BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Hand manipulated logic puzzles having a plurality of segments connected for movement relative to one another into a desired alignment are well known in the art, and indeed, cubic forms of these types of puzzles have proven immensely popular.

However, by virtue of their widespread popularity, interest has waned in the cubic forms of such logic puzzles.

Accordingly, it is common in the prior art for hand manipulated logic puzzles to be constructed in non-cubic form.

Examples of such prior art non-cubic logic puzzles are shown, inter alia, in United States Patent No. 5,566,941 (Destics), issued October 22,1996 for a spherical puzzle; and United States Patent No. 4,836,549 (Flake), issued June 6,1989 for a multi-faceted toy having eight heptahedrons anchored to a central sphere.

However, it is unknown in the prior art to construct a logic puzzle comprising a plurality of segments taking the shape of three open rings, normal to one another and surrounding a central axis.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a logic puzzle comprising a plurality of segments taking the shape of three open rings, normal to one another and surrounding a central locus.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a hand manipulated logic puzzle that is durable, that is economical to produce, that is aesthetically pleasing, and that is adapted for use by persons of all ages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects are addressed by the present invention, a logic puzzle comprising twelve spanning members.

The spanning members collectively define a central locus and six subordinate locii equally circumferentially-spaced about said central locus. The spanning members have an operative configuration wherein a respective four of said spanning members extend, respectively, from each of said subordinate locii to each of said subordinate locii circumferentially adjacent thereto. The subordinate locii collectively define three axes, normal to one another and intersecting at said central locus, each of said subordinate locii being intersected by a respective one of said axes. The invention also comprises rotational means for enabling, when said spanning members are in their operative configuration, selective relative rotation by manual manipulation of a selected group of four contiguous spanning members selected from said twelve spanning members and extending from a selected one of said subordinate locii about the respective axis intersecting said selected one of the subordinate locii.

According to one aspect of the invention, the spanning members are preferably substantially arcuate.

According to another aspect of the invention, the rotational means preferably comprises a pair of substantially arcuate channels formed in each spanning member on opposite sides of a respective medial plane defined by the axes intersecting the respective subordinate locii between which said each spanning member extends.

According to another aspect of the invention, the rotational means preferably further comprises eight main body members, each main body member being surrounded by a respective three of said spanning members when said spanning members are in said operative configuration.

According to another aspect of the invention, the main body members preferably each comprise three slider arms and three junction portions, said slider arms being rigidly interconnected

in end-to-end, normal relation to one another, separated by respective junction portions.

According to another aspect of the invention, the slider arms are each preferably shaped complementary to the arcuate channels and mounted within a respective one of the arcuate channels in inter-fitting, frictional relation for sliding, circumferential movement relative thereto, when said spanning members are in said operative configuration, thereby to slidably attach the main body members to the spanning members for selective relative rotation therewith.

According to another aspect of the invention, the rotational means preferably further comprises the spanning members each being formed with free end portions shaped and dimensioned for close-fitting sliding movement within the arcuate channels.

According to another aspect of the invention, the spanning members each preferably comprises an inner arcuate flange portion, a concentric outer arcuate flange portion and a curved web portion rigidly extending between and connecting said inner arcuate flange portion and said concentric outer arcuate flange portion.

According to another aspect of the invention, each slider arm preferably has a substantially planar, arcuate major surface, adjacent to the web portion of the spanning member having the arcuate channel within which said slider arm is slidably mounted, when said spanning members are in the operative configuration, and opposed bullnosed, arcuate side surfaces.

According to another aspect of the invention, the junction portions of each main body portion each preferably comprise an upper contoured portion and a lower contoured portion shaped and dimensioned for close-fitting sliding movement within said arcuate channels.

According to another aspect of the invention, locking means are preferably provided for exclusively enabling relative rotation, when said selected group of four contiguous spanning members have undergone said selective relative rotation

otherwise than to the operative configuration, of said selected group of four contiguous spanning members about the respective axis intersecting the selected one of the subordinate locii.

According to another aspect of the invention, the locking means comprises a respective socket means formed in each slider arm; a respective detent member associated with each spanning member; and mounting means for the operative mounting of each detent member on the respective spanning member associated therewith, such that each detent member is aligned with the socket means of the slider arms respectively mounted within the pair of arcuate channels formed on the spanning member to which said each detent member is operatively attached, when said spanning members are in said operative configuration, said slider arms defining a first slider arm associated with said each detent member and a second slider arm associated with said each detent member.

