A skew-turning Rubik's Cube with an elastic positioning mechanism

Abstract

The present invention discloses a skew-turning Rubik's Cube with an elastic positioning mechanism. The elastic positioning mechanism includes an elastic concave piece disposed in the middle of the side wall of the inner corner block main body, recessed into the inner corner block main body, and having gaps on both the upper side and the lower side with the side wall of the inner corner block main body. A raised portion is disposed in the middle of the elastic concave piece and is higher than the side wall of the inner corner block main body. A groove is disposed on the side wall of the center block main body facing the outer corner block main body and is matched with the raised portion. This skew-turning Rubik's Cube does not require springs and steel balls as components of the positioning mechanism. The elastic deformation of the elastic concave piece itself and the raised portion on the elastic concave piece are used to respectively replace the functions of the spring and the steel ball, which can effectively reduce the self-weight of the Rubik's Cube, and at the same time reduce the noise generated during the positioning process of the elastic mechanism, providing a better user experience and higher safety.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a Rubik's Cube, and particularly to a skewb with an elastic positioning mechanism. Background Art

[0002] The skewb inherits the cubic structure of the regular-order Rubik's Cube, but one face block is cut by an inscribed square into four congruent isosceles right triangles and a square, a total of five parts. The four corners are called corner blocks, and the small square in the middle is called the center block, which rotates along one side of the square during rotation. The quick restoration of the skewb depends on the precise rotation of the player, and it is necessary to make each rotation of the Rubik's Cube 120 degrees. For a Rubik's Cube with an elastic positioning mechanism, the Rubik's Cube can be positioned by the elastic positioning mechanism when it rotates to the 120-degree state, so that the Rubik's Cube is not easily stuck, the positioning is more accurate, which is beneficial to improving the restoration speed of the skewb.

[0003] The existing positioning mechanism for the skewb usually uses springs and steel balls placed in the corner blocks to cooperate with the steel ball grooves on the side walls of the center blocks to achieve. This positioning mechanism has the following defects:

[0004] (1) Using steel balls will make the Rubik's Cube heavier, and the positioning process of the steel balls being stuck into the steel ball grooves by the action of the springs is not smooth enough, which is not conducive to improving the rotation speed of the Rubik's Cube;

[0005] (2) When the Rubik's Cube rotates at a high speed, the positioning process of the steel balls being stuck into the steel ball grooves by the action of the springs will generate relatively large noise, resulting in a bad use experience for the player;

[0006] (3) If during processing, the steel balls and the through holes restricting the steel balls are not precise enough, or the edges of the through holes are worn after long-term use of the Rubik's Cube, it is easy for the steel balls to pop out, causing potential safety hazards. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to propose a skewb with an elastic positioning mechanism, aiming to make it have a lighter self-weight, more efficient and smooth rotation performance, a better use experience, and higher safety.

[0008] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0009] A skew-turning Rubik's Cube with an elastic positioning mechanism, comprising four outer corner blocks, a central shaft body with its end connected to the outer corner blocks, a central block snap-fitted to the outer corner blocks, and an inner corner block located on one side opposite to the end of the shaft rod of the central shaft body and snap-fitted to the central block. A limiting block is provided at the end of the shaft rod. The bottoms of the outer corner blocks, the central block, and the inner corner blocks are all provided with sliding tongue bases. The outer corner block includes an outer corner block main body and an outer corner color block provided on its top. The central block includes a central block main body and a central color block provided on its top. The inner corner block includes an inner corner block main body and an inner corner color block provided on its top. It is characterized in that the elastic positioning mechanism includes: an elastic concave piece provided in the middle of the side wall of the inner corner block main body, recessed into the inner corner block main body, and having gaps with the side wall of the inner corner block main body on both the upper and lower sides; a convex portion provided in the middle of the elastic concave piece and higher than the side wall of the inner corner block main body; and a groove provided on the side wall of the central block main body facing the outer corner block main body and cooperating with the convex portion.

