DE29805130U1 - Component and arrangement for generating geometric shapes - Google Patents

Description

Dipl.-lng. (FH) Matthias Thomas, Patent Attorney, Rungstockstrasse 1*, (D)-096£6 Olbernhau·· ··

Title of the innovation

Component and arrangement for generating geometric shapes
5

Area of application of the innovation

The innovation is used in the production of components that are used to create geometric figures by deliberately arranging them next to one another. It is also used in components that are used to create puzzles that can be changed as desired. The innovation is also used in the production of 3-dimensional puzzles.

Characteristics of known solutions

Patience games are well known in which a freely movable body must be moved by the player on a playing surface towards a goal. A preferred embodiment of such patience games is that a playing surface is provided with a number of recesses and the player must move freely movable game elements, such as balls, into the recesses.
It is also known to provide the playing surface of such games with a graphic representation that is either part of the game or simply contains an arbitrary pictorial representation.

Also well known are patience games in which additional elements are erected above the playing surface to create obstacles for the game elements or in which the game elements have to be transported into holes, gates or similar formed by these structures.

It is also known to equip the patience games described above with a bonus system.

The patience games described above have the disadvantage that they have a predetermined game board that does not allow for any variability in the game. Even if the game board is designed to be interchangeable, there are only limited game options. Another disadvantage is that such games are designed as single-purpose solutions.
By designing such patience games as single-purpose solutions, the player is deprived of any opportunity for his own creative work. The player must stick to the given game plan,

Representative at the German Patent Office / European Patent Office / European Office for Harmonization - &oacgr; -.

Dipl.-lng. (FH) Matthias Thomas, Patent Attorney, Rungstockstrasse 14, (D)-Oi&3if Olbernhau

complete this, orientate yourself on a bonus system that may be present and will therefore very quickly have exhausted the scope of the given game options. Once this has been achieved, this type of patience game loses a lot of its value for the player. If the player wants to have different game options, he is forced to purchase several similar games. This means that they take up a considerable amount of space that would otherwise be available for other purposes.

Also well-known are sets of building blocks that, based on a basic grid, have various geometric shapes on their element surfaces. Building block systems of this kind have long been known as wooden construction kits for building buildings, but also as construction kits for creating decorative surfaces that can be created from basic geometric shapes. Parts of this kind are essentially 2-dimensional and are primarily used to line up to create a surface effect. If the kits are for creating house facades or similar, the parts can also be cubic. In any case, however, the decorative surface effect is the main focus, and using them for other purposes is tantamount to misusing the corresponding components.

Also well-known are dice puzzle games, in which parts of an image are spread over a certain number of identical dice. The image is created by putting the dice together in the right order, with a total of 6 different images possible.

Dice puzzle games are also single-purpose solutions and therefore not suitable for giving the player freedom to be creative. Rather, the player must train his skills through constantly repeated thought and cognitive processes. After a short period of play, people get used to the game and, as a result, become tired, which significantly reduces the play value of such games.

Task of innovation

The innovation aims to propose a component that is suitable for producing, in conjunction with a number of other identical and/or similar components, puzzles in which appropriate play options exist by means of one or more rolling elements.

Representative at the German Patent Office / European Patent Office / European Office for Harmonization - 4 ~

Dipl.-lng. (FH) Matthias Thomas, Patent Attorney, RungstocksfraSe 14, (D)-0i53<?Olbernhau ».* *..*

The innovation also has the task of proposing components for the creation of arrangements with the help of which the aesthetic effect of the resulting surface arrangements can be captured in a playful way. The innovation also has the task of creating a possibility for combining the functionality of the puzzle and the surface arrangement of geometric elements, which avoids the disadvantages of the previously known solutions described above.

Furthermore, the innovation aims to create opportunities for training fine motor skills in a playful way.

Essence of innovation

The essence of the innovation is that a building block with a square floor plan and a height that corresponds to half the edge length of the square can be placed next to and/or next to each other in a finite number of identical and/or largely identically designed components. All components are the same size, so that when a certain number of such components are placed next to each other, a closed surface is formed.

The square surfaces of the components, as well as the edge surfaces, are treated with color. It is irrelevant to the nature of the innovation in which order such color applications are carried out, whether all surfaces of the cuboid-shaped component are treated with color, whether individual surfaces allow the base material of the component to shine through, or whether the color treatment is carried out using replaceable layers of color. It is also irrelevant whether the user is allowed to subsequently design the components in a targeted manner or not.

