Puzzle block

Abstract

To address such a problem that pentomino puzzles are often difficult, because pentominoes are made of 12 blocks of 12 types and a puzzle using the pentominoes is generally comprised of the 12 blocks of 12 types.SOLUTION: A puzzle block is a set of five pentominoes of five types excluding "I"-shaped ones, selected from the 12 pentominoes of 12 types. In addition, a square frame base having a side length of 5 cm (a basic scale) and including a cutout with a minimum width of the block is prepared. Accordingly, the puzzle block allowing players to enjoy puzzles and games simply and easily is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This involves 12 different shaped blocks (hereafter referred to as "pentominoes") that can be made by joining the edges of five equal-sized squares on a flat surface. [Background technology]

[0002] There are various puzzles and games using pentominoes, such as those described in Patent Document 1. However, because pentomino blocks are made up of 12 pieces of 12 different types, puzzles using pentominoes generally consist of all 12 pieces of 12 different types. As a result, many pentomino puzzles are difficult. Even in combination puzzle games with fewer than 11 of the 12 types and 12 pieces, players usually select and combine any of the 12 types and 12 pieces of pentominoes. There are no puzzle sets available that are limited to a specific number and type of the 12 pentominoes of each type, with the aim of making them easy and fun to play.

[0003] US Pat. No. 5,399,633 shows markings to provide easy identification of puzzle pieces and their orientation. The object of the invention of Patent Document 1 is to provide a puzzle that is more difficult to complete. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2004-536679 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] To provide a set of pentominoes that allows puzzles or games using pentominoes to be enjoyed simply and easily, with a relatively simple and low level of difficulty, or with a relatively small number of moves, while maintaining the fun of the puzzles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A pentomino is a block made by joining five equal-sized squares, edges together, on a flat surface. The squares can also be cubes. Only those constructed on a flat surface are called "pentominoes", and do not include those constructed in three dimensions, such as one cube attached to another cube in the XYZ axis direction. There are 12 types of pentominoes, if we consider those that are in a reverse or mirror image relationship as one type, as shown in Figure 1. The 12 types are named "IJNYCPFLTWXZ" based on their shapes. The order of "IJNYCPFLTWXZ" is determined by prioritizing the length (height), then narrowest width if the length is the same, and alphabetically if both the length and width are the same. Also, "J" is sometimes called "L," "C" is called "U," and "L" is called "V," but we won't call them that here.

[0007] The length of one side of the square, which is the basis of the shape and dimensions of the pentomino, is called the "base scale." When expressing length, "1 base scale" = "the length of one side of the square," and is expressed here as "1P." When expressing area, "1 base scale" = "the area of ​​one square," and is expressed here as "1P." 2 " is expressed as ".

[0008] The present invention is a puzzle made of pentomino blocks, in which five types of five blocks are selected from the blocks "JNYCPFLTWXZ" excluding the block "I" out of the 12 types of pentomino blocks, and put together into a set.

[0009] The present invention is also a puzzle made up of pentomino blocks, in which five blocks of five types, "JNYPL", or five blocks of five types, "NYPLW", are selected from the blocks of "JNYCPFLTWXZ" excluding the block "I" among the pentomino blocks, and are put together into a set.

[0010] This invention also includes a frame stand with a frame large enough to hold a square with sides measuring 5P, and a set of five blocks of five different types selected from the "JNYCPFLTWXZ" blocks, excluding the "I" block out of the 12 types of pentomino blocks. The frame base consists of a frame placed on a flat board, and the inside size of the frame should be 1 to 3 mm larger than a square with each side measuring 5P. Effect of the Invention

[0011] Puzzles using 12 of 12 types of pentominoes have an almost infinite number of combinations, because the direction in which the blocks are placed is also important. Games using pentomino blocks also naturally require a lot of moves due to the number of blocks, and as a result, there are many difficult puzzles and games. The present invention solves the above problems of difficulty and number of steps by narrowing down the number of blocks to five.

[0012] Since pentominoes are made up of five squares, the area of ​​one block is 5P 2 The total area of ​​the 12 pentominoes is 60P. 2 It becomes. 5P 2 Over 60P 2 The square is within 9P 2 , 16P 2 , 25P 2 , 36P 2 , 49P 2 However, when combining pentominoes into a square, the base scale must be a multiple of 5, so 25P 2 In this case, it is limited to a square with each side measuring 5P. The number of pentominoes that can be combined into a square is five, and it can be five of one type, five of two types, five of three types, or five of four types, but if you need multiple pentominoes of the same type, or if you have an unnecessary type of pentomino out of the 12 types, you will end up with a combination that is not interesting, and the uneven number of pentominoes can easily cause problems in sales and production.

[0013] The reason why the "I" block is excluded from the 12 types of pentominoes is that when five of the five types of pentominoes are used to make a square, the letter "I" is included, and the four blocks other than the "I" form a 4P x 5P rectangle, which means that there are fewer combinations for the puzzle compared to a puzzle that uses five blocks that do not contain the letter "I," making it less interesting.

