Puzzle Kit

Abstract

The present invention provides a puzzle kit. The puzzle kit includes a first puzzle and a second puzzle, each of which is formed by a plurality of polyhedral modules or polyhedrons connected via hinges to form a continuous loop. Each polyhedron has four faces and six sides, and at least one magnet adjacent to at least one face. The magnetically stable assembly of the first puzzle and the second puzzle forms at least one convex polyhedron, such as a cube.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] (Related Applications) This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 298,722, filed January 12, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Technical field]

[0002] The present invention relates to the toy and puzzle field. [Background technology]

[0003] Puzzles have intergenerational appeal as games, toys, educational aids, therapeutic devices, and the like. Such puzzles can be arranged in different geometric configurations, for example, as shown in British Patent Application GB2,107,200 to Asano and U.S. Patent No. 6,264,199B1 to Schaedel. As taught in the prior art, the attributes of any particular polyhedral puzzle are highly dependent on the geometry and hinge connection configuration of that particular puzzle. For example, the folding puzzle taught in Schaedel consists of 24 identical isosceles tetrahedral bodies formed by four triangular faces with angles of approximately 70.53°, 54.74°, and 54.74°. The tetrahedrons are joined together at their bases (longest sides) and can be manipulated into rhombic dodecahedrons in "many different ways."

[0004] However, Schaedel does not teach anything else that can be done in many different ways to achieve the geometry of a rhombic dodecahedron. In fact, as one skilled in the art would understand, there are an infinite number of different combinations of variables for such a puzzle, including the number of faces and edges of the polyhedrons, the interior angles and edge lengths of the polyhedrons, the number of polyhedrons, whether all the polyhedrons are the same or not, how the polyhedrons are arranged, the location of the hinges between the polyhedrons, and other variables.

[0005] Additionally, because of these seemingly infinite combinations of variables and the unpredictable outcomes of changes in related variables, even a small change in one variable can alter the properties of the entire puzzle in ways that are usually detrimental to the functionality of the puzzle itself.

[0006] Therefore, new puzzles with different geometries and exciting new attributes are needed. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention provides a puzzle kit. The puzzle kit includes at least a first puzzle and a second puzzle. In one aspect, each of the first puzzle and the second puzzle includes a plurality of polyhedral modules or polyhedrons connected via hinges to form a continuous loop. For each of the first puzzle and the second puzzle, each of the plurality of polyhedrons has four faces and six sides. In some embodiments, the relative side length of each of the six sides is 1 unit, 2 units, the square root of 2 units (√(2) units), or the square root of 3 units (√(3) units). Each of the plurality of polyhedrons includes a plurality of magnets. In some embodiments, at least one, two, three, or four faces are disposed adjacent to at least one magnet of the plurality of magnets.

[0008] In another aspect, a puzzle kit includes a first puzzle and a second puzzle, each of which includes a plurality of polyhedrons connected via hinges to form a continuous loop, each polyhedron including four faces and six edges and at least one magnet adjacent to at least one of the four faces. A first assembly of the first puzzle and the second puzzle forms a cube, and the first puzzle is magnetically coupled to the second puzzle in the first assembly.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first assembly of the first puzzle and the second puzzle forms a convex polyhedron, and the first puzzle is magnetically coupled to the second puzzle in the first assembly.

[0010] In either embodiment, in the first assembly, the first puzzle and the second puzzle are in a congruent configuration.

[0011] In either embodiment, for each of the first and second puzzles, the multiple magnets in each of the alternating polyhedrons in the successive loop have a first polarity, and the multiple magnets in each of the remaining polyhedrons in the successive loop have a second polarity that is opposite to the first polarity.

[0012] In either embodiment, the convex polyhedron may be a cube.

[0013] In either embodiment, the second assembly of the first puzzle and the second puzzle forms a concave polyhedron, and in the second assembly the first puzzle is magnetically coupled to the second puzzle.

[0014] In either embodiment, the concave polyhedron may be characterized by a hexagonal outline and six peaks.

[0015] In either embodiment, in the second assembly, the first puzzle and the second puzzle may not be congruent.

[0016] In any embodiment, the third assembly of the first puzzle and the second puzzle may form a concave polyhedron, and in the third assembly, the first puzzle and the second puzzle may be in a congruent configuration, and in the third assembly, the first puzzle is magnetically coupled to the second puzzle.

[0017] In any embodiment, the six sides of each polyhedron may include (e.g., consist of) a first side having a side length of 2 units, second and third sides having side lengths of the square root of 3 units (√(3) units), fourth and fifth sides having side lengths of the square root of 2 units (√(2) units), and a sixth side having a side length of 1 unit.

[0018] In either embodiment, each of the plurality of polyhedrons may have a tetrahedral shape.

