BLOCKS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosures relate to a puzzle device made up of many components pieces, more particularly, the present disclosure relates to an educational puzzle having rotatable blocks to provide mathematical and analytical exercise.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] A puzzle can be made up of many loose pieces. When all the loose pieces are assembled together, they form a cube or a ball, for example. Depending on the design of the loose pieces, the assembly can be very easy or very difficult. Such puzzles are always a fascination to a child as well as an adult.

[0004] Many puzzles, involving color and shape are currently available in the market.

Many of them are uni-dimensional or two dimensional or three dimensional puzzle involving the concepts of space, structure and design.

[0005] The most popular 3 dimensional puzzle has been the famous Rubik Cube which was described under a Hungarian Patent Application No HU 170062. The Rubik cube of the cited prior art consists of a large cube, made up of smaller individual cubes, in an assortment of six colours, which could be moved, such that the individual cubes could be so arranged that each face of the cube is of a single uniform color.

[0006] The cited patent document and other products available in the market provide puzzles mostly for fun and learning in kids. However, such puzzles are not preferred by users of other ages. These puzzles are used just for fun and play. These puzzles provide a beginner level challenge to users but they fail to enhance overall brain development in kids and users of different ages. Further, such puzzles also fail to provide mathematical and analytical challenge to the users.

[0007] In addition, the Rubik cube of cited patent document and other such educational puzzle devices are made of plastic material, which are prone to wear and tear after a period of usage. This makes the puzzles unusable after sometime. [0008] Further, the overall fitting of the blocks and construction of these puzzles available in the market are made of low quality material. Such puzzles are used roughly and are prone to falling on ground or other hard surfaces from user’s hand. Such rough usage and multiple falling of these puzzles lead to breakage of these educational puzzle device and are needed to be replaced completely.

[0009] The inner surface of these puzzles experiences frictional resistance while playing. This frictional resistance makes it difficult for users to rotate the blocks of the puzzles and also causes wearing of these blocks.

[00010] There is, therefore, a need to provide an educational device with a puzzle in a cube form having rotatable blocks to provide mathematical and analytical exercise. Further, the puzzle in cube form should provide a robust puzzle with smoother movement of the blocks, which also provides analytical as well as mathematical challenge and exercise to users.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

[00011] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.

[00012] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an educational puzzle device having rotatable blocks.

[00013] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an educational puzzle device to provide mathematical and analytical exercise to users of all age groups.

[00014] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an educational puzzle device having rotatable blocks with smooth movement of blocks.

[00015] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an educational puzzle device having rotatable blocks with tight fitting and robust structure.

SUMMARY

[00016] The present disclosures relate to a puzzle device made up of many components pieces, more particularly, the present disclosure relates to an educational puzzle with rotatable blocks to provide mathematical and analytical exercise.

[00017] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to an educational puzzle device having rotatable blocks, the educational puzzle device may comprising: a central core; a rotatable blocks removably coupled to the central core, each of the rotatable blocks may be independently connected to the central core to form a cubic or ball structure of the corresponding blocks, wherein the rotatable blocks may comprise: a first set of centre blocks positioned at centre of faces of the cubic structure; a second set of corner blocks positioned at comers of the cubic structure; and a third set of edge blocks positioned at edges of the cubic structure such that at least one of the edge blocks positioned between the two corresponding comer blocks; wherein outer visible faces of each of the rotatable blocks may be at least provided with a distinct numerical value ranging from 1 to M, where M is the number of outer visible faces of the rotatable blocks; and wherein the rotatable blocks may be configured to be rotated longitudinally and transversely relative to the central core in a random manner to change relative position between each of the rotatable blocks..

[00018] In an aspect, the cubic structure may be a NxNxN order cube, where N is greater than or equal to 3.

[00019] In another aspect, the central core may comprise a plurality of male protrusions, and each of the rotatable blocks may comprise a female protrusion, and wherein the plurality of male protrusions of the central core may be configured to be engaged in a tight fit with the complementary female protrusion of each of the rotatable blocks.

[00020] In yet another aspect, the central core may comprise a plurality of female protrusions, and each of the rotatable blocks may comprise a male protrusion, and wherein the plurality of male protrusions of each of the rotatable blocks may be configured to be engaged in a tight fit with the complementary female protrusion of the central core.

[00021] In an aspect, the central core may comprise a plurality of first magnetic member, and the rotatable blocks comprises a plurality of second magnetic member, and wherein each of the plurality of first magnetic member may be magnetically coupled to a corresponding second magnetic member of the blocks.

