ES2935559B2 - Mechanical three-dimensional puzzle - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Mechanical three-dimensional puzzle

TECHNIQUE SECTOR

The present invention is within the field of industrial design engineering and development of products for leisure, more specifically in the sector of puzzles equipped with mobile elements related to each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although the origins of puzzles can be placed more than two millennia ago with the appearance of the "Ostomachion" (D.J. Darling. (2004). The universal book of mathematics: from Abracadabra to Zeno's paradoxes, page 188), to To talk about puzzles with moving elements we must go to the end of the 19th century with the invention of "The Game of 15" (W.W. Rouse Ball. (1920). Mathematical recreations and esays, pp. 224-227), a mechanical puzzle in two dimensions.

However, it was not until the last decades of the 20th century that the first three-dimensional puzzles and the first associated patents appeared. Among the first patent applications we can highlight, by way of example and not limitation:

• US3655201A: «Pattern forming puzzle and method with pieces rotatable in groups»

• GB1344259A: “Amusement Device”

• JPS5346833A: «Die Type Rotating Combination Toy»

• BE887875Q: «Jouet Logique Spatial»

This last patent, known commercially as "Rubik's Cube", is the one that has given the greatest fame to this type of puzzle and consists of twenty-six cubic pieces arranged around a nucleus, forming a larger cube of dimensions 3x3x3, and interchangeable with each other. except for the center pieces of the faces, which always occupy the same place. This invention gave a great boost to cubic puzzles with a constant shape, that is, those where the importance of resolution does not lie in their geometry.

New proposals emerge from this, with special relevance being those in which the number of pieces per face is increased, thus appearing cubes of 4x4x4, 5x5x5 and larger. Other regular puzzles with other geometries can be added to these mentioned puzzles, such as tetrahedra, octahedron or dodecahedron, among others.

However, focusing on regular hexahedrons, it is in recent years that those that implement new external meshes or cutting surfaces have had a special boom, such as in the "Super Ivy Cube" (M. Lodge. (s.f.). Super Ivy (QiYi Mofangge). Twisty Puzzles. https://twistypuzzles.com/cgi-bin/puzzle.cgi?pkey=8828) with spherical surfaces, or new ways of moving the pieces, as in the "Gear Cube" ( A. Nortmann, L. Cuthbert. (n.d.). Even Less Gears. Twisty Puzzles. https://www.twistypuzzles.com/cgi-bin/puzzle.cgi?pkey=2474), which introduces gears.

With all this, there are two main antecedents to the invention that is presented. On the one hand, there is the "Dreidel 3x3x3" (Devan. (s.f.). Dreidel 3x3x3. Twisty Puzzles. https://twistypuzzles.com/cgi-bin/puzzle.cgi?pkey=4957), a hexahedron that combines the classic turns of a traditional 3x3x3 cube with turns around the corners, following spherical cutting surfaces with a radius equal to one third of the diagonal distance of the face, making this cut not touch the center piece of the faces.

On the other hand, there is the "Grilles Cube II" ((s.f.). Grilles Cube II. Twisty Puzzles. https://twistypuzzles.com/cgi-bin/puzzle.cgi?pkey=6789), a cubic puzzle that, Like the previous one, it combines classic turns of a 3x3x3 with turns around the corners. In this case, the cutting spheres around the corners have a radius slightly greater than half the lateral distance of the cube, which means that they affect the central piece of the faces.

As can be seen in both backgrounds, at all times the central pieces of the faces occupy the same position, thus having a constant reference when solving the puzzle that facilitates both the resolution and the technical design of the puzzles.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention consists of a three-dimensional mechanical puzzle focused on people experienced in this type of puzzles. Its purpose is to present a new innovative and complex challenge that users have not faced before. The cutting or external meshing surfaces defined for this invention, which define the main innovation of the proposal, present a hitherto non-existent combination that, in addition, allows not to have any fixed piece, which represents a greater point of complexity of the resolution. of the puzzle of invention.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a three-dimensional mechanical cube-shaped puzzle, the puzzle defining a first imaginary axis of rotation, a second imaginary axis of rotation and a third imaginary axis of rotation; the first imaginary axis comprising two centers of opposite faces of the puzzle rotatable around the first axis, the second imaginary axis comprising two centers of opposite faces of the puzzle rotatable around the second axis and the third imaginary axis comprising two centers of opposite faces of the puzzle rotatable around the first axis. to the third axis; the first imaginary axis being perpendicular to the second imaginary axis and the third imaginary axis, and the second imaginary axis being perpendicular to the third imaginary axis.