[0014] Excluding the pentomino block "I", there are more than three ways to combine five pieces of five types of "JNYPL" or "NYPLW" to form a square, but only two or fewer ways have been found for the other combinations of five pieces of five types. Therefore, puzzles with five pieces of five types of "JNYPL" or "NYPLW" are easier to create more puzzle problems than puzzles with other combinations of five pieces of five types.

[0015] The set includes a frame stand with a frame that encloses a square with sides measuring 5P, and pentomino blocks, so you can easily and conveniently enjoy this puzzle and game anytime, anywhere. In addition, by arranging the blocks in a square shape, the frame can also serve as a container for the blocks, making it easy to carry. Furthermore, the frame makes it possible to create a variety of puzzles and games, expanding the fun of puzzles and games. As described above, the present invention does not solve the problem by simply reducing the number of blocks, but by limiting it to an appropriate number, selecting appropriate block types, and creating a frame of an appropriate size and shape. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] A floor plan showing all 12 types of pentominoes [Diagram 2] "JNYPL" among the Pentomino blocks and its square combinations (Example 1) [Diagram 3] "NYPLW" among the Pentomino blocks and its square combinations (Example 2) [Figure 4] Square combinations of five other types of pentomino blocks (Example 3) [Diagram 5] A square combination of five pieces of five kinds, including the pentomino block "I". [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the frame (Example 4) [Figure 7] Frame variations (Example 5) [Figure 8] A diagram showing the use of a frame base with part of the frame missing (Example 6) [Figure 9] Layout when the frame and base are laser cut at the same time [Figure 10] A diagram of multiple frames arranged side by side [Figure 11] A frame with only one missing part DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The goal of providing easy and low-difficulty games and puzzles is to select 5 pieces of 5 types from the 12 blocks of 12 types of pentominoes, or to play 25P 2 This is achieved by creating a frame 2 having a notch 21. EXAMPLES

[0018] Figure 2 shows the present invention, which selects "JNYPL" from among the pentomino blocks, and the combination of three types of squares resulting from it. "JNYPL" is a combination of three types of squares that can easily be used to create many other diverse games and puzzles, and is suitable as a combination for enjoying games, puzzles, and building blocks. EXAMPLES

[0019] FIG. 3 shows the present invention, which selects "NYPLW" from among the pentomino blocks, and the combination of three squares resulting from it. Although "NYPLW" is not as good as "JNYPL", it is a combination that can easily create a variety of other games and puzzles using the three types of square combinations, and is suitable as a combination for enjoying games, puzzles, and building blocks. EXAMPLES

[0020] FIG. 4 shows an example of the present invention using pentomino blocks other than the "JNYPL" or "NYPLW" combinations, and a combination of squares made using the blocks. This combination can also produce a variety of games and puzzles, but it is difficult to produce as many games and combinations as "NYPLW" or "JNYPL".

[0021] Figure 5 shows a square combination using five of five types of pentomino blocks, including the "I" block. Because of the shape of the other blocks, "I" can only be positioned on the outside of the square, and a square combination of A and B in Figure 4 and C and D in Figure 4 can be made, but by simply changing the position of "I", the combinations of the remaining four blocks remain unchanged, so compared to the combinations of the five blocks excluding "I", the number of combinations is smaller and less interesting. EXAMPLES

[0022] 6 is a perspective view of the frame base. The cutout 23 is wider than 1P, and is wide enough for the block with width 1P to pass through easily, with no frame between them and flush with the top plane of the base. The cutout 23 is located at a diagonal corner of the square, and the other frame 222 is shortened by about 1P in the direction perpendicular to one side 221. EXAMPLES

[0023] Figure 7 shows variations of the notch 23. A is the same as in Figure 6, and B is one in which the notch 23 is provided in the middle of the straight section of the frame side. C is one in which the notch 23 in Figure 6 has been increased from two to four. D is one in which the two notches in B have been increased to four. Since the frame base has a side of 5P, the notch 23 may be located in the center of the frame side as in A and D, but if the frame base has a base dimension with an even number for the side length, it cannot be located in the center of the frame side. EXAMPLES

[0024] Figure 8 shows puzzles and games being played using a frame base with a notch 23. A is a square puzzle. B is a scene from a game.

[0025] FIG. 9 shows a layout when the frame base of FIG. 7C is made by bonding the base 21 and the frame 22 together by laser cutting from a plate material. If there is only one cutout 23 in the frame as in FIG. 11, this layout cannot be used and there will be a lot of scraps of plate material.

[0026] Fig. 10 shows the layout when a frame with four notches 23 at the four corners is cut out from a sheet of metal by laser cutting. This is an efficient manufacturing method with almost no waste material. [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] 1. 12 types of pentominoes 2 Frame stand 21 units 22 slots 221 Unbroken Frame Edge 222 Missing frame edge 23 Frame cutout

Claims

1. A block of pentominoes, A set of five pentomino blocks, each consisting of five different types of blocks, excluding the "I" block.

2. A block of pentominoes, 2. The set of blocks according to claim 1, characterized in that the set of pentomino blocks is made up of five blocks of five types of "JNYPL" or five blocks of five types of "NYPLW".

3. 2. The set of blocks according to claim 1, characterized in that the set includes a frame base having a frame large enough to accommodate a square with one side measuring 5 base scale.

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