GB2114009A - Chinese ring puzzle - Google Patents

Abstract

The puzzle comprises an elongated loop (10) extending from a handle (11), a plurality of rings (12) each having a rod (13) pivotally connected thereto and passing through an adjacent ring, and a support (14), through which the rods are slidable. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Mechanical puzzle This invention concerns a mechanical puzzle of the kind (hereinafter termed of the kind referred to) comprising two portions which can by proper manipulation be totally separated and reassembled to their initial conjoined condition.

The puzzle of the invention can be particularly challenging, and a typical embodiment may require a skilled and knowledgeable operative some hours for its complete solution, that is separation into and reassembly from its component portions.

The following statement describes the puzzle in its fully assembled form, but it must be understood that the invention includes the two portions when totally separated or the two portions at any intermediate stage between such separation and the fully assembled condition.

According to the present invention there is provided a puzzle of the kind referred to and which in its properly assembled condition comprises a first member defining a closed loop of elongated shape, a plurality of annular members threaded over said first member but not in themselves captive thereon, a rod pivotally connected with each annular member and extending therefrom through the loop of said first member to support means through which they may slide but which acts to maintain them in linearly spaced relationship, the rod from each annular member, except the rearmost one of the assembly thereof, passing through the annular member behind the one to which it is pivotally connected.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the single figure'of the accompanying drawing, which shows, by way of example only, one form of puzzle embodying the invention when in its properly and fully assembled condition.

Referring now to the drawing, it will be seen that the puzzle comprises two portions.

A first portion A comprises a member 10 in the form of a closed loop of elongated shape, conveniently provided with a handle 11 at one end thereof.

The second portion B is rather more complex and comprises, in this example, thirteen annular rings 12, a rod 1 3 pivotally connected to each thereof and support means 14 which will be more particularly described hereinafter.

All of the rings 12 have an internal diameter greater than the width of the member 10 and are threaded thereover but are not in themselves captive thereon.

The rods 1 3 extend downwardly from the thirteen rings 1 2 to which they are respectively connected and pass through the loop of the member 10. The thirteen rods 13 slidably pass respectively through apertures 1 5 located at spaced intervals along the support means 14 which is in the form of a bar and are prevented from disengagement therefrom by beads or the like 1 6 secured to their ends on the opposite side of the means 14 from the rings 12.

The rod 13 from each ring 1 2 (except the rearmost 12') passes through the ring 1 2 behind the ring 12 to which it is pivotally connected.

In use the rings 12 and rods 13 may be manipulated so that the portion B can be totally separated from the portion A. Thus rings may be pulled over the nose 1 Oa of the member 10 in either direction, and turning sideways for passage through the loop of the member 10. By following the proper moves total separation and then reassembly can be effected.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof.

Thus more or less than thirteen rings may be included in the portion B if the puzzle is to be more difficult or more easy to solve. Various other modifications can be made such, for example, as replacing the bar-type support means 1 4 with a flexible strip or a chain, the links of which provide the apertures 1 5.

1. A puzzle of the kind referred to which in its properly assembled condition comprises a first member defining a closed loop of elongated shape, a plurality of annular members threaded over said first member but not in themselves captive thereon, a rod pivotally connected with each annular member and extending therefrom through the loop of said first member to support means through which they may slide but which acts to maintain them in linearly spaced relationship, the rod from each annular member, except the rearmost one of the assembly thereof, passing through the annular member behind the one to which it is pivotally connected.

2. A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein the closed loop of said first member extends from a handle.

3. A puzzle according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said annular members are comprised by circular rings.

4. A puzzle according to any preceding claim wherein said support means comprises a bar having linearly spaced bores therein through which said rods may slide.

5. A puzzle according to claim 4 wherein said rods carry means on their ends remote from said annular members to prevent them from being disengaged from said bar.

6. A puzzle substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the single figure of the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Mechanical puzzle This invention concerns a mechanical puzzle of the kind (hereinafter termed of the kind referred to) comprising two portions which can by proper manipulation be totally separated and reassembled to their initial conjoined condition. The puzzle of the invention can be particularly challenging, and a typical embodiment may require a skilled and knowledgeable operative some hours for its complete solution, that is separation into and reassembly from its component portions. The following statement describes the puzzle in its fully assembled form, but it must be understood that the invention includes the two portions when totally separated or the two portions at any intermediate stage between such separation and the fully assembled condition. According to the present invention there is provided a puzzle of the kind referred to and which in its properly assembled condition comprises a first member defining a closed loop of elongated shape, a plurality of annular members threaded over said first member but not in themselves captive thereon, a rod pivotally connected with each annular member and extending therefrom through the loop of said first member to support means through which they may slide but which acts to maintain them in linearly spaced relationship, the rod from each annular member, except the rearmost one of the assembly thereof, passing through the annular member behind the one to which it is pivotally connected. The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the single figure'of the accompanying drawing, which shows, by way of example only, one form of puzzle embodying the invention when in its properly and fully assembled condition. Referring now to the drawing, it will be seen that the puzzle comprises two portions. A first portion A comprises a member 10 in the form of a closed loop of elongated shape, conveniently provided with a handle 11 at one end thereof. The second portion B is rather more complex and comprises, in this example, thirteen annular rings 12, a rod 1 3 pivotally connected to each thereof and support means 14 which will be more particularly described hereinafter. All of the rings 12 have an internal diameter greater than the width of the member 10 and are threaded thereover but are not in themselves captive thereon. The rods 1 3 extend downwardly from the thirteen rings 1 2 to which they are respectively connected and pass through the loop of the member 10. The thirteen rods 13 slidably pass respectively through apertures 1 5 located at spaced intervals along the support means 14 which is in the form of a bar and are prevented from disengagement therefrom by beads or the like 1 6 secured to their ends on the opposite side of the means 14 from the rings 12. The rod 13 from each ring 1 2 (except the rearmost 12') passes through the ring 1 2 behind the ring 12 to which it is pivotally connected. In use the rings 12 and rods 13 may be manipulated so that the portion B can be totally separated from the portion A. Thus rings may be pulled over the nose 1 Oa of the member 10 in either direction, and turning sideways for passage through the loop of the member 10. By following the proper moves total separation and then reassembly can be effected. It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof. Thus more or less than thirteen rings may be included in the portion B if the puzzle is to be more difficult or more easy to solve. Various other modifications can be made such, for example, as replacing the bar-type support means 1 4 with a flexible strip or a chain, the links of which provide the apertures 1 5. CLAIMS

1. A puzzle of the kind referred to which in its properly assembled condition comprises a first member defining a closed loop of elongated shape, a plurality of annular members threaded over said first member but not in themselves captive thereon, a rod pivotally connected with each annular member and extending therefrom through the loop of said first member to support means through which they may slide but which acts to maintain them in linearly spaced relationship, the rod from each annular member, except the rearmost one of the assembly thereof, passing through the annular member behind the one to which it is pivotally connected.

2. A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein the closed loop of said first member extends from a handle.

3. A puzzle according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said annular members are comprised by circular rings.

4. A puzzle according to any preceding claim wherein said support means comprises a bar having linearly spaced bores therein through which said rods may slide.

5. A puzzle according to claim 4 wherein said rods carry means on their ends remote from said annular members to prevent them from being disengaged from said bar.

6. A puzzle substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the single figure of the accompanying drawing.