[0019] In either embodiment, each of the plurality of polyhedrons may be congruent with each other of the plurality of polyhedrons.

[0020] In either embodiment, the plurality of polyhedrons may consist of 12 polyhedrons hinged together to form a continuous loop.

[0021] In either embodiment, the hinge may include bridge strips, each bridge strip extending from one polyhedron of the plurality of polyhedrons to an adjacent polyhedron of the plurality of polyhedrons.

[0022] In either embodiment, for each of the first and second puzzles, each hinge may connect one of the six sides of one of the plurality of polyhedrons to the same one of the six sides of another of the plurality of polyhedrons.

[0023] In either embodiment, for each of the first and second puzzles, each hinge hinges a first one of the multiple polyhedrons to a second one of the multiple polyhedrons such that a first one of the six faces of the first polyhedron reversibly abuts a first one of the six faces of the second polyhedron, and at least one magnet located adjacent to the first face of the first polyhedron has an opposite polarity to at least one magnet located adjacent to the first face of the second polyhedron.

[0024] In either embodiment, for each of the first and second puzzles, each of the hinges hinges the first polyhedron to the second polyhedron such that a second of the six faces of the first polyhedron abuts a second of the six faces of the second polyhedron by toggling about the bridge strip, and at least one magnet located adjacent to the second face of the first polyhedron has an opposite polarity to at least one magnet located adjacent to the second face of the second polyhedron.

[0025] In either embodiment, for each of the first and second puzzles, the first polyhedron is connected to a third polyhedron of the plurality of polyhedrons via another bridge strip such that a third of the six faces of the first polyhedron abuts a fourth of the six faces of the third polyhedron by toggling around another bridge strip, and at least one magnet located adjacent to the third face of the first polyhedron has an opposite polarity to at least one magnet located adjacent to the fourth face of the third polyhedron.

[0026] In either embodiment, for each of the first and second puzzles, the first polyhedron is connected to the third polyhedron via another bridge strip such that a fourth of the six faces of the first polyhedron abuts a third of the six faces of the third polyhedron by toggling around another bridge strip, and at least one magnet located adjacent to the fourth face of the first polyhedron has an opposite polarity to at least one magnet located adjacent to the third face of the third polyhedron.

[0027] In either embodiment, for each of the first puzzle and the second puzzle, a first face of the first polyhedron and a first face of the second polyhedron are congruent, and a second face of the first polyhedron and a second face of the second polyhedron are congruent.

[0028] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the drawings unless otherwise noted. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1A] 1 shows a puzzle kit according to a representative embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] 1B shows the puzzle kit of FIG. 1A in a first assembly. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a perspective view of a puzzle of a puzzle kit according to a representative embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the polyhedral geometry of the puzzle of FIG. 2. [Figure 4A]3 shows a perspective view of the puzzle of FIG. 2 in a first configuration. [Figure 4B] The plan view is shown. [Figure 4C] The front view is shown. [Figure 4D] The right side view is shown. [Figure 5A] FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the puzzle kit of FIG. 1A in a first assembly. [Figure 5B] The plan view is shown. [Figure 5C] The front view is shown. [Figure 5D] Its right side view [Figure 6A] 1B shows a perspective view of the puzzle kit of FIG. 1A in a second assembly. [Figure 6B] The plan view is shown. [Figure 6C] The front view is shown. [Figure 6D] The right side view is shown. [Figure 7A] FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the puzzle kit of FIG. 1A in a third assembly. [Figure 7B] The plan view is shown. [Figure 7C] The front view is shown. [Figure 7D] The right side view is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] The following disclosure describes a kit that includes at least two hinged magnetic puzzles (hereafter referred to as puzzles). In any embodiment, each puzzle may have the same structure as the other puzzle(s) of the kit. Each puzzle is formed by hinged polyhedrons, each of which has a specific geometric feature. Furthermore, each of the polyhedrons is hinged to the other polyhedrons of the puzzle and preferably has structural features that realize a unique function and / or exhibit unique properties. The puzzle kit may include more than two puzzles, for example, three, four or more puzzles.

[0031] Each kit puzzle includes multiple solid polyhedral modules or bodies that are hinged to form a continuous loop. By performing different movement sequences, these puzzles can be manipulated into many different configurations that are visually and tactilely interesting. For example, the polyhedrons are configured to be manipulated about the loop axis of the continuous loop (i.e., flipping the puzzle from inside out) and / or toggle about hinge devices (e.g., bridge strips) that connect adjacent polyhedrons. The specific geometry of the polyhedrons and the specific hinge connection relationships defined by the bridge strips allow the puzzle to be manipulated into many different geometric configurations. Additionally, multiple magnets with complementary polarities are disposed in every puzzle. Advantageously, the magnets stabilize the puzzle in multiple configurations and assemblies.

