GB2478319A

GB2478319A - Rotating wheel puzzle

Info

Publication number: GB2478319A
Application number: GB1003508A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Philip Paget
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-03
Filing date: 2010-03-03
Publication date: 2011-09-07
Anticipated expiration: 2030-03-03
Also published as: GB2478319B; GB201003508D0

Abstract

An amusement device or puzzle comprises a sun wheel and a multiplicity of planet wheels each adapted to be rotated bidirectionally by the sun wheel. Each planet wheel is adapted to cooperate with the sun wheel to provide a different transmission ratio for its two directions of rotation. Indicia are included for visibly indicating when the wheels are in a particular phase relationship. The transmission ratios of all the planet wheels relative to the sun wheel may be different. The sun wheel preferably carries two oppositely acting sets of axially displaced pawls which engage respective axially displaced rings of cogs on each planet wheel, with each pawl/cog set arranged to drive the planet wheel in opposing directions. The Indicia preferably comprise an image such as a picture or pattern, and rotation of the sun wheel causes all the wheels to rotate in order to scramble the image. The different respective transmission ratios which at least some of the discs have for their two directions of movement means that unscrambling the image or recovering the original phase relationship of the discs constitutes a puzzle. The device may be represented and implement on a computer.

Description

AN AMUSEMENT DEVICE

This invention generally relates to an amusement device and a drive mechanism for it.

In one aspect the invention concerns an amusement device which in a preferred form comprises an array of rotatable discs, which may be circular and each be located in a circular aperture in a generally flat panel which may constitute part of a housing for the amusement device.

The discs may carry indicia which can collectively indicate when the panels are in a particular phase relationship. The indicia may collectively form a picture or pattern is which is coherent only when the discs are in the said phase relationship. Each disc is carried on or is directly coupled to a respective one of an array of wheels including a sun wheel which drives a multiplicity of planet wheels. The planet wheels are adapted to provide a transmission ratios of which at least some are different for different wheels and at least some are different for different directions of rotation of the same wheel.

For example, a particular planet wheel may rotate one and a half times for each full rotation of the sun wheel in one direction but rotate through only three quarters of a full turn for each rotation of the sun wheel in a reverse direction.

The amusement device may be played by means of rotation of the sun wheeL This causes all the discs in the face of the device to rotate and the phase relationship of the discs is changed. When the iridicia constitute an image, such as a picture or pattern, the image becomes scrambled. Owing to the different respective transmission ratios which at least some of the discs have for their two directions of movement, unscrambling of the image or in general the recovery of the original phase relationship of the discs is or may be made a complex task.

The sun wheel may carry two sets of pawis which engage respective rings of cogs on each planet wheel. Preferably the sets of pawls and the sets of cogs are axially displaced on the respective wheel. The sets of pawls are disposed to drive each planet wheel in respective directions. Thus for one direction of rotation of the sun wheel one set of pawis will drive a ring of cogs on a planet wheel while the other set of pawis is deflected by those cogs and allows them to slip past. The sets of pawls operate conversely for the opposite direction of rotation of the sun wheel..

Each pawl may be constituted by an arm which extends radially and obliquely to a driving rim of the sun wheel. The two sets of pawls may be disposed one to each side of a central hub which prevents them from mutual interference. The planet wheels have two axially separated rings of cogs, which preferably differ in number on each planet wheel.

The rotation of each planet wheel may be proportional to the rotation of the sun wheel but may be irregular, for example by disposing the cogs in each ring irregularly.

One embodiment of the invention is intended for entirely manual operation, the device being operated by manual rotation of the sun wheel. However, motorised versions may be contemplated. Furthermore, it is feasible to simulate the device by means of a programmed processor or computer, mobile telephone or the like and it is within the scope of the invention to do this.

Claims

Claims 1. An amusement device comprising a sun wheel and a multiplicity of planet wheels each adapted to be rotated bidirectionally by the sun wheel, wherein each planet wheel is adapted to cooperate with the sun wheel to provide a different transmission ratio for its two directions of rotation, and indicia for visibly indicating when the wheels are in a particular phase relationship.
2. An amusement device according to claim I in which the transmission ratios of all the planet wheels relative to the sun wheel are different.
3. An amusement device according to claim br 2 in which each wheel includes or is directly coupled to a disc which rotates in a respective aperture in a common panel.
4. An amusement device according to any forgoing claim in which the sun wheel carries two oppositely acting sets of pawls which engage respective rings of cogs on each planet wheel.
5. An amusement device according to claim 4 in which the sets of pawls and the sets of cogs are axially displaced on the respective wheel, the sets of pawls are disposed to drive each planet wheel in respective directions..
6. An amusement device according to claim 4 or 5 in which each pawl is constituted by an arm which extends radially and obliquely to a driving rim of the sun wheel.
7. An amusement device according to claim 6 in which the two sets of pawls are disposed one to each side of a central hub which prevents them from mutual interference.
8. An amusement device according to any foregoing claim in which the sun wheel is manually rotatable.
9. An amusement device according to any forgoing claim in which at least one transmission ratio is irregular.
10. A computing device which is programmed to simulate an amusement device according to any forgoing claim.