Spherical puzzle

Abstract

A sphere in the form of a puzzle, wherein the sphere is divided into a plurality of pieces, each preferably having an exposed outer surface having a triangular perimeter, each held in place by a frame comprising a hub and spoke arrangement. The pieces are rotatable in relation to the frame in a plurality of different planar axes.

1 . A spherical puzzle, comprising:
 a plurality of puzzle pieces, each piece comprising a curved exterior surface bordered by a first side, a second side and a third side, each said side having a channel; and   a frame comprising a plurality of hubs and spokes, wherein in a standard position where the puzzle is divisible into a plurality of hemispheres with axes extending along the sides of the pieces, each spoke has a first end and a second end each, independently, located adjacent one of the hubs.   
     
     
         2 . The puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein the hub comprises a ring, wherein the spoke comprises a longitudinal axis located between the first end and the second end, and wherein the spoke is curved along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The puzzle according to  claim 2 , wherein the sides of each piece each comprise a channel located inward from a projection, wherein each spoke comprises a central groove and a rail located on each side of the central groove extending along the longitudinal axis, wherein a portion of the rail of the spoke is located in a rail channel of the piece, and wherein the piece projection is movable in relation to the central groove of the spoke. 
     
     
         4 . The puzzle according to  claim 3 , wherein the first side, the second side and the third side each have a different length, wherein the spoke in contact with the first side has a first length, the spoke in contact with the second side has a second length, and a spoke in contact with the third side has a third length, and wherein the first length, second length and third length are different. 
     
     
         5 . The puzzle according to  claim 4 , wherein in the standard position, each hub is adjacent the end of either four, six or eight different spokes, and wherein the hub has a radial depth'which is less than a radial depth of the spoke. 
     
     
         6 . The puzzle according to  claim 5 , wherein forty-eight pieces are present, wherein seventy-two spokes and twenty-six hubs are present. 
     
     
         7 . The puzzle according to  claim 6 , wherein the puzzle is able to be rotated on nine different axes, wherein twenty-four pieces move in relation to twenty-four other pieces when one hemisphere is rotated in relation to another. 
     
     
         8 . The puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein each piece is in the form of a triangular pyramid having a base that is the curved exterior surface. 
     
     
         9 . The puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein each piece comprises an outer segment connected to an inner segment by a connector member. 
     
     
         10 . The puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein the first end and second end of each spoke include a magnet. 
     
     
         11 . The puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the hubs comprises an expander that provides an outward pressure. 
     
     
         12 . A spherical puzzle, comprising:
 a plurality of puzzle pieces, each piece comprising a curved exterior surface bordered by a first side, a second side and a third side, each side having a different length; and   a frame comprising a plurality of hubs and spokes, wherein each piece is directly bordered by three spokes in a standard position, wherein the standard position is defined by the puzzle being divisible into a plurality of hemispheres with axes extending along the sides of the pieces.   
     
     
         13 . The puzzle according to  claim 12 , wherein in the standard position, each hub is adjacent the end of either four, six or eight different spokes, and wherein the hub has a radial depth which is less than a radial depth of the spoke. 
     
     
         14 . The puzzle according to  claim 13 , wherein the hub comprises a ring, wherein the spoke comprises a longitudinal axis located between the first end and the second end, and wherein the spoke is curved along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . The puzzle according to  claim 14 , wherein the sides of each piece each comprise a channel located inward from a projection, wherein each spoke comprises a central groove and a rail located on each side of the central groove extending along the longitudinal axis, wherein a portion of the rail of the spoke is located in a rail channel of the piece, and wherein the piece projection is movable in relation to the central groove of the spoke. 
     
     
         16 . The puzzle according to  claim 15 , wherein forty-eight pieces are present, wherein seventy-two spokes and twenty-six hubs are present. 
     
     
         17 . The puzzle according to  claim 16 , wherein the puzzle is able to be rotated on nine different axes, wherein twenty-four pieces move in relation to twenty-four other pieces when one hemisphere is rotated in relation to another. 
     
     
         18 . The puzzle according to  claim 12 , wherein each piece comprises an outer segment connected to an inner segment by a connector member. 
     
     
         19 . The puzzle according to  claim 12 , wherein the first end and second end of each spoke include a magnet. 
     
     
         20 . The puzzle according to  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the hubs comprises an expander that provides an outward pressure.