[0032] FIG. 1A shows a puzzle kit 100 (hereinafter, abbreviated as kit 100) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The kit 100 includes at least two magnetic puzzles 102a, 102b, each of which is formed by a plurality of polyhedrons connected by hinges to form a continuous loop. In the embodiments described herein, the puzzles 102a, 102b are the same, except that in some embodiments, different surface treatments are applied to give them different appearances (as shown in FIG. 1A). That is, the structure, geometry and size of the puzzles 102a, 102b are the same. For ease of understanding, the puzzles 102a, 102b have different surface treatments, which is optional.

[0033] Each puzzle 102a, 102b is independently configurable into a variety of configurations, achieved by the geometry of each polyhedron, the positioning of the hinges between the polyhedrons, and the location and polarity of magnets within or on the polyhedrons, the details of which are described below.

[0034] Uniquely, the particular geometry and hinge arrangement of each of the puzzles 102a, 102b allows the two puzzles 102a, 102b to be joined together into an assembly that has many attractive properties. For example, once the two puzzles 102a, 102b are manipulated by a user into the congruent convex polyhedral configuration shown in Figure 1A (each being a nine-sided polygon), the puzzles 102a, 102b can be rotated 90 degrees relative to each other and then placed together to form the convex polyhedron of Figure 1B.

[0035] Additionally, the placement and polarization of the magnets in each of the puzzles 102a, 102b results in a mutual attraction of the puzzles 102a, 102b. This mutual attraction (represented by the magnetic field 160) magnetically stabilizes the assembly. Exemplary magnet placements are described below, and it should be understood that the magnetic field 160 shown in FIG. 1A is representative and is not intended to limit the placement or polarity of the magnets in or on the puzzles 102a, 102b.

[0036] 1B, the puzzles 102a, 102b of FIG. 1A are joined together and magnetically stabilized into a first assembly, which is a convex polyhedron, more specifically, a cube. A cube assembly not only has desirable symmetry and density, but is also ideal for the packaging kit 100. As used herein, "assembly" includes two or more puzzles.

[0037] Kit 100 may be manipulated into many additional assemblies. A representative selection of these assemblies are described below. In some embodiments, multiple puzzles may be assembled to form a rhombic dodecahedron assembly. As will be appreciated, kit 100 may be configured as two assemblies having congruent shapes, but each puzzle of the first assembly has its own unique characteristics that may have a different configuration than the configuration of the puzzle of the second assembly. See Figures 6A-7D described below.

[0038] 2 shows a conversion puzzle (hereinafter referred to as puzzle 202) of one of the puzzle kits (e.g., kit 100 of FIG. 1). Puzzle 202 is the same as puzzles 102a and 102b of puzzle kit 100 of FIG. 1A, i.e., it has the same geometric shape, size, and structure.

[0039] The puzzle 202 includes a number of polyhedrons 204a-204l joined into a continuous loop around a loop axis 208. Each of the polyhedrons 204a-204l is a solid body (preferably with a cavity formed therein) and may be formed from a thermoplastic polymer (e.g., PLA) or other rigid material. For clarity, the polyhedrons described herein are not limited to being completely solid bodies. In some embodiments, one or more of the polyhedrons may be hollow (i.e., have a cavity therein) and may have one or more notches cut out from their volume.

[0040] The polyhedrons 204a-204l are hinged in series (e.g., as a continuous loop) in an end-to-end configuration via hinges 206a-206l. As described below, the polyhedrons 204a-204l are each provided with at least one magnet. Together, the magnets stabilize the puzzle 202 in a variety of configurations that have visual and tactile appeal, such as the configurations detailed in Figures 4A-4D.

[0041] Puzzle 202 can be positioned into a variety of different configurations by manipulating polyhedrons 204a-204l. The figures show representative, non-limiting combination configurations that puzzle 202 can be manipulated into, including various regular, irregular, convex, concave, and other polyhedron types.

[0042] To achieve different configurations, the polyhedra 204a-204l may be manipulated in different orders, including one or more of the following steps: To achieve different configurations, the polyhedra 204a-204l can be manipulated in different orders, including one or more of the following steps: Rotating one or more of the polyhedra 204a-204l about the loop axis 208 (this tends to "flip" the puzzle 202 from the inside out). Toggling one or more of the polyhedrons 204a-204l about the hinges 206a-206l so that different faces of the polyhedrons 204a-204l abut against each other; or · Translating one or more of the polyhedra 204a-204l relative to each other.

[0043] Unlike known puzzles, the puzzle 202 of the present disclosure utilizes the specific geometry of the puzzle 100 and a unique combination of magnets to stabilize it in an infinite number of different configurations.