[0010] Further, arc-shaped sliding grooves are provided on both sides of the groove on the central block and at positions on the side wall of the outer corner block main body near the bottom. The radian of the arc-shaped sliding groove corresponds to the path swept by the convex portion when the outer corner block main body rotates around the shaft rod of the central shaft body. The depth of the arc-shaped sliding groove is within the distance between the convex portion and the side wall of the inner corner block main body.

[0011] Further, the shaft rod of the central shaft body is connected to the outer corner block through an elastic force system. The elastic force system includes an upper cover, a lower cover cooperating with the upper cover, and a spring placed between the upper cover and the lower cover. A through hole provided at the bottom of the lower cover, a limiting block provided at the end of the shaft rod, a spring fixing portion provided at the center of the inner top wall of the upper cover, a fastening portion provided at the bottom edge of the upper cover, a positioning portion provided at the top edge of the lower cover and corresponding to the fastening portion, a guiding hole provided at the side wall where the positioning portion is located and used to realize the one-way movement of the fastening portion, at least two adjusting grooves provided at the center of the top surface of the upper cover, and a disassembly and assembly hole penetrating the spring fixing portion and the upper cover. The outer contours of the adjusting grooves and the disassembly and assembly hole correspond to the limiting block. The through hole cooperates with a spring column provided on the inner bottom wall of the outer corner block main body for fixing the spring.

[0012] Further, color block fixing pieces are provided between the outer corner block main body and the outer corner color block, and between the inner corner block main body and the inner corner color block. The color block fixing pieces are located within the inner corner block main body or the outer corner block main body and are used to connect the outer corner block main body and the outer corner color block, and to connect the inner corner block main body and the inner corner color block.

[0013] Furthermore, the three faces of the inner corner color block or the outer corner color block are each formed by connecting three color corner pieces of different colors and in the shape of isosceles right triangles through color piece fasteners provided on their hypotenuses. On the side of the color corner piece facing the color block fixing member, a pair of semi-cylindrical columns extending vertically downward are provided. The semi-cylindrical columns between each color corner piece cooperate to form a cylindrical column. A circular through hole corresponding to the outer diameter of the cylindrical column is provided on the color block fixing member.

[0014] Furthermore, on the side of the color corner piece constituting the inner corner color block facing the color block fixing member, a snap fastener extending vertically downward is provided. On the bottom wall of the inner corner block main body, a snap positioning member corresponding to the snap fastener is provided. A fastener through hole corresponding to the snap fastener is provided on the color block positioning member. The snap fastener passes through the fastener through hole and cooperates with the snap positioning member.

[0015] Furthermore, the cylindrical column of the outer corner color block is in interference fit with the circular through hole on the color block fixing member. At a position corresponding to the cylindrical column on the inner bottom wall of the outer corner block main body, a blind hole column with a circular blind hole dug in the center is provided. The circular blind hole of the blind hole column corresponds to the outer diameter of the cylindrical column, and the circular blind hole and the cylindrical column are in transitional fit.

[0016] Furthermore, a chamfer is provided at the junction of the outer corner block main body and the bottom corner of the outer corner color block.

[0017] Furthermore, honeycomb anti-sticking oil storage grooves are provided on the side walls of the inner corner block main body, the outer corner block main body, and the center block main body, as well as on the surface of the tongue base.

[0018] The present invention has the following technical effects:

[0019] (1) Springs and steel balls are not required as components of the positioning mechanism. The elastic deformation of the elastic concave piece itself and the protruding part on the elastic concave piece are used to respectively replace the functions of the spring and the steel ball, which can effectively reduce the self-weight of the Rubik's Cube and also reduce the noise generated during the positioning process of the elastic mechanism, providing a better user experience.