The puzzle object of the invention defines an external mesh or cutting surfaces, the external mesh comprising six squares, each of the squares being parallel to each of the faces of the puzzle. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the squares is at a distance equal to one third of the length of an edge of the puzzle with respect to the face parallel to the square. Each square defines a flat sliding surface. The external mesh comprises four quarter circles on each of the faces of the puzzle, with the quarter circles centered on vertices of the puzzle so that the quarter circles define eight portions of the puzzle. The quarter circles are arcs of circumference of ninety sexagesimal degrees. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the quarter circles has a radius equal to five-sixths of the length of an edge of the puzzle. Each of the eight portions of the puzzle is delimited by three of the quarter circumferences, the center of the three quarters of the circumference being the same vertex of the puzzle, with the ends of the three quarters of the circumference being united in the edges of the puzzle and defining the three quarters of a circumference a sliding surface in the shape of a portion of a sphere surface. Each of the puzzle portions is rotatable about an imaginary axis comprising a puzzle diagonal passing through the vertex of the puzzle contained in the puzzle portion. Each of the eight puzzle portions rotatable around the puzzle's diagonals comprises each of the puzzle's eight vertices. In this way, none of the eight portions comprises more than one vertex of the puzzle.

The puzzle comprises external tongue-and-groove pieces rotating around the imaginary axes by sliding along the sliding surfaces. The puzzle comprises seven types of tongue-and-groove external pieces with a different shape. The seven types of external tongue-and-groove pieces define the cube shape of the puzzle and the surfaces on which sliding occurs in rotations. The external tongue-and-groove parts include:

- six pieces of puzzle face centers,

- twenty-four pieces adjacent to the face center pieces of the puzzle,

- twelve pieces of edge centers of the puzzle,

- forty-eight joining pieces between the edge center pieces of the puzzle and the pieces adjacent to the face center pieces of the puzzle,

- eight vertex pieces of the puzzle,

- twenty-four union pieces between the edge center pieces of the puzzle and the vertex pieces of the puzzle, and

- twenty-four pieces adjacent to the pieces adjacent to the center pieces of the faces of the puzzle.

Thus, the puzzle is configured to allow rotation of the faces of the puzzle about the first, second and third imaginary axes and to allow rotation of portions of the puzzle about the diagonals of the puzzle. In this way, the puzzle of the invention does not fix the position of any of the external tongue-and-groove pieces.

The puzzle configuration allows for minimum rotations of ninety sexagesimal degrees around the first, second and third axis between consecutive stable positions of all puzzle pieces. The puzzle configuration allows for minimum rotations of one hundred and twenty sexagesimal degrees around the puzzle diagonals between consecutive stable positions of all puzzle pieces. A rotation of less than ninety or less than one hundred and twenty degrees, as appropriate, or their multiples, does not allow moving from one stable position to another stable position and would cause the cutting surfaces to be out of alignment and, therefore, the puzzle would be blocked.

In some embodiments, the puzzle comprises a central core supporting the external tongue-and-groove pieces, the central core comprising an inner piece, the inner piece comprising a first hole and a second hole centered on the first axis, a third hole and a fourth hole. centered on the second axis and a fifth hole and a sixth hole centered on the third axis; the central core comprising a portion of a sphere that covers the interior piece. Additionally, the sphere portion of the central core comprises three pieces with a square outline, one piece with two extensions forming a V and two L-shaped pieces. The core comprises six screws coupled to the holes and six springs; each of the three pieces being, the piece with two extensions and the two pieces L-shaped plugs attached to one of the holes using one of the six screws and one of the six springs. The central core comprises eight intermediate pieces; the eight vertex pieces being joined to the sphere portion of the central core by the eight intermediate pieces, each of the intermediate pieces having a radial direction of the sphere portion of the central core; each of the intermediate pieces being attached to the sphere portion of the central core by means of a screw and a spring.

An alternative to using a threaded mechanical joint would be a simple mechanical joint that allows rotation or the use of a system of magnets replacing springs and screws capable of generating the tension required to keep the pieces together.