[00022] In another aspect, the rotatable blocks and the central core may be made of material comprising any or a combination of plastic, wood, metal, polymers, and glass. [00023] In yet another aspect, inner surfaces of the rotatable blocks may be coated with a smooth material comprising any or a combination of Borax and Teflon.

[00024] In an aspect, the educational puzzle device may be a 3x3x3 cube, and wherein the outer visible faces of each of the rotatable blocks may be provided with the distinct numerical value ranging from 1 to 54.

[00025] In another aspect, the outer visible faces of the first set of centre blocks of the cubic structure may be provided with the distinct numerical values comprising 5, 12, 23, 32, 41 and 50. [00026] In yet another aspect, the rotatable blocks may be snap fitted with the central core.

[00027] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components

[00028] Within the scope of this application it is expressly envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00029] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.

[00030] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

[00031] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of the proposed educational puzzle device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00032] FIG. 2 illustrates a central core of the proposed educational puzzle device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00033] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the proposed educational puzzle device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00034] FIG.4A-4F illustrates exemplary arrangements of the blocks of the proposed educational puzzle device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00035] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[00036] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.

[00037] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.

[00038] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[00039] The use of “including”, “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Further, the use of terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another [00040] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[00041] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

[00042] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).

[00043] The present disclosures relate to a puzzle device made up of many components pieces, more particularly, the present disclosure relates to an educational puzzle with rotatable blocks to provide mathematical and analytical exercise.

[00044] According to an aspect, the present invention elaborates upon an educational puzzle device with rotatable blocks, the educational puzzle device including: a central core and the rotatable blocks removably coupled to the central core. Each of the rotatable blocks can be independently connected to the central core to form a cubic or ball structure of the corresponding blocks. The rotatable blocks can include: a first set of centre blocks positioned at centre of faces of the cubic structure; a second set of comer blocks positioned at corners of the cubic structure; and a third set of edge blocks positioned at edges of the cubic structure such that at least one of the edge blocks positioned between the two corresponding corner blocks. The outer visible faces of each of the rotatable blocks can be provided with a distinct numerical value ranging from 1 to M, where M is the number of outer visible faces of the rotatable blocks. The rotatable blocks can be configured to be rotated longitudinally and transversely relative to the central core in a random manner to change relative position between each of the rotatable blocks.

[00045] In an embodiment, the cubic structure can be a NxNxN order cube, where N is greater than or equal to 3.

[00046] In an embodiment, the central core can include a plurality of male protrusions, and each of the rotatable blocks can include a female protrusion. The plurality of male protrusions of the central core can be configured to be engaged in a tight fit with the complementary female protrusion of each of the rotatable blocks. [00047] In an embodiment aspect, the central core can include a plurality of female protrusions, and each of the rotatable blocks can include a male protrusion. The plurality of male protrusions of each of the rotatable blocks can be configured to be engaged in a tight fit with the complementary female protrusion of the central core.

[00048] In an embodiment, the central core can include a plurality of first magnetic member, and the rotatable blocks can include a plurality of second magnetic member. Each of the plurality of first magnetic member can be magnetically coupled to a corresponding second magnetic member of the blocks.

[00049] In an embodiment, the rotatable blocks and the central core can be made of material including any or a combination of plastic, wood, metal, polymers, and glass.

[00050] In an embodiment, inner surfaces of the rotatable blocks can be coated with a smooth material comprising any or a combination of Borax and Teflon.

[00051] In an embodiment, the educational puzzle device can be a 3x3x3 cube. The outer visible faces of each of the rotatable blocks can be provided with the distinct numerical value ranging from 1 to 54.

[00052] In an embodiment, the outer visible faces of the first set of centre blocks of the cubic structure can be provided with the distinct numerical values including 5, 12, 23, 32, 41 and 50.

[00053] In an embodiment, the rotatable blocks can be snap fitted with the central core such that a threshold value of force is needed to be applied to detach the rotatable blocks from the central core.

[00054] In an embodiment, the outer visible faces of each of the rotatable blocks may be detachable from their corresponding blocks to facilitate replacement of the outer visible faces.

[00055] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of the proposed educational puzzle device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00056] As illustrated, in an embodiment, the proposed educational puzzle device having rotatable blocks can include a central core 200 and the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) removably coupled the central core 200. Each of the rotatable blocks can be independently connected to the central core 200 to form a cubic structure using the corresponding blocks.