At least one of the square surfaces is provided with a semicircular groove. The groove is dimensioned so that its width is one third of the edge length of the component.

In an advantageous embodiment of the component, the groove runs parallel to one of the outer edges of the square base surfaces of the component.
A further embodiment results in two of the grooves described above being arranged at an angle of 90° to each other in the square surface of the component.

A further, particularly advantageous embodiment of the component is obtained if one of the square surfaces thereof has an arcuate groove, which also has a width of one third of the edge length and runs around one of the corner points in the form of a quarter circle.

Representative at the German Patent Office / European Patent Office / European Harmonization Office "D"

Dipl.-lng. (FH) Matthias Thomas, Patent Attorney, Rungstocks*tsade i5l·, (Dl-dbfii^ OlSernhau· « * * > · *

In a further embodiment, two arcuate grooves are arranged in the square surface of the component, which in turn are guided as a quarter circle around two diagonally opposite corner points. In a further embodiment, the arcuate grooves are arranged around two corner points of the square surface on one side.

Finally, analogous embodiments arise when arcuate grooves are arranged around three or all four corners of the square surface. Another embodiment of the component provides for the integration of fixing aids into the body of the component. It is irrelevant for the essence of the innovation whether this fixing is carried out by additional, form-fitting means or solely by force-fitting.

A further advantageous embodiment results in a component with straight grooves having a bore at right angles to them at the intersection point.

Another particularly advantageous embodiment of the component is when the raw body is first finished with a specified color on all surfaces and only then are the grooves incorporated into the component. This means that the groove shows the base material of the component, while the surfaces are designed in a different color.

In addition, the remaining partial areas can also be designed with different colors.

Another embodiment uses different colors for the surfaces with straight grooves and for the surfaces with curved grooves. Furthermore, specific colors can be assigned to all possible groove arrangements.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the component is created when one of the square surfaces has at least one straight groove and the opposite surface has at least one curved groove. This enables a corresponding combination of two embodiments in one component and thus enables a limitation of the number of components to be manufactured. The total number of component combinations depends solely on the required number of different groove shapes and the resulting number of combinations on both sides.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the component, it is made from soft, easily machinable material, whereby the cuboid shape of the component is first created and then the required number and design are cut into the square surfaces.

Representative at the German Patent Office / European Patent Office / European Office for Harmonization " O "

Dipl.-lng. (FH) Matthias Thomas, patent attorney, Rungstockstr%ße"14i (

the grooves are created using a machining process. A particularly effective and aesthetically pleasing design is achieved by manufacturing the components from wood. The wood is also particularly easy to color the surface and can also have additional aesthetically pleasing effects thanks to its texture.

The new arrangement uses a predetermined number of the components described above. By arranging the individual components accordingly, very different geometric shapes and images can be created. For example, a full circle can be created by placing four components, each with an arcuate groove, next to one another. The components are placed next to one another with the corner point around which the arcuate groove runs. If another component with a straight groove is inserted between the components of the arrangement described above, the groove image is in the form of a square with rounded corners.

If a total of seven components are joined together in such a way that three components each form a three-quarter-circle groove and both partial arrangements are connected to each other by another component with a cross-shaped groove arrangement, the result is a figure-eight groove shape.
In the same way, by arranging parts with certain groove shapes next to each other, geometric figures can be created that can be laid using the straight line, cross and quarter circle grid elements and using the required number of components.

It is also possible to create several similar geometric figures next to each other or in any other arrangement. The actual number of possible embodiments is ultimately only limited by the number of available components, the groove shapes implemented there and the respective combination of groove shapes present in the component.

In a preferred embodiment of the arrangement, a predetermined number of components are arranged in a predetermined combination within a box. The number of figures that can be placed is also limited by the predetermined number of components. A particular advantage of this embodiment is that the existing components can remain in the box even when the arrangement is not in use, thus enabling permanent storage of geometric figures that have already been created. The bottom of the box is also the game board.

> Representative at the German Patent Office / European Patent Office / European Office for Harmonization ~ I ~

Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Matthias Thomas, Patent Attorney, RungstocksWaße M, (D)-0»»26 Olfeernhaif· ··

Another embodiment uses a box with a lid, which can also be used as a game board.