The interior portion of the central core is configured to allow ninety sexagesimal degree rotations around the faces of the puzzle, similar to other mechanical three-dimensional puzzles known in the state of the art. The interior portion is formed by the inner piece where, by means of screws and springs, other pieces are joined that have a fixed position with freedom of rotation and that hold the rest of the pieces of the lower portion of the core in place.

The intermediate portion of the central core is configured to allow rotations of one hundred and twenty sexagesimal degrees around the diagonal axes of the puzzle. To do this, the intermediate pieces are attached to corners of the inner portion of the central core by means of screws and springs so that the intermediate portions can rotate with respect to the inner portion of the core and allow the fastening of all the external tongue-and-groove pieces that make up the core. cube defined by the puzzle.

In some embodiments, the puzzle comprises a mechanical auxiliary system to reduce the energy required to rotate the external tongue-and-groove pieces and increase the stability of stable positions of the external tongue-and-groove pieces of the puzzle. For example, the system can be a spring and sphere assembly, such that in a part there exists one of these assemblies, where the sphere is slightly outside the part and is pushed by the spring towards the outside of the part, while in the adjacent piece there is a small incision, also spherical in shape, where the sphere would complete the turn.

In some embodiments, the puzzle comprises a magnetic auxiliary system to reduce the energy required to rotate the external tongue-and-groove pieces and increase the stability of the stable positions of the external tongue-and-groove pieces of the puzzle. For example, in two adjacent pieces, magnets with opposite poles are placed, these being the ones that, when approached, attract each other, completing the rotation.

These embodiments constitute a particular way of supporting the tongue-and-groove external parts and allowing rotation around the seven imaginary axes.

In some embodiments, the puzzle comprises a mark on each of the external tongue-and-groove pieces to mark the resolution status of the puzzle, the mark being visible from the outside of the puzzle. Marks can be, for example, stickers, drawings or additional parts.

Therefore, the combination of all the above establishes the main innovation of the invention in the combination of the rotations of the pieces and, especially, of the cutting surfaces or external meshing, which has not existed until now. This combination, which is marked by the external tongue-and-groove pieces that help and guide the user when recognizing which movements are allowed, is supported by the central core that allows a mechanism to be maintained in balance at all times, forming a single stable assembly. where all its pieces are perfectly integrated and without the risk of the puzzle coming apart thanks to the shapes of the pieces.

The different aspects and embodiments of the invention defined above can be combined with each other, as long as they are mutually compatible.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and will be particularly noted in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention according to examples of practical embodiments thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of the description in which, for illustrative purposes, the following has been represented. following:

Figure 1 shows a top perspective view of a puzzle according to some embodiments of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a top perspective view of the puzzle of Figure 1 in which the top face of the puzzle has been rotated 45° with respect to the position of the top face in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a top perspective view of the puzzle of Figure 1 in which a portion of the puzzle has been rotated 60° with respect to the position of the portion in Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a top perspective view of an interior piece of a central core of the puzzle of Figure 1.

Figure 5 shows a top perspective view of a portion of a central core of the puzzle of Figure 1.

Figure 6 shows a partially exploded top perspective view of a central core of the puzzle of Figure 1.

Figure 7 shows a section of the puzzle of Figure 1 along a plane parallel to one of the faces of the cube defined by the puzzle, the plane passing through the center of the cube.

Figure 8 shows one of the twenty-four pieces adjacent to the face center pieces of a puzzle in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

Figure 9 shows one of the twenty-four joining pieces between the edge center pieces of the puzzle and the vertex pieces of a puzzle in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

Figure 10 shows one of the twelve edge center pieces of a puzzle according to some embodiments of the invention.

Figure 11 shows one of the forty-eight joining pieces between the edge center pieces of a puzzle according to some embodiments of the invention and the pieces adjacent to the face center pieces of the puzzle.

Figure 12 shows one of the six face center pieces of a puzzle according to some embodiments of the invention.

Figure 13 shows one of the twenty-four pieces adjacent to the face center pieces of a puzzle according to some embodiments of the invention.