[0044] Specific features of a representative puzzle 202 will now be described.

[0045] The puzzle 202 is formed from a continuous loop of 12 hinged identical (i.e., congruent) polyhedrons 204a-204l, each of which is a tetrahedron. Each polyhedron is hinged to two adjacent polyhedrons along a loop axis 208 via two of the hinges 206a-206l, each of which extends from one polyhedron to at least one of the adjacent polyhedrons. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to puzzles having 12 polyhedrons. In some embodiments, each of the polyhedrons 204a-204l is subdivided into two or more polyhedrons, thereby generating 24 or 36 polyhedrons that are hinged to form a continuous loop.

[0046] As used herein, the term "congruent" means that two geometric figures (e.g., two polyhedrons in a single puzzle, or the overall shape of an assembly of two puzzles) have the same shape and size. This includes cases where one of the geometries is a mirror of the other.

[0047] Each of the polyhedrons 204a-204l is congruent, but the twelve polyhedrons include a first set of polyhedrons having a first orientation (i.e., polyhedrons 204a,c,e,I,k) and a second set of polyhedrons having a different second orientation (i.e., polyhedrons 204b,d,f,h,j,l). That is, if the first orientation of the polyhedrons is designated as type "1" and the second orientation of the polyhedrons is designated as type "2", then the polyhedrons 204a-204l are connected in the following order, starting from polyhedron 204a: 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2.

[0048] The first and second orientations are mirrors of each other, such that the hinges 206a-206l hinge one side of a polyhedron with the first orientation to the same side of another polyhedron with the second orientation. The hinges are therefore arranged in two different types of positions (described below). Also, the two hinges of each polyhedron are perpendicular to each other, which is advantageous in that the puzzle 202 can achieve a right-angled configuration as in FIG. 1A.

[0049] Figure 3 is a two-dimensional projection of one of the congruent polyhedrons 204a of Figure 2, illustrating its particular geometry. The polyhedron has four faces, 210, 212, 214, and 216, and six edges, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, and 228. The following edges form perpendicular edge pairs: edges 218 and 228, edges 224 and 228, and edges 226 and 228.

[0050] The relative lengths of each side (relative side lengths) are shown by diagram 250. Because of the side length relationships defined by diagram 250, faces 212, 214, and 216 are right triangles and face 210 is an isosceles triangle (side 220 and side 222 have equal lengths).

[0051] Example diagram 250 shows the relationship between different edge lengths of a polyhedron. Edges marked with a circle "●" have a length of one unit that can be scaled in different embodiments. Regardless of the value of the units ("●"), the relative relationship between different edges is constant between different embodiments. That is, regardless of the value of the unit length "●", edges marked with a plus sign "+" have a length equal to twice the unit length, edges marked with a triangle sign "▲" have a length equal to the square root of twice the unit length (i.e., √(2)(unit length)), and edges marked with a square sign "■" have a length equal to the square root of three times the unit length (i.e., √(3)(unit length)).

[0052] Referring to example diagram 250, in a hypothetical embodiment where the unit length "●" is equal to 100 mm, the "●" side (i.e., side 228) has a length equal to 100 mm, the "+" side (i.e., side 218) has a length equal to 200 mm, each "▲" side (i.e., sides 224, 226) has a length equal to 100√(2) mm, and each "■" side (i.e., sides 220, 222) has a length equal to 100√(3) mm. In any embodiment, the relative lengths of the six sides may be important for the puzzle to achieve the different configurations shown and described herein.

[0053] Returning to Figure 2, puzzle 202 includes hinges 206a-206l each connecting two adjacent ones of polyhedrons 204a-204l. Hinges 206a-206l flexibly join adjacent polyhedrons 204a-204l such that the joined polyhedrons can be reversibly toggled such that different faces selectively abut one another.

[0054] The hinges are positioned at two different types of positions: in a first type of position (exemplified by hinges 206a, 206c, 206e, 206g, 206i, 206k), the hinges flexibly join sides 218 of adjacent polyhedra (which have mirror image orientations with respect to each other); in a second type of position (exemplified by hinges 206b, 206d, 206f, 206h, 206j, 206l), the hinges flexibly join sides 228 of adjacent polyhedra. Because sides 218 and 228 are perpendicular to each other, the connecting hinges are also perpendicular to each other.

