Three-dimensional interlocking puzzle

Abstract

A puzzle comprising six oblong parts in rectangular cross-section, each part having at least one recess and each part having a recess or recesses different than every other part, the parts being capable of assembly in a manner to form a three-dimensional cruciform configuration of three blocks mutually intersecting at right angles.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A puzzle comprising, 
 six oblong parts, each having first and second ends and four planar sides capable of assembly into three blocks,    each block comprising two parts and being arranged in mutually perpendicular configuration to form a three-dimensional cruciform shape;    each of said parts having recesses on at least one of said sides adapted to allow mutually intersecting assembly; and    each of said parts having different recesses than those of every other part.    
     
     
         2 . A puzzle as claimed in  claim 1  in which each part has first and second ends and third, fourth, fifth and sixth sides and; a first part has recesses near the centre of side  3  and two recesses on side  4  separated by an island; a second part has a recess near the centre of side  3  and a larger recess in side  4 ; a third part has two recesses in side  3  separated by an island and a recess in side  6 ; a fourth part has a recess in the middle of side  3 ; a fifth part has two recesses in side  3  separated by an island and has a recess in the middle of side  4 ; and a sixth part having a recess in the middle of side  5  and a recess in side  3  partially overlapping the recess in side  5 .  
     
     
         3 . A method of assembling a puzzle having six oblong parts, each having first and second ends and four planar sides capable of assembly into three blocks, each block comprising two parts and being arranged in mutually perpendicular configuration to form a three-dimensional cruciform shape; each of said parts having recesses on at least one of said sides adapted to allow mutually intersecting assembly; and each of said parts having different recesses than those of every other part; comprising, 
 connecting said first part and said second part so that side  4  of said first part and side  4  of said second part are adjacent the centre of the assembled puzzle and the parts are perpendicular;    connecting said third part to parts one and two perpendicular to both such that side  3  of said third part is located nearest the centre of the assembled puzzle;    connecting said fourth part parallel to said third part and partially overlying same so that the notch in the first part faces the centre of the assembled puzzle and aligns with the notch in side  3  of third part;    connecting said fifth part and said sixth part in mutually perpendicular arrangement so that sides  3  of each are oriented towards the centre of the assembled puzzle;    inserting the first end of said sixth part through the opening provided by the notches in said third and fourth parts until said fifth and sixth parts are adjacent and parallel; and    shifting said fourth part longitudinally until it aligns with said third part.    
     
     
         4 . A method of assembling a puzzle having six oblong parts, each having first and second ends and four planar sides capable of assembly into three blocks, each block comprising two parts and being arranged in mutually perpendicular configuration to form a three-dimensional cruciform shape; each of said parts having recesses on at least one of said sides adapted to allow mutually intersecting assembly; and each of said parts having different recesses than those of every other part; comprising, 
 connecting said first part and said second part so that side  4  of said first part and side  4  of said second part are adjacent the centre of the assembled puzzle and the parts are perpendicular;    connecting said third part to parts one and two perpendicular to both such that side  3  of said third part is located nearest the centre of the assembled puzzle;    connecting said fourth part parallel to said third part and partially overlying same so that the notch in the first part faces the centre of the assembled puzzle and aligns with the notch in side  3  of third part;    connecting said fifth part and said sixth part in mutually perpendicular arrangement so that sides  3  of each are oriented towards the centre of the assembled puzzle;    inserting the first end of said sixth part through the opening provided by the notches in said third and fourth parts until said fifth and sixth parts are adjacent and parallel; and    shifting said fourth part longitudinally until it aligns with said third part; wherein,    each part has first and second ends and third, fourth, fifth and sixth sides and;    a first part has recesses near the centre of side  3  and two recesses on side  4  separated by an island;    a second part has a recess near the centre of side  3  and a larger recess in side  4 ;    a third part has two recesses in side  3  separated by an island and a recess in side  6 ;    a fourth part has a recess in the middle of side  3 ;    a fifth part has two recesses in side  3  separated by an island and has a recess in the middle of side  4 ; and    a sixth part having a recess in the middle of side  5  and a recess in side  3  partially overlapping the recess in side  5 .