Figure 14 shows one of the eight vertex pieces of a puzzle according to some embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a mechanical three-dimensional puzzle 1 according to some embodiments of the invention. Puzzle 1 is shaped like a cube. Puzzle 1 allows rotations around seven imaginary axes. Specifically, it allows rotation around a first imaginary axis 2, around a second imaginary axis 3, around a third imaginary axis 4 and around imaginary axes that comprise each of the diagonals of the puzzle 1, such as diagonal 9 illustrated in Figure 3. The diagonals of puzzle 1 are straight lines that comprise two opposite vertices of puzzle 1 and the center of puzzle 1.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the first axis 2 is perpendicular to the second axis 3 and the third axis 4. The second axis 3 is perpendicular to the third axis 4.

Figure 1 shows an arrow on the first axis 2, the arrow pointing in a direction from a lower face of the puzzle 1 to an upper face of the puzzle 1. Figure 1 shows an arrow on the second axis 3, the arrow pointing in a direction that goes from a left face of the puzzle 1 to a right face of the puzzle 1. Figure 1 shows an arrow in the third axis 4, the arrow pointing in a direction that goes from a back face of the puzzle 1 towards a face previous puzzle 1.

Continuing with Figure 1, puzzle 1 defines an external mesh. The external mesh comprises six squares 51,52, 53, 54, 55, 56 and twenty-four quarters of a circumference. Specifically, the external mesh comprises four quarter circles on each face of puzzle 1. Figure 1 shows the quarter circles of the upper, right and front faces of puzzle 1. Among others, it shows quarter circles 61, 62, 63, 64 from the front face of puzzle 1. Each of the six squares 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 is parallel to one face of puzzle 1 and is at a distance D (illustrated in Figure 3) from said face, which in the example embodiment is equal to one third of a length L of an edge of the puzzle 1, that is:

where:

L: is the length of an edge of puzzle 1;

D: is a distance between a square of the external mesh and the face of puzzle 1 parallel to said square closest to said square.

Figure 1 does not show the bottom side, the left side, or the back side of the puzzle.

The external mesh has the same shape on all faces of puzzle 1.

Puzzle 1 comprises seven types of external pieces tongued and grooved together. These seven types of external parts are:

1. Six 13th face center pieces from puzzle 1;

2. Twenty-four adjoining pieces 13.b to the face center pieces of puzzle 1, each face of puzzle 1 having four of the twenty-four adjoining pieces 13.b;

3. Twelve pieces with centers of edges 12.a of puzzle 1, each of the twelve pieces with centers of edges 12.a being on a different edge of puzzle 1;

4. Forty-eight union pieces 12.b between the edge center pieces of puzzle 1 and the pieces adjacent to the face center pieces of puzzle 1, each face of puzzle 1 having eight of the forty-eight pieces of union 12.b. The connecting pieces 12.b have the same shape, but with symmetry applied. Therefore, there are twenty-four joining pieces 12.b of one type and another twenty-four symmetrical pieces, not being interchangeable with each other.

5. Eight pieces of vertices 11.a from puzzle 1;

6. Twenty-four union pieces 11.c between the edge center pieces of puzzle 1 and the vertex pieces of puzzle 1, each edge of puzzle 1 having two of the twenty-four union pieces 11.c;

7. Twenty-four adjoining pieces 11.b to the adjoining pieces to the face center pieces of puzzle 1, each face of puzzle 1 having four adjoining pieces of the twenty-four adjoining pieces 11.b.

Puzzle 1 comprises a first set of external tongue-and-groove pieces located between square 52 and the top face of puzzle 1. Puzzle 1 comprises a second set of external tongue-and-groove pieces located between square 51 and square 52. Puzzle 1 comprises a third set of external tongue-and-groove pieces located between the lower face of the puzzle 1 and the square 51. As illustrated in Figure 2, the puzzle 1 is configured to allow rotation of the first set around the first axis 2 with respect to the second set and to the third set. The puzzle 1 is configured so that this rotation occurs by sliding the first assembly on a flat sliding surface comprising the square 52. Similarly, the puzzle 1 is configured to allow the rotation of the second assembly around the first axis 2 with respect to the first set and the third set. The puzzle 1 is configured so that this rotation of the second assembly is produced by a sliding of the second assembly on a flat sliding surface comprising the square 52 and on a flat sliding surface comprising the square 51. Likewise, the puzzle 1 is configured to allow rotation of the third assembly around the first axis 2 with respect to the first assembly and the second assembly. The puzzle 1 is configured so that this rotation of the third assembly is produced by a sliding of the third assembly on a flat sliding surface comprising the square 51.