According to another aspect of the invention, the mounting means is adapted such that, upon said sliding, circumferential movement of the first slider arm associated with said each detent member, said each detent member is displaced from the socket means of the first slider arm associated therewith and caused to lockingly engage the socket means of the second slider arm associated with said each detent member, and is further adapted to disengage each said detent member from said socket means of said second slider arm associated with said each detent member when said spanning members are in said operative configuration.

According to another aspect of the invention, the mounting means comprises a respective tab member flexibly, resiliently attached to each spanning member, to which respective tab member the detent member associated with said each spanning member is rigidly attached.

According to another aspect of the invention, the puzzle further comprises six cap members, with each of the cap members positioned at a respective one of the subordinate locii, such that a respective four of said twelve spanning members extend,

respectively, from said each cap member to each of the cap members circumferentially adjacent thereto.

According to another aspect of the invention, each cap member comprises an upper portion overlying the spanning members extending therefrom, a lower portion underlying the spanning members extending therefrom, and a pin member rigidly connecting said upper portion and said lower portion.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the upper portion of each cap member has a lower bearing surface complementary to and bearing against the free end portions of the spanning members extending therefrom and the upper contoured portions of the main body portions slidably attached to said spanning members; and the lower portion of each cap member has an upper bearing surface complementary to and bearing against the end portions of the spanning members extending therefrom and the lower contoured portions of the main body portions slidably attached to said spanning members.

Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the according to the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the logic puzzle according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, with a group of four contiguous spanning members extending from a uppermost subordinate locus partially rotated about the respective vertical axis intersecting said uppermost subordinate locus; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the logic puzzle of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an enlarged front elevational view of a main body member and two associated spanning members of the logic puzzle of Figure 1, taken from the circumscribed area"E"of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, with the main body member slidably attached to the two spanning members; Figure 6 is a rear elevational view of the body member and spanning members of Figure 5, with a cap member shown in exploded perspective, for clarity; Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, with the cap member operatively positioned with the upper portion thereof overlying the two spanning members and the lower portion thereof underlying the two spanning members; Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the cap member of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a partial top plan view of the logic puzzle of Figure 1, with the uppermost cap member and the portions of the puzzle from just above its equatorial plane removed for clarity; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the logic puzzle of Figure 9, along sight line 10-10 of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a top plan view of the logic puzzle of Figure 1; Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the logic puzzle of Figure 11, along sight line 12-12 of Figure 11; Figure 13A is a cross-sectional view of the logic puzzle of Figure 11, along sight line 13-13 of Figure 12, illustrative of the socket means, the detent members and the tab members; and Figure 13B is a view similar to Figure 13, with the first slider arm slidingly moved relative to the spanning member and

the second slider arm, and the detent member lockingly engaged in the socket means of the second slider arm.

Figure 14 is a sectional view along sight line 14-14 of Figure 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With general reference to Figures 1 through 14, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, and is designated by the general reference numeral 20. The precise manner of construction and operation of the preferred embodiment will be fully described in later paragraphs. However, for greater clarity, the main components and general manner of operation of the preferred embodiment will be firstly described.

In this regard, and as is best illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the logic puzzle 20 of the present invention comprises twelve spanning members 24, which are arranged so as to define a central locus X and six subordinate locii Y equally circumferentially-spaced thereabout. The subordinate locii Y collectively define three axes A, normal to one another and intersecting at the central locus X, with each of said subordinate locii Y being intersected by a respective one of said axes A.

In an operative configuration of said spanning members, as illustrated in Figure 1, a respective four of said spanning members 24 extend, respectively, from each of the subordinate locii Y to each of the subordinate locii Y circumferentially adjacent thereto.

The present invention also comprises rotational means, designated by general reference numeral 50 and described more fully in the following paragraphs, for enabling, when said spanning members 24 are in the operative configuration, selective relative rotation by manual manipulation of a selected group of four contiguous spanning members 24 selected from said twelve spanning members 24 and extending from a selected one of said subordinate locii Y about the respective axis A intersecting said selected one of the subordinate locii Y. Such

rotation is best illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, with Figure 1 showing the spanning members 24 in their operative configuration, and Figure 2 showing a selected group of four contiguous spanning members 24, namely, the uppermost four of said spanning members 24, rotated relative to the remaining spanning members about the vertical axis A.