[00057] In an embodiment, the proposed educational puzzle device can be a NxNxN cube having six faces, eight corners and a total of NcNcNcό number of rotatable blocks around the central core, where N can be greater than and equal to 3. The rotatable blocks can include a first set of centre blocks 108 positioned at centre of faces of the cubic structure, a second set of corner blocks 104 positioned at comers of the cubic structure, and a third set of edge blocks 106 positioned at edges of the cubic structure such that at least one of the edge blocks 106 is positioned between the two corresponding corner blocks 104.

[00058] In an embodiment, the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) can include a plurality of protrusions (110-1 to 110-16) (collectively referred to as plurality of protrusions 110, herein), which can be engaged with the central core 200 to form a tight fitting cubical structure, such that the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) can be configured to rotate longitudinally and transversely relative to the central core 200 in a random manner to change relative position between each of the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108).

[00059] In an exemplary embodiment, the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) can include a plurality of female protrusions 110, which can be engaged with the central core 200 to form a tight fitting cubical structure, such that the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) can be configured to rotate longitudinally and transversely relative to the central core 200 in a random manner to change relative position between each of the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108).

[00060] In an exemplary embodiment, the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) can include a plurality of male protrusions 110, which can be engaged with the central core to form a tight fitting cubical structure, such that the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) can be configured to rotate longitudinally and transversely relative to the central core 200 in a random manner to change relative position between each of the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108).

[00061] In an embodiment, the central core 200 can include a plurality of first magnetic member and the rotatable blocks can include a plurality of second magnetic member. Each of the plurality of first magnetic member can be magnetically coupled to a corresponding second magnetic member of the rotatable blocks, such that the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) can be configured to be rotated longitudinally and transversely relative to the central core 200 in a random manner to change relative position between each of the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108).

[00062] In an embodiment, the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) can be made of materials such as any or a combination of plastic, wood, metal, polymers and glass, but not limited to the likes.

[00063] In an embodiment, inner surfaces of the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) can be coated with a smooth material comprising any or a combination of Borax and Teflon, to provide smoother relative movement of the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108). [00064] In an embodiment, the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) can be snap fitted with the central core. The rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) can be provided with a snap-on pin, which can be snap fitted and removal locked with the central core 200.

[00065] FIG. 2 illustrates a central core of the proposed educational puzzle device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00066] As illustrated, in an embodiment, the central core 200 of the proposed educational puzzle device can be configured to accommodate the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) such that the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) can be configured to be rotated longitudinally and transversely relative to the central core in a random manner to change relative position between each of the rotatable blocks.

[00067] In an embodiment, the central core 200 can include a plurality of male or female protrusions (202-1 to 202-6) (collectively designated as 202, herein) as to engage with a complementary protrusion 110 of each of the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108). In an exemplary embodiment, the central core 200 can include a plurality of female protrusions 202. Each of the plurality of female protrusions 202 of the central core 200 can be engaged with a complementary male protrusion 110 of the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108). In another exemplary embodiment, the central core 200 can include a plurality of male protrusions. Each of the plurality of male protrusions of the central core can be engaged with a complementary female protrusion of the rotatable blocks.

[00068] In an embodiment, the central core 200 can be made of materials such as any or a combination of plastic, wood, metal, polymers and glass, but not limited to the likes [00069] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the proposed educational puzzle device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00070] As illustrated, in an embodiment, the proposed educational puzzle device can be a 3x3x3 cube 300 having six faces, eight comers and twenty blocks (rotatable blocks) around the central core. The twenty six blocks of the 3x3x3 order cube 300 can include six centre blocks positioned at centre of faces of the cubic structure, eight comer blocks positioned at corners of the cubic structure, and twelve edge blocks positioned at edges of the cubic structure with one edge blocks between two corner blocks..

[00071] In an embodiment, each of the twenty six blocks can be removably coupled to the central core, and configured to be rotated longitudinally and transversely relative to the central core 200 in a random manner to change relative position between each of twenty six blocks. [00072] In an embodiment, outer visible faces of each of the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) can be provided with a distinct numerical value ranging from 1 to M, where M is the number of outer visible faces of the rotatable blocks. In an example, the outer visible faces of each of the rotatable blocks of the 3x3x3 educational puzzle device can be provided with a distinct numerical value ranging from 1 to 54. The total number of outer visible faces in a NxNxN educational puzzle device can be calculated using a mathematical formula of NxNx6, where N can be greater than and equal to 3. In an embodiment, the visible face of each of the centre blocks can be provided with distinct numerical values of 5, 14, 23, 32, 41 and 50.

