Puzzle Holding Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional puzzle stands fail to provide a means to selectively increase the difficulty for experienced users, reducing the excitement of solving the puzzle and lacking functionality for display or storage.
Innovation Solution
A puzzle stand comprising a base with pivotably coupled arms and a tube, featuring a ratcheted mechanism and a holder that restricts orientational movement of the puzzle, allowing for adjustable difficulty levels and secure display/storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional puzzle stand is used, then the puzzle can be displayed or stored, but the puzzle cannot have its difficulty selectively increased for experienced users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Dynamics principle by making the tube pivotably coupled to the arms, allowing the tube to rotate and restrict orientational movement of the puzzle in different directions. This dynamic mechanism enables the stand to adapt between display mode and difficulty-increase mode, providing versatility without requiring a completely separate device for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing a single stand structure that can both display/store puzzles and selectively increase difficulty. The tube and holder mechanism serves dual purposes: it can hold the puzzle for display or engage to restrict movement and increase challenge, eliminating the need for separate devices.
2Ease of operation
If the puzzle is freely movable on the stand, then the stand is simple to operate, but experienced users lose excitement due to predictable solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic pivotable tube allows the puzzle to be freely accessible when needed for easy operation, but can be rotated to engage the holder and restrict movement when difficulty needs to be increased. This dynamic adjustment maintains ease of operation while adding adaptability for different skill levels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a holder is added to restrict puzzle movement, then difficulty is increased for experienced users, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is nested within or integrated with the tube structure, allowing the difficulty-control mechanism to be compact and not add significant external complexity. The holder can be positioned inside or along the tube, creating a space-efficient design that provides difficulty control without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A puzzle holding device for selectively restricting orientational movement of three-dimensional puzzles includes a base. A first arm is coupled to the base. A second arm is coupled to the base. The second arm is aligned with the first arm across the base. A tube is coupled to the first arm and the second arm wherein the tube is suspended over the base between the first arm and the second arm. The tube is pivotably coupled to the first arm and the second arm wherein the tube is pivotable along an axis extending between a front edge and a rear edge of the base. A holder is coupled to the tube. The holder is configured to couple a three-dimensional puzzle to the tube.