It will be evident to persons skilled in the art that, in combination, the spanning members 24 and rotational means 50 in and of themselves have utility, in that such combination enables movement of the spanning member segments 24 relative to one another into a desired alignment in the general manner previously discussed. However, the preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be more fully described, whereupon the additional advantages and features thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Firstly in this regard, the spanning members 24 are each seen, inter alia, in Figure 1 to be substantially arcuate, thereby to collectively take the shape of three open rings, normal to one another and surrounding the central locus X when in said operative configuration. The contemplated shape is preferable from the standpoint of aesthetics. However, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art upon review of the subsequent description, that the spanning members 24 need not necessarily be arcuate, and indeed, may take any variety of shapes, having equally satisfactory utility, and accordingly, the present invention is expressly not to be limited to embodiments thereof including spanning members 24 arcuate in shape.

With particular reference to Figures 4 and 6, the rotational means 50 previously mentioned preferably comprises a pair of substantially arcuate channels 24'formed in each spanning member 24 on opposite sides of a respective medial plane 52 which is defined by the axes A intersecting the respective subordinate locii Y between which said each spanning member Y extends. Said medial plane 52 is illustrated in Figure 12. To effect the provision of such channels 24', the spanning members 24 preferably each comprises an inner arcuate flange

portion 28, a concentric outer arcuate flange portion 30 and a curved web portion 32 rigidly extending between and connecting said inner arcuate flange portion 28 and said outer arcuate flange portion 30. Also provided are eight main body members 22, each main body member 22 being surrounded by a respective three of said spanning members 24 when said spanning members 22 are in their operative configuration, as shown in Figure 1.

Each main body member 22 comprises three slider arms 38 and three junction portions 54, said slider arms 38 being rigidly interconnected in end-to-end, normal relation to one another and separated by respective junction portions 54. The slider arms 38 are shaped complementary to the arcuate channels 24'and, when said spanning members 24 are in their operative configuration, are each mounted within a respective one of the arcuate channels 24'in inter-fitting, frictional relation for sliding, circumferential movement relative thereto, thereby to slidably attach said main body members to said spanning members for selective relative rotation therewith.

Advantageously, as best illustrated in Figures 6 and 10, the spanning members 24 are each formed with free end portions 24A thereof shaped and dimensioned for close-fitting sliding movement within the arcuate channels 24', thereby to enhance rigidity of the logic puzzle 20.

Similarly, as best seen in Figures 3,4 and 6, the junction portions 54 of each main body 22 portion each comprise an upper contoured portion 54A and a lower contoured portion 54B shaped and dimensioned for close-fitting sliding movement within the arcuate channels 24', also to enhance rigidity of the logic puzzle 20.

As a further feature, to facilitate manufacture, each slider arm 38 is provided with a substantially planar, arcuate major surface 56, adjacent to the web portion 32 of the spanning member 24 having the arcuate channel 24'within which said slider arm 38 is slidably mounted when the spanning members 24 are in the operative configuration, and an opposed bullnosed, arcuate side surfaces 58, best illustrated in Figures 3,4 and 5. This profile of the slider arms 38 is not strictly

necessary, as other profiles will have similar utility, but is advantageous, in that it enables the components of the logic puzzle 20 to be press-fit together during assembly, while retaining sufficient rigidity for normal use.

It will be evident to persons skilled in the art that, in logic puzzles 20 constructed in accordance with the foregoing structure, it is possible for opposing groups of four of said twelve spanning members 24, that is, all of the spanning members 24 which extend from the pair of subordinate locii Y intersected by any given axis A, to rotate contemporaneously about said axis A relative to the remaining spanning members 24. This feature of the foregoing structure does not add significant utility to the logic puzzle 20, as sequential rotation of said opposing groups would have the same effect upon the alignment of the puzzle elements, and moreover, intentional contemporaneous manipulation of said opposing groups requires manual dexterity well beyond the ability of most users. Such feature does, however, pose some difficulties in operation, particularly in that it enables inadvertent partial rotation of a group of contiguous spanning members 24 about any given axis A, particularly in relation to users having limited manual dexterity, such as children and the infirm, and could go unnoticed, potentially resulting in damage to the logic puzzle 20 if rotation about another of the axes A was attempted.

