EP2254672A1

EP2254672A1 - Logical stereo toy

Info

Publication number: EP2254672A1
Application number: EP09711139A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Scherpe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-02-13
Filing date: 2009-01-05
Publication date: 2010-12-01
Also published as: DE102008051715A1; WO2009100696A1; DE102008051715B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a stereo toy having the outer shape of a cuboid or a die having rounded edges, which is made of a base body that is shaped in the same manner and, with the exception of the corners provided with special corner pieces (4), is completely covered in a regular arrangement by three groups of flat, flexible play elements (1, 2, 3). The play elements (1, 2, 3) and corner pieces (4) constitute the surface elements (1, 2, 3, 4) of the stereo toy, which engage each other by laterally disposed groove-and-tongue connections such that the play elements of two groups (2, 3) can be displaced in rows arranged around the periphery of the play body, wherein said rows each are located in planes that are parallel to each other or are arranged perpendicular on each other. By displacing the displaceable play elements (2, 3), the relative distribution of the surface elements (1, 2, 3, 4) with respect to each other can be varied on the surface of the toy in a large number of variations.

Description

Dr. Xndreas Scherpe, Zeppelinstr. 53, D-69121 Heidelberg

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Logical stereo toy

description

The stereo toy described below belongs to the puzzle games. Commonly known are so-called sliding puzzle. These consist of a framed square or occasionally rectangular surface, which is formed of smaller, equally shaped square sliding elements of the same size, which mesh with each other or for framing towards each other according to the tongue and groove principle. The playing surface is covered with a blank space with the sliding elements, so that in each case one of the vacancy adjacent sliding dement can be moved into the vacancy. On the surface of the sliding elements here is the puzzle picture.

The documents GB 2 345 643 A, DE 33 09 674 A1 and US 4 526 372 A further describe games with sliding on each different basic elements game elements.

Another type of puzzles are so-called rotary puzzle. The best known among them is the so-called Rubik's Cube known as Rubik's Cube, which is described in HU 170062 B (1976). Outwardly, the game body consists of a large cube, which seems to be composed of smaller cubes, so that the view of 3x3 small cubes can be seen on each of the six different colored game cube sides. The eight corner cubes each belong to three sides, the twelve cube located on the edge center each to two sides, Dr. Andreas Scherpe: Logical stereo toy

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the six cube located on the side center to one side of the game body, so that from the outside a total of 26 moving cubes can be seen. The mobility of the cubes is limited to the fact that in each case a group of small cubes, which are located in a plane of the game body, by rotating about an axis which is perpendicular to the center of the group formed by the group of cubes, against the other cubes can be.

The stereo toy described below, however, is a previously unseen puzzle game, which is neither a pure sliding puzzle, nor a pure rotary puzzle, as it combines features of both puzzle types, but also has differences to them, thus opening a new game world.

The invention relates to a stereo toy with the outer shape of a cuboid or a cube with rounded edges, which consists of an equally shaped base body, which is completely covered except the at special corner parts (4) corners in a regular arrangement of three groups of flat , flexible game elements (1,2,3). Game elements (1, 2, 3) and corner parts (4) represent the surface elements (1, 2, 3, 4) of the stereo toy, which interlock with one another by laterally arranged tongue and groove connections in such a way that play elements of two groups (2, 3) can be moved in rows arranged around the game body, these rows are each in mutually parallel or mutually perpendicular planes.

When moving a row in this case bend the sliding game elements (2,3), which are pushed from a side surface of the stereo toy on the rounded toy edge, according to the curved edge course.

Conversely, the curved sliding play elements (2, 3) located on the toy edge lose their curved shape when moved from the toy edge Dr. Andreas Scherpe: Logical stereo toy

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be pushed onto a side surface of the stereo toy.

The attached to the body game elements of the first group (1) and also firmly connected to the body eight corner pieces (4) of the toy ensure except for the cohesion of the toy also that the stereo toy can be held with one hand so that of the

Main body is held with, while the other hand performs the displacement of a series of sliding game elements (2,3).

By displacing the displaceable play elements (2, 3), the mutual relative distribution of the surface elements (1, 2, 3, 4) in a large number of variations can be changed on the toy surface.

With regard to the specific embodiment of the invention, reference is made to the statements in the claims to avoid repetition, which are hereby made expressly to the presentation of the description.

In addition, further clarifying supplements and recommendations, as well as a preferred embodiment of the invention are shown below.

Since the game elements of the second group (2) are displaceable in two mutually perpendicular planes, while the game elements of the third group (3) can be moved only in one plane, represent the game elements of the second group (2), the main game elements, during the game elements the third group (3) as well as those of the first group (1) and the toy corner parts (4) is assigned only an auxiliary function for the applied on the toy surface puzzle image.