Puzzle 1 comprises a fourth set of external tongue-and-groove pieces located between square 55 and the right face of puzzle 1. Puzzle 1 comprises a fifth set of external tongue-and-groove pieces located between square 56 and square 55. Puzzle 1 comprises a sixth set of external tongue-and-groove pieces located between the left face of puzzle 1 and square 56. Puzzle 1 is configured to allow rotation of the fourth set around the second axis 3 with respect to the fifth set and the sixth set. The puzzle 1 is configured so that this rotation occurs by sliding the fourth assembly on a flat sliding surface comprising the square 55. Similarly, the puzzle 1 is configured to allow the rotation of the fifth assembly around the second axis 3 with respect to the fourth set and the sixth set. The puzzle 1 is configured so that this rotation of the fifth assembly is produced by a sliding of the fifth assembly on a flat sliding surface comprising the square 55 and on a flat sliding surface comprising the square 56. Likewise, the puzzle 1 is configured to allow rotation of the sixth assembly about the second axis 3 with respect to the fourth assembly and the fifth assembly. The puzzle 1 is configured so that this rotation of the sixth assembly is produced by a sliding of the sixth assembly on a flat sliding surface comprising the square 56.

Puzzle 1 comprises a seventh set of external tongue-and-groove pieces located between square 54 and the front face of puzzle 1. Puzzle 1 comprises an eighth set of external tongue-and-groove pieces located between square 53 and square 54. Puzzle 1 comprises a ninth set of external tongue-and-groove pieces located between the rear face of the puzzle 1 and the square 53. The puzzle 1 is configured to allow rotation of the seventh set around the third axis 4 with respect to the eighth set and the ninth set. The puzzle 1 is configured so that this rotation occurs by sliding the seventh assembly on a flat sliding surface comprising the square 54. Similarly, the puzzle 1 is configured to allow the rotation of the eighth assembly around the third axis 4 with respect to the seventh set and the ninth set. Puzzle 1 is set up for this 8th set rotation to occur by sliding the eighth assembly on a flat sliding surface comprising the square 54 and on a flat sliding surface comprising the square 53. Similarly, the puzzle 1 is configured to allow rotation of the ninth assembly around the third axis. 4 with respect to the seventh set and the eighth set. The puzzle 1 is configured so that this rotation of the ninth assembly is produced by a sliding of the ninth assembly on a flat sliding surface comprising the square 53.

Puzzle 1 comprises eight portions configured to rotate about the diagonals of puzzle 1. Each of the eight portions comprises a different vertex of puzzle 1 and can rotate about the diagonal of puzzle 1 that comprises said vertex. Figure 3 illustrates the rotation of one of the eight portions, specifically the portion 7 with the vertex 8, around the diagonal 9 of the puzzle 1. The puzzle 1 is configured to allow the rotation of the portion 7 by sliding of the portion 7 in a sliding surface in the shape of a sphere surface portion 30. The sliding surface in the shape of a sphere surface portion 30 is delimited by three quarters of a circle centered on the vertex 8. In the shown embodiment The radius is equal to five-sixths of the length of an edge in puzzle 1:

where:

R: is the radius of the quarter circles;

L: is the length of one edge of puzzle 1.

More specifically, as they are quarter circles that intersect each other, they generate fifty portions if the complete cube is considered and thirteen if only one of the faces of the cube is considered.

The portion 7 shown in the figures comprises the external tongue-and-groove pieces of the puzzle 1 separated from the vertex 8 by a distance less than five-sixths of the length of an edge of the puzzle 1. Specifically, each of the eight portions comprises three of the six face center pieces 13.a, nine of the twenty-four adjoining pieces 13.ba the face center pieces of puzzle 1, three of the twelve edge center pieces 12.a of puzzle 1, eighteen of the forty-eight connecting pieces 12.b between the edge center pieces of puzzle 1 and the pieces adjacent to the pieces of face centers of puzzle 1, one of the eight vertex pieces 11.a of puzzle 1, six of the twenty-four union pieces 11.c between the edge center pieces of puzzle 1 and the vertex pieces of puzzle 1 and nine of the twenty-four adjoining pieces 11.b or the pieces adjoining the face center pieces of puzzle 1.

