Spatial logical toy

Abstract

A three-dimensional puzzle bearing a shape of a cube comprises cubiform elements joined together so that outer faces of the cubiform elements comprise respective surfaces of the cube. A plurality of n indicia are arranged in rows or columns on each outer face of the cubiform elements. The plurality of indicia comprise a plurality of unique attributes selected from a group of n attributes. A selected surface of the cube may be relatively rotated for moving the associated rows or columns from one surface to another surface. The puzzle is in a solved condition when at least one surface bears indicia wherein at least one row or one column of cubiform elements bears one of each indicia with no duplicate indicia.

1 . A three-dimensional puzzle bearing a shape of a cube, the puzzle comprising:
 cubiform elements joined together to form an integrated puzzle body so that outer faces of the cubiform elements comprise respective surfaces of the cube, mutually perpendicular axes intersecting at a centroid of the cube and passing orthogonally through a center point of each surface of the cube;   a plurality of n indicia arranged in rows or columns on each outer face of the cubiform elements, the plurality of indicia comprising a plurality of unique attributes selected from a group of n attributes;   integrally formed cam elements are configured to connect the cubiform elements for retaining rows of cubiform elements in engagement with one another, yet allowing relative movement of one of a selected row with respect to an adjacent row; and   integrally formed cam elements are configured to connect the cubiform elements for retaining columns of cubiform elements in engagement with one another, yet allowing relative movement of one of a selected column with respect to an adjacent column,   
       wherein the integrally formed cam elements allow relative rotation of a selected surface of the cube, the relative rotation being about one of the axes at one selected time for moving the associated rows or columns from one surface to another surface, 
       wherein the outer faces of a row or a column of cubiform elements display a group of n rows or n columns of indicia, each row or column beginning and ending at the edge cubiform elements of a surface of the cube and traversing the faces of the row or column of cubiform elements, and 
       wherein at least one surface of the cube bears indicia with at least one row or one column of cubiform elements bearing one of each indicia with no duplicate indicia when the puzzle is in a solved condition. 
     
     
         2 . The puzzle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each surface consists of 9 cubiform elements displaying a 3×3 array of outer faces. 
     
     
         3 . The puzzle as recited in  claim 2 , wherein n is 9, and the indicia are arranged on each outer face in a 3×3 grid. 
     
     
         4 . The puzzle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein n is 9, and the indicia are arranged on each outer face in a 3×3 grid. 
     
     
         5 . The puzzle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the indicia comprise single digit natural numbers. 
     
     
         6 . The puzzle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the attributes are selected from the group of visual, audible, or tactile attributes. 
     
     
         7 . The puzzle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the rows and columns of indicia displayed on at least one row or column of cubiform elements on a surface of the cube bear one of each of the indicia with no duplicate indicia when the puzzle is in a solved condition. 
     
     
         8 . The puzzle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the rows and columns of indicia displayed on at least one surface of the cube bear one of each of the indicia with no duplicate indicia when the puzzle is in a solved condition. 
     
     
         9 . The puzzle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein all of the rows and columns of indicia on all surfaces of the cube bear one of each of the indicia with no duplicates when in the solved condition. 
     
     
         10 . The puzzle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a central cubiform element of each surface includes an indicia for determining a proper orientation of the central cubiform element with respect to other surfaces of the cube.