For this reason, in game design, the game elements of the second group (2) will generally be larger than the other surface elements (1,3,4). Dr. Andreas Scherpe: Logical stereo toy

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The displaceable game elements (2, 3) can be designed so that their base in the assembled state of the stereo toy has a slight distance from the toy main body in order to reduce the sliding friction.

The surface elements (1, 2, 3, 4) are made smaller in length and width on their base directed toward the toy base body than on the outer surface side. As a result, the friction surface in the tongue and groove connections is reduced on the one hand. In addition, it is taken into account that for surface elements (1,2,3,4), which are located on a toy edge, the outer surface of the element because of the larger by the thickness of the element radius in the direction of the rounding of the toy edge a longer circular arc than forms the basis of the element.

In the distribution of the grooves and springs on the surface elements (1,2,3,4), the embodiment is preferred, which is not listed in parentheses in the claims. This facilitates the mounting of the toy. Namely, one or more game elements of the first group (1) or toy deck parts (4) may be split into lower and upper parts in order to generate the lateral groove in two parts. On the other hand, since the game elements of the first group (1) and the toy end parts (4) are firmly connected to the base body (eg glued, screwed) and thus have no distance from the base body, in contrast to the displaceable game elements (2, 3) lower parts of the two-part game elements of the first group (1) and the toy corner parts (4) are glued to the base body, for example, and applied after introduction of the remaining surface elements, the upper halves of the two-part game elements. To connect a movable game element from the lower and upper part (eg gluing), however, would be quite difficult and would also possibly reduce the flexibility of the game element. Dr. Andreas Scherpe: Logical stereo toy

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In order for the surface elements (1, 2, 3, 4) to be displaceable relative to one another, it must initially be assumed that a certain gap, albeit smaller, is to be installed between the adjacent surface elements. However, these gaps may add up in one row at the rows formed by displaceable game elements of the second (2) and third group (3), which could jeopardize the integrity of the toy items as well as the ordered position of the items on the base needed for playability ,

For this reason, it is advisable to incorporate a spring mechanism in the tongue and groove joints, which causes a mutual repulsion of the surface elements (1,2,3,4) and thus equal distances between the surface elements (1,2,3,4) and such an addition of the column between the game elements prevented.

One possible realization of this spring mechanism is, for example, at the bottom of each groove (ie also in the springs of the play elements of the third group (3) at its two small sides, which after plugging together with their adjacent surface elements respectively form the bottom of a groove). each one side of a running from side corner to side corner fine resilient wire, for example, nickel titanium installed.

Another possibility would be that instead of the wire feather a soft plastic with resilience is used, which is applied in the place of the wire feather. Here, the size of the repulsive force would be correct

Positional relationship of the surface elements (1,2,3,4) to each other zero and only build up when two elements are pressed together. Dr. ^'Andreas Scherpe: Logical stereo toy

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As an example, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail. In the drawing shows

1 shows the assembled toy according to the invention in the form of a cube with 3 × 3 arrangement of the playing elements of the second group (2) located on each cube side

Fig. 2 shows a cube side in the view with the section lines A-B and C-D

3 shows a cross section A-B with game elements of the second (2) and third group (3)

4 shows a cross section C-D with game elements of the first (1) and third group (3)

Fig. 5 is a game element of the first group (1), the second group (2) and the third group (3), each in plan view, wherein the subsurface grooves are indicated by dashed lines.

For the sake of clarity, a magnifying scale has been selected here in FIGS. 3 to 5.

On each of the six sides of the cube are each 3x3 squares, formed of game elements of the second group (2), the main game elements, which are displaceable in two mutually perpendicular planes.

As with Rubik's Cube, each of the six sides of the cube can now be assigned one of six different colors, each applied to the 3x3 squares, the main game elements (2) on each side. Dr. Andreas Scherpe: Logical stereo toy

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The auxiliary game elements of the first (1) and third group (3) of the game elements and the toy deck parts (4), on the other hand, are uniformly arranged in a seventh color, e.g. dyed black, optionally with e.g. at the corners of the game elements of the first group (1) and the toy corner elements (4) small white marker lines can be attached so that the player can easily identify when moving, when the next resting state is reached.

This gives a toy that looks similar to the appearance of the Rubik-invented cube, but due to the fundamentally different mobility of its game elements in a game completely different Farbkombi- nations changes on the cube surfaces and thus presents new challenges to the player.

After only a few shots, the 54 color areas are mixed and the player has to work out tricky strategies to restore the original order.

For all cases, it is possible to provide the game Ersatzfarbklebefolien for gluing the main game elements (2), so as to restore the parent state of the game in this way in case of emergency can.

