Three dimensional geometrical puzzle

Abstract

A handheld puzzle is described. The puzzle reduces friction between moveable pieces and at the same time allows for restrained alignment of the moveable pieces. An inner core of the puzzle can be adapted for use with a plurality of outer moveable face pieces that can comprise a variety of surface geometries.

1 . A three-dimensional puzzle, comprising: 
 at least two moveable mainframes, each movable mainframe defined by a bore, a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides, wherein a bottom of at least one moveable mainframe is disposed in an adjacent relationship to a top of at least another moveable mainframe, and wherein movements of each movable mainframe are constrained to rotational movements about the bore;    a top retainer and a bottom retainer coupled to respective top and bottom portions of the shaft, wherein the top and bottom retainers constrain rotational movement of each moveable mainframe to occur between the top and bottom retainer;    a plurality of moveable face pieces, wherein the number of moveable face pieces is equal to at least one less than the number of the plurality of sides, and wherein each moveable face piece is coupled to at least one of the sides; and    at least one constraint mechanism for providing alignment, separation, and reduced friction between top and bottoms of each adjacently disposed movable mainframe.    
   
   
       2 . The puzzle of  claim 1 , wherein the constraint mechanism comprises a bearing.  
   
   
       3 . The puzzle of  claim 1 , wherein the constraint mechanism is disposed between adjacent moveable mainframes.  
   
   
       4 . The puzzle of  claim 3 , wherein at least one moveable mainframe comprises a void, wherein at least one adjacently disposed moveable mainframe comprises at least one detent, wherein during the aligned separation of adjacent moveable mainframes the bearing is disposed within the void and within a detent.  
   
   
       5 . The puzzle of  claim 3 , wherein at least one moveable mainframe comprises a void, wherein at least one adjacently disposed moveable mainframe comprises at least one detent, wherein during non-aligned separation of two adjacent moveable mainframes the bearing is disposed within the void and outside of a detent.  
   
   
       6 . The puzzle of  claim 1 , wherein the constraint mechanism comprises a spring.  
   
   
       7 . The puzzle of  claim 1 , wherein each moveable mainframe comprises 8 sides.  
   
   
       8 . The puzzle of  claim 7 , wherein the number of moveable face pieces comprises 39 sides.  
   
   
       9 . The puzzle of  claim 1 , wherein each moveable face piece is coupled to a side of a moveable mainframe by an interlocking type of mechanism.  
   
   
       10 . The puzzle of  claim 9 , wherein the interlocking mechanism comprises a groove or a protrusion.  
   
   
       11 . The puzzle of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of at least one moveable face piece comprises a flat geometry.  
   
   
       12 . The puzzle of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of at least one moveable face piece comprises a curved geometry.  
   
   
       13 . The puzzle of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of at least one moveable face piece comprises a three-dimensional geometry.  
   
   
       14 . A shaped puzzle comprising: 
 a body, the body having a top and a bottom; and    a plurality of moveable pieces, wherein relative to the body the moveable face pieces comprise an outer three-dimensional surface, wherein the moveable pieces are coupled to the body and limited to movement by the body, and wherein the movement comprises a rotational or linear movement between the top and bottom.    
   
   
       15 . The shaped puzzle of  claim 14 , wherein the shape comprises a cylinder.  
   
   
       16 . The shaped puzzle of  claim 14 , wherein the shape comprises a multisided geometry.  
   
   
       17 . The shaped puzzle of  claim 16 , wherein the body comprises a plurality of moveable mainframes disposed about a central shaft, and wherein between any two adjacent mainframes there is disposed a bearing.  
   
   
       18 . A puzzle comprising: 
 a body, the body having a top and a bottom; and    a plurality of moveable pieces, wherein the moveable pieces are coupled to the body and limited by the body to movement about the body in a rotational direction between the top and bottom, and wherein the body is coupled to moveable face pieces that may define an outer shaped surface of the puzzle that is cylindrical or multisided.    
   
   
       19 . The puzzle of  claim 18 , wherein the outer shaped surface of a moveable face piece is a three dimensional surface.  
   
   
       20 . The puzzle of  claim 19 , wherein the body comprises a plurality of adjacent moveable mainframes, and wherein between any two adjacent mainframes there is disposed a self-aligning friction reducing mechanism.