Sliding block puzzle game with laser beam

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/015,487, filed Jun. 22, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to teaching toys and games, and in particular to a sliding block puzzle game with a laser beam. Klotski™ is a family of sliding block puzzle games wherein the aim is to move a specific block to some predefined location. The blocks are provided in an open-topped box, and the players may only slide the blocks in two dimensions; lifting blocks vertically is not permitted. The games teach spatial relationships. However, players can be elevated to a higher level by introducing a light beam, and challenging the players to make the light beam escape the box. The science of optics, including reflection and refraction of light, would govern such a teaching game and physics instructors would welcome the development of such a game. A sliding block puzzle game with a laser beam, using transparent blocks and reflective surfaces to redirect the laser beam to an exit point, would satisfy this demand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a sliding block puzzle game with a laser beam. The game apparatus comprises a square game box with an open top and mirrored interior walls, a laser, a beam entry point, and a beam exit point. The entry and exit points, and the angle of incidence of the laser beam are optionally configurable to adjust the challenge level and refresh the game. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of transparent and translucent refracting blocks of various shapes and sizes. Players may slide the blocks laterally, but may not rotate them or lift them vertically. The goal of the game is to direct the beam out of the exit point, using the reflecting and refracting properties of the blocks and the reflecting property of the interior walls, while avoiding the possibility of total internal reflection.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the game box 10, the grid 10A, the interior walls 11, the entry point 12, the exit point 13, the laser 14, the translucent blocks 15, and the transparent blocks 16.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the game box component of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the game box 10, the grid 10A, and the laser 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a sliding block puzzle game with a laser beam. The game apparatus comprises a square game box 10 with an open top and mirrored interior walls 11, a laser 14, a beam entry point 12, and a beam exit point 13. The entry point 12, the exit point 13, and the angle of incidence of the laser beam are optionally configurable to adjust the challenge level and refresh the game. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of transparent and translucent refracting blocks of various shapes and sizes. Players may slide the blocks laterally, but may not rotate them or lift them vertically. The goal of the game is to direct the beam out of the exit point, using the reflecting and refracting properties of the blocks and the reflecting property of the interior walls, while avoiding the possibility of total internal reflection, which comprises a beam-loss condition.

The first exemplary embodiment provides a game box 10, with an open top. Preferably, the interior dimensions of the game box 10 are 3 inches long, 3 inches wide, and 1 inch tall. A grid 10A of 1-inch squares is provided on the interior surface of the bottom of the game box 10. Alternate embodiments, providing game boxes 10 with different interior dimensions, are contemplated.

The first exemplary embodiment further provides three translucent blocks 15 and four transparent blocks 16. Preferably, all of the blocks are 1 inch long and 1 inch wide, the transparent blocks 16 are 1 inch tall, and the translucent blocks 15 are 0.5 inch tall. Alternate embodiments, providing different quantities and different sizes of translucent blocks 15 and four transparent blocks 16, are also contemplated. Some of the transparent blocks 16 provide one or more reflective side surfaces.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user slides the transparent blocks 16 and the translucent blocks 15 to direct the laser beam out of the game box 10 through the exit point 13. The player uses the interior walls 11 and the reflective sides of the transparent blocks 16 to reflect the laser beam as necessary. Blocks may not be rotated and each block must occupy a square on the grid 10A. The user may also change the angle of incidence using refraction through the transparent blocks 16. Each time the player slides a block from one square to another, it counts as a turn. Directing the laser beam through the exit point 13 in fewer turns provides a greater number of points. The laser beam should be directed through the exit point 13 in a minimum number of steps for maximum points.

The game box 10 is preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material such as wood, plastic, or fiberglass. The interior walls 11, and the reflective surfaces of the transparent blocks 16, are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material which is reflective. The laser 14 is preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials such as steel, aluminum alloy, plastic, and brass. The translucent blocks 15 and the transparent blocks 16 are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material which is transparent, such as acrylic polymer. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.