If the box is designed in such a way that both the base and the lid can be inserted into grooves in the box, the area of the game board can be doubled.

Another embodiment of the arrangement uses a box that can be divided at about half its height and both parts can be put back together next to each other. This can roughly double the area of the game board. If a box with an internal height that corresponds approximately to the edge length 2L of the components is used, components can be placed in it standing on their narrow side. This ensures that the number of components required for the enlarged playing area can be stored. It is also possible to lay out the smaller playing area with 2 vertical components each. In this case, a number of components can also remain unused, depending on requirements. If components are used that are fixed to one another, it is also possible to create 3-dimensional arrangements.
An advantageous embodiment of the arrangement described above uses, in addition to the components and the box that holds them, a rolling body, preferably a ball, whose external dimensions are adapted to the size of the groove. With this embodiment, it is possible to use the groove shape laid out at the same time as a guide track for a movement game, preferably as a patience game. The rolling body is guided along a track through the groove laid out and can be used, for example, for game tasks to train the player's dexterity, but also for simple competitions between several players. If the box that holds the components is placed on a solid base at at least ^one point and is otherwise held by the player with their hands, the player's fine motor skills can be trained by using the different groove patterns to be laid out. A particularly advantageous feature is the possibility of placing different demands on the player by frequently changing the groove patterns and of maintaining the necessary interest of the player in playing the game.

Particularly high demands are placed on the motor skills of the player if, in another embodiment of the arrangement, at least two similar groove shapes are placed next to each other or one behind the other and a rolling body is placed in each of them. With this approach

Representative at the German Patent Office / European Patent Office / European Office for Harmonization ~ O ~

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Dipl.-lng. (FH) Matthias Thomas, patent attorney, Rungstockstree! 14, (D)-096£6 Olternhau·· ··

For example, a uniformity game can be played by trying to bring both rolling bodies in identical groove shapes to the same position and to maintain this state permanently.

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In a further embodiment of the arrangement, it is linked to a bonus system. At least one component has a recess at one point in the groove such that the rolling element can be held in place in the groove if the arrangement is handled skillfully. If the recess is designed as a vertical hole, even the disappearance of the rolling element is possible.

pers in the same. It is also possible to design the recess so that the bonus system is used in such a way that the success of the game lies precisely in being able to overcome the respective recess. A simple embodiment of the bonus system consists in using a rolling body that is larger than the existing groove and therefore runs only on the groove edges. The recess is formed by using a component with cross-shaped grooves. In another embodiment, two components, each with an arcuate groove, are placed with their square surfaces against each other and thus, with their two narrow sides, again form the base area of a square. These two components are inserted vertically into the arrangement at any point and thus form the insertion opening at the beginning of an otherwise randomly placed groove. With this arrangement, one of the square partial surfaces within the box remains unused, since the relevant component is used in pairs with another. It is also possible to create several insertion openings within the arrangement in the same way. It is also possible to use such an arrangement as an ejection or collection area for the rolling body, depending on the respective game task.

Another embodiment of the arrangement uses components in which connecting elements of any design are integrated into the contact surfaces. Another embodiment also uses such elements in the area of the square surface. With the help of these connecting elements, which can be designed in any conceivable shape, but are preferably magnetic elements, it is possible to create fragmented planar structures in which components are not placed next to one another. It is also possible to create 3-dimensional arrangements.

Representative at the German Patent Office / European Patent Office / European Office for Harmonization

Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Matthias Thomas, patent attorney, Rungstockstr"aße*14$ (D)-O9S2j3*Olb#nhau ..* *..*

In the embodiment that also has this type of connecting element in the area of the square surfaces, this makes it possible to create 3-dimensional structures and also to cover parts of the grooves by placing mirror-image components on top of them, turning them into a tunnel tube. This embodiment is particularly advantageous if there is a crossing or branching element in the area of the covered tunnel tube, so that the success of the game depends on the correct handling of the box or the playing surface used, and this only becomes visible when the rolling body exits the exposed area of the groove at the right place.

When playing using the arrangement, the board is placed on a surface, such as a table top, with the side facing away from the player. The other two corners of the board or the long side are kept free by the player. By constantly changing the position of the board relative to the horizontal, the rolling body is forced to move.