[00073] Each of the corner blocks 104 of the educational puzzle device 100 can include three visible faces, each of the edge blocks 106 can include two visible faces and each of the centre blocks 108 can include one visible face.

[00074] In an embodiment, the outer visible faces of each of the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) can be configured to be detached from their corresponding blocks, and replaced with a new face with same numerical value, in case of wearing of the corresponding visible faces

[00075] It is to be appreciated that various embodiments and drawings in the present disclosure have been illustrated with respect to a 3x3x3 order cube. However, the present invention is not limited only to a 3x3x3 cube, and other cube puzzle of NxNxN order cube are within the scope of the invention, where N can be greater than and equal to 3. For instance, the proposed educational puzzle device can be a 4x4x4 order cube with eight corner blocks, six edge blocks and twenty four edge blocks with two edge blocks being positioned between two comer blocks. And each of the visible faces of the rotatable blocks can be provided with a distinct numerical value ranging from 1 to 96.

[00076] FIG.4A-4F illustrates exemplary arrangements of the blocks of the proposed educational puzzle device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [00077] As illustrated in FIG. 4A-4F, in an implementation, the rotatable blocks can be rotated longitudinally and transversely relative to the central core in a specific manner to change relative position between each of the rotatable blocks such that the sum of distinct numerical values on the visible faces of each of the three vertical arrays of a first face of the educational puzzle device can be equal to the sum of distinct numerical values on the visible faces of each of the three horizontal arrays of the first face of the educational puzzle device, which again can be equal the sum of distinct numerical values on the visible faces each of the two horizontal arrays of the first face of the educational puzzle device. [00078] In an example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) can be rotated longitudinally and transversely relative to the central core 200 in a specific manner to change relative position between each of the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) such that the sum of distinct numerical values on the visible faces of each of the vertical arrays of the first face of the 3x3x3 order cube (educational puzzle device) equals to 15. Similarly, the sum of distinct numerical values on the visible faces of each of the horizontal arrays of the first face of the 3x3x3 order cube equals to 15, and the sum of distinct numerical values on the visible faces of each of the diagonal arrays of the first face of the 3x3x3 order cube equals to 15. [00079] In an example, as shown in FIG. 4B to 4F, the sum of distinct numerical values on visible faces of each arrays of each of the faces of the educational puzzle device can sum up to be 42, 69, 96, 123 and 150, respectively.

[00080] In an example, the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) can be rotated longitudinally and transversely relative to the central core 200 in a specific manner to change relative position between each of the rotatable blocks (104, 106, 108) such that the sum of distinct numerical values on visible faces of each arrays of each of the faces of the educational puzzle device can sum up to be 15, 42, 69, 96, 123 and 150, respectively, at same time, and the distinct numerical values on the outer visible faces of each of the blocks can be provided with the distinct numerical value as shown in FIGs. 4A-4F. Each of the arrays of the faces of the educational puzzle device can include three horizontal arrays, three vertical arrays and two diagonal arrays.

[00081] In a non-limiting embodiment, the present invention provides cibic puzle assembled from a number of separable rotatable blocks (also referred to as component pieces, interchangeably). Each of the component pieces can be made of one or two cubes, or three or more cubes linearly arranged. Each of the component pieces has six sides. Component patterns are provided on at least some of the six sides so that when all component pieces are assembled into a single puzzle cube, the component patterns on the sides of the component pieces form a number of different combined patterns on five or six faces of the puzzle cube. In an example, there can be a pre-defined (e.g., two or more) correct ways or combinations to assemble the component pieces into a single cube so that the single cube assembled in each correct combination shows a different set of combined patterns on its faces. The combined patterns preferably can easily recognizable, such as photographs, images or likeness of animals, landscapes, human faces or the like.

[00082] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other or in contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously. Within the context of this document terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are also used euphemistically to mean “communicatively coupled with” over a network, where two or more devices are able to exchange data with each other over the network, possibly via one or more intermediary device.

[00083] Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ....and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

[00084] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[00085] The present invention provides an educational puzzle device having rotatable blocks.

[00086] The present invention provides an educational puzzle device to provide mathematical and analytical exercise to users of all age groups.

[00087] The present invention provides an educational puzzle device having rotatable blocks with smooth movement of blocks. [00088] The present invention provides an educational puzzle device having rotatable blocks with tight fitting and robust structure.