[0020] (2) By using the protruding part on the elastic concave piece to replace the steel ball, higher safety is achieved. Description of the Drawings

[0021] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional view of the product of the skewb Rubik's Cube of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 It is an internal structure diagram shown after partial disassembly of the skewb Rubik's Cube of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3Internal structure diagram of another angle shown after partial disassembly of the skew-turn Rubik's Cube according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 Stereogram of the inner corner block according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 Exploded view of the inner corner block according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 Stereogram of the outer corner block and the central shaft body for fixing the outer corner block according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 For Figure 6 Exploded view of the structure shown;

[0028] Figure 8 Stereogram of the central block according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 9 Exploded view of the central block according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 10 Bottom view of the inner corner colored block and its exploded view according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 11 Bottom view of the outer corner colored block and its exploded view according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 12 Top view of the elastic force system according to the present invention;

[0033] Figure 13 Stereogram of the elastic force system according to the present invention;

[0034] Figure 14 Exploded view of the elastic force system according to the present invention;

[0035] Wherein: 1 inner corner block; 1-1 inner corner colored block; 1-2 inner corner block body; 1-21 elastic concave piece; 1-22 convex part; 1-23 gap; 1-24 snap positioning part; 2 outer corner block; 2-1 outer corner colored block; 2-2 outer corner block body; 2-21 blind hole column; 2-22 spring column; 2-23 chamfer; 3 central block; 3-1 central colored block; 3-2 central block body; 3-21 groove; 4 central shaft body; 4-1 shaft rod; 4-11 limit block; 5 tongue base; 6 corner colored piece; 6-1 colored piece snap; 6-2 semi-circular column; 6-3 snap fastener; 7 circular column; 8 arc-shaped chute; 9 elastic force system; 9-1 upper cover; 9-11 adjustment groove; 9-12 disassembly and assembly hole; 9-2 lower cover; 9-3 spring; 9-4 through hole; 9-5 spring fixing part; 9-6 positioning part; 9-7 fastening part; 9-8 guide hole; 10 colored block fixing part; 10-1 circular through hole; 10-2 fastener through hole; 11 honeycomb-shaped anti-sticking oil storage groove. Detailed implementation manners

[0036] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments.

[0037] It should be noted that if there are directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, top, bottom, inside, outside, vertical, horizontal, longitudinal, counterclockwise, clockwise, circumferential, radial, axial...) involved in the embodiments of the present invention, then the directional indications are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement conditions, etc. between various components in a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If this specific posture changes, then the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0038] As Figures 1-9 shown, the skewb has four inner corner blocks 1, four outer corner blocks 2 and six center blocks 3. The end of the central shaft body 4 is connected to the outer corner block 2, the center block 3 that is clamped with the outer corner block 2, and the inner corner block 1 that is located on the side opposite to the end of the shaft rod 4-1 of the central shaft body 4 and is clamped with the center block 3. A limiting block 4-11 is provided at the end of the shaft rod 4-1. The bottoms of the outer corner block 2, the center block 3 and the inner corner block 1 are all provided with sliding tongue bases 5. As Figure 4 shown, the inner corner block 1 includes a sliding tongue base 5 provided at the bottom, an inner corner block body 1-2 and an inner corner color block 1-1 provided at its top. As Figure 6 shown, the outer corner block 2 includes a sliding tongue base 5 provided at the bottom, an outer corner block body 2-2 and an outer corner color block 2-1 provided at its top. As Figure 8 shown, the center block 3 includes a sliding tongue base 5 provided at the bottom, a center block body 3-2 and a center color block 3-1 provided at its top.

[0039] The elastic positioning mechanism of the skewb specifically includes: an elastic concave piece 1-21 that is arranged in the middle of the side wall of the inner corner block body 1-2, is recessed into the inner corner block body 1-2, and has a gap 1-23 between the upper side and the lower side and the side wall of the inner corner block body 1-2; a convex portion 1-22 that is arranged in the middle of the elastic concave piece 1-21 and is higher than the side wall of the inner corner block body 1-2; and a groove 3-21 that is arranged on the side wall of the center block body 3-2 facing the outer corner block body 2-2 and is matched with the convex portion 1-22.