[0055] The hinge connection schemes provide for specific arrangements of adjacent polyhedrons. In particular, each hinge at a first type of position (i.e., between the sides 218 of adjacent polyhedrons) hinges the first polyhedron to the adjacent second polyhedron such that a face 210 of the first polyhedron reversibly abuts a face 210 of the adjacent second polyhedron and furthermore, a face 212 of the first polyhedron reversibly abuts a face 212 of the adjacent second polyhedron. Furthermore, each hinge at a second type of position (i.e., between the sides 228 of adjacent polyhedrons) hinges the first polyhedron to the adjacent second polyhedron such that a face 214 of the first polyhedron reversibly abuts a face 216 of the adjacent second polyhedron and furthermore, a face 216 of the first polyhedron reversibly abuts a face 214 of the adjacent second polyhedron.

[0056] Each of the polyhedrons 204a-204l is connected to two adjacent polyhedrons. Specifically, each polyhedron is connected to one adjacent mirrored polyhedron at its side 218 via a first hinge in a first type position, and is connected to another adjacent mirrored polyhedron at its side 228 via a second hinge in a second type position. In this way, each polyhedron is toggleable with respect to each adjacently hinged polyhedron.

[0057] In some embodiments (such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 2), the hinges are arranged about the loop axis 208 of the polyhedron 204a in the same order as the polyhedrons described above, i.e., first type position, second type position, first type position, etc. In some embodiments, the hinges may be adhesive or tape-type bridge strips adhesively bonded to adjacent faces of the polyhedron.

[0058] Although an exemplary hinge is shown in FIG. 2, the hinge can take many different forms. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the hinges is a decal or sticker that is applied to the faces of at least two adjacent polyhedrons such that the hinge extends directly from one of the polyhedrons to the other. Although each hinge in FIG. 2 connects two adjacent polyhedrons, in some embodiments, one or more hinges may connect more than two polyhedrons. For example, in some embodiments, a single continuous decal can be applied to more than two polyhedrons. Exemplary hinges of this configuration are described in detail in U.S. Patents Nos. 10,569,185 and 10,918,964 to Hoenigschmid, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0059] In other embodiments, the hinge is integrally formed with the polyhedron (e.g., a moveable hinge) and extends directly from one of the modules to an adjacent module. In such embodiments, the hinge may be formed as a flexible polymer tape of the same or similar material as the housing of the modules. Exemplary hinges of such construction are described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 11,358,070 to Aberg, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0060] In yet another embodiment, the hinge is one or more internal flexible connecting tapes (e.g., thin flexible polymeric or woven internal flexible connecting tapes) that extend between adjacent modules and are configured to be secured within the internal lumens of the adjacent polyhedrons. Exemplary hinges of such configuration are described in detail in PCT Publication WO2022 / 130285 to Hoenigschmid, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0061] In any embodiment, multiple hinges can extend between adjacent edges of adjacent polyhedrons. The above hinge structures are exemplary and not limiting.

[0062] 3, each polyhedron includes a number of magnets 230, 232, 234, 236 positioned and polarized such that each polyhedron magnetically couples with a number of other polyhedrons to stabilize polyhedron 204a in any one or more of the configurations described herein. In particular, at least one magnet is positioned on or within each polyhedron in a position and polarity that allows it to magnetically couple with at least one magnet of opposite polarity positioned on another polyhedron, for example, when puzzle 202 is manipulated into a different configuration.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, at least one magnet of the plurality of magnets is positioned adjacent each of the faces 210, 212, 214, 216 of the polyhedron and is positioned, e.g., such that the magnetic field of each magnet passes through the adjacent face with sufficient force to be magnetically coupled with a similar magnet set to an opposite polarity to that provided adjacent the opposing face of the face.

[0064] It should be understood that the concepts described herein are not limited to embodiments having four magnets. For example, in some embodiments, more than one magnet is disposed adjacent each face such that each polyhedron has a total of five, six, seven, or eight magnets. In some embodiments, at least one of the faces of each polyhedron is free of magnets. In such embodiments, each polyhedron may have one, two, three, four, or more magnets. For example, in some embodiments, each polyhedron is provided with magnets 230, 234, and 236, but not magnet 232. In some embodiments, each polyhedron is provided with magnets 230, 232, and 234, but not magnet 236. In some embodiments, each polyhedron is provided with magnets 230, 232, and 236, but not magnet 234. In some embodiments, each polyhedron is provided with magnets 232, 234, and 236, but not magnet 230. In some embodiments, each polyhedron is provided with a single magnet. In some embodiments, at least one face of each polyhedron is free of magnets and more than one magnet is adjacent one or more other faces of the same polyhedron. Thus, in some embodiments, puzzle 202 includes 12, 24, 36, 48 or more magnets.