Another advantageous embodiment of the arrangement is when an additional elevation is arranged on the underside of the box or the playing surface, which serves as a support. This enables movement in two planes, so that the rolling body can be influenced more strongly in its movement and at the same time the player's fine motor skills are better trained.
If the bottom of the box or the playing surface is provided with a hole of smaller diameter, this can fix one of the rolling elements that are already part of the game, this can take on the function of the elevation and the entire arrangement can be stored inside the packaging when not in use.

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Representative at the German Patent Office / European Patent Office / European Office for Harmonization

Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Matthias Thomas, Patent Attorney, Rungstockstraße M, (D)-09&26 Olfcernhau·· ··

Examples of implementation

The innovation is presented below using 3 exemplary embodiments, wherein in exemplary embodiment 1, shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, the component is described, in exemplary embodiment 2, shown in Fig. 4 to Fig. 6, possible designs of the playing surface are shown and in exemplary embodiment 3, shown in Fig. 7, a possibility for storing the game board is described.

Example 1

In this exemplary embodiment, the basic concept of the innovative component as well as various embodiments thereof are explained.

Fig. 1 shows the component in its simplest form. A cuboid-shaped part is used, the dimensioning of which is based on the use of a basic dimension L and multiples of it. The component shown in Fig. 1 has an edge length of 2L and a height of L, so that a basic body with a square base and top surface and half the height is produced. A cube shape can be created by placing two such components on top of each other. This is also possible by placing two such parts upright next to each other.
In its basic design, the component (1) is provided with a straight groove (3) on its cover surface (2) which runs along the central axis of the cover surface

(2). The groove (3) is dimensioned so that its width is approximately one third of the edge length 2L or two thirds L. On the underside

(4) also has a groove (5) which, however, runs in an arc around the corner point (6) and has the shape of a quarter circle. Accordingly, the groove runs from the surface (7) to the surface (8).

In Fig. 2 it is shown that a further groove (9) runs along the other central axis of the cover surface (2) and thus at an angle of 90° to the groove (3). This embodiment makes it possible to lay arrangements with crossings later.
Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the component (1) in which an arcuate groove is formed around two opposite corner points (6) and (10).

(5) and (11). Both describe a quarter circle. In contrast to the representations in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the component (1) in Fig. 3 is shown rotated by 180°.

Representative at the German Patent Office / European Patent Office / European Office for Harmonization

Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Matthias Thomas, Patent Attorney, Rungstockstwße &Agr;, (D)-096£6 Oliernhau

It is also possible to create similar curved grooves around the corner points (12) and (13). Overall, a component (1) can therefore accommodate one to four such grooves on one surface. If the opposite surface (2) is also used, a maximum of eight curved grooves can be created.

As described above, it is also possible to create straight grooves on both surfaces, with a maximum of four grooves possible.
It is also possible to omit individual or all grooves. Which design of the component is ultimately produced depends solely on the size of the playing surface, the number of components required (1) and the pattern variants to be realized.

It is also possible to produce the components (1) in a wide variety of materials, dimensions and manufacturing processes. Only one preferred embodiment consists in producing the components (1) from the material wood, as this is easy to work and the prominent texture creates a desirable surface.

Example 2

In this embodiment, which is shown in Fig. 4 to Fig. 6, an exemplary selection of possible variants is used to show which game contents and which graphic effects can be achieved with the help of the components described in embodiment 1.
Fig. 4 starts with a playing surface that consists of an arrangement of 4x4 components. The visible surfaces of the components are designed without grooves, with a straight groove (3), with intersecting straight grooves (3) and (9) and with two curved grooves (5) and (11). By arbitrarily arranging these components, as shown in Fig. 4, various continuous and finite shapes of grooves are created. The corresponding combination of components allows a large number of images to be laid out. In this way, graphic effects of certain component combinations can be created and their usability can be tested.
Since certain groove shapes result from the combination of the components, it is also possible to use the described arrangements as a ball track by adding a rolling body (14), which is expediently designed as a ball. The player can lay continuous, finite, infinite or branched grooves at his own discretion, can work with one or more rolling bodies (14), can play the game as a game of regularity, skill, success or as an educational game.