[0040] In order to make the rotation process of the inner corner block 1 and the adjacent outer corner block 2 and center block 3 smoother and the positioning more accurate after one full rotation, arc-shaped sliding grooves 8 are provided on both sides of the groove 3-21 on the center block 3 and at positions near the bottom of the side wall of the outer corner block body 2-2. The radian of the arc-shaped sliding groove 8 corresponds to the path swept by the protruding portion 1-22 when the inner corner block body 1-2 rotates around the shaft rod 4-1 of the central shaft body 4. The depth of the arc-shaped sliding groove 8 is within the distance between the protruding portion 1-22 and the side wall of the inner corner block body 1-2. For the three center blocks 3 and three outer corner blocks 2 in the same plane, the sliding grooves on the side walls of the center block body 3-2 and the outer corner block body 2-2 finally combine into a circular sliding groove as shown in Figure 3 shown. Combining with the honeycomb-shaped anti-sticking oil storage grooves 11 provided on the side walls of the inner corner block body 1-2, the outer corner block body 2-2 and the center block body 3-2, and the surface of the sliding tongue base 5, the smoothness of the rotation of the skew-turn Rubik's Cube can be further improved.

[0041] Color block fixing pieces are provided between the outer corner block body 2-2 and the outer corner color block 2-1, and between the inner corner block body 1-2 and the inner corner color block 1-1. The color block fixing pieces are used to connect the outer corner block body 2-2 and the outer corner color block 2-1, and to connect the inner corner block body 1-2 and the inner corner color block 1-1, and are located within the inner corner block body 1-2 or the outer corner block body 2-2.

[0042] As Figures 10-11 shown, the three faces of the inner corner color block 1-1 or the outer corner color block 2-1 are each composed of three differently colored isosceles right-angled triangular corner color pieces 6 connected by color piece buckles 6-1 provided on their hypotenuses. A pair of vertically downward extending circular columns 7 are provided on the side of the corner color piece 6 facing the color block fixing piece. The circular columns 7 between each corner color piece 6 can cooperate to form a circular column 7. A circular through hole 10-1 corresponding to the outer diameter of the circular column 7 is provided on the color block fixing piece.

[0043] As Figures 12-14As shown, the shaft 4-1 of the central axis body 4 is connected to the outer corner block 2 through an elastic system 9, and the elastic system 9 includes: an upper cover 9-1, a lower cover 9-2 matched with the upper cover 9-1, and a spring 9-3 placed between the upper cover 9-1 and the lower cover 9-2, a through hole 9-4 arranged at the bottom of the lower cover 9-2, a spring fixing portion 9-5 arranged at the center of the inner top wall of the upper cover 9-1, a fastening portion 9-7 arranged at the bottom edge of the upper cover 9-1, a positioning portion 9-6 arranged at the edge of the top of the lower cover 9-2 and corresponding to the fastening portion 9-7, and a guide hole 9-8 arranged at the side wall where the positioning portion 9-6 is located and used to realize the unidirectional movement of the fastening portion 9-7. There are two adjustment grooves 9-11 arranged at the center of the top surface of the upper cover 9-1, and a disassembly hole 9-12 penetrating the fixing part 9-5 of the spring 9-3 and the top surface of the upper cover 9-1. The outer contours of the adjustment grooves 9-11 and the disassembly hole 9-12 correspond to the limit block 4-11, and the through hole 9-4 cooperates with the spring column 2-22 arranged on the inner bottom wall of the outer corner block body 2-2 for fixing the spring 9-3.

[0044] The circular column 7 of the outer corner color block 2-1 is interference fit with the circular through hole 10-1 on the color block fixing piece. A blind hole column 2-21 with a circular blind hole excavated in the center is provided at a position corresponding to the circular column 7 on the inner bottom wall of the outer corner block body 2-2. The circular blind hole of the blind hole column 2-21 corresponds to the outer diameter of the circular column 7, and the circular blind hole and the circular column 7 are transitionally matched. At the same time, a chamfered corner 2-23 is provided at the junction of the outer corner block body 2-2 and the bottom corner of the outer corner color block 2-1 to facilitate the user to disassemble the outer corner color block 2-1.

