpted into different shape rather than
the
cube shape as seen herein this particular embodiment. Fig. 26 shows possible
different embodiments in accordance with the present invention. Without
change anything inside, a ball shape or a round edged cube or many other
shapes can be easily adapted to.