Other game design options arise for example by attaching numbers or symbols instead of colors on the main game elements (2). Advertising labels and logos are also conceivable. Dr. Andreas Scherpe: Logical stereo toy

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In order to facilitate the deformation of the displaceable game elements (2,3) and thus their movement when moving around the rounded toy edges, it is recommended to make the surface elements (1,2,3,4) as thin as possible.

For maximum flattening, it is possible to form each of the grooves so as to form their "lower" boundaries facing the toy interior through the surface of the toy main body, and at the same time arrange all the springs in such a way that they slide directly on the surface of the toy main body ,

In this embodiment of the surface elements, however, it is necessary that the first group of game elements (1) with laterally running around the groove, the second group of game elements (2) with laterally running around the spring, the third group of game elements (3) on the two opposite sides, which have the same deck width as the play elements of the first group (1) are formed laterally with a spring and on the other two sides laterally with a groove and that the corner parts (4) laterally to all three associated toy edges with one of Rounding the rounded side edge of the toy body following groove are fitted. Only this arrangement of the grooves and springs ensures the cohesion of the surface elements (1,2,3,4) not only with each other, but also with the toy body.

In this embodiment of the game, it is also not necessary to manufacture game elements of two parts to allow the assembly of the stereo toy. Some flexible game elements of the third group (3) can be used in the final assembly.

In the previous description, a preferred embodiment of Dr. Andreas Scherpe: Logical stereo toy

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Invention in the figures Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 and explained in more detail. Applying the now described in this addition flattening of the surface elements (1,2,3,4) to this example, so now shows as a substitute for Fig. 3rd

6 shows a cross section A-B with game elements of the second (2) and third group (3)

and as a substitute for FIG. 4

Fig. 7 shows a cross section C-D with game elements of the first (1) and third group (3).

Furthermore, it is conceivable to emulate the game electronically.

On the one hand, it is possible to produce a cuboid or cube, on whose six sides there are in each case a plurality of small lamps which comprise the displaceable game elements (2, 3) or a part (preferably the game elements of the second group (2) which are displaceable in two mutually perpendicular planes. representing the main game elements) thereof and on the surface of which different colors or symbols can be generated in each case by illumination from behind, so that the games can be imitated by operating differently designed control elements.

The same already exists for Rubik's Cube, but not for the new stereo toy described here and in the patent specification of the patent number 10 2008 013 300.

Secondly, the stereo toy can be emulated electronically in such a way that on all six sides of a cuboid or cube Dr. Andreas Scherpe: Logical stereo toy

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a screen is located on which the surface of the relevant side of the stereo toy is shown, with movable game elements (2,3) are moved, for example by touch screen control.

Furthermore, it is possible to electronically display the toy on a screen in the form of a 3-D animation, a 2-D cube network or another two-dimensional representation by computer.

Movements of movable game elements (2, 3) can then be induced, for example, by cursor movements or, in the case of a touchscreen, triggered directly by finger movements on the screen.

Claims

Dr. Andreas Scherpe, Zeppelinstr. 53, D-69121 Heidelberg- 11 -Logical StereospielzeugAnsprüche

1. Logical stereo toy with on the surface, partially movable game elements, characterized in that it consists of a base body in the form of a cuboid or cube with rounded edges whose surface at the corners with special corner pieces (4) and otherwise in regular arrangement with three groups of flat, flexible

Game elements (1,2,3) is completely covered, wherein belonging to a group game elements each have identical to each other, the elements of different groups not identical shapes.

2. Stereospielzeug according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface elements (1,2,3,4), i. the game elements (1,2,3) and the corner parts (4) intermesh with each other by tongue and groove connection.

3. Stereospielzeug according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first group of game elements (1) fixed on the base body (eg glued or screwed), square platelets with laterally all-round groove (spring) exist that the second group of Game elements (2) on the surface of the body displaceable, square platelets with laterally round running spring (groove) exist and that the third group Dr. Andreas Scherpe: Logical stereo toy

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the game elements (3) from sliding on the surface of the body

Platelets in the form of rectangles exist in which two opposite sides have the same deck width as the game elements of the first group (1) and laterally a spring (groove) and the other two sides the same deck width as the game elements of the second group (2) and here laterally have a groove (spring), wherein the springs in the third group of game elements (3) do not extend into the corner regions of the platelets into, but only to where the grooves of the adjacent sides begin.

4. Stereospielzeug according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the game elements (1,2,3) are made so flat and made of such a material that they bend on the rounded edges of the body, the bend, and fix (group one) or move (group two and three) leave.

5. Stereospielzeug according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at the corners of the stereo toy special corner pieces (4) are fastened, which laterally to all three associated toy edges towards the rounding of the rounded side edge of the toy body following groove (spring) and thus perform the same function as located on the toy edge game elements of the first group (1).

6. Stereospielzeug according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the grooves of all surface elements (1,2,3,4) each have the same height and depth and the springs of all surface elements (1,2,3,4) each have the same height and depths.