[0065] In the illustrated embodiment, each magnet is embedded in each face, such as embedded in a recess formed in the face itself. In other embodiments, each magnet can be disposed in the bore of each polyhedron and positioned sufficiently close to the associated face such that the magnetic field of the magnet extends through the face. For example, in some embodiments, each magnet can be held in a recessed groove, slot, and / or track disposed in the cavity. In some embodiments, one or more of the magnets can be disposed in a carriage (e.g., a carriage disposed close to the vertices of the sides of the polyhedron) such that the magnetic field from the magnet extends through multiple faces of the polyhedron. Exemplary structures for securing magnets to polyhedrons are described in U.S. Patents Nos. 10,569,185 and 10,918,864 to Hoenigschmid, and U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2022 / 0047960, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0066] As mentioned above, the magnets are positioned and polarized such that each polyhedron is configured to be magnetically coupled to each of the two adjacent polyhedrons coupled via a hinge. To achieve this, in some embodiments, such as FIG. 2, the magnets of every other / alternating polyhedron (e.g., first, third, fifth, etc.) in the successive loop have a common polarity (e.g., negative) and the magnets of each remaining polyhedron (e.g., second, fourth, sixth, etc.) in the successive loop have a different polarity (e.g., positive). That is, in some embodiments, for each of the first and second puzzles, the magnets of each of the alternating polyhedrons in the successive loop have a first polarity and the magnets of each remaining polyhedron in the successive loop have an opposite second polarity. Indeed, while each of the magnets 230, 232, 234, and 236 has a positive polarity as shown in FIG. 3, in other embodiments, all such magnets may have a negative polarity.

[0067] It is not necessary that each magnet of a single polyhedron have a single common polarity. In contrast, it is important that each magnet has an opposite polarity to the magnets of the other polyhedrons configured as a magnetic coupling. The configuration of the previous segments is one representative configuration that accomplishes this, but other configurations exist.

[0068] For example, in some embodiments such as those described above, each of the hinges connects the first polyhedron to the second polyhedron along edge 218 such that face 210 of the first polyhedron reversibly abuts face 210 of the second polyhedron, and the magnet 230 disposed adjacent face 210 of the first polyhedron has an opposite polarity to the magnet 230 disposed adjacent face 210 of the second polyhedron. Alternatively, in such embodiments, the magnet 232 disposed adjacent face 212 of the first polyhedron has an opposite polarity to the magnet 232 disposed adjacent to the magnet 232 of the second polyhedron.

[0069] In some embodiments as described above, each hinge connects the first polyhedron to the second polyhedron along edge 228 such that face 214 of the first polyhedron reversibly abuts face 216 of the second polyhedron and face 216 of the first polyhedron reversibly abuts face 214 of the second polyhedron, a magnet 234 disposed adjacent face 214 of the first polyhedron has an opposite polarity to a magnet 236 disposed adjacent face 216 of the second polyhedron, and a magnet 236 disposed adjacent to magnet 236 of the first polyhedron has an opposite polarity to a magnet 234 disposed adjacent face 214 of the second polyhedron.

[0070] The magnetic configurations described above can be incorporated into a single tetrahedron.

[0071] To illustrate the configuration in which the puzzles of the puzzle kit can be magnetically coupled, FIGS. 4A-4D show puzzle 202 of FIG. 2, which is a convex polyhedral configuration similar to the nonahedral configuration shown in FIG. 1A.

[0072] As can be seen from Fig. 2, the puzzle 202 includes 12 polyhedrons, each of which has a number of magnets. The magnets shown in Fig. 4A-4D are arranged according to the diagram of Fig. 3, i.e. each of the polyhedrons includes at least one magnet adjacent each of its faces, each magnet of each polyhedron having the same polarity. In the embodiment shown, successive polyhedrons are provided with magnets of opposite polarity.

[0073] As a result of the aforementioned configuration, the outermost surface of the puzzle 202 includes a plurality of magnets with mixed polarity. Two similar puzzles 202 are provided to magnetically couple the two similar puzzles as shown in FIG. 1B. Each puzzle 202 is configured as in the configuration of FIGS. 4A-4D. The puzzles 202 are each positioned as shown in FIG. 1A. One of the puzzles 202 can be rotated 180 degrees so that the polarity of the magnets is opposite to the polarity of the corresponding magnets in the other puzzle. The puzzles 202 are then placed together and magnetically secured into the assembly of FIG. 1B.

[0074] Figures 5A-5D show views of the kit 100 of Figure 1B in a first assembly of puzzles 102a, 102b, which are convex polyhedra, more particularly cubic hexahedrons, i.e. cubes. The puzzles 102a, 102b each have a nonahedral configuration as described in detail with reference to Figures 4A-4D.