Accordingly, there is advantageously provided a locking means 76 for exclusively enabling relative rotation, when said selected group of four contiguous spanning members 24 have undergone said selective relative rotation otherwise than to the operative configuration, of said selected group of four contiguous spanning members 24 about the respective axis A intersecting the selected one of the subordinate locii Y.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the locking means 76 comprises a respective socket means 60 formed on the interior surface 38A of each slider arm 38. A respective detent member 62 associated with each spanning member 24 is also provided, as are mounting means 64 for operative mounting of each detent member 62 on the respective slider arm 38 associated therewith,

such that, as illustrated in Figure 13A, each detent member 62 is aligned with the socket means 60 of the slider arms 38 respectively mounted within the pair of arcuate channels 24' formed on the spanning member 24 to which said each detent member 62 is operatively attached when said spanning members 24 are in said operative configuration. The slider arms 38 define a first slider arm 66 associated with said each detent member 62 and a second slider arm 68 associated with said each detent member 62. The mounting means 64 is adapted such that, upon said sliding, circumferential movement of the first slider arm 66 associated with said each detent member 62, said each detent member 62 is displaced from the socket means 60 of the first slider arm 66 associated therewith and caused to lockingly engage the socket means 60 of the second slider arm 68 associated with said each detent member 62, as illustrated in Figure 13B. The mounting means 64 is further adapted to disengage each said detent member 62 from said socket means 60 of said second slider arms 68 associated with said each detent member 62 when said spanning members 24 are in said operative configuration.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the spanning members 24 are each constructed from a strong, but somewhat flexible plastic material, such as polyethylene, or nylon such that the mounting means 64 comprises a respective tab member 64 flexibly, resiliently attached to and integrally formed with each spanning member 24, to which respective tab member 64 the detent member 62 associated with said each spanning member 24 is rigidly attached and integrally formed therewith. However, it will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that any other suitable mounting means 64 could be employed.

Six cap members 26 are also preferably provided, each of said cap members 26 being positioned at a respective one of the subordinate locii Y such that a respective four of said twelve spanning members 24 extend, respectively, from said each cap member 26 to each of the cap members 26 circumferentially adjacent thereto. Each cap member 26 comprises an upper portion 26A overlying the spanning members 24 extending therefrom, a

lower portion 26B underlying the spanning members 24 extending therefrom, and a pin member 26C extending between and rigidly connecting said upper portion 26A and said lower portion 26B.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the pin member 26C is integrally formed with the upper portion 26A; a major bore 26H is provided through the lower portion 26B to receive the pin member 26C in close-fitting relation; and the upper portion 26A and lower portion 26B are rigidly attached to one another by insertion of a locking pin 26E adapted for insertion into corresponding minor bores 26F formed in the pin member 26C and lower portion 26B, as best seen in Figures 6 and 14. However, it will be understood that the pin member 26C may be rigidly attached to the upper portion 26A and the lower portion 26B by any conventional manner, for example, by the use of suitable adhesives.

Advantageously, the upper portion 26A of each cap member 26 preferably has a lower bearing surface 70 complementary to and bearing against the free end portions 24A of the spanning members 24 extending therefrom and the upper contoured portions 54A of the main body members 22 slidably attached to said spanning members 24. Moreover, the lower portion 26B of each cap member 26 preferably has an upper bearing surface 72 complementary to and bearing against the free end portions 24A of the spanning members 24 extending therefrom and the lower contoured portions 54B of the main body members 22 slidably attached to said spanning members 24. Such relationships are best seen in Figure 6.

Colours or patterns may be applied to the various components of the logic puzzle 20 of the present invention in any conventional manner, such as, for example, by the application of paint or adhesive labels. However, in the preferred embodiment shown, such colours are applied to the cap members 26 by the provision of respective disc members 26D integrally formed with the upper portion 26A of each cap member 26, and such colours are applied to the spanning members 24 by the provision of colour plates 74 which are rigidly attached to the spanning members 24 by adhesive, or the like. Thus, for

example, the puzzle of the present invention may be sold in an original configuration wherein only disc members 26D and colour plates 74 of a particular colour are visible when the puzzle is viewed along one axis A, while only those of another contrasting colour are visible when viewed from the opposite direction along said one axis A, or when viewed along another of said axis A.

The user thereafter manipulates the groups of 4 spanning members 24 in the general manner herein before described, and thereafter tries to re-manipulate the puzzle back to its original configuration.

While but a single specific embodiment of the present invention is herein shown and described, it will be understood that various changes in size and shape of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, it will be apparent that the scope of the present invention is limited only by the claims set out hereinbelow.