While the rotation of only one of the eight rotatable puzzle 1 portions about a diagonal of puzzle 1 has been illustrated and described, the rotation of the other portions with respect to the diagonal of their vertex is similar.

Figure 6 shows a central core 20 of puzzle 1. The central core 20 contributes to supporting the external tongue-and-groove pieces and enabling rotation around the imaginary axes. The central core 20 comprises an inner piece 10 illustrated in Figure 4. The inner piece 10 comprises six holes 32 threadable to a screw. As illustrated in Figure 4, the holes are centered on the first axis 2, the second axis 3 and the third axis 4.

The inner piece 10 is rigid so that the relative position of one of the holes 32 with respect to the rest of the holes 32 is constant. In other words, the inner piece 10 is configured to maintain the relative position of one of the holes 32 with respect to the rest of the holes 32 constant in rotations around the imaginary axes.

Figure 5 shows a portion of the central core 20 partially exploded. This portion comprises the inner piece 10 and other pieces of the central core 20. These other pieces are part of a sphere portion that covers the inner piece 10. Specifically, these other pieces are three pieces with a square contour 2.a, one piece with two extensions forming a V 2.b and two L-shaped pieces 2.c, 2.d. In the example embodiment shown, each of these other pieces is joined to the inner piece 10 by means of a screw 21 and a spring 22. The screw 21 is threaded into the respective hole 32. One end of the spring 22 is supported on the inner piece. the sphere portion and the other end of the spring 22 is supported on the head of the screw 21. In this way, the connection by the screw 21 and the spring 22 allows a movement of the piece of the sphere portion with respect to the piece interior 10. This movement is in the direction of the screw 21. To cause this movement, the elastic force of the corresponding spring 22 must be overcome.

Pieces with a square contour 2.a are free to rotate. Both the pieces with two extensions forming a V 2.b and the L-shaped pieces 2.c do not have this freedom of rotation due to the design requirements. These last pieces 2.b and 2.c provide the puzzle with more flexibility and can allow it to be slightly forced without breaking. However, they can be considered together with the central core 20 as a rigid element.

Next, as a specific example of an embodiment, the connection between the L-shaped piece 2.c and the inner piece 10 is described with reference to Figure 5. The screw 21 is inserted into a hole 32 of the shaped piece. of L 2.c and the screw 21 is threaded into the hole 32. One end of the spring 22 is supported on a base of a hole in the L-shaped part 2.c. The other end of the spring 22 is supported on the head of the screw 21. In this way, when the L-shaped piece 2.c is pressed towards the inner piece 10 or in the opposite direction, the L-shaped piece 2.c is It moves in the direction of the screw 21. When this pressure is stopped, the spring 22 returns the L-shaped piece 2.c to its equilibrium position.

Figure 6 shows an example of embodiment of the central core 20 partially exploded. The central core 20 comprises eight intermediate pieces 23 and eight bases 26 of intermediate pieces. Each intermediate piece 23 is attached to an intermediate piece base 26 by a screw 24 and a spring 25. The screw 24 is threaded to the intermediate piece base 26. One end of the spring 25 is supported on the head of the screw 24. The other end of the spring 25 is supported on the intermediate piece 23. This connection by the spring 25 and the screw 24 allows the intermediate piece 23 to move in the direction of the screw 24 towards the base 26 and in the opposite direction to the base 26 upon overcoming the tension of the spring 25. This connection through the spring 25 and the screw 24 allows the intermediate piece 23 to rotate with respect to the base 26 and therefore, rotate with respect to the sphere portion of the central core 20. The base 26 remains in the same location with respect to the inner piece 10 in rotations around the imaginary axes of the puzzle 1. The base 26 of the intermediate piece 23 comprises a portion between the sphere portion of the central core 20 and the inner piece 10. The sphere portion of the central core 20 comprises connecting pieces 27 between the three pieces with a square contour 2.a, the piece with two extensions 2.b and the two L-shaped pieces 2.c, 2.d.

Each of the eight vertex pieces 11.a is attached to an end of the intermediate piece 23 opposite the end of the intermediate piece 23 attached to the base 26. For example, as illustrated in Figure 14, each of The eight vertex pieces 11.a may comprise three pins. These pins are configured to be inserted into three holes of an intermediate piece 23, the holes having a shape complementary to the shape of the three pins.