[0045] When adjusting the elastic system 9, the user presses the chamfered corner 2-23 on the outer corner block body 2-2 with his fingers and pries it open. Since the circular through hole 10-1 on the color block fixing piece and the circular ring column 7 of the outer corner color block 2-1 are interference fit, the outer corner color block 2-1 can be pried open with the color block fixing piece when it is pried open, thereby exposing the elastic system 9 in the outer corner block body 2-2. By pressing the upper cover 9-1 of the elastic system 9 and rotating it so that the limit block 4-11 is placed in another adjustment groove 9-11, the rotation tightness of the outer corner block 2 can be adjusted.

[0046] Since the inner corner block 1 does not need to adjust the elastic force system 9, in order to reduce the probability of the inner corner colored block 1-1 falling off during the rotation of the Rubik's Cube, for the corner colored piece 6 that constitutes the inner corner colored block 1-1, a buckle fastener 6-3 extending vertically downward is provided on the side facing the colored block fixing member, and a buckle positioning member 1-24 corresponding to the buckle fastener 6-3 is provided on the bottom wall of the inner corner block main body 1-2. A fastener through hole 10-2 corresponding to the buckle fastener 6-3 is provided on the colored block positioning member, and the buckle fastener 6-3 passes through the fastener through hole 10-2 and cooperates with the buckle positioning member 1-24.

[0047] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not limit the patent scope of the present invention accordingly. Any equivalent structural transformation made under the concept of the present invention by using the content of the specification and drawings of the present invention, or directly / indirectly applied in other related technical fields, is included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

[0048] The following gives specific examples of equivalent structural transformation:

[0049] (1) The elastic concave piece of the elastic positioning mechanism is placed at the clamping corner of the center block, inner corner block or outer corner block, and corresponding changes are made to the position where the groove corresponding to the elastic concave piece is located;

[0050] (2) The elastic concave piece of the elastic positioning mechanism is placed on the center block, and a corresponding groove is provided at the position of the outer corner block corresponding to the elastic concave piece on the center block;

[0051] (3) The specific shape of the elastic concave piece is not specifically limited, as long as it has a convex portion and can achieve elastic deformation by itself so that the convex portion can pop into or out of the groove.

Claims

1. A skew-turning Rubik's Cube with an elastic positioning mechanism, comprising four outer corner blocks (2), a central shaft body (4) with its end connected to the outer corner block (2), a central block (3) snap-connected to the outer corner block (2), and an inner corner block (1) located on the side opposite to the end of the shaft rod (4-1) of the central shaft body (4) and snap-connected to the central block (3). A limiting block (4-11) is provided at the end of the shaft rod (4-1). A sliding tongue base (5) is provided at the bottom of each of the outer corner block (2), the central block (3) and the inner corner block (1). The outer corner block (2) includes an outer corner block main body (2-2) and an outer corner color block (2-1) provided on its top. The central block (3) includes a central block main body (3-2) and a central color block (3-1) provided on its top. The inner corner block (1) includes an inner corner block main body (1-2) and an inner corner color block (1-1) provided on its top. Characterized in that, The elastic positioning mechanism includes: an elastic concave piece (1-21) disposed in the middle of the side wall of the inner corner block main body (1-2), recessed into the inner corner block main body (1-2), and having gaps (1-23) on both the upper and lower sides with the side wall of the inner corner block main body (1-2); a convex portion (1-22) disposed in the middle of the elastic concave piece (1-21) and higher than the side wall of the inner corner block main body (1-2); a groove (3-21) disposed on the side wall of the center block main body (3-2) facing the outer corner block main body (2-2) and cooperating with the convex portion (1-22); arc-shaped chutes (8) are disposed on both sides of the groove (3-21) on the center block and at positions near the bottom of the side wall of the outer corner block main body (2-2). The radian of the arc-shaped chute (8) corresponds to the path swept by the convex portion (1-22) when the inner corner block main body (1-2) rotates around the shaft rod (4-1) of the central shaft body (4). The depth of the arc-shaped chute (8) is within the distance between the convex portion (1-22) and the side wall of the inner corner block main body (1-2). It is characterized in that: the shaft rod (4-1) of the central shaft body (4) is connected to the outer corner block (2) through an elastic force system (9). The elastic force system (9) includes an upper cover (9-1), a lower cover (9-2) cooperating with the upper cover (9-1), and a spring (9-3) placed between the upper cover (9-1) and the lower cover (9-2); a through hole (9-4) disposed at the bottom of the lower cover (9-2); a spring fixing portion (9-5) disposed at the center of the inner top wall of the upper cover (9-1); a fastening portion (9-7) disposed at the bottom edge of the upper cover (9-1); a positioning portion (9-6) disposed at the top edge of the lower cover (9-2) and corresponding to the fastening portion (9-7); a guiding hole (9-8) disposed at the side wall where the positioning portion (9-6) is located and used to realize the one-way movement of the fastening portion (9-7); at least two adjusting slots (9-11) disposed at the center of the top surface of the upper cover (9-1); a disassembly and assembly hole (9-12) passing through the spring fixing portion (9-5) and the upper cover (9-1). The outer contours of the adjusting slots (9-11) and the disassembly and assembly hole (9-12) correspond to the limiting block (4-11). The through hole (9-4) cooperates with a spring column (2-22) disposed on the inner bottom wall of the outer corner block main body (2-2) for fixing the spring (9-3).