7. Stereospielzeug according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that in the individual tongue and groove joints of the surface elements (1,2,3,4) Dr. Andreas Scherpe: Logical stereo toy

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each a spring mechanism is installed, creating a light, mutual

Repulsion of the surface elements (1,2,3,4) against each other and thus a correct positional relationship of the surface elements (1,2,3,4) causes each other and the cohesion of the surface elements (1,2,3,4) with each other and with the toy body is ensured, wherein the size of the repulsive force of the spring mechanism with correct positional relationship of the surface elements (1,2,3,4) to each other is zero and only builds up when two adjacent surface elements (1,2,3,4) are pressed against each other.

8. Stereospielzeug according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the rest state of the game, the individual rectangular or square side surfaces of the game body are each covered with game elements (1,2,3) each time so regularly that both Mittehalbierenden each toy side surface on this Sharing surface of game elements (1,2,3) each share in two mutually symmetrical halves and that two opposing surfaces of the game body are constructed identically.

9. Stereospielzeug according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that in the resting state of the game, the game elements of the second group (2) are each framed by four game elements of the first (1) (or three game elements of the first group (1) and one Toy corner part (4)) and four game elements of the third group (3), so that a game element of the first group (1) or a toy corner part (4) and a game element of the second group (2) touch only at one corner and all four sides of a game element of the second group (2) in the entire side deck width of exactly one game element of the third group (3) are touched and that the sliding game elements of the second (2) and third group (3) thus on Dr. Andreas Scherpe: Logical stereo toy

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the toy surface running all around, crossing vertically

Form rows, which lie in a plane parallel to a toy surface side and are composed of successively alternating game elements of the second (2) and third group (3), so that these rows each by the amount of the sum of the deck width of a game element of second group (2) and the cover width of a game element of the first group (1) to move from a resting state of the game in the next state of rest.

10. Stereospielzeug according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in the resting state of the game, the rounded toy edges are ideally covered only by a series of mutually adjacent game elements of the first (1) and third group (3).

11. Stereospielzeug according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in the described arrangement, the game elements of the second

Move group (2) each in two mutually perpendicular planes, which are perpendicular to the surface and to one side of the game element concerned, and that the game elements of the third group (3) can be moved only in one plane, which is perpendicular to its surface and to one of its sides, which is adjacent to a game element of the second group (2).

12. Stereospielzeug according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that for the assembly of the stereo toy from its individual parts game elements are made of two parts, a lower and an upper, which only firmly assembled when mounting the toy (eg glued) become. Dr. Andreas Scherpe: Logical stereo toy

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13. Stereospielzeug according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that on the surfaces of the game elements, in particular those of the second group (2), which are displaceable in two planes, the puzzle-forming colors, numbers, symbols, etc. applied become.

14. Stereospielzeug according to one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that the surface elements (1,2,3-4) have rounded corners and edges.

15. Stereospielzeug according to any one of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that the surface elements (1,2,3.4) in length and width on their base towards the toy body directed base are made smaller than on the outer Oberfiächen- side.

16. Stereospielzeug according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that during manufacture of the stereo toy the main body together with the game elements to be fastened thereon of the first group (1) and the toy box parts (4) or -soweit these are divided into two with their subdivisions not individually manufactured and connected to each other (eg glued, screwed), but can be made equal to one piece.

17. A stereo toy according to any one of claims 2 to 16, characterized in that in the distribution of the grooves and springs on the surface elements (1,2,3,4) according to the embodiment, which is not listed in brackets in claims 3 and 5 in that the grooves and springs are respectively formed such that the grooves of the first and third groups of the play elements (1,3) and the toy corner pieces (4) are formed so that their "inboard" boundaries facing the toy interior are formed by the surface of the toy main body and the springs of the second and third group of the Dr. Andreas Scherpe: Logical stereo toy

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Game elements (2,3) are arranged in such a way that they are directly on the

Sliding surface of the toy body along.

18. Stereospielzeug according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the toy is electronically reproduced in the form that are located on all six sides of a cuboid or cube in each case a plurality of lights, the displaceable game elements (2,3) or a Represent part of it and on the surface of each by illumination from behind different colors or symbols are generated so that the games can be imitated by operating controls.

19. Stereospielzeug according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the toy is electronically reproduced in the form that is on all six sides of a cuboid or cube each have a screen on which the surface of the respective side of the stereo toy is displayed , wherein displaceable game elements (2,3), for example, by

Touchscreen control to be moved.

20. Stereospielzeug according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the toy is electronically reproduced by computer in the form of a 3 -D animation, a 2-D cube network or other two-dimensional

Representation, wherein movements of movable game elements (2,3) are induced, for example, by cursor movement or by operation of a touch screen control.