As illustrated in Figure 7, each of the twelve edge center pieces 12.a mates with two of the six face center pieces 13.a. As illustrated in Figure 7, the twelve edge center pieces 12.a and the six face center pieces 13.a are in contact with the external surface of the sphere portion of the central core 20.

The external mesh can have different dimensions so that a similar puzzle is obtained with the same pieces with a slight variation. For example, you can modify the value of the radius of the quarter circles, so that the size of the pieces varies. The distance between the flat cutting meshes could also be modified, then also varying the size of the pieces.

Claims (5)

1. Three-dimensional mechanical puzzle (1), with a cube shape, the puzzle (1) defining a first imaginary axis (2) of rotation, a second imaginary axis (3) of rotation and a third imaginary axis (4) of rotation; the first imaginary axis (2) comprising two centers of opposite faces of the puzzle (1) rotatable around the first axis (2), the second imaginary axis (3) comprising two centers of opposite faces of the puzzle (1) rotatable around the second axis (3) and the imaginary third axis (4) comprising two centers of opposite faces of the puzzle (1) rotatable around the third axis (4); the first imaginary axis (2) being perpendicular to the second imaginary axis (3) and the third imaginary axis (4), and the second imaginary axis (3) being perpendicular to the third imaginary axis (4); defining the puzzle (1) an external mesh, the external mesh comprising six squares (51,52, 53, 54, 55, 56), each of the squares (51,52, 53, 54, 55, 56) being parallel to each of the faces of the puzzle (1), each square defining a flat sliding surface (31); the puzzle (1) being characterized in that the external mesh comprises four quarters of a circumference (61,62, 63, 64) on each of the faces of the puzzle (1), the quarters of a circumference being (61, 62, 63, 64) centered on vertices of the puzzle (1) so that the quarter circles define eight portions of the puzzle (1), each of the eight portions of the puzzle (1) being delimited by three of the quarter circles, the center being of the three quarters of the circumference the same vertex (8) of the puzzle (1), with the ends of the three quarters of the circumference joined in the edges of the puzzle (1) and the three quarters of the circumference defining a sliding surface in the shape of a portion of sphere surface (30); each of the portions of the puzzle (1) being rotatable around an imaginary axis that comprises a diagonal (9) of the puzzle (1) that passes through the vertex (8) of the puzzle (1) contained in the portion (7) of the puzzle (1); the puzzle comprising (1) external tongue-and-groove pieces such that the external tongue-and-groove pieces are rotatable around the imaginary axes by sliding along the sliding surfaces; the external tongue-and-groove pieces comprising six face center pieces (13.a) of the puzzle (1), twenty-four adjacent pieces (13.b) to the face center pieces of the puzzle (1), twelve edge center pieces ( 12.a) of the puzzle (1), forty-eight joining pieces (12.b) between the edge center pieces of the puzzle (1) and the pieces adjacent to the center edge pieces. faces of the puzzle (1), eight vertex pieces (11.a) of the puzzle (1), twenty-four union pieces (11.c) between the edge center pieces of the puzzle (1) and the vertex pieces of the puzzle (1) and twenty-four pieces adjacent (11.b) to the pieces adjacent to the face center pieces of the puzzle (1); where each of the squares (51,52, 53, 54, 55, 56) is at a distance equal to one third of the length of an edge of the puzzle (1) with respect to the face parallel to the square. 2. The three-dimensional mechanical puzzle (1), according to claim 1, each of the four quarters of a circumference (61, 62, 63, 64) on each of the faces of the puzzle (1) having a radius equal to five-sixths. of the length of one edge of the puzzle (1). 3. The three-dimensional mechanical puzzle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the puzzle (1) comprising a mechanical auxiliary system to reduce the energy required to rotate the external tongue-and-groove pieces and increase the stability of stable positions of the external pieces. tongue and groove puzzle (1). 4. The mechanical three-dimensional puzzle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, the puzzle (1) comprising a magnetic auxiliary system to reduce the energy required to rotate the external tongue-and-groove pieces and increase the stability of the stable positions of the external tongue-and-groove pieces of the puzzle (1). 5. The three-dimensional mechanical puzzle (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, the puzzle (1) comprising a mark on each of the external tongue-and-groove pieces to mark the state of resolution of the puzzle (1), the mark being visible. from the outside of the puzzle (1).