2. The skew-turning Rubik's Cube with an elastic positioning mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: Color block fixing members (10) are disposed between the outer corner block main body (2-2) and the outer corner color block (2-1), and between the inner corner block main body (1-2) and the inner corner color block (1-1). The color block fixing members (10) are located within the inner corner block main body (1-2) or the outer corner block main body (2-2) and are used to connect the outer corner block main body (2-2) and the outer corner color block (2-1), and to connect the inner corner block main body (1-2) and the inner corner color block (1-1).

3. The skew-turn Rubik's Cube with an elastic positioning mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: Three faces of the inner corner colored block (1-1) or the outer corner colored block (2-1) are each composed of three differently colored isosceles right triangle corner colored pieces (6) connected by colored piece fasteners (6-1) provided on their hypotenuses. A pair of semi-cylindrical columns (6-2) extending vertically downward are provided on the surface of the corner colored piece (6) facing the colored block fixing member (10). The semi-cylindrical columns (6-2) between each pair of corner colored pieces (6) cooperate to form a cylindrical column (7). A circular through hole (10-1) corresponding to the outer diameter of the cylindrical column (7) is provided on the colored block fixing member (10).

4. The skew-turn Rubik's Cube with an elastic positioning mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: On the surface of the corner colored piece constituting the inner corner colored block (1-1) facing the colored block fixing member (10), a snap fastener (6-3) extending vertically downward is provided. A snap positioning member (1-24) corresponding to the snap fastener (6-3) is provided on the bottom wall of the inner corner block main body (1-2). A fastener through hole (10-2) corresponding to the snap fastener (6-3) is provided on the colored block fixing member (10). The snap fastener (6-3) passes through the fastener through hole (10-2) and cooperates with the snap positioning member (1-24).

5. The skew-turn Rubik's Cube with an elastic positioning mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cylindrical column (7) of the outer corner colored block (2-1) is in interference fit with the circular through hole (10-1) on the colored block fixing member (10). At a position corresponding to the cylindrical column (7) on the inner bottom wall of the outer corner block main body (2-2), a blind hole column (2-21) with a circular blind hole excavated in the center is provided. The circular blind hole of the blind hole column (2-21) corresponds to the outer diameter of the cylindrical column (7), and the circular blind hole and the cylindrical column (7) are in transitional fit.

6. The skew-turn Rubik's Cube with an elastic positioning mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that: A chamfer (2-23) is provided at the junction of the bottom corner of the outer corner block main body (2-2) and the outer corner colored block (2-1).

7. The skew-turn Rubik's Cube with an elastic positioning mechanism according to any one of claims 3-6, characterized in that: Honeycomb-shaped anti-sticking oil storage grooves (11) are provided on the side walls of the inner corner block main body (1-2), the outer corner block main body (2-2) and the center block main body (3-2), as well as on the surface of the sliding tongue base (5).

Images