[0075] 6A-6D show views of the kit 100 of FIG. 1B in a second assembly of puzzles 102a, 102b. In the second assembly, puzzle 102a is configured to be surrounded by a concave dodecahedron within the loop (see hexagonal outline in FIG. 6B) formed by puzzle 102b. In other words, in the second assembly, the first and second puzzles are not congruent. The second assembly itself is a concave polyhedron characterized by a hexagonal outline (see FIG. 6B) and three main peaks 162a-162c corresponding to three sub-peaks 162d-162e. In the second assembly, puzzle 102b surrounds the circumferential surface of puzzle 102a, thus forming each of the six peaks 162a-162d. In the second assembly, the magnets of puzzle 102a attract the magnets of the adjacent surfaces of puzzle 102b, thereby magnetically stabilizing kit 100.

[0076] 7A-7D show views of the kit 100 of FIG. 1B in a third assembly of puzzles 102a, 102b. In the third assembly, each of the puzzles 102a, 102b is configured as a congruent concave polyhedron having a hexagonal outline (see FIG. 7B) and forming six vertices 162a-162f (FIGS. 7A-7D show only the vertices formed by puzzle 102b). The puzzles 102a, 102b (in their congruent configuration) are rotated 30 degrees relative to each other and then placed together to achieve the third assembly. In this third assembly, the magnets of puzzle 102a attract the magnets on the adjacent faces of puzzle 102b, thereby magnetically stabilizing the kit 100.

[0077] It is noted that the second and third assemblies are congruent, and thus the kit 100 has the unique property of being able to achieve congruent assemblies using puzzles with different configurations, which adds an additional capability of the same magnetic stabilization assembly being able to be configured as two or more puzzles in multiple ways, providing an additional challenge to the user.

[0078] It should be understood that the above advantages may result from individual features and non-obvious combinations of the above features.

[0079] Representative embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and are not limited to the embodiments set forth herein, but rather the purpose of providing these embodiments is to provide a more thorough and complete disclosure of the present invention.

[0080] It should be noted that when a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected to the other component or there may be intervening components. As used herein, the terms "top", "bottom", "side", "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions are used for illustrative purposes only.

[0081] Unless otherwise limited, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art. The terms used in the description of the present invention herein are for the purpose of describing specific examples only and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of the associated listed items.

Claims

1. A puzzle kit, The puzzle kit includes a first puzzle and a second puzzle, each of the first puzzle and the second puzzle including a plurality of polyhedrons, the plurality of polyhedrons being connected via hinges to form a continuous loop; each of the plurality of polyhedrons includes four faces and six edges and at least one magnet; the at least one magnet is disposed adjacent to at least one of the four faces; a first assembly of the first puzzle and the second puzzle forming a cube, the first puzzle being magnetically coupled to the second puzzle in the first assembly, the first puzzle and the second puzzle being in a congruent configuration; A second assembly of the first puzzle and the second puzzle forms a concave polyhedron, and the first puzzle and the second puzzle are not congruent in the second assembly; A third assembly of the first puzzle and the second puzzle forms the concave polyhedron, and the first puzzle and the second puzzle are congruent in the third assembly; A puzzle kit, wherein for each of the first puzzle and the second puzzle, the plurality of magnets in each of alternating polyhedrons in the continuous loop have a first polarity, and the plurality of magnets in each of the remaining polyhedrons in the continuous loop have a second polarity opposite to the first polarity.

2. 2. The puzzle kit of claim 1, wherein the six sides of each polyhedron comprise a first side having a side length of 2 units, a second side and a third side having side lengths of √(3) units, which is the square root of 3 units, a fourth side and a fifth side having side lengths of √(2) units, which is the square root of 2 units, and a sixth side having a side length of 1 unit.

3. The puzzle kit of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of polyhedrons has a tetrahedral shape.

4. The puzzle kit of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of polyhedrons and each remaining polyhedron of the plurality of polyhedrons are congruent.

5. 2. The puzzle kit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of polyhedrons consists of twelve polyhedrons connected via the hinges to form the continuous loop.

6. 2. The puzzle kit of claim 1, wherein the hinge includes bridge strips, each bridge strip extending from one polyhedron of the plurality of polyhedrons to an adjacent polyhedron of the plurality of polyhedrons.

7. 2. The puzzle kit of claim 1, wherein for each of the first puzzle and the second puzzle, each of the hinges hinge-connects one of the six sides of one polyhedron of the plurality of polyhedrons to the same one of the six sides of another polyhedron of the plurality of polyhedrons.

8. for each of the first puzzle and the second puzzle, each of the hinges hinge-connects the first one of the plurality of polyhedrons to the second one of the plurality of polyhedrons such that a first one of the six faces of the first polyhedron reversibly abuts a first one of the six faces of the second polyhedron; 2. The puzzle kit of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet of the first polyhedron comprises a first magnet disposed adjacent to the first face of the first polyhedron, and the at least one magnet of the second polyhedron comprises a first magnet disposed adjacent to the first face of the second polyhedron.

9. For each of the first puzzle and the second puzzle, each of the hinges hinges the first polyhedron to the second polyhedron such that a second of the six faces of the first polyhedron toggles about the bridge strip to abut a second of the six faces of the second polyhedron; The puzzle kit of claim 8, wherein the at least one magnet of the first polyhedron comprises a second magnet disposed adjacent to the second face of the first polyhedron, and the at least one magnet of the second polyhedron comprises a second magnet disposed adjacent to the second face of the second polyhedron.

10. For each of the first puzzle and the second puzzle, the first polyhedron is connected to a third polyhedron of the plurality of polyhedrons such that a third face of the first polyhedron abuts a fourth face of the third polyhedron of the six faces; The puzzle kit of claim 9, wherein the at least one magnet of the first polyhedron comprises a third magnet disposed adjacent to the third face of the first polyhedron, and the at least one magnet of the third polyhedron comprises a first magnet disposed adjacent to the fourth face of the third polyhedron.

11. For each of the first puzzle and the second puzzle, the first polyhedron is connected to the third polyhedron such that a fourth of the six faces of the first polyhedron abuts a third of the six faces of the third polyhedron; The puzzle kit of claim 10, wherein the at least one magnet of the first polyhedron comprises a fourth magnet disposed adjacent to the fourth face of the first polyhedron, and the at least one magnet of the third polyhedron comprises a second magnet disposed adjacent to the third face of the third polyhedron.

12. 10. The puzzle kit of claim 9, wherein, for each of the first puzzle and the second puzzle, the first face of the first polyhedron and the first face of the second polyhedron are congruent, and the second face of the first polyhedron and the second face of the second polyhedron are congruent.

13. The puzzle kit described in claim 1, wherein the concave polyhedron has a hexagonal contour with six peaks.

14. A puzzle kit comprising: The puzzle kit includes a first puzzle and a second puzzle, each of the first puzzle and the second puzzle including a plurality of polyhedrons, the plurality of polyhedrons being hingedly connected via a hinge to form a continuous loop; each of the plurality of polyhedrons includes four faces and six edges; and a plurality of magnets; the relative side lengths of each of the six sides are 1 unit, 2 units, √(2) units (the square root of 2 units), or √(3) units (the square root of 3 units); At least one magnet among the plurality of magnets is disposed adjacent to each of the four faces, A first assembly of the first puzzle and the second puzzle forms a convex polyhedron, and in the first assembly, the first puzzle is magnetically coupled to the second puzzle; A second assembly of the first puzzle and the second puzzle forms a concave polyhedron, and in the second assembly, the first puzzle is magnetically coupled to the second puzzle, and the first puzzle and the second puzzle are not congruent; A third assembly of the first puzzle and the second puzzle forms the concave polyhedron, and in the third assembly, the first puzzle and the second puzzle are in a congruent configuration, and the first puzzle is magnetically coupled to the second puzzle.

15. The puzzle kit described in claim 14, wherein the six sides of each polyhedron consist of a first side having a side length of 2 units, second and third sides having side lengths of √(3) units, which is the square root of 3 units, fourth and fifth sides having side lengths of √(2) units, which is the square root of 2 units, and a sixth side having a side length of 1 unit.

16. A puzzle kit comprising: The puzzle kit includes a first puzzle and a second puzzle, each of the first puzzle and the second puzzle including a plurality of polyhedrons, the plurality of polyhedrons being hingedly connected via a hinge to form a continuous loop; each of the plurality of polyhedrons includes four faces and six edges; and a plurality of magnets; the relative side lengths of each of the six sides are 1 unit, 2 units, √(2) units (the square root of 2 units), or √(3) units (the square root of 3 units); At least one magnet among the plurality of magnets is disposed adjacent to each of the four faces, A first assembly of the first puzzle and the second puzzle forms a convex polyhedron, and in the first assembly, the first puzzle is magnetically coupled to the second puzzle; A puzzle kit, wherein a second assembly of the first puzzle and the second puzzle forms a concave polyhedron, and in the second assembly, the first puzzle is magnetically coupled to the second puzzle, and the concave polyhedron is characterized by a hexagonal outline and six peaks.

17. The puzzle kit as described in claim 16, wherein in the first assembly, the first puzzle and the second puzzle are of a congruent configuration.

18. The puzzle kit of claim 16, wherein, for each of the first puzzle and the second puzzle, the plurality of magnets of each of the alternating polyhedrons in the continuous loop have a first polarity, and the plurality of magnets of each of the remaining polyhedrons in the continuous loop have a second polarity opposite to the first polarity.

19. The puzzle kit described in claim 16, wherein the convex polyhedron is a cube.

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