Recreational puzzle

Abstract

A recreational puzzle comprises a number of identical generally planar equilateral polygon pieces. Two adjacent pieces are joined to one another apex to apex by link. Each link is pivotably connected to one piece and pivotably and slidably connected to adjacent piece. This allows the pieces to swing through a relative arc with respect to the adjacent piece. This also allows a string of pieces that have been manually manipulated to form the aimed composite shapes or desired patterns or pictures. This improves dexterity and provides entertainment.

1 . A recreational puzzle, characterized in that, comprising a number of generally equilateral polygonal pieces joined together corner to corner by a pivotable link, in which each link is pivotably connected adjacent the corners of adjacent pieces. Each link has a first end that is substantially spherical and a second end that is substantially t-shaped; alternatively, each link has opposite ends that are both substantially spherical; each link of the former type is pivotably connected to a equilateral polygon piece at the second end, and pivotably and slidably connected to the adjacent equilateral polygon piece at the first end; while each link of the latter type is connected with respective equilateral polygon piece pivotably and slidably at both ends; two of its corners of each equilateral polygon piece are provided respectively with a slot, one of which is used to be connected by one end of the link, while another slot is opened to the interior of the equilateral polygonal piece, whereby the other end of the adjacent link can be inserted into the interior of the equilateral polygonal piece; the size of each slot is big enough to make swinging amplitude of the link so that at the relevant corners one side of two adjacent equilateral polygonal pieces can be rotated to abut against each other:  
     
     
         2 . A recreational puzzle according to  claim 1 , characterized in that in the middle of interior of each equilateral polygonal piece, into which a link can be inserted, a protrusive ledge is provided, which is formed a channel with an inner surface of the respective side of the piece for restraining the sliding of the link, so that the link is trapped at the farthermost position where the link can enter.  
     
     
         3 . A recreational puzzle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the end that will pivotably and slidably connected to the interior of. the adjacent equilateral polygonal piece is spherical slightly bigger than the size of the slot in the equilateral polygonal piece.  
     
     
         4 . A recreational puzzle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the equilateral polygonal pieces are preferably formed of plastics material.  
     
     
         5 . A recreational puzzle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the links are preferably made up of plastics material.  
     
     
         6 . A recreational puzzle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, each equilateral polygonal piece may carry a cover over at least one major face that is decorated; the decoration of each piece may make up part of a distinctive pattern, or a picture when a plurality of pieces are brought together in a closed array.