3-D puzzle including a block and interlocking sliding keys

Abstract

A puzzle and a method of solving thereof are disclosed. The puzzle includes a block defining an interior and an exterior, the block including at least three panels arranged perpendicularly to each other, wherein each panel defines a wall and wherein each panel defines at least one slot through each wall. A plurality of keys, each configured to be fully insertable through each slot on each wall from the exterior toward the interior when there are no other keys in the block are provided. The keys and the slots are configured such that, if each key is inserted into a correct slot and in a correct sequence with respect to the others keys, all of the plurality of keys can be fully inserted into the block, and, if at least one of the plurality of keys is inserted into an incorrect slot or in an incorrect sequence with respect to the other keys, at least one of the keys cannot be fully inserted into the block.

1 . A puzzle comprising:
 a block defining an interior and an exterior, the block including at least three panels arranged perpendicularly to each other, wherein each panel defines a wall and wherein each panel defines at least one slot through each wall; and a plurality of keys, each configured to be fully insertable through each slot on each wall from the exterior toward the interior when there are no other keys in the block;   wherein the keys and the slots are configured such that, if each key is inserted into a correct slot and in a correct sequence with respect to the others keys, all of the plurality of keys can be fully inserted into the block, and, if at least one of the plurality of keys is inserted into an incorrect slot or in an incorrect sequence with respect to the other keys, at least one of the keys cannot be fully inserted into the block.   
   
   
       2 . A puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein the block defines at least six panels arranged perpendicularly to each other to form a cube, each key defining an elongate body configured to enter the cube from one face and at least a portion of the body configured to protrude out from the cube at an opposite face. 
   
   
       3 . A puzzle according to  claim 2 , wherein the puzzle includes twenty-seven keys and wherein each panel defines a first type of slot and a second type of slot, wherein the first type of slot is configured as an entry and exit slot allowing each key to be inserted thereinto and protrude therefrom after having been inserted, wherein the second type of slot is only an exit slot allowing each key to protrude therefrom after having been inserted, wherein the puzzle includes thirty-three first type slots and twenty one second type slots. 
   
   
       4 . A puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein the keys form a snap-fit locking arrangement with the panels when fully inserted. 
   
   
       5 . A puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the event of an incorrect insertion, either with respect to the slot or with respect to the sequence of insertion, the full insertion of a key is prevented by contact with another key previously inserted within the block. 
   
   
       6 . A puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein, each key defines a certain color, wherein if each key is inserted into a correct slot and in a correct sequence with respect to the others keys, all of the plurality of keys will result in a predetermined color arrangement formed by the color of the keys. 
   
   
       7 . A puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein the block is made from a transparent material allowing viewing of the interior from the exterior. 
   
   
       8 . A puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein each key includes at least a pair of elongate parallel legs, both of which include at least portions configured to extend through the slots. 
   
   
       9 . A puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein there is only one correct sequence of insertion and only one correct slot associated with each of the keys to end up with all of the keys fully inserted into the block. 
   
   
       10 . A puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein there is more than one correct sequence of insertion and more than one correct slot associated with each of the keys to end up with all of the keys fully inserted into the block. 
   
   
       11 . A puzzle comprising:
 a first key, a second key, and a third key, each key including a body defining at least one keyslot, wherein all of the keys are configured to cooperatively form a predetermined interlock arrangement among the keys if the keys are interlocked in a correct arrangement and in a correct sequence with respect to each other, wherein, if the keys are interlocked in the correct arrangement, each of the first key, the second key, and the third key includes one of the other two keys inserted through its at least one keyslot.   
   
   
       12 . A puzzle according to  claim 11 , wherein each key includes at least a pair of elongate parallel legs between which are defined the keyslots. 
   
   
       13 . A puzzle according to  claim 11 , wherein each key is oriented in a perpendicular arrangement with respect to the other keys when the keys are interlocked in the correct arrangement. 
   
   
       14 . A puzzle according to  claim 11 , wherein the first key defines at least one keyslot, the second key defines at least two keyslots, and the third key defines at least three keyslots. 
   
   
       15 . A method of assembling a puzzle, comprising:
 providing a block defining an interior and an exterior, the block including a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel, each panel arranged perpendicularly to one another, wherein each panel defines a wall and wherein each panel defines at least one slot through each wall;   providing a first key, a second key, and a third key, each key configured to be fully insertable through each slot on each wall from the exterior toward the interior when there are no other keys inserted into the block;   inserting all of the first key, the second key, and the third key into each of the slots defined by the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel, respectively, until all of the first key, the second key, and the third key are fully inserted into the block, wherein the first key, the second key, and the third key must be inserted into the slot of a correct panel and in a correct sequence with respect to the rest of the other keys, wherein if any of the first key, the second key, and the third key is not inserted into the correct slot or is not inserted in the correct sequence with respect to the other keys, at least one of the keys will prevent at least one of the other keys from being fully inserted into the block.   
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein, each key defines a certain color, wherein if each key is inserted into the slot of a correct panel and in a correct sequence with respect to the others keys, all of the plurality of keys will result in a predetermined color arrangement formed by the color of the keys. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the block is made from a transparent material allowing viewing of the interior from the exterior. 
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the keys form a snap-fit locking arrangement with the panels when fully inserted. 
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein there is only one correct sequence of insertion and only one correct slot associated with each of the keys to end up with all of the keys fully inserted into the block. 
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein there is more than one correct sequence of insertion and more than one correct slot associated with each of the keys to end up with all of the keys fully inserted into the block.