Representative at the German Patent Office / European Patent Office / European Office for Harmonization ~ IkL"

Dipl.-lng. (FH) Matthias Thomas, Patent Attorney, RungstockstTalJi 1£ (D)-09^ff Olbfrnhau ..· ·,,·

use. A particularly advantageous embodiment of the arrangement is used in particular as a training tool for the special training of the player's fine motor skills. Fig. 5 shows a variant of an arrangement in which

, finally self-contained, endless grooves are created. By using arc-shaped groove shapes, a circular groove (15) is created in the center and a wave-shaped groove (16) around it. A rolling body (14) can be inserted into both groove shapes at the discretion of the player. In the game to train the player's fine motor skills, an arrangement as shown in Fig. 6 is also used. The game board (17) is placed with one edge (18) on a plate (19), which can be a table top, for example. The player holds the game board (17) with his hands at the edge (21). By slightly lifting the game board (17) from the horizontal, the rolling body (14) moves away from the player along the specified groove. If the player moves the game board

(17) from the horizontal downwards, the rolling body (14) moves towards it. In this way, the player can move the rolling body along a groove by moving the game board (17). If the game is intended to train fine motor skills, groove shapes as shown in Fig. 5 are preferred. If the game board (17) is large enough, it is possible to place several identical groove shapes next to each other and, in particular, to train the player's fine motor skills through a regularity game.

Example 3

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In this embodiment, which is shown in Fig. 7, an embodiment of the arrangement is described which places even higher demands on the fine motor skills of the player than that described in embodiment 2.
The game board (17), which carries the arrangement of the building blocks (1), is provided with at least one hole (20) which is located on the side of the game board (18) facing away from the player during play. The game board (17) is placed with the hole (20) on another rolling body (22) which rests on a base (23), which in turn can be a table top. The rolling body (22) and the hole (20) are not visible as they are covered by a component (1).

This arrangement allows, in addition to the up and down movement already described, a lateral inclination of the game board (17) is also possible. The three-point support of the game board (17) created in this way places considerably higher demands on the player. For example, a transverse movement

Representative at the German Patent Office / European Patent Office / European Office for Harmonization - I «3 "

Dipl.-lng. (FH) Matthias Thomas, Patent Attorney, Rungstockstrasse 1, (D)-0*96C6 Olfiernhau·· ··*

movement of the rolling body (14) or superimposed movements. In particular, when using groove crossings or groove shapes, such as the grooves (15) and (16) in Fig. 5, the movement of the rolling body (14) can be influenced more strongly.

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Representative at the German Patent Office / European Patent Office / European Office for Harmonization ~ 1 4 -

Claims (11)

Dipl.-lng. (FH) Matthias Thomas, patent attorney, Rungstocksfraße 14, (D)-O3S3i Olbernhau ..* *· Protection claims 1. Arrangement for producing geometric shapes, characterized in that it is obtainable from a planar assembly of a finite number of components with the same base area and the same height, each of the components being provided with at least one straight and/or arcuate groove running around a corner point thereof, by appropriate assignment of the components and/or their position relative to one another, finite and/or infinite, straight and/or arcuate, branched and/or unbranched groove shapes can be achieved. 2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of components that can be placed is limited by a game board serving as a base. 3. Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the game board is a box which simultaneously accommodates the total number of components belonging to the arrangement. ■■..■"·. 4. Arrangement according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the game board has a bore (20) on at least one side which fixes a rolling body (22) lying on a base (23). 5. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a centrally divided and hinged box is used as the game board, which, in the closed state, accommodates the components standing on one of its narrow sides, the halves of which can be separated and which is used as combined, as separate playing surfaces or as a storage container. 6. Arrangements according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a component with a square base and a height equal to half the edge length of the square is provided with at least one groove on at least one of the two square surfaces. 7. Component according to claim 6, characterized in that the groove begins in the middle between two corner points of the square base and runs from one side surface to another side surface. Representative at the German Patent Office / European Patent Office / European Office for Harmonization " I ~ Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Matthias Thomas, Patent Attorney, Rungstockstrasse 2, (D)-0§i2§ Olbernhau ·.* *··* 8. Component according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the base and/or cover surface and/or the groove and/or the grooves and/or the side surfaces are colored in a different way from the remaining surface of the component. 9. Component according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that it is made of wood. 10. Arrangement and component according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the groove receives and/or guides at least one rolling body. 11. Arrangement and component according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that two or more components are fixed against each other by suitable devices in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner. Representative at the German Patent Office / European Patent